SOG ?s from a non-military person

[Michael623]

To me this place seems like the final frontier at WDW. I have been to every corner of every park and resort but SOG seems like the one taboo untouchable place. Can a non-military person go in there just to check it out? The Italian restaurant looks great too. I have friends in the active military that would consider staying there. I would also be on a bit of a scouting mission for them. For those of you in the know, any info would be great. The pictures on the SOG website make this place look really great.

 

[Stitch Inside]

You are forbidden. Military Police stand guard.
Actually, you can walk over there from the Poly.

 

[bdcp]

The restaurants are open to everyone also.

 

[DawnCt1]

The restaurants are open to everyone also.

If they are, its a new policy. I have had to show a military or a guest id to dine there. They aren't always consistant in asking for it, but it is supposed to be restricted since their are no sales taxes.

 

[bdcp]

If they are, its a new policy. I have had to show a military or a guest id to dine there. They aren't always consistant in asking for it, but it is supposed to be restricted since their are no sales taxes.

Oops, you're right. I was basing it on other posts from people who didnt' identify themselves as military and mentioned eating there and someone said they were able to tour the place. You do need an id to access the property according to their new website. But non military can go as guests of military just like they can stay there as a guest.

 

[kehouse]

hi, i just booked a room on thursday, we are non-military, but are staying there with some friends who sponsored our room. i asked if i would be able to buy food and shop at the gift shop without them being with me and they said yes. i asked two different people on the phone,so i hope thats right.
they did say my friends would have to buy my park tickets though.

 

[DawnCt1]

hi, i just booked a room on thursday, we are non-military, but are staying there with some friends who sponsored our room. i asked if i would be able to buy food and shop at the gift shop without them being with me and they said yes. i asked two different people on the phone,so i hope thats right.
they did say my friends would have to buy my park tickets though.

That is absolutely correct because you will have a hotel guest id as a sponsored guests.

 

[4mykids]

We have always loved the Shades! Even prior to renovation. Loved the seclusion, the price, the HUGE rooms, the price, the gift shop, the price! We were by there in February to purchase tickets for the first time since the renovation and it is incredible. Hardly recognizable!

 

[Michael623]

That's right, rub it in...

 

[weregoingtodw]

To me this place seems like the final frontier at WDW. I have been to every corner of every park and resort but SOG seems like the one taboo untouchable place. Can a non-military person go in there just to check it out? The Italian restaurant looks great too. I have friends in the active military that would consider staying there. I would also be on a bit of a scouting mission for them. For those of you in the know, any info would be great. The pictures on the SOG website make this place look really great.

Well, we could take you around, but then we'd have to kill you.

Seriously, it appears that they are beefing up security there (I'm getting ready to post a separate thread on that), so I wouldn't advise going over there unless you have a sponsor. If there is anything you'd like photographed, let me know!

 

[memymomonica]

We have never stayed there, but did go over in Dec. to purchase tickets. No one even looked twice at us. I had to show my ID for the tickets, but I don't think there is a problem with looking around. I do remember at the gate though we told them we were there to purchase tickets. They gave us a 30 minute maximum pass. I even have a base sticker. I would try it and just let them know at the gate that you are looking around. They will let you know if it is possible.

 

[G8RFAN]

If you buy tickets there, make sure you get the ones you want and not to plan on upgrading. We were there recently and our friends decided to upgrade to the annual pass after buying a multi-day park hopper. They were told they could not upgrade and had to buy the passes at full price. This was coming from the same girl who really didn't look like she had a grasp on the new ticket structure when they bought the park hopper tickets in the first place. They tried to get a supervisor, but it was taking way too long and they gave up. All aside, the resort is very nice with all the nice woodwork. My only beef was with the elevators that run near the parking garage. Of the three, two always seems to be out of order. One that was working would ring the alarm and not go anywhere if there was more than two people in it.

If you take the monorail to Poly go directly downstairs, you can take a short pathway to the street, cross over and walk to SOG. The guard at the gate won't bother you unless you look like you shouldn't belong there (ie get a haircut ). The restaurant never asked for my ID, nor did at the general store, but I guess they can reserve the right to.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Back in the 80's (high school), we used to stay there often before it was converted to a military only resort. It was first called the Disney Golf Resort and then, the Disney Inn (with the dwarf, Sleepy, as it's mascot), I still have both guest folders that show the old iteraries, maps and suggestions to do from 1984-85. SoG is well known to have some of the larger guest rooms in WDW but there was no real Disney themeing back in the 80's, like the Poly, WL, or AKL. How does the themeing look now? I can't imagine that it could be military themed? That would kind of like bringing work on vacation with you!

 

[DawnCt1]

How does the themeing look now? I can't imagine that it could be military themed? That would kind of like bringing work on vacation with you!

There is a lot of green, does that count??

 

[Sleepy]

hi, i just booked a room on thursday, we are non-military, but are staying there with some friends who sponsored our room. i asked if i would be able to buy food and shop at the gift shop without them being with me and they said yes. i asked two different people on the phone,so i hope thats right.
they did say my friends would have to buy my park tickets though.

Things must have changed since we were last there. We have military IDs and it was required that we show military IDs for both tickets and anything else in the gift shops. No ID....NO PURCHASE. We even brought friends (non-military) and they were NOT allowed to buy anything.

 

[Barbday62]

We didnt have to show ID for anything except check in and ticket purchase last August. My daughters (Non militray adult and spouse) were able to buy food and gifts and no id.

 

[DawnCt1]

We didnt have to show ID for anything except check in and ticket purchase last August. My daughters (Non militray adult and spouse) were able to buy food and gifts and no id.

Then someone wasn't doing their job or they realized that they were guests of the hotel. I have been asked for an id in the gift shop and restaurant.

 

[Sleepy]

Then someone wasn't doing their job

I would have to agree with you on this one. The gift shop is an AAFES gift shop.....no different than an AAFES on any base. If an ID is required for all purchases on a base AAFES (a non-military person can enter and look around with sponsor, but not purchase), I would think same rule applies at SOG.

I really don't care either way. I think having the sponsor there or not does not make a difference, since actually it is the money of the non-military guest used to do the purchasing. I think maybe they need to issue some sort of room ID with guest names and require the guest to show that AND a drivers license to show who they are....as they make all military people show IDs for purchases. They want to make the gift shop exclusive to only resort guests, but if they don't check IDs, how are they going to do this? I think consistency is important.

 

[DMRick]

Hi, can you have 5 adults in the standard room at sog? It has two queens and a pullout couch. Someone on another board, said the limit is 4 adults per room, but you can have a child as the fifth person. Anyone know for sure? Thanks

 

[DawnCt1]

Hi, can you have 5 adults in the standard room at sog? It has two queens and a pullout couch. Someone on another board, said the limit is 4 adults per room, but you can have a child as the fifth person. Anyone know for sure? Thanks

Yes, but expect the room rate to go up significantly. I think when I checked on line it, with 2 adults, 2 kids, the rate for our pay grade was $104. With the 5th adult, (typo on my part) it went to $149.