Official SHADES OF GREEN Information

[suevee]

My husband and I bought 15 passes. We had all our kids, spouses, and grandchildren. None had a military ID and we had no problem. I think the AAFES only checks ID for alchohol purchases.

 

[suevee]

I found the ticket info in the ultimate Disneyworld savings guide I purchased a couple of months ago. I was concerned because my dad is the only one out of 8 of us that has a military I.D. Thanks again!

My husband and I bought 15 passes. We had all our kids, spouses, and grandchildren. None had a military ID and we had no problem. They also used their own credit cards to purchase them. I just had to be present to verify they were my guests. I think the AAFES only checks ID for alchohol purchases.

 

[vbmom40]

What is a local ITT office and can I have my dad pick up our park tickets there? We are flying out late and will not be in orlando til after midnight. The adults are all early risers and want to get an early start to the parks and the teenagers will be sleeping in and taking advantage of the late extra magic hours. How does the disney photo pass work? Can our whole group use it even if we are not all together? The young people in the group will be going to the parks by themselves and I want pictures of them but doubt they will take them if I give them a camera. We will also be celebrating my dad's 75th birthday any suggestions on something cool to do for him? This is his first time at any Disney park!
Thanks for all the tips I have been reading!

 

[KatRob]

vbmom40, just looked at your dates and we will be there during that time. We arrive on the 18th, leave for a cruise on the 21st, and return on the 24th for Christmas at the World.

Relax, you have plenty of time to get this all worked out. Six months, 1 week and 5 days to be exact!

I'll see what I can come up with for that birthday...love doing birthdays for older folks (even though I have 2 siblings older than 75!)

The ticket office opens at 8 a.m. so those can be purchased the morning after you arrive and the teens' tickets can be walked back to the rooms before you have catch the bus.

My teen was always up for getting the early morning hours and doing the late hours in the parks.

 

[Mrsjvb]

the ITT office at SoG opens very early, so just get the tickets then, Otherwise you will have to have then in hand,purchased from a local base, and they do NOT offer the Stars and Stripes package, the one that includes all the Waterparks and DTD attractions like Pleasure Island. and sometimes the price isn't as good for the same options. additionally,some bases do not have them in hand you must order them ahead of time.

as for birfusday celebrations: any ADR reservation you make you can request or mention that there will be a birthday boy. you can get special desserts this way..usually a cake for him to share( if he feels like it)

You can also request the Happy Birthday Button just about anywhere..any of the on site restaurants(resorts included) or at Guest relations at each park.

and FTR, your dad wins the prize for oldest first timer! I though DH was bad at 36 for his first park( which was Tokyo Disney!)

 

[hildarumpole]

How does the disney photo pass work? Can our whole group use it even if we are not all together? The young people in the group will be going to the parks by themselves and I want pictures of them but doubt they will take them if I give them a camera. We will also be celebrating my dad's 75th birthday any suggestions on something cool to do for him? This is his first time at any Disney park!
Thanks for all the tips I have been reading!

You're whole group doesn't have to be together to use Photopass. Make sure at least one person in each touring party gets a Photopass card. You get the cards from the photographer. When you order photos or other products, you can combine the various photopass cards on one account. Check out the website: http://www.disneyphotopass.com Last year, when we signed up for it, we got coupon codes good for 20-30% different products.

Make sure you mention your dad's birthday if you make an ADR. If you want to guarantee getting a cake, call and order one in advance. There's a sticky thread in the Restaurants forum that lists all the restaurant phone numbers and info on varieties and prices of cakes. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1173219 It can be hit or miss whether the restaurants offer any birthday freebies, so to be safe order a cake if it's important. If your dad likes fireworks, you could book a Wishes or Illuminations fireworks cruise or get an ADR at California Grill for a spectacular view.

Have a wonderful trip and best wishes to your dad on his 75th birthday!

 

[vbmom40]

Thank you very much for the info! You guys and gals are great! When I booked the SOG they did not have any rooms available for the 24th, 25th and 26th so we are renting points from a Disney Vacation club member and staying at the boardwalk villas those other 2 nights. Does the SOG provide a service to have our bags taken to the Boardwalk like other disney hotels or do we have to take them there ourselves?
Thanks again!

 

[vbmom40]

vbmom40, just looked at your dates and we will be there during that time. We arrive on the 18th, leave for a cruise on the 21st, and return on the 24th for Christmas at the World.

Relax, you have plenty of time to get this all worked out. Six months, 1 week and 5 days to be exact!

I'll see what I can come up with for that birthday...love doing birthdays for older folks (even though I have 2 siblings older than 75!)

The ticket office opens at 8 a.m. so those can be purchased the morning after you arrive and the teens' tickets can be walked back to the rooms before you have catch the bus.

My teen was always up for getting the early morning hours and doing the late hours in the parks.

How many are going in your party and how old? I have 19, 18, AND 2(17) yearl olds 1 girl 3 boys

 

[KatRob]

How many are going in your party and how old? I have 19, 18, AND 2(17) yearl olds 1 girl 3 boys

There's just the three of us: me, DH, and DD (16).

 

[meriann]

I just had to pop in here and do a happy dance. We leave in 2 DAYS!!!!

I am doing laundry today, packing tomorrow then we will head out on Thursday!

We are stoping at a friends house friday night then check in at SOG on Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we will spend the rest of day by the POOL!

I CAN"T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok back to all the resort chatter!

 

[mom2jcc]

Last trip we ate breakfast at the Garden Gallery one morning and were delightfully surprised how nice it was especially for the great price. We also enjoyed the quiet atmosphere compared to the other Disney breakfast buffets. My question is how much is it for adults and also kids? I can't remember Just trying to work on my dining budget here

 

[Mrsjvb]

$8.95? $9.95? I remember it was under ten bucks for adults. for us, we were unimpressed with what was offered, but many others feel the price is more than reasonable for what you get.

No kids so I pay no attention to that pricing.

I did think the a la carte prices were a smidge high, though...

 

[Ashlander]

My dad is retired military and he and my Mom just decided they wanted to go to Disney with us in September. We asked them earlier in the year and they said no, so we booked the free dining package at POR. My Dad asked if we wanted to stay at SOG. At first I wasn't sure if I wanted to, so I came to the DIS to read up before I gave an answer. All of the reviews I read were so positive I told him today that we definitely want to stay at SOG. He didn't think I would switch...see I can be flexible (to an extent) with my disney planning. Even though we will give up free dining, I think we will make it up in the cost of the room. I saw that SOG has a deal when we are going for 20% off the room and some other discounts on food. On top of that staying at a deluxe resort will be awesome and all of the amentities sound great. I think we will have a great vacation at SOG and I am so glad my parents are going to be able to come and see the kids so excited!

Now I will cancel my POR reservation and figure out what ADR's we really want. I think I will still buy our tickets through Disney so I won't lose the $100 deposit.

 

[Mrsjvb]

be careful on that deal..make sure your dad can actually qualify for/book that rate.

some specials are only good for people on R&R from the Sand box, not retirees or people on regular leave.

 

[ntsammy5]

be careful on that deal..make sure your dad can actually qualify for/book that rate.

It looks like it's good for everyone. I've gotten a couple of emails. Here's a link. Have a great trip!

Fall Into Autumn

 

[Ashlander]

be careful on that deal..make sure your dad can actually qualify for/book that rate.

some specials are only good for people on R&R from the Sand box, not retirees or people on regular leave.

Thanks - I didn't even think about that. I will have him check on it. The website does not have the "fine print" so he will have to call.

 

[Minnie Lor]

Ashlander ~ you'll have a wonderful trip. One thing that my DH and I did was we'd get to the parks early and then leave around 1 or 2. We'd go back to Shades for a late lunch at Evergreens and a nap or swim. Then we'd head back to parks around 5. Nice R & R and the prices at Evergreens were much more decent than Disney. We like Evergreens.

 

[Ashlander]

Ashlander ~ you'll have a wonderful trip. One thing that my DH and I did was we'd get to the parks early and then leave around 1 or 2. We'd go back to Shades for a late lunch at Evergreens and a nap or swim. Then we'd head back to parks around 5. Nice R & R and the prices at Evergreens were much more decent than Disney. We like Evergreens.

Thanks so much for the advice! I am very excited about going. It sounds like a great place and I like that it seems like everyone there is so nice and friendly!

 

[natcat117]

Hi! I was wondering if the AAFES is a good place to buy groceries. My family and I are going to stay at POP in a couple of weeks, but we're hoping to buy things like milk at a good price. The last time I stayed at SOG was March '99 (I was in second grade!), so I haven't been there since they remodeled. I've seen some pics and it looks amazing!

 

[ntsammy5]

Hi! I was wondering if the AAFES is a good place to buy groceries. My family and I are going to stay at POP in a couple of weeks, but we're hoping to buy things like milk at a good price.

The AAFES has a very limited selection -- it would be cheaper, and closer to POP to just go to the Wallyworld on US-192