Shades of Green

[jmsaj]

Just adjusted our ressie 2 standard rooms (Oct 24-Nov 2)and the total cost was $963 for each room for 9 nights.....Havent stayed there since 2000 and they have since renovated. I did have a ressie at POP with free dining and that was $4100 for both rooms. Didn't think we would spend over $2000 in food so I think that this is a better choice for our vacation.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

That is definitely a significant savings. If you drive to WDW, besides the daily parking fee at SOG, be prepared to pay if you drive yourself to the parks instead of taking the SOG buses. I know they used to waive the parking fee for SOG guests, but don't anymore last I heard.

Hope you enjoy your stay! We stayed there in 2009, in the midst of the renovation and didn't have a renovated room and just didn't have a good experience, so we haven't been back. A savings of $2000 would probably be incentive for me to try it again, though!

 

[rhiansmom]

The $4100 for POP includes your tickets with free dining... are you factoring that into your savings?

 

[jmsaj]

The $4100 for POP includes your tickets with free dining... are you factoring that into your savings?

That only included 2 day tickets for 4 adults and 1 child....I didn't even need a ticket as I have one left over from previous visit but had to get a 2 day still. The tickets are cheaper at SOG anyways.

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

We have always found SOG to be a big savings over any promotion or pin code, although every time this question comes up many people say otherwise. One thing to remember is that even though you'll pay to park at the hotel and if you drive to parks, there is no tax on your hotel stay. Additionally, you have access to the small store where things are significantly less expensive than anywhere else on property.

The restaurants aren't great, but room service pizza and salads are very inexpensive at Shades. The little breakfast stand next to the bus stop and the Starbucks stand are also very convenient. Additionally, the rooms are much bigger and have that fold out bed. The hotel is quieter and buses are less crowded. They do run less frequently, but I have never had a SOG bus be too full and have to wait for another one. One drawback is the monorail shutdown at the Poly, that used to be a great way to get to MK quickly, but you can still walk to Tickets and Transportation or take the golf cart to the end of the walk and go from there.

The lack of themed decor bothers some people, but I get enough of that in the parks. We always feel safer at Shades than at a regular hotel. I think you'll be happy with your decision. Just make sure to ask for a room away from the pool if the noise bothers you.

 

[seasheller]

Shades of Green used to be available during the month on January for any veteran (not just retired military). Is this no longer true? Can't seem to find an answer to that - it looks like something has changed. Do you now have to be either active military or retired military - not just honorably discharged?

 

[edk35]

We are staying at SOG for 4 nights along with our 5 night DVC stay. We love the value of staying there. I crunched the numbers using the military discount and AP discount and it's still cheaper than getting a deluxe room or mod room.


However...didn't realize the Poly monorail was down due to the construction. MAN.. we will miss that.

 

[Saimaeve]

Last I heard the Any Veteran thing is no more. I've only seen it open to retired military, Active, etc.

 

[totallytigger]

I just looked at the SOG website--and they are offering anyone with a DD214 honorably discharged can stay there this next September and January.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I just looked at the SOG website--and they are offering anyone with a DD214 honorably discharged can stay there this next September and January.

Thanks for the heads up! My son was medically discharged with a dd214. So I will look into that. Is the rate cheaper than normal? How do I find out the rate? Ok just went to the website. Rooms are category 3 rices. How much is that? My son is actually a retiree now. Can he stay anytime?

 

[edk35]

Thanks for the heads up! My son was medically discharged with a dd214. So I will look into that. Is the rate cheaper than normal? How do I find out the rate? Ok just went to the website. Rooms are category 3 rices. How much is that? My son is actually a retiree now. Can he stay anytime?

Hi there!!! We stay at SOG quite a bit.....to extend our dvc trips. Does he have a retiree military I.D. If you go on the website there is a link you can check our for eligibility. Here is the link: http://www.shadesofgreen.org/eligibility.htm

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Hi there!!! We stay at SOG quite a bit.....to extend our dvc trips. Does he have a retiree military I.D. If you go on the website there is a link you can check our for eligibility. Here is the link: http://www.shadesofgreen.org/eligibility.htm

Hey Denise!! Yes he has a retiree ID card. Do you know what level 3 rates are?

 

[placeela]

There are three rate tiers for SOG depending on your rank. Not sure if the retiree rate is the rank you retired at? You might need to call and ask the questions about the rates for retirees and honorably discharged. It is pretty easy to call them. They usually answer right away and you aren't on hold for hours as sometimes happens with Disney.

There are three rate tiers but they usually have specials during less busy times. I think you have to book all of these over the phone. Bottom line is I would just call them. We pay the highest rate (usually $131) and at the end of January I am paying $85 a night! You really can't beat the value. I know a lot of people like to use the military rates that Disney gives (30% value, 35% moderates, 40% deluxe) but I can just never justify the cost. SOG has always come out way ahead in value and even when I have had other hotels booked (Wilderness Lodge, AKL) I always end up cancelling and doing SOG so I can spend the savings elsewhere.

We really enjoy SOG and I hope you do as well. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[edk35]

Hey Denise!! Yes he has a retiree ID card. Do you know what level 3 rates are?

That's what we pay. 131...will probably go up to 133 on Oct. 1st They usually go up every new fiscal year. We love staying there. The rooms ARE HUGE.. sleep 5. The resort is very nice....not Disney themed but close to the Poly. We walk to the Poly to catch the monorail to MK.

 

[edk35]

There are three rate tiers for SOG depending on your rank. Not sure if the retiree rate is the rank you retired at? You might need to call and ask the questions about the rates for retirees and honorably discharged. It is pretty easy to call them. They usually answer right away and you aren't on hold for hours as sometimes happens with Disney.

There are three rate tiers but they usually have specials during less busy times. I think you have to book all of these over the phone. Bottom line is I would just call them. We pay the highest rate (usually $131) and at the end of January I am paying $85 a night! You really can't beat the value. I know a lot of people like to use the military rates that Disney gives (30% value, 35% moderates, 40% deluxe) but I can just never justify the cost. SOG has always come out way ahead in value and even when I have had other hotels booked (Wilderness Lodge, AKL) I always end up cancelling and doing SOG so I can spend the savings elsewhere.

We really enjoy SOG and I hope you do as well. Have a wonderful trip!

You sound like ME. I had a room booked at POFQ for Aug. then I cancelled it. I knew the room would be much smaller. I have crunched the numbers with the AP discount and the military discount and almost booked BC or YC last week but then decided to just spend FAR LESS and keep SOG.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Is there any transportation available from the airport to SOG like Magical Express?

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

Is there any transportation available from the airport to SOG like Magical Express?

Not that I'm aware of.

 

[edk35]

Is there any transportation available from the airport to SOG like Magical Express?

No…..but you can hire a car service. That is what we did when we flew in and were staying at SOG.

 

[jodim]

I must have priced it wrong when we went because based on pay chart etc it was more for us to stay at SOG. I will have to call next time. :/

OP not sure if you are aware but you can get 4day military tickets with park hopper for $169. We also added 4 days of water parks and more for $39 giving us a total of 8 days worth of activities for dirt cheap.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I must have priced it wrong when we went because based on pay chart etc it was more for us to stay at SOG. I will have to call next time. :/ OP not sure if you are aware but you can get 4day military tickets with park hopper for $169. We also added 4 days of water parks and more for $39 giving us a total of 8 days worth of activities for dirt cheap.

Doesn't this ticket promo end in September? My son needs tickets for January 2015. Hoping the promo is extended.