[smichael]

Just returned from Shades of Green on 5/26. My family is non-military (my step-sister sponsored us) and we're used to Disney hotels so I was a little apprehensive about staying there. Overall, it's a great place.

Rooms are VERY large compared to CB and POFQ and there's a fridge provided at no extra charge. It's nice to have a private balcony too. Breakfast buffet was very good, ate at the dinner buffet twice - first night was great, second was just ok. Evergreen's is also good, the other restaurants aren't open yet. Used the bus service which was very prompt, but the bus stop at the parks is usually in the middle of a parking lot with little or no shade. Also, there are no benches at the SOG bus stop but if you pay attention to the schedule you're not waiting long anyway. Many people walk to the Polynesion (sorry, I can't spell that!) and use their buses, but after a hot day at the parks it's kind of a long walk back to SOG.

From what I've read, other people who are staying there are worried about not having the 'Disney magic' at SOG. Frankly, it has something even better - peace and quiet!! No noisy food courts, very quiet rooms, and a polite staff. On the down side, the staff is a little 'green' (pun intended!). One of the desk clerks told my husband not to miss Alien Encounter. When he informed her it had been closed for quite sometime she didn't believe him.

One last tip - go to the fifth floor of the parking garage to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks. Great view!!

[mmouse67l]

Thank you very much smichael. Especially the tip about the fireworks. Sounds like things are coming together pretty well there. So the buses go to each park? Not just to the TTC?

[smichael]

Oops, sorry, I should have been more specific. The buses go to the TTC for Epcot and Magic Kingdom, but they go directly to AK, Blizzard Beach and MGM. The Marketplace/Pleasure Island stop is at the Wyndham hotel across the street according to the info sheet at SOG, but we used the Poly bus to go there.

[caseywirth]

Is the shopette open yet?

[smichael]

If you mean the gift shop, yes it's open. The military members of my family say it's not the typical PX prices though - much more expensive.

[mmouse67l]

Sorry to bother you with another question, but how long would you say the walk is to the Poly? We like the idea of being able to walk over and hop on the monorail. Thank you.

[smichael]

The walk to the Poly is about 10-15 minutes. It's a nice walk on the SOG property past the ponds, there are some small alligaters there you can look for. Then you cross the road and you're walking along the road a short stretch until you hit the Poly's parking lot. I'm the one who didn't like the walk only because it was so hot, but my husband walked over every morning to get breakfast for us. The SOG Express Cafe wasn't open yet so there was no place for danishes, coffee, etc.

[jwdj4lfe]

Thanks for the Info Smichael! My family stayed at the SOG in 2002, right before the renovation and loved it. And have been excitedly waiting for the hotel to open back up! You're right, the rooms are humongous compared to Disney's hotels, they even dwarf the deluxe resort rooms. The hotel was sooo small when we stayed there (alittle over 200 rooms), when you said 5 story parking garage my eyes almost fell out of there sockets! lol. Can't wait to see what it looks like!
Joe