SOG must be an awesome Resort

[Christi 2002]

Ok, I am not trying to be cute or funny here I am very serious and curious. I have read quite a few threads about people who normally stay at SOG and are very dissappointed in getting the CR even at a rate cheaper than I will ever pay. And then when they come back most that I have read have had complaints about the CR. So my question is how much nicer is the SOG? or Is the CR not a very good "deluxe" resort?
Thanks
Christi

 

[tampafan]

I don't know about SOG, but The Contemporary is a GREAT resort! We love staying there.

 

[sha_lyn]

SoG is an awsome resort. The decor is much more along my taste. I the the CR is ugly inside and out. SoG rooms have balconies. CR wing rooms do not. SoG has a Mickey shaped pool. SoG is also a lot smaller.

 

[DawnCt]

I prefer SoG. I love the location, the grounds, the room size (they have the biggest rooms on property) and I love not paying TAX! Now that CR is being used, are the rooms taxed?

 

[EpcotBill]

I've stayed at both. I prefer the Contemporary. The restaurant at SOG is just awful. We did like the sports bar though. The rooms are about the same size at both resorts. SOG can't beat CR's room views. Transportation at CR is much better. You have boats, busses, the monorail, and you can walk to MK. Also, when I stayed at SOG I didn't really feel like I was at Walt Disney World. It just didn't have the 'magic'.
That's just my opinion, YMMV.

 

[Bob NC]

So my question is how much nicer is the SOG? or Is the CR not a very good "deluxe" resort?

It's just that everyone has different tastes. I think the SOG has the best standard rooms on the property. They are large, with big bathrooms and a sleeper sofa in each room.

SOG is quiet, and it IS a deluxe resort. IMO, the food at SOG's main restaurant is truly awful!! The Evergreen's sports bar however, is a great deal for food and drink.

I liked CR, but except for the location and transportation I really found nothing outstanding about it. Sure, it's a nice hotel with some decent restaurants, but I'd NEVER pay rack rate, (or even an average discount rate), to stay there.

LOL.....But I'm the guy who prefers CSR over the Polynesian....

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by Bob NC




SOG is quiet, and it IS a deluxe resort. IMO, the food at SOG's main restaurant is truly awful!! The Evergreen's sports bar however, is a great deal for food and drink.
..

SoG's main restaurant is AWFUL except for the prime rib buffet which isn't "bad". I agree with you about Evergreen's however. Then on the other hand, part of the fun of going to WDW is eating at different restaurants and the Poly is a quick walk from SoG.

 

[jjgarv]

Pardon my ignorance but which resort is SOG?

 

[DawnCt]

SoG is Shades of Green, which is an Armed Forces Recreational Resort. There is one in Germany and one on Oahu. (Hale Koa). It is for the exclusive use of military personnel, reservists and DOD employees and their guests. The rates are markedly reduced and based on rank. The rooms, merchandise, tickets and meals are not subject to state and local taxes, which make it even a bigger bargain. We have also stayed at the Hale Koa and it is wonderful, located on the best and widest part of Waikiki Beach at a rate that is far lower than any of its neighbors. The food is far superior at the Hale Koa as compared to SoG.

 

[TNMickeyFan]

The Shades of Green Resort is for military personnel and their families.

The Shades of Green was formerly the Disney Inn, hence the "Mickey-Head" pool. It really is a nice resort and the people there are WONDERFUL. They are not (I believe) Disney employees, but they are still excellent. Being at the resort with other military families is just a special thing. We have a bond that cannot be explained. There are so many different people at the Contemporary that you are surrounded by military.

Anyway, I believe that both the SoG and the Cont. are wonderful places. I would just be glad to be at Disney.

AND - BTW, tax is being applied to ressies transferred from the SoG to the Cont.

Tn-Mickey-Fan

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by TNMickeyFan

AND - BTW, tax is being applied to ressies transferred from the SoG to the Cont.

Tn-Mickey-Fan

Thanks, I thought that might be the case. The overflow rooms from SoG prior to the renovations were always taxed.

 

[suevee]

I prefer Sog over CR for a number of reasons-

- The resort itself is smaller so the pools are not as crowded. Sometimes at SoG you can be the only people at the pool or the hot tub.
- The prices and quality of food at the Sports Bar are great. And the arcade is not so shabby either. Then add a great enclosed porch overlooking the pool.....
- The rooms are HUGE for a standard room.
- The people are GREAT and the concierge services are for everyone.
- I love the Country Inn atmosphere. I like to be able to relax after a hectic day, and frankly sometimes I need a break from the Disney Magic. BUT I like to know it is still located right around the bend.
- Even though SoG's restaurant is not very good, it is a very short walk to the Poly and some wonderful Kona coffee. About the same distance as from Bay view rooms in the NW to the monorail, maybe a bit longer but not much.

The CR offers ease of transportation (though SoG buses are great) with the monorail and great access to the boats.

But maybe preferring SoG is a mind set as much as anything else. In a military rec everyone has had similiar experiences and everyone is so friendly, not just the employees. TN Mickey's Fan puts it best

"The Shades of Green was formerly the Disney Inn, hence the "Mickey-Head" pool. It really is a nice resort and the people there are WONDERFUL. They are not (I believe) Disney employees, but they are still excellent. Being at the resort with other military families is just a special thing. We have a bond that cannot be explained."

It is very relaxing to be surrounded by family in a great place like WDW.

 

[Sleepy]

I agree about what others have said.

I love the fact that it is centrally located. The hotel is small (well, for now...lol). The people who work there are fabulous!!!!!!! I have never had a complaint. I never tried the main restaurant except for breakfast buffet. The breakfast buffet was a good deal, but you only want to eat a huge breakfast like that about every few days. There was no menu to choose from if you only wanted fruit or whatever. The sports bar was wonderful. I loved the onion rings!!!! The pizza however I tried a few times over several years and never did like it although I heard others say they liked it. The price of the rooms...can't beat them anywhere for what you get. I loved the small AAFES shop. No matter what ailed you...they had something in there to cure it. The balconies to each room was great. Every room was non-smoking and I liked that feature.

Of everything they offered at SOG, I have to say one of the best features was.........their own buses!!!!!!!! What would you rather have at the end of a hard day at the parks???? an overcrowded plastic seated Disney bus or a cushioned lean back seat very similar to riding on a Greyhound bus? I prefer the SOG buses. I just hope they stick with them when they reopen. And, I hope the resort doubling in size does not take away all these wonderful qualities so many of us love about SOG. Too bad we are scheduled for our next vacation one month before they open back up for business. My 10 year old son was very disappointed. Even he would rather stay at SOG than at the Contemporary. Imagine that!!!!

 

[iloverags2]

Have any of you seen these artist rendering pics of SoG? Looks like it's going to be even more awesome.

http://www.armymwr.com/shades/coming.html

 

[SueEllen]

We stayed at SoG shortly after they opened. The restaurant definitely left a lot to be desired. The sports bar wasn't open yet. The rooms were nice, but I'd take CR anyday over SoG.
Sue Ellen

 

[eeyore0062]

I think it all comes down to personal taste. We LOVE the Contemporary for its energy... however, many people in the military have enough excitement and energy, and look forward to spending their vacations chilling out... and SoG has that type of atmosphere. I know that when my DB (who is an army officer) and his wife go to Disney, they are more interested in a laid back experience, where they can lie by the pool and relax. They don't want or need the energy or excitement.

SoG has very large rooms, possibly even larger than the Contemporary, and they have balconies, which North Wing rooms at the Contemporary don't have. Also, since it is run by the military, it is possible that there are other differences in how things are run, as well.

Convenience-wise, the Contemporary is more convenient, and the North wing is very nice.

Yes, when military stay at the Contemporary instead of SoG, they must pay taxes, as the Contemporary, although substituting for SoG, is not owned by the military and must charge taxes for all of their guests. But, yes, even with the 11% tax, the charges for staying there, if you normally would be staying at SoG,are far lower than anything anyone else would ever pay.

The Contemporary has the benefit of being on Bay Lake, which means that you may have the option of a Bay view... very beautiful!!! Also, to get to the MK, you need only walk. There are more dining options at the Contemporary.

SoG is on a golf course, and if you are into golf, that could be a nice feature. You can walk from SoG to the Poly and take the monorail from there to help with transportation.

As I mentioned before, it is a matter of personal taste. My parents loved SoG when it was the Disney Inn, but my taste goes more to the Contemporary, (Mickey's resort, as I like to call it)..so different strokes for different folks!

 

[ducklite]

SoG has a special charm all unto itself.

There is very little "transience", almost everyone there is actually a guest there.

It's very, very quiet.

The decor is "early American/country", prety much the total opposite of the Contemporary.

The rooms are larger than at the CR. SoG has the biggest rooms on property.

The small size of the resort makes it particularly homey and intimate.

Perhaps more than anything, there is a comraderie amongst the guests staying there. They are all related by a common thread, having in one way or another been involved with the protection of the USA.

Anne

 

[eeyore0062]

Does anyone know how large SoG will be once the expansion and renovation is complete. I wonder if it will change the whole homey, small feel of the resort?

 

[Bob NC]

SOG is doubling in size to approx 600 rooms.

 

[MJames41]

I wish SOG had been open (or I had known about it) when I was in the Marine Corps (1977-1987). It is a wonderful and much needed perk. When I was on Sergeant's pay and got married, I didn't think we could afford to stay on site. Especially with today's prices, it would be a difficult expense for most of the resorts even for a senior NCO.

Still, the Contemporary, in my opinion, is also a great resort. I think it just depends on people's taste. There is no doubt that the Contemporary and SOG are different, but then they are also different from every other resort on property.

Although the rooms are larger at SOG, they are only larger by 36 square feet (there is more difference between the room size of a moderate and a value).