Shades of Green
About This Page: This is a discussion on Shades of Green within the Staying in Style: The Resorts/Hotels at Walt Disney World, part of the PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel; Does anyone have any experience with this resort? The last time I went to Disney, we stayed at Pop Century ...
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Does anyone have any experience with this resort? The last time I went to Disney, we stayed at Pop Century and got a meal plan deal, but we picked up our tickets from Shades of Green because of the discount. It looks like a rather normal golf club, and normal is not what I want from Disney. So what is it like to stay there?
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"You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality."
Shades of Green is awesome! The rooms are huge for the price, and the patrons are pretty much all military families, so you have lots of courteous, friendly people staying there. The buses have a schedule that they stick to, so you know when & where they'll be. The smallish gift shop is also a mini-BX/PX and also has souvenirs, plus doesn't charge tax, so you can save a bundle on those things.
There's not a lot of Disney theming, however, except for a patriotic Mickey in the lobby; it's owned and operated by the military, not Disney. The theming is not nearly as important to my family as the extra space...and no able-bodied person ever sits on a SOG bus when an older, pregnant, or child-carrying person is standing. If you need your room and hotel to be full of Mickey stuff, then it's not for you, but it's a great place to stay otherwise. Oh, and every room has a mini-fridge included, which is very nice.
Have fun wherever you decide to sleep!
Ginger
PS: This may be a deal-breaker for some: you can't get a dining plan at SOG, so that might influence your decision.
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Distillery tour/anniversary trip & Penguin Encounter with Mark
We also love it there. However, now that my Dh is mugh higher in Rank, its basically cheaper to stay in the parks. The lower the rank, the lower the cost.
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I really think my biggest problem with the place is that it's not Disneyfied everywhere. Oh, it's beautiful enough, and I'm somewhat midrank so it would be somewhat cheaper, but part of what I love staying at Disney's hotels is that feeling of.. well, magic everywhere. I also go on vacation and pretend I'm not in the military; hard to do that at a resort run by the military, even one on Disney property.
You ladies brought up good points though, and I am very thankful!
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"You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality."
You can get Military discounts at Disney hotels just call the reservation number, can't do the military discount online. You can also get the free dining with the military discount room so a really good deal. If you tell them when you make your reservation that you are buying your tickets at SOG then you can get the "Stars and Stripes" tickets discounted room AND free dining! I sort of fell into this the last time I made a ressie, did it by phone for some reason and just happened to mention to the CM that we were military and she hooked me up!
DH and I have always enjoyed our stays at SOG. While it is not "Disneyfied" everywhere, it is sometimes nice to have a break from Disney when you are not in the parks. DH and I do not have children, but when we have taken our young nieces and stayed at SOG, it did help to calm them after a busy day in the parks. MY DH is retired from the military. If I had never been involved with the military and stayed at SOG, I never would have realized that it was run by the military. Since I am familiar with the military, the only real differences that I see in SOG (besides the fact that you do not see Disney everywhere) is that they sometimes use military time and I find the people who stay there to be extremely polite. A parent holding a young child or an expectant mother would always be offered a seat on the bus. While we do often stay at a Disney Hotel, my DH (who only puts up with Disney for me!) still prefers SOG. He finds the rooms to be a lot more spacious and comfortable. Wherever you decide to stay, have fun with the planning.
I think we'll stay at Shades of Green another time, when I convince DH to come along as well. Like you, Kathy, he's only putting up with going because I want to go so much, so perhaps he'll be a little happier if Disney isn't in his face the entire time. It's not a consideration on this trip (he's got a trip of his own at the same time) but it's a great point, one that I hadn't thought of.
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"You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality."
You can get Military discounts at Disney hotels just call the reservation number, can't do the military discount online. You can also get the free dining with the military discount room so a really good deal. If you tell them when you make your reservation that you are buying your tickets at SOG then you can get the "Stars and Stripes" tickets discounted room AND free dining! I sort of fell into this the last time I made a ressie, did it by phone for some reason and just happened to mention to the CM that we were military and she hooked me up!
You can get the free dining and the room discount if you are military? Ok, if we are going and DMIL has military I.D. because DFIL is military and she is going with us, can we get the military room discount? If we can, can we get even if we have already booked? One last question. If we can get this discount after already booking can we do with our trip being less than 45 days out? That's a lot of ifs.
You can get the free dining and the room discount if you are military? Ok, if we are going and DMIL has military I.D. because DFIL is military and she is going with us, can we get the military room discount? If we can, can we get even if we have already booked? One last question. If we can get this discount after already booking can we do with our trip being less than 45 days out? That's a lot of ifs.
You may need to have DMIL's name on the ressie to get the discounts, but it should work, or anyway that would be my guess.
Probably the only one who can answer those other questions is the CM on the phone at the reservations line. I've never used the ressie line, but from reading these boards I've seen that some CMs are more knowledgeable than others. So I'd call and ask the questions. If you don't get the answers you're looking for, try again once or twice.
I'd never heard of this Stars & Stripes deal, either! SOG had something called Stars & Stripes years ago, and I think it included meals at the hotel and tickets, but this is obviously something different. This one sounds worthwhile for times when free dining is offered. Good luck!
Ginger
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Distillery tour/anniversary trip & Penguin Encounter with Mark
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You can get the military discount on the rooms, you can get the military discount on the tickets ( or even the military salute tickets at a fantastic savings) and you can get the dining plan. But...you CANNOT get FREE dining when using ANY discounted room price or discounted ticket.
You can get the military discount on the rooms, you can get the military discount on the tickets ( or even the military salute tickets at a fantastic savings) and you can get the dining plan. But...you CANNOT get FREE dining when using ANY discounted room price or discounted ticket.
This is correct. You can get a room discount and the Disney Dining Plan but the DDP will NOT be free. : However, the military discounted rooms are limited so your MIL would have to call ASAP. At this point in time, it may be too close to be able to get anything, though, as the rooms can go pretty fast. Can't hurt for her to try though!
I believe that you can still get the discount as long as she is listed on your reservation AND is with you at check in in order for them to check her ID for the discount. If you can't produce a valid military ID at check in, they will not honor the discount. :
I could be mistaken but I don't believe there is a "package deal" called Stars and Stripes. There are no packages for military guests . . . everything is "separate". You can add the dining plans at cost to the discounted room but cannot add tickets to that. You have to buy the tickets separately from the room as you have to show ID to purchase them and, with the "Salute" tickets, you are limited in the amount of tickets you can purchase per year (6 per service member).
"Stars and Stripes" tickets are the regular Shades of Green tickets that include Park Hopping privileges as well as Water Park Fun & More option. The "Armed Forces Salute" tickets are the special 4-day tickets that you can buy on base, at SOG or through Disney (to which you can add Park Hopping, Water Parks Fun & More or both options).
SOG is a great place to stay. Close to the monorail, price according to your rank, and NO TAX!
The military rate at all the resorts is a good deal if you can get it. The rooms are limited and go FAST! The military special at a Moderate is about equivalent to staying at SOG. You also have to take into consideration that Disney has ME and SOG does not. I will stay there again when I am done staying at all the Moderates.
The rooms are twice the size of any moderate or value!
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We have not stayed at SOG but have used it amenities. The AAFES store is great for getting Disney trinkets and no tax. The ticket counter is a bit wild at times but gets the job done. We have eaten at both eateries - the buffet is the better choice. And like lots of other posters said, the guests act as guests with extreme politeness and manners (which I find REALLY refreshing after a day at the parks.)
We regularly use the Military Room Discount and maybe we just get lucky but I have made reservations with it less than 6 days before traveling. We do stay mostly at deluxe hotels so maybe that's it? I have "played" the numbers and most of the time the money I save with the room discount with paying for the add-on Disney Dining Plan and military ticket still keeps my cost about 25% less than the free dining packages.
Disney is one of the best at supporting the miltary and this family is greatly appreciative.
FYI - Disney Cruise Lines have AMAZING military discounts also. You just have to be flexible about when, where, and how long you cruise. We are going on 1st cruise and we saved 60% off the rack rate for a 4-Night Bahamas Stateroom with Verandah sailing 2/12/2012! Love ya Disney!
Welcome to the boards, and have lots of fun on your cruise! I just just came back from a (non-Disney) cruise to the Bahamas, and it was lovely....except that our boat was the one where a guest died, so very sad.
Ginger
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Distillery tour/anniversary trip & Penguin Encounter with Mark
we stayed at SOG from when i was 6 to 10 yrs old. that was before we wanted to do the Dining plan. We mainly stayed for the discounted Tix to the parks and to Universal etc.
My parents were both in the army. My dad got Medically released and my mom retired after 22 yrs of service.
We did the special Military trip in 09. we got discounted tix at base before we left and our room and dining was discounted. Stayed at POP.
If u want golf this is the place to stay, also if dont care about the Theming.
If u want Pure disney theming stay on prop and mayb get your tix here. Or if u get a package, but u r in Military and plan on goin to Universal r something, u still can get Discounted tix for those parks.
This hotel is Beautiful and Spacious but if u don't want a strict bus schedule don't stay here.
About This Page: This is a discussion on Shades of Green within the Staying in Style: The Resorts/Hotels at Walt Disney World, part of the PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel; Does anyone have any experience with this resort? The last time I went to Disney, we stayed at Pop Century ...
So what is it like to stay there?
Oh, it's beautiful enough, and I'm somewhat midrank so it would be somewhat cheaper, but part of what I love staying at Disney's hotels is that feeling of.. well, magic everywhere. I also go on vacation and pretend I'm not in the military; hard to do that at a resort run by the military, even one on Disney property.
This is correct. You can get a room discount and the Disney Dining Plan but the DDP will NOT be free. 
: However, the military discounted rooms are limited so your MIL would have to call ASAP. At this point in time, it may be too close to be able to get anything, though, as the rooms can go pretty fast. Can't hurt for her to try though! 
I have "played" the numbers and most of the time the money I save with the room discount with paying for the add-on Disney Dining Plan and military ticket still keeps my cost about 25% less than the free dining packages.
Welcome to the boards, and have lots of fun on your cruise! I just just came back from a (non-Disney) cruise to the Bahamas, and it was lovely....except that our boat was the one where a guest died, so very sad.
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