shades of green

[Princess Mommy]

Is there a SoG discount AP rate?

 

[pixiepower1971]

yes, you can get a SoG discount rate for annual and also fl resident annual. I believe they show the price on their website under attractions. It basically saves you the tax $$.

 

[Princess Mommy]

I still cannot get over the room size here~
480 square feet!
We were debating on staying in WL instead, but their standard rooms are 340 square feet, and more expensive.
Don't get me wrong, LOVE the WL, but both of our D's are asking to stay at AKL Savannah view for part of our trip and we don't want AKL all week b/c it is far away from MK and we are inticipating 3 days there with them including MVMCP, so we were seriously considering WL especially at Christmas it will be gorgeous~ but since we qualify for SoG... The rooms are huge and newly refurbished and makes affording the Savannah view room easier... .... we'll probably rent a car b/c I have read that the bus service can be inconsistant and I don't want to chance that.

 

[pixiepower1971]

I thought they were 455 sq feet but I may be wrong.
Either way they are very nice size rooms. You can't beat the cost per night. Don't forget to factor in the cost of parking as well...something like 3 per day to self park and 8 per day for valet plus tips.

When staying at SoG I only used my car for AK and MGM. Bus service from SoG to the TTC is wonderful. Runs every 15 mins. Busses only run once an hour form the other parks. Can be a long wait if you miss a bus and they are not sheltered wait areas.

I have stayed there to save money many times. They are lacking in some areas but the price makes up for it. With an AP or FL resident rates I can usually stay at a value or moderate for less and it can get really close sometimes with WL and AKL...so check your rates and specials. ALso, with SOG you have to cancel 30 days out to get a deposit refund, unlike Disney which is 5 days.

But for room size, price and conveinance you cant beat SoG...just don't expect deluxe service!

 

[DawnCt1]

yes, you can get a SoG discount rate for annual and also fl resident annual. I believe they show the price on their website under attractions. It basically saves you the tax $$.

I priced it out yesterday. For the Basic AP without the add on's its a $35 savings. For the premium pass, it's $45.

 

[Kimberly]

I just checked out the nickelodeon suites, and they do look really cool. Although i'm a bit biased because i'm still a huge fan of sponge bob! If you can manage a rental car, and if you've stayed at disney before, why not try something new? Or you could split your stay at nick's suites and the shades of green, either way i don't think you could make a bad decision here.

 

[Princess Mommy]

thought they were 455 sq feet but I may be wrong

Allearsnet.com said 480 square feet...

We just got a letter that says effective April 1, 2005:
Self parking is $3 a day
valet is $3 parking fee + $5 usage fee ~ allows unlimited valent for 1 calendar day. Plus tip too... so assume $10 a day for 5 days...

Do the Disney Resorts charge guests a parking fee?

 

[*Flower*]

We used the garage (multi-level) on our trip last weekend, and the $3 self park fee is per night.

We stayed 2 nights and paid $6 for parking.

It was really convenient, and considering that you don't pay the FL room tax or bed tax- that's not too bad.

The Swan and Dolphin charge $7 per night for self parking, and $14 per night for valet parking.

Disney doesn't charge for self parking- yet.

HTH!!!

 

[DawnCt1]

I registered and printed out the voucher for up to four free admissions at Sea World. What could be better than free. We weren't sure we were going but now we are. DH will leave Florida on Friday but as long as he sees that I get my updated military id, I will be good to go.

 

[pixiepower1971]

Unofficial Guide lists SoG room at 455 sq feet so my best guess would be somewhere in between the two. Either way they are very nice sized rooms. We have never had any problem with space but I have never had more then 4 people in the room.

I prefer the rooms on the old side...they feel a little bigger to me and they have 4 chairs at the table instead of 2 like the new side. The daybed in nicer on the old side though. They also have 2 small room divider walls in the old section the are nice to sit small things on up high out of the way.

There are some rooms on the old side 3rd floor that you can see a good bit of Wishes from. Very pretty!

 

[MOMOFMNM]

Looking off site now because SOG is full end Oct when I want to go...just checked 4 days ago and NOW that I had made my final decision on SOG and was ready to pay and book...it is full!!! WHAAAA!!! I can't really change dates, the kids have Oct 31 off of school and that played into how many days we are vacationing and such and PLUS I have a budget and a going a month early would mean 600 dollars less for our trip, can't do that!!! Now looking into Buena Vista Suites, brkfst, big suite (3 kids) a moderate at POR will just not do for our family...three girls and myself and a hubby. Need space on a budget. Looks like off site will be the place for me and my dates and price range. Any off site hotel reccomendations?

 

[pixiepower1971]

what about 2 values? that would give you 4 beds and 2 bathrooms and more space then at SoG. You and hubby also could have your own room. That is always nice!

 

[GJM]

Momofmnm were you checking on line or did you call. Even if their on line reservation's say they don't have rooms they sometimes do. This happened to me in Oct. there were no rooms listed on line but I called and they had the dates available. Plus, keep calling, I called everyday for dates in June and something finally opened up.

 

[Princess Mommy]

Pixie~ would you suggest I request the old section, 3rd floor? Do they have balconies? Thanks so much for your help! I have never been, and we are trying to be able to do so much and the savings SoG can give are so worth it, and your reviews have been great!

I would also go with 2 rooms in a value aswell~ or look into renting DVC points~ most go for $10-$12 a point. Their is a rent/trade board here on The DIS. I did it for our OKW stays and it was wonderful. The Swan & Dolphin also give major discounts for nurses & teachers and *I think* the military. You'd have to check their actual website for the details though:
www.swandolphin.com
I would call SoG aswell, you'll be on hold a while~ I usually started trying first thing in the am & still was on hold for 20-30 minutes. If you can't get SoG they can give you overflow rates somewhere else.

 

[pixiepower1971]

PrincessMommy~ I usually request a room in the old section, 3rd floor, quiet pool (Magnolia pool I think). All rooms there have balconies or patios. I know you can see the fireworks from some of those rooms...not sure how many. I like the old section even though the rooms are not as nice and pretty as the news one but they are A LOT closer to the pools and AAFES. The new section is close to the parking garage but I always valet park...so nice!

Glad I can help. I have been to Disney many times. We have done it on a shoestring budget to a blow out bash. No matter what way you go they are all fun trips. SoG is a huge help in making it afforable.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

I just returned from an overnight in a hotel w the kids for a birthday...I have never stayed in anything less than a 1 br suite with them and needless to say it was excrutiating...they were up at night, wouldn't sleep, hubby is deaf and like to stay up late...it was a bad combo for my family and 2 values is too much $$$ for me at this point. I think I am going to have to opt out for a BV Suite with a bedroom and 2 tv's instead of SOG or Value...plus w free cont bkfst it will just work out better...IMO

 

[Lizzybee]

People talk about getting an "overflow" rate from SoG, I've never tried to book with them so I don't know but I have read people talking about getting better prices on Disney resorts when SoG if full.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

I did fill out an overflow request so we will see what I can come up with...I am definite about these dates though and it is not value season so I have to wonder PLUS with 5 of us I don't know if POR with a trundle is going to be big enough for all of us, we really need our space! thanks for your help

 

[goofeyfan33]

We just returned from a week at WDW and stayed at SOG. We loved it so much that we will likely never stay anywhere else other than SOG. The rooms were huge, the extras you qualify for because of being on Disney property are well worth it. It's and easy 10 to 15 minute walk to the Polynesian to catch the monorail or the SOG busses run every 15 minutes from the hotel. I also enjoy my breakfast, so the all you can eat breakfast buffet for $7 per person was great. And it's not just a jelly roll and coffee either; real food (bacon sausage eggs cereal rolls fruit waffles juice coffee) and great service.

Rooms were always clean and it was very quiet at night. For the price and convenience, I would definitely stay at SOG.

 

[LADYnTRAMP]

We just returned from a week at WDW and stayed at SOG. We loved it so much that we will likely never stay anywhere else other than SOG. The rooms were huge, the extras you qualify for because of being on Disney property are well worth it. It's and easy 10 to 15 minute walk to the Polynesian to catch the monorail or the SOG busses run every 15 minutes from the hotel. I also enjoy my breakfast, so the all you can eat breakfast buffet for $7 per person was great. And it's not just a jelly roll and coffee either; real food (bacon sausage eggs cereal rolls fruit waffles juice coffee) and great service.

Rooms were always clean and it was very quiet at night. For the price and convenience, I would definitely stay at SOG.

Was wondering what section you would recommend to try and request to be closest to the walkway to the Poly. TIA!