Shades of Green

[jb.brooks]

Does anyone Know if the shades is participating in the magic express or will they be in future?

 

[heidica]

Over on the transportation board I saw that SOG is NOT particpating in ME. Which is a real bummer. I haven't personally called SOG, though.

 

[Trinity721]

stupid question, but what is Magic Express? We're hoping to stay at SoG in April and just want to know what ME is and if i'm missing out on something!

 

[MrIncreadable]

First, SOG is NOT participating in the ME. Since SOG is not a Disney resort they do not have the same perks as other Disney resorts. I am trying to find out of there is another type of transportation from SOG though. I had heard about a luggage service they provided but I think it may have been something from the past as I have not been able to find any information on it recently.

Second, The Magical Express is a shuttle service to/from the airport to Disney run resorts. It is for the anniversary celebration. From what I have read it does not go to SOG or Swan/Dolphin resorts. There was a rumor it would be expanded to these resorts but so far nothing positive.


I hope this helped a little. If I find any other information I will pass it on.

 

[paulmc80]

How accurate this is I do not know. But, this is the FAQ from SOG's recently updated website:

Q: Does Shades of Green provide transportaiton from Orlando International Airport?
A: No. We recommend using Fleetwood Transportation. You can make arrangements by calling (407)239-4342.

I'd still contact SOG to get information directly from someone. Be sure to get that person's name, date and time you spoke with them. I've had my share of problems dealing with SOG in the past.

SOG's website is www.shadesofgreen.org It was slow to load on my connection today. Not sure why.

 

[bpg]

So would you recommend SOG? I see you said you have had problems.....anything to make you not stay there again or is it worth it?

 

[bpg]

I am debating between SOG and CSR......any recommendations???

 

[kandeebunny]

SOG does NOT participate in the ME I just made my April reservations! We will have a rental car anyways, so it's not a big deal for us. THis is our first stay there, but thus far they have been extremely helpful.

CSR is a little out of the way for my liking as my mom and I don't really like AK and that is the closest park

 

[MrIncreadable]

I am debating between SOG and CSR......any recommendations???

I would check first to see about the overflow for any other resort. I have heard that SOG is not "Disney" oriented as far as kids would be concerned. Since the rebuild/Construction I have not heard of any problems. Sorry I could not help more. The last time we booked through SOG and stayed at CBR. We did not have any problems with SOG that are anything serious.
One problem was that if you don't ask the right questions they will not tell you things. I had to ask about the overflow deals in order to get them to tell me about them.

 

[MAGGIED]

For those who don't know SOG is entitled to many of the same perks as the Disney resorts - like EMH... however not the new luggage service. If you are thinking about the difference in the resort from Disney resorts here are a few tidbits for thought...

1. SOG has the largest rooms of any of the Disney resort rooms - over 450 sq ft.
2. SOG has bus service to the parks or you can take the short walk to the POLY and ride the monorail
3. Your room price is total - taxes are included - so for us our rate is 97/night - that includes all taxes and fees - I believe the most expensive rate for a standard room (the big ones I described) is $104 (includes all taxes and fees)
4. There are two on site resturants, a lounge, a state of the art exercise facility, two pool, a lagoon, a gift shop, a snack bar, etc....

So my vote is to stay at the SOG and save the money - use your savings for some fun stuff like an extra character meal, a fishing trip, or a day at the Spa!!!

 

[suevee]

4. There are two on site resturants, a lounge, a state of the art exercise facility, two pool, a lagoon, a gift shop, a snack bar, etc....

Also the prices at these places are less than that in the WDW resorts. The exercise room is free, no extra fees involved. The resort itself is beautiful. I like getting away from the hustle-bustle at the end of the day. It has only 600 rooms so it is a bit smaller than the other resorts and has been very quiet when we visited .

 

[*Flower*]

The Swan and Dolphin hotels don't participate in the ME either.

Or the hotels at DTD.

It is a great idea for those who fly to Disney and stay at Disney hotels though...

 

[antbritt]

For those who don't know SOG is entitled to many of the same perks as the Disney resorts - like EMH... however not the new luggage service. If you are thinking about the difference in the resort from Disney resorts here are a few tidbits for thought...

1. SOG has the largest rooms of any of the Disney resort rooms - over 450 sq ft.
2. SOG has bus service to the parks or you can take the short walk to the POLY and ride the monorail
3. Your room price is total - taxes are included - so for us our rate is 97/night - that includes all taxes and fees - I believe the most expensive rate for a standard room (the big ones I described) is $104 (includes all taxes and fees)
4. There are two on site resturants, a lounge, a state of the art exercise facility, two pool, a lagoon, a gift shop, a snack bar, etc....

So my vote is to stay at the SOG and save the money - use your savings for some fun stuff like an extra character meal, a fishing trip, or a day at the Spa!!!

MAGGIED
Very well put. I am going to be at the SOG in a little over a week. And I must say that I had originally planned on switching mid -way to a Deluxe resort and later changed my mind when I realized that 2 rooms for 8 nights equaled the same as 1 room (concierge) for 3 nights at the BWI> I rrreally wanted to stay there . ( and I will some day) but it really makes so much more sense to stay at SOG.

 

[zzammmi]

SOG offers a similar service to Magical Express called BAGS (I think that's what they call it). Cost is $40.00. This info was provided to me in February of this year by staff at SOG. Call them for details.

Is SOG worth it? Well it's not themed like the Disney resorts but you have access to most of the same perks including Disney resort babysitting clubs, disney transpo, guaranteed entry, etc. It also has great golf (well, I'm not a golfer so I don't really know if it's great...) And it's significantly less expensive. Used to be the Disney Inn, now rented to military by Disney. It's right across from the Polynesian so monorail is easily accessed but they provide buses to parks too. I'd love to stay at a Deluxe Disney resort but I just can't bring myself to pay the higher prices given the value of SOG (for me). You'll have to decide for yourself but first do some research. Good Luck!

 

[MrIncreadable]

SOG offers a similar service to Magical Express called BAGS (I think that's what they call it). Cost is $40.00. This info was provided to me in February of this year by staff at SOG. Call them for details.

Is SOG worth it? Well it's not themed like the Disney resorts but you have access to most of the same perks including Disney resort babysitting clubs, disney transpo, guaranteed entry, etc. It also has great golf (well, I'm not a golfer so I don't really know if it's great...) And it's significantly less expensive. Used to be the Disney Inn, now rented to military by Disney. It's right across from the Polynesian so monorail is easily accessed but they provide buses to parks too. I'd love to stay at a Deluxe Disney resort but I just can't bring myself to pay the higher prices given the value of SOG (for me). You'll have to decide for yourself but first do some research. Good Luck!

If you are looking for a Deluxe resort I have found it pays to always ask about overflow room. I asked a CM about oveflow in May and was told that SOG will not go the overflow until all their rooms are booked, But when I called and asked a different CM she said that it depends on the amount of room Disney give them as overflow. I guess with the upcoming anniversary Disney is trying to get as much $ as possible.

 

[esk]

Every time I've ever called SoG they have been booked. I just got GF overflow for May, $239 standard view. They had Poly left also.

 

[swatts1]

I was at SOG earlier this week. I've stayed there many times before the renovation. The renovation/addition is lovely and it has made SOG have much more of a "resort" feel. I would describe it as SOG meets Wilderness Lodge. True, there are no Disney soaps in the rooms, but the size of the rooms is great, there is a small refrigerator that you don't have to pay extra for, and the service is very good. I love that my $104 a night room rate was all inclusive - no tax! What a bonus. It is so quiet and laid back at SOG. We just love it and find that access to other parks is very good. We walk to the Poly and then take the monorail or boat to MK. We usually rent a car, but have stayed at SOG at least twice with no rental car and have gotten around just fine. I noticed that they've added a shuttle to Downtown Disney, which is very nice. That was always the hardest to get to. If you are considering a Deluxe and don't mind the extra price, then you could opt out of SOG. If you are debating between SOG and a moderate then I think SOG's benefits FAR outweigh those of the moderate - larger rooms, bigger beds, frig, no fees for workout, extra bed for 5th person, etc.

 

[JanetRose]

I like the fact that SoG is a small resort compared to the others. I needed a break early one evening after visiting the parks so I returned to my room, put on flip flaps, went down and soaked my feet in the hot tub for about 10 minutes, ordered some chicken strips with honey mustard to go from Evergreens, sat on one of the lounge chairs and while I ate, I watched the movie, Annie Hall, on my portable DVD player. Besides myself, there were maybe 6 other people enjoying the pool at the same time. It was so relaxing and I plan to do it again during my future trips.

 

[kandeebunny]

Packing today and I tried to call to make sure, but their phones are closed on Saturdays...does SoG have hair dryers in every room?

 

[heidica]

I remember they had hairdryers in the bathrooms. I was there before the renovation but will be back in June. By the way, has anyone checked out the "renovated" website? I just did and it is totally different. Looks pretty cool so far. www.shadesofgreen.org