SOG Overflow-Discounts at other resorts

[Steven Forrest]

I don't know if anything has been posted concerning resort rates for SOG since its closing. I've read through the last 4 or 5 pages of headers and didn't see anything so here goes..............

Our son will be home from Sicily for 30 days, mid-Nov to mid-Dec.
Apparently SOG has 350 rooms at the Contemporary which are all booked during our planned stay. They had rooms available at all resorts as far as I can tell at DEEP discounts.

We booked Dec. 3 - 11; 4 nights at the Poly, garden view for $174 per night and 4 nights at BW waterview for $199 per night. He is an E-4 in the Navy so some rates may be slightly higher.
SOG has a very reasonable charge of $10 per adult for more than 2 adults per room.

Other rates we were quoted: CS, CB and PO $84 per night. WL for $134 per night. Standard room at BWI for $164 per night. All quotes above are before 11% scalping.

Toll free phone number for SOG reservations 1-888-593-2242. Visit SOG web site at:

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

I would guess that these discounts will be in effect until SOG reopens Sept. '03. I don't know if all resorts are available if the Contemporary allotment of rooms aren't booked. SOG also has their offices in one of the rooms at the Cont. for discounted ticket purchases.

___ºoº___steve

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by Steven Forrest
I don't know if anything has been posted concerning resort rates for SOG since its closing. I've read through the last 4 or 5 pages of headers and didn't see anything so here goes..............

Our son will be home from Sicily for 30 days, mid-Nov to mid-Dec.
Apparently SOG has 350 rooms at the Contemporary which are all booked during our planned stay. They had rooms available at all resorts as far as I can tell at DEEP discounts.

We booked Dec. 3 - 11; 4 nights at the Poly, garden view for $174 per night and 4 nights at BW waterview for $199 per night. He is an E-4 in the Navy so some rates may be slightly higher.
SOG has a very reasonable charge of $10 per adult for more than 2 adults per room. <snip>

Rates in overflow are based on what those hotels have offered to us for that time and have nothing to do with rank.


I would guess that these discounts will be in effect until SOG reopens Sept. '03. I don't know if all resorts are available if the Contemporary allotment of rooms aren't booked. SOG also has their offices in one of the rooms at the Cont. for discounted ticket purchases.

___ºoº___steve

Those rates will be in effect until the hotels decide to change them. We have had discounted rates for years with the overflow resorts. The temporary closure of the hotel has nothing to do with us offering overflow. Actually, the rates were cheaper last year. You could get the moderates for as low as $79. This year, the cheapest is $84. But, since it seems room rates go up each year, the raise was par for the course.

As for the reopening, we have not been told any thing by management, but I did see a new press release which now states the reopening is will be "in the Fall of 2003" and SoG will start taking reservations for the new resort "end of Sep 2002." And I wouldn't be surprised if it gets pushed back further, but as of right now, this seems to be the new target date.

 

[Steven Forrest]

I take it you work at SOG?

Originally posted by FirstNo


Those rates will be in effect until the hotels decide to change them. We have had discounted rates for years with the overflow resorts. The temporary closure of the hotel has nothing to do with us offering overflow. Actually, the rates were cheaper last year. You could get the moderates for as low as $79. This year, the cheapest is $84. But, since it seems room rates go up each year, the raise was par for the course.


I didn't realize overflow was offered as a matter of course. Last April we tried to make reservations for SOG for 8 nights anytime between Nov. 15 - Dec. 15. SOG was booked solid, we were told the wait list was to long and no more people would be added to the wail list. We were not offered overflow to any other resort.

As for the reopening, we have not been told any thing by management, but I did see a new press release which now states the reopening is will be "in the Fall of 2003" and SoG will start taking reservations for the new resort "end of Sep 2002." And I wouldn't be surprised if it gets pushed back further, but as of right now, this seems to be the new target date.

I believe I read on Deb Wills' site SOG would be reopening Sept. '03, don't know where this info came from. We've stayed at SOG several times over the last 5 years but reservations are tough to come by. Our son can't plan his leave a year in advance.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Overflow rates can be great, but last summer the moderate was the same as the FL rate we were offered-$99. We did get a wonderful $119 woodsview for a last minute Dec trip to WL .

 

[robinb]

I would recommend that you keep yourself on a waitlist for the CR if you can. The overflow rates are not that great (IMO) and you might find something a little cheaper on your own as a backup. My mother (a Navy widow) was waitlisted for CR over July 4th and got it last week. So, we'll be at CR for only $89 per night. Now, that's a deal .

 

[Steven Forrest]

$174 for Poly Garden View is 42% off rack, that's pretty good. I was paying about $168 in '91.
$89 for the Contemporary is very good, 60+% off rack. The GF and CR are 2 resorts that never appealed to me. I guess that's why we have so many choices <g>.

 

[robinb]

I guess I thought that you were disappointed in CR being sold out. I have always wanted to stay at CR, so the $89 is a match made in heaven .

Yes you're right, $174 is a good rate at the Poly. But, the rates available with codes from Mary's Mousesavers (http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyresorts.html#anyone) are just as good and sometimes better than the rates you quoted. Of course, codes are not out for your dates yet . I would recommend that you keep your existing reservation and check back at Mousesavers every once in a while. You may be able to shave a few dollars off even the SOG overflow rate.

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by Steven Forrest
I take it you work at SOG?



I believe I read on Deb Wills' site SOG would be reopening Sept. '03, don't know where this info came from. We've stayed at SOG several times over the last 5 years but reservations are tough to come by. Our son can't plan his leave a year in advance.

I would take whatever is on her site, concerning SoG, with a grain of salt. She had a lot of misinformation about SoG a year or two ago and was asked to either remove the information or change it. I *think* she changed it.

I wouldn't hold my breath for that Sep 03 re-opening date. In fact, based on the new press release I was given, Oct is going to be the new target, at this date. The release stated we would start taking reservations in late Sep 02. If we book 53 weeks in advance, that means we won't take reservations for the new resort until Oct 03. But, I'm not sure if that press release is in the AF Times and other such papers, which could be why Deb has old info. When the whole shebang started, we were actually told SoG would re-open in Aug 03. Any one see a trend? Keep in mind, SoG hasn't even begun to break ground, yet.

 

[Momto2funkids]

Hey First No,

You seem very knowledgeable about SOG.

I have booked for the beginning of Sept of this year in the CR through SOG. Do you know what the North Garden Wing is like? What does it face?

Any chances of an upgrade during the slow time?

Jo

 

[robinb]

Here's a link to a map of CR:
Contemporary Map

The North Wing is the one closest to the MK. You can have a view of the MK (maybe on the top floor??), the Bay Lake, the pool & marina or the parking lot.

 

[Momto2funkids]

Thanks for that map! It's great.

Jo

 

[Steven Forrest]

Originally posted by FirstNo


I would take whatever is on her site, concerning SoG, with a grain of salt. She had a lot of misinformation about SoG a year or two ago and was asked to either remove the information or change it. I *think* she changed it.

I wouldn't hold my breath for that Sep 03 re-opening date. In fact, based on the new press release I was given, Oct is going to be the new target, at this date. The release stated we would start taking reservations in late Sep 02. If we book 53 weeks in advance, that means we won't take reservations for the new resort until Oct 03. But, I'm not sure if that press release is in the AF Times and other such papers, which could be why Deb has old info. When the whole shebang started, we were actually told SoG would re-open in Aug 03. Any one see a trend? Keep in mind, SoG hasn't even begun to break ground, yet.

Just curious, do you know why the whole resort was closed? Are all of the rooms being rehabed while the additional units are being built?

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by Momto2funkids
Hey First No,

You seem very knowledgeable about SOG.

I have booked for the beginning of Sept of this year in the CR through SOG. Do you know what the North Garden Wing is like? What does it face?

Any chances of an upgrade during the slow time?

Jo

Having never stayed in the wing, I can't give you a personal opinion on it. We visited the wing and some of the rooms and while I wouldn't have a problem with, I know my likes and dislikes are not every one elses. You'll either face the parking lot/MK on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd floors or the lake on the 2nd or 3rd floor.

I wouldn't count on an upgrade, but it would be up to Disney since it's their hotel. It never hurts to ask them. The worst they can do is tell you no and you're no worse off than you were to start with.

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by Steven Forrest



Just curious, do you know why the whole resort was closed? Are all of the rooms being rehabed while the additional units are being built?

The copy of the letter we saw written by General Taguba (the top boss) to the union officials mentioned that it would not have been safe for the guests. Also, in our contract with Disney, we have certain aspects of the hotel that must be maintained. They would not have been able to have been maintained while construction was going on. So, the guests were kicked out and the hotel was closed.

To my knowledge, none of the rooms are being rehabbed since all of that was done only 2 or 3 years ago. They're doing touch up work (covering holes, repainting, etc), but nothing else.