SoG - Can we go without him?

[travelbug24]

My sister-in-law's family and my family are going to WDW 11/28 - 12/9. My nephew is now being deployed. Does he have to be a member of our party in order to stay at SoG?

 

[LeapYear Debbie]

If he is the sponsoring family member, then he must be with you upon checkin.


Debbie

 

[sha_lyn]

IF I understand the policy anyone with a dependent card can also be there.

 

[vbfamily]

I would think as a matter of courtesy, you should be able to travel without the actaul service person-if they are serving the U.S. I would think Disney would allow you to travel. I do not know what the official policy is but it would only make sense to allow families to travel because of the very nature of military service-you can be delployed for long periods of time and you are serving your country, etc. I don't think they should expect you to wait to go on vacation until his deployment is over-a vacation at WDW may be just what you need to lift your spirits and cheer people up a little bit.

Let us know what you find out.

 

[AmyA]

Sha_lyn is correct. If your nephew has any dependents (ie, a wife) and the dependent has a military issued dependent ID, then she can be the "sponser". I am the "sponser" for three rooms in January (1 week from today, woohoo!), and DH is not going. SoG specifically told me that anyone w/ a dependent ID is eligible.

If your nephew has no dependents, then I am not sure of the answer????

 

[jsmith]

vbfamily-fyi disney policy has no impact on Shade of Green eligibilty-it is a DOD facility or privledge and is limited only to military members and their immediate (dependant) family members. The reason for that limitation is the difficulty in documentation for parents, aunts, ect.
travelbug-here is a third confirmation of Sha_lyn's info-if your nephew does not have any dependants who would be in your party you will not have a sponser. This is required at check in.
How long are his orders for? November is pretty far away and who knows what will happen-he may be home by then.

 

[travelbug24]

Thanks for all the info. It looks like we will have to talk directly with reservations at SoG. Nephew has no dependents and lives with my brother and sister-in-law.

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by travelbug24
Thanks for all the info. It looks like we will have to talk directly with reservations at SoG. Nephew has no dependents and lives with my brother and sister-in-law.

I wouldn't waste my time or theirs. This is SoG's busy season, which means you'll probably be looking at 5-7 days before your email is answered (as of last week, the email person told my contact she had over 500 emails in her inbox when she left and she is still the only one doing email) or a good 30-45 minutes before your call is answered (unless you're smart enough to call right when they open at 8am and you *might* get lucky). They will tell you the same thing people here have: if your nephew will not be with you and neither will any of his dependents, you are not eligible to stay at SoG/NW of CR. No exceptions will be made.

Best bet is to wait and see how world events play out and try to make a ressy when your nephew can accompany you a year or two from now.

However, if you would like to come to Disney and try to get a discount, SoG CAN (unless the rules were changed) get you a discounted rate through their overflow program. They cannot give you a discounted rate for any Disney-owned resort (or the Hilton LBV) without the military/dependent member, however the other downtown Disney hotels and I *think* the Dolphin and Swan are bookable, as well as the off site hotels they book.

There are some good rates out there for average joe tourist. I would do some homework because I'm betting you could probably even beat most of the discounts SoG could offer you. Good luck!!!

 

[eeyore0062]

FirstNo is correct... since your nephew has no dependents, you will not be able to stay at SoG, or qualify for the overflow rates at any of the other Disney resorts. I would keep my eye out for good rates listed at the top of this board, or visit mousesavers.com. They have been know to have discounts on Disney owned rooms up to and sometimes over 40% off. However, if you have your heart set on SoG or the military discount, you are going to have to wait until he can personally accompany you.

Sorry... oh, and if you do call SoG, you will get the same answer you have here... and will have to pay the long distance bill, to boot!

 

[eeyore0062]

FirstNo is correct... since your nephew has no dependents, you will not be able to stay at SoG, or qualify for the overflow rates at any of the other Disney resorts. I would keep my eye out for good rates listed at the top of this board, or visit mousesavers.com. They have been know to have discounts on Disney owned rooms up to and sometimes over 40% off. However, if you have your heart set on SoG or the military discount, you are going to have to wait until he can personally accompany you.

Sorry... oh, and if you do call SoG, you will get the same answer you have here... and will have to pay the long distance bill, to boot!

 

[eeyore0062]

FirstNo is correct... since your nephew has no dependents, you will not be able to stay at SoG, or qualify for the overflow rates at any of the other Disney resorts. I would keep my eye out for good rates listed at the top of this board, or visit mousesavers.com. They have been know to have discounts on Disney owned rooms up to and sometimes over 40% off. However, if you have your heart set on SoG or the military discount, you are going to have to wait until he can personally accompany you.

Sorry... oh, and if you do call SoG, you will get the same answer you have here... and will have to pay the long distance bill, to boot!

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by eeyore0062
<snip> Sorry... oh, and if you do call SoG, you will get the same answer you have here... and will have to pay the long distance bill, to boot!

Actually, they won't have to pay long distance charges. SoG has had a toll free number for almost 2yrs now. Unless they dumped the number recently.

 

[SnowAngel]

toll free (888) 593-2242, Monday through Friday, 0830 to 1700; closed Saturday, Sunday, and all federal holidays

 

[travelbug24]

Thank you all for all your help and information. The knowledge that is displayed here on the Dis never ceases to amaze me!

 

[vbfamily]

Just out of curiosity, where is Bark River?

 

[travelbug24]

It's a little town 12 miles west of Escanaba, MI in the Upper Peninsula.

 

[TOWERCK]

I am going to SoG/CR Mon 1/21- I am arriving 6 hours before my sister (who is in the military). Will I be able to check in? Or at least leave my luggage? I have her confirmation with numbers.

 

[travelbug24]

Bumping up so towerck can get an answer

 

[LeapYear Debbie]

I'm sure you can leave your luggage. However, you will have to wait for your sister before you can check in. Since she is the military sponsor, she has to show her military ID for checkin.

Have a great trip ......


Debbie

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by TOWERCK
I am going to SoG/CR Mon 1/21- I am arriving 6 hours before my sister (who is in the military). Will I be able to check in? Or at least leave my luggage? I have her confirmation with numbers.

Your sister should be able to fax the CR with a copy of her ID card (front AND back) and a small statement from her stating she accepts responsibility for "Jack and Mary Stanton and their 2 children: Mark and Susie" for any damage or expenses them may occur before my arrival." Some thing of that nature. I would then have her contact the CR to be sure they received the fax and is in her file. With that, you should be able to not only leave your luggage, but actually check in and get your room, as long as it's ready.