SOG Disappointment

[jlder72]

Deleted, I was wrong.

 

[focusondisney]

Just returned from an 11 day trip staying at the BCR. I am a navy veteran.

Waiting for the kids at the Pizza Arcade at HS I was talking to a serviceman. He was asking about the prices of a meal, I told him but then added I don't pay much attention because we are on the dining plan.

He said they COULD NOT get the dining plan at SOG. He ended up ordering just one meal for his 2 kids to split due to cost. The meals are large so probably not as issue but it is unacceptable that military people cannot get the cost savings of the dining plan. Does Disney think they are losing too much money on the rooms at SOG?

Hi! I could be wrong, but I think SOG is "leased" to the military, the same way Swan & Dolphin are "leased" to Westin. So not truly " Disney" resorts. I don't know if you can get dining plans at Swan/ Dolphin? Not right, but might be the reason.


I would think our military is entitled to everything we can do for them.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Walt Disney World isn't gaining or losing ANY money on the rooms at Shade of Green. That resort is owned (well, long-term leased) by the Department of Defense.

As such, its Guests are not Guests of a Walt Disney World resort, and so are not eligible for a few of the perks of staying in a Walt Disney World-owned resort.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

Hi! I could be wrong, but I think SOG is "leased" to the military, the same way Swan & Dolphin are "leased" to Westin. So not truly " Disney" resorts. I don't know if you can get dining plans at Swan/ Dolphin? Not right, but might be the reason.


I would think our military is entitled to everything we can do for them.

Truer words were never spoken!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't know if you can get dining plans at Swan/ Dolphin? Not right, but might be the reason.

You can't.

In fact, not even everyone staying in a WDW-owned resort is eligible for a Dining Plan. You need to book a package including tickets (or you need to book an AP 'package'; or you need to be staying at a DVC property using points).

Shades of Green does have its own dining plan; granted, it needs to be used in the SoG restaurants only and I'm not familiar with the specific conditions other than that.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

As pp stated SOG is not a Disney owned resort (same as Swan and Dolphin) so they are not eligible for the dining plan.

I might be wrong but doesn't Disney give a huge discount already on military tickets? It's not like Disney isn't doing anything - just not the dining plan.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

All true statements, DoD is leasing the property(long-term). Therefore, SoG guests aren't eligible for dining plan, but like Swan and Dolphin guests- they can use Extra Magic Hours. The AAFES at SoG sells tax-free highly discounted park tickets($99 4 day), so there is some monetary relief for Service members on their vacation. Also, a military discount can be applies to on-property resort rooms if the Dining Plan is important to Military guests. Not perfect, but I'm always glad there are some good options for us.

 

[marie1203]

I think what WDW offer the military is great. If you plan right you can stay onsite cheaper than staying at SOG and if you do it with the military discount you can add the DDP without buying tickets since the are offering the military salute tickets right now. I don't see what the big deal is the DDP can be a savings if use right if not is the same as paying out of pocket.

 

[angelmav]

All true statements, DoD is leasing the property(long-term). Therefore, SoG guests aren't eligible for dining plan, but like Swan and Dolphin guests- they can use Extra Magic Hours. The AAFES at SoG sells tax-free highly discounted park tickets($99 4 day), so there is some monetary relief for Service members on their vacation. Also, a military discount can be applies to on-property resort rooms if the Dining Plan is important to Military guests. Not perfect, but I'm always glad there are some good options for us.

Just have to correct you on this, that ticket is with many limitations and only good through the end of September. That is not the normal ticket offer Disney has offered to the military prior to last year, which while discounted isnt much more than what Underground tourist offers. Technically it isnt AAFES that sells the tickets either.

Im not complaining, but if Disney stopped that particular offer then there isnt really an extremely discounted ticket, so dont want people to think that has always been the case or will apply in the future.

Shades is a nice option but priced about on par with a Moderate (If you drive and pay to park), but is comparable to a Deluxe. No Magic Express and no dining plan are two drawbacks, have there own transportation which is pretty good though. Dining at Shades is much cheaper but also much worse.

We found we didnt save any money staying their as opposed to a Mod because of the OOP costs of dining.

The last two years Disney really 'stepped up' with their Military offers, both with that ticket deal and with the discount. Prior to that it wasnt nearly such a sweet deal nor will it be going forward if they revert back to the old discounts, but under that model Shades is a better deal for servicemembers.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I would think our military is entitled to everything we can do for them.

Just wanted to add that I don't believe the dining plan limitation at Shades of Green is because of a lack of wanting to on Disney's part - with or without a discount.

I think it has more to do with Disney's parks and resorts being on the same systems - so your room key from a Disney owned and operated resort means something to the terminals in the parks. A room key from Shades of Green wouldn't mean much of anything because I don't think that the SoG computers are networked into Disney's systems.