Official SHADES OF GREEN Information

[BabyFu18]

Thanks for the info about the tickets! Glad to know we won't have a problem using them even if we don't visit a park every single day we are there.

 

[airplane]

I just booked my trip! I will be buying (and not buying ) Armed Forces Salute tickets. I'll let everyone know about my eperience when I get back. I am so excited

 

[BabyFu18]

Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I just booked my trip! I will be buying (and not buying ) Armed Forces Salute tickets. I'll let everyone know about my eperience when I get back. I am so excited

Have a great time, and hurry back with the scoop!

 

[skram79]

What type of filters does the coffee makers use? Can you still connect to the internet via a cat5 cable? What are the prices like at the xpress cafe? For say a side of bacon and a crouccant or biscuit? Going to have a 4 year old and a 1 year old in a stroller, worth walking to Poly?

Thanks for the help.

 

[ntsammy5]

Can you still connect to the internet via a cat5 cable? .

Yes to that one

 

[bigAWL]

Going to have a 4 year old and a 1 year old in a stroller, worth walking to Poly?

We walked to the TTC our first morning, since we were headed to Epcot. Now that's passed the Poly monorail station and quite a bit further (maybe twice as far). But our 6- and 4-year olds were complaining the whole way, even well before we reached the Poly (also had a one-year old in a stroller - no complaining there). After that, we used the bus to the TTC to catch the Monorail, and we were happy with that. The only downer was sometimes just missing the bus back to SOG after getting off the monorail in the evening. Then we'd have to wait 15-20 minutes for the next bus.

Then again, our girls tend to be whiners. If you're at all thinking about it, I'd suggest trying the walk at least once to see how it is for your family.

 

[threeiscrazy]

Trying to figure out if we should use the self parking garage or valet parking.
Looked on page 1 and noticed the self parking was $5 and the valet $10/day for EACH DAY USED. Does this mean that if you park the first day and only use SOG transportation you are only charged $10. Maybe I am reading this all wrong, but it specifically stated each day used?? Hope someone can help me out there. Thanks

When we have stayed in the past we've been charge parking for each night. If we used valet one day it was $10 for that day and $5 for everyother night.
We decide wheter to valet or not depending on how far our room is from the parking garage.

 

[threeiscrazy]

We walked to the TTC our first morning, since we were headed to Epcot. Now that's passed the Poly monorail station and quite a bit further (maybe twice as far). But our 6- and 4-year olds were complaining the whole way, even well before we reached the Poly (also had a one-year old in a stroller - no complaining there). After that, we used the bus to the TTC to catch the Monorail, and we were happy with that. The only downer was sometimes just missing the bus back to SOG after getting off the monorail in the evening. Then we'd have to wait 15-20 minutes for the next bus.

Then again, our girls tend to be whiners. If you're at all thinking about it, I'd suggest trying the walk at least once to see how it is for your family.

We always bring a double jog stroller with us and walk to the Poly. I find it preferable to inhaling the exhaust from the buses.
Of course the kids don't complain because they are riding, but we find the walk home relaxing after a hectic ay.

 

[daisy1234]

WE have a day off...we were thinking about lunch at the pol and explore the grounds....I have always been curious as to what that resort looks like. Are we allowed to take the boat from there??? also...if we wanted to check out the campground at fort wildreness....how do we get there...TTC then bus to the cabins??? LAstly, Can we watch the fire works from the poly beach???? I have heard that is a great spot ...but would that be a far walk back to shades???

 

[ntsammy5]

.if we wanted to check out the campground at fort wildreness....how do we get there...??

No bus from TTC anymore. Go to MK and take the boat from MK to FW - it lets you off right by Pioneer Hall where they do Hoop de Doo. FW is very nice and you can walk through a few of the loops that are close by. Also trails End is right there as well as Crockets

 

[btuftee]

WE have a day off...we were thinking about lunch at the pol and explore the grounds....I have always been curious as to what that resort looks like. Are we allowed to take the boat from there??? also...if we wanted to check out the campground at fort wildreness....how do we get there...TTC then bus to the cabins??? LAstly, Can we watch the fire works from the poly beach???? I have heard that is a great spot ...but would that be a far walk back to shades???

You'll have no problem accessing Disney transportation at the Poly, be it bus, monorail, or boat. There is no direct route from the Poly to Ft. Wilderness that I know of. There are a couple of different ways to get there via boat. One boat makes connections between the MK, the Wilderness Lodge, and Ft. Wilderness. There's another boat which goes between the Contemporary, the Wilderness Lodge, and Ft. Wilderness. So, either get to the MK or the Contemporary, and you can catch a boat to Ft. Wilderness. I'm not sure if Ft. Wilderness has direct bus service to the MK or TTC, which would probably be a faster route than the boats. Allearsnet.com didn't indicate any direct bus service, but the WDW Transportation wizard at http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/twiz.aspx does say that a bus runs from the TTC to Ft. Wilderness. If that's the case, then it's sure to be your best bet - walk to the TTC, then catch a bus.

As far as watching fireworks from the beach, I seem to vaguely recall that the Poly beaches are supposed to only be for the use and enjoyment of Poly guests. I'm not sure how strictly this is enforced - I've strolled the beach on at least one occasion that I recall, and no one asked to see a room key. Using the pool is a definite no-no, but I just can't imagine anyone asking you to see proof of ID to walk along the beach.

If you're so inclined, I'd recommend trying to eat at 'Ohana to coincide with the MK fireworks, it's a pretty good view (but not as good as the California Grill at the Contemporary).

 

[erddig]

I haven't done it in a while, but there is a boat that runs from Ft wilderness to wildernes lodge and the poly. they are small shuttles. So you can take a boat from the Poly to Ft Wildernes, i think it will be faster and much more enjoyable. If you take a bus it takes much longer and you might have to transfer to the internal bus. You may want to check on the camping board for more details and times.

 

[Maine-iac]

I haven't done it in a while, but there is a boat that runs from Ft wilderness to wildernes lodge and the poly. they are small shuttles. So you can take a boat from the Poly to Ft Wildernes, i think it will be faster and much more enjoyable. If you take a bus it takes much longer and you might have to transfer to the internal bus. You may want to check on the camping board for more details and times.

The Poly boat only goes to MK. At MK you can switch to the boat that goes to FW. We have watched the fireworks from Poly before with no problems. I think at the busier times like Christmas or New Years they may ask if you are staying at the Poly.

 

[TBDave]

What are the prices like at the xpress cafe? For say a side of bacon and a crouccant or biscuit?

Here's pics of the cafe and menu board taken a few months ago.

 

[TBDave]

Here's a bigger menu pic if that first one's too small:

 

[tcolling]

I have a question about the Salute free and companion salute tickets.

The full press release is here:
http://wdwibc1.wdpromedia.com/ibc_w...t/nextGen/resorts/MilitaryOffer2009WDPRO2.pdf

Let's make sure we understand the details.
1.) Service member gets a free 5 day ticket with hopping and water parks, etc.
2.) Service member can purchase up to 5 companion tickets good for 5 days for $99 plus $25 for hopper plus $25 for water park fun & more.

It sounds like you are getting six tickets. What if you were planning a ten day vacation with two friends? Could the service member use the free ticket for days 1-5 and then use one of the companion tickets for days 6-10? Could the two companions also use 2 companion tickets each to have a back to back ten day stay? At $298 it isn't much of a savings for the companions when comparing with the $312 price for a ten day Stars & Stripes ticket, but $14 could buy lunch at the park. For the service member, it would be a great benefit to have an out of pocket of $149 instead of the $298 for the five day Stars and Stripes ticket.

 

[hildarumpole]

I have a question about the Salute free and companion salute tickets.

The full press release is here:
http://wdwibc1.wdpromedia.com/ibc_w...t/nextGen/resorts/MilitaryOffer2009WDPRO2.pdf

Let's make sure we understand the details.
1.) Service member gets a free 5 day ticket with hopping and water parks, etc.
2.) Service member can purchase up to 5 companion tickets good for 5 days for $99 plus $25 for hopper plus $25 for water park fun & more.

It sounds like you are getting six tickets. What if you were planning a ten day vacation with two friends? Could the service member use the free ticket for days 1-5 and then use one of the companion tickets for days 6-10? Could the two companions also use 2 companion tickets each to have a back to back ten day stay? At $298 it isn't much of a savings for the companions when comparing with the $312 price for a ten day Stars & Stripes ticket, but $14 could buy lunch at the park. For the service member, it would be a great benefit to have an out of pocket of $149 instead of the $298 for the five day Stars and Stripes ticket.

You might want to check out this thread: http://http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2057838 I don't have personal experience with the military ticket offer, but it sounds like all tickets have to be activated at the same time. Each ticket holder has to show id and it's a one per person offer. If that's the case, you couldn't buy extra tickets to use at a later date.

 

[jmskinner]

Ok, I know all of this is posted somewhere and I have been reading and skipping around, but I'm too excited at the moment.

My best friend is going to be at WDW in July staying at AKL. I just booked us at Pop using the military code they have right now and got us 4 nights for $364.50, but I realized we could stay at SOG for about $540. Not too much difference in price. We have previously stayed at POR and ASMu and will be staying at CBR in September.

I know you can't get the DDP while staying at SOG and we would be ok with that, plus it looks like SOG has some nice inexpensive places to eat and I love the fact they have Starbucks over that other nasty stuff.

I've gotten confused over the busing though. Do the buses take you to all of the parks, or just TTC? I noticed a lot of people walking to the Poly, is this the best way to get to parks or just MK?

We will have our car there and normally enjoy riding the buses to the resorts, but would it be recommended to use our car?

Are you able to use EMH at the parks if you stay at SOG?

I am sure this has all been posted before, but I didn't see it. I appreciate anyones help.

 

[tcolling]

Here's pics of the cafe and menu board taken a few months ago.

Tragically, your photo left off important details regarding beer and wine...