SOG must be an awesome Resort

[Bob NC]

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.

You're right MJames.

I've stayed at a lot of WDW resorts. Even though I have some favorites and have reasons for liking one over the other.....I have yet to find one I DON'T like.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by MJames41
I wish SOG had been open (or I had known about it) when I was in the Marine Corps (1977-1987).

SoG was open in 1987.

Anne

 

[EpcotBill]

Originally The Golf Resort, the name changed to The Disney Inn. It didn't become Shades of Green until 1994.

 

[gtaylor]

We've stayed at both and as far as I'm concerned SOG has it over CR almost anyway you look at it. CR does have a transporation advantage, and perhaps more diversity in adequate to better food - but SOG has lots of advantages over CR not the least of which is cost which to me buys a LOT of trade-off on food and transporation.

Greg

 

[ldeveaux]

As a veteran of many stays at the SOG, my family and I feel that no other place at Disney will probably offer the same personal service and attention that we received there. Yes it is an older hotel and maybe the food in the main resturant is not the best in the park, but it does offer more in attention to the guest then any other hotel. Everyone is equal at the SOG in that regard. Rank may cost you a few more dollars for the room but the difference in cost is minimal and the rooms are the same (junior rank enlisted deserve the break). I do have a question regarding the move to CR. Will the same bus service be available. My wife and I are returning again this summer for a week the end of June.

Disney World veteran since 1976

 

[AF Brenda]

SoG was open in 1987.

It was open then as The Disney Inn. We were there in 1993 for dinner, and it was still The Disney Inn, so switching in 1994 sounds just about right.

 

[Betsyt82]

Hi,
I love Sog! It is a nice refuge from the hussle and bussle of the parks and what not. I have never been to CR but will be going in october and am looking forward to the expeirence (always wanted to stay......it is the hotel of WDW as far as I am concerned from all the pictures of WDW you always see the monorail going in.) I like SoG because of the relaxing refuge. I hope with the new renovations they renovate the MENU and the RECIPIES used in the resturant. Now that would be a major improvement to the renovations.LOL.

Bets

 

[Ballybunion3]

Call me crazy - but we really liked the Restaurant at SOG! The waiters were fantastic (James & Jimmy) - they helped make our trip - we had a huge family gathering, and they took all 24 of us, including about 13 kids from 3-15, and did a great job. The food was OK, but with a group like ours, we just wanted an uncrowded place to relax, and we got that. Plus, the buffet was 12 bucks for dinner - OK, I'm cheap......

I agree with most of the other comments on SOG - we had a wonderful time there.

 

[ellyn2000]

I booked SoG for my son (who is in the Army) for his honeymoon 6/2002. I was told he will have to pay room tax, but that he can still purchase passes and other items tax free at the room they have set up for SoG people at the CR. He's looking forward to it, but has never been to SoG. We hope to take a family vacation there in the future with him and his new bride.

 

[swatts1]

My family loves SOG. We've stayed there 9 times. Last week I stayed at the Contemporary using the SOG rate that we pay (based on rank). I had to pay tax. It was fun being closer to the MK and the monorail, but I didn't like the rooms NEARLY as much. I've stayed at the CR twice in the past and noticed that the rooms had been kept up nicely, but I don't really like the decor. Getting a room at the CR for $95 was awesome though. I love the renderings of the redo for SOG and hope they'll improve their dining. SOG is a great benefit to military families.

 

[lookingforward]

We just stayed at the Contemporary and it was nice BUT we LOVE the Shades of Green. The way it is removed from everything but right in the middle at the same time is awesome. I love the large rooms and the decor much more than the CR. And after 20 plus years in the USMC (my husband..not me!) it is so nice to be around other members of the armed forces. And each and every time we have stayed there we have run into at least one person who we knew from one base or another! We even met a women who was across the hall from me at the Naval Hospital in Okinawa when we were having babies!

 

[4kidsandadog]

We stayed at SOG on our last trip. The best part of the resort is room size, especially if you have a fairly large family (we have 4 kids). The downside is that the rules for room occupancy at SOG are different than Disney's. SOG will not allow all of us in one room any longer..... baby counts as full person once they hit 12 months. We are going this fall and staying Poly concierge and can all have one room (funny, since the room isn't as big as SOG's). The kids will be 10, 6, 3, and 2. If we really wanted to stay at SOG, we'd have to pay for 2 rooms, which would already put us up to some good rates for a regular deluxe room at a monorail resort (we have passes). So for us, who really missed the Disney magic while we were at SOG, it makes sense to go ahead and stay at a deluxe, especially a monorail resort.

Karen

 

[tinkerbelle2001]

Dear Christi 2002- I just wanted to add a bit to your info on SOG.
Although SOG was nice, I have to say that I missed the Disney touch when I stayed there. Yes, the rooms are a bit larger, and there is no tax, so you can save some money. But, you give up the cool swimming areas, the perks like the paddle boat rentals, and surreys at WDW owned hotels. Then of course, there are the WDW themed soaps, cups, napkins, ice cream cones, etc. This may sound silly, but my family only goes to WDW every few years and we live for the Disney magic. As nice as SOG is, there is no magic there. Also, don't forget that the bus service is a bit more frustrating from SOG. You have to take their bus to the TTC and catch a ride on WDW transportation there. This can add time and confusion to your travel. If you stay there, just make sure you get a handle on the bus schedule first thing or you will spend your whole trip waiting for a bus. Overall, SOG is a great resort. It was quiet and peaceful out on the golf course. The restaurants were fair, and we enjoyed the pina colada's from the bar late at night. I guess if your looking for a bit of a resort vacation to give you the chance to relax away from Disney while your at WDW, then SOG is the place for you. But, if your like me and you want all the magic you can find in Orlando, then I would stay at a Disney owned resort. Good luck and have fun!!

 

[gtaylor]

Originally posted by tinkerbelle2001
money. But, you give up the cool swimming areas, the perks like the paddle boat rentals, and surreys at WDW owned hotels.
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When we were there we were able to rent the little speed boats at Poly using our SOG key as deposit.
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Also, don't forget that the bus service is a bit more frustrating from SOG. You have to take their bus to the TTC and catch a ride on WDW transportation there. This can add time and confusion to your travel.
xxxxxxxxxxx
My experience was far less frustration with their bus system as it ran like a swiss train and was far more comfortable then Disney buses, none of this wondering when and if a bus would come. True, it can add a leg to hook up to the TTC but the Poly or even TTC is easily walkable.....

Greg

 

[ldeveaux]

Everyone has different taste when it comes to recreation and hotels. The SOG is special to military and DOD. Yes the big resturant food was lousy but then if you have ever ate MRE's
(meals ready to eat) you might think the food was great. One of the biggest difference's I feel that makes the resort so great is the quite atmosphere. Also, everyone is treated as an equal. You don't have to be paying for an overpriced room to get great service. I love Disney but have never been able to relax at the other resort hotels like we do at the SOG. We are staying at the CR for the first time starting June 23 and will be there for 7 days. This will be our first time to stay there and look forward to experiencing the difference.

Active Military
Disney veteran since 72

 

[Dis-knee]

If you stay there, just make sure you get a handle on the bus schedule first thing or you will spend your whole trip waiting for a bus.

We have never had any trouble with the bus service. The longest we have ever waited at SOG for a bus is about 5 min. They run on schedule and are very reliable. Comfortable and clean. With all the new renovations that they are in the process of, SOG will be a premier DELUXE resort. I can't wait to make reservations for Nov-Dec 2003. I just hope that they are on schedule with the renovations!! We love the large rooms. Hope the additional rooms are the same size!

 

[bags6490]

SueEllen,
We stayed there shortly after SOG opened and were not impressed either. We went back a couple of years later because of the price and the place was VERY different. Everything had been renovated and the Sports bar was open (which is great). I still agree that the main resturant is not very good. I hope that is one of the things they improve with the renovations. SOG is now our favorite resort.