Shades of Green Info needed, please!

[Sal]

We are Disney veterans, but find ourselves in a new situation for our 2004 May/June trip.

We will be eligible to stay at Shades of Green. I know absolutely NOTHING about this resort, except for the little I have found searching here. I understand it is closed now, but will definitely be opened by the time of our trip. I know that no one can tell me what the resort will be like after reopening, but am looking for opinions and advice, based on past visits.

I don't even know where SOG is located! I understand we can use all WDW transportation, although we will have a car. From what I can tell, the cost is too good for us to turn down! In any other resort, we would have to make do with two rooms, but at this price we can afford to have three.

I would appreciate any thoughts from people who have experienced SOG before. Our youngest is 17, so we are not concerned with children's activities.

I have read about "overflow" rates. Does this mean that if SOG is booked, we can use that rate at another resort, or was that only for the renovation period?

As you can see, I need lots of help!

Thanks for any and all replies!

Sal

 

[LADYnTRAMP]

Sal I stayed there a few years back and I remember it being right next to the MK. It's suppose to be very , very nice when they finish it. Here's the link....
http://www.armymwr.com/shades/index.html

 

[JOC]

Here's a link to SOG's website: www.shadesofgreen.org
I believe overflow rates are available year-round, but if you can book SOG a year out you should be able to get reservations there. SOG is located across the way from the Polynesian resort.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Let me give you a bit more info. Please visit the link left to you by JOC, that will give you plenty of info.

I discovered the SoG back in 97 when DH was in the military. I was at the BX in the ticket office when I heard someone mention the Shades of Green for the military at Walt Disney World. I was like really...and I started doing my research. Back then when I booked our ressie, and I did it about 7 months out, DH and I got our room for about $59 a night!! WOW!! You can't beat that for a deluxe hotel and that's what the SoG is. I believe it's $62 now for E-1 thru E-4, but what's 3 more dollars in 5 years right??

The transportation was right on the money, I could set my watch to the SoG busses. DH and I only drove our car when we went to Downtown Disney as we liked the drive and knew it very well. The restaurant located right at the front of the hotel had a very good breakfast buffet. I don't remember it being anymore than about $6 for adults and maybe half that for children. It may have gone up a bit as that was the price 3 years ago, but it's still worth the money. The rooms....huge!!! As a matter of fact, I believe the SoG rooms are some if not the biggest of the Disney resorts. The room we were in had 2 double beds(could have been king...I remember my sister and 2 of her children sleeping in the same bed....COMFORTABLY!!) and a pull out couch! Isn't that da bomb??!! As with most hotels there's a laundry facility. I remember the one for the All Star resorts being outside, the SoG is on the 2nd floor...I think...it's been 3 years remember.

There's also a quick eats restaurant that serves alcohol along with burgers, pizza and such. They had some yummy pizza too!!

I believe that's it. As said before the SoG accepts ressies a year in advance, so I wouldn't worry about the overflow rate. The moment you know your dates book it!! Because of their excellent rates, the hotel fills quickly. If you have any other questions just let us know. Have fun planning!!

~~~Denise

 

[LorieDisneyLover]

Hi Sal,

The overflow rates become available when the SOG hotel is sold out. It probably is not sold out yet for next year -- but for your time frame it will probably sell out 6-8 months ahead.

The overflow rates are NOT the same as you pay for SOG. At the present, while SOG is closed for renovations ... the same rate has applied for the north garden wing at the Contemporary only!

Overflow rates vary from hotel to hotel. Last year my son stayed at Port Orleans for $89 with the overflow rate. Overflow availability is limited. Even if there are "vacancies" at the hotel you wish to stay at -- it might not be available through an overflow rate with SOG.

Your best bet is to make ressies as soon as you have your dates down, SOG's cancellation policy is 30 days from date of arrival.

Hope that helps.

 

[lookingforward]

The SOG renovations should be really wonderful too. They are adding guest rooms, suites and I believe two restuarants (one italian/upscale). We have stayed at the SOG many times and I can't wait for it to reopen! They have two pool areas and a nice sports bar/snack area by the main pool. There is a discount ticket office (I think you save about 10% on all tickets) an exchange store (small) and it is right in the middle of several Disney golf courses. The hotel is located across the street from the Poly so it is really close to the transportation center. You will love this hotel and the money it saves!

 

[sogger1]

We stayed in October 2001. SOG is located between the Poly and GF. It is a 10 min walk to the Poly to reach the monorail. As stated above the rooms are huge and comfortable. You will be disappointed if you are expecting disney touches like Disney park tv channel or mickey soaps. They did have a laundry facility, a "travel office" where you should buy your passes (10% discount plus you do not pay any taxes on room rates, passes, or anything bought on site), and a small BX/souvenir shop. It had pools and I think you have to be over 16 to use the hot tubs. There was a small play area for little ones. They also had golf and tennis courts. Evergreen Sports Bar served great and reasonably priced sandwiches. The main resteraunt had a good hot buffet breakfast (Our family of three ate for under $20). SOG has it's own bus system (think Greyhound buses). One goes to the TTC every 20 min. and the other goes to Animal Kingdom and the water parks. They have benches marked for SOG so you do not have to go stand in the middle of the parking lot to catch your bus. The padded seats are great after a long day at the park.

 

[Bob NC]

SOG is great. They have THE largest rooms on property. The resort is always quiet. Bus service is fantastic, as someone mentioned they run on a SCHEDULE, you don't have to just wait around wondering when/if it will come. They are regular touring type buses, comfortable seats. The Evergreens sports bar is actually the restaurant/lounge for SOG AND the golf courses, food can be had for prices comparable to what you pay at home. You can actually get a $2 bottle of beer and also a big sandwich lunch for around $5.

As for overflow rates, don't assume SOG's rates will be the best you can get. You can usually do better using a code available to anyone rather than going thru SOG.

A sponsor can rent a max of 3 rooms, BUT, a suite counts as one room. While the, (2 room), suite can accomodate the same number of folks you would put in 2 rooms, this in effect gives you th opportunity to have 4 rooms, (2 standard rooms plus the 2 room suite).

 

[madge]

we love Shades of Green...looking forward to when the renovations are complete. The rooms are very large, well maintained, and very clean. I echo what everyone else says--the walk to the poly is very easy to catch the monorail, and the buses are always on time. They are also VERY comfortable....cushy seats It is a small resort, easy to get around in...Evergreens is yummy and very affordable. I think there's a pool table and a few video games inside as well.

We don't miss the Disney theming, in fact we find it relaxing to come back and have some down time. (This is why we love the S/D as well )

Regarding overflow--SoG has to be booked for your stay before you can request overflow. Overflow rates are for dozens and dozens of hotels in and around WDW that offer good discounts for those eligible for SoG. The discounts vary as to the time of year and how many rooms are available. If you'd like more specific information, just ask!

 

[Bob NC]

Originally posted by madge
Regarding overflow--SoG has to be booked for your stay before you can request overflow.

HUH? Not sure what this means.

If you are on the SOG waitlist, you CANNOT book overflow.

If you have a room booked at SOG, you may NOT get overflow.

You have a choice, either book a SOG room, be put on the waitlist, OR book overflow.

 

[Sal]

Thanks a bunch for all the replies. Looks like this will be a wonderful place to stay, even more so after the renovation.

One more question.

The member of our party who qualifies for SOG will be leaving for Kuwait shortly. Most likely, he will be gone during most of the planning for the trip. I know his military grade so I can determine our cost, but will I need any other info to give SOG before we arrive? I know he has to be the one to check us all in and all that, and have his ID then.

Again, Thanks!

 

[LorieDisneyLover]

Sal,

you will need his rank and social security number to make the reservation.

 

[JOC]

Bob NC,
I believe what madge meant is that SOG has to be "booked up," meaning full, before you can get overflow rates.

 

[madge]

JOC is right--when I say the hotel has to be booked, I mean there is NO VACANCY at SoG. sorry for the confusion