Shades of Green vs Comfort Suites Maingate East

[naominpaul]

I am posting this here and on the off site forum to hopefully get all views.
Situation: we are a family of 5 so staying @ the values or mods are out of our budget because we need 2 rooms. We qualify for the SOG and were able to get reservations for Nov. 8th-11th. However, we are not coming home until the 12th and SOG was totally booked. Our kids are small so packing up to stay somewhere else that night is not appealing. We have to head home EARLY on the 12th (driving) so we considered packing the car and leaving after we were done at the parks and staying in Gainesville or something like that. We do love SOG....we've stayed there before and it's a beautiful resort....fairly easy walk to the Poly for transportation or use the SOG buses.

2nd option: We also have reservations for the Comfort Suites maingate east. They have availability through the 12th so no packing up early. Buffet breakfast is included and it's a suite so a bit more space (only a bit more...SOG rooms are quite large). Cost...we would save $41/nt but have to pay for Disney parking ($10??) so that brings the savings down to $36/nt.

So what do ya'll think?
Thanks!

 

[Mommy Poppins]

Did you call Shades of Green directly to check availability or did you check the website. I've found that sometimes if you call directly, they have more rooms available than the website indicates.

If you've already done that, I would get on a waiting list for that last night--most likely it will become available.

I would not move to an offsite resort for a trip that short involving kids. I would sooner packup the morning of the 11th and then drive for awhile and spend the night on the way home if you can't get SOG for your last night.

Just my thoughts..............

 

[naominpaul]

Thank you Mary Poppins. I will call SOG today to see if that last night is available. The reservations were made on their web site and the 11th was a red day but I know what you mean about calling...it's always worth a try.
We were trying to make this a "budget" trip so I'm getting raised eyebrows from DH every time I do something that adds cost. But even DH can see the benefits of staying on site...we just want to evaluate it from all angles.
Thanks again!

 

[naominpaul]

OOPS....I meant Mommy Poppins...sorry

 

[hddanis]

When we went in June, I added a day at the beginning and end of our trip. Unfortunately, SOG was booked both nights, so we stayed offsite both of those nights. It really wasn't that big a deal. Before we left home, I packed one bag that had all the items we'd need for the hotel stay, I took that bag and our toiletries in and left everything else in the van. When we left SOG, I did the same thing, just one bag for the 6 of us and the toiletries. It was a bit inconvienent, but worth it to stay at SOG the remainder of the time.

I agree to call SOG reservations..sometimes the available rooms don't always show up.

 

[naominpaul]

Hi Heather. Thanks...I'm taking a break from the boards to call SOG and clean house (yuck!). I see you're staying @ CSR next December. It is AWESOME! We stayed there in June of this year...can't do it any more as we're a family of 5....we could then because of the under 3yo rule. Some day we'll either really splurge or go with another family and give them one of our kids, lol.
Thanks, Naomi

 

[hddanis]

As a family of 6, I totally understand. We always have to get 2 rooms and it's not inexpensive. Thanks for the feedback on CSR, we're really looking forward to it.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

Good luck with SOG!! Also, even if you have to book the last night somewhere else (offsite), make sure you know their cancellation policy and then keep trying SOG up until the last possible time you could cancel your offsite stay!

We are a family of 5 also. I am planning a surprise BUDGET birthday trip just for DH and I in early November and we are staying at CSR so that we can check out the resort since we would only be able to stay there in two rooms with the kids. Last time we stayed at SOG because of the great price!

 

[naominpaul]

I am planning a surprise BUDGET birthday trip just for DH and I in early November and we are staying at CSR so that we can check out the resort since we would only be able to stay there in two rooms with the kids. Last time we stayed at SOG because of the great price!

Oh you will LOVE it! Wow, just you and DH....the only just us trip we've had there was in 1992 on our honeymoon! Have a wonderful time...what a romantic resort you've chosen. We were there in June....can't squeeze by any more...my DD would be the tallest 2yo around . We have now graduated to more expensive options....that's why SOG is so tempting. Those rooms are spacious and the price is affordable.
I called but it's definitely booked. We're on the waiting list though. The cancellations should happen this week or beginning of next wk., so I'm going to keep calling and/or hope they call us.
Can you recommend a good area of SOG to request at check in? The last time we stayed they were just about to open the new area...so we have only stayed in the original buildings. I'm not sure the kids will be swimming unless the pools are heated...but we all love the hot tub!

 

[Mrsjvb]

with that being a Holdiay weekend, the chances of you actually being able to stay at SoG the extra night are probably slim, but you can always request it via phone ahead of time as well as when you check in tot be put on a list to be notified if there are cancellations or no shows.