Official SHADES OF GREEN Information

[KatRob]

I do not believe decorating the doors is smiled on. I have never seen it at SOG. Think military not Disney. Inside the room you can probably get away with it, that's what we are planning on doing. I started picking up light stuff that wouldn't take up much space.

Toasters are not allowed in rooms. You will have a coffee pot and fridge, but "cooking" is not allowed in the rooms. There is a microwave in the laundry rooms. I haven't had an issue with the hairdryers provided. We don't hang everything--there are tons of drawers--but if you have alot of hanging things you may want to bring some.

We have been swimming in Jan. so Dec. should be alright.

 

[scmileyfan]

KatRob
Thank you for that info. I will be decorating inside with a little 12" tree, a few lights and our stockings...maybe hanging off the dresser handles.
I just wasn't sure about the door. Less to pack! Yahoo.
I went thrifting today and found about a dozen pair of pajama bottoms for my 9yr old, most disney store! I don't know where the tops were and we looked! So i will hit the Disigns and just make matching shirts for her.
Then I have to make matching for my son and his dad. And I have to collect all the little gifts I have stashed around the house for the stockings. And all the halloween candy I got for pennies on the dollar to make treat bags, and
HELP! I have 45 days and I'm in panic mode - is there a dashing around crazy smilie????

 

[KatRob]

At least you have 45 days. I have a concert this weekend in Atlanta that I have had tickets for since March 31!! And then we start the SOG countdown. We have a cruise squashed into our visit (arrive 18th, cruise on 21st, back on 24th) and I keep thinking I have to get organized real soon or something will get left out for sure.

SOG doesn't have childcare. I believe you can use it at the other resorts (Poly's right at the end of the driveway). You may want to make ressies early. For the life of me I don't remember how much the laundry ran even though I use it every time (and plan to use it before the cruise). I would rather travel with clean stuff any day of the week. Who wants to come back to dirties that have been locked in a bag, in the trunk of a car for days.

 

[SallyfromDE]

My family and my sisters used SoG at Easter of 2005. None of us cared for it. It had nothing to do with Disney magic. We just thought it wasn't much better then a Holiday Inn. Just blah. Colorless and monotone. The food in the resturant was lousy and the buses, not the service, left alot to be desired. We think they used old Disney buses since it was Easter week, and most of the seats were torn with stuffing coming out. The ONLY way either of us would stay there again, would be during a key period like Easter. Saw alot of people with ressie problems when we were checking out. And we got conflicting info at the desk several times. Not impressed at all. Don't get why people think this place is awesome?

 

[LuvinBelle]

Thanks everyone for the responses!

I spent the day today trying on ....Crocs... I ended up getting some Mary Jane styled ones...so scary. And we DID get a fanny-pack But my hubby will carry it so it's sorta okay I needed something he would want to carry.

So please don't laugh at us if you see us running around! Look for the family in Crocs with socks and a fanny pack!

We have ADRs for Kona on our 1st night! Hopefully we'll be there in time since we're driving there.

Thanks again! 5 days!

 

[Maine-iac]

My family and my sisters used SoG at Easter of 2005. None of us cared for it. It had nothing to do with Disney magic. We just thought it wasn't much better then a Holiday Inn. Just blah. Colorless and monotone. The food in the resturant was lousy and the buses, not the service, left alot to be desired. We think they used old Disney buses since it was Easter week, and most of the seats were torn with stuffing coming out. The ONLY way either of us would stay there again, would be during a key period like Easter. Saw alot of people with ressie problems when we were checking out. And we got conflicting info at the desk several times. Not impressed at all. Don't get why people think this place is awesome?

The only thing I agree with is the decor of the rooms. They are blah. But you cannot beat the size of the rooms and the quietness of the resort. Of all of the times we have been to SOG we have only had issues with the buses once when trying to get to morning EMH at HS. Every resort has it's issues and SOG is no different but for us the good outweighs the bad.
You sound like someone who wants to be surrounded by Disney aroma all of the time so I can see how SOG may not appeal to you.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

So please don't laugh at us if you see us running around! Look for the family in Crocs with socks and a fanny pack!

You realize that's at least half of the families, right?

 

[Sophie's Mom]

We just returned from Florida today. We were there for eight nights - three of which were at SOG. We've stayed at SOG before, but only for a night. The resort was busy, as the PGA tournament was there. The rooms are large - two queens and a sleeper sofa. We only used the transportation once(as we had our car there) - to the TTC. I thought it was kind of slow. Parking at the parks was not included (except for MK - they basically have to give you that if you are going to get to SOG ) However, that didn't effect us since we have annual passes. However, we could take advantage of the extra hours feature. I'm used to staying at Disney Resorts, so for me, the lack of Disney themeing is a drawback. However, for $123 a night, it is quite a bargain for the size room you get. Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

[LuvinBelle]

You realize that's at least half of the families, right?

Yeah, I realized that after I typed it. It's so funny because that is SOOOO not us! I've already been laughing at my hubby walking around in his Crocs & fanny pack But, what the hey, right? The people we run into won't know who we are & we won't ever see them again. So it's okay


About SOG, we've never stayed there and are looking forward to it. I can see how someone who wants to be totally immersed in Disney would not be drawn to it. We, on the other hand, wanted a place where we could get a break from all of the Disney stuff. I thought I'd get annoyed with it 24-7. I didn't want to hurt a CM or something We are looking forward to coming back from a long day to peace & quiet. Look for me at the pool relaxing with a margarita in socks & Crocs & possibly a jacket if it's cool! (Ohio State, of course )

 

[Poohbeck]

About SOG, we've never stayed there and are looking forward to it. I can see how someone who wants to be totally immersed in Disney would not be drawn to it. We, on the other hand, wanted a place where we could get a break from all of the Disney stuff. I thought I'd get annoyed with it 24-7. I didn't want to hurt a CM or something We are looking forward to coming back from a long day to peace & quiet. Look for me at the pool relaxing with a margarita in socks & Crocs & possibly a jacket if it's cool! (Ohio State, of course )

We have loved SOG the two times we've been there. It's quite, clean, inexpensive and tax free! The non-Disney themeing is fine for us, the rooms are big and again the price is right for us!

LuvinBelle, I'll look for you at the pool. My boys are soo excited to swim!

Poohbeck

 

[Poohbeck]

I carried the Vera Bradley hipster, and I loved it! I loved the thicker strap, which is adjustable, because it was comfy on my shoulder and didn't rub my neck. I carried it across my body and it never bothered my back. I was able to carry all of my essentials in it, I attached a carabiner clip to the strap, as well, to attach shopping bags (but I never needed too, they were all small enough to fit in the bag). Best of all, was the I could go to the restroom and not have to remove everything (where when I wore a fanny pack it was always such a pain).

D~

I purchased the mini-hipster and I love it! So far anyway! I've been using it for quick shopping trips and all of the soccer games I've been going to. It is saving my shoulder and I am sure while at Disney it will be better for my back.

I have to admit, I have used the dreaded fannypack before and I HATE it! It makes me look old and it hurts my back after a while.

Glad you had such a great trip!

 

[LuvinBelle]

We have loved SOG the two times we've been there. It's quite, clean, inexpensive and tax free! The non-Disney themeing is fine for us, the rooms are big and again the price is right for us!

LuvinBelle, I'll look for you at the pool. My boys are soo excited to swim!

Poohbeck

My daughter can't wait to swim either! We will definitely be there -- no matter how cold it is We will look for you! Of course I'll be easy to find with my margarita. We're also easy to find because we're a biracial family with a gorgeous 9 yr old daughter! My hubby will be the one with the fanny pack

What section are you staying in? We're in the old section in a pool-side room. I don't know which pool yet though. I have to call them tomorrow to get our reservation info emailed again anyway. In the middle of all of this stressing, my computer crashed too! Thank goodness for the laptop & my trusty flash drive with a copy of my thesis, but everything was on the desktop. And since I NEVER print anything, I need to get everything emailed to me again....but, oh well...

5 days to go!!!! Woo Hoo!

 

[Sleepy]

My family and my sisters used SoG at Easter of 2005. None of us cared for it. It had nothing to do with Disney magic. We just thought it wasn't much better then a Holiday Inn. Just blah. Colorless and monotone. The food in the resturant was lousy and the buses, not the service, left alot to be desired. We think they used old Disney buses since it was Easter week, and most of the seats were torn with stuffing coming out. The ONLY way either of us would stay there again, would be during a key period like Easter. Saw alot of people with ressie problems when we were checking out. And we got conflicting info at the desk several times. Not impressed at all. Don't get why people think this place is awesome?

I am sorry you did not like SOG. It is easy to compare SOG with Disney hotels. They actually have many similarities.

Values are a Holiday Inn with Mickey bedspreads. They actually have less to offer than SOG in terms of ammentities.

Of all my visits, I can remember maybe 2 times I have actually found a seat on a Disney bus, so stuffing coming out of a seat on an SOG bus does not bother me. I have never had a bus break down, so as long as I am not inconvenienced with constant breakdowns, I don't care how used the bus is.

The food everywhere has good and bad. Believe it or not, there are some good offerings at SOG. I have been equally tempted to toss food in the parks and Disney hotels because it was inedible. Mass produced food is not always going to be good.

Over the last 9 years of coming to these boards I have read countless posts of complaints that cover a rainbow of problems at Disney hotels. Check-ins gone bad, lost reservations, rooms given away, downgrades, conflicting info from both CRO and front desks, poor mousekeeping, theft, non-existant/or uncaring managers. The list is endless. You get the idea. It can happen anywhere.

Did you know that SOG used to be a Disney hotel? Did you know it was geared for golfers looking for the country club type setting and that would explain the monotoned colors? Since SOG is now owned by the military, our MWR funds keep it operational. This explains the lack of overly decorating and lack of new drapes, etc in the old section.

Plain and simple, SOG is cheap, clean, quiet, allows 5 people in a room, and is almost always available at a moments notice. That is why I like it.

 

[ntsammy5]

Don't get why people think this place is awesome?

Just out of curiosity, which Disney resorts are you comparing it to? We've stayed at every Disney resort except POR, CSR & DVC and it compares favorably to all Disney resorts we've stayed at. We've been going since 1995.

 

[bigAWL]

God bless our troops!

 

[scmileyfan]

Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing.
We are headed to my little sisters school at 1pm for "take a veteran to school" program. She was very excited this morning!

 

[4nana]

In honor of Veterans Day, Godspeed and thank you and your families for your brave service and sacrifice to keep American land of the free and home of the brave.

 

[SallyfromDE]

Just out of curiosity, which Disney resorts are you comparing it to? We've stayed at every Disney resort except POR, CSR & DVC and it compares favorably to all Disney resorts we've stayed at. We've been going since 1995.

I'm not comparing it to any Disney resort. Just in general. I've stayed outside the park in a Ramada that I found to be much nicer.

.

Of all my visits, I can remember maybe 2 times I have actually found a seat on a Disney bus, so stuffing coming out of a seat on an SOG bus does not bother me. I have never had a bus break down, so as long as I am not inconvenienced with constant breakdowns, I don't care how used the bus is.

Did you know that SOG used to be a Disney hotel? Did you know it was geared for golfers looking for the country club type setting and that would explain the monotoned colors? Since SOG is now owned by the military, our MWR funds keep it operational. This explains the lack of overly decorating and lack of new drapes, etc in the old section.

Plain and simple, SOG is cheap, clean, quiet, allows 5 people in a room, and is almost always available at a moments notice. That is why I like it.

The buses they used, were bad. I don't mind standing, since I do that 8hrs a day at work. But I was afraid to sit down. One bus driver wouldn't move until I sat down, so I sat on the very edge. It was just plain disgusting.

I did know it used to be a Disney hotel. I believe that they actually put it there first to accom. the people working on the world, and while the monrail hotels were being built.

Again, we'd only stay there if it were peak period. We just weren't impressed with the place.

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

Well, you've expressed yourself - no need to hang out here with people who do love SOG. I am sure you won't convince them otherwise.

I was lucky enough to get to stay at SOG for a few days prior to my vow renewal at Disney in March and I truly enjoyed it The buses we rode were in good condition. I loved the Java Cafe and there were people at the Poly later in the morning at a Dismeet I attended who wanted to steal my Starbucks coffee. When we were there, we got to see a 4-5 alligator at the front pond at SOG - totally cool! We had a very tasty and fun meal at Evergreen's also. Since my stay was three years after your stay, it sounds like SOG is doing great now

 

[Poohbeck]

Happy Veteran's Day to all of you!