SHADES OF GREEN at Walt Disney World Resort Thread

[5kitty]

We are staying at SOG in December. While we have stayed at SOG many times before, it is our first stay since the switch over to Magic Bands/Fastpass+. Our original plans had us staying at the Contemporary but we had to switch due to a large expense in replacing our heating system. Since we will no longer be getting "free" Magic Bands, I know we can order them and pay out of pocket. We had already purchased our park passes through SOG as we had anticipated the price increase. When staying at SOG, do you prefer having the Magic Bands to use or do you just use your "hard ticket? I kind of think that the MBs would be easier than pulling out the ticket every time. Thanks.

 

[capegirl]

We are staying at SOG in December. While we have stayed at SOG many times before, it is our first stay since the switch over to Magic Bands/Fastpass+. Our original plans had us staying at the Contemporary but we had to switch due to a large expense in replacing our heating system. Since we will no longer be getting "free" Magic Bands, I know we can order them and pay out of pocket. We had already purchased our park passes through SOG as we had anticipated the price increase. When staying at SOG, do you prefer having the Magic Bands to use or do you just use your "hard ticket? I kind of think that the MBs would be easier than pulling out the ticket every time. Thanks.

We were on the fence about getting MBs because they are not necessary when staying at SOG, but just the thought of showing our tickets at every FP+ attraction put us over the edge, so we purchased them. As far as I'm concerned, they were worth every penny. No more lanyards, or digging around for tickets anymore. We purchased them at Disney Springs on our arrival day, and they linked the bands to my MDE account on the spot. We had no problems with any of our FP reservations.

 

[WDW 3]

We were on the fence about getting MBs because they are not necessary when staying at SOG, but just the thought of showing our tickets at every FP+ attraction put us over the edge, so we purchased them. As far as I'm concerned, they were worth every penny. No more lanyards, or digging around for tickets anymore. We purchased them at Disney Springs on our arrival day, and they linked the bands to my MDE account on the spot. We had no problems with any of our FP reservations.

Agree 100%. We purchased ours at EPCOT Mousegears. So much easier.

 

[AFwifelife]

We are staying at SOG in December. While we have stayed at SOG many times before, it is our first stay since the switch over to Magic Bands/Fastpass+. Our original plans had us staying at the Contemporary but we had to switch due to a large expense in replacing our heating system. Since we will no longer be getting "free" Magic Bands, I know we can order them and pay out of pocket. We had already purchased our park passes through SOG as we had anticipated the price increase. When staying at SOG, do you prefer having the Magic Bands to use or do you just use your "hard ticket? I kind of think that the MBs would be easier than pulling out the ticket every time. Thanks.

Definitely worth it for us. We had some from a stay at CR last time we stayed at SOG and I'm certain we would buy the bands if we didn't have them. We get Memory Maker and I can't imagine not having the bands to make sure we get every ride photo and video.

 

[PrincessAli]

I haven't read to see if there have been any previous post about Evergreens--sooooo I'm wondering if anyone has any news as to whether or not it will open as scheduled. We are retired and stay at Shades at least once ( sometimes twice a year) our first stay was in 1995 and our last was during Flower & Garden 2015. I know the Mickey pool took much longer than expected to be completed--so that's why I'm curious about Evergreens. Hoping that they go back to their old menu!!! Loved that tower of onion rings! We always stay at a Disney resort for a few days before our stay at Shades so we get our new bands there and since we are AP holders we are also able to begin booking our FP's a little sooner as well. This year we will be on Disney property from October 24th until November 14th. That way we will be able to do Food & Wine, MNSSHP and MVMCP.

 

[capegirl]

I haven't read to see if there have been any previous post about Evergreens--sooooo I'm wondering if anyone has any news as to whether or not it will open as scheduled. We are retired and stay at Shades at least once ( sometimes twice a year) our first stay was in 1995 and our last was during Flower & Garden 2015. I know the Mickey pool took much longer than expected to be completed--so that's why I'm curious about Evergreens. Hoping that they go back to their old menu!!! Loved that tower of onion rings! We always stay at a Disney resort for a few days before our stay at Shades so we get our new bands there and since we are AP holders we are also able to begin booking our FP's a little sooner as well. This year we will be on Disney property from October 24th until November 14th. That way we will be able to do Food & Wine, MNSSHP and MVMCP.

No news. The website still indicates a March opening for Evergreens, so we'll see. I do recall the tower of onion rings with the dipping sauce. I think it was the most impressive item on the menu! Hoping that Evergreens has returned to it's former glory by the time we arrive in July. Funny thing, our first stay at SOG was in 1995, and our last was also during the 2015 F&G !

 

[DMGeurts]

I haven't read to see if there have been any previous post about Evergreens--sooooo I'm wondering if anyone has any news as to whether or not it will open as scheduled. We are retired and stay at Shades at least once ( sometimes twice a year) our first stay was in 1995 and our last was during Flower & Garden 2015. I know the Mickey pool took much longer than expected to be completed--so that's why I'm curious about Evergreens. Hoping that they go back to their old menu!!! Loved that tower of onion rings! We always stay at a Disney resort for a few days before our stay at Shades so we get our new bands there and since we are AP holders we are also able to begin booking our FP's a little sooner as well. This year we will be on Disney property from October 24th until November 14th. That way we will be able to do Food & Wine, MNSSHP and MVMCP.

No news. The website still indicates a March opening for Evergreens, so we'll see. I do recall the tower of onion rings with the dipping sauce. I think it was the most impressive item on the menu! Hoping that Evergreens has returned to it's former glory by the time we arrive in July. Funny thing, our first stay at SOG was in 1995, and our last was also during the 2015 F&G !

Totally agree - praying that SoG is returned to it's former glory... Just a true bar and GRILL is all I am asking for... Fingers crossed! Hoping that someone going in the coming months can confirm for us.

D~

 

[JessNewt]

Hello all! We will be staying at SOG over Halloween this year. We will be lugging around a double stroller for our 2 little bambinos, and I'm wondering the best way to get around. Is the walk from SOG to the monorail at the Polynesian the best bet (for parks where a bus isn't necessary)?

Also, how limited are the Fastpasses at 30 days? It's my daughter's birthday (on Halloween), so of course she wants to visit Anna and Elsa. I'm not confident I will be able to obtain a Fastpass for that meet and greet, though, at the 30 day mark.

 

[Praying Colonel]

^It's difficult to get 7DMT and, unfortunately, A&E at the 30-day mark. If you're diligent in checking a few times/day, you can often find a FP+, though, so keep trying.

 

[capegirl]

Hello all! We will be staying at SOG over Halloween this year. We will be lugging around a double stroller for our 2 little bambinos, and I'm wondering the best way to get around. Is the walk from SOG to the monorail at the Polynesian the best bet (for parks where a bus isn't necessary)?

Also, how limited are the Fastpasses at 30 days? It's my daughter's birthday (on Halloween), so of course she wants to visit Anna and Elsa. I'm not confident I will be able to obtain a Fastpass for that meet and greet, though, at the 30 day mark.

It is about a 15 minute walk down the SOG driveway to the Poly. It is a royal pain to board a bus with a double stroller. For MK and Epcot we used the monorail, and it was so easy, and a beautiful walk as well.

Chances are you will not get the FP for the A&E M&G at 30 days out. I believe A&E will be relocated to Epcot/ Norway very soon, and the new Frozen attraction will also be opening. This will be super popular, so with no FP arriving at the park for RD and getting in the standby line will be the only way. Last April we did RD at the MK and headed strait to the
A&E standby line and the wait time was 45 minutes.

 

[totallytigger]

We're planning a stay at SOG in Sept and I have a few ??'s since we haven't stayed there in several years. Do they offer transportation to Universal? How do most people get to & from MCO? The Sept special offer includes breakfast--is it a full meal or continental (bagel etc)? What kind of coffee machine is in the room? Thanks for the help.

 

[LG2]

At the airport, you can catch the Mears Shuttle or a taxi, but I would recommend reserving a limo / town car service from someone else. Search on "MCO transportation" for choices. Type and size are dependent on number of passengers. R/T usually is a better price and with R/T most companies offer a 30-minute grocery stop. Many also provide transportation to/from Universal. From SoG website: Shuttle transportation is available from Shades of Green to Universal Orlando Resort for a nominal round trip fee of $ 10.00 per adult and $ 5.00 per child. Under 4 is free. Advanced reservations are required. Shades of Green guests only. Reservations Required.

Breakfast is at the Garden Gallery and is buffet. Consider it a full meal.
See earlier post (p123) on coffee: http://www.disboards.com/threads/sh...tion-questions.2912833/page-123#post-54489685

 

[totallytigger]

At the airport, you can catch the Mears Shuttle or a taxi, but I would recommend reserving a limo / town car service from someone else. Search on "MCO transportation" for choices. Type and size are dependent on number of passengers. R/T usually is a better price and with R/T most companies offer a 30-minute grocery stop. Many also provide transportation to/from Universal. From SoG website: Shuttle transportation is available from Shades of Green to Universal Orlando Resort for a nominal round trip fee of $ 10.00 per adult and $ 5.00 per child. Under 4 is free. Advanced reservations are required. Shades of Green guests only. Reservations Required.

Breakfast is at the Garden Gallery and is buffet. Consider it a full meal.
See earlier post (p123) on coffee: http://www.disboards.com/threads/sh...tion-questions.2912833/page-123#post-54489685

Thanks for the great info. I haven't been able to get anyone to answer the SOG reservation line--so I might give up and go our usual way & stay at Disney resort. It just worries me about the lack of customer service. :-(

 

[LG2]

Thanks for the great info. I haven't been able to get anyone to answer the SOG reservation line--so I might give up and go our usual way & stay at Disney resort. It just worries me about the lack of customer service. :-(

Often depends on time of day. Try main phone number between noon and 2 ET or early evening.

 

[totallytigger]

I finally got through after almost 3 hrs of trying!! We are cat 2--and after giving our sept dates I was quoted $129/night?! I then asked about the Sept special and the agent said "oh yes--that includes 2 breakfasts and is only $109/night"!! Yikes--I'm glad that I already knew about the special offer. Also, just in case others don't know, you can't get a pool view room with the promo.

 

[BabyTigger99]

I just booked for November 6-12, 2016. We are Cat 2. I was quoted $137 for the special with the breakfast, and $135 for the special if we don't want the breakfast. Where is the savings??

 

[totallytigger]

How many are in your group? The special rate of $121, for cat 2, is for 2 adults. If there are additional adults or children there is an extra fee.

 

[PrincessAli]

We , also just booked Nov. 1 through the 14th at Shades (retired) and got the Cat.2 rate of $121. Staying at POP for a few days before at a rate of $89 per night.

 

[famouschinesec]

Thanks for the great info. I haven't been able to get anyone to answer the SOG reservation line--so I might give up and go our usual way & stay at Disney resort. It just worries me about the lack of customer service. :-(

Shades phone/internet/reservation system is in the midst of some sort of upgrade. I am visiting early nest month and trying to make some complicated reservations. I can never get through on the 800 # and have had some success on the front desk number. Online reservations are non existent. I hope they sort this out soon.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Can anyone tell me if any of the grocery delivery services deliver to SOG? TIA