Official SHADES OF GREEN Information

[stitchrulz]

I think there is more to it than simply saying SoG isn't Disney owned/operated, so its guests aren't entitled to Disney perks. If SoG was off-property, I think it would be a different story. If the other non-Disney hotels didn't receive the Disney perks, I think it would be a different story. I don't necessarily think it's "We're military, we deserve EMH," but that SoG guests, while paying less than other deluxes, are still paying more a night than a lot of off-site hotels to be on Disney property with the perks that go along with it. Just my thoughts.

Yes! This is what I was getting at as well. Even though SOG is no longer owned by Disney, it's still technically "on property," and I would imagine that SOG guests spend a lot more time & money with Disney than other "off-site" guests. Keeping guests on Disney property so they can maximize profits is why Disney went big into their hotel expansions in the first place (which was smart). Also, like TotalSnowWhite said, staying at SOG is quite a bit more more expensive than staying at an "off-site" hotel. Depending on your rank, staying at SOG is also more expensive than staying at a Value or Moderate Disney resort (depending on current offers).

 

[Family Fun Mom]

why is it that people think we deserve special perks just because we or our spouses serve in the military? the entitlement mentality is getting a little much methinks. I especially hate the "My husband is getting shot at so you can say such things" or the "Disney owes us cuz we keep them free to be able to charge $50 a day for a double stroller." argument.

every single one of today's military members are VOLUNTEERS. they made the choice to serve. should Plumbers be given access to EMH even if they stay off site just cuz they are plumbers? SoG is NOT A DISNEY RESORT any longer.

we are lucky that we get the access and perks we do. NO Private company is required to offer us so much as a pat on the back. they dont have to allow SoG or MWR/ITT to sell their tickets at a discount and without taxes. But they do. They don't HAVE to allow us free parking at any of the parks lots..but they do. they didn't HAVE to sell us the resort in the first place.

do I use EMH and enjoy them..hell yes. but if they were to be taken away from SoG guests then I would not blame Disney or call them unpatriotic or a greedy money grubbing uncaring corporation. Disney doesn't owe my husband squat just because he wears a uniform to work. would I be bummed? definitely. would it change my perceptions plans and experiences.. quite probably. would I never ever return to WDW in a fit of injured pride? Highly doubtful.

Sure, they don't HAVE to do it. Nobody signs up for the military because they might get discounts and travel perks. However, extending a thank you to the brave men and women who (like you pointed out) VOLUNTEER to put their lives on the line for the freedom of their fellow countrymen is a nice thing to do. I'm gonna go so far as to say it is the RIGHT thing to do. Military families sacrifice so much, offering 10% off merchandise, or free EMH to the MWR for SOG is a small way to show these brave people that they are valued. That what they do is appreciated. Especially for young enlisted soldiers who get paid practically nothing. It helps more than just their pocketbook, it helps their morale.

I do not expect military perks and discounts. I don't even notice when a company doesn't give them, but when one is previously given then taken away, it catches my attention. And yeah, it irks me. I'm pretty passionate about treating our military right. IMO they are so undervalued and underappreciated. You can't compare this job to any other job out there. Plumbers do important work, but sorry, it just doesn't measure up to putting your life on the line in the defense of freedom. It just doesn't. Whenever I hear of a company that goes the extra mile for the military I am sure to give them my business. The fact that so many do it when it is not required impresses me the most.

FTR I think all onsite hotels should offer the Disney perks, not just SOG, even if they aren't Disney owned. Isn't that the point of being onsite? If they didn't offer the perks, I wouldn't even bother.

 

[4nana]

Isn't it exciting to see the ticker go down

So, have you used TGM before? I have been tring to make a decision on signing up?

This is our first time using TGM, but it won't be our last! Yes, it is worth every penny of the $20! I feel much more comfortable, as we are traveling as a large group and I want things to go as smoothly as possible. It helps to have Mike's tips on best way to tour parks, best days/times to visit which park depending on crowd level, lots of great advise on dining, shows, rides, parades, etc. Plus, it's a very nice and helpful group of people on his site. Now if we can put half of what he advises to practice, we'll be good too go!?!?!

 

[Maine-iac]

As far as I know there is no news that there will be any changes to EMH. There was a furor over parking at the parks a few months ago which turned out to be much ado about nothing. This has not even reached the status of a rumor yet.

I believe it was in 2006 that SOG did not renew it's EMH privileges right away (I think it did not renew until Mar but I could be wrong). I believe that is why the EMH is being mentioned.

 

[Sleepy]

I believe it was in 2006 that SOG did not renew it's EMH privileges right away (I think it did not renew until Mar but I could be wrong). I believe that is why the EMH is being mentioned.

That is correct.

To answer an earlier question, the only other non-Disney hotels that offer EMH are Swan and Dolphin and the Hilton. Like SOG, they pay for the benefit.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

Sure, they don't HAVE to do it. Nobody signs up for the military because they might get discounts and travel perks.

Nope, I'm pretty sure we're a USMC family because we knew one day we'd stay at the AFRC at Disney. Oh, and for the ticket discounts!

 

[Disneyfriend]

That is correct.

To answer an earlier question, the only other non-Disney hotels that offer EMH are Swan and Dolphin and the Hilton. Like SOG, they pay for the benefit.

Yes, and also one of the main hotels in Downtown Disney - the Hilton, maybe?

 

[Them!]

It touches my heart to see a large corporation, such as Disney, extend their thanks via discounts and perks to our service people.

68 days til we go to WDW!!!!

 

[Pluto_fan]

Sorry, I didn't intend to start a big discussion, and certainly wasn't trying to start any rumors! I agree with all of you...any benefits we might receive are great, and greatly appreciated. I just like to plan, plan, plan in advance, and worry about unexpected changes. But those just mean I get to re-plan

I posted the following question on the park strategies board, but thought someone here might have had experience with it, so if you don't mind I'll ask again:

As ticket price increases look pretty likely in the near future, I'm thinking we should buy our 7-day hoppers now for our trip in January. DH is military, and he can get a better discount through MWR than at Shades of Green. (thanks to all of you on the SOG info thread for this tip!!) So far so good, right?

However...we might be PCSing to FL next summer (will find out this Dec or Jan), in which case we would cancel the January trip and wait to go to WDW when we live closer. If that happens, we'd be better off with FL resident seasonal annual passes. So the question is, would we be able to apply the 7-day hoppers toward the FL seasonal passes? The catch is that the seasonal passes are actually CHEAPER than the hoppers ($247 for 7-day adult hopper at MWR, $226 FL res seasonal at SOG). I wouldn't expect them to refund the difference, but I'd be happy with an even trade for more park days. Of course the price for the FL res seasonal will probably increase as well, so maybe it would be moot. Any thoughts? Thanks!

(Side note: DH was at the AF Services MWR office at the Pentagon yesterday, and they are currently having a promotion through the end of July. You roll a die, and if you roll a "1", you get 10% off your purchase! This could be HUGE on Disney tickets. He didn't think to ask if this would apply to tickets they have to order, like the longer multi-day tickets, or if there's a maximum discount...but it might be worth asking about!)

 

[mom2jcc]

Sorry, I didn't intend to start a big discussion, and certainly wasn't trying to start any rumors! I agree with all of you...any benefits we might receive are great, and greatly appreciated. I just like to plan, plan, plan in advance, and worry about unexpected changes. But those just mean I get to re-plan

I posted the following question on the park strategies board, but thought someone here might have had experience with it, so if you don't mind I'll ask again:

As ticket price increases look pretty likely in the near future, I'm thinking we should buy our 7-day hoppers now for our trip in January. DH is military, and he can get a better discount through MWR than at Shades of Green. (thanks to all of you on the SOG info thread for this tip!!) So far so good, right?

However...we might be PCSing to FL next summer (will find out this Dec or Jan), in which case we would cancel the January trip and wait to go to WDW when we live closer. If that happens, we'd be better off with FL resident seasonal annual passes. So the question is, would we be able to apply the 7-day hoppers toward the FL seasonal passes? The catch is that the seasonal passes are actually CHEAPER than the hoppers ($247 for 7-day adult hopper at MWR, $226 FL res seasonal at SOG). I wouldn't expect them to refund the difference, but I'd be happy with an even trade for more park days. Of course the price for the FL res seasonal will probably increase as well, so maybe it would be moot. Any thoughts? Thanks!

(Side note: DH was at the AF Services MWR office at the Pentagon yesterday, and they are currently having a promotion through the end of July. You roll a die, and if you roll a "1", you get 10% off your purchase! This could be HUGE on Disney tickets. He didn't think to ask if this would apply to tickets they have to order, like the longer multi-day tickets, or if there's a maximum discount...but it might be worth asking about!)

My DH is AF and I am wondering if all the MWR offices no matter what location have the same ticket prices? We got our tickets at SOG last year never even thinking about comparing price to MWR. Is there a standard list of ticket prices at MWR I can find...if not, I'll just have to wait until Monday and call our local office. I am looking at 7 day hoppers w/o water parks for adults and children.

 

[Them!]

Does anybody know if there is still a microwave in the SOG laundry room? (search function is wonky)

Thanks!

 

[hmdavid]

Does anybody know if there is still a microwave in the SOG laundry room? (search function is wonky)

Thanks!

We did not realize it until our last night, but there is one in the laundry area!

 

[bdcp]

I know EMH is a perk to most, but we avoid the park that has it because it tends to be a lot more crowded and we can get more done in another park during regular hours. I do agree that entitlements are an issue, and I feel Disney can revoke any special privelege any time they want and it won't make me angry or vengeful. I don't believe in getting back at anyone or any company. I say take the priveleges offered and don't expect anything else. To me the biggest perks are location and cost. My DH is an 0-6 with 27 years in the Navy and we don't feel entitled to anything. We enjoy SOG for what it is.

The first time I saw the microwave in the laundry room I thought that was really weird. I did a couple of loads and never saw anyone use it.

 

[Them!]

....whew, I thought I was imagining a microwave! Is it in the new/old or both section(s) laundry room?


Jill

 

[Sleepy]

My DH is AF and I am wondering if all the MWR offices no matter what location have the same ticket prices?

They do not have the same ticket prices.

Does anyone know why the Navy no longer lists their prices on the websites.

 

[bigAWL]

There's been past discussion about the Wishes fireworks as viewed from SOG. This was from room 303 balcony which is one of the first rooms in the old section, overlooking the Magnolia pool. Sorry these aren't the best fireworks shots, but I wanted to give you all an idea of what we could see.

 

[TY31088]

....whew, I thought I was imagining a microwave! Is it in the new/old or both section(s) laundry room?


Jill

We saw one in the new section laundry room, beside the snack machine.
Ty

 

[meriann]

totally off topic but I have to share my DUH laundry moment.

we were there last month and I had to do laundry. We were in the old section pool side by the micky pool. I looked at the hotel map, it was about 10pm one night and I saw the laundry room in the new section, so I hauled my HUGE laundry bag ALL the way across the hotel and up a floor to the laundry room, then once I got there I realized I FORGOT MY MONEY SO I walked all the way back to the room, got my money, walked back, did my laundry. then at midnight hauled it all back to the room.

The next morning We were leaving and took a different route. I found the OTHER laundry room LITERALLY just around the corner from our room MY HUSBAND WAS ROOLING WITH LAUGHTER!

 

[Them!]

We saw one in the new section laundry room, beside the snack machine.
Ty

Thanks!

 

[Them!]

Meriann: we did the SAME thing with the laundry. We hauled our big suitcase throught the lobby to get to the laundry room in the new section too! Derrrrrrrrrrrr