SOG or CSR?

[wdw4rfam]

We are DVC and out of points. We just recently learned that’s as a veteran, my husband can book September at SOG so we booked 9 nights this September. I just noticed that CSR is almost the same price. Anyone that stayed at both can you weigh in on which you would chose? Room size doesn’t matter to us, but buses do. How are buses at SOG compared to CSR buses? We are more quick service people, so restaurant choice doesn’t matter either. I have done a lot of research and can’t decide which to go with. We have stayed at CSR, and liked it. Last year we stayed theme park view at poly, and at the all stars- so don’t really care about level of resorts. So has anyone done both give me some opinions on which you would do if the price were the same?

 

[karen4546]

We are DVC and out of points. We just recently learned that’s as a veteran, my husband can book September at SOG so we booked 9 nights this September. I just noticed that CSR is almost the same price. Anyone that stayed at both can you weigh in on which you would chose? Room size doesn’t matter to us, but buses do. How are buses at SOG compared to CSR buses? We are more quick service people, so restaurant choice doesn’t matter either. I have done a lot of research and can’t decide which to go with. We have stayed at CSR, and liked it. Last year we stayed theme park view at poly, and at the all stars- so don’t really care about level of resorts. So has anyone done both give me some opinions on which you would do if the price were the same?

my opinion. CSR is a beautiful resort with good food offerings. Now, I have not stayed at SOG but i have looked at many photos and though about it since i have 2 son in laws who are veterans. DH was only in the USMC Reserves and was never active duty. I would not choose SOG over CSR. I would choose SOG over CBR. Either way. it is 9 nights in WDW!!!- have fun!!!

 

[VAfamily1998]

I have stayed at both, but several years ago. I last stayed at SOG in November 2015, and stayed at CSR in June of 2015.

Are you planning to fly in or will you be driving? If I was bringing my own car, I think that would be a check in SOG's favor (cheaper parking fee) If you are flying, CSR has the advantage as you can take Magical Express.

SOG always feels very calm to me, compared to other Disney resorts. When we stayed in November 2015, we had a lunch ADR at Whispering Canyon Cafe at WL, and I just remember how chaotic the lobby felt (even away from the restaurant.) I feel the same way when I enter other MK area resorts like Poly and GF.

What about a split stay? You'd have to arrange some of your own luggage transportation, but you'd get to experience both.

 

[nkereina]

I've not stayed at SOG, but I believe to get to MK, the bus takes you to TTC and then you have to take the monorail to MK or Epcot from there. Also, since SOG isn't Disney owned, I believe you do not get Magical Express, option for dining plan, or the privilege to send purchases back to your resort.

CSR is one of my favorite resorts, but I'm hesitant to recommend it for a September stay. The new tower and restaurant will be opening this summer. So the good news is that construction will be finished by September, but that bad news is that they will not have had a lot of time to work out any kinks, and there will be only a handful of reviews to check out before you go to see how things are. I'm personally concerned about crowding at the pools, as the new tower doesn't have a pool. I also think the resort could be busy with people wanting to stay at and check out the new tower and restaurants.

 

[nolawave]

I am having this exact same debate with myself. I have both booked right now for basically same exact price for my upcoming trip and am having trouble deciding. On one hand, it would be nice to walk to the monorail for MK, but I like being able to drive myself to the other parks and with SOG, I'd have to pay the parking fee at the parks. SOG rooms are much bigger, but I'm afraid I will miss the disney feel. Interested to keep reading other's thoughts.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I am having this exact same debate with myself. I have both booked right now for basically same exact price for my upcoming trip and am having trouble deciding. On one hand, it would be nice to walk to the monorail for MK, but I like being able to drive myself to the other parks and with SOG, I'd have to pay the parking fee at the parks. SOG rooms are much bigger, but I'm afraid I will miss the disney feel. Interested to keep reading other's thoughts.

I have both booked too. I have an annual pass so I don’t have to pay at the parks, but the $10 per night difference in parking definitely weighs. I am nervous about the overcrowding at CSR with the tower like the above poster said. I am mainly worried about missing the Disney feel too. But being right across from the POLY, walking across the street and grabbing a Kona coffee before jumping in the monorail sounds like it might fix thatI’m so torn. I was hoping someone would really give a strong opinion either way and make my mind up.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I've not stayed at SOG, but I believe to get to MK, the bus takes you to TTC and then you have to take the monorail to MK or Epcot from there. Also, since SOG isn't Disney owned, I believe you do not get Magical Express, option for dining plan, or the privilege to send purchases back to your resort.

CSR is one of my favorite resorts, but I'm hesitant to recommend it for a September stay. The new tower and restaurant will be opening this summer. So the good news is that construction will be finished by September, but that bad news is that they will not have had a lot of time to work out any kinks, and there will be only a handful of reviews to check out before you go to see how things are. I'm personally concerned about crowding at the pools, as the new tower doesn't have a pool. I also think the resort could be busy with people wanting to stay at and check out the new tower and restaurants.

This is EXACTLY what I’m worried about. I’ve stayed at CSR before and it was nice. But throw a whole tower of additional rooms and I’m worried that the pool, food court and buses will be overcrowded.

 

[glocon]

How many more rooms are there in the tower than were in the building it replaced?
We are staying there this summer for the first time. What Pool did the building that used to be there use?
How far is the closest Pool?

 

[dansdad]

How many more rooms are there in the tower than were in the building it replaced?

About 400.

We are staying there this summer for the first time. What Pool did the building that used to be there use?

Either the Ranchos leisure pool or the Dig Site pool.

How far is the closest Pool?

There are multiple leisure pools and then the Dig Site Pool so you'll never be far from one.

 

[glocon]

I love the DIS! You can always count on getting the info you need-
Thanks!

 

[lala5176]

We are DVC and out of points. We just recently learned that’s as a veteran, my husband can book September at SOG so we booked 9 nights this September. I just noticed that CSR is almost the same price. Anyone that stayed at both can you weigh in on which you would chose? Room size doesn’t matter to us, but buses do. How are buses at SOG compared to CSR buses? We are more quick service people, so restaurant choice doesn’t matter either. I have done a lot of research and can’t decide which to go with. We have stayed at CSR, and liked it. Last year we stayed theme park view at poly, and at the all stars- so don’t really care about level of resorts. So has anyone done both give me some opinions on which you would do if the price were the same?

We have been to both and were just at SOG this October. They have done a lot of renovations and the pool is great now. A lot better than when we went many years ago.
The rooms are much bigger at dog and buses run great. Never crowded and always on schedule!
CSR is a very nice resort but I would stay at SOG. It is so close to Polynesian and unless you plan on spending a ton of time at the resort you won’t miss out on the Disney feeling. There’s plenty at the parks!
However, if you are staying for a long trip then I would do a split stay. Then you will have it ally! We did this exact split the last time we stayed at SOG and it was perfect! Have a great time whatever you choose!

 

[livbeatles]

We've only stayed SOG (2015, 2016, 2017 and returning 2019), and we've never had any issues or felt non-Disney. The rooms/grounds are gorgeous and we love the morning buffet at the Garden Gallery restaurant (and so cheap!), especially the omelette station. As long as you're aware of the bus schedule, it's fine (they give you a printed schedule as well, so we just always had that in our bag just in case, but they're pretty easy to remember). We've only been on a crowded SOG bus twice--once coming back from TTC after late Magic Kingdom EMH (the bus driver got us all on and told us riddles on the drive back; after we got off my dad commented on how that was a pretty smart way to distract the passengers from the crowded quarters) and once going to HS in the morning for EMH (and they ran a second bus at the same time, but most of us had squeezed on to the first so those in the second bus had a very luxurious ride!).

If you're not looking to use the Magical Express and already have an AP for parking at the parks, I would go with SOG. We've also taken Ubers to/from SOG and various places on property. In 2016 we had to meet the uber at the end of the drive, but in 2017 the cars were allowed up to the front entrance.

Also, keep an eye of SOG's monthly discounts page.

 

[buzznina]

I was talking Disney with a co-worker and his last 2 trips he has stayed at other resorts (even though SOG was cheaper) because the transportation was awful and his family liked the other resorts theme's better.

 

[Karl66]

If busses is your main criteria, go with CSR. SOG busses drop off much farther from the park entrances. The MK bus only goes to the TTC then you monorail or boat to the park. Disney transport runs more often than SOG. Also SOG leaves the resort and parks resorts at set times so if you just miss a bus it will be an hour till the next one. Disney claims to run every 20 minutes.

 

[nkereina]

We are staying there this summer for the first time. What Pool did the building that used to be there use?

Either the Ranchos leisure pool or the Dig Site pool.

Wouldn't the former Cabanas buildings (now the tower) have used the Cabanas leisure pool? Is that still there? Didn't venture over there on my last trip, but from stays before I recall each section (Cabanas, Ranchos and Casitas) having their own leisure pool in addition to the Dig Site. I would assume the tower guests will gravitate towards the Cabanas pool or the Dig Site pool.

 

[Amanda Hall]

We alternate between SOG and Port Orleans Riverside . A few stays at both. We love SOG . Rooms are nice . Beds are comfier . We enjoy having a balcony and a Starbucks on site . If you have tons for the breakfast buffet it’s a good deal . Parking is 1/2 the price .The transportation is really a non issue . If going to MK we just walk 10 minutes to the poly and hop on the monorail . The bus to AK really isn’t too far out at all . We like the set bus times . If you miss one though you can always hop on a bus to the poly and walk back . Sometimes we do this on purpose to grab a drink at the poly or eat at captain cooks . We have never done HS from there . You can book FP 60 days out with them now so it s worth it for us .