my shades of green questions

[surfergirl602]

They're desk is always closed when I am able to call, so hopefully someone here can help me.

I have heard that use can't use the dining plan with this hotel.

I have also heard that there is no transportation of you or your luggage to and from the airport.

Is this hotel bookable by calling disney just as you would say, all star suites? With the ticket option?

Can 3 adults, two children, and one infant stay in a regular room?

I can't think of the others right now....

 

[ttester9612]

I love staying at Shades of Green. Recommend that you visit their web page
http://www.shadesofgreen.org/. The rooms are nice and big. SOGs is considered a deluxe by Disney's standards.

Since it's run by the Military Rec Services they don't have a 24 x 7 registration desk but you can make reservations on line. They do have their own dining plan which is for their reservations only (I believe there are four). Rates are based on your rank.

They don't provide transportation to and from the airport. They do have transportation to and from all the parks. It's also about a 10 minute walk to the Poly, which I love to do.

I hope this helps

 

[LadyZolt]

I have heard that use can't use the dining plan with this hotel.

I have also heard that there is no transportation of you or your luggage to and from the airport.

Is this hotel bookable by calling disney just as you would say, all star suites? With the ticket option?

Can 3 adults, two children, and one infant stay in a regular room?

I can't think of the others right now....

You cannot use the dining plan with this hotel. You do, however, qualify as staying "on site" and can use Extra Magic Hours for the parks.

As the previous poster said, you would have to arrange your own transportation to and from the airport.

You cannot reserve a room by calling the Disney number. As the previous poster said, though, you can book a room via their registration page online.

The room reservation at SOG is separate from park tickets (unlike a regular Disney resort where you can get a package that includes the room and the tickets together), but you can get tickets to Disney parks (and other Orlando attractions) while staying there and the prices are pretty good. As for dining, staying at SOG does not allow you to utilize the 180+10 that you can use at Disney resorts, so I just call at the 180 day mark for each reservation I want to make.

I'm not sure about the 3 adults and 3 kids in a room, so you'll have to call them or check their website for that answer. Sorry!


Hope this helps!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[bdcp]

They're desk is always closed when I am able to call, so hopefully someone here can help me.

I have heard that use can't use the dining plan with this hotel.

I have also heard that there is no transportation of you or your luggage to and from the airport.

Is this hotel bookable by calling disney just as you would say, all star suites? With the ticket option?

Can 3 adults, two children, and one infant stay in a regular room?

I can't think of the others right now....

Call during the day. That is, if you qualify to stay there.

No you cannot get the Disney Dining Plan since SOG is not owned by Disney even though it is on Disney property. The site is leased from Disney.

Transportation is not available. We used a town car service the one time we flew. I think Mears also goes there, just not ME. It's not DISNEY OWNED.

You can't call Disney about SOG. It is an Armed Forces Rec Center.

The rooms hold 5 people since there are two queen beds and a pull out sofa so I don' know about a crib also.

Go to the SOG site and you can check out everything including hours of operation: http://www.shadesofgreen.org/home.html

 

[surfergirl602]

I love staying at Shades of Green. Recommend that you visit their web page
http://www.shadesofgreen.org/. The rooms are nice and big. SOGs is considered a deluxe by Disney's standards.

Since it's run by the Military Rec Services they don't have a 24 x 7 registration desk but you can make reservations on line. They do have their own dining plan which is for their reservations only (I believe there are four). Rates are based on your rank.

They don't provide transportation to and from the airport. They do have transportation to and from all the parks. It's also about a 10 minute walk to the Poly, which I love to do.

I hope this helps

So you can't use the express service then with Shades? You have to somehow find a way to get all your luggage (for 6) and yourselves to the hotel? Interesting.
We do qualify to stay there, by husband is active duty army. We're stationed in NY.

What does this mean? -> "s for dining, staying at SOG does not allow you to utilize the 180+10 that you can use at Disney resorts, so I just call at the 180 day mark for each reservation I want to make." I'm a newby to the whole disney experience.

 

[bdcp]

So you can't use the express service then with Shades? You have to somehow find a way to get all your luggage (for 6) and yourselves to the hotel?

NO. You can't use ME. Obviously people get there all the time without express service since the occupancy rate is almost 100%. ME hasn't always existed. Do you qualify to stay at SOG? Go to their website.

As for dining, no you don't get to use the 180+10. You can only call 180 out from the date you want just like someone staying offsite.

The benefits of SOG far outweigh the minor inconveniences you perceive.

 

[surfergirl602]

NO. You can't use ME. Obviously people get there all the time without express service since the occupancy rate is almost 100%. ME hasn't always existed. Do you qualify to stay at SOG? Go to their website.

sorry, I didn't realize that was what ME stood for.

scheduling someone to pick us up is just one more headache of planning to me.

Yes, we qualify.

 

[surfergirl602]

what is the 180+10?

 

[LadyZolt]

what is the 180+10?

If you're staying at a Disney resort (say, the Polynesian) and are staying there for, say, 10 days, then when you are 180 days out, you could call the dining reservation line and make your reservations not only for your arrival day, but for 10 days after. That's the "180+10" perk for Disney resort guests. Of course, there's usually not too much of a problem making reservations 180 days out, so it's a "nice to have," but not usually a "must have" feature.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[bdcp]

what is the 180+10?

For those staying in Disney owned properties, you can make ADR's (advanced dining reservations) 180+ 10 days from your trip. Otherwise, you can only make 180 day out reservations. So, you either have to call each day at 180 days out or 180 days out from your last date of your trip. We stay in SOG and I just call once I'm at 180 days from our last day because I'm not trying to get the busiest times or restaurants. If you want CRT (the castle in MK for a meal) you have to call exactly at 180 days and luck into a spot because it's so popular. Most locations, if you're a little flexible, you can get even less than 180 days.

 

[surfergirl602]

If you're staying at a Disney resort (say, the Polynesian) and are staying there for, say, 10 days, then when you are 180 days out, you could call the dining reservation line and make your reservations not only for your arrival day, but for 10 days after. That's the "180+10" perk for Disney resort guests. Of course, there's usually not too much of a problem making reservations 180 days out, so it's a "nice to have," but not usually a "must have" feature.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

Is this for dinner reservations at the rest. inside disney parks?

 

[ttester9612]

I actually called them the first week of January and booked 3 rooms for December. I did not have to do it on-line.

They have their own dining plan (not Disney) but I believe it's only for those soldiers that served in OIF. When you call ask them about this.

 

[Sleepy]

scheduling someone to pick us up is just one more headache of planning to me.

Please don't view it as a headache. Planning is the best part of a WDW vacation. Go to the transportation board on this website and there is alot of info about options such as car services and rental cars, etc.

We have used Sunray transportation. So far, I have heard nothing negative about them. They are reasonably priced and friendly. THey met us at the airport. We did not have to go searching for them. THey helped with luggage to the SUV. Very clean and professional. They gave us a free 30 minute stop at a local grocery store. It was enough time to grab what we needed. SOG has fridges, so things like sandwich stuff was handy for in the room. You can make a list for reference in the store. When we needed transfer from WDW to Universal, they arrived 10 minutes early (we were outside waiting for them so they would not have to wait or us). WHen it was time to go back to the airport, again they were early. It's easy to reserve service with them. You can call them. They are very friendly. You can also go through the website for communication. Payment is done when they drop you off at your hotel. The entire process is far from a headache.

 

[Sleepy]

They have their own dining plan (not Disney) but I believe it's only for those soldiers that served in OIF. When you call ask them about this.

THey do have a few SOG only dining plans. Actually they are packages which include food and hotel room. R&R package is for those serving in the war. This to me is the only real money deal as far as packages are concerned. You actually do get a good discount by booking this package. With all their packages, you are stuck eating meals only at SOG which can be inconvenient for many. THe R&R package gets you room as well as breakfast buffet and dinner buffet (not many like the dinner buffet). Those buffets are open during certain hours, so you have to make sure you are at the hotel to eat.

Not sure if they have the old Gold Leaf Package. This was room and buffets just as the R&R. Unfortunately, like with most packages at SOG, you are not saving any money. The price of that package was the cost of the room and then adding the regular cost of breakfast buffet and regular cost of dinner buffet for your entire party. Again, you would spend the same amount of money if you arrived at the hotel and paid for your meals out of pocket. Same with all these packages, you are stuck eating only at SOG and only eating during certain hours.

I recently asked SOG about their Sunrise package, because I was interested in the breakfast buffet only. The package included room and breakfast buffet and a $20 gift certificate to a small gift shop at SOG. After doing a breakdown of the regular cost of room and breakfast buffets, I discovered the package was the regular cost of room plus regular cost of breakfast buffets leaving $20 for the cost of that gift certificate to that gift shop at SOG. So, basically, with your own money you are buying a gift certificate which you might not even find something you like in that gift shop. I was disappointed with that package. I viewed it as a sneaky way of boosting the sales in the gift shop. Normally when a package is offered and something extra is included in the package it is a "bonus". Never have I encountered such blatant charging of this extra item. I guess they were hoping nobody would do the breakdown of the cost.

My advice is to e-mail SOG and ask not only for the cost of the package, but get a breakdown of the REGULAR prices of room, buffet, and add anything else like that gift certificate if included in the package. They are very good at responding within a day or 2. They will also answer all other questions you have about the hotel.

Don't take my comments negatively. We love SOG, but feel they could offer some sort of discount if you book a package.

 

[dck12ga]

Also, I do not think anyone else said this... NO TAXES!!! Our park passes for 7 days parkhopper expireing 4 adults is going to be about $1040. We also have a limo service picking us up at the airport. They usually run around $100 round trip, it is nice because you do not have to wait until the bus fills up to go! They also have a 1/2 hour stop at a grocrey store. Which we like verymuch. We buy cereal and eat it in the room for breakfast! There are sooo many advantages for staying at SOG. just do your research and you will be there too!!!

 

[plutospup]

As mentioned above, the advantages of SOG far outweigh a few inconveniences. SOG is a beautiful resort, and has some of the largest rooms on property. There are two restaurants, and...One of the best ice cream shops anywhere on property!!! Yes IMHO even better than Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club.

...oh yeah, let me repeat something mentioned above...NO TAXES at SOG! Along with the considerably lower room rate, you're going to save approximately 12 % hotel tax that others are paying at other Disney resorts, as well as souvenirs, etc that are purchased at SOG.

 

[VLee]

Does the "no taxes" apply to everyone staying on SOG property. I believe that I would qualify under only their "Salute to Veterans" property, because I am no longer active, served only in the Reserves, but do have the "honorable discharge" required and the DD214?

I understand that it is possible for me to book only during the months of January and September under this program, but that I may be able to book at other Disney resorts throughout the year.

Is anyone more familiar with this program offered by SOG?

 

[plutospup]

Yes, the "no taxes" apply to everyone on SOG property. My BIL(military) reserved two rooms - one in his family's name, the other in my name (non-military). I didn't pay any tax on food, including ice cream. Did I mention they have a great ice cream shop at SOG?

I believe a military family can reserve up to three rooms for family and friends. Friends and family can stay at SOG only when their sponsor (military) is staying there. In other words, the military sponsor can not reserve a room for family or friends if the military sponsor won't be there.

 

[Sleepy]

I believe a military family can reserve up to three rooms for family and friends.

The military member can reserve a total of 3 rooms (one for themselves and 2 for guests) and the spouse can reserve 3 additional rooms for guests.

 

[Sleepy]

Does the "no taxes" apply to everyone staying on SOG property. I believe that I would qualify under only their "Salute to Veterans" property, because I am no longer active, served only in the Reserves, but do have the "honorable discharge" required and the DD214?

I understand that it is possible for me to book only during the months of January and September under this program, but that I may be able to book at other Disney resorts throughout the year.

Is anyone more familiar with this program offered by SOG?

http://www.shadesofgreenvets.org/service.htm

Looks like the answer is yes.