Official SHADES OF GREEN Information

[Storm632]

My family of 4 will be staying at SOG in late September, and with two teenage girls, my only requirement is that we have double sinks! I called and made a request for this, but of course, it can't be guaranteed. Can anyone tell me which section I should request to insure we have the two sinks?

We were in the new section this June and we also had double sinks which had lots of counter room as well. Well, we had more because stuffed the coffee pot in the closet....most wouldn't do that!

 

[honey11dog]

I see there have been a lot of transportation questions for SOG. We just got back and I have the schedule with me.
AK/Blizzard Beach bus
leaves SOG on the half hour starting at 0830
leaves AK at 10 till the hour (space 7 - charter)
leaves BB on the hour from space #1
Studios bus
leaves SOG on the half hour starting at 0830
leaves Studios on the hour from Charter bus space 6
Typhoon/DtD bus
leaves SOG on the half hour starting at 0830
leaves Typhoon at 10 til the hour from Space #9
leaves DTD on the hour at the top of LotE by small red bldg.
TTC Bus
leaves SOG at 0830, 0850, 0910, 0930 ect. ect.
leaves TTC at 0840, 0900, 0920, 0940 ect. ect.

Extra morning hour bus leaves SOG at 0730 and Late closings the bus runs an hour later from the parks

Wild World of Sports take SOG bus to Studios and then take Disney bus
Fort Wilderness Resort SOG bus to TTC and then catch a boat from MK or Contemporary.
Fantasia Gardens take SOG bus to Studios and boat to Swan
Winter Summerland Golf take SOG bus to Blizzard Beach
Disneys Boardwalk take SOG bus to Studios and boat to boardwalk.
Sea World/Univeral Studios busreserve spot of shuttle the day before. Cost $10A and $5C. Shuttle departs 8:15am and returns from Universal at 6:30pm and Sea World at 6:45pm. OR Mears Shuttle is available for $16/person.

There is also a Hertz Rental Car Desk located in the SOG lobby.

Just as a note the transportation to Studios and AK is not all that great. It only arrives once an hour to pick up and the place to catch this bus is way out in the charter bus area. We found it easier to take the SOG bus to the TTC and use Disney buses from there.

 

[Sleepy]

Just what we all have been waiting for. Thanks Honey!

 

[Sleepy]

We were in the new section this June and we also had double sinks which had lots of counter room as well. Well, we had more because stuffed the coffee pot in the closet....most wouldn't do that!

This is the first thing I do when I enter the room. The coffee pot goes in the closet on the top shelf. I need my space on the counter. I also remove any junk off the dresser or little table.

 

[KPeveler]

i plan on using the SOG buses for the first time this time, only to TTC though

I use a manual wheelchair, and i was told all the buses are accessible. driving to MK is a pain, cause the HC parking is a LONG ways from the monorail entrance... has anyone had experience using the buses with a wheelchair?

 

[honey11dog]

i plan on using the SOG buses for the first time this time, only to TTC though

I use a manual wheelchair, and i was told all the buses are accessible. driving to MK is a pain, cause the HC parking is a LONG ways from the monorail entrance... has anyone had experience using the buses with a wheelchair?

You shouldn't have any problems. We saw people using wheelchairs everyday on the SOG buses. The bus drivers all seemed very attentive.

 

[hildarumpole]

i plan on using the SOG buses for the first time this time, only to TTC though

I use a manual wheelchair, and i was told all the buses are accessible. driving to MK is a pain, cause the HC parking is a LONG ways from the monorail entrance... has anyone had experience using the buses with a wheelchair?

The buses are wheelchair accessible. They're smaller and older than Disney buses, so not as nice for someone in a wheelchair/ECV. The drivers vary in terms of how helpful they are with loading/unloading. They should fold up the front section of inward facing seats for you, but when we went last June, we didn't see this happen every time. One driver was particularly unhelpful. He'd just sit there and watch people struggle, making sarcastic remarks. I sent a written complaint to the SOG manager about him. Hopefully, he's found a new career or new attitude. Sometimes the wheelchaired person was parked in the middle of the aisle. It looked like a serious safety violation to me. If you're just planning on using the TTC bus, you should be fine. It's not as busy as the other buses and runs more frequently. Every day we saw people in wheelchairs and ECVs who wanted to go to AK or MGM being told that they had to wait an hour for the next bus, because buses were completely full first thing in the morning and at the end of the day. One day, the MGM bus's wheelchair lift malfunctioned, so everyone had to disembark and take the TTC bus to catch a Disney bus. If the lift isn't working, they aren't allowed to use the bus until it's fixed. It would be nice if the SOG bus contractor invested in some new buses, especially with the increase in guests who use wheelchairs and ECVs.

 

[KPeveler]

The buses are wheelchair accessible. They're smaller and older than Disney buses, so not as nice for someone in a wheelchair/ECV. The drivers vary in terms of how helpful they are with loading/unloading. They should fold up the front section of inward facing seats for you, but when we went last June, we didn't see this happen every time. One driver was particularly unhelpful. He'd just sit there and watch people struggle, making sarcastic remarks. I sent a written complaint to the SOG manager about him. Hopefully, he's found a new career or new attitude. Sometimes the wheelchaired person was parked in the middle of the aisle. It looked like a serious safety violation to me. If you're just planning on using the TTC bus, you should be fine. It's not as busy as the other buses and runs more frequently. Every day we saw people in wheelchairs and ECVs who wanted to go to AK or MGM being told that they had to wait an hour for the next bus, because buses were completely full first thing in the morning and at the end of the day. One day, the MGM bus's wheelchair lift malfunctioned, so everyone had to disembark and take the TTC bus to catch a Disney bus. If the lift isn't working, they aren't allowed to use the bus until it's fixed. It would be nice if the SOG bus contractor invested in some new buses, especially with the increase in guests who use wheelchairs and ECVs.

i can walk, and if the lift is not working, i will simply walk on the bus and have my dad carry the wheelchair on. my chair does not have arms and is very narrow, so i am not comfortable staying in it on the bus. i will be moving to a regular bus seat. we will use a car for DHS and AK, but we may use the bus sometimes for TTC.

 

[vbmom40]

I have a hugo transport chair and we would not be using that at the parks. However I would like to bring it along to get my dad to and from the poly to use the Disney Transportation. Does anyone know if the poly would hold the chair for us while we are gone to the parks?

 

[mom2jcc]

I just called SOG and added another night to our stay in December! This week I have been able to make my ADRs and it has really got me thinking about budgeting. I had 4 TS meals listed in my own notes, but had a light bulb moment that if I cancelled a couple of these we could add another night on for cheaper. So, I did it!!! TS meals just take up more precious fun time anyway, right?

 

[hildarumpole]

i can walk, and if the lift is not working, i will simply walk on the bus and have my dad carry the wheelchair on. my chair does not have arms and is very narrow, so i am not comfortable staying in it on the bus. i will be moving to a regular bus seat. we will use a car for DHS and AK, but we may use the bus sometimes for TTC.

A bus can't be used at all if the lift isn't working since the drivers don't know if someone might need the lift on the other end. It's good you're able to walk on the bus and have someone carry your wheelchair. It will make things much easier. Have a great trip!

 

[honey11dog]

I just called SOG and added another night to our stay in December! This week I have been able to make my ADRs and it has really got me thinking about budgeting. I had 4 TS meals listed in my own notes, but had a light bulb moment that if I cancelled a couple of these we could add another night on for cheaper. So, I did it!!! TS meals just take up more precious fun time anyway, right?

I agree with you. I made far less reservations this time because last time we were always rushing to make it there on time. It kinda took the magic out of things. Plus the cost at most of these restaurants has gotten outrageous for the kids. They don't eat enough to make it worth the money. So, this last time we stayed an extra 2 days and only went to a few TS meals. It was much more relaxing and laid back trip. Have a Great trip to Disney and SOG!!

 

[KatRob]

I made reservations today for the Candlelight Processional on Christmas Eve. After almost a year expecting Gary Sinise, he wasn't on the list when it came out. Sort of disappointing, but it will be Steven Curtis Chapman instead and we like him.
We check out of SOG on 12/21 for our cruise and will be back at SOG on 12/24. I know it will be a busy day, but as long as nothing major happens we'll just take it as it comes.

 

[mom2jcc]

I agree with you. I made far less reservations this time because last time we were always rushing to make it there on time. It kinda took the magic out of things. Plus the cost at most of these restaurants has gotten outrageous for the kids. They don't eat enough to make it worth the money. So, this last time we stayed an extra 2 days and only went to a few TS meals. It was much more relaxing and laid back trip. Have a Great trip to Disney and SOG!!

Great And I realize that staying at many of the Disney owned resorts we would not get to trade a meal for a night's stay. We are so thankful for the SOG!

 

[suevee]

Just back today from SoG. One note of interest is that we were never charged for parking at any park. We drove to Epcot, AK, and DS multiple times. We had our annual passes ready, but they just waved us through on our SoG car tag. Soo....maybe the policy is changed or maybe the employees just don't enforce the new policy for SoG guests?

 

[princessesrule4]

Just back today from SoG. One note of interest is that we were never charged for parking at any park. We drove to Epcot, AK, and DS multiple times. We had our annual passes ready, but they just waved us through on our SoG car tag. Soo....maybe the policy is changed or maybe the employees just don't enforce the new policy for SoG guests?

We just got back too and it must be the CMs! We were asked to pay for parking at AK last Tuesday night! I had my AP so we were good!

 

[suevee]

We were at AK last Thursday at rope drop and just waved through....must be just luck?

 

[mom2jcc]

Just back today from SoG. One note of interest is that we were never charged for parking at any park. We drove to Epcot, AK, and DS multiple times. We had our annual passes ready, but they just waved us through on our SoG car tag. Soo....maybe the policy is changed or maybe the employees just don't enforce the new policy for SoG guests?

Awesome Thanks for the update! Everyone going this year will have to keep us posted. I'm not going until December. How was your stay? What section were you in? Did you eat on the SOG grounds any? Sorry for all the questions

 

[Minnie Lor]

I made reservations today for the Candlelight Processional on Christmas Eve. After almost a year expecting Gary Sinise, he wasn't on the list when it came out. Sort of disappointing, but it will be Steven Curtis Chapman instead and we like him.
We check out of SOG on 12/21 for our cruise and will be back at SOG on 12/24. I know it will be a busy day, but as long as nothing major happens we'll just take it as it comes.

WDW with Christmas decorations followed by a cruise finished off with more WDW with CP AND Steven Curtis Chapman?!? That sounds like an absolutely perfect trip. I'm sure that you will be on

 

[KatRob]

WDW with Christmas decorations followed by a cruise finished off with more WDW with CP AND Steven Curtis Chapman?!? That sounds like an absolutely perfect trip. I'm sure that you will be on

You are right. I have been planning this trip for more than a year. It was 18 months out when I booked the cruise and I keep adding to it. I did cut one day off the trip now that we have 3 dogs and have to pay for boarding them.
That one day saves 3 days boarding and one night hotel...enough to almost cover renting a car for the drive down.