Please Tell Me What You Love About Shades of Green

[bamagirl@hrt]

My DH & I have taken our children on 4 trips to WDW and have stayed at values and deluxes. We've found "our" resort. However, my parents have initiated a trip for next Thanksgiving week for them, us, & my sister. I am shocked and thrilled, because my Dad's always been anti-Disney. He is retired military and wants to pay for all of us to stay at SoG. It looks like a beautiful resort. And the rate he can get here is cheaper than even a value! I've read several reviews. Some say that it doesn't "feel" Disney. That's really ok. While my family might miss that, it might be best for my parents if it's not too over the top Disney. What I'm most concerned about is transportation. I've read reviews that say it's awful & some that say it's efficient and reliable.

What is YOUR experience?

 

[Teacher510]

We stayed there during our very first WDW trip in 1989 when it was the Disney Inn. It was a very nice resort with very large rooms and a good location for MK. We could walk to Poly in a few minutes and take the boats or monorail. I'm sure that some things have changed but I would think that overall it is probably still just as nice.

 

[Sleepy]

1. Great location
2. use of WDW and SOG buses along with Poly monorail
3. cheap room rates and no tax
4. a mini mart that has everything one would need rather than a gift shop filled with Disney stuff
5. a breakfast buffet that is cheap.
6. large rooms
7. balconies
8. Queen beds

 

[tcp0421]

I would love to see some pictures of Shades of Green.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

Thanks for the responses! I've been wanting to stay here for some time, but couldn't convince my Dad to go. I still can't believe he decided it was time for the family to go & he would pay for the rooms!

 

[msmayor]

I would love to see some pictures of Shades of Green.

Check out their website, shadesofgreen.org.

We'll be there next year for my parents' 50th Anniversary (they, too, are footing the bill...15 of us!)

 

[suevee]

I am a parent who foots the bill for my children and grandchildren every couple of years. We do SoG because it is a wonderful resort! We have never had any problems with the bus. It is close to the MK/Epcot parks so it is easy to get back to if someone needs a break. On EEM at MK I have found it is better to walk to Polynesian and ride monorail if I want to get to the parks early. Also we use our car for the Water parks, AK, and MGM (DS) as it is easier for us. Have a great time! We will be there with our grandchildren in June 08 and without in March 08. Not sure which trip I am looking forward to most!!!!

 

[raven69david]

The price and the size of the beds; That's it! The look and feel of the resort, IMO, is that of an off-property resort, for the exception of the Mickey Mouse statue in the lobby. If you don't mind smaller beds, go with any Value or even Moderate, depending on your rank.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

We're getting married at SOG in May. It's a great resort. Less Disney, but they do have a Mickey pool and its right near the MK. I would definitely just walk to the Poly and use their buses. We are only staying there one night... but most of our family is staying there. It's super nice, especially for the buck.

 

[Mrsjvb]

1: cheap price, plus tax free shopping at the AAFES on site.
2: Large rooms
3: ten minute walk to Poly, 15 to TTC
4: dedicated buses. this is especially nice when it's high season and the other resort buses are servicing more than one location. Only downside is they only run once per hour, but that is easily worked around when you consider Poly and being able to take their buses as well.
5: sometimes you just need to step away from the World, you know? Frankly, being immersed up to my eyeballs in the Mouse 24/7 gets a little overwhelming at times.
6: gorgeous grounds, situated between two golf courses.


Honestly, only ONCE did we have a major SNAFU with the SoG Buses, and that was during EMH at AK when the driver never showed, so we ended up missing the extra hour. Otherwise, really, never an issue and they tend to not be as crowded as other Resort buses, especially those that service more than one resort. It's a quick walk to the Poly Monorail.

The AAFES alone can save you big bucks for necessities like sunscreen, sunglasses when you sit on them in your wheelchair and bend them and snacks.

While we only ate at the buffet once, most people agree the breakfast is cheap and substantial enough. We tended to spend most of our time at the Evergreens bar. was nice to be able to grab a nice drink and relax after spending all day in the parks. lots of families were able to have their cake and eat it too.. getting pizzas or other food to carry out and eat at the pool located right outside. You can even order drinks in plastic cups too.

 

[Padrepride]

My philosophy is that you won't notice the difference between it and the Grand Floridian. Unless you spend an obnoxious time at your resort, you can't tell the difference between it and an "official" Disney resort.