SHADES OF GREEN at Walt Disney World Resort Thread

[rebekah8284]

From the Shades of Green Facebook page:

"Effective Sunday, May 19, 2013
There will be a 100% ID check on the buses on your return trips from the parks back to Shades of Green. All adults will need to have their room key or resort ID along with a photo ID card; military ID cards are preferred.
Upon your return trip, please have your ID’s out and ready to show the bus driver prior to boarding the bus."

Makes sense to me. Apparently some people have been driving to the resort and parking there and then riding the SOG buses. If you read the FB replies, some people are complaining, some are saying it's for security reasons and others are saying because of crowded buses due to people who shouldn't be on them riding. I don't care what the reason is, all of them are good ones.

I also saw this on Facebook and couldn't believe the number of people complaining about it. Its really not that difficult to show your id and room card is it and I think its a great idea. You have to show your card to get on a base so people should be used to doing it. Personally we have never had problems with the buses being too crowded but think this is a good extra security measure.

 

[stitchrulz]

Personally we have never had problems with the buses being too crowded but think this is a good extra security measure.

I agree.

 

[Dragontears]

I also saw this on Facebook and couldn't believe the number of people complaining about it. Its really not that difficult to show your id and room card is it and I think its a great idea. You have to show your card to get on a base so people should be used to doing it. Personally we have never had problems with the buses being too crowded but think this is a good extra security measure.

I also agree I do not know of many military properties that do not require ID...so what's with the complaints?

 

[buffettgirl]

I'm on the fence with it really. I don't think the buses are that over crowded and I've never really gotten the impression people were on them who shouldn't be. I think it's really just going to slow things down in an already decent bus system where things run on time. And really, are they going to start denying people admission if they somehow forget their id? A teenager travelling alone?

I don't think people have a problem showing ID, I know I don't, but the reasons seem vague and unlikely to fix whatever perceived problem there is. IMO, it's not really the same as being on a military base where you know you will need to show your ID.

 

[Dragontears]

IMO, it's not really the same as being on a military base where you know you will need to show your ID.

Oh, but it is. It is a benefit for military personnel, their families and guests and not open to the public. The only time I have been carded on site is at ticket sales…never for breakfast. People taking the bus bypass the check at the guard gate. Anyone would then be able to eat at the restaurants (which already have long enough lines, thank you), shop at the AAFES, get a drink at the bars, etc. All of which are cheaper than using Disney facilities. On other message boards I have seen people inquiring about non-military being able to eat at Manginos; so there are deffinetly those that would like to try. If they carded everyone for each of the military benefits we get; people would complain even more.

SOG has given notice that you need to show your ID for the bus and will probable be giving that information out with the rest of their transportation information upon check-in so riders can have it ready when boarding the bus. It should not slow anything down. If a teenager is old enough to travel alone, they are old enough to carry their ID. And how are they supposed to get back into their rooms with out their hotel key?

People have been devising ways of being able to get to their park tickets in a hurry for fast pass for years; so you can't tell me having their IDs handy is a hardship.

 

[buffettgirl]

Oh, but it is. It is a benefit for military personnel, their families and guests and not open to the public. The only time I have been carded on site is at ticket sales&never for breakfast. People taking the bus bypass the check at the guard gate. Anyone would then be able to eat at the restaurants (which already have long enough lines, thank you), shop at the AAFES, get a drink at the bars, etc. All of which are cheaper than using Disney facilities. On other message boards I have seen people inquiring about non-military being able to eat at Manginos; so there are deffinetly those that would like to try. If they carded everyone for each of the military benefits we get; people would complain even more.

SOG has given notice that you need to show your ID for the bus and will probable be giving that information out with the rest of their transportation information upon check-in so riders can have it ready when boarding the bus. It should not slow anything down. If a teenager is old enough to travel alone, they are old enough to carry their ID. And how are they supposed to get back into their rooms with out their hotel key?

People have been devising ways of being able to get to their park tickets in a hurry for fast pass for years; so you can't tell me having their IDs handy is a hardship.

I have never once encountered a line at any of the restaurants. Usually they're half empty. And really, who actually wants to eat there?

And you say "bars" like there are more than the half open evergreens which is open and closed so often that you need a schedule to keep track or the bar stand that opens in the lobby for about 5 minutes each afternoon.

Seriously, you really think people are going to hike all the way to SOG for bad food and a cheap beer? Honestly, if they did and they filled the restaurants, perhaps we'd actually get better food. but half the time even in this thread people complain that staying at SOG just isn't "disney" enough.

Honestly, I really don't have an issue showing an ID but to say that we're being overrun by "them" is just nuts. It's really security theater. Nothing more than that.

 

[WDW 3]

I'll be fine with showing an ID. I don't think children were the issue so our kids are safe and won't be denied a ride.

We've been asked to show ID at check-in, ticket office and AAFES.

I might go there for a breakfast buffet if I was the type and knew how inexpensive it is compared to the standard Disney buffet. All the food isn't terrible.

It really won't be that difficult to pull out an ID while waiting at or walking to the bus stops.

 

[Dragontears]

I have never once encountered a line at any of the restaurants. Usually they're half empty. And really, who actually wants to eat there?

And you say "bars" like there are more than the half open evergreens which is open and closed so often that you need a schedule to keep track or the bar stand that opens in the lobby for about 5 minutes each afternoon.

Seriously, you really think people are going to hike all the way to SOG for bad food and a cheap beer? Honestly, if they did and they filled the restaurants, perhaps we'd actually get better food. but half the time even in this thread people complain that staying at SOG just isn't "disney" enough.

Honestly, I really don't have an issue showing an ID but to say that we're being overrun by "them" is just nuts. It's really security theater. Nothing more than that.

I do not feel "that we're being overrun by "them" "...I just meant that requiring military ID on military facilities is not out of line. Asking for it when entering the hotel is better than needing it every time we want a sandwich.

And I don't know if you have been lucky, or if we were unlucky, but we have had waits for breakfast every day. Sometimes long enough to miss our bus. And the dinner wait for Manginos has been so long, that we've grabbed a sandwich at the Express Cafe.

And just on a slightly off topic note: No one who was in SD when the Vincennes' Captain's personal van was bombed with his wife and kids in it (off base) takes security lightly or thinks of it as "theater".

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

...... Anyone would then be able to eat at the restaurants (which already have long enough lines, thank you), shop at the AAFES, get a drink at the bars, etc. All of which are cheaper than using Disney facilities.

Just wanted to note that you must have a military id to shop in an AAFES store.

 

[Dragontears]

Just wanted to note that you must have a military id to shop in an AAFES store.

So true...but I have gone in the one at SOG to pick up snacks and was not asked to show my ID. Maybe the clerk remembered me from a previous visit.

 

[jusero]

At the risk of being a "bad guy" or "butt-in-sky," can we please move on from the ID conversation? There are going to be people coming down on both sides of the issue and neither side is completely right or completely wrong. It is just our personal oppinions.

Let's get back to Disney and Shades and all the fun things we talk about here.

Love all you guys!!!

 

[goofynut41]

At the risk of being a "bad guy" or "butt-in-sky," can we please move on from the ID conversation? There are going to be people coming down on both sides of the issue and neither side is completely right or completely wrong. It is just our personal oppinions.

Let's get back to Disney and Shades and all the fun things we talk about here.

Love all you guys!!!

 

[kittylady1972]

So happy to have discovered this thread! I'm gearing up for my VERY FIRST stay at Shades in a few weeks and I am trying to learn as much as I can about it. I've done almost all of the Disney Resorts at this point, being a DVC member, but this was a last minute trip so no chance to use points for it. I LOVE being so close to the Polynesia.

I am going to be travelling alone so I was trying to decide if I should make a room request at checkin for something closer to the lobby or just go with the flow and get what I get assigned. We'll see what happens I guess!

 

[WDW 3]

https://www.facebook.com/#!/shadesofgreenresort


Check out the Facebook page. Photos of the pool construction. Hopefully they'll keep putting pics up as it progresses. And photos of the reopened AAFES!

 

[gilesmt]

Just wanted to post a quick note, we are here now, for 6 days now, 7 more to go. Check in was a breeze they give you a little slip of paper, that says question with military members name and how many in party, it is to be used if you buy something on site and are asked for I'd, so far we have not been asked for I'd at any store or restaeraunt. Today, day six was the first day we were asked for I'd coming back up from poly on a shady shuttle golf cart, we just showed room keys and was waved on thru.

Food, we have eaten breakfast Mother's Day, it was good. A clam bake on Friday at mangino's, a whole lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp, potatoes, corn, carrots all for $24.95, it was delicious. We ate at garden for dinner twice now, both times okay, buffet, better than Granny's or country buffets which are national I think but chain buffet resturaunts, but not the best food, we liked enough off the buffets to fill us up and get our money's worth, less than $12 a meal. We loved the junior chef meal tonight, but hey when your granddaughter makes a pizza for the table, you love it no matter what because she is your granddaughter. We ate at evergreens, that was just so so, but I think it was more to do with being in a rush for the spa and the waitress messing up our order and giving it to another table not once but twice and there was only three tables in the place, it sort of ruined the meal for us, the wings were good, fries okay, and the nachos like any other kids nachos.

The refill cups, have not been worth it for us, even through we are here for 13 days, I have only filled mine twice, once when I bought it and once tonight, but I am not a soda drinker and we are not eating a lot here.

Lastly, if anyone is checking in in the next week and would like some bottled water, pm me, we brought a lot because I drink a lot, but no one else is drinking it so it will go to waste if someone can use it, pm me. Even if you are coming later in the month, they may hold it for a few days at bell hop.

 

[bargirl95]

Just wanted to post a quick note, we are here now, for 6 days now, 7 more to go. Check in was a breeze they give you a little slip of paper, that says question with military members name and how many in party, it is to be used if you buy something on site and are asked for I'd, so far we have not been asked for I'd at any store or restaeraunt. Today, day six was the first day we were asked for I'd coming back up from poly on a shady shuttle golf cart, we just showed room keys and was waved on thru.

Food, we have eaten breakfast Mother's Day, it was good. A clam bake on Friday at mangino's, a whole lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp, potatoes, corn, carrots all for $24.95, it was delicious. We ate at garden for dinner twice now, both times okay, buffet, better than Granny's or country buffets which are national I think but chain buffet resturaunts, but not the best food, we liked enough off the buffets to fill us up and get our money's worth, less than $12 a meal. We loved the junior chef meal tonight, but hey when your granddaughter makes a pizza for the table, you love it no matter what because she is your granddaughter. We ate at evergreens, that was just so so, but I think it was more to do with being in a rush for the spa and the waitress messing up our order and giving it to another table not once but twice and there was only three tables in the place, it sort of ruined the meal for us, the wings were good, fries okay, and the nachos like any other kids nachos.

The refill cups, have not been worth it for us, even through we are here for 13 days, I have only filled mine twice, once when I bought it and once tonight, but I am not a soda drinker and we are not eating a lot here.

Lastly, if anyone is checking in in the next week and would like some bottled water, pm me, we brought a lot because I drink a lot, but no one else is drinking it so it will go to waste if someone can use it, pm me. Even if you are coming later in the month, they may hold it for a few days at bell hop.

I have a few questions about the the refillable cups. How much are they to start and then how much to refill? How many ounces do they hold? Where can u buy them and where can u refill them?

 

[gilesmt]

I have a few questions about the the refillable cups. How much are they to start and then how much to refill? How many ounces do they hold? Where can u buy them and where can u refill them?

They are $6.95 and $1 for refills. I aam going to guess they are between 16 and 20 oz size, hard to tell since the inside is smaller than the outside, but they are a good size. We got ours at evergreen, you can refill them at evergreens, mangino's and garden gallery, I'm not sure if there are other places. The problem we have is we are in room 2107 palm section and we don't feel like walking to evergreens to fill them. I got mine mainly as a souvenir for SIL, so not bad but I have only refilled it once since we bought it in 7 days. So far not worth it to me, but I knew that in a way, I just thought I would refill it more, but we still have 6 days to go. And it is only soda or ice tea, not coffee. I drink mostly bottled water, about 8 a day so I just never fill it. Oh they have three colors, I think they are pink, green and purple. If I find more places to refill them I will let you know but for now I think that is it, but I have not been to lucky's and the little place near the Mongolia pool is closed because of refurb but I bet both of those would refill it also, because both are near the pools.

Oh on the refills, when we ate at garden gallery last night, we brought our cups, she filled them and charged us a dollar, my dd asked for hers to be refilled again twice, they did not charge us for those two refills, while we where still in the restaeraunt. To me I would have thought they would have since it states $1 for refills, but no. A regular soda cost $2 so as I say, to make it worth your money you would have to drink 9 sodas or more, easy for most people, not for me.

 

[bargirl95]

They are $6.95 and $1 for refills. I aam going to guess they are between 16 and 20 oz size, hard to tell since the inside is smaller than the outside, but they are a good size. We got ours at evergreen, you can refill them at evergreens, mangino's and garden gallery, I'm not sure if there are other places. The problem we have is we are in room 2107 palm section and we don't feel like walking to evergreens to fill them. I got mine mainly as a souvenir for SIL, so not bad but I have only refilled it once since we bought it in 7 days. So far not worth it to me, but I knew that in a way, I just thought I would refill it more, but we still have 6 days to go. And it is only soda or ice tea, not coffee. I drink mostly bottled water, about 8 a day so I just never fill it. Oh they have three colors, I think they are pink, green and purple. If I find more places to refill them I will let you know but for now I think that is it, but I have not been to lucky's and the little place near the Mongolia pool is closed because of refurb but I bet both of those would refill it also, because both are near the pools.

Oh on the refills, when we ate at garden gallery last night, we brought our cups, she filled them and charged us a dollar, my dd asked for hers to be refilled again twice, they did not charge us for those two refills, while we where still in the restaeraunt. To me I would have thought they would have since it states $1 for refills, but no. A regular soda cost $2 so as I say, to make it worth your money you would have to drink 9 sodas or more, easy for most people, not for me.

Thank you for taking the time to give me all this helpful information.

 

[Pooh2]

They are $6.95 and $1 for refills. I aam going to guess they are between 16 and 20 oz size, hard to tell since the inside is smaller than the outside, but they are a good size. We got ours at evergreen, you can refill them at evergreens, mangino's and garden gallery, I'm not sure if there are other places. The problem we have is we are in room 2107 palm section and we don't feel like walking to evergreens to fill them. I got mine mainly as a souvenir for SIL, so not bad but I have only refilled it once since we bought it in 7 days. So far not worth it to me, but I knew that in a way, I just thought I would refill it more, but we still have 6 days to go. And it is only soda or ice tea, not coffee. I drink mostly bottled water, about 8 a day so I just never fill it. Oh they have three colors, I think they are pink, green and purple. If I find more places to refill them I will let you know but for now I think that is it, but I have not been to lucky's and the little place near the Mongolia pool is closed because of refurb but I bet both of those would refill it also, because both are near the pools.

Oh on the refills, when we ate at garden gallery last night, we brought our cups, she filled them and charged us a dollar, my dd asked for hers to be refilled again twice, they did not charge us for those two refills, while we where still in the restaeraunt. To me I would have thought they would have since it states $1 for refills, but no. A regular soda cost $2 so as I say, to make it worth your money you would have to drink 9 sodas or more, easy for most people, not for me.

Do the cups say "Shades of Green" on them?
Not a soda drinker, but wouldn't mind have the souvenir cup!

 

[WDW 3]

It's huge............... but you can see it!