SHADES OF GREEN at Walt Disney World Resort Thread

[kittylady1972]

I was very pleased with the SOG. Additionally crowds were low in the four parks.
Granted I didn't go into any of the Frozen offerings, but most stand by lines were barely more than our fast pass on other attractions.
It was wonderful to experience the magic again at the parks.
My last trip was in 2006, so I was past due for a get away.

Thanks! This was GREAT to read! We leave for Disney in just over TWO WEEKS and I'm really hoping we'll be just as lucky with the low crowds. Looking forward to our first real Shades of Green experience!

 

[jusero]

I have not been on this thread in forever. Life just got busy. BUT!!! We are coming home in about three weeks! Just can't wait.

 

[PrincessAli]

Just bumping this up in case someone has some new info to add to this thread.

 

[OldPyrate]

We stayed at Shades for the first time a few weeks ago. We arrived on 25 Aug and left for our Disney cruise on 30 Aug. Overall, our stay at SoG was very nice. The cast members are all very friendly, and our room was very nice. I was slightly disappointed that there weren't any "Disney" decorations in our room. I think the only Disney decoration is the big Mickey Mouse in the lobby. My biggest complaint would be the food at Evergreens....it was very subpar even by MWR fast food standards. We only ate there once, so maybe they were having a bad night. We also had the breakfast buffet once; it was good. And we ate dinner at Mangiano's once; it was excellent. We'll definitely stay here on our next visit.

 

[jaz0308]

We stayed at Shades for the first time a few weeks ago. We arrived on 25 Aug and left for our Disney cruise on 30 Aug. Overall, our stay at SoG was very nice. The cast members are all very friendly, and our room was very nice. I was slightly disappointed that there weren't any "Disney" decorations in our room. I think the only Disney decoration is the big Mickey Mouse in the lobby. My biggest complaint would be the food at Evergreens....it was very subpar even by MWR fast food standards. We only ate there once, so maybe they were having a bad night. We also had the breakfast buffet once; it was good. And we ate dinner at Mangiano's once; it was excellent. We'll definitely stay here on our next visit.

Hi! Did you have a car or hire transportaion from SOG to the cruise port? Asking because we will possibly need transportation in July! Thanks

 

[amador]

Does anyone know about the wait list? Every time I call I'm told that it's full. Does this mean that there's just no chance of me getting in for my dates? Looking for the 1st week in November

 

[Kirby]

I might be staying at SOG with my daughter. Any particular area of the resort more preferable than others to request a room in?

 

[OldPyrate]

Hi! Did you have a car or hire transportaion from SOG to the cruise port? Asking because we will possibly need transportation in July! Thanks

We used DCL Express transportation from the Polynesian. We just used the SOG mini-shuttle to take us and our luggage to the edge of SOG, then just walked to the Polynesian lobby...it was really easy. there is a DCL Kiosk there. the DCL rep got there around 1000 am, and we were on the bus around 1115.

 

[abolanwoski]

Spent the first week of Sept at SOG and it was, as usual, wonderful.

I didn't think it was possible, but the food was actually worse this year, than last! LOL. We did the buffet breakfast (included in our "special" rate) and the food was not warm, was dried out and the variety was poor. The service was also not as good as years past. I found it mildly annoying that she made mention TWICE that the gratuity was not included in the "free" meal and then on the reciept (which I had to sign, although it was "free") there was a large stamp "gratuity not included". Really? People who are going to tip only need to be told once, those who aren't, won't regardless of how many times you tell them.

The new pool was really great! I love the zero entry. There were ducks in it every day which my kids thought was great. I do wish the hours were longer but understand the legal mumbo jumbo now with lifeguards. I can't wait for the Mill Pond redo.

Our room was in Magnolia, just where we asked for it. I love the old section but the bathrooms (tub in particular) are in terrible shape. Rotting chrome, cracked tile, the sloppiest caulk job I have ever seen, fan that sounds like a jet taking off. And the toiletries are just nasty. I preferred the ridiculous wall mounted ones!

The new buses are nice - I hate buses in general but they were clean and convenient when needed.

Overall, it was a great visit and the fall discount made it an even better value. I wish they would go back to the 40% off instead of the lower rate with free breakfast. Or give folks a choice. The food sucks and not everyone eats a big breakfast every day (I guess they are counting on that to make more money...)

 

[famouschinesec]

Does anyone know about the wait list? Every time I call I'm told that it's full. Does this mean that there's just no chance of me getting in for my dates? Looking for the 1st week in November

Forget about the wait list. Call 30 days prior to when you want to check in. That is usually when rooms become available because people cancel at the last minute. Do not rely on the online availability calendar, it is often not accurate.

 

[jaz0308]

Will be down at SOG in about 3 weeks and can't wait to attend MNSSHP! I'm wondering about transportation back from the party to SOG! Anybody on here taken the bus back during/after the party? Just curious as to if it is usually very crowded and also how often it picks up at the park? I know we can go to Poly and walk back but now that my mom is joining us, that may not be an option.

 

[jaz0308]

Anybody?

 

[stitchrulz]

When we did MNSSHP, we took Disney transport to the Poly and walked back to Shades, so I'm not sure about their buses. I'd probably give Shades a call to ask how they're handling transportation for the parties. You'll have a blast!

 

[WDW 3]

Just to be clear, the SoG bus does not pick up at the park. You need to get back to the TTC to take a Shades bus.

 

[mom2rdhds]

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[5kitty]

For anyone who has stayed at SOG recently, has the work started on the Mill Pond pool? If not, is the Mill Pond pool still available to use or has it been closed? Thanks so much.

 

[famouschinesec]

We're going to be staying at SOG for the first time in November. This will also be our kiddos first trip, so I'm trying to have my ducks in a row as much as possible.

We've already purchased the MVMCP ticket for our arrival night and are awaiting the time when we can order our park tickets. But I've found that info on the tickets is pretty difficult to come by. I had wanted to get the ticket numbers on the MVMCP so we could try and get FP for the few hours before the party officially began, but upon inquiring, was told that FP were not available for the party (I knew that), so they wouldn't give me the numbers. Based on my limited experience with the employees, it doesn't appear that they are very knowledgable of the way that some of the ticketing works. (Being that FP+ is a REALLY big deal to most people going to the MK)


Should I just prepare myself (and the kids) for a long wait and difficulty getting our passes when we arrive? We'll be picking up family from the airport (we're driving in and staying at a WDW resort the night before, they're flying) and then try and check-in right at 1500. Is it absolutely crazy to think we can get our stuff in our rooms, pick up tickets, and be at the park by 1630?

Any other tips/ words of wisdom regarding the tickets.

Thanks in advance!

Are you close to a base where you can go to a ticket office and buy your tickets ahead of time? If so, as soon as you get them, you can link them to your MDE account and make your FP+ selections 30 days prior to arrival. Some base ITT's have the tickets in stock; others can order them, and it takes like 7- 10 days for them to come in.

 

[famouschinesec]

W

Should I just prepare myself (and the kids) for a long wait and difficulty getting our passes when we arrive? We'll be picking up family from the airport (we're driving in and staying at a WDW resort the night before, they're flying) and then try and check-in right at 1500. Is it absolutely crazy to think we can get our stuff in our rooms, pick up tickets, and be at the park by 1630?

Any other tips/ words of wisdom regarding the tickets.

Thanks in advance!

If you are not able to get your tickets at a base ahead of time, why can't you just get them at Shades the day before or the morning of when you are picking up people at the airport? You do not have to be checked in to Shades in order to purchase park tickets. Anyone with a valid ID can use the Shades ticket office anytime.

 

[wannabatwdw]

If you are not able to get your tickets at a base ahead of time, why can't you just get them at Shades the day before or the morning of when you are picking up people at the airport? You do not have to be checked in to Shades in order to purchase park tickets. Anyone with a valid ID can use the Shades ticket office anytime.

We ordered our tickets from Shades of Green 45 days out. They were very fast and helpful. They email you your ticket numbers. We then were able to make our Fastpass reservations 30 days out using "My Disney Experience". You pick up your tickets at the counter in the front lobby when you check in. We then linked our tickets to the Magic Bands that we bought at Downtown Disney the night we arrived. (You have to pick up the tickets first).

We had no problems at all with this, but we were buying the Stars and Stripes tickets this time. (We had already used our armed forces promotional tickets for the year - a Shades of Green employee even called to make sure that we knew about it before processing our order for the higher priced tickets, thats service!!)

 

[mom2rdhds]

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