SOG first timer, any tips before I go?

[suevee]

They have suites in both the old and new section. I think the old section's suite has better ventilation. The suite in the new section has only one balcony off the living area and the bedroom has no windows.

We like the old section because of it's proximity to the pools and the sports grill/bar. We also like the partial wall dividing the sleeping area from the eating area in the old rooms.

The new rooms are closer to the parking garage. The bathrooms in the newer section are nicer, it seems like when we stay in the old section we usually get the bathroom that is one large room with only one sink.

We have stayed in both but just prefer the old ones near the Magnolia Pool side.

 

[meriann]

We are not going until June but I love all the SOG tips. About the golf cart rides, do you ask at the front desk or is it by the bus area? I am also trying to figure out on the disney map how you get from SOG to the poly since SOG is not marked on any of the disney property maps I have seen.

When I booked I requested connected rooms but they said they can't guarantee we will get them, Does anyone know any ticks to help us get them?

Also I know check in is not until 3, but what if we get in early, will they hold our luggage?

When we went in Jan, we just stayed one night so we didn't really do anything there but have breakfast the next morning.

Thanks!

 

[suevee]

You just walk to the Poly. You will see how easy it is once you are there. SoG is situated between two golf courses. So find the Magnolia Golf course on your map and you will have an idea where SoG will be. And yes they will hold your luggage if you are early. Sometimes, they will have a room ready early.

There is no tricks to connecting rooms. However if you specify that you would like to separate the parents and children so the small children will be alone in one room and the parents in the other, you may have a better chance. Also if you want connecting rooms you probably won't be able to get a room early, unless one side is open.

I would call the front desk about 24 hours before you leave to confirm your rooms and your requests.

We will be there in June as well. We are planning to go June 10 to 23. Maybe we will see you there!!

 

[meriann]

we will be there the 14th-22nd! I can't wait. This is the first big vacation we have taken with extened family. My Mil, Fil and My BIL and his wife and Dd are joining our family of 5.

The last 3 years DH has been gone more than he has been home and we pcs'ed this April so he is home for a while now. This is our "yea your finally home trip!"

 

[MeLady]

another confirmation that they deliver to SOG. We had delivery in 2006 and 2007.

When we went in 2006, we went with my husband's family 17 of us! They did get my husband and his sister side by side.. Sister in law's kids got side by side but in another part of the hotel. I requested the rooms side by side when we reserved and then when I called to check in the middle of our WAITING for Disney vacation and then again 30 days before, when I was making our food rearrangements..

Sweetie just reminded me... My BIL had two rooms and we had two rooms. They actually put one BIL room and one of our togethers. Then the other two together that we put the kids down there! haha Either way, it worked, just make sure you make the request and when calling to check again, make sure the request is there again.

We love SOG! We have had no problems with the way the buses have ran.

 

[TexasMomof2]

So when I look at the SOG map online (on SOG website), can anyone tell me where Poly is in relation to this map? Is it across the street from the big parking garage or is it on the other side of the tennis courts?

Any help appreciated!!!

 

[MeLady]

Down from the parking garage. CLoser down by the water!

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

So there's a newer wing and an older wing? Which is better? Can you request a specific area of the resort?

Do they have re-fillable mugs there?

 

[MAGGIED]

I hope some of this helps... we have stayed at SOG about 7 times.... we love it and will be back again in April 08...

The "Shaddy Shuttle" is the golf cart that will take you from the bell services area to the edge of the property. Just ask someone at bell services outside and they will call the shuttle for you. It is best to ask them and not just wait. Because if someelse comes after you and has bell services call them... they will get the ride before you.

Bus service isn't to bad... we really have never had a problem. But we will use the monorail from Poly to get to the MK.

We also like the old section...because of its proximatley to the pool, hot tub, shoppette, and the Starbucks coffee cart!!!! We really like the set up of the older rooms better.

The DO NOT have refillable mugs.

About the pool towels... they are only at the Mickey Pool and they make you sign them out.... we never have had a problem with this... the only problem we have had is getting extra pillows... I sleep with 3...

the buffets at the Garden Gallery are okay... nothing to fancy but they are a good value.... food is okay... nothing to excting

My son likes the game room.....

they now have a photographer in the lobby that will take your family photo with the big Mickey statue they have... not sure what the cost is though

they do ahve some airline check in - not sure which ones though as we do it from our cell phone or at the park

Have a great time!!!!

 

[traviesojmt]

We are not going until June but I love all the SOG tips. About the golf cart rides, do you ask at the front desk or is it by the bus area? I am also trying to figure out on the disney map how you get from SOG to the poly since SOG is not marked on any of the disney property maps I have seen.


Thanks!

We are planning on being at SOG in June 2008 as well. Keep in mind that the walk to the Poly is not bad at all. There is a easy path to follow. We did use the Shady Shuttle twice though. Both times, we found the guy just outside the lobby where you come in. This is not the same area where you would catch the bus. I may be wrong, but I think that he only ran certain hours. Just ask at the desk when you check in, they will be happy to help you.

 

[meriann]

Thanks for all the tips! I am thinking we will probably just walk to the poly do the bus since there are 10 of us and the logistics of getting all of us over this is just

I just CAN"T WAIT!

 

[SusanMomOf2]

When you drive to the resort, you actually PASS the Poly.

If you look at the SoG map I posted (or on their web site) the front of the resort is above the pond at the bottom left of the map (above the words "Ground Floor 1"). The gray lines are the roads. The white lines are sidewalks. In front of the resort is a white line that parallels a gray line... that's the sidewalk that leads to the Poly. You will reach the edge of the resort property, cross a road (I forget its name) and continue to the other side which begins the Poly's territory. The path continues, you go under the monorail, and then you'll find yourself at or very near the front of the Poly. You get to the Monorail on the 2nd floor of the lobby. YAY FOR THIS COOL SHORTCUT!

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

MAGGIED Thanks for all the great tips!

SusanMomOf2 Thanks for the run down on the map to the poly!

The more I read the more excited I get to get there already!!!!

 

[TexasMomof2]

When you drive to the resort, you actually PASS the Poly.

If you look at the SoG map I posted (or on their web site) the front of the resort is above the pond at the bottom left of the map (above the words "Ground Floor 1"). The gray lines are the roads. The white lines are sidewalks. In front of the resort is a white line that parallels a gray line... that's the sidewalk that leads to the Poly. You will reach the edge of the resort property, cross a road (I forget its name) and continue to the other side which begins the Poly's territory. The path continues, you go under the monorail, and then you'll find yourself at or very near the front of the Poly. You get to the Monorail on the 2nd floor of the lobby. YAY FOR THIS COOL SHORTCUT!

Thanks! That helps a lot. Trying to figure out where to request room. We are renting a car so would like to be kind of close to garage. We are going in January so I'm not sure I need or want to be close to the pools -- view of golf course is great - so I guess I should request a room maybe down the halls where it says "Rooms 1101 to 5147"???
Any advice welcome.

Thanks!

 

[suevee]

Maybe we could do a mini meet for those of us going to SoG in June???? I will be there with DH, DD, DGD (13) and DGS (6). The kids could play at the pool while we check out the pool. Maybe some evening or mid-afternoon break? What do you think? Not to take to much time from family just a hi and bye to put faces with names. We will be there June 10 to June 23.

 

[suevee]

One thing if you want an early morning entrance to MK it is better to walk to the Poly and catch the monorail. The buses don't seem to get me there early enough!!! That way you can be at the gate by 7:45 am or earlier. With the buses you won't be there until after 8am in most cases.

 

[aj2hall]

Thansk for all of the info. We'll be there for our first trip in Dec. Does anyone know approximately how long it takes to reach MK by monorail, the other parks and resorts by bus or car?

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

Thansk for all of the info. We'll be there for our first trip in Dec. Does anyone know approximately how long it takes to reach MK by monorail, the other parks and resorts by bus or car?

There's only one stop between the Poly and the MK, the GF so it's like 5 minutes, if that. You can also jump on the monorail at the Poly and get off at the transportation and ticket center to get to EPCOT. The longest I've ever been on a Disney bus to get anywhere in the park was 20 minutes. It all depends on traffic and the time of day or night.

 

[SusanMomOf2]

One thing if you want an early morning entrance to MK it is better to walk to the Poly and catch the monorail. The buses don't seem to get me there early enough!!! That way you can be at the gate by 7:45 am or earlier. With the buses you won't be there until after 8am in most cases.

This is indeed true!

Who is going soon? I'll be there Monday through Saturday (10/1-10/6).

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

Is there wifi in the rooms? I'm debating on wether or not to bring my laptop. TIA