Some Shades of Green questions....

[LJC1861]

I have a friend who is developmentally disabled and the adult dependent of a retired marine. Beth has never been to WDW and desperately wants to to, especially now that she hears me talk about it quite frequently. Her parents are supportive of me taking her and have mentioned that they know that there is a resort at WDW for the military. Now, they have never been to WDW either....they just have heard about SOG.

So, here are my questions......

Can retired military make reservations, or is it just for active military?

Can Beth, as a dependent with a valid military ID do the checking in, or do her parents who are making the reservation have to be there?

What are the accomodations like and the price range?

Are there theme park discounts available for military personnel?


I would rather plan the trip using my knowledge of discounts, but I also do want to think about the possibility of the SOG stay, especially if Beth's parents are making the reservation. My main goal is to give Beth the WDW vacation that she is dreaming of, and to show her a great time. She is excited about going on vacation without her parents, as she has never been and I want this to be special.

Any help that any of you can give will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Linda

 

[edk35]

SOG is very nice. WE are staying there in a week and a 1/2. We stayed there in Jan. too. Yes retired military can stay there but I am not sure if they don't go whether she can can check in herself. Their website is shadesofgreen.org

You can get info. on there and you can also call them but they are only open like 8-5:00 M-F. The price per night is based on her dad's rank at retirement. Click around on the site and there is loads of info.


Denise

 

[edk35]

I forgot...........yes there are tickets available at a discount for WDW and for surrounding parks too, cheaper than buying them at the gate and also there is no tax on them or on the hotel rate per night too. The rooms are big and matter of fact they are the largest on WDW property, close to the Poly so you are close to MK too. They have a gift shop at SOG where you can buy gifts, snacks, soda/water and some stuff you can keep in your room for quick breakfasts. They have a couple of restaurants and a sports grill place too. All of this info. is again on their web site.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

They can probably make the ressie in Beth's name. As long as she has a valid military I.D., there should be no problem checking in. The room rates are based on rank. $100 a night is a good average to plan on. You can access their website at www.shadesofgreen.org .

Now, on a side note. If this is Beth's first trip she may have more of a Disney experience by staying at one of the on-site resorts with more theming. SOG is wonderful, but it's more like a Hilton. Also, if Beth becomes agitated with wait times at all, it may be beneficial for you to stay somewhere with a food court so you don't have to spend as much time on dining.

Good luck with your decisions...it sounds like this is a wonderful thing that you are doing for a friend!

 

[annieb717]

does SOG also get the Extra Magic Hours?

 

[mattsdragon]

Not only can retired members make reservations, but civilian employees, members of PHS, NOAA, merchant marines, reserves, national guard, the list is about a mile long. The resort was booked solid from May until the end of August when we tried to book our honeymoon last DECEMBER. The military needs to make it so that it is for active duty, and retirees. I hear it is very nice from a guy in my unit who goes annually, but I wouldn't know, it was full.

 

[JennyMominRI]

About the check in...When we went in 2002 we booked 2 romms in to different military members names...Than one of the 2 of us had to go on float for 6 weeks and couldn't go... His 9 YO DD checked in with her ID

 

[edk35]

Yes you can use the EMH hours too.........you pretty much get all the extras. YOu can get on their waiting list for certain dates too. Matter of fact we did this twice both times we go the extra days we wanted.

Denise

 

[LJC1861]

All the info is very helpful!

I too agree that Beth woulr have a more magical experience at a regular resort, but I wanted to check out SOG at the advice of her parents. We are going to sit down with them on Thursday to talk this out in more detail.

Beth is just delightful and has no problem waiting in lines or anything. She is so excited about the possibility of making this trip. I think I might get an ECV just to reduce some of the walking that she would have to do. She is used to standing for long periods of time as she works in the laundry of a hotel, but her feet do start to bother her if we walk long periods of time day after day.

I am also thinking that a package where we can add on the dining portion might be a good thing. One of Beth's favorite things is eating in nice restaurants and the dining plan would allow us to do that for a very reasonable cost.

Again, thanks for all of the SOG advice!

Linda

 

[baileybelle]

If you stay at SOG, you are unable to add on the Disney Dining plan because SOG is not a Disney resort. The dining plan at SOG only includes SOG restaurants (Garden Gallery, Evergreens, and Manginos).

I was really dissappointed that SOG quests are unable to add on the Disney dining plan.

 

[merrily]

Whether or not you choose to stay at Shades of Green, your friend could still purchase tickets through them. If they live near a base they may be able to get them there also.

 

[malibuconlee]

If she wants to add on the dining however, she would have to buy at least a one day base ticket to make it a package.

 

[baileybelle]

Sorry to disagree,but SOG guests cannot puchase the dining plan. Only guests staying at a Disney Resort can add on the dining plan. Sog in not a "Disney resort."

We just returned from SOG and we had 7 day "base tickets." I would have added on the dining plan in a heartbeat but SOG guests are excluded from this offer along with Swan and Dolphin guests.

Click on these for more info about Disney's dining http://www.touringplans.com/MYWDining.html
http://www.wdwinfo.com/magicyourway-2006.htm#mypd

We also purchased tickets at our base (Portsmouth Naval Shipyard) and they were cheaper than SOG. We bought 7-day base tickets(no park hopping or other extras) for $190. per ticket and no tax.

 

[malibuconlee]

Right. I was just responding to them saying she could buy her tickets thru SOG even if she doesn't stay there. She would have to buy a package if staying at another resort to get the dining plan. Should have been clearer I guess.

More caffiene would help too.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

The only savings on tickets purchased through SOG is not having to pay sales tax. Sometimes it's cheaper to buy them through a local military base or services like Ticketmania (using Mousesavers newsletter link).

 

[dpuck1998]

Not only can retired members make reservations, but civilian employees, members of PHS, NOAA, merchant marines, reserves, national guard, the list is about a mile long. The resort was booked solid from May until the end of August when we tried to book our honeymoon last DECEMBER. The military needs to make it so that it is for active duty, and retirees. I hear it is very nice from a guy in my unit who goes annually, but I wouldn't know, it was full.

Actually if they are full you should be able to get overflow rates at other resorts!! I imagine if they were full ALL the time the would cut down on those allowed, but the biggest issue is that a military family can book up to 6 rooms total during all but the busiest times of the year.

 

[caseywirth]

You will love staying at SOG! I have never understood "getting that magical feeling staying at other resorts"! I have stayed at disney resorts and SOG, and I will pick SOG everytime. It's beautiful and just a wonderful resort. As for tickets, I would buy them at a military installation or at SOG. I have never seen them cheaper anywhere else, including ticketmania. Have a great trip, whatever you decide!!

 

[edk35]

You just can't beat SOG for their prices and accomodations. It is also soooooooooo close to the POLY which is great for using the monorail too. We think the rooms are huge compared to other WDW resorts and the food is too. Now this trip we are doing over flow 3 nights into CS and we are excited to stay there too...because my kids LOVE THAT DISNEY MAGIC you experience at the resorts. So they get that this time. I love the monorail hotels for the location and SOG is pretty darn close. So we will more than likely always stay here for at least part of our trip. Families of 5 fit in here great too. AT CS we are getting good rates but we need two rooms. So if you are eligible to use SOG......DO IT. At least try it, break it up with another resort to get the MAGIC OF THE RESORTS TOO.

 

[stm61]

If Beth has problems getting around you might be better at a Disney hotel. The buses are kind of iffey at SOG with long walks to the stops at some parks and a not-so-great schedule. As for the tickets, if you're buying base tickets, not hoppers, with no extra's you might get them cheaper on base. We needed the length of stay with unlimited hopping and unlimited visits to the water parks and Disney Quest. We got the stars and stripes length of stay passes, which can only be purchased at SOG. You have to show an ID, but they don't care how many you buy and they don't all have to be for dependents. We had 8 day tickets, I think the longer you stay the better the deal at SOG, if I'm remembering my research correctly.

 

[drayke]

Recommend you check out Passporter WDW for Your Special Needs. The book has lots of information regarding what is available along with lots of hints and other info.