Tickets from Shades of Green

[mamaloya]

Has anyone bought tickets from the Shades of Green while staying at the fort? I have decided on our tickets for our trip in May and it will involve purchasing some from Shades of Green and some from the TTC. We should be arriving at the fort around lunch on the Thursday before Memorial Day and staying until June 6th.

OK, here is what needs to happen. You guys tell me how it can best be done or if I am totally insane. (OK, so I am insane, but you know what I mean.)

Arrive around lunch ideally. Set up tents (less than an hour). Purchase the 4 day plus fun and more military tickets at the TTC. Head to SoG to get 1 extra day for each of us plus the one additional 5 day fun and more ticket for my oldest son (if he makes the trip) at the military discount. I know it sounds nuts, but getting the different tickets is saving me $343. Need to have dinner somewhere.

Now, I am assuming I can take a bus from TTC to SoG. Is that correct and do they run frequently? Would it be faster to hop the monorail to the Poly and walk to SoG? Is that walk doable for the 2 youngest? Am I correct in assuming I cannot get both types of tickets from the TTC or SoG? That is why I have to go to both the TTC and SoG. If I can get the 4 day salute from SoG or the military discount at TTC, then that will save me a stop. It would be easier if I could get both types of tickets from the same place. What about the front desk? Can I get military discount or military salute tickets from there?

If need be, I can leave the oldest 2 blowing up air mattresses and making beds while I run to get the tickets and they can meet up with me for dinner.

The next day we are hoping to get to HS early, which is why I need to get the tickets Thursday.

One more question. Can any or all of our tickets be put on our key to the world card so we don't have separate tickets? I am assuming that would have to be done at the TTC or front desk.

Boy I am rambling. Hope you guys can make sense of what I am asking. LOL

Thanks

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I usually buy my tickets at SOG. You can only get the military discount at SOG. Since I never do a confusing combination like you are talking about, I can't help you there. You can walk from the Poly I guess, but there are no sidewalks. It is also a fairly long walk down the SOG driveway to the hotel. Not sure how little ones would tolerate this. You can get the 4 day Armed Forces Salute tickets at SOG. Not sure if they are available at the TTC, but I assume no since they had to be purchased at SOG or MWR on post for 2009.

 

[LarryJ]

Has anyone bought tickets from the Shades of Green while staying at the fort? I have decided on our tickets for our trip in May and it will involve purchasing some from Shades of Green and some from the TTC. We should be arriving at the fort around lunch on the Thursday before Memorial Day and staying until June 6th.

OK, here is what needs to happen. You guys tell me how it can best be done or if I am totally insane. (OK, so I am insane, but you know what I mean.)

Arrive around lunch ideally. Set up tents (less than an hour). Purchase the 4 day plus fun and more military tickets at the TTC. Head to SoG to get 1 extra day for each of us plus the one additional 5 day fun and more ticket for my oldest son (if he makes the trip) at the military discount. I know it sounds nuts, but getting the different tickets is saving me $343. Need to have dinner somewhere.

Getting your tickets at SOG saves you the tax mainly and for our two passports we saved over $80 by going thru the SOG. You can go to the SOG website and see the various packages you can get and then compare them to Guest Relations tickets. It's hard for me to understand how you can do better than buying them at SOG.

Now, I am assuming I can take a bus from TTC to SoG. Is that correct and do they run frequently? Would it be faster to hop the monorail to the Poly and walk to SoG? Is that walk doable for the 2 youngest? Am I correct in assuming I cannot get both types of tickets from the TTC or SoG? That is why I have to go to both the TTC and SoG. If I can get the 4 day salute from SoG or the military discount at TTC, then that will save me a stop. It would be easier if I could get both types of tickets from the same place. What about the front desk? Can I get military discount or military salute tickets from there?

There is no way a walk from Poly to SOG advisable since there are no sidewalks and you have to go over at least one major road and it is a trek. I think you have to remember as I mentioned above there really isn't a military discount, but the savings is mostly in the tax not being added on. As I have already mentioned I would be surprised if what you could get thru the SOG would be any different than any other non military Disney location. Why don't you check the SOG website that has what is offered and if you have questions there is a phone number to call and get your answer.

If need be, I can leave the oldest 2 blowing up air mattresses and making beds while I run to get the tickets and they can meet up with me for dinner.

The next day we are hoping to get to HS early, which is why I need to get the tickets Thursday.

One more question. Can any or all of our tickets be put on our key to the world card so we don't have separate tickets? I am assuming that would have to be done at the TTC or front desk.

Again you would have to call SOG to see if you can do that, but other guest relations you can put your tickets/vouchers on the KTTW card. Now remember I haven't bought real tickets only passports for about 10 years except for some DL tickets I got back in 2004 at San Diego MWR when we were out West so some of what I'm saying could be wrong

Boy I am rambling. Hope you guys can make sense of what I am asking. LOL

Thanks

Last thing is at least for the passports you only get a voucher and still have to go to a Guest Relations to get the actual passport. Not sure about other types of tickets, but you could call SOG and ask. We checked into FW around noon, disconnected, ran over to SOG got our passport vouchers, then over to DTD to get our actual passports and the TiW which in not available thru SOG which we used the first night for the TE gitty-up-and-go.

Larry

 

[mamaloya]

Thanks Jim!!!!

I was told you could get them at MWR and at the TTC. That's great that I can get them at SoG as well. One stop. I may have my son drive and I can just run in and buy the tickets.

I had read somewhere that if you were staying at SoG you could just walk to the Poly and hop the monorail instead of taking the SoG bus. It seemed like a long walk to me just looking at a map. Thanks for the confirmation.

My combination would not be so confusing if they had stuck with the 5 day ticket offer they did this year. I wonder why they changed it to 4? I mean spending one more day in the parks means more money on food and souvenirs, and possibly parking, for them. An extra day on the regular tickets is only a couple of bucks, so why cut out that day? Oh well, dems da berries!!!

I know my combo is confusing, but I promise you there is logic and a money saving behind it. I crunched the numbers many times. If we weren't so spoiled as to going to MK for 2 days, then I wouldn't need to buy us extra 1 day tickets, but we are. LOL

Thanks again!!!

 

[KPSmithSr]

Last time I stayed at SoG (about 3 yrs ago) they had a shuttle from TTC to SoG that ran every 10 min or so. No idea if it is still running but a call can find out.

 

[mamaloya]

Thanks Larry as well, you were posting as I was. LOL

We will NOT be walking to SoG from the Poly. I can't believe people have recommended walking from SoG to the Poly to catch the monorail given what you and Jim are saying. Some people have no sense.

I have already checked the SoG website, which is how I came up with this decision. I just reread the website about the $99 4 day tickets and they can be purchases at SoG starting Jan 3, 2010. When I inquired with CRO about this years 5 days for $99 tickets, I was told you could only get them at the TTC. So, one stop at SoG for me. I will have my son drive so we don't have to park or bring the kids in. If he winds up not coming, I will be parking and then getting them. I have never had dinner there, so maybe we will eat there too instead of our usual Captain Cook's on our first night. How is the food there?

I will call and double check my strategy tomorrow and ask about putting on my KTTW.

Thanks Jim and Larry, I knew you guys would know WAY more than I did and clear things up for me. You guys rock!!!

 

[mamaloya]

Last time I stayed at SoG (about 3 yrs ago) they had a shuttle from TTC to SoG that ran every 10 min or so. No idea if it is still running but a call can find out.

Once again, posting at the same time. Thanks. That is an option if my son doesn't come and I don't want to drive. We can do boat, monorail AND bus, or just busses. We like to do our monorail our first night, so that would be nice.

I did find out the hard way, do NOT attempt to do this near park closing!!!

 

[clkelley]

I have walked from Poly to SoG a couple of times. It really isn't a bad walk. Also, when we did it, there was a "Made in the Shade" golf cart service that ran from the street entrance of SoG to the front door. We tipped the driver a dollar.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You can walk from the Poly I guess, but there are no sidewalks.

There certainly is a sidewalk from the Poly to SOG. I've walked it many times.

It is also a fairly long walk down the SOG driveway to the hotel. Not sure how little ones would tolerate this.

The walk takes less than 10 minutes for an average adult.

You can only get the military discount at SOG.

If the military tickets the OP wants to buy are the 2010 $99 base tickets for military personnel, this is not correct. They may be purchased at guest services at any Disney Park, just like the 2009 Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets. No need for a trip to SOG.

 

[mamaloya]

I have walked from Poly to SoG a couple of times. It really isn't a bad walk. Also, when we did it, there was a "Made in the Shade" golf cart service that ran from the street entrance of SoG to the front door. We tipped the driver a dollar.

Well, Carol, I trust you. If you have done it, then it is so.

There certainly is a sidewalk from the Poly to SOG. I've walked it many times.

The walk takes less than 10 minutes for an average adult.

If the military tickets the OP wants to buy are the 2010 $99 base tickets for military personnel, this is not correct. They may be purchased at guest services at any Disney Park, just like the 2009 Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets. No need for a trip to SOG.

Thanks for the clarification. If an adult can do it in 10, than my kids can more than handle that, especially after being cooped up in a car all day.

I was told by CRO that the $99 tickets were available at TTC. It is the regular military discount tickets that I was wondering about at the TTC. I think those are only available at MWR and SoG. I know it only saves you sales tax, but that adds up.

Thanks for all the help guys, you have eased my anxiety. Even if I don't make it to SoG and just get all the tickets at TTC, I will still be getting a savings of almost $300.

Y'all are always awesome and between everyone, the answer is always here. Y'all haven't let me down yet.

 

[des1954]

There is - or was - a walkway from the PR to SoG. The last time I walked it was a little over a year ago to see the Christmas decorations at the entrance to SoG. It is a long walk for little kids - okay for adults - and a pretty walk as well. The road can be tricky to cross if you do so during shift change hours - but it's do-able.

However you get there - make sure you have your millitary I.D. - or your trip will be in vain.

 

[gmflanigan]

We got our tickets @ SOG last month. Took the boat from FW to MK and got on the SOG bus. Very easy and quick.

 

[seabee]

We've done the walk several times. As stated before there IS a sidewalk. The walk really isn't that bad. In fact if we had just missed the bus, we walked. It took less time. Also, if you are driving to the fort, just drive to SOG. As long as you have your ID(which you would need for your tickets anyway) you can get in. I just did the very same thing in Oct. Have fun!

 

[mrsscooter]

So, I am chimming in with everyone else.....YES there IS a sidewalk from the entrance of the SOG driveway right up to the front door. There are also sidewalks/paths from the front door of the Poly that lead you to the crosswalk to get to the SOG. If you are standing at Bell Services in front of the Poly, looking out towards the parking lot, turn to your left, and follow the signs to SOG. It puts you right out at the corner where you need to cross, and there is a cross walk. It is a good 8 to 10 min walk but it actually goes by fast. We walk it with our kids, and they have fun "alligator hunting"...LOL on our walk, so for the kids, it goes quick. When we stay at SOG, we always walk to the Poly, simply because the kids love to ride the Monorail. We would grab our breakfast from the coffee shop in the bottom of SOG and away we would go. It was great......and so peacefull in the morning. Sorry, had to throw my 2cents in.

 

[Poohbear5]

The walk from the Poly monorail to SOG is a leisurely 8-10 min. walk (did it every morning of our 10 day trip this past May for breakfast at Poly).
You will have sidewalks the whole walk, just one road to cross.

The SOG bus runs like clockwork from TTC to SOG about every 10 min. Call SOG ahead or check on the SOG boards for up-to-date bus schedule.

Be sure to have your military ID with you for the bus and tickets. We were told they check military ID to ride the bus, though we did not have that happen even once in our stay.

The ticket line at SOG took us awhile about midafternoon. There were 2 clerks and about 6 parties in front of us.

 

[Poohbear5]

Have you checked with your MMR office for single day ticket availability?
When we went, we our MMR office had single and 7 days tickets but not the 10 day ticket we needed. If you could get them ahead of time, that would save all the running around.

AAA came pretty close to the SOG price but the tax savings made it worthwhile for us to wait until we got to SOG to get our tickets.

 

[mamaloya]

Guys, you are the best.

I have reworked my plans a little bit. First of all, ya gotta love my 13yo daughter. I as going over my plans with her and talking about buying the extra ticket for my son if he comes. She says, "why not use one of the $99 tickets for him and buy a child's ticket for the extra one". DUH!!! Why did I not think of that? That saves $33 dollars. Hey not a fortune, but that's lunch!!!

Next, I decided to just stick with the 4 day tickets and not buy an extra day. We are gonna just spend one day in each park and add the water park and more. We don't normally go when it is warm enough for the water parks, so we are gonna do Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and Disney Quest. That will be more than enough. Plus, we will be in MK on an evening EMH day, so should have more than enough time to do everything we want.

Now, that trip to SoG will only be saving me $20. LOL I have never been though, so think it would be nice to visit if we are not feeling rushed.

What are our food options there for dinner and is the food very good?

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Wonder if you can get this special rate on a campsite ?

http://bookwdw.reservations.disney....romotionCode=fy09military&market=fy09military

 

[des1954]

Now, that trip to SoG will only be saving me $20. LOL I have never been though, so think it would be nice to visit if we are not feeling rushed.

What are our food options there for dinner and is the food very good?

There is a sports bar called Evergreen with typical sports bar fare. Being from Buffalo - I can vouch for the wings. The onion rings are good, too. Prices at Evergreen are more than fair - like eating out in 1995!

There is another full-service restaurant at SoG, which I can't recall the name of - but it is very good! The prices are much less than comparable restaurants at WDW, but I recall a varied menu, good daily specials, and very yummy food.

Also - you can get WDW merchandise & SoG merchandise at the equivalent to a small PX gift store.

No, Frank - no SoG discount for the Fort.

 

[LarryJ]

There is a sports bar called Evergreen with typical sports bar fare. Being from Buffalo - I can vouch for the wings. The onion rings are good, too. Prices at Evergreen are more than fair - like eating out in 1995!

There is another full-service restaurant at SoG, which I can't recall the name of - but it is very good! The prices are much less than comparable restaurants at WDW, but I recall a varied menu, good daily specials, and very yummy food.

Also - you can get WDW merchandise & SoG merchandise at the equivalent to a small PX gift store.

No, Frank - no SoG discount for the Fort.

It's Mangino's and we will be eating lunch there tomorrow with the gang of 5. The Seafood buffet at the Garden Gallery was great and they lost money one me at least since I went thru close to 50 oysters on the half shell, three snow crab claws and about 20 peel'n'eat shrimp all for about $19.

The oysters were O.K., but washed a little too much and lost some of the saltiness I expected.

Larry