Shades of green vs. Property resorts?

[ammag]

Hi! I am helping a friend who at four months out has only booked at shades of green and hasn't even looked uo restaurants or what is in each park. I am trying to help her and looking at shades of green I am not sure it's the best fit for her family, cost wise or otherwise.

First I want to make sure she's in the best resort for them and move on from there. Her kids are 6 and 5 and her husband is active duty lieutenant.

They are going in March, waiting for her to get back to me with the dates.

 

[deannaf87]

Price wise since he's an officer it might be cheaper to try to find a military discount at a Disney moderate. Althought it's 4 months out so that might be tricky. I'd advise her to give it a shot though. The kids would enjoy a Disney moderate more than Shades of Green when it comes to the theme anyways. However, you can't beat Shades of Green's location for the price. It's practically a monorail resort; just a little more walking.

 

[ammag]

That's what I am thinking....looks great for adults but for $140 (she told me that was the rate as an officer) I think another resort might be better. I think the use of DME, magic bands, free parking makes a big impact too.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

At $140, you won't do better on property even with a military discount at a moderate. To get something in that range, you'd be going to a Value, and a Value is not "practically a monorail resort" like Shades is.

They can use MDE staying anywhere. Magic Bands aren't THAT big a deal.

 

[gabzee]

At $140, you won't do better on property even with a military discount at a moderate. To get something in that range, you'd be going to a Value, and a Value is not "practically a monorail resort" like Shades is.

They can use MDE staying anywhere. Magic Bands aren't THAT big a deal.

I believe OP was referring to Disney's Magical Express which is not available when you are staying at Shades of Green.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I believe OP was referring to Disney's Magical Express which is not available when you are staying at Shades of Green.

If Magical Express is a plus, then why the concern with free parking, though?

If it is Magical Express, I think it still comes down to the pricing difference. They can get a cheaper room at a Value with the military discount (except during spring break, which is a blackout period I think), but will be further out. The cost of a shuttle may not be that bad. It ends up an issue of what's important to them. $140/night for rooms is a good deal for something so close to TTC.

 

[gabzee]

If Magical Express is a plus, then why the concern with free parking, though?

If it is Magical Express, I think it still comes down to the pricing difference. They can get a cheaper room at a Value with the military discount (except during spring break, which is a blackout period I think), but will be further out. The cost of a shuttle may not be that bad. It ends up an issue of what's important to them. $140/night for rooms is a good deal for something so close to TTC.

You got me but hopefully OP will be able to clarify.

I do agree that Shades is a great deal and a great location for the price. I think it simply depends on what they are looking for and what they want "included" in their vacation (dining plan, "disney feeling", ME, etc) .

OP, what is it about Shades of Green that makes you feel it isn't a good fit for them?

 

[minnie mum]

OP, what is it about Shades of Green that makes you feel it isn't a good fit for them?

Just what I was going to ask. We only qualified to stay there once, but we liked it just fine. I know that those of us who like staying at Disney Resorts have a tendency to look askance at anyone who would rather stay off site. But they are getting a deluxe size room for a value price. I assume they will be using military tickets as well. And I agree that the locatíon is very good. I doubt that the need for a paid shuttle bus would negate their cost savings. MBs are not necessary, and dining plans seem to only work for one segment of the population.

I think the OP would better serve her friend by helping her with her park planning, and perhaps her ADRs, since she's inside the 180 day mark already.

 

[Ladyfish77]

Having just stayed at CBR and Shades of Green, there are benefits to staying at each. We enjoyed using the rapid refill mugs (we had free dining) at CBR as well as the dining plan (which was a lot of food!). The room was nice, and plenty big for 3 people.

Shades of Green has huge rooms. Really much bigger than CBR. They've just done a refurb and the rooms are very nice. We didn't eat at Shades of Green, so I can't speak to that aspect, but the transportation was fine, and we also walked to the Poly to catch the monorail, which was great, too. I think it comes down to what is more important--the full Disney experience (ie magic bands, charging to the room using the band, Magical Express) or the larger room and convenience of the location of Shades of Green. Also Shades has better prices on their food and also has the PX with better prices for food, beverages and souvenirs.

 

[wdwrich]

At $140, you won't do better on property even with a military discount at a moderate. To get something in that range, you'd be going to a Value, and a Value is not "practically a monorail resort" like Shades is.

They can use MDE staying anywhere. Magic Bands aren't THAT big a deal.

Actually, with the military discount (when available), one can absolutely get a Disney moderate hotel at about the same price as a room at SOG, and sometimes a bit less. We've done it twice.

 

[novatwinmom]

I have twin five year olds and looked into staying at Shades for our upcoming trip but we'll be staying at POP instead. For me the biggest factor was that Shades is considered off-site for Fast Passes, so fast pass reservations can't be made until 30 days out. I also wanted the convenience of Magical Express and checking our luggage at our home airport and not seeing it again until it is in our room.

But mainly the fast pass thing.

We're getting the military discount off our value resort, which worked best for our need for multiple rooms.

 

[margot31]

I stayed at SOG once and for me its not worth my money. But I had also stayed at WL just a few months prior to my SOG visit. My husband and I have stayed on property and will keep staying on property.

For us especially for our upcoming trip is we needed transportation since we won't be driving like we used to (used to be stationed in florida) The cost to the airport to the hotel I think was going to be 60 bucks one way for the 2 of us. Last time we went I didn't like the transportation that they offered. For our particular trip is is slower than when staying on property and when there is an issue they didn't seem to the the most logical way of trying to keep the guest happy.

I think if they at least call and talk to a CM is a good thing. I know for my upcoming trip I was originally in POR and finally after several tries was able to get into WL for a price I was willing to pay. The mods are great that is where we normally stay if its just my husband and I and we start taking our son we will stay in the mods.

 

[Mrsjvb]

That's what I am thinking....looks great for adults but for $140 (she told me that was the rate as an officer) I think another resort might be better. I think the use of DME, magic bands, free parking makes a big impact too.

as the spouse of an O4, the price for a comparable( Moderate) is about the same that being said; we hate SoG for a variety of reasons.

chief among them is FOOD or rather the complete lack of decent options outside of Breakfast.

second: transportation. one bus an hour. have to walk across the street to Poly to grab a monorail. not allowed to use DME form the airport

Third. yes the rooms are larger and yes it is blissfully quiet. but it always seems that it takes FOR EV ER to get to our room at the end of the day.

Fourth: its on site sure. but its really off site as far as the perks that really matter like FP+

Fifth: no Dining Plan which for some can be a huge deal.

if there are kids on site usually makes more sense whether you cheap out and go Value or stay Moderate for about the same

 

[ammag]

Hi! Thanks for all of the opinions. From what I've heard of what they are looking for in the vacation, renting a car and dealing with the car seats isn't the most ideal, and I want to see if I can make the trip as easy as possible for them, I feel like SoG transportation might be an issue in general. Can I ask how long a walk, avg speed for healthy adults, it takes to walk to the poly monorail?
I actually think the magic bands are a big benefit, somehitng I'd dint realize until I went to universal, and it was so annoying to have to fish out tickets and money alk of e time. I guess the magic band spoiled me! But with little kids there's enough to worry about cArrying, we found it to be a little thing that felt very helpful.
I am still awaiting her details, since they are clueless and planned on just showing up, but I have a feeling they are going 5-6 days and will want the most park time they can manage.

 

[ammag]

Ok! well never mind on getting more info, the friends husband told her that he doesn't need any help, that he researched for two whole days and he knows all of his plans are great. Ok then! It will be interesting to see if they have a good experience or not, seeing that those two days of research didn't even make him aware that you reserve ADRs at 180 days or that you need fast passes. Sigh..I tried! The good thing is they plan to go in another few years so hopefully they will plan more for that one.

 

[bdcp]

We always stay at Shades and love it. Large rooms, location, ambiance. The camaraderie of those that serve/have served is evident there. As the Disney Inn in it's former life, it's considered a deluxe hotel. I'd much rather stay there than at a value resort which to me is like a motel. There's tons of info on SOG on it's own thread here. There are lots of families staying there all the time and I don't think the kids think they're missing out on anything, after all, they're at WDW. They'll have a good time, even without all your help.

 

[ammag]

Of course they will! Bt we all know when the crowds will be a 9 it helps to get advice.

 

[CHIPSTER]

I've stayed at several Disney deluxe, moderate and value resorts. I have also stayed at Shades of Green. They have great daily activities for kids at the hotel, you can't beat their breakfast buffet for $10.95 - eggs and omelets made to order, the size of the room and the fact that every room has a balcony so you can sit outside. Buses run on a schedule so you know when exactly your bus will leave for a park and pick you up at a park. So what if they don't have magic bands you can still use your ticket to add fastpasses. The Shady Shuttle (an 8 passenger golf cart) runs during the day and will take you down to the street where you cross and you are on Polynesian property. I would not hesitate to stay there in a heart beat (my sister and IL are both retired from the AF). It is nice to get up in the morning and have a cup of coffee on your balcony and watch the deer and wild turkeys roam the golf courses. They also have their own version of the Bibbity Bobbity Boo Boutique which is much cheaper than Disney if they have girls. I definitely would stay at SOG before staying at a Disney moderate or value (even with a military discount).

 

[5Hfan]

Shady shuttle cannot take 8 passengers FYI, unless there is a new one. As of Oct it was 5 passengers. We had to split our party of 6 up.

Shades is a great place to stay, large rooms, quiet, "in the bubble" but out of the chaos in our opinion. Knowing the bus schedule up front is a plus. But we drive, so no need for transport from the airport, have magic bands from previous stays, and on our trip at busiest time (Christmas) had a split stay on prop first, so 60 day fast pass...
The kids loved the pool refurb, though yes the options for food aren't the best. We've stayed at Shades, Art of Animation Suite, and the Contemporary, and we'd easily stay Shades again.

Walk to Poly for the monorail maybe 10 minutes? We've done it all hours day/night (3 am EMH!) pushing 3 kids once in a sit and stand stroller. $140 night to basically be at a monorail resort is well worth it!

 

[bdcp]

Shady shuttle cannot take 8 passengers FYI, unless there is a new one. As of Oct it was 5 passengers. We had to split our party of 6 up.

Shades is a great place to stay, large rooms, quiet, "in the bubble" but out of the chaos in our opinion. Knowing the bus schedule up front is a plus. But we drive, so no need for transport from the airport, have magic bands from previous stays, and on our trip at busiest time (Christmas) had a split stay on prop first, so 60 day fast pass...
The kids loved the pool refurb, though yes the options for food aren't the best. We've stayed at Shades, Art of Animation Suite, and the Contemporary, and we'd easily stay Shades again.

Walk to Poly for the monorail maybe 10 minutes? We've done it all hours day/night (3 am EMH!) pushing 3 kids once in a sit and stand stroller. $140 night to basically be at a monorail resort is well worth it!

DH and I just spent one night there this past Thursday night and the shuttle holds 5 people pretty tightly. We have never once taken the Shady Shuttle. We walk to the Poly or TTC and back. The monorail wasn't running almost all day on Thursday but it was up in the evening when we went to the GF for dinner (cab over since our friend cant' walk well and DH and I walked back from the GF). The walk from the GF took 20 minutes and the poly walk is not quite 15 minutes). I love when people complain about the walk option when in reality, they're going to be walking all day if they're in the parks anyway. We clock in at least 10-12 miles when we do the parks. We've also walked the path at all hours and only had our kids with us once (they were 13 and 15 at the time) and we all walked it everyday) DH and I are 55 and 58 and find the walk very, very easy. Room refurb is nice. New beds, carpet, paint. SOG is beautiful and relaxing. We only eat breakfast there as you can't beat the price. You absolutely can't beat the size of the rooms, interior hallways, amenities, lack of huge crowds, etc for the price anywhere else on property.