SHADES OF GREEN at Walt Disney World Resort Thread

[jusero]

OK, sorry for this rookie question, but: does anyone know if you can add a day to the special 4-day hopper tickets? I will be there for five days and would love to spend every single day in the parks. Or will I have to just buy a one-day ticket?

 

[WDW 3]

OK, sorry for this rookie question, but: does anyone know if you can add a day to the special 4-day hopper tickets? I will be there for five days and would love to spend every single day in the parks. Or will I have to just buy a one-day ticket?

No adding days. We took the Backstage Magic tour to fill a day.

 

[dimndgal1]

Has anyone done a split-stay with SOG and another Disney resort? We have BC booked for our trip next Sept, but I can't stop looking at the awesome rates at SOG. Was thinking of doing 4 nights at SOG/3 nights at BC. I know we have to get from MCO to SOG on our own and then get ourselves over to BC. Just wanted to see if anyone had done a split and what their thoughts were?

Looking for help. Just booked our first trip to Hale Koa. Any good sources for information?

You'll LOVE Hale Koa! We were stationed in Hawaii for 3 years and went down to HK one Friday a month for a family night. The Hilton Hawaiian shoots of fireworks Friday nights at 8 pm, so we'd go to the beach in front of HK and swim and have sandwiches for dinner. Then grab an ice cream at the little shop near the beach at HK and sit and watch the fireworks.

The hotel is very 'standard issue' in appearance but the value can't be beat... the full balconies are fantastic, too!!! Also, the shopette there is the cheapest soda and sundries in Waikiki. There is a little trolley that rolls around Waikiki that you can pick up between HK and Hilton Hawaiian that will take you to various locations and even Ala Moana mall. The parking deck at HK is the cheapest parking around in case you have a rental, and the Fort DeRussey park right there is a great place to grab some shade and let your kids run around. The main pool at HK is fantastic - huge and lots of space! The pool bar has great priced drinks for being at Waikiki (about $2 cheaper/drink than anywhere else we saw).

There is a great surfing school that has their storefront on the HK beach (but they take you out closer to Diamond Head). They were great when both DH and I took lessons and no greater backdrop to surf with. If you can, try to grab a paddleboard and take it for a whirl - such fun and a great way to explore the shallows.

ENJOY!!!!

 

[dismagiclover]

Has anyone done a split-stay with SOG and another Disney resort? We have BC booked for our trip next Sept, but I can't stop looking at the awesome rates at SOG. Was thinking of doing 4 nights at SOG/3 nights at BC. I know we have to get from MCO to SOG on our own and then get ourselves over to BC. Just wanted to see if anyone had done a split and what their thoughts were?

The last couple of times we stayed at SOG it was part of split stays. I think a split with BC would be great. I would focus heavy on parks while you were at Shades. Get all of your MK time in because it is so close and then you can relax a bit more when you head over to BC. Though I'd still head over to Epcot because the International Gateway is so convenient. That price at SOG can't be beat!

 

[dimndgal1]

The last couple of times we stayed at SOG it was part of split stays. I think a split with BC would be great. I would focus heavy on parks while you were at Shades. Get all of your MK time in because it is so close and then you can relax a bit more when you head over to BC. Though I'd still head over to Epcot because the International Gateway is so convenient. That price at SOG can't be beat!

YAY! Glad to hear positives!
We are planning to do 2 park days with a PM EMH and MNSSHP while at SOG and 2 park days with Akerhaus before park and HS AM EMH at BC (as long as past trends hold for future EMH). The morning after MNSSHP would be our move day, which we have as an 'off' day so I thought SAB would be the perfect way to chill.

Thanks for getting me excited!!!

 

[bdcp]

OK, sorry for this rookie question, but: does anyone know if you can add a day to the special 4-day hopper tickets? I will be there for five days and would love to spend every single day in the parks. Or will I have to just buy a one-day ticket?

Last trip we had planned to do 5 days and thought we'd just buy an additional days ticket. We were told you can't add to the 4 day, which I had figured. We ended up spending 1/2 day at DTD and the rest at the pool, just relaxing.

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

So, how's the pool renovation? Haven't seen much new on the SOG FB page.

I wonder about this too. Any photos?

 

[bdcp]

I wonder about this too. Any photos?

There's some new photos on FB from a couple of days ago. They're saying fall now for opening. The rains this summer really delayed them.

 

[MinnerLynn06]

Has anyone attended the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party??
If so, is it worth it?

In mid-January, the DH and I are surprising my 10 year old brother by bringing him to Shades and going to Disney for seven days. My mother is also joining us and she is disabled and will be using an ECV and her bilateral forearm crutches in the parks. I was considering the TTFDP as I know all too well that the crowds can be a bit intense for Wishes and the parade.

DH and I love Shades and Disney and are very excited to return!! Hopefully the new pool is up and running...

 

[jusero]

Has anyone attended the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party??
If so, is it worth it?

In mid-January, the DH and I are surprising my 10 year old brother by bringing him to Shades and going to Disney for seven days. My mother is also joining us and she is disabled and will be using an ECV and her bilateral forearm crutches in the parks. I was considering the TTFDP as I know all too well that the crowds can be a bit intense for Wishes and the parade.

DH and I love Shades and Disney and are very excited to return!! Hopefully the new pool is up and running...

We have gone to the dessert party twice and would go again in a heart beat. We would have gone again this trip, but we did MNSSHP instead. But, by all means, YES, it is more than worth it. Just the seating alone is worth it to me. Then all the desserts are (pun intended) icing on the cake. At this late date, you may have trouble getting in, but it is worth trying. We always ended up in the very front row because we reserved as soon as it opened up, which meant calling every day to check. Start calling (or online) the ressie line now and keep trying. I wish(es) (I'm just full of 'em tonight) you luck and pixie dust.

 

[MinnerLynn06]

We have gone to the dessert party twice and would go again in a heart beat. We would have gone again this trip, but we did MNSSHP instead. But, by all means, YES, it is more than worth it. Just the seating alone is worth it to me. Then all the desserts are (pun intended) icing on the cake. At this late date, you may have trouble getting in, but it is worth trying. We always ended up in the very front row because we reserved as soon as it opened up, which meant calling every day to check. Start calling (or online) the ressie line now and keep trying. I wish(es) (I'm just full of 'em tonight) you luck and pixie dust.

Luck and pixie dust worked!!
I managed to get 7pm reservations!! Very excited

The online ressies tried to tell me that there were not any spots left...but once I signed into my actual account, I had some options. Weird..but no complaints!

 

[goofynut41]

I just read on another post that you can book fast pass+ with your Military tickets. How are they doing this if you don't have the tickets yet? are they getting their tickets from the base? We always get ours at SOG when we arrive. Does anybody know or have done this?

 

[buffettgirl]

Has anyone attended the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party??
If so, is it worth it?

In mid-January, the DH and I are surprising my 10 year old brother by bringing him to Shades and going to Disney for seven days. My mother is also joining us and she is disabled and will be using an ECV and her bilateral forearm crutches in the parks. I was considering the TTFDP as I know all too well that the crowds can be a bit intense for Wishes and the parade.

DH and I love Shades and Disney and are very excited to return!! Hopefully the new pool is up and running...

We have gone to the dessert party twice and would go again in a heart beat. We would have gone again this trip, but we did MNSSHP instead. But, by all means, YES, it is more than worth it. Just the seating alone is worth it to me. Then all the desserts are (pun intended) icing on the cake. At this late date, you may have trouble getting in, but it is worth trying. We always ended up in the very front row because we reserved as soon as it opened up, which meant calling every day to check. Start calling (or online) the ressie line now and keep trying. I wish(es) (I'm just full of 'em tonight) you luck and pixie dust.

I on the other hand, would never waste my money again. We did it because my older daughter loves the fireworks and my younger son (proportionally) hates them, and the crowds, but loves deserts. So we figured it would be a good compromise and a nice treat.

Now, we also were there in the summer, when everything is crowded so maybe that's a reason for my issues, but I'll run down what I didn't like:

1) reserved early, had a front row table, which promptly was invaded on all sides by people from the back standing at the rail to see. They're allowed to do this, no fault of theirs, but someone's butt in my face as I"m trying to eat, isn't appetizing. Lots of pushing and shoving to get to the front railing. Exactly what we thought we were paying to avoid.

2) arrive VERY early for your assigned time. They space arrivals so that you're not all at the desert bar at once. But, we waited 30 min or more to get seated and so the early people had really picked over the bar, a lot. And - were running around standing in front of us right from the moment we sat down.

3) The deserts weren't all that spectacular. The assortment wasn't great. We had better desert selections at places like Boma, and Grand Floridian 1900 Park Fare. It was like cookies, brownies, a few little mousse things, and ice cream. Hardly worth it.

4) beware of the grubby hands. There was almost no cast member supervision at the buffet and little kids were touching everything. It was pretty disgusting.

5) my (20 year old) daughter had to basically rush through her deserts so that she could get a space at the rail to take photos. There was no way to even get a decent photo at our table (and we were in the front row).

Now, perhaps it's better in a less crowded time. Maybe. I just won't ever waste that sort of money for that little benefit, again.

 

[Dragontears]

I just read on another post that you can book fast pass+ with your Military tickets. How are they doing this if you don't have the tickets yet? are they getting their tickets from the base? We always get ours at SOG when we arrive. Does anybody know or have done this?

You can book FF+ once you have activated your tickets at the parks...but not in advance...for now.

Hopefully this will change.

 

[MomToPirate&Princess]

Question for the SOG experts... We have stayed several times and would like to again in April. I notice on the website that they are already posting deals for next Aug and Sept as well as scattered fall and winter discounts. Have I missed the late April deals? If not, does anyone think they will post a deal for April or do you think the Easter crowds will prevent them from needing extra deals to lure guests?

 

[robin19871]

Question for the SOG experts... We have stayed several times and would like to again in April. I notice on the website that they are already posting deals for next Aug and Sept as well as scattered fall and winter discounts. Have I missed the late April deals? If not, does anyone think they will post a deal for April or do you think the Easter crowds will prevent them from needing extra deals to lure guests?

We have gone every Easter break for the past 6 years and never had a discount.. (I book a year in advance and keep looking for any deals.) They have been sold out every Easter that I have been there so I would not expect a deal.. With that said, this year my son has a winter recess in February for Presidents week and I got my first discount ever at SOG.. So Happy...

 

[bdcp]

Question for the SOG experts... We have stayed several times and would like to again in April. I notice on the website that they are already posting deals for next Aug and Sept as well as scattered fall and winter discounts. Have I missed the late April deals? If not, does anyone think they will post a deal for April or do you think the Easter crowds will prevent them from needing extra deals to lure guests?

They don't have specials for every month. They do fall discounts every year, usually Sept and Oct as those are lower attendance times, hence lower numbers in the hotel. We stayed in Oct 2011 for 1/2 price. This Nov, we're getting no deal, but, come on, let's face it, staying at SOG anytime is a great deal. April is a huge month for bookings and visits to the parks so they're always pretty full which means you won't see discounts anywhere.

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

There's some new photos on FB from a couple of days ago. They're saying fall now for opening. The rains this summer really delayed them.

Thanks! Here's link:
https://www.facebook.com/shadesofgr...51830815369265.1073741837.112743409264&type=3

 

[jusero]

Does anyone else have problems with cell phone connections at Shades? I don't know if it is just my provider, but I have to sit in one tiny spot out on the balcony to get even one bar. In the room? Nothing! Nadda! Bumpkus! And if I move even a little, I lose my connection. If I want to actually call someone, I have to go outside on the top floor of the parking deck. Not a problem in the parks, though. I have T-Mobile.

 

[Dragontears]

Does anyone else have problems with cell phone connections at Shades? I don't know if it is just my provider, but I have to sit in one tiny spot out on the balcony to get even one bar. In the room? Nothing! Nadda! Bumpkus! And if I move even a little, I lose my connection. If I want to actually call someone, I have to go outside on the top floor of the parking deck. Not a problem in the parks, though. I have T-Mobile.

We have US Cellular and have had no problems anywhere at SOG or Disney.

Gook luck with that.