The new SoG?

[lolatuck]

Is anyone else out there excited about the new SoG? My family and I stayed there in 2001 and absolutely loved it! Hubby and I are planning another trip for 2004 and are excited to see the changes that they are making. I only hope that they don't lose that quiet secluded feel that they had before.

Thanks for letting me speculate.

Lola °Ü°

 

[nasmith]

Have you checked out the pictures on the website www.shadesofgreen.org? They also have a webcam that shows progress of the renovation! Rumor has it that the rooms will still be the same size, but that there will be twice as many of them- so I imagine it might be a little harder to be "secluded" while at the resort. I'm looking forward to it too! Jill

 

[Brodiecat]

but we were disappointed to see the price increase. It's still adeal for the buck. Maybe they will use some Disney themeing. It's really missing that. And at the $95 rate, you could stay in Disney resorts for that, considering we go in Sept and the rates are better.

SOG is very peaceful and I think it still will be. I fell as though once you've left the parks it allows you to really have some down time.

The expansion looks tremendous. I can't even tell where the original building was or is it still there?

 

[suevee]

I don't think you could get a deluxe resort so close to the monorail for $95 a night. And remember SoG has no 11.5% tax or any resort fees. What you see is what you get - a great deal!

 

[ToriLammy]

Originally posted by Brodiecat

The expansion looks tremendous. I can't even tell where the original building was or is it still there?

The original building is still there, hard to see with all the construction going on but...my DH while driving to the GF one day made a wrong turn (oops accidently on purpose) and we found ourselves looking at the SOG. My biggest question would be, having seen it in person...how on earth are they going to be done by Dec 15th? I really doesn't look anywhere close to being ready for them to start working on the inside. Guess we'll see.

 

[Brodiecat]

If memory serves me right, SOG markets themselves as a Moderate not a deluxe. You can get a moderate for that price during Sept.

After te rehab, they may change their marketing to deluxe. That would be great. Don't get me wrong, we love SOG but were just a little diappointed when they went up. The no tax thing is a great savings. We are staying at the WL this trip, but will be glad to go back to SOG next time and looking forward to it.

 

[ToriLammy]

Originally posted by Brodiecat
If memory serves me right, SOG markets themselves as a Moderate not a deluxe. You can get a moderate for that price during Sept.

After te rehab, they may change their marketing to deluxe. That would be great. Don't get me wrong, we love SOG but were just a little diappointed when they went up. The no tax thing is a great savings. We are staying at the WL this trip, but will be glad to go back to SOG next time and looking forward to it.

I don't think SOG has ever marketed it self as other than a military resort at WDW. I think the idea that it is a "deluxe" comes from the fact that as a Disney Resort (Disney Inn) it was a "deluxe" resort and the room sizes are greater than any on the property. I've never seen any military resort billed as "deluxe" or "moderate."

 

[Brodiecat]

When booking our first stay at SOG in 2000, when I asked about the property as far amenities and such, I was told that the hotel was comparable to the moderate Disney properties. This was straight from the reservations dept at SOG.

Yes, the rooms are the biggest but deluxe resorts offer many more amenities. Maybe the new SOG will compare to a deluxe.

 

[nasmith]

SOG definitely will compare to the Deluxe resorts - check out the amenities - 4 restaurants- fitness center-2 swimming pools plus a childrens pool and playground- tennis courts - plus rooms that fit 5 people (not 4)(480 Sq. ft room vs approx 315 for the moderates) - 2 queen size beds vs. full size beds - indoor hallways, not outdoor- each room has a patio or balcony (with table and chairs)-refrigerators, coffee makers, and hair dryers in the room - --- ---The only thing that seems to be missing is a lake and extensive themeing. It will be interesting to see the finished product! Another plus is constant room rates - no worrying about value vs. regular season etc.... Of course, that's IF you can get a room there! I've tried for 3 different sets of dates this next year with NO luck!

 

[Girls Scout Leader]

What is working out especially well for my Girl Scout troop ( one dad is retired Air Force) is that it will hold 5 people per room. Works out like this for the ten of us:

$95(per room) X2 Rooms X6 nights = $1140
$79(per room) X3 Rooms X6 nights X11.5% tax = $1585.53

See the difference? Cool, huh??!!!

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by Brodiecat
When booking our first stay at SOG in 2000, when I asked about the property as far amenities and such, I was told that the hotel was comparable to the moderate Disney properties. This was straight from the reservations dept at SOG.

Yes, the rooms are the biggest but deluxe resorts offer many more amenities. Maybe the new SOG will compare to a deluxe.

Then things have changed because when I first started working there in 1999 (in the reservations dept), I was told we were comparable to a deluxe resort. We had all of the amenities a deluxe resort had except there was no concierge level, but there was concierge service as far as assisting with making any type of reservation (food, taxi, etc) you might need.

 

[LeapYear Debbie]

Does anyone know if the SOG is still on schedule to open December 15? We have reservations in April 2004 and was just wondering if the construction is on schedule.

I have been watching through the web cams, and there does not seem to be much progress.

Anyone?

Debbie

 

[suevee]

The reason I thought SoG was comparable to the Deluxe was because besides the larger room size, and the great location, they also had a concierge desk in the lobby. The kind people there would set up PS's at different restaurants, golf times, etc. This service was available to everyone staying at the resort. Also I really liked the the privacy of the hot tub area. And the fast food area with a game room with arcades, pool tables, bar, and sandwiches was reasonable and as nice if not nicer than the environment at the fast food places at the deluxes. Add to this a 27 inch TV in every room with VCR and a very reasonable room service with no hidden charges - I felt like I was staying at a deluxe when I stayed at SoG!

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

nasmith(or anyone!), were you offered overflow to the WDW resorts for next year when your dates were booked? Just curious as we LOVE overflow rates and I would hate to see them go. I don't even know if they would be out yet anyway. Waiting on AP or FL rates takes TOO much time , can usually book overflow rates out fairly far.

 

[Steve TLT]

I just made a November reservation (at the CBR) yesterday through SOG and was told the opening had been pushed back to March.

Steve

 

[LeapYear Debbie]

Steve:

You're right. I just checked the website and it states "Reopening March 2004". I hope it doesn't get pushed back again. We have reservations for April and do not want to stay anywhere else. I wonder what will happen with the Contemporary arrangements.

Debbie

 

[MLAinVA]

Bummer, we have a January 2004 ressie. Guess we'll be hearing from SOG pretty soon. FirstNo, a regular SOG poster, may have the inside story about how this will be handled. I don't think it will be as simple as just extending the CR contract.

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by MLAinVA
Bummer, we have a January 2004 ressie. Guess we'll be hearing from SOG pretty soon. FirstNo, a regular SOG poster, may have the inside story about how this will be handled. I don't think it will be as simple as just extending the CR contract.

While I feel badly for those who had ressys and were very much looking forward to staying in the redone hotel (you can always cancel and rebook!!), I'm giggling incessantly. You'll have to excuse it. Part of the "if you only knew" why this just makes me laugh.

Any who, back to business. My friend that still works there only works one day a week so I'm positive she does not know about this (or she would have called me, giggling incessantly as well <G>). I'll give her a ring today to tell her about it and ask her to gather as much info as she can for me when she goes in.

I have family in town so, I may not be able to provide any info until Monday (weekends are a little busy), but I'll try to get any info out before then.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I believe you but can't seem to find where it says March on the SOG website. Can you direct me to where that is please! Could be a big mess I suppose. I am hoping for Overflow in March and had e-mailed the request just yesterday. Wonder if everyone early next year will be overflow? This could get interesting...

 

[LeapYear Debbie]

On the Shades of Green website, when the blue box pops up over the SOG logo (the yellow sun) it says "Re-opening March 2004". You really have to look for it.

Debbie