Shades of Green

[baileybelle]

My husband and I are thinking of staying at SOG this trip. It's our first empty-nest trip to WDW. He is a DOD worker at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine. Does anyone know the rates for DOD workers? What are the MWR rates for MYW passes? Better to buy tickets at our MWR office or at SOG? Thanks for all responses.

 

[bdcp]

Go to http://www.shadesofgreen.org/home.html

Then from there, go to the pulldown under Help and Information. There is a PDF download. One of the downloads is room rates. Scroll down and it shows what category based on military grade or rank as well as civilian grades.

 

[sarahg311@hotmail.co]

This will be my 1st stay at SOG. We will be there 5/8-5/14. I'm pretty excited because it is such a great deal!! I've heard nice things about the rooms since the rehab.

 

[va32h]

We are staying at SOG for the first time this December. Having stayed at the Polynesian and Animal Kingdom Lodge, I know I will miss some of the "magic" that comes from a themed resort, but the rates at SOG cannot be beat. Especially since we are a family of 5 now.

 

[Momof6]

How does the walk to the pool from the new section compare to the walk from the Contemp. Garden wings to their pool? I'm having a really hard time deciding where to 'request' and I need to fax it soon. We are renting a car, so we'll be walking to the garage, too. What do you think? We really want to look something nice and be able to nap in the afternoon some days (we're there for 2 weeks, so the view is kind of impt.) I was thinking that the rooms in the new wing facing in to the newly landscaped area sort of in the 'middle' would be good. What do you think?Thanks so much for your help!

Denise

 

[jckdisneybound]

Baileybelle - Just an FYI ,we are also at PSY and the MYW are a few bucks cheaper at the MWR up here and they still had some park hoppers left, you may want to check that out ahead of time.

BTW - SoG is awesome!

 

[PA DISNEYLOVER]

Momof 6- We drove down so we used the parking garage alot. My husband has this thing about Valet parking we never use it. The newer section is close to the parking garage and farther from the pool. If you are in the older section it is farther from the parking garage but closer to the pool. It is not a horrible walk just not enjoyable when you are walking thru a reort in your soaking wet bathing suit in 40 degree weather. How much time will you be spending in the pool? Do you plan on eating at Evergreens alot? If you are planning on doing alot of both of these things go with the older section. I do have to say we had an absolutely BEAUTIFUL veiw off of our balcony overlooking the golfcourse in the newer section.

I called back today and they did have a cancellation so I am cancelling my ressie with disney cause I'm staying at SOG!!! YEAH!!!! June 12th -17th.

Here is the resort layout
http://shadesofgreen.org/Resort Layout.pdf
The new area is in tan over near the parking gargae. Hope this helps.

 

[Barbday62]

Mom of 6,

We stayed in the New Section at SOG and we was almost as far from the pool as you could get. The last day I discovered I didnt even have to do all the walking inside as I did to get to the pool. But onstead I learned to cut through the courtyard. It was very similar walk as I can remmebr from the North Garden wing to the main pool (I havent been there since 1998)

One hint at SOG: We piled everything into the stroller. Then dressed at the dressing room by the pool. They even had nice towels to use at the pool. I dont like to parade through the public area in my bathing suit so this worked great for us. Plus with the stroller we had a place to put the baby down while I dressed.

all that said: I think if i were to go again and have my grandkids there I would request to be near the pool because the play park alone was worth it for her. They had a kids pool, Mickey deeper pool and play park all in that same court yard area. But if I went with just Hubby and Me it would definatly be the new section requested. It was nice.

 

[Momof6]

Oh - thank you both so much for the extra information! It really helps to know what would work best for us. Talked to dh last night, and we considered the # of trips to each. Sounds like the new section would work - since we will be going to/from the parking garage EVERY day and not to the pool on the days we venture out of Disney - cple. days at Universal and one to Busch as well as one visiting family in FL. Your tips helped us make our decision!

Denise

 

[madge]

Has anyone stayed at the Shades of Green? We are planning on going in October and just looking for opinions.

Thanks

We have stayed at SoG 3 times, twice before the renovations and again last week. Our opinon of SoG has changed quite a bit since the last time we stayed there, in October 2000.

The resort itself is lovely, the improvements are very nice. We were in room 1125, with a lovely view of the Palm golf course. It was in a good location, not far from the lobby or the pool. In fact, I'd request the same room again if we ever stay at SoG again. As everyone says, the rooms are quite spacious, especially the bathroom.

Other than that, we weren't impressed. We have stayed at a number of WDW properties (see signature) and would choose any of them over SoG, including the Silver Lake Resort offsite. The main focus of our disappointment was the transportation. We have been spoiled by stays at the Contemporary, Swan/Dolphin, and Wilderness Lodge....the buses at PO-R were more convenient than getting to the parks from SoG. One evening we sat on the bus at SoG for 20 minutes while 3 of the bus drivers were chatting among themselves....VERY frustrating, to say the least

My kids weren't crazy about the pool, either. They like having a slide, LOL...I don't consider that a make or break deal, but my kids do.

Evergreens was great, as was the pizza delivery. It wasn't a bad stay, by any means....it just wasn't our cup of tea. And for the same money or a little more, we'd choose a WDW resort any time.

 

[Christine]

And for the same money or a little more, we'd choose a WDW resort any time.

You mean you can stay on WDW for the "same money or a little more"? I've stayed at SoG predominantly, CBR, and a timeshare (off-park) and I would have to say that SoG has been the winner of all of them. However, my kids, just once, would like to stay at a Deluxe Resort--specifically the Contemporary. I just couldn't justify spending $240 per night at the Contemporary versus the $97 at SoG. It was just too much of a difference. Now, if I'm missing a great rate somehow, please tell me!!!

Also, we always rent a car--I am not a "bus" person, so we don't have the transportation issues that I've heard can be a problem at SoG.

 

[madge]

You mean you can stay on WDW for the "same money or a little more"? I've stayed at SoG predominantly, CBR, and a timeshare (off-park) and I would have to say that SoG has been the winner of all of them. However, my kids, just once, would like to stay at a Deluxe Resort--specifically the Contemporary. I just couldn't justify spending $240 per night at the Contemporary versus the $97 at SoG. It was just too much of a difference. Now, if I'm missing a great rate somehow, please tell me!!!

Also, we always rent a car--I am not a "bus" person, so we don't have the transportation issues that I've heard can be a problem at SoG.

our rate is $106 in October, plus $3 to park....which is $109. We have stayed at PO-R for quite a bit less ($79+tax) and the Wilderness Lodge for not a lot more ($114+tax, AP rate)....I would choose either of those resorts over Shades of Green. Our best value is a condo through www.afvclub.com at $264/week. We are also eligible for the govt. discount at the Swan/Dolphin.

Our great rate at the Contemporary came from the SoG rehab. I know we will never see anything that low again, LOL.....that's why we took advantage of it while we could.

We had a car and used it for anything other than MK or Epcot. It was quite far to the garage from our room, though.

We have very fond memories of SoG, it was the first place we ever stayed at WDW....and the renovations are great. We just prefer other resorts.

 

[BuckNaked]

I'm the same way, madge. We stayed at SoG a number of years ago, and we were there last year to buy our tickets. It is indeed a beautiful resort, but we prefer the Disney theming, the Disney pools, food courts, etc. I also like the refillable mugs at the Disney resorts, and I prefer to charge to my room key, which isn't an option at SoG. I've always been lucky, in that I've been able to get mods for the same or just a bit more (with tax) than SoG. If I couldn't do that, I'd absolutely stay at SoG before I'd shell out $149/night + tax for a mod. But we did just get our July trip booked with a SoG overflow for $94/night + tax at POFQ, so we're all set!

 

[Christine]

Okay, well, I guess I'm just spoiled then. I don't *mind* the moderate resorts; however, I do prefer queen beds and a bit of a larger room. When I was recently checking the moderate resorts, it seemed they all had double beds. I'll have 5 in the room with me. I really wanted to do a deluxe resort (queen beds and 5 to a room) but SoG had rooms available.

But, I do agree with BuckNaked, I really like the Disney theming and miss it at SoG.

 

[madge]

Okay, well, I guess I'm just spoiled then. I don't *mind* the moderate resorts; however, I do prefer queen beds and a bit of a larger room. When I was recently checking the moderate resorts, it seemed they all had double beds. I'll have 5 in the room with me. I really wanted to do a deluxe resort (queen beds and 5 to a room) but SoG had rooms available.

But, I do agree with BuckNaked, I really like the Disney theming and miss it at SoG.

Don't get me wrong....we really liked the room, especially the bathroom...I think I mentioned that in my original reply. The extra space is nice, as are the larger beds Our view was beautiful, and the resort has a very peaceful feel. Where SoG loses us is the transportation and the pool. I have 2 boys, and the pool is a big part of our trip--the like having waterfalls, slides, etc. and let's face it, the SoG pool is shaped like a Mickey head....and that's about as exciting as it gets, LOL. SoG is an excellent value, especially for families of 5 or if you need a suite ($200 for a suite is a steal, IMO), and it's a lovely resort. We certainly did not have an awful time there, it just isn't our favorite resort.

 

[DawnCt1]

You mean you can stay on WDW for the "same money or a little more"? I've stayed at SoG predominantly, CBR, and a timeshare (off-park) and I would have to say that SoG has been the winner of all of them. However, my kids, just once, would like to stay at a Deluxe Resort--specifically the Contemporary. I just couldn't justify spending $240 per night at the Contemporary versus the $97 at SoG. It was just too much of a difference. Now, if I'm missing a great rate somehow, please tell me!!!

Also, we always rent a car--I am not a "bus" person, so we don't have the transportation issues that I've heard can be a problem at SoG.

I resisted staying at SoG for a long time, seeking out the overflow rates at the Yacht and Beach Club, Poly, etc. I have never had a desire to stay at the CR. We even picked Dixie Landings one year (overflow rates). One year I just decided, "lets try SoG". I have to honestly say that it is really one of my favorite resorts. On one of our trips we split our stay between the Yacht and SoG. I couldn't wait to get to SoG after spending a few days at the Yacht Club. As much as I love it over there, I really enjoyed the peacefulness, lack of crowds around the pool and restaurants and the low keyed nature of the resort. Of course I could be tempted with the GF if the price was right.

 

[DawnCt1]

Don't get me wrong....we really liked the room, especially the bathroom...I think I mentioned that in my original reply. The extra space is nice, as are the larger beds Our view was beautiful, and the resort has a very peaceful feel. Where SoG loses us is the transportation and the pool. .

We use our car a lot on property so the transportation really doesn't bother me. We don't use it that much. I find if we want to take the monorail to the MK its a quick walk to the Poly or we just park the car over there. I don't know how convenient it will be with the parking garage. We haven't stayed there since the renovations but when they had just the lot it was easy. For all of the $$$ I will be saving maybe I will valet park.

 

[bdcp]

We stayed in SOG in '98 and took used a town car service to and from the airport so we didn't have a car. We did not miss it at all. Transportation around the world worked fine and knew if we really needed a car we could get one. We're going back this Nov, with our car, but doubt it'll move the whole time we're there. It is very peaceful and location makes it easy to get around the properties. Our boys never felt they were missing anything when we stayed there. Disney was in the parks. SOG was our hotel wher we slept, and the pool was never crowded.

 

[Christine]

Where SoG loses us is the transportation and the pool. I have 2 boys, and the pool is a big part of our trip--the like having waterfalls, slides, etc. and let's face it, the SoG pool is shaped like a Mickey head....and that's about as exciting as it gets, LOL.

Madge,
I agree with you on the pool!! My DS (10) really wanted to stay at POFQ because of the dragon pool. However, my need for a queen bed overruled him (poor guy he has such selfish mommy!!). But I get what you're saying. We are not pool people. We are generally at the park ALL day, go out to dinner, and then maybe we do some time at the pool in the late evening.

 

[baileybelle]

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