Official SHADES OF GREEN Information

[ntsammy5]

What about bear and wine?

No, but they have BEER and wine!

Seriously, they have a lot of snack foods, I believe some cereal and small containers of milk. I don't remember cheese there or fresh fruit which doesn't mean they don't carry it, just that I don't remember any.

 

[iheartdisney]

Does anyone know if there is a list of the items sold at the SOG resort store ...
We will need allot of fresh fruit and water for our May/June trip. Our family likes having snacks around too ~ cheese, crackers, chips, soup and other such items. What about bear and wine?
We have used Garden Grocer twice when we stayed at the CBR ... We have found their service to be very convent and reliable. We have also used the van service from the airport that will stop at the grocery ... we find that to be a big hassle and a waste of time (garden grocer is the way to go.)

I'll be there in less than 2 weeks, so I can go have a look-see for you!

 

[KatRob]

I'll be there in less than 2 weeks, so I can go have a look-see for you!

I love these boards. No where else will someone make an effort to really find the answer to a question even if it means making a list and checking it for someone else.

Bless your little heart!

 

[bigAWL]

I read on a different website (Walt Dated World) about the history of Shades of Green. I knew that it had been originally opened in 1973 as the Golf Resort, and remodeled in 1986 (ok I didn't know the year) and renamed the Disney Inn. But this website says that during the 1986 remodeling, they more than doubled the number of rooms. Anyone know which section of the "old section" is the "old old section" and which is the "old new section?"

 

[Sleepy]

Seriously, they have a lot of snack foods, I believe some cereal and small containers of milk. I don't remember cheese there or fresh fruit which doesn't mean they don't carry it, just that I don't remember any.

Can't say I have ever seen cheese anywhere on property for purchase, but you can buy fruit at the little express shop by the bus stop and I think I saw some at the Starbucks coffee stand right outside the AAFES. When we were there last, they had cereals and those prepackaged bowls of instand oatmeal, etc in the AAFES. The Starbucks also has huge muffins if someone is looking for something like that.

 

[Sleepy]

But this website says that during the 1986 remodeling, they more than doubled the number of rooms. Anyone know which section of the "old section" is the "old old section" and which is the "old new section?"

I had no idea the original hotel had an addition put on it. Just looking at the layout of what we call the "old" section, it seems too uniform to have any sort of room additions other than maybe extending the "wings".

Wonder if the Mickey pool was there when the hotel was brand new? That would be a start to figuring out the original layout. Maybe you could ask the question in a new thread. Title it "Looking for people who stayed at the Disney Inn pre-1986 when it was called Walt Disney World Gold Resort" and then ask your question.

ETA: Found this website with a bit of history. http://www.imaginerding.com/2007/11/daily-figment-104-golf-resort-hotel.html

Found one more http://www.waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id120.htm Notice the name of the restaurant (Garden Gallery) and notice the link. Looks like they served some pretty fancy stuff if an appetizer is oysters with such preparation.

 

[Bronte]

Thanks for all the help ...
I love these boards !!!!!!!!!!

ntsammy5 ... I just have to laugh at myself somedays ... Perhaps I will bring home something warm and fuzzy instead of cold and refreshing one of these days

 

[bigAWL]

I had no idea the original hotel had an addition put on it. Just looking at the layout of what we call the "old" section, it seems too uniform to have any sort of room additions other than maybe extending the "wings".

I love the interenet!

I believe I found the answer to my own question on this site displaying old WDW postcards: http://www.bigbrian-nc.com/wdw-pc12.htm

Check it out. There was no Mickey pool, just the Magnolia pool. And notice in the distance at the edge of the lake, the empty green, square piece of land where the GF will eventually be built.

 

[Sleepy]

That's really neat! I love the internet. Most of all the people who save what others consider "junk". Think of how long those post cards, check-in forms, entertainment line-ups, etc were in a box in an attic before the internet came along. I still have my SOG resort map from 1999. On the back is the menu for Evergreens. I like those prices.

I just noticed you live in Africa. That must be so awesome! Were you born there?

 

[bigAWL]

I just noticed you live in Africa. That must be so awesome! Were you born there?

Nope, I was born in St Louis and raised in No. Virginia outside of DC. Now I work for the US State Department and work in US Embassies overseas (moving every 2-4 years). That's my in with SOG - federal employees stationed overseas.

But yes, Africa is pretty cool if you're not in the middle of a civil war. Luckily Burkina Faso has been very quiet for years now, and hopefully will stay that way for years to come. The people are just about the friendliest and most welcoming I've ever met anywhere. Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world and quite nearly the least literate, they are a very proud people with a deep appreciation for their traditions and culture.

 

[bigAWL]

Ok, I was bored today and searched around the internet for anything I could find on the history of Shades of Green/Disney Inn/Golf Resort. Here's a rundown that I put together from various different sources:

When the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom opened in October of 1971, two championship golf courses opened nearby, the Magnolia and the Palm. On December 15, 1973, at the site of the courses’ club house, The Golf Resort opened with 125 guest rooms and a swimming pool, the Magnolia Pool.

On February 1, 1986, the resort was reopened under a new name, The Disney Inn, and with a new theme, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The resort had been renovated and expanded to 288 rooms, and added a second swimming pool, the Mill Pond Pool. In 1989, a third golf course was added next to the Magnolia course. The Oak Trail golf course is a nine-hole, par-36 walking course.

The U.S. Miltary began leasing the property on February 1, 1994, and started offering it’s rooms exclusivley to U.S. servicemembers and their families and various other categories of Department of Defense employees as part of their Morale, Welfare and Recreation program. On January 12, 1996, the Department of Defense purchased the resort and renamed it Shades of Green.*

After continued occupancy rates in the 90-99% range, on January 4, 2002, Shades of Green announced a remodling and expansion project. On April 1, 2002, the resort closed for construction. During the closure, guests with reservations were accomodated at the Contemporary Resort’s North Garden Wing (their reservation rates were honored, but they were charge an additional 11% sales tax). The Shades of Green ticket office was also temporarily moved to the Contemporary Resort.

On March 31, 2004, Shades of Green re-opened with 568 guest rooms and a new restaurant, called Manginos, and a new parking garage.

* I found conflicting accounts on this: one report says the U.S. Military paid $43 million for a 100-year lease from Disney in 1996.​

 

[bigAWL]

So after finding out that the current "old section" was actually built in two different phases 13 years apart, I got to wondering if there is a difference between those two "old" sections. I've heard some say the walls in the old section are like paper, and you can hear everything going on next door, while others report a quieter room in the old section. Perhaps they are talking about different sections of the old section. Hmmm....

 

[DMGeurts]

I must say that I have really enjoyed reading this thread, it is so packed with information!

I have a question - and probably a few more to come. We are staying at SoG 25 Oct - 1 Nov, 08 and we are sponsoring a room. My question is, when you are sponsoring a room, do the sponsors have to stay with the people they are sponsoring the entire time they are at the resort? I know that we have to be staying at the resort on all the same days, but are the sponsored people able to come and go freely from SoG with out us? I am a little concerned, because the people we are sponsoring are very good friends, but at the same time, we don't want to be handcuffed to them for our entire vacation.

My second question... If SoG is gated, and you must show valid military ID at the gate - will we have to meet the people we are sponsoring at the gate, or will we just be able to meet up with them at check-in?

TIA

D~

 

[abarnold]

bigAWL- my grandfather worked with the missionaries in Burkina Faso YEARS ago- I can't remember the exact year but it was sometime between 1984-87. he brought back so many souvenirs and we still have them. He really enjoyed his time over there.

 

[ntsammy5]

When guests are coming in, the guard shack will generally call you for verification. If you sponsor a room for someone else their room key will open the gate at the guard shack and will act as ID. You don't have to be with them. The only exception is for some things at the AAFES. I've never been able to figure out what rules they use, but they sometimes only accept military ID for alcohol purchases.

Have fun.

 

[abarnold]

I must say that I have really enjoyed reading this thread, it is so packed with information!

I have a question - and probably a few more to come. We are staying at SoG 25 Oct - 1 Nov, 08 and we are sponsoring a room. My question is, when you are sponsoring a room, do the sponsors have to stay with the people they are sponsoring the entire time they are at the resort? I know that we have to be staying at the resort on all the same days, but are the sponsored people able to come and go freely from SoG with out us? I am a little concerned, because the people we are sponsoring are very good friends, but at the same time, we don't want to be handcuffed to them for our entire vacation.

My second question... If SoG is gated, and you must show valid military ID at the gate - will we have to meet the people we are sponsoring at the gate, or will we just be able to meet up with them at check-in?

TIA

D~

As far as I know they will be free to come and go as they wish- although are you SURE you don't want to be handcuffed to them........

as for the gate-there are 2 lanes- in the left lane is where you will first enter since that is the guard shack. You will give him your name and then after you check in you will all be given room keys. NOW when you come in the gates you will go in the lane to the right and use your room key to gain access. Now if for some reason it doesn't work (that MIGHT have happened to my dad ) the guard will come over and ask to see your key and id. It's not hard getting into at all!! Hope that helps!!

 

[DMGeurts]

As far as I know they will be free to come and go as they wish- although are you SURE you don't want to be handcuffed to them........

as for the gate-there are 2 lanes- in the left lane is where you will first enter since that is the guard shack. You will give him your name and then after you check in you will all be given room keys. NOW when you come in the gates you will go in the lane to the right and use your room key to gain access. Now if for some reason it doesn't work (that MIGHT have happened to my dad ) the guard will come over and ask to see your key and id. It's not hard getting into at all!! Hope that helps!!

Thanks so much! I am so excited for this trip, as this will be our first stay on property! With everything I've read, SoG seems to be the best hotel OP.

Now, another question... Any room recomendations for fireworks viewing? I'm thinking lobby level with a view of the magnolia pool - or is there something better?

TIA again

D~

 

[abarnold]

we saw some of the fireworks from the Magnolia pool (our room was right above it) you are going to LOVE your stay!!

 

[bdcp]

Thanks so much! I am so excited for this trip, as this will be our first stay on property! With everything I've read, SoG seems to be the best hotel OP.

Now, another question... Any room recomendations for fireworks viewing? I'm thinking lobby level with a view of the magnolia pool - or is there something better?

TIA again

D~

Fireworks can be seen from the roof of the parking garage. Or, you could do what we did and after dinner at Ohana we walked down to the beach at the Poly and watched the fireworks and Water Parade before we walked back to SOG. There were quite a few people out doing the same thing. We've never had a room where you can see the fireworks. I don't think there are very many rooms you can see the fireworks from because of how SOG is laid out.

 

[Maine-iac]

I love the interenet!

I believe I found the answer to my own question on this site displaying old WDW postcards: http://www.bigbrian-nc.com/wdw-pc12.htm

Check it out. There was no Mickey pool, just the Magnolia pool. And notice in the distance at the edge of the lake, the empty green, square piece of land where the GF will eventually be built.

So after looking at my resort map (you can get it here) http://www.shadesofgreen.org/Resort Layout.pdf
it looks as though rooms 20-39, 55-81,121-138 and 155-180 are the newer of the old section rooms.
they are the rooms further back in the sections that are on either side of the Mill Pond Pool.