SOG - Does it have the Disney Feeling?

[O2BNWDW]

Here is the dilemma: We are planning an impromptu trip in May (DH, Myself, and Mom and Dad). My Dad has offered to pay for the hotel rooms since we have always taken them down on our DVC points.

Budget is an issue and currently we have rooms booked at POR for $166.00 a night waiting for AP discounts to be released. My DH and I both love POR and have stayed there a few times.

My Dad is pushing SOG because their rate now is $97nt. and we don't know if the AP rate will even be close to that price.

My question is does SOG have the "Disney resort magic feeling"? I have viewed the pictures over on Deb's site, but pictures don't tell everything.

What have been some your experiences at SOG good and bad?

I know a bad day at Disney (if there is such a thing LOL!) is better than a good day anywhere else and I am not complaining I am just curious.

Sorry for the long post!

 

[weregoingtodw]

I'd have to say no, overall, it doesn't have the "Disney" feeling that the other Disney resorts have. However, key for me is the location - it has the location of a deluxe (right by the Poly, before you reach the GF), and for the price, it just can't be beat. I really enjoyed the close proximity more than anything else, along with the oversized rooms. Room to "spread out" was really important for us on our last trip, and we've decided to stay at SoG again this year as well.

Here is a link to some pictures someone posted last year - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=565461 . I think that overall, you'll be pleased.

 

[CPer'sMom]

In a word, "no". While SOG is a nice, quality resort with great prices, to me it just doesn't have the Disney magic and overall feeling that I want from a resort when I'm at WDW. I like coming back to my room knowing that I'm still at Disney.

SOG rooms are large and you simply can't beat the value for the price, which sounds like for this trip that may be what your Dad is looking for. So, maybe for a short trip you would be okay with it.

But, just with the fact that you are asking this question I think you may find yourself disappointed at SOG.

 

[Stitch Inside]

We're doing the same thing this year. I'm not worried about that "Disney Feeling". I'm looking forward to staying in the largest rooms of any of the Disney properties, and having a short walk to the Poly to get on the monorail, while paying a Value resort's price. We're also going down 2 days earlier than my parents, so we will have two nights to get our "Disney Feeling" at POFQ or AKL with an AP code. I've seen nothing but good posts about SOG from the people who've stayed there. Hopefully, I'll have good things to say about it when we return.

 

[O2BNWDW]

Thank you CPer'smom and weregoingtodw

 

[akrake]

ya know what? 2 years ago we stayed at the contemp north garden wing...it didn't have the same disney feel that the tower has.....yes, the bed spread had hidden mickey's in it...and the colors were the same as in the tower, but it wasn't like being in the tower. last year we stayed at akl....it's a wow hotel...but if i wouldn't have had a great sog overflow price, i wouldn't have stayed there. it was far out of the way.....this past january we stayed at sog...i was bummed at first bc i really wanted boardwalk....ya know what? the rooms were big, it is close to mk & in walking distance to poly. the buses were ok, but we had a car too...you can't beat the price. we're going back in a few days & staying in sog again....if you know you're going back bc you're a dvc member...just enjoy sog (but bring your own soap & shampoo).
amie

 

[weregoingtodw]

(but bring your own soap & shampoo).
amie

Amen to that! Forgot to mention it, because I'm picky and always take my own... but they put the same product in both of our dispensers... we never figured out if it was body wash or shampoo, but it was terribly drying, so DH & DD both ended up using my Victoria's Secret stuff the whole trip . Hubby smelled pretty darned good, though! LOL

 

[Timmbco]

I have never stayed at SOG ( will stay there in June), however, I have stayed at the Dolphin which is not a Disney Resort. I thought it was extremely magical and had a "Disney" feel. A lot of people think it doesn't.

I love POR too, but not at $160!!! I am expecting that SOG, although more subdued than the Dolphin, will feel "Disney" because its so close to POLY and you have to enter the gates to get there. I'll guess I'll see in June. Have fun wherever you decide!

 

[weregoingtodw]

I am expecting that SOG, although more subdued than the Dolphin, will feel "Disney" because its so close to POLY and you have to enter the gates to get there.

I think that is really key - its location to me is more "Disney" than if we stayed in a moderate or value, simply because we can be in the MK or at the TTC in a matter of minutes. Plus, it's just so very beautiful - the grounds are impeccably landscaped, and the public areas are simply stunning. They really outdid themselves on this one. We weren't thrilled with the service last time, but I'm hoping that it's improved in the past year and even if it hasn't, well, we'll be at the most magical place on earth, so we can make small allowances .

 

[O2BNWDW]

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!

I will say that in further research that SOG has private balcony/patios that is a plus...just relaxing after a long day at the park with a glass of wine ...or early in the morning with a fresh cup of coffee!

thanks for the feedback! Keep it coming!!

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

We stayed at SOG last April/May curtesy of my brother (retired military). The resort was beautiful and the rooms were huge. No, it didn't have the Disney feel, but for the price and location you can't beat it. We did some serious walking between there and the Poly. We were at WDW 3 weeks ago and I saw a golf cart transporting people from SOG to the main road (in front of the Poly). So maybe now they offer that to SOG guest?

 

[wide awake]

One other great thing about SOG is that it is non-smoking. We are in the process of buying DVC, but since they can't guarantee non-smoking rooms I am very hesitant to put the rest of my down payment down. I'm supposed to pay lots of bucks to smell like an ashtray ?

 

[MAGGIED]

We will be staying at the SOG in April but I did make a short day trip down early this month to visit my dad in St Petes and to visit the SOG - it was beautiful - the rooms are very big, the staff was extremely friendly and the gournds - including the pools were really nice. What else can you hope for? We were thinking about the AKL this time and we decided that for the extra money we would save by staying at the SOG we are having a spa treatment, the Illuminations Cruise, a fishing excursion, and a couple extra character meals...... also - the Shaddy Shuttle can help give you a lift to the edge of the grounds - although the walk was short - 10 minutes - and very nice.... good luck with your decision

 

[Pixiedusttravel]

Forgive me, I am still fairly new to this site... which resort is SOG?

Thanks!!!

Off to see the world April 30-May 6

 

[weregoingtodw]

Forgive me, I am still fairly new to this site... which resort is SOG?

Thanks!!!

Off to see the world April 30-May 6

Shades of Green - the military resort .

 

[Pixiedusttravel]

OOOHHH...Thanks so much! I'm still getting used to all the codes!

 

[weregoingtodw]

OOOHHH...Thanks so much! I'm still getting used to all the codes!

Don't worry, you'll earn your magic decoder ring in no time .

 

[swatts1]

I've stayed at SOG at least 8 times, maybe 9. I've also stayed at FW, Contemporary, and BW. For those that can utilize this resort, it is simply the best deal going. We pay $104 a night, and no tax. The rooms are huge, as are the bathrooms. We don't spend a lot of time hanging out at the resort so the Disney feeling isn't important to us. Location is really important, though, and you just can't beat this place. Give it a try. I'm going in 2 weeks and the difference between SOG and a moderate saved enough to buy 3 round trip airline tickets.

For those who really need that Disney feeling, no problem, you just leave more rooms for the rest of us.

 

[weregoingtodw]

For those who really need that Disney feeling, no problem, you just leave more rooms for the rest of us.

LOL! That cracked me up!

If I was on an unlimited budget, sure, I'd love it... but on an enlisted budget, I'll gladly save the money and still stay in a Deluxe!

 

[nastee24]

We just got back from one week at SOG and made many trips to and from the Poly. The "Shady Shuttle" golf cart runs all day to the edge of the property and back. It's kind of hit and miss. We took it some times and other times we walked (If you take it tip the driver). We were there so often for fireworks, boat rentals, dinner etc.. that the Poly was essentially our second resort. The Poly also gives you that "Disney Feel" you might be looking for.