Official SHADES OF GREEN Information

[buffettgirl]

TOTALLY AGREE! LOVE spas, just not interested in them at Disney...lots of other places to indulge, though, for those so inclined.... Would much prefer a casual atmosphere to share a drink and conversation...

totally agree. I love spa's too but Shades just isn't that type of resort.

Besides that - who is going to want a spa while next to a noisy pool?

 

[Buddiebo]

Does anyone have the correct information on the restaurant situation at SOG? I am heading that way in March and was looking forward to visiting Evergreens while out at the pool.

Thanks!

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I have a question for a friend. I am not a poster to this thread so please forgive the intrusion. My friend is considering SOG. She would like to know about the travel/shuttle situation. How do all of you get from the airport to SOG if you don't rent a car AND is there shuttle service to/from the parks or TTC?

Thanks so much

 

[ntsammy5]

We generally use Mears shuttle when we don't rent a car.

There is a bus to the TTC every 15 minutes or so and a bus to MGM, AK, DTD and the water parks every 1/2 hour. You can also walk to the Poly and pick up the monorail there. I believe it is the best transportation available. Haven't been to Shades in about a year, but I hear they got new buses too.

I's a great place to stay. We stay about every third trip!

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

We generally use Mears shuttle when we don't rent a car.

There is a bus to the TTC every 15 minutes or so and a bus to MGM, AK, DTD and the water parks every 1/2 hour. You can also walk to the Poly and pick up the monorail there. I believe it is the best transportation available. Haven't been to Shades in about a year, but I hear they got new buses too.

I's a great place to stay. We stay about every third trip!

Do you happen to know the ballpark cost for Mears shuttle?

 

[ntsammy5]

About $35/adult round trip IIRC

 

[buffettgirl]

we generally get mears and rent a private van and it usually costs less than a per person cost. so like 120 round trip or so (for 4 adults and 2 kids)

We adore the transportation in SOG - it's as good if not better than in the other resorts AND there's never a huge pushing shoving line. Plus, the men always give up their seats for the ladies and especially if you're on R&R or just coming back from the sand people "get" it (why you're sitting holding onto your DH for dear life...you know??)

 

[KatRob]

Does anyone have the correct information on the restaurant situation at SOG? I am heading that way in March and was looking forward to visiting Evergreens while out at the pool.

Thanks!

I gotta say no at this point. I have sent several e-mail and had no response at all. That has never happened when I've contacted them before...I always heard back within 24 hour and sometimes actually one hour.

Those of us who have called have been given different info. The only thing consistant is it take place this weekend. Once the changes happen, we will find out the way we always do: Guests who post here after a visit. Once they figured they have screwed up messing with Evergreens we may get it back.

Right now I would say you have:
Garden Gallery breakfast/dinner
Express Cafe breakfast/lunch
Mangino's dinner

 

[Buddiebo]

Does the Cafe Express have similar lunch items as Evergreens?

Thanks again!

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Somewhat similar, yet very different.

For lunch the express cafe offer something along the lines of a deli. All the usual cold cut sandwiches piled high with meat and even PBJ. They also can pack you a box lunch.They also have a large selection of canned/bottled drinks as well as some fresh fruit. Alcohol is available

Evergeens is like a typical sports bar and offers everything from a club sandwich to a large plate of chicken, nachos, burgers, fries etc.

If I have left out any major details, someone else speak up!

 

[SuzyQ]

I love everything about SOG. I love it's location. I love the transportation. I love the rooms. I love the atmosphere. I especially love the cost. Food is the only one thing I dislike. So I will always speak favorably about SOG. except when it comes to the food.

I totally agree......

Plus I think ever since the expansion Evergreens has gone way down hill!

 

[KatRob]

Page 144, post 2156 has pictures of the menu boards at Express Cafe. Just click on each picture to enlarge it.

 

[Minnie Lor]

I totally agree......

Plus I think ever since the expansion Evergreens has gone way down hill!

We liked Evergreens a few years back but lately the service is slow...real slow. I'm thinking this move might be a good thing. It will be a cost saver with servers, cooks, and kitchen equipment. Maybe by having Evergreens closer to the lobby/management they'll put the quality back into the restaurant. Also, after a long day of walking, it'll be nice not to have to walk so far to get a snack/drink.

 

[KatRob]

We liked Evergreens a few years back but lately the service is slow...real slow. I'm thinking this move might be a good thing. It will be a cost saver with servers, cooks, and kitchen equipment. Maybe by having Evergreens closer to the lobby/management they'll put the quality back into the restaurant. Also, after a long day of walking, it'll be nice not to have to walk so far to get a snack/drink.

I noticed that most servers at Evergreens were lifeless. We ate there everyday on our last visit and even when it wasn't overly busy, the service was very slow. Especially the female servers. They just didn't seem to want to be there or do anything. There was a really great guy we lucked into: 30ish, had kids. We watched him one night and was amazed at how much he came around to check his tables and how fast he got orders taken and delivered. He really kept on top of his sections). The ladies really were terrible. And another day we had a younger guy who was pretty good--definitely better than the ladies.

 

[greg126]

I've asked SOG but no response as of yet. I was wondering about the current policy on free parking and EMH for SOG guests at the parks A search shows there were some issues in May that were resolved by July? Fun as this thread is to read, I've got other things to do right now and would like to know by early next week. In any event, what SOG thinks may be different from what is actually happening so thought I'd ask here.

I was also reminded WDW/SOG arrangements are negotiated in January (and I recall being involved in the 2006 EMH fiasco). So what is the latest? Is SOG currently getting free parking and EMH? Any changes with the new year?

 

[Pluto_fan]

Just back from a great trip to WDW and SOG.

THANKS to everyone on this thread for the helpful info that made our trip go smoothly.

A few comments from our experiences...

greg126: EMH is still available to SOG guests. We used it each morning it was offered, with no troubles. One day I realized after going through the turnstiles that I didn't even have my SOG room card out. We were using the special military tickets (GREAT bargain! ) so maybe they just assumed we were at SOG?

We drove to all the parks (except MK--walked to Poly--didn't see any alligators) and did NOT have to pay to park. They saw our SOG hang tag and waved us through with a smile. I think that SOG tells you that you will have to pay to park at Epcot, DHS, and DAK, but we did not have to.

We did not eat at any of the SOG restaurants, so I can't comment there. I didn't hear anything about Evergreen's closing until I got home and read it in this thread.

We were in room 255, old section lobby level, in the lower left corner of the field goal posts, if you know what I mean. Not too far a walk to lobby or parking garage and convenient to both pools. The only negative to this room was the bathroom, which was one big room rather than having two separate areas, and only one sink. There were rooms available when we checked around 1pm, but we waited for this one which was closer than the others offered. They held our luggage and brought it when we were ready. They did warn us that they were working on some rooms near us (the 20x rooms, on the first hallway of rooms, or the vertical support of the field goal post) but we were not bothered by any noise.

Near the end of our stay, around 22 Jan, we received a note on our door from SOG which said, "Thank you for choosing Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort, as your vacation destination. In an effort to maintain a first-class facility, we will be scheduling room renovations to the Magnolila Wing during your stay. These room renovations are scheduled from 0900 to 1800 hrs, seven (7) days a week, and may cause temporary noise interruptions associated with the repairs. Additionally, the hallways, bathrooms, carpeting, and furniture will be replaced starting August 23 through October 10, 2009." So FYI, they're planning to renovate the old wing this fall.

All in all, we found SOG to be beautiful and generally well maintined, and the staff friendly and helpful. Loved the huge room and relaxing atmosphere. If anyone has any questions, let me know and I'll try to answer.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Thanks for the update!

 

[Sleepy]

Near the end of our stay, around 22 Jan, we received a note on our door from SOG which said, "Thank you for choosing Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort, as your vacation destination. In an effort to maintain a first-class facility, we will be scheduling room renovations to the Magnolila Wing during your stay. These room renovations are scheduled from 0900 to 1800 hrs, seven (7) days a week, and may cause temporary noise interruptions associated with the repairs. Additionally, the hallways, bathrooms, carpeting, and furniture will be replaced starting August 23 through October 10, 2009." So FYI, they're planning to renovate the old wing this fall.

All I can say is this has been needed for a while, however I just hope this does not mean the price of the rooms will drastically increase next year. All these recent changes make me wonder how much longer lower ranking people will be able to afford SOG. Change always comes with a hefty price. 10 years ago the lower tier paid $57 a night. Now they pay $93. Yearly increases were $2 across the board and now it is $6 for upper tiers. Looking at the cost of a WDW value back then and what it is now (pretty much unchanged).....SOG is pricing themselves out of what they initially intended this place to represent (a nicer place at an affordable price). Just my 2 cents.

 

[ntsammy5]

 

[greg126]

Thanks for the latest info