SOG v.s. Value resorts?

[kprice05]

I'm just wondering why anyone would choose SOG over the value resorts. With magical express not offered, the busses running infrequently, are choices made on location alone or is there something I'm missing? Thanks!

 

[hildarumpole]

It's a deluxe resort at a value-moderate price, depending upon rank and season. My family of 5 was more than comfortable in our huge SOG room. We'd have to get 2 rooms at a value. SOG is a beautiful resort and very peaceful. Riding in a bus to and from the airport is not appealing to me, so the lack of magic express was not a factor. We got a town car service that included a free stop at a grocery store, so were able to stock up on snacks and drinks. The bus service has some issues, but the TTC bus runs every 20 min. As long as you know the schedule, it's not hard to follow. The SOG buses are usually not as crowded as the other resort buses. They also don't make stops at other resorts. It's a quick walk to Poly to catch the Disney buses or monorail, if necessary. For my family, a value resort was not even considered. We looked at other deluxe resorts when making a decision, so cost was the biggest factor. When you look at it that way, it's a bargain.

 

[abolanwoski]

I'll second that! SOG has rooms that are as big and well furnished as GF, but at Value Resort Prices. We also don't do buses (in general). We walk to the Poly or the TTC. We took a bus to MGM and TL, but if the SOG buses aren't lining up with our schedule, we take a Poly or TTC bus and just walk from there. Also, you'll never see a woman or child standing while a teenage boy sits on the SOG buses! I've stayed at BC and GF and both were really nice - if I could stay there for $103 per night taxes included, I certainly would. Until then, I'll stick with SOG.

 

[asmit4]

What does SOG stand for??

 

[BabyFu18]

SOG = Shades of Green

I'd stay at SOG over the values because it's basically a delux at a value price, I don't much mind the bus service (it's a vacation, we are there for a lesuire, we've got time). For the price and the atmosphere SOG can't be beat, even by the value resorts.

 

[MeLady]

The price is just right!

We have never had to wait more than 5 minutes for a bus.

We have a peaceful experience. That is what vacation is all about for us. Just enjoying and having a relaxing, peaceful time!

 

[robynv]

Yep for only $111 per night to be right next to the Poly it is a great location. Rooms are great and huge. Plus there is a small BX and you can buy the discounted tickets there too as well the Stars and Stripes which are great.

 

[J&K'sPrincessMommy]

We'd stay at SoG too!
Rooms are HUGE and you cannot beat the location!

 

[Sleepy]

Regardless of how slow or behind schedule the SOG buses are, I have experienced the value resort buses and I don't ever want to deal with that again! However, of all the times we have been to SOG, we have never had a problem with them being late, etc. And as far as the hourly buses that go directly to AK and MGM and water parks, you don't HAVE to take those. You can still use the Disney buses. You can even take the Shady Shuttle to the end of the SOG driveway and walk the short distance to POLY monorail. I wouldn't think of staying anywhere else but SOG.

 

[kumash]

My father is in the military, so when my DH and I were at Pop, my parents stayed at SOG a year ago. SOG is an absolutely beautful resort, and like others have said it's like a Deluxe resort at the Value/Moderate price.

If you're worried about the bus transportation, just take the short walk over to Poly to catch the monorail. It's actually a lot better than dealing with the busses from the Value resorts, which often will only have standing-room only! Or, they sometimes will be so full, you'll have to wait for the next bus!

If I was military, I'd definitely take advantage of SOG. It's wonderful! And you get to take advantage of the BX and discounted tix, as another poster said.

 

[Mrsjvb]

easy. we don't do value resorts. Don't like the atmosphere. For the same price( without paying taxes even!) as Moderate..and sometimes for LESS, I can stay at a Deluxe. It is no more inconvenient to stay there once you understand the way the TTC buses run and the monorail at Poly. While it is true that the dining options aren't really there, that is also something that isn't a major factor to us, preferring to eat at the parks or even at another resort and saving the Evergreens bar for our evening nightcap.

In fact, we took a look at doing Poly or GF next year complete with DDP. for half the price, we can stay at SoG. and not even my husband can eat $2000 worth of food!

 

[katerkat]

Queen sized beds. There's no way I'd stay at a value or even a moderate because I just don't like being that close to DH.

Plus what everyone else said.

 

[plutospup]

Beautifully landscaped resort, nice pools and hot tub, rooms with queen beds AND sofa bed all at a Value rate. There is a huge Patriotic Mickey statue in the lobby - great photo op!

...AND don't forget the ice cream parlor!!!!! This is a hidden gem at SOG. You'll find delicous ice cream sundaes with countless toppings, etc at an unbelievable low price. Aside from Ghiradelli's hot dark chocolate fudge sundae, I think this is the best place in WDW for ice cream. Yes, even better than Beaches and Cream! It's a much better quality of ice cream.

 

[katerkat]

Oh yeah - and the STARBUCKS!!

 

[traviesojmt]

By now, I am just repeating the other posts. The rooms at the SOG make the rooms at the Value resorts look like closets. The resort really does have a deluxe resort feel. We did not have any trouble with the busses on our stay there. It was very convienent to walk to the Poly and use the monorail. We are staying at SOG in June 2008 and we didn't even consider staying at a Value resort.
As far as Magical Express, there are several good towncar/shuttle services to and from the airport.
I really think that comparing SOG to the Value resorts is comparing apples to oranges. They are not on the same level.

 

[SuzyQ]

What everyone else has said!! Plus every room has their own balcony or patio.

 

[suevee]

What everyone else said plus free fridge, free in room safe, a great work out room, two laundry facilities, and a closely moniteered ADULT (over the age of 16) hot tub.

 

[Mississippian]

I'm not military, so I can't ever stay at SOG, but be aware that it was originally designed as a deluxe resort for golf-oriented families visiting Disneyworld. It just wasn't as popular as the other resorts by a long shot, and that's why Disney struck a deal with the military to rent it out for use by the military.

So the answer to why someone would rather stay at SOG over the values is the same reason someone would rather stay at the Poly or the Contemporary over the values. SOG is a deluxe resort and the value resorts aren't.