I don't know about the older section because we've always stayed in the newer section. I can vouch for the newer section ~ it's beautiful. The rooms are cleaner than any Disney hotel I've stayed at including the Contemporary. I think the lobby is very pretty. I don't associate SoG with the Poly but with the Wilderness with a lighter hue and scale.
I've always been pleased with SoG and I'm not always easy to please. People complain about the buses because they're older. But they are on a schedule instead of wondering when one is going to come along. There also isn't a 1-1/2 hour wait for the bus like I've experienced at Pop. Men also give up their seats on the bus for women and kids. You don't see that very much on a Pop bus.
Kids will be kids where ever they are but parents seem to be more respectful of others and don't let their kids get out of control at SoG.
Yes, I have to pay $5 to park at the resort. You do also if you stay at the Swan or Dolphin. I'm disappointed that SoG guests now have to pay to park at the parks but I don't put the blame on Shades. I think it's all Disney. There was even a podcast today about "Disney fleecing their guests". SoG may re-evaluate next Dec. about EMH and parking. I hope they continue the EMH but if they don't, we'll still stay at SoG. We rarely take advantage of EMH.
We are on the highest scale on the room rates for Shades and I find it a very good deal when you factor in quenn size beds, a sleeper sofa, huge bathroom, deck or patio, and no tax. What Disney resort can offer the same for even close to that price even with the extra parking fees?
I agree. We are also in a higher category. Although the pool area is anything but deluxe, the rest of the resort is, most definately. We stayed in the new section, also. I couldn't believe the size of the rooms. Staying at a value resort with a family of four would be a problem, because of the double beds, and Disney only allows four in a room, five if there is a pull out, even though two children could sleep on a pull out. At SOG, you could easily sleep six and they allow that.
We are DVC members, so our nights at SOG are just "add ons", but we stayed a week when we didn't have DVC. I have been pricing rooms for comparison to the cost of DVC for us - Disney deluxe rooms are quite small, though well appointed, and go for $300-$400 a night. Yes, you get free parking with that, but it hardly makes up for the savings at SOG. When you book a value resort, you get a value resort.
Where in the U.S. have you ever expected military accomodations to be right up there with outside ones? I think we need to remember what it would probably be like if this hotel was located on base and be thankful that it is there to provide an affordable way for families to enjoy WDW. As far as booking other off-site hotels at "reasonable" rates, I have read alot of nightmare stories, both on the DIS and on TripAdvisor, as well as an experience my DSIS had, so once again, you get what you pay for.
Finally, the price of everything is doubling right now, so obviously SOG would need to pass some of that on.
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