Remember the Disney Inn??

[sotoalf]

The Dept of Defense got a good deal when it leased Shades of Green, formerly known as the Disney Inn (and the Golf Resort back in the day). I stayed there a couple of times in its earlier incarnation; for quiet and relaxation it simply could not be beat.

I seem to remember a Snow White theme (Sleepy Dwarf was emblazoned on the sign and T-shirts). There was an excellent, overlooked full-service restaurant named the Garden Gallery, famous for its fried ice cream.

There wasn't much to do (just lots of golf and a couple of pools), but the tranquility was unequalled anywhere in WDW. It reminded me of a New England bed and breakfast. Only the Contemporary had bigger guest rooms.


Anyone have fond memories of The Disney Inn?

 

[BCV23]

I remember it when it was still called the Golf Resort! Although we never stayed there, we did dine in the Trophy Room (which I think was later called the Garden Gallery or Galley ).

It is also the only place we've ever pool hopped. In those early '80s days, it was allowed. We played golf, then swam with our toddler boys one time. The Polynesian pool was their favorite though and that is where we stayed.

I had read about the fried ice cream but I don't think we ever tried it. I also remember a wonderful Mother's Day brunch there in I think 1985.

I actually thought the rooms were supposed to be even larger than the CR.

Was the fried ice cream good?

 

[mmausse]

I remember the Inn with fond memories.....

I stayed there in the 80's when I was travelling to WDW solo. It was such a safe and quiet place to be. Not many people with young kids liked staying there because it was landlocked with no easy access to MK or EPCOT. Back then even the bus transportation went smoothly. Peace and quiet at Disney World is NOT an oxymoron. It's just a bygone era.

 

[cigar95]

The Disney Inn was the first place I ever ate on WDW property. It was a nice lunch at the Garden Gallery.

Evergreen's also allegedly served the most killer burger in all of WDW. Never had a chance to try it.

As recently as 1999 (the last time I tried) it was possible to visit the resort to eat even if you weren't military. After 9/11, I'm guessing that's no longer allowed.

Also, I've read elsewhere that the Disney Inn rooms were the biggest of all - I think 488 square feet, or almost twice the size of an All-Star room. (Since I'm scheduled to be at the Contemporary next month, I suppose I could take my ruler with me!)

 

[Magic_Fan_Bruce]

My Dad’s office had their Christmas party at the Golf Resort (Disney Inn) one year. We stayed at the Contemporary, and the party was supposed to be at “The Top of the World” but it wasn’t finished yet.

That was my first trip to WDW - November, 1971.


Bruce

 

[patgoofy]

I remember eating dinner at The Garden Gallery a few times , always enjoyed the food and being a golf fan really loved all the pictures hanging throughout the resort.

 

[sotoalf]

I last stayed at the Disney Inn on Memorial Day 1993. A walkway used to run between the Inn and the Polynesian, at which you could catch the monorail. Buses used to run between the Inn, Polynesian, and TTC every 10 minutes. Since all three were so close together, we never waited long.

I never minded the hotel being landlocked. And, yeah, those were the days when you could poolhop!

 

[undertheradar]

Storytime in the lobby with Snow White and Dopey cannot be forgotten. Nothing was more relaxing than sitting on a rocking chair, feeding ducks as they came to visit in front of the lobby. This is and always will be our favorite Disney resort.

 

[MLAinVA]

DoD now owns the Shades of Green Resort. I was paid for with funds raised at military bases, not funds appropriated by Congress. I say that only to explain that we taxpayers aren't paying for the resort and its current construction project. The resort is supported by the military and DoD civilian patrons who stay there. From what I can see, SOG generally runs at capacity or near to it.
DoD has been doing a good job in managing and maintaining this hotel. We stay there as often as possible and appreciate it.
What I really want to say in this post is that SOG is still a wonderful place to stay and those of you who stayed there in its early years are right, and it is still a comfortable, quiet and relaxing vacation spot.

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

My Uncle was a Disney Executive back then and he was sent to the Disney Inn to investigate its problems and there were many. It was he and his reports that finally led to the sale of the resort to the military.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

I also visited it for the first time when it was the Golf Resort!

It was the second Disney resort I stayed at.....Poly....Golf...Contemporary....etc...etc..etc.

I did enjoy the resort. ....

 

[sotoalf]

Originally posted by Tinkerbelle739
My Uncle was a Disney Executive back then and he was sent to the Disney Inn to investigate its problems and there were many. It was he and his reports that finally led to the sale of the resort to the military.

What sorts of problems, Tinkerbelle? Is it the sort of thing you can share with the forum?

 

[mmausse]

Not a Disney Inn story but Close........

My Dad is also DoD and he, my Mom, and my sister's family stayed at SoG 3 years ago. Well, my parents have an elderly standard poodle who thinks he is human and suffers from SEVERE separation anxiety. He about died at the kennel! So the nice people at SoG allowed my parents to keep their poodle in the room. WAY TO GO SOG! He never barked, so the SOG housekeepers even left doggie treats for him - I guess everyone was keeping the magical feeling of Disney (& the dog) alive!

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by sotoalf
What sorts of problems, Tinkerbelle? Is it the sort of thing you can share with the forum?

A few of the rumors I heard when working there were: how most of the electrical wiring needed to be replaced, rotted or rotting beams and poor insulation. I'm sure there were more, but those are the ones that come to mind. I also remember there was at least one, if not a few, rooms on the first floor that would become very damp (i.e. unuseable to the guest) when it rained really hard. My understanding of the sale is that Disney sold the building but still retains the rights to the land. They had to approve every thing that is being built now.

 

[montessori]

Originally posted by sotoalf
... I stayed there a couple of times in its earlier incarnation; for quiet and relaxation it simply could not be beat.
...
There wasn't much to do (just lots of golf and a couple of pools), but the tranquility was unequalled anywhere in WDW. It reminded me of a New England bed and breakfast. Only the Contemporary had bigger guest rooms.


Anyone have fond memories of The Disney Inn?

We stayed at the Inn a few times and I totally agree with you!