CutlerP,
HI! Here's my answers for your questions!
SoG Busses: Very efficient, very clean and very timely! Arleen and Tom are two of the greatest bus drivers there are! They will make you laugh and Arleen's singing will make you cry! Ha ha ha! The busses to the Ticket & Transportation Center run on continuous 20 minute intervals. They usually start about an hour before the first park opens and runs until 2:00am for PI goers.
The second bus runs on a 1 hour interval and that one goes from SoG to AK, MGM, BB, DD, and TL. So your chances of just taking the 1st bus to the TTC is usually faster unless you just happen to time it just right and catch the 2nd bus!
Also about the busses...the waiting area for the busses is the entrance for the resort. It's completely shaded and there are very comfortable rocking chairs to relax in before you catch the bus.
DEFINATELY CHECK OUT CIRQUE DE SOLEIL: LA NOUBA!!
My DH and I received 2 tickets for a wedding present and absolutely loved it! If you haven't reserved seats yet, I would suggest seating in the upper tier. Mind you, there is NO bad seat in the theater, and the higher up you are the more it puts you eyelevel to the action! (no kinks in the neck!)
Renting a Car: I would say no. The only reason I would suggest a car would be if you were planning on visiting any attractions outside Disney. Pros: You have the freedom to come and go as you please from park to park. No waiting for busses. Freedom to leave the "World" to visit out-lying Orlando. Cons: Cost of having the car as opposed to how much you would use it. Any place you need to go, Disney provides..free of charge (it's offered to you via your park ticket). Also I don't know if there is a charge for parking in the parks if you are a resort guest.
Plus, you might miss the gators in the lake when you walk to the Poly to catch the monorail (10 min walk)!! That's ok, they don't bite.
Shops @ SoG: Ok, there are 2 shops there. The 1st, as you walk into the resort on the left, is the place to buy snacks and treats, toiletries, medicines, and cool disney clothing. It is tax free too, but you must show either your MID or SoG card. They do sell food stuffs, like chips, water, cokes, milk, and alcohol. For other things, I'm sure if you ask them they would be able to refer you to a place that would sell you bread etc...
The second shop "Made In The Shade": go down the main corridor and it is by the elevators on the left. Here is where you will buy all your park hopper tickets and SoG merchandise (ie. shirts, cups, umbrellas, etc...). And yes, there is a discount for park passes for military guests and their families. However, I don't know if they are tax free...
Ok, last but not least, room recommendations: I would say anything facing the golf course or tennis courts (#224&228 sound familiar--I'll get back with you on that) anything else would face the swimming pools which could be noisy if you decide to come to the room for a mid-day nap.
Ok, sorry this ran so long, but as you can see, i'm SO happy to help other people plan their disney trips! Maybe I'll start a business one day!
Just a quick question for you...are you flying to orlando? If so, I would suggest taking Tiffany Town Car to SoG. They are very affordable and they will be able to stop at a convenience store before you arrive so you can pick up what food provisions you might need...this way you could rent a refridgerator for the length of your stay for a small fee....just a thought!
Let me know if there is anything else! I would love to help!
Katie