Staying at SOG may mean you can't participate in the DDP, but there are many options for food at SOG for the morning and even an evening if you find yourself wanting something to eat while at the hotel.
FOr breakfast, you have several options. There is room service, which we found to be reasonably priced and good. You can eat in the Garden Gallery (just off the lobby), which has a breakfast buffet ($8.95 adults/ $4.95 children). There is the Express Cafe at the bus stop, which has breakfast sandwiches and fruits, etc. Of course, the AAFES store has milk, oatmeal, cereal and other quick foods, snacks, juices, etc. You will be surprised at the selection. There is a Starbucks coffee stand right outside the AAFES shop.
For lunch your option is Evergreens, located next to the main pool. I find the food to be pretty good. JUst the usual quick foods like pizza, sandwiches, fries, etc. I'm sure room service is also an option. There is also an icecream shop next to the ticket counter.
For dinner, there is Manginos, which is located off the lobby. Basic Italian food. Never eaten there, so can't comment, but some people on the DIS have said it was good. You can also eat at Garden Gallery for their dinner buffet. I don't know the price, because I did not ask about that when I e-mailed SOG yesterday. Be assured it is nowhere near as expensive as a buffet inside the parks. Each night is themed....seafood; barbeque; etc. We ate there July 06. I was not particularly impressed with the flavors of the foods. Most seemed bland, although some of the stuff was good. It's ok if you are in a pinch for a meal. You can also grab quick stuff at Evergreens by the pool. There is also room service, which we never tried for the dinner options.
Late night you can eat at Evergreens. I think they were open until either midnight or 1am when we were last there.
Personally, the food at SOG is simply convenience. I prefer to eat in the parks, but in a pinch, SOG will do.
Unless you are looking for DDP or super Disney theming, I would suggest you give SOG a try. Above all, it's cheap. They do have their own buses, which run on a schedule. They take you to all parks but Epcot. You can always do the short walk to Polynesian hotel for the monorail. You can also utilize the DIsney buses while at SOG (just take the SOG bus to the TTC-Ticket and Transportation Center). The only difference is DIsney buses do not go directly to SOG. The bus system is really easy once you get there and see for yourself. Sometimes being there clarifies even the best descriptions.
Regrdless of where you stay you will have a great time. We have stayed at SOG 3 times already and always stay 2 weeks at a time. We have another planned for August for another 2 weeks. Can't wait. My son has been going there since he was 7 and says theming doesn't matter to him.....even when he was 7. He is at WDW and would rather focus on the parks. The hotel room is for sleeping.
The rooms at SOG have 2 queen beds (which is a plus compared to some WDW hotels which only have double beds). There is also a pull out sofa. Unless you get a handicapped room, the bathroom consists of tub and toilet and outside that (separate room) you will find the double sink counter. There is a coffee maker and hair dryer. The bathroom comes with a soap dispenser that holds shampoo, soap, etc. We usually bring our own products as we don't care for what they supply. There are a few cable channels, but they don't have the Disney channel, which might be important to some people. There is internet available in room and WIFI can be found in the lobby and beside the main pool. There is a daily (24 hour) fee of $6.95.
There are 2 pools at SOG. Well, you might say 3. One is what is called the quiet pool. It is like a normal shaped pool. Tends to not be utilized as much. Beside it is a hot tub (ages 18 and above). The main pool is shaped like Mickey's head (remembering this used to be a Disney hotel). There is also a kiddie pool by the main pool.
There is a ticket counter at SOG. They sell discounted tickets with many options for WDW. They also sell tickets for the other attractions in and near Orlando. All are tax free........everything at SOG is tax free.
There is a laundry room at SOG. I can't remember the exact number, but I think 10 washers and 14 dryers. They are reasonably priced, although the dryers have never worked super great (but comparable to a laundry mat out in town). A tv is in that room and it also has a coin changer and vending machine for detergent, etc.
Staying at SOG qualifies you for EMH (extra magic hours), just like if you were staying at a WDW hotel. This allows you to get into a specified park an hour early and up to 3 hours after the parks close to day guests.
Unlike WDW hotels, there is a $5 a day charge for use of the parking garage. Each room also has a safe and iron/ironing board as well as a dorm sized fridge that can hold quart sized milk containers in the door.
The info I have given (with exception to the breakfast buffet cost which was given straight from SOG yesterday) is from my last experience in July 06. Others can give more current info and you can always e-mail SOG with all your questions. They usually reply by the next day.
I forgot to add that at SOG, they sell bricks. Similar to WDW, you can order a brick (for $75) in advance and have anything engraved on it. The walkpath behind the hotel is where you can find them upon your arrival.
