SHADES OF GREEN at Walt Disney World Resort Information & Questions

[KateD496]

It can take forever and a day for SOG to work anything out. I was wondering about the Minnie Vans going to SOG; I don't know why everything has to be so complicated.

I saw a Minnie Van pick a family up from SOG last week.

Also, a drink machine and snack machine were placed in the Palm Wing 3rd floor laundry room while we were there.

 

[capegirl]

Wow! Things are looking up. I was thinking about using the Minnie Van to get us back to SOG when we're too tired to walk another step.

 

[Vitesse_Marie]

I have a question about staying at Shades of Green. I did a search, but couldn't find the answer. I just made reservations for our family to stay at SOG in January 2019. My husband and I are veterans, not active or retired. We're staying during the "Salute to the Veterans" program. I was wondering if we will be allowed to use the AAFES store since we won't have a military ID card. We stayed at Shades of Green twice in the 90s when we were on active duty. We really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to staying again, but it will be pretty inconvenient if we don't have access to a store. Thanks.

 

[Ladyfish77]

I *think* you can use the store as long as you don't purchase alcohol. I don't remember being asked for ID for food/gift purchases but they definitely look for military ID for alcohol purchases.

 

[wehrengrizz]

You can use the store but not for alcohol (or cigarettes? Are these even sold here?) Basically anything you used to need a ration card for (I served overseas almost exclusively so I'm not even positive these were a conus base thing)...thats how it was when we were staying sponsored, the active duty friend had to purchase those but we could get anything else. When staying when i was AD i dont think they even asked. Im staying in september through the vets program and will check if you haven't already gotten a solid answer

 

[Vitesse_Marie]

I *think* you can use the store as long as you don't purchase alcohol. I don't remember being asked for ID for food/gift purchases but they definitely look for military ID for alcohol purchases.

You can use the store but not for alcohol (or cigarettes? Are these even sold here?) Basically anything you used to need a ration card for (I served overseas almost exclusively so I'm not even positive these were a conus base thing)...thats how it was when we were staying sponsored, the active duty friend had to purchase those but we could get anything else. When staying when i was AD i dont think they even asked. Im staying in september through the vets program and will check if you haven't already gotten a solid answer

Thank you so much for the information! It's a big help!

 

[k5xs]

That is correct. No alcohol, no tobacco, but anything else. Tax free, too.

 

[Christine]

Anyone had any luck booking other Disney hotels through SoG? I think they used to offer overflow rates many years ago. I'm trying to plan an impromptu, last minute trip. SoG website doesn't show availability for my dates. I am going to call them this morning but just wondering what other's experiences were when SoG was full.

 

[Disney before Sally]

Anyone had any luck booking other Disney hotels through SoG ... when SoG was full.

Please post your experience.

 

[k5xs]

Please post your experience.

Anyone had any luck booking other Disney hotels through SoG? I think they used to offer overflow rates many years ago. I'm trying to plan an impromptu, last minute trip. SoG website doesn't show availability for my dates. I am going to call them this morning but just wondering what other's experiences were when SoG was full.

Our only experience was MANY years ago when SoG was undergoing renovation. As I recall, we made reservations through SoG but were booked into the Contemporary at SoG rates. What a great trip that was.

 

[Christine]

Our only experience was MANY years ago when SoG was undergoing renovation. As I recall, we made reservations through SoG but were booked into the Contemporary at SoG rates. What a great trip that was.

Thanks! I just called and they don't do anything like that anymore. They can help me over at the Doubletree and the Wyndham, although the Wyndham will not honor their rates. But unfortunately they do nothing with the park hotels anymore. I think many, many years ago they offered a discount on the room rates. It certainly wasn't their rate, but it was some sort of discount. Oh well...I guess I'm off to find something now.

 

[k5xs]

Thanks! I just called and they don't do anything like that anymore. They can help me over at the Doubletree and the Wyndham, although the Wyndham will not honor their rates. But unfortunately they do nothing with the park hotels anymore. I think many, many years ago they offered a discount on the room rates. It certainly wasn't their rate, but it was some sort of discount. Oh well...I guess I'm off to find something now.

I realize this may be an unpopular sentiment here, but DW and I decided a while ago that SoG wasn't for us. The property is nice enough, but it doesn't have enough "Disney feel" for us.

We stayed there twice, and up to two years ago, we would go there every year to renew our military-rate annual passes (to save the sales tax). But now we don't even do that. Our last trip over there from the TTC involved a terribly surly bus driver (and we NEVER have difficulty getting along with people). In fairness, SoG dealt with him, but it wasn't a pleasant experience, and was decidedly un-Disney.

With the awesome military discount rates often available at WDW resorts in all price tiers, we stay on property at about the same rate and enjoy it more.

 

[Christine]

I realize this may be an unpopular sentiment here, but DW and I decided a while ago that SoG wasn't for us. The property is nice enough, but it doesn't have enough "Disney feel" for us.

We stayed there twice, and up to two years ago, we would go there every year to renew our military-rate annual passes (to save the sales tax). But now we don't even do that. Our last trip over there from the TTC involved a terribly surly bus driver (and we NEVER have difficulty getting along with people). In fairness, SoG dealt with him, but it wasn't a pleasant experience, and was decidedly un-Disney.

With the awesome military discount rates often available at WDW resorts in all price tiers, we stay on property at about the same rate and enjoy it more.

So I haven't stayed at SoG since about 2005 maybe (I should just look at my signature!!). The last few years, with teens, I've rented an off-site house which we've LOVED.

But this year, I wanted to try "the magic" again. It will probably be my last trip for quite some time and my parents are also going. My dad needs an ECV until he gets his ankle replaced and I thought it would be easier to try out a monorail resort. Second best would be SoG.

So tell me, how do you get military rates on the WDW hotels. Does this involve a phone call? My husband is retired military.

 

[dznyfgmnt]

I realize this may be an unpopular sentiment here, but DW and I decided a while ago that SoG wasn't for us. The property is nice enough, but it doesn't have enough "Disney feel" for us.

We stayed there twice, and up to two years ago, we would go there every year to renew our military-rate annual passes (to save the sales tax). But now we don't even do that. Our last trip over there from the TTC involved a terribly surly bus driver (and we NEVER have difficulty getting along with people). In fairness, SoG dealt with him, but it wasn't a pleasant experience, and was decidedly un-Disney.

With the awesome military discount rates often available at WDW resorts in all price tiers, we stay on property at about the same rate and enjoy it more.

I get what you mean! My children have only ever stayed at SoG. But I want to plan a trip at an actual resort. I remember feeling like the resorts were just an extension of the parks. I kind of miss it.

 

[wehrengrizz]

Today was my FP+ day, and even though I've been having to relink my SOG reservation like 7x it all showed up today and went pretty well, as well as MDE ever does I guess. I did take a screenshot of all my fp+ but I'm probably going to be modifying so much MDE won't have time to drop my stuff
Maybe this glitch us on its way out.

 

[k5xs]

So tell me, how do you get military rates on the WDW hotels. Does this involve a phone call? My husband is retired military.

Yes. Call WDW central reservations and ask for the military rate (to which, as a retiree, you are entitled). Availability varies, but we have stayed at every tier (value, mid, and deluxe) on-property resorts with a big discount. You'll be required to show your military ID (retiree ID works) on check-in.

As a point of reference, we have taken to riding frequently in Minnie Vans. We visit with the CM drivers, and it often comes up in those conversations that we are military. In most very case the response we get is "That's the biggest discount anyone gets!"

 

[Christine]

Yes. Call WDW central reservations and ask for the military rate (to which, as a retiree, you are entitled). Availability varies, but we have stayed at every tier (value, mid, and deluxe) on-property resorts with a big discount. You'll be required to show your military ID (retiree ID works) on check-in.

As a point of reference, we have taken to riding frequently in Minnie Vans. We visit with the CM drivers, and it often comes up in those conversations that we are military. In most very case the response we get is "That's the biggest discount anyone gets!"

OK, thanks!!

 

[goofynut41]

When is the renovations suppose to be done?

 

[capegirl]

Our only experience was MANY years ago when SoG was undergoing renovation. As I recall, we made reservations through SoG but were booked into the Contemporary at SoG rates. What a great trip that was.

Yes, the good old days. Back in 2003 we stayed at the Contemporary too. I fully expected to stay in the garden wing, but the wonderful CM sent us up to a room on the 14th floor with a fabulous view. As I recall we paid under $100 per night for that room. Unbelievable!
We have stayed at quite a few Disney resorts, but we always drift back to SOG; IMHO it is an oasis away from all of the Disney hyperactivity. I adore relaxing on our balcony, and sitting by the fireplace in the lobby eating ice cream. SOG has it's own kind of magic going on.

 

[k5xs]

We have stayed at quiet a few Disney resorts, but we always drift back to SOG; IMHO it is an oasis away from all of the Disney hyperactivity. I adore relaxing on our balcony, and sitting by the fireplace in the lobby eating ice cream. SOG has it's own kind of magic going on.

To each his own, I suppose. We LIKE the Disney "hyperactivity" when we are at Pop or Art, but we like the quiet of Port Orleans Riverside and the Contemporary when we splurge and stay on the club level.