SOG - just returned - any questions?

[Momof6]

We love SOG - but we a little worried that our extended family would feel the same way. We had 5 rooms - and everyone loved their stay! The rooms were as usua - very clean. We got the view we wanted, the cribs in the right rooms, etc. We had people age 11 months old to 70 years old - and we just had the best stay.

We've stayed at the Contemporary, POR, POFQ, ASM...and off site. By far, SOG has been the best value for our family.

We hop over to other resorts to enjoy their restaurants, gift shops and just explore. We visit at least once a year for two weeks,and always rent a car, so it makes for a nice diversion.


denise

 

[Disney Davo]

Yes Shades of Green is a great savings. We always love our stays there due to the large rooms; way more comfortable than any Disney Resort. We love the Disney resorts too, but Shades of Green is very peaceful resort. Love it and its the best deal on property.

 

[rbzombie]

We will be arriving 7/13.....there are 11 of us.......just a few questions thanx:

1. How far of a walk to the Poly?
2. Are there golf carts to take you to the Poly....if so....how many are available?
3. Is it easier to take the monorail to the parks rather than wait for the bus? I heard the bus service at SOG aint to good.
4. What is the exercise room like? Free weights? Weight machines? Exercise ball?
5. Do they have a large variety of fruit? Bannans....oranges.....apples.....melons?
6. Do they have quick breakfast food? Cereal? Bagels? We really dont want to eat at the breakfast buffet all week.
7. How much $$$ are the taxis? Say to AK....Fort Wilderness?

ok....so that was more than a few....but your help would be much appreciated....thanx

 

[salleys]

Is the small exchange store there much cheaper for things like souveniers?
How was the food?
TIA,
Salley

 

[twinboysmommy]

We got the view we wanted

Denise,
We're planning on trying SOG in the future. I was wondering what view you requested and why?

Thanks!
Kristie

 

[Momof6]

We will be arriving 7/13.....there are 11 of us.......just a few questions thanx:

1. How far of a walk to the Poly?
2. Are there golf carts to take you to the Poly....if so....how many are available?
3. Is it easier to take the monorail to the parks rather than wait for the bus? I heard the bus service at SOG aint to good.
4. What is the exercise room like? Free weights? Weight machines? Exercise ball?
5. Do they have a large variety of fruit? Bannans....oranges.....apples.....melons?
6. Do they have quick breakfast food? Cereal? Bagels? We really dont want to eat at the breakfast buffet all week.
7. How much $$$ are the taxis? Say to AK....Fort Wilderness?

Hi rbzombie...

1. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to the Poly, up the stairs and onto the monorail.

2. There is a shuttle (only one I believe) to the Poly, but we have always just walked.

3. We always rent a car - we take the monorail to MK, and drive to the others. We have used the bus in the past, but we don't like having to follow another schedule when we are there - we like the convenience of our own vehicle.

4. there are a couple treadmills, bikes and excercise machines. Don't remember there being an excercise ball.

5. Some fruit - both at the counter service and the breakfast buffet.

6. Yes, there is a counter service/quick breakfast available until 11am each day. They have a couple different breakfast sandwiches (croissant/bagel...egg/bacon/cheese/sausage varieties.) They are pretty good. We don't like to do the buffet too often - we usually bring some muffins to the room (stop at Publix on the way in).

7. We have never used a taxi - because of renting a car.

Hope this helps! Have a magical trip!

denise

 

[fairestoneofall]

I just wanted to say that the bus service at SOG is always on time. And, the bus to TTC runs every 15 minutes. Now, the buses to DStudios and AK are not as frequent.

The bus ride to TTC takes about five minutes. Always on time!

The souveniers sold in the exchange store are not the same as you would get anywhere else at WDW. It is not WDW-specific merchandise (although there is some Disney stuff, just not WDW stuff).

We had room service and carry out service from Evergreens and thought it was great. We also picked up breakfast a few mornings downstairs in the little counter near the bus stop (very limited offerings though).

 

[Momof6]

There is a small store located in the resort, near the ticket counter and a coffee stand. They sell magazines, souveniers, cold beverages, laundry supplies, candy, snacks, over the counter meds, and other personal hygiene supplies. They do sell alcoholic beverages as well. Their prices aren't super cheap (like some of the real cheap discount souvenier places on I-Drive) but they are reasonable and are tax free.
There is also another small shop/area which sells more Shades of Green themed items - things with their logo, etc. as well as some other souveniers.

We have never been impressed with the food at this resort. There is a small ice cream place, near the ticket sales counter. There is an Italian restaurant - but we are Italian and just don't like to eat Italian out (nothing ever comes close to my mom's Italian cooking! ) There is also a small quick service counter spot - sandwiches, snacks. There is a restaurant out by the pool, Evergreens, which serves burgers and nachos and such. The food/prices were ok, but we didn't like the service there. They do make pizza deliveries til late. The other restaurant is a themed buffet meal - I think just breakfast and dinner are served there. Breakfast is like $8 a person, and I think dinner is like $14? It was typical buffet food.

Hope this helps!

denise

 

[plutospup]

Did you have any "sit down" meals at SOG? Any thoughts on the restaurants there?

Less than 4 days until our SOG arrival!

 

[Momof6]

We like to look out over the garden area - where there is a pond/landscaping/gazebo...it is much more peaceful than the pool view. We like the 3rd-5th floors -
keep in mind the laundry/vending is on the 3rd floor in the new section. We like being closer to the parking garage, as we rent a car, and use our car while there. We like having a balcony rather than a patio - because we like the extra privacy.
It really is just a matter of personal preference. The pool is nice to look at - we just enjoy our evenings on the balcony and our quiet time mid day for the occasional nap.


denise

 

[Momof6]

You are going to have a GREAT time! We actually didn't do sit down meals at the resort. My extended family did the buffet for breakfast a few times - and we did the quick/counter serve counter two mornings - but we mostly ate our meals in the parks or DTD.
Anyone else who can help on this one?

denise

 

[stm61]

the only restaurants I remember, from 2005, are the buffet, Evergreen's out by the pool, and Mangino's, which is Italian. We found the buffet to be hit or miss, sometimes it was good, other times it wasn't. We weren't impressed with breakfast (not enough choices and no fresh eggs, just scrambled) and the seafood night (I'm allergic and there were very few things I could eat, we were on their meal plan and had to eat there). We didn't try Mangino's because it was a bit fancier and my kids just weren't going to sit still for fancy Italian.

 

[suevee]

mangino's is good but not cheap. the breakfast buffet was 7.99 per person. If you like fresh Belgian waffles, fruit, oj, and milk I think it is a good deal. It also has bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, potatoes, cereal, and some so-so pastries. Again for the price not bad. Comparable to a Golden Corral. We do enjoy the waffles though. Evergreens is an okay sandwich shop. The service is hit or miss. We did not care for the buffets. Hope this helps.

 

[plutospup]

Thanks everyone for the SOG restaurant info! I'm sure we won't go hungry.

Best of all...two days from now we'll be watching the MK fireworks! SOG here we come!

 

[bigAWL]

I've read some old threads here about SOG, and was wondering about changes if there have been any. Anyone know...?

1) Some complained about loud pipes and low water pressure in the new section. Is it better to ask for the old section? Does it matter what you ask for?

2) Many complained about the quality of the food and wait-staff. Not a big deal to me since there are lots of other choices, but would be glad to hear if things are better.

3) If you took the buses to TTC or to other parks, where was the drop off? I've heard they can be out in the middle of hot, sunny parking lots. How much of a walk from there to the destination? I'm particularly interested in TTC and AK.

4) Also, what's your biggest pet peave about the SOG?

 

[suevee]

1) Some complained about loud pipes and low water pressure in the new section. Is it better to ask for the old section? Does it matter what you ask for?
I have never had this problem. But I stay mostly in the old section.

2) Many complained about the quality of the food and wait-staff. Not a big deal to me since there are lots of other choices, but would be glad to hear if things are better.

In March 07 it had not improved significantly.

3) If you took the buses to TTC or to other parks, where was the drop off? I've heard they can be out in the middle of hot, sunny parking lots. How much of a walk from there to the destination? I'm particularly interested in TTC and AK.

SoG has a designated spot at TTC that is great. It is easy entrance to the park area. Also the buses arrive every 15 minutes like clockwork. We drive to the other parks so I am not sure about bus pickup there.

4) Also, what's your biggest pet peave about the SOG?

The housekeeping. Sometimes they get to our room so late! I have learned to call and request early clean up. But sometimes they arre still pokey.

 

[mattiew]

How were the cribs at SOG? Were they in good condition and safe? I was thinking of bringing our pack n play because I hate using "unknown" cribs but if others have been happy I will reconsider.

Thanks!

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

Is there a refrigerator in the room? Cold enough to keep milk cold?

Also, is there refrigeration in the baggage bel-hop area?

 

[mog]

Is there a refrigerator in the room? Cold enough to keep milk cold?

Also, is there refrigeration in the baggage bel-hop area?

I don't know about the bell-hop area, but there is a little "dorm room" type refrigerator in the room. We kept milk in there and it was fine.

 

[Momof6]

The cribs we got were like port-a-crib size. They are metal - not wood. They were very clean. We did use our own sheets on top of theirs, though.
We asked upon check-in to make sure that they were in the rooms they were supposed to be in, and we had no problems. They are free (nice perk - since we have paid before just like having a cot).

Hope this helps,

denise