I’m waiting (not so) patiently to find out if SOG will expand their availability to veterans. We stayed there in 2014 and loved it! We went this year and stayed at PoP because my husband is out of the military, but is a disabled veteran (not 100%) and we can only stay Jan or sept and we wanted a summer trip. That trip was great but we missed shades so much! We are looking at a trip next year and we want to stay at SOG so I’m wondering if I need to plan for September (which would be fine) or if we will be open to other months. Anyone else have thoughts or information about this?
As far as I know (on the phone with them today), they have many times when they are booked up. The “slow” time is January and September, and January is nearly all booked up as well. I don’t foresee them ever opening it up to all veterans, otherwise the active duty people won’t be able to get reservations. The cancellation policy is strict (30 days unless you show/prove orders taking you away) and still it’s nearly always full.
I’m waiting (not so) patiently to find out if SOG will expand their availability to veterans. We stayed there in 2014 and loved it! We went this year and stayed at PoP because my husband is out of the military, but is a disabled veteran (not 100%) and we can only stay Jan or sept and we wanted a summer trip. That trip was great but we missed shades so much! We are looking at a trip next year and we want to stay at SOG so I’m wondering if I need to plan for September (which would be fine) or if we will be open to other months. Anyone else have thoughts or information about this?
So we just booked shades of green! We are one of those effected by the equal access act. My hubby has a service connected disability but is not retired or 100% rated... yet. I am so very happy we now qualify. We are new to Disney world! We’ve always gone to Disneyland.
my question right now is this: I’m reading on the shades of green website that busses start 30 mins before park opening. We can also walk to the poly or transportation center.
we are rope droppers and actually like to arrive an hour or so before opening most times. What’s the best way to achieve that at shades of green?
So we just booked shades of green! We are one of those effected by the equal access act. My hubby has a service connected disability but is not retired or 100% rated... yet. I am so very happy we now qualify. We are new to Disney world! We’ve always gone to Disneyland.
my question right now is this: I’m reading on the shades of green website that busses start 30 mins before park opening. We can also walk to the poly or transportation center.
we are rope droppers and actually like to arrive an hour or so before opening most times. What’s the best way to achieve that at shades of green?
So we just booked shades of green! We are one of those effected by the equal access act. My hubby has a service connected disability but is not retired or 100% rated... yet. I am so very happy we now qualify. We are new to Disney world! We’ve always gone to Disneyland.
my question right now is this: I’m reading on the shades of green website that busses start 30 mins before park opening. We can also walk to the poly or transportation center.
we are rope droppers and actually like to arrive an hour or so before opening most times. What’s the best way to achieve that at shades of green?
This is what we do too. Sometimes there is a little "hold" between Poly and MK in the early morning but usually gets moving quickly. For MK and Epcot, we always walk to the Poly. Early morning monorail security line is a breeze there!We always walk over to the Polynesian and grab the monorail from there if going to Epcot or MK. Also has the benefit of the security check at the Polynesian being shorter than waiting for the security check at TTC.
If the Shades buses aren't early enough for you for the other parks, you can use the Disney buses at Poly as well if they are earlier.
Lyft/Uber can come through the gate at SOG.Any of those will be good choices, but it is a little bit of a walk to the TTC to catch the monorail there vs just walking to the Poly. If you’re RDing Epcot, it may be worthwhile to walk to the TTC and take the monorail, but the bus is likely faster because of the walk and wait for the monorail. The buses seem to be pretty slow from the Poly, from my limited experience with them. Early in the morning will probably be quicker, but the last time I caught a bus from the Poly to go to DHS, it was a bit of a wait, then went to the GF to load people there. If there are scooters to load at the other resort, it’s a more lengthy process and a longer stop as well.
SOG buses go directly to the parks without stopping at another resort, so there’s a time savings there.
Alternatively, you could call an Uber or Lyft, and meet them outside the gate.
Another stay at SOG done and as always, love staying here. The price is great, the rooms are huge and comfortable and the food / beverage options are good.
there’s just one (1!) thing I truly truly wish shades would fix -their WiFi service. No matter what wing we stay in, what room we are in (and I’ve been there 5 times since 2014) , it’s barely usable and, generally, completely unusable.I’ve left comments on surveys, complained mid stay, etc. I know unplugging is a good thing - it’s just nice to have the ability to FaceTime with family.
Weird. I have not had that experience at all.I haven't had that problem in any of my 4 trips since 2015. Sometimes when my device has been asleep and I wake it back up, I sometimes have to re-agree to the wifi terms, but that's about it.
Zero problems with the WiFi for our group during our stay at SOG.Weird. I have not had that experience at all.
In August 2019 we had taken the monorail back to the Poly and found SOG's golf cart was waiting at the edge of their driveway. It was POURING that day, so we thought they were helping guests get back, which was awesome. Maybe it's also a regular thing and wasn't just due to the rain?I see a "walking to Poly" theme here. I just wanted to add that when I stayed there as AD on per diem for a conference in Orlando, when I was free and able to explore, there had been a robust, multi-pax sized golf cart that regularly took individuals from SoG to Poly. The conference was a good 4 years ago now, but it was running then. This might still be a thing today?
It isI see a "walking to Poly" theme here. I just wanted to add that when I stayed there as AD on per diem for a conference in Orlando, when I was free and able to explore, there had been a robust, multi-pax sized golf cart that regularly took individuals from SoG to Poly. The conference was a good 4 years ago now, but it was running then. This might still be a thing today?