SOG first timer, any tips before I go?

[dopeys biggest fan]

I've been to Disney more times than I can count but am staying at SOG for the first time. I am so used to knowing EXACTLY where everything in all the resorts and now I find myself going to a resort where I don't know where ANYTHING is! LOL I have searched on line for a map but can't seem to find one. TIA!

 

[bellesnow]

If you go to shadesofgreen.org and look under help & information at the top. There is a PDF Section click on it and it will give you a selection for resort layout. Hope this is what you are looking for.

 

[SusanMomOf2]

Here it is in picture form...

 

[Mrsjvb]

the front desk will have a map of the entire WDW resort complex with SoG's place in all of it. I will tell you it is a 10-15 minute walk to the Poly, adding another five to get to TTC.

There will also be a hard copy given to you at check in of SoG and it's environs.

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

If you go to shadesofgreen.org and look under help & information at the top. There is a PDF Section click on it and it will give you a selection for resort layout. Hope this is what you are looking for.

Thanks! I'll have to check that out!

Thank you SusanMomOf2 I feel better already! LOL

Thanks Mrsjvb for the time on the walk to the poly. I was wondering about that too!

7 Days and counting till we get there, I'm so freaking excited!!!!!!

Anymore helpful BTDT tips would be appreciated!

 

[Mrsjvb]

we had to ask about the bus stop(couldn't find it, even using the map). What you need to do is go outside and down the stairs by the waterfall in the front of the building by the front desk. that's where the bus stop and the early morning cafe is( they will pack you a picnic lunch to take with you to the parks if you order it the day before)

The Pizzas at Evergreen smelled yummy, and are the only thing you can get after 10 pm, but be warned.. they seldom have a delivery person so it's on you to come get it most times, especially on the weekends. Erick did tell me that the pick up window will open up again in October, so that means you probably wouldn't have to wait in the bar for him to have time to grab it from the kitchen. and even though the TV room service menu for EG doesn't say so, you can order anything off the menu to go. I enjoyed the wings(teriyaki and BBQ) as well as the nachos and the quesadillas they look bigger than they are. Oh and the key lime pie was to die for....

Lesseee... the RC monster trucks are over by Evergreens and the RC boats are behind the Garden Gallery. anything else?

only the Mickey mouse shaped pool has towels, so if you want to jump into the hot tub, stop by there first to grab some. the main pool does have a towel return bin, though. The AAFES has a decent selection of toiletries and other necessities. Was unimpresssed with the East Meets West Gift shop.

 

[SusanMomOf2]

I think the walk to the Poly is such a treat. You get a fantabulous, easy-going stroll up to the road, you cross under the monorail tracks (and it may pass over you while you're underneath!!), and you get to see the Poly. Get to the Poly, go up to the next floor by taking the elevator in the lobby, and the monorail platform is up there. This saves us time because we don't have to wait in the bus to go to TTC, then take the monorail to MK or wheverever you are going. It is good to take the bus if your feet already hurt or if you want to spare as much walking as possible. But definitely a must-do at least one time. Very cool.

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

Thanks for all the info Mrsjvb! You gave me some great tips in there!

SusanMomOf2, That's what I was thinking, it would just be easier to walk to the poly rather than wait for the bus. I'm sure we'll do the bus thing at the end of a long day though! LOL Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

I'm printing all this out for my binder! I'm so excited to get there!!! Anything else I should know before I go? 5 days and counting!!!!!!!!

 

[ZoZo]

I think you'll like SOG! We're leaving this Saturday, and will be staying there for a week. Let me see what I remember from last trip . . .

The buses run pretty much right on schedule. We often walked to the Poly and took the monorail when going to MK, though (be sure to try Kona Cafe at the Poly - great food!). You do have to go to the TTC to go to some places, like Typhoon Lagoon, but there are direct buses to all of the parks. I think their bus system is pretty good. (Oh, and I think their buses to DTD don't start running until about 3:00 p.m., so you'd need to go to the TTC to get there earlier in the day.)

Wasn't really impressed with the food at Evergreens - it was sort of mediocre bar food (this was two years ago). We're not arriving on Saturday until around 7:30 pm, and made a reservation at Kona for our arrival night because we didn't like the food at Evergreens.

Garden Gallery has a pretty good, inexpensive breakfast buffet - "make your own" belgian waffles and standard breakfast fare like eggs, bacon, etc. And last time we were there, it was only about $8 per person!

SOG has a nice little store to buy things like milk, cereal, OTC medication, sunscreen, etc. Basic food choices and other sundries. Pretty good prices, and you don't have to pay tax.

If you haven't bought your park tickets yet, you can get "Stars and Stripes" tickets for a good price at SOG. They combine the features of a hopper and the "water parks and more" option (plus, these tickets give you unlimited access to water parks, Pleasure Island, Disney Quest, etc., instead of a set number of admissions). I priced it out and they're about $30 cheaper than getting tickets through Disney.

You do qualify for some of the perks (but not all) of a WDW resort guest. You can use EMH, but not Magical Express or package delivery to your resort.

That's all I can think of for now! I'll add more tonight if I can think of anything else. I think SOG is great - it's a deluxe resort at a "moderate" price, plus the rooms are huge. Plus, great service by staff, for the most part. Have fun!

 

[SusanMomOf2]

I may be wrong, but last year (November 06) I do believe they delivered a package to my room... maybe it was to the front desk of Magic Kingdom. I'm probably confused. Haha. SoG rocks!

 

[suevee]

check out the opening time for the waterparks. Last year they opened 1 hour early every day for resort guests. SoG was included in that perk. It was really nice to get settled before the crowds.

Also they have a starbucks coffee stand in the old section as well as an ice cream parlor. My daughter loved the coffee, my grandkids loved the ice cream.

And you can see the MK fireworks from the Magnolia side of the old building or on the top floor of the parking garage. We loved it!!!!

We also used the small fridges in the room to keep drinks cold.

 

[Mrsjvb]

each day, one park opens early, or stays open late, and in some cases, one of each for different parks!. All you need to do is show your room key at the gate to be let in early, and show it no earlier than 2 hours out in order to stick around after the park closes( you will get a wrist band at night)

DTD buses do start early in the morning, I think around 0830 just like all the others. absolute latest would be 0930, as it also runs to Typhoon Lagoon and that opens at 1000.

I second the Kona recommendation! both breakfast and Lunch were great!

 

[TexasMomof2]

Does any one know if you need reservations for the Italian restaurant at SOG?

 

[jphilhower]

I'll comfirm that you can ship stuff back from the parks to the resort. I did many times in May. Yuo pick up your packages a the front desk 24 hours later. It's great. we also took advantage of the arly morning hours at the waterparks and EMH at the other parks.
Enjoy your stay! Oh look for the gator in the pond along the walkway to the Poly. Saw it there when we where there. If i know how to post photo's I show you the beast.
April 30th to may 11th 2008 SOG

 

[micmacmissy]

Any have a menu for their italian restaurant?

And does anyone know what part of the resort the family suites are located in???

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

Thanks for all the info ZoZo!

suevee thanks for the fireworks tip and the starbucks info!

Mrsjvb thanks for the bus info!

jphilhower thanks for confirming that I can ship back to my room. I was hoping that was true!

I've been to the Kona cafe many times, I love that place!

Is there a specific building that's better that I should try to get in to?

Thanks everyone for all the great tips! I CAN'T WAIT TO GET THERE!!!!!!

 

[ZoZo]

Any have a menu for their italian restaurant?

And does anyone know what part of the resort the family suites are located in???

For the menus for Mangino's, go to allearsnet.com. It's under Dining - look under the Resorts section, then SOG.

We stay in the family suite that sleeps 8 (leaving Saturday - woo hoo!), and it's in the newer section of the hotel. It's a great set-up - two bathrooms, a separate bedroom with a king-size bed, two sleeper sofas and a murphy bed. We're a group of 4 women and we get to each have our bed, but still stay in the same suite.

 

[ZoZo]

I'll comfirm that you can ship stuff back from the parks to the resort. I did many times in May. Yuo pick up your packages a the front desk 24 hours later. It's great. we also took advantage of the arly morning hours at the waterparks and EMH at the other parks.

That's great! When we were at SOG in 2005, they told us they wouldn't deliver packages from the parks to the hotel. I'm going to take advantage of it - it's a pain to lug around your packages. Thanks for the tip.

 

[traviesojmt]

We really enjoyed staying at Shades of Green. I have one tip regarding the walk to Poly. While the walk is not a difficult one, you can also request a ride to the end of the property on the "shady shuttle". Just ask and someone will give you a ride in a golf cart almost to the Poly. If you are short on time, this is a great way to get to the Poly quickly. We have even been lucky enough to catch them on our way back from Poly when they were dropping others off. Catching a ride coming back is just luck though.