SOG - just returned - any questions?

[Momof6]

In regard to the question about my biggest pet peave it would have to be the quality of the food on property. As others have said before, the quality of the food is really hit or miss. The breakfast buffet is ok - especially for the price. The dinner buffet, we thought, was not impressive. Things didn't feel especially clean during the dinner service, either.

We never ate at Mangino's. I don't know anyone personally who has.

Evergreens, in our opinion, was a few steps down from Fridays or Applebees. The service was horrible both times we were there. The food was nothing great. Prices were certainly reasonable. It probably really depends on who is working that day.

The quick stop counter is ok for a breakfast sandwich and coffee.

I guess, having stayed at value, moderate and deluxe Disney-owned resorts I feel like the food is more on par with a value resort - but the rooms are more on par with a deluxe. It would be so nice if they could step it up a notch and have a decent counter service place. I think a lot of families there would like that -

Hope that helps!

denise

 

[bigAWL]

Hope that helps!

denise

Very much so. Thanks to those who've shared their thoughts on SOG. I can't wait to try it out myself.

 

[angelmav]

Hey momof6 we just got back from SOG too and I have to echo your sentiments on the food. Its really too bad they havent addressed because the resort is so nice. I really wish we had at the very least gone off site for those meals instead. Next time we are definitely going to give Mangino's a try though.

 

[plutospup]

We had a very enjoyable week at SOG! The rooms are very nice, and large! The four of us had plenty of room. The fold out sofa on the other side of the room dividers gave DMIL her own space. Unfortunately, her snoring was not contained to that area, but that's beside the point. Housekeeping kept our room clean. Overall, all SOG employees were very polite. The pools were nice, however, two evenings around midnight there were people in the "quiet pool" screaming MARCO POLO!!! The parking garage was convienent to all areas of the hotel. The BIG Mickey in the lobby was great for photos! Also, I enjoyed looking at the pictures/collages throughout the hotel featuring old Orlando/Central Florida. DW enjoyed watching the MK fireworks from our poolside room (quiet pool). Bus service was good, although I didn't like having to take a bus to the TTC, and then the monorail to the MK. (Walking to Poly to catch the monorail took about the same amount of time, possibly more).

...and now...dining at SOG...

First of all, I consider ice cream a primary food group. SOG ice cream parlor is one of the best, and least expensive on Disney property. No fancy dishes, but the ice cream/sundaes were delicous. $2.90 for a double scoop hot fudge sundae with whipped cream. Oh, did I mention this was homemade ice cream. Definitely, check this place out!

Garden Galley Buffet...some nights were better than others. Selections were good. Compared to other Disney resort buffets, this was much less expensive (about $16). It was more convienent than going off property. If you want to save time, and aren't too demanding this is a good choice. One night I thought the buffet was excellent, another night it was just so-so.

Evergreens...we went there for lunch. Pizza, and sandwiches were ok. Service was poor.

Mangino's...didn't try this place.

Overall thoughts on SOG...This is a very nice resort. For the price it can't be beat. It may not have all of the theming of a Poly/AK/WL, but for $150 -200 less, SOG is a nicely decorated resort that gets my recommendation.

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

Do you have any pictures??

 

[ntsammy5]

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

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?

Can't answer the other questions, but the TTC dropoff is reight near the entrance to the monorail and AK is as close as any other bus can get.

No pet peeves----

Enjoy

 

[stitchrulz]

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.

I seem to recall that the SOG bus stops are in covered areas like the Disney buses. The stops for the totally off-site shuttle buses were in the middle of hot, sunny parking lots. We only actually rode the SOG buses a couple of times. Instead, we hoofed it over to the Poly and used Disney transportation. We reversed the process for the return trip.

We always drive our own car to Downtown Disney because ALL the buses are kind of slow to/from there.

 

[plutospup]

1. Ice Cream Parlor is only open from 1600 - 2200. Should be open earlier, and later.

2. Double transportation to MK. Bus to Monorail/Boat to MK. Should have direct bus to MK.

Otherwise we were very pleased with SOG!

 

[bigAWL]

DW enjoyed watching the MK fireworks from our poolside room (quiet pool).

I had no idea you could see the fireworks from there. I figured there were plenty of trees in between. Was your room up pretty high?

 

[plutospup]

Room 105...pool deck level...quiet pool. DW said the MK fireworks were very nice!

 

[suevee]

If you want to get to MK early for EEM then it is better to hoof it to Poly than the take a SoG bus.

 

[fterie4u]

If you want to get to MK early for EEM then it is better to hoof it to Poly than the take a SoG bus.

Did you have better luck getting there this way?

We have stayed at SOG the last 3 years in a row, this will be our 4th! This is the first time for our DD and we want to make it for the Little Ones EMH. I don't remember what time the first bus leaves.

Oh and we LOVE SOG! The rooms are huge!

 

[Maine-iac]

I seem to recall that the SOG bus stops are in covered areas like the Disney buses. The stops for the totally off-site shuttle buses were in the middle of hot, sunny parking lots. We only actually rode the SOG buses a couple of times. Instead, we hoofed it over to the Poly and used Disney transportation. We reversed the process for the return trip.

We always drive our own car to Downtown Disney because ALL the buses are kind of slow to/from there.

I remember the bus stop at MGM is not covered. You have to walk out along the side of the parking lot, past where you catch the boats. I am not sure but I think AK bus stop is the same. These buses are on a schedule so if you are at the bus stop about 5-10 minutes before the scheduled time sometimes the bus is already there and you can get right on. Walking to these bus stops can be a pain if it is raining though. No cover.

 

[Maine-iac]

Do you have any pictures??

I have some. Our room was in the new section.

Outside of our room.

Mill Pond (Mickey Head shaped) Pool

Lobby area

View from driveway

 

[DancingBear]

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.

We were happy with the crib during our visit in February '07.

 

[fterie4u]

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!

We have not used the cribs yet, this will be our DD (18 months) first trip! However I do know that they have the metal cribs and also the pack n plays. They are actually starting to faze out the metal cribs and are going to have all pack n plays. We are going to use the pack n play and just bring our ownsheets, blankets, etc.

 

[DancingBear]

Regarding several of the inquiries/comments above:

We've stayed in the old section (pre- and post-renovation) and in the new and have no particular issues with the new. The old rooms are a bit larger, but the new rooms are still larger than any other deluxe on-property resort other than the CR or the Poly.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I remember correctly the second floor of the new section is where the ramp connects to the lobby. As mentioned, the laundry is in the third floor of the new section. There are snack and beverage vending machines in the laundry room, and a tv.

To go to MK, we almost always just walk to the Poly and catch the monorail, or the boat across Seven Seas Lagoon (which is shared with the GF). For Epcot we'd take the bus to the TTC and then the monorail (although you can also walk through the Poly to get to the Epcot monorail). At the TTC, there are benches under cover to wait for the SoG bus. The AK bus lets out in the parking lot a fair piece from the entrance, but the Disney buses aren't very close at AK either. There is no covered place to wait there, or at MGM. The bus service is very reliable. Coming back from wherever, we often took the Poly bus and walked back. There is a golf cart that can seat about 7 that runs back and forth from the SoG to the end of the path, across the street from the Poly, but it hasn't always been running when we've been there. We ride it if it's there but don't plan around it.

 

[Maine-iac]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I remember correctly the second floor of the new section is where the ramp connects to the lobby.

I was thinking the ramp from the new section to the lobby was on the first floor. So I pulled out my resort map from my last trip to make sure.
It is on the first floor right by the elevators. I think this is the only way to the lobby from the new section. Someone correct me if I am wrong.