SHADES OF GREEN at Walt Disney World Resort Thread

[milleroccie]

Just got back from a week at Shades of Green. This was our second time staying here and we loved it even more than the first time. I'm going to just share some things I can remember and some highlights.

1. At check-in I asked to be moved to the Palm wing. We drove so it was nice to have easy access to our car. They were very nice about it and moved our room quickly and easily.

2. The busses were great all week. They gave us a bus schedule at check in and I took a pic on my phone. If you want to Rope Drop just be down there 15 minutes prior to the first bus and you will be fine. The bus to TTC and then monorail to MK or Epcot is so quick and efficient. We found the shared bus to AK and DHS to be more than fine as well. We took the first bus to AK and easily made Rope Drop. Rode both of the Avatar rides before the park officially opened. Do not sweat the busses - just follow the schedule and plan ahead and you will be fine.

3. It's so nice having the small exchange on property. You can get necessity items as well as snacks, drinks, food, bathing suits, shoes, hats, flip flops, jackets and a great selection of cheap alcohol. It's very convenient.

4. We at breakfast twice at Garden Gallery. The buffet is great and about half the cost of a Disney breakfast buffet.

5. We had a very nice meal at Manginos on night. We enjoyed the NY Strip, Chicken parm and chicken alfredo. Good wine selection. Highly recommend.

6. Nothing beats getting food by the pool at Evergreens. We did this 4 times. Our kids said they could just come down for a week and hang out by the pool.

7. Saw lots of wildlife including turtles, frogs, alligator, turkeys and an armadillo.

It was very hard to leave after this trip. We always said we wanted to stay at every WDW resort at least once but Shades has become our happy place. As a retired Navy Chief, it really means something to me to stay at a resort that is filled with military families and have all of the perks afforded to us at Shades. The vibe is just so different than any WDW resort. It feels like being at Home or at a family reunion.

Question for you. When you say ROPE DROP, do you mean EARLY ENTRY which is a 30 minute perk SOG guests get before official opening, or do you mean Actual rope drop when the park officially opens and everyone is let in?

 

[Leigh L]

Has anyone purchased tickets from Shades recently? I thought I read they went electronic (and no $15 fee to ship and then wait for FedEx to sign off on them). However, when I check their site, they still have the old form up. Just wondering if anyone had any recent experiences, it's been probably about a year since I purchased from them. Thanks!

 

[brockash]

Has anyone purchased tickets from Shades recently? I thought I read they went electronic (and no $15 fee to ship and then wait for FedEx to sign off on them). However, when I check their site, they still have the old form up. Just wondering if anyone had any recent experiences, it's been probably about a year since I purchased from them. Thanks!

They're electronic now...I think have been all year. No more fee or having to sign for them. You link the numbers tobyour MDE account.

 

[Leigh L]

They're electronic now...I think have been all year. No more fee or having to sign for them. You link the numbers tobyour MDE account.

Thanks! Sounds like they do it like our local MWR does. That’s great!

The order form I found still charges $15 but I noticed it says something like “handling fee”. I wasn’t sure if they charge this or they haven’t swapped out their form. Will give them a call, thank you

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Looking forward to our first Shades of Green visit next summer. We stayed at Hale Koa a couple of years ago and it is very nice.

 

[NavyDad]

Question for you. When you say ROPE DROP, do you mean EARLY ENTRY which is a 30 minute perk SOG guests get before official opening, or do you mean Actual rope drop when the park officially opens and everyone is let in?

Sorry I missed this post back in July.

For me Rope Drop is the earliest time they let people in the parks, so that would be Early Entry which is available for resort guests including Shades of Green. That is the best way to stay ahead of the crowds all day.

Last year when we stayed at Shades we looked at the bus schedule and our plan was always to get down there 15 minutes before the first bus to that park and it worked out fantastic. It was especially great at AK as the drop off point was closer to the entrance than most of the Disney busses so we were right ahead of a huge crowd coming off of those buses.

 

[Figmentv]

I’m planning a trip with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren for September 2025. We’re looking at staying at SOG, my son-in-law is eligible. I’ll be paying for most of the trip including all of the hotel costs. Am I allowed to make the reservations and payments with proof of my SIL’s eligibility or does he need to make the reservations ?

 

[sharonmickey]

I’m planning a trip with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren for September 2025. We’re looking at staying at SOG, my son-in-law is eligible. I’ll be paying for most of the trip including all of the hotel costs. Am I allowed to make the reservations and payments with proof of my SIL’s eligibility or does he need to make the reservations ?

My son-in-law is also military. My daughter was able to make our reservations and use my credit card. After she made the reservations I was able to log in using her information to modify the reservations. We've stayed at SOG three times but since they closed the walkway we've stayed at AOA. We probably won't be back at SOG until the kids are out of strollers.

 

[Einstein509]

My son-in-law is also military. My daughter was able to make our reservations and use my credit card. After she made the reservations I was able to log in using her information to modify the reservations. We've stayed at SOG three times but since they closed the walkway we've stayed at AOA. We probably won't be back at SOG until the kids are out of strollers.

The closure of the walkway is a game changer for us. Made us shy away from staying at SOG. It was such a convenience.

 

[bdcp]

I’m planning a trip with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren for September 2025. We’re looking at staying at SOG, my son-in-law is eligible. I’ll be paying for most of the trip including all of the hotel costs. Am I allowed to make the reservations and payments with proof of my SIL’s eligibility or does he need to make the reservations ?

The service member or spouse has to make the reservation in their name. We're taking our two DS and two DDIL's in April. Each are paying their own way but we purchased their tickets. When they check in they can add their cc info. They also can't check in before we do. Let your DD and SIL make the reservation using your cc or just reimburse them for the deposit. All you give prior to check in is one night deposit on one room. Also, eligibility is proven at check in although they do ask during reservation process to properly price the room.

Oh and BTW, we stayed for two nights in mid Nov. They're doing roof work and had completely blocked off with fencing and construction material where they are working so they don't drop materials, etc onto patios/walkways. They first gave us a ground floor room (which we did not request) that had fencing and material at the edge of the patio. We got to our room and said nope, not happening. First, I want a view and a patio/balcony I can actually use and second, they didn't tell us or offer a discount or anything. So, just be aware. Not sure how long the work will be done, but that was poor customer service. We ended up with a room on the top floor overlooking the back/golf course which was fine, but seriously?

 

[BigBlueWho]

Is the site down for anyone else? I haven't been able to book in days.

 

[Dave006]

Is the site down for anyone else? I haven't been able to book in days.

The Shades of Green Web site is up and working at the normal URL: https://www.shadesofgreen.org what error are you getting?

Dave

 

[BigBlueWho]

The Shades of Green Web site is up and working at the normal URL: https://www.shadesofgreen.org what error are you getting?

Dave

When I go to book, every date this year is crossed out.

 

[Dave006]

When I go to book, every date this year is crossed out.

You asked if it was down. Yes when I drill in to the Calendar view all dates are crossed out. Have you tired calling +1 (888) 593-2242 the Reservation and General Info number?

Dave

 

[BigBlueWho]

You asked if it was down. Yes when I drill in to the Calendar view all dates are crossed out. Have you tired calling +1 (888) 593-2242 the Reservation and General Info number?

Dave

They just put out a message on FB confirming the online reservation system is down; I will call later.

 

[cwis]

(edited, wrong topic)

 

[dansdad]

Hello everyone! DW and I have decided we would complete our bucket-list of staying in all club levels around the Seven Seas Lagoon, so we've booked a “Resort View - King - Club Level” room at the CR.

What do you think would be the chances of this room to be located on the 14th floor? Asking as we would be delighted to have access to the Tower Club.

You'll probably get more replies if you post this in the Club Level and/or the Contemporary thread.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/disneys-club-level-cl-information-questions.3414590/

https://www.disboards.com/threads/disneys-contemporary-resort-information-questions.3248210/

 

[cwis]

You'll probably get more replies if you post this in the Club Level and/or the Contemporary thread.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/disneys-club-level-cl-information-questions.3414590/

https://www.disboards.com/threads/disneys-contemporary-resort-information-questions.3248210/

Holy Mickey how did my post end up here? Of course I meant posting on the CL thread. Thank you so much for noticing, I'll edit my previous post as well so as to clear things up.

 

[angelmav]

I think last time I ordered it with our other stuff from Dizzy Dolphin, but anyone that’s gone recently do you know of the AAFEES sells Pepsi products?

 

[Einstein509]

I think they do, but selection is very limited.