SHADES OF GREEN at Walt Disney World Resort Information & Questions

[jen7233]

Hi! First visit to SOG in May. My husband and I are both vets and he's service-disabled so we're newly eligible. Any way, in the past, as annual passholders we've stayed in most of the moderate and deluxe hotels at WDW and find all of the various hotels seem to have their charms (and pluses and minuses)... This time, we ccould get in and really liked the value of the SOG. We understand that SOG doesn't have much (if any) Disney theming but are excited by the price point and by staying in the MK area. Now, my questions- what room or rooms should we ask for when we check in? Will they try to put us in a specific area because we are only two adults? I've read that wifi can be spotty in the rooms - is that true? Finally, any general suggestions for first timers to the SOG would be appreciated. Oh and yes, we plan to uber/lyft most of the time to the parks. TIA for your assistance!

We've stayed there multiple times. We tried to stay again this spring and in summer, but waited too long and the dates we can go are booked, and we have limited travel availability between my work schedule, kids' school year calendar and one has a sport that takes up time, and then DH's active duty schedule. We are nailed to only a few certain weeks to do things.

Anyway, we love Shades of Green. Location to MK and the TTC, and the price of rooms for location are my reasons. Also, I really like the grounds there, and I don't care so much about needing a Disney theme. I like the coffee spot in the lobby, and the PX to grab somethings quick drink or snack or if I forgot something. Drawbacks in my opinion are the lack of magic band, no food court, and not crazy about the bus schedule for the Springs and system to AK/HS.

On rooms, no, they aren't going to put you in a specific area being only two adults, it'll be based on what's available and what type room you booked. The two wings are the Magnolia and Palm. My favorite is Palm where I usually request, and I prefer either lobby level quicker to coffee and bus stop, or my kids don't mind to be way in the back easier walk over to the main pool and Evergreen's. Our last stay we stayed in the Magnolia because I wanted to be next to the pool and try a different location, but I ended up not liking it. Too noisy for me, the balcony door really sucked and was so difficult to open, pool view blocked by a tree anyway, and an issue with our adjoining door. But, if being by the pool is a draw, then request Magnolia. Yes, Wi-Fi isn't always the best, we did run up front to try and get the Rise of the Resistance queue back when that was going on because it seemed better up in the lobby area. On transportation, yes we usually do Uber. We did a shuttle service a couple times also.

 

[brevebelle]

We're here now as a first time, long time Disney resort stayer though. It is different. #1 thing I would say is just pretend like they don't havr any transportation and walk to poly for everything. I knew we wouldn't use their transportation for MK, Epcot or opening of any parks because they get you there so late, but holey cow...the bus service is terrible. DHS and AK share a bus...what a fun 40 min ride (on the optimistic side.) They also only come every half hr. DS only comes once an hr and drop/pick up is clear on the west side loop...we're more market place folks so such an inconvenience.

...

Walk to Poly is not bad and we can make it from our room (we unfortunately do not have a close room) to the Poly lobby in 10 mins, but definitely speed walking.

...

Service is definitely spotty. I can't even make a phone call in my room except at the balcony. Have verizon, don't usually have issues.

Thanks for the info! We're staying at SOG for the first time on our next WDW trip next January (but it wasn't our first choice for resort; we were overruled by other family members coming on the trip). I always try to err on the side of caution by staying at other Disney resorts so we can enjoy the transportation without having to think twice about it, but ughhhhhh.. at least I know this now and I can get my little family squad squared away. Marching drills to Poly, here we come!

If nothing else, we'll spend way more time at the Poly than I had originally planned.

 

[BigBlueWho]

Did they stop charging at booking? We made a one night deposit, but the itinerary doesn’t show it and neither does the bank.

 

[Leigh L]

Did they stop charging at booking? We made a one night deposit, but the itinerary doesn’t show it and neither does the bank.

Not to my knowledge, that's so strange? I booked a room recently, on Feb 2, and I'm pretty sure I was charged? I can't access my CC account right now (I'll look later), but the email I just looked at does say first night deposit will be charged and also when I log in Shades, it shows I submitted my CC # and mentions there I will be charged for one night.

I also have another week booked and I was definitely charged for that one (but I booked it a year out, last July).

 

[BigBlueWho]

Not to my knowledge, that's so strange? I booked a room recently, on Feb 2, and I'm pretty sure I was charged? I can't access my CC account right now (I'll look later), but the email I just looked at does say first night deposit will be charged and also when I log in Shades, it shows I submitted my CC # and mentions there I will be charged for one night.

I also have another week booked and I was definitely charged for that one (but I booked it a year out, last July).

I called to change dates and it looks like they had forgot to charge me. It is squared away now.

 

[Leigh L]

I called to change dates and it looks like they had forgot to charge me. It is squared away now.

I'm so glad it worked out!
(I'm trying to adjust my June dates and wow, they're totally booked right now.)

 

[Leigh L]

Has anyone ordered tickets from SOG lately and knows how long is it taking for them to call back once you email in your form? Thanks so much.

 

[Neverbeast]

Has anyone ordered tickets from SOG lately and knows how long is it taking for them to call back once you email in your form? Thanks so much.

And if you don’t mind sharing, is it pretty easy to use the form to get a mix of salute tickets and the regular military discount tickets if you’re requesting for a large group? Or for getting universal and Disney tickets all at once? I know our local base has been fussy about making us space orders like that out so I wanted to see if I need to plan to stagger my requests

 

[cosdislvr]

Has anyone ordered tickets from SOG lately and knows how long is it taking for them to call back once you email in your form? Thanks so much.

It was about 2 weeks when they called to get all our information. Tickets arrived a week later by Fedex (have to be there to sign).

 

[BigBlueWho]

I'm so glad it worked out!
(I'm trying to adjust my June dates and wow, they're totally booked right now.)

Are you on the wait list? I hope it works out!
This is actually a backup trip because we had to cancel our actual planned trip.
I need to book for Halloween soon.

 

[01Sweetpea]

I'm so glad it worked out!
(I'm trying to adjust my June dates and wow, they're totally booked right now.)

Keep checking the reservation page, several times a day if you have the time.
We Were there the first week in December, and it was a “last-minute trip” that we booked seven weeks earlier. Since I was traveling with all adults, I needed a one bedroom suite for 2 nights to keep costs down. After multiple changes I was able to finally grab the suite that I needed. Persistency helps. Good luck!

 

[Leigh L]

And if you don’t mind sharing, is it pretty easy to use the form to get a mix of salute tickets and the regular military discount tickets if you’re requesting for a large group? Or for getting universal and Disney tickets all at once? I know our local base has been fussy about making us space orders like that out so I wanted to see if I need to plan to stagger my requests

It's been a while, but we've ordered combinations of Salute and regular Disney tickets before, it doesn't stand out as being a problem. Haven't bought Universal tickets from SOG before though. (We are going to get our Universal tickets locally since we need those sooner and, either way, they have to be activated at the park unlike SOGs Disney tickets).

It was about 2 weeks when they called to get all our information. Tickets arrived a week later by Fedex (have to be there to sign).

Thank you! Very helpful! It's only been about 5 days since DH emailed it in.

Are you on the wait list? I hope it works out!
This is actually a backup trip because we had to cancel our actual planned trip.
I need to book for Halloween soon.

Thanks!! I'd forgotten about that. I'll do that as soon as our dates are 100% finalized. Now that we know we're driving down, hoping to get the rest sorted out this week.

I hope you have a great trip and happy planning for Halloween! (I'm soooo hoping MNSSHP comes back, if it does, might plan a quick weekend with DD.)

 

[Leigh L]

DH just called from work, SOG had called him to process his order. We looked up when he sent the email, it was on 3/7

 

[BigBlueWho]

It's been a while, but we've ordered combinations of Salute and regular Disney tickets before, it doesn't stand out as being a problem. Haven't bought Universal tickets from SOG before though. (We are going to get our Universal tickets locally since we need those sooner and, either way, they have to be activated at the park unlike SOGs Disney tickets).

Thank you! Very helpful! It's only been about 5 days since DH emailed it in.

Thanks!! I'd forgotten about that. I'll do that as soon as our dates are 100% finalized. Now that we know we're driving down, hoping to get the rest sorted out this week.

I hope you have a great trip and happy planning for Halloween! (I'm soooo hoping MNSSHP comes back, if it does, might plan a quick weekend with DD.)

I just checked the Halloween dates. Random days aren’t available, and I guess I need to call and get put on the waiting list.

 

[Leigh L]

I just checked the Halloween dates. Random days aren’t available, and I guess I need to call and get put on the waiting list.

Good luck!
(That's on my agenda for tomorrow for June, I think we finally have 2 weeks we can go nailed down so hopefully one of the two opens up.)

Also, side note in case anyone's wondering, we had about an 8-day wait to get the call for tickets and they were supposed to arrive Monday (tomorrow); SOG shipped on Wednesday, and tickets arrived early on Friday.

 

[Leigh L]

How does the waitlist work? Do they move you or call you first? I guess I'm wondering if I should still keep checking for dates? (I was able to move my former week to a partial week and then today asked to be on the wait list for the other days we couldn't get)

 

[marauder]

I know this is asked all the time but figured I would ask again. Last time we stayed at Shades was pre-COVID. What shuttle service have people been using from the airport? We are a group of 6 so figure that with luggage puts us to large for both Uber and Lyft due to the bags. I priced everything and it appears that due to Magical Express going away all the secondary services are much more expensive then they use to be. For anyone using Mears Shuttle, how many other hotels did you have to stop at before Shades? If the bus stops at say just Poly and GF that wouldn't be a big deal but if it stops at lots of other resorts we much rather pay the difference. It doesn't look like Mears Express is a good value with the $55 per person extra above 4 people.

Our best option so far is going in with the other half of our family that is staying at Wilderness Lodge DVC using rented points and having the very large van drop both of our groups off. 14 people total.

 

[Specter]

Not sure if this has been covered here or not, but DW, DD, and I got back from a week long trip last Sunday and stayed at SOG. We got genie + for some days on the trip, not all, but we noticed something interesting regarding the individual lightning lane rides. We were unable to purchase those until we were in the park, despite having read that it was offered for SOG. Admittedly, that was something we read on a trip planning site and not directly on Disney's website, but every other bit of info for the trip seemed to be correct. My sister and her family, who were also at SOG in another room, experienced the same issue. They could get/book genie + rides first thing in the morning but no ILL rides.

After having the issue a few times we went to guest relations in Epcot and even showed screenshots of us trying to book the ILL rides and being unable to. They wound up giving us a free return anytime pass as a courtesy but told us that SOG did not qualify for advance booking of those attractions. Maybe that's incorrect and they get it ironed out but if that really is how it is supposed to be we wanted others to know so that you can plan accordingly.

 

[jen7233]

I know this is asked all the time but figured I would ask again. Last time we stayed at Shades was pre-COVID. What shuttle service have people been using from the airport?

We traveled as a smaller group then yours, but last year we used Uber to SoG. We've also used Tiffany Towncar prior to that.

Not sure if this has been covered here or not, but DW, DD, and I got back from a week long trip last Sunday and stayed at SOG. We got genie + for some days on the trip, not all, but we noticed something interesting regarding the individual lightning lane rides. We were unable to purchase those until we were in the park, despite having read that it was offered for SOG. Admittedly, that was something we read on a trip planning site and not directly on Disney's website, but every other bit of info for the trip seemed to be correct. My sister and her family, who were also at SOG in another room, experienced the same issue. They could get/book genie + rides first thing in the morning but no ILL rides.

After having the issue a few times we went to guest relations in Epcot and even showed screenshots of us trying to book the ILL rides and being unable to. They wound up giving us a free return anytime pass as a courtesy but told us that SOG did not qualify for advance booking of those attractions. Maybe that's incorrect and they get it ironed out but if that really is how it is supposed to be we wanted others to know so that you can plan accordingly.

Thank you for this information to consider in a summer trip. I hope it gets ironed out.

 

[brockash]

Not sure if this has been covered here or not, but DW, DD, and I got back from a week long trip last Sunday and stayed at SOG. We got genie + for some days on the trip, not all, but we noticed something interesting regarding the individual lightning lane rides. We were unable to purchase those until we were in the park, despite having read that it was offered for SOG. Admittedly, that was something we read on a trip planning site and not directly on Disney's website, but every other bit of info for the trip seemed to be correct. My sister and her family, who were also at SOG in another room, experienced the same issue. They could get/book genie + rides first thing in the morning but no ILL rides.

After having the issue a few times we went to guest relations in Epcot and even showed screenshots of us trying to book the ILL rides and being unable to. They wound up giving us a free return anytime pass as a courtesy but told us that SOG did not qualify for advance booking of those attractions. Maybe that's incorrect and they get it ironed out but if that really is how it is supposed to be we wanted others to know so that you can plan accordingly.

Another misinformed CM. You definitely can and are eligible while staying at Shades. We did every day in Feb. while we were on our way to a park. Sounds like the CM didn't know what was wrong and instead of telling you that or calling IT themselves took the easy way out and made something up. Sorry, but glad you got anytime passes.