SOG, my thoughts...

[DawnCt1]

hear.

See what I mean? Each family is so different. What I think is the greatest is that you have so many choices at WDW. You can pick the resort that best works for you. I've also noticed from previous posters that even when you have loved a place for a long time, there may be a time when it or your family has changed, and it is time to move on to a different resort.

:
Denise

Our first resort of choice was always the Poly. Back in those days there were only three to choose from. We went back year after year and as other resorts got built we tried those, however the Poly is still "special" to us. As a result of that, we didn't see the "warts", and there were some. How you feel about a resort is more often based on the memories that you have made there.

 

[pixiepower1971]

I have stayed at SoG many times. I have had good and bad visits. The last one was horrible! Many reasons from that trip along with others from previous trips made my family realize that SoG is not for us. It is beautiful, it is an inexpensive option if you are not a FL resident or AP. Since I am both I can get accomadations elsewhere on site that suit my family much better.

I support any and all things that support soldiers and families. It is a wonderful bonus for sure. But many soldiers cannot utilize SoG because of their schedules. Many soldiers are not given much warning as to when they are taking their 2 weeks r&r...so getting rooms at SoG can de difficult. Even upon returning from overseas they do not always know the dates very far out and have little time off depending on the unit they are with. SoG also will not guarantee connecting rooms and suites are VERY hard to get if you don't book them a year out. If your spouse has been away for a year it would be nice to get connecting rooms at least to give one to the kids. Disney will guarantee it!


It is a shame to see people get so upset over another persons opinion. If you are eligible to stay at SoG you have some connection to the military. We are all family, regardless of branch, status, rank, etc. We all like and enjoy different things. Respect each other and support each other please. We are all going through rough times with so many deployed right now. Disney is a beautiful escape from the reality of day to day life for many families. If they like SoG -great...it is an incredible perk. If you find that you like Disney resorts go for it and enjoy you vacation.

There are many problems at SoG and management seems very uninterested in fixing the problems.

My warning- STAY AWAY from the food there...eat somewhere else.

My take from SoG is that it is a deluxe resort running on a value budget. That is my opinion. If it is helpful to you...great...if not, exercise your right as an American and ignore it. We all have the right to free speech and we all know someone that had paid the ultimate price for us.

Disagree all you want but do do respectfully-we owe that to the troops and the way of life that supports so many of us.

 

[cocowum]

I have stayed at SoG many times. I have had good and bad visits. The last one was horrible! Many reasons from that trip along with others from previous trips made my family realize that SoG is not for us. It is beautiful, it is an inexpensive option if you are not a FL resident or AP. Since I am both I can get accomadations elsewhere on site that suit my family much better.

I support any and all things that support soldiers and families. It is a wonderful bonus for sure. But many soldiers cannot utilize SoG because of their schedules. Many soldiers are not given much warning as to when they are taking their 2 weeks r&r...so getting rooms at SoG can de difficult. Even upon returning from overseas they do not always know the dates very far out and have little time off depending on the unit they are with. SoG also will not guarantee connecting rooms and suites are VERY hard to get if you don't book them a year out. If your spouse has been away for a year it would be nice to get connecting rooms at least to give one to the kids. Disney will guarantee it!


It is a shame to see people get so upset over another persons opinion. If you are eligible to stay at SoG you have some connection to the military. We are all family, regardless of branch, status, rank, etc. We all like and enjoy different things. Respect each other and support each other please. We are all going through rough times with so many deployed right now. Disney is a beautiful escape from the reality of day to day life for many families. If they like SoG -great...it is an incredible perk. If you find that you like Disney resorts go for it and enjoy you vacation.

There are many problems at SoG and management seems very uninterested in fixing the problems.

My warning- STAY AWAY from the food there...eat somewhere else.

My take from SoG is that it is a deluxe resort running on a value budget. That is my opinion. If it is helpful to you...great...if not, exercise your right as an American and ignore it. We all have the right to free speech and we all know someone that had paid the ultimate price for us.

Disagree all you want but do do respectfully-we owe that to the troops and the way of life that supports so many of us.

ITA Very well said.

 

[DawnCt1]

My take from SoG is that it is a deluxe resort running on a value budget. That is my opinion.
.

That's a good description. Of course, that is again what makes it affordable. Perception of a resort is always related to value/price. For example, you can read the reviews on Tripadvisor and the Unofficial Guide to WDW and they are overwhelmingly positive. People generally speaking are happy with the price they are paying for the product. You can read reviews on Tripadvisor on the GF and they are far more negative. Is SoG "better" than the GF? I can't imagine that it is. But there is a lot more criticism of the GF because it relates to value.

 

[BuckNaked]

Once outside the gates of the parks and off the buses, you are just in a hotel. And once in your room, unless there are tons of things inside that scream Disney, how does it make you feel you are more in that magical feel? Sorry, but I just don't get it other than being able to say I am in a Disney hotel.

And that's fine that you "don't get it". It probably doesn't matter to you, but it does to us, so for us, we do "get it".

The life guard at the pool? Doesn't matter. Even at the WDW pools it never mattered to me because parents should be watching their own children.

We watch our children too, but I'm not going to say that we never take our eyes off of them when they are in the pool. I seriously doubt that many people, unless they are walking along the edge of the pool (or in the water with the very little ones) can honestly say that they NEVER take their eyes off of their kids when they are in the pool. That's why I prefer to have the lifeguards there. The more eyes the better, IMO.

 

[DawnCt1]

And that's fine that you "don't get it". It probably doesn't matter to you, but it does to us, so for us, we do "get it".



We watch our children too, but I'm not going to say that we never take our eyes off of them when they are in the pool. I seriously doubt that many people, unless they are walking along the edge of the pool (or in the water with the very little ones) can honestly say that they NEVER take their eyes off of their kids when they are in the pool. That's why I prefer to have the lifeguards there. The more eyes the better, IMO.

I agree and based on all of my previous stays, the lifeguards are required to "maintain order". Whistle blows for all of the follow could be recorded and played frequently; "swim clear of the bottom of the slide", "get off of the rocks", etc. There aren't a lot of "attractive nuisances" in the SoG pool so less of that is required.

 

[akrake]

We have stayed at sog our last 2 trips...previously we stayed at AKL & contemp nw as sog overflow guest....the akl & contemp visits were alot more fun....yes, it was much cheaper at sog, but the bus service was terrible. we ate breakfast only at sog & that wasn't that great...but ok. The soap & shampoo were terrible so now I bring my own....the pipes were loud.....i needed a baby bed...called & faxed 4x about it....on the night we were to arrive, we were held up & got in after midnight...i called to let them know we would be late & needed a crib...they would NOT guarantee it....I had to pitch a fit at 1 am and finally at 3 am they brought me one. TERRIBLE...I could have rented one from a local service for only $35 week.
would i go again, well, yes....bc my husband is frugle....not bc it's a better resort....i have been trying to get connecting rooms for our next trip....we have 4 children under 9.....they will not guarantee it....said we could stay 1 adult & 2 kids per room............HUH? is that a vacation? I don't think so.

I think they will loose out on alots of people in the long run if they don't shape up.
amie

 

[llij]

We've stayed at SOG many times and always thought it was a good value for the price. We loved the size of the rooms. I totally forgot about the loud pipes and terrible water pressure from our last trip. We were in the new section and that was the first time we had experienced water pressure problems. I hope that they fix that problem.

I also agree that the food is terrible there. We stopped by SOG this past April for tickets and ate at Mangino's. Never again. The food was beyond terrible and the service was awful. My father complained to the manager about the lack of service. (We waited an hour for food. Not good with 4 hungry kids and one pregnant lady with bad morning sickness.)

Anyways, we do truly enjoy SOG and would stay there again in a heartbeat. I don't mind if other people don't have the same opinion as me. It is great that there are so many choices at WDW and everyone picks what is best for them.

 

[GJM]

Well I guess I have been very lucky with my stays at SOG. Anytime we have requested connecting rooms we have received them. Everyone that works there have always been so nice. I enjoy the quiet after a day in the parks, I like coming back to the pool and getting a chair and the peace. My son is happy to play in the kiddie pool. Is the food the best, no, but I have had good meals and not so good. We went to Chef Mickey's on our last visit and I didn't think the food was that great. It could be the best hotel and I still bring my own shampoo & soap, so that doesn't bother me. Also on our last trip is the first time we used the bus and we didn't have any problems.

It's true, everyone has their own opinions and thoughts. I hope everyone enjoys their vacation wherever you may stay.

 

[Tina1]

I'll be there May 15-20. I can't wait . Know matter what people say, I'm thrilled and humbled to be able to stay here. It's my first stay at SOG . I'm going to Disney and thats all that matters I don't think I'm trying the food there Tina

 

[Momof6]

I'm so jealous! I shouldn't be - we just had a very long stay, and felt truly blessed by the wonderful weather and well, everything.
Since it is your first stay there, be sure to ask for what you want upon check in. It really helped us. I knew in advance where I wanted our room (what view, what floor, etc.) and DH and I just stood at the counter restating those specifics in a very warm and friendly way until we got the room that worked best for us.
I really, truly would not count on the food there. It's a shame. What was kind of surprising is the number of people I saw heading down to the buffet restaurant each day.
Have a wonderful time!

Denise

 

[BuckNaked]

I agree and based on all of my previous stays, the lifeguards are required to "maintain order". Whistle blows for all of the follow could be recorded and played frequently; "swim clear of the bottom of the slide", "get off of the rocks", etc. There aren't a lot of "attractive nuisances" in the SoG pool so less of that is required.

Yes, less of it is required, but for our kids, the pool at SoG isn't nearly as much fun. As I said, everyone should stay in the place that fits their family the best, and not get upset with people that feel differently.

 

[Tina1]

Thanks for the advice momof6. I love these boards but they have been quite judgmental latley It's wonderful to see a postive person.Tina

 

[Sleepy]

And that's fine that you "don't get it". It probably doesn't matter to you, but it does to us, so for us, we do "get it".

I never said it doesn't matter to me. I simply asked a question that you did not answer.