SOG - Does it have the Disney Feeling?

[momof2inPA]

We just got back from SOG last week, and while it didn't have the lanscaped, winding paths that POR had, the rooms were MUCH nicer and bigger and the resort had a very friendly, family feel. The lobby and entrance to the hotel were also more impressive than POR, and the little shop was great for grabbing some cheap snacks on the way to the parks. I'm sure it's a matter of opinion, but I much preferred SOG over POR. It would be interesting to hear someone else's comparison who has been to both.

At the SOG, the golf cart was always there to shuttle us over to Poly, but was not available to shuttle back. Maybe this depends on the time of day, and others had different experiences. It would be tough for some 68 year olds to walk the distance from the Poly to SOG at the end of the day. Whatever you decide, have a great time.

 

[bld disney]

We've stayed at the Shades of Green at least 4 times, most recently this past January.
It's a beautiful resort, and I didn't feel that the Disney Magic was lacking. You are so close to the magic kingdom and the Polynesian. We felt like we were in the middle of it all.
We've stayed at many other Disney resorts, and in our opinion, SOG compares favorably.
You'll have a great time there! Can't beat the price.

 

[HeatherPage]

I've never stayed at SOG and I love to have my theme feeling going on when I'm at a Disney World resort, however, I'd stay at SOG in a heartbeat if I could especially with its proximity to the Polynesian (my absolute favorite resort). So tell me does anyone know if Department of Defense jobs are only available in D.C.?

 

[BuckNaked]

So tell me does anyone know if Department of Defense jobs are only available in D.C.?

DoD jobs are located all over the country. SoG is also available to DoD contractors that work on military installations.

 

[Stitch Inside]

So tell me does anyone know if Department of Defense jobs are only available in D.C.?

And being in NC you have a few to choose from. Camp Lejeune, Fort Bragg, Pope AFB and Seymour Johnson AFB.

 

[DancingBear]

I will be happy with which ever we choose..

Everyone says walking distance to the Poly but is that true if i am travelling with my parents, Mom is 68, not feeble but not marathoning either!

My parents are 72 and in good shape, they last stayed at SoG in December and have no problem with the stroll to the Poly. Also, I understand they now have a golf cart that goes back and forth from the front of SoG to the end of their driveway (just across the street from the Poly). And you can always take the bus to TTC if you want to skip the walk over there.

We've stayed at CR, WL, POFQ, CSR, CBR, ASSp, the Dolphin, the Hotel Royal Plaza in DTD, the Orlando Marriott World Center and other places off site, in addition to SoG. We are happily returning to SoG for our next visit in September. We won't miss the Disney theming with the huge rooms, beautiful landscaping, great price and proximity to the monorail.

Also remember when comparing prices that there are no taxes at SoG. You're looking at 10%+ room taxes at the Disney resorts.

 

[mog]

And being in NC you have a few to choose from. Camp Lejeune, Fort Bragg, Pope AFB and Seymour Johnson AFB.

And don't forget Cherry Point!

 

[crazyforgoofy]

We were fine without the "Disney feel" but the kids were disappointed in the pools. They loved the slides at some of the Disney resorts. A day at each of the Disney water parks helped though.

 

[CPer'sMom]

We pay $104 a night, and no tax. I'm going in 2 weeks and the difference between SOG and a moderate saved enough to buy 3 round trip airline tickets.

I don't understand this ~~ I just called SOG today for rooms in 2 weeks (16-23 March) and was offered overflow rooms at 2 different moderates for $105 per night ($117 with the tax). ~~ not too much difference in price.

Or are you comparing SOG price with the rack rate at a mod?

 

[AmyA]

We love SoG. My daughters, my best friend, and I just stayed there for a week in December---like everyone has said, the room was BEAUTIFUL, the lobby was gorgeous with all the CHristmas decorations up, and both of my DDs liked the pools a lot. My 9 yo did say something about there being no waterslide, but when I reminded her that she was getting to swim in a huge pool shaped like Mickey's head she was fine.

It didn't have the same "Disney" feel as my favorite resort (the Contemporary) but I didn't find anything was lacking because of it. The price is so amazing, too--it's because we'll only be paying $97/night as opposed to $250/night at the CR that we are going to be able to afford a 2 week trip to Disney when DH returns from Iraq.

 

[FirstNo]

DoD jobs are located all over the country. SoG is also available to DoD contractors that work on military installations.

And working at SoG is a DoD job.

 

[akrake]

I don't understand this ~~ I just called SOG today for rooms in 2 weeks (16-23 March) and was offered overflow rooms at 2 different moderates for $105 per night ($117 with the tax). ~~ not too much difference in price.

Or are you comparing SOG price with the rack rate at a mod?

what is probably going on is when they called sog had availability...when you called it was full so you were offered the 40% off rack rate at the moderate. lucky you!
amie

 

[madge]

I've never stayed at SOG and I love to have my theme feeling going on when I'm at a Disney World resort, however, I'd stay at SOG in a heartbeat if I could especially with its proximity to the Polynesian (my absolute favorite resort). So tell me does anyone know if Department of Defense jobs are only available in D.C.?

My husband is civil service, has worked for the Dept of Defense for years....we are in Kentucky. Staying at SoG next month!

 

[madge]

And working at SoG is a DoD job.

I wish you still worked there!

 

[FirstNo]

I wish you still worked there!

I do, too, but unfortunately they didn't pay near enough and never appreciated what they had.

 

[LADYnTRAMP]

I'm trying to put 2 and 2 together....can you walk from the SOG and take the Monorail from the Poly? My bestfriend and I are going in Dec. and can stay there because my husband is retired. We haven't stayed there in a few years and if you could do this before I never knew it. That would be great! Is the walk like walking from the Contemporary over to the MK or is it longer? Thanks for any help!

 

[BuckNaked]

The walk is straight down the SoG driveway and across the street to the Poly. Less than 10 minutes and very pleasant.

 

[Disney_1derland]

I'm trying to put 2 and 2 together....can you walk from the SOG and take the Monorail from the Poly? My bestfriend and I are going in Dec. and can stay there because my husband is retired. We haven't stayed there in a few years and if you could do this before I never knew it. That would be great! Is the walk like walking from the Contemporary over to the MK or is it longer? Thanks for any help!

Actually, it's about the same, maybe shorter, you get a short tour through the Poly grounds and it's really lovely. We had a hard time figuring out where to go once at the Poly since we'd never been there before. SOG's walkway leads you to a walkway at the Poly once you cross the street. Wind that path around and take the first available right hand path which will walk you past a service area and the front entrance of the hotel, turn into the main doors and stay to the right to catch the elevator up to the monorail. Total time about 15 minutes door to door when pushing a stroller and a wheelchair, probably less for unencumbered people! We also liked being able to go to the Poly for a quick bite to eat at their counterservice place since SOG doesn't have a hot food counterservice place.

 

[Disney_1derland]

We stayed at SOG in November. I was worried about whether or not it would feel 'disney'. Well, it didn't scream mickey mouse or anything, but it certainly felt relaxing, peaceful and welcoming, especially at the end of a long day. It was pretty quiet there and we liked that. The rooms are huge and we loved that. The pool areas are nice and the kids loved the playground. We very much enjoyed the bus service and the walk to the Poly. The express cafe is a wonderful place for a quick bite to eat, if she's got them, make sure to have her canolis and one of her sandwhiches (she makes her own fresh ciabatta bread). The housekeeping staff is first rate and even went above and beyond to create some magic for my children in the room. The maintenance staff was very prompt and courteous, hopefully you won't have need of them, but we did on our first night and they responded and fixed our issue within 30 minutes.

Stop by and talk to the women at guest services (not the front desk, around the corner outside the AAFES store), they are friendly and helpful and love to chat. They have an artist there that does the silhouette cutting portraits, cheaper than in the park and turned out great. The aafes store is a great place for all kinds of stuff!

Can you tell I just can't say enough good things about it? My dad is the retiree so he aloud us to stay there, we've figured out he's going to have to go on every trip now so we can stay there

As for the 'disney' feel, I never missed it. I was just so pleased with the place, I couldn't get over it. It truly is a priviledge to stay there and a wonderful place to be provided for our Service people.

 

[LADYnTRAMP]

Thanks guys for the fast response. Lori I can tell you were really impressed with it. I've stayed there once or twice before but that was back in the 90's and I can't wait to see the renovations. Short walk to the Poly....sounds like a plan! THANKS!!!