Shades of Green FYI

[wdwtink]

I called today about making res for Christmas. Although the SOG web site says they will reopen in Dec, the lady I spoke with says it will be at least March. Guests will still be sent to the contemporary until then. I am looking forward to seeing the new SOG They have been doing a lot of work there.

 

[Local_Girl]

Tink,

If you don't mind, I'm curious to know...were you able to secure Christmas ressies via SOG, or were you put on a waiting list? Or did you try an overflow rate for another resort? I always thought they were booked so far out in advance that we wouldn't have a chance now! Thanks for any info!

 

[wdwtink]

Local_Girl,

When I talked to them this morning they said they are booked through out christmas and new year I hated to hear this. And the waiting list is also closed as of now! WoW! So It looks like I will have to look at a different resort if we go Dec.28 - Jan. 3 like we are wanting.

Tink

 

[wdwtink]

I forgot to add to that last reply that they did offer overflow to other resorts but not for the same price

 

[Local_Girl]

Thanks so much for the reply. I'm not surprised to hear that they're totally booked and have closed the wait list as well. I was planning to make other arrangements anyway, but wondered if there was still availability when I saw your post! Maybe I'll still call and check on the overflow rates...maybe there's a good deal to be had somewhere after all...

Anyway, thanks again for the info! Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Maddle]

Oh, no, this is very sad news - although Contemporary - Garden Wing is not so bad. I made a reservation about a month ago for January. At that time I was assurred ("absolutely, no doubt about it.") that they would open by December 15, that they were taking reservations for the new place, and they were SURE to be open, since it had already been delayed.....but I've been watching their web cam, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of progress.....

Maddle

PS - I do have a written confirmation on Shades of Green stationary.

 

[wdwtink]

Maddle,

Well maybe they will get through by Dec anyway but she did say it looked like March. If it is open by then you will have to tell us all about it. I can't wait to see it. I usually check the web cam daily, too. Have a great trip!



Local_Girl,

SOG gave me some over flow rates today for the Poly at 289 per night and the new All Star Pop for 100.13 per night and that includes taxes! I thought the All Star Pop was a good deal because I called wdw res for rates and a room was 113.00 before taxes. Hope this helps some

 

[Maddle]

I don't know - I can't say I was surprised by the original post - the web cam is not promising at all.....

the disappointment is that I have been talking SOG up to my sister-in-law, who is coming with me, "Boy, are you gonna be thrilled." Last year was a splurge - we stayed in the Contemporary Tower with overflow rates, but we checked out the Garden Wing, and she said she thought that would have been nice.....she may get her wish - and we'll just have to go again when SOG opens!

Maddle

 

[Local_Girl]

Tink,

Thanks for the info about the overflow rates you were quoted. I doubt my DH will go for paying $100 for an All Star, holiday rates notwithstanding! LOL!! I may check and see what off site overflow rates are available though.

 

[wdwtink]

We stayed in the contemporary garden wing last summer and it was great! I have to say I still missed the SOG but this was super nice and made up for it. We are wanting to go to WDW for New Year but don't think it is going to happen. We go there every three years like clock work and our next trip should be summer 2005 because we were there last summer but it looks like we are going to PCS next summer to Europe! This kind of throws us off. I told my DH that I thought we should go during New Year because we would miss our 2005 trip and I wanted to see the new SOG before we left ( not to mentionWDW!!). Well, now that they aren't going to be open by then and he doesn't want to stay anywhere else, he says wait and we can go to Disneyland Paris 2005. I think this is what we will do. I hate to miss SOG and WDW but it will be nice to see DLP. Anyone know anything about it?? Any tips??

Oh~I am going to do the "Remember the fun" walkway brick at SOG, have you seen the info on it?

 

[SeaShelley]

Thanks for the heads up! My folks were planning on staying there in February...guess not! We (whole family - 10 of us) are planning on going in October 2004 during the golf tourney....hope it will be done by then!!

Tink - my sister and I are going to buy a brick for Dad in honor of his military retirement!

 

[wdwtink]

SeaShelley,

That's great, I'm sure he will love that! I think the bricks are a great idea expecially for a gift. I am getting one for my family. I know my kids will love to see their names on the walkway when we go next time.

 

[akrake]

was put on the waiting list for sog for 6 weeks before i decided to call back & get some more details....they told me that if only one date in the range that i had requested was full, then i would get NO reservations. example....booked a sat-sat visit. IF the 1st saturday never came available, then i wouldn't even be notified that the rest were available. It's an all or nothing deal. AND the wait list was closed when i called back so i couldn't even CHANGE the dates to a sun-sun or mon-mon!

That's when i decided to get overflow rates....84 for cs & 124 for AKL. WL was sold out. We went for AKL (169 for savanah).

Can't believe that SOG isn't going to open....that's over 400 rooms that need to be rebooked!!!

 

[Maddle]

No, I don't think it is as bad as rebooking all the rooms....how many rooms do they have in the North Garden Wing? I would think they would just extend their contract, and use those rooms, unless Disney is already booking them.

When is your planned trip?

Maddle

 

[nasmith]

I called in March, and Christmas/New Years was booked, and the waitlist was full too. I think you have to call exactly 53 weeks ahead to get these dates at SOG (personally, I have never known anyone who was Active Duty who could plan their leaves that far in advance). We have an overflow rate of $134 at WL for dates beginning on Dec. 19 (Value season). Overflow rates depend on the "season" (ie. Holiday season is alot higher than value season), as opposed to SOG rates.

 

[Maddle]

Right - that was my experience last year. Overflow rates are a substantial discount, but not as inexpensive as staying in the SOG hotel itself (or the substitute North Garden Wing for now.) Actually, the rate was so good in the Tower, which is where DSIL wanted to be, we stuck with it, even though our name DID come up on the waiting list. The overflow rates do change with the seasons, but they are a pretty good deal compared to other available rates.

Maddle

 

[Maddle]

Just received official notice of the delay from December 15 to March 1. "The delay is a result of unforeseen design and construction problems."

They offered three options - 1) transfer to the Contemporary at same rate, plus tax, or 2) cancel altogether, or 3)"hold the same reservation for a period of one year at the same rates guaranteed for your current reservation." (hmmm....I wonder if that means they are anticipating a rate hike?)

Maddle