Shades of Green Questions!

[Jacklynn]

I just found this whole shades of greens resort so I am kind of curious. My father is retired from the army, and he qualifies under the E-5 ranking. They are going with us on our trip in May. We have been looking at Coronado Springs Resort, but this seems like a cheaper option.

First, is it as nice as a moderate resort?

Second, because I am his dauther (though married) does this mean that he can book his room but then can we also book a room there since he is a relative? Or would he actually have to put both rooms in his name, or is he even allowed to book two rooms? It would be nice if we could just book it, and then when we checked in, he could just show his ID for us as well, and then all would be well. But I am so lost as to how this works

Third, Are their buses in the same area as the other resorts, like when you are leaving the parks?

hmm that is it for now, I hope someone has stayed there and have some answers I have not been able to find out much about it, I hope that doesn't mean it isn't a good resort!

 

[Jacklynn]

Also I saw something that said SOG guests get discount park tickets, would only my mom and dad get this lower price, since only dad has a military ID? Or could he purchase 4 on his 1 ID? Also could hubby and I still purchase two of them though, like using our credit card or would my dad have to put them on his?

Sorry for so many questions!
I hope someone will have some answers, I tried to do a search but did not really find the answers I am looking for.

 

[Orion34]

I am not an authority by any means, but from what I've read, you must be an active duty, retired, or current dependent to get the Shades of Green discounts. You might just go ahead and give them a call to find out, the worst they can say is no.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I don't have a lot of answers to your specific questions. I know you father can sponsor you as his guest. Whether or not you all need to be in the same room is a question I can't answer. However, if your mother also has a dependent ID card, she can also be a sponsor. That would be one way to secure two rooms.

I'm entitled to use SOG, but have never stayed there because I have a DVC timeshare. However, many people on the base here have done so and say it's a lovely place. The rooms are much larger than you'd get at the moderate.

I've been able to purchase Disney tickets here at my MWR office for use by my non-dependent family members. At that time (several years ago), I specifically asked the question if there would be a problem with this, and was told there would not. I don't know if that has changed now, though.

 

[LeapYear Debbie]

I have stayed at SOG many times with my parents. My dad is retired Air Force National Guard. Your father can reserve three rooms under his name. He has to be staying at SOG the entire time that you will be there. Your mother can also reserve three rooms if she has a dependent ID card. He can also purchase tickets for you using his discount and you can use your own credit card to pay for them. The buses drop you off at the TTC center and then you would transfer either to another bus or monorail to get into the parks. If you are going to MGM or Animal Kingdom, you will get dropped off at the park; however, the buses are not in the same area as the resort buses.

Hope this helps.

Debbie

 

[samefay]

We've stayed at both the Coronado and SoG.

We love both for different reasons.

I would probably stay at the SoG more if it wasn't for the dining plans.

For the cost you can't beat the rooms and the resort. The rooms are larger than most Disney Deluxe resorts from what I remember.

The restuarants are good and fairly priced.

We're disney restaurant junkies though so anytime we can we get the dining plan we stay at the Disney resorts.

SoG also offers there own dining plan but it's at their restaurants.

Location is wonderful because it's right there at everything. (You're near the Poly resort if you'd prefer to walk over and catch the monorail.)

I'm sure you'll have a great time at either resort.

 

[hildarumpole]

You're best source for information is the website www.shadesofgreen.org.

 

[suevee]

We would take SoG over a moderate any day because we like the closeness to MK and Epcot. Also we love to eat at the Poly and it is just a short walk away.

 

[Jacklynn]

Thanks everyone through this thread and from looking around, I think I have found most of my answers. We will for sure be looking into this! Feel free to add any more info though More is always better than less. I have been to their website, but really it is pretty boring... not really giving a whole lot of info, but it did help.

 

[ntsammy5]

The rooms are very large - 2 queen sized and a queen pull out. They do charge for parking now, I think $10/day but it's in a covered garage. There is an AAFES in the resort and a great sports bar, Evergreen plus a high end Italian restaurant Manginos which is quite good. Even if you don't stay here make sure you get your passes here -- they're cheaper than any place else.

We love SoG but don't always stay there. It can be difficult to get a room there some times during the year

 

[Mrsjvb]

In terms of what you get for the price: SoG is deluxe as opposed to Mod or value. rooms have 2 Qn beds and a pull out couch.

Your father, being retired is eligible to book up to two other rooms besides the one he is staying in and sponsor you. you can pay for however you like, but you can only stay however long he is staying( in other words he can't check out on Sunday and you stay til Tuesday).

He can also sponsor ticket buying for you, no limit to how many.. again, you can pay for it yourself. Some ticket packages are ONLY available to guests staying there as part of R&R from OIF/OEF.

the buses are not always in the same spot. DTD or instance, they are nowhere near the resort stops. They also only run once per hour,and in most cases it's just easier to walk over to Poly to catch the monorail. In fact we almost always took a Poly bus BACK from wherever we were and just took the ten minute walk to the resort.

Food choices: lets just say that is where you will most likely be disappointed. I found the breakfasT buffet to be a little on the boring/wimpy side and heard nothing but bad reviews of the lunch and dinner buffets. Did hear great comments on Manginos and we loved Evergreen's. EG supposedly has delivery service, but for most of the week were there the poor bartender had no runner and he had to tell everyone to come and pick it up.

 

[Disney Davo]

SOG is the best deal on Disney period. We have stayed there 3 times. We have done POR and CBR too. We like the Disney Resorts for the Disney feel and the SOG for the large rooms and how peaceful the resort is. SOG is really a deluxe resort. The Disney resorts have allot more going on and can be a little crazy at times.

 

[sk8ingmom]

We really like SoG.

The only things I really miss compared to an official WDW resort is the package delivery when you buy something in the parks & magic express from the airport.

BUY EVERYONE'S TICKETS AT SOG!!! We saved more than $300 on APs for a family of 4 & we've bought for non-military friends/family in the past.

 

[ntsammy5]

We really like SoG.

The only things I really miss compared to an official WDW resort is the package delivery when you buy something in the parks

Unless something has changed since the last time we stayed, they do deliver packages.