Shades of Green or POP Century?

[amypooh]

Been doing some research and found that I am eligible to stay at Shades of Green since I am an on-post DoD employee for my Disney trip next March (week-long trip). We have been considering staying at POP Century, but at least wanted to get some opinions on the SoG deal.

Sounded intriguing, but the more I look at the facts I'm not too sure that SoG would be a better value.

Will be traveling with a group of 4 adults and 3 kids (one of the kids is < 2 yrs old), so need 2 rooms. Called SoG and their room rate is $131 / night for that time frame next year, and they expect to still be offering the "meal plan" where each person staying is eligible for breakfast and dinner at the hotel for each night purchased - 1 (i.e. - for a 4 night reservation you get 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners).

Sounds like a good deal, but with the following caveats:

1) SoG has a shuttle to each of the parks, but not to / from the airport (we will be flying), so we would need to pay for a cab - have no idea what that would run for a group our size.

2) The meals are served at SoG, so that means that we would need to travel back to the hotel for dinner (dinner ends at 9:30 PM) and then back to the park if we want to go into the evening.

3) We were planning on attending a few character meals, so would end up paying $$ anyway to do those meals (lunches)

4) From what I read online, we would be saving roughly $10 of 2009 rates at a value resort during March, which is a prime rate block.

With the above taken into effect, I'm not seeing where SoG would be a better value than POP, has anyone here stayed at SoG and be able to tell me if there is something I'm missing in my calculation that would make SoG a better option?

Trying to get my facts together before I contact Kindgom Konsultants next week.

Thanks in advance!

 

[corey154]

I would go ahead and contact Kindgom Konsultants,they'll help you figure out the best deal.

 

[WishIwasThere]

I am staying at SoG this September and I have used SoG in the past. Having never stayed at a Value resort, I can't offer an opinion on that. But the rooms are huge with two queen beds and a couch in the rooms so you can easily fit 5 to the room. I'm not sure if I would do the meal plan with SoG, due to the restrictions of eating at the hotel, and we like the variety of all the Disney dinning choices. We rent a car, so the shuttle doesn't help us there, but its a short (1/4 mile) walk to the Poly so you can take the monorail to MK or Epcot.

SoG is basically a Deluxe resort at a Value or off season Moderate price. No they are no longer owned by Disney so you don't have that total immersion of Disney magic 24/7, but it is a beautiful resort and well worth the $$ for the stay.

Hope this helps.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I love Shades of Green, we've stayed there several times. WishIWasThere is right, the rooms are huge, some of the biggest on property.

It's also true that it is not as immersive as the Disney properties. I also agree about the dining plan. It's kind of a pain to go back for dinner every night. Some nights are great, we go back, relax and swim before dinner, but I just don't want to do it every night.

The rooms at Pop are going to be much smaller, but if there's a special going on then, it could save you money.

I'd be happy to help if you need any!

 

[amypooh]

Thanks for the advice all. If we stay at SoG, what are our transport options?

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Thanks for the advice all. If we stay at SoG, what are our transport options?

Rental cars, Mears, or a car service like Happy Limo. Happy Limo probably is your cheapest option for a group that size.

 

[amypooh]

last question (I hope):

1) Have read several reports that indicate many walk from SoG to Poly / TTC for monorail transport. Approximately how long a walk is it for 2 adults (time or distance, either approximation would work)?

2) Anywhere online we would be able to look for information on the food quality of the SoG buffet?

 

[Disneyfalcon]

last question (I hope):

1) Have read several reports that indicate many walk from SoG to Poly / TTC for monorail transport. Approximately how long a walk is it for 2 adults (time or distance, either approximation would work)?

2) Anywhere online we would be able to look for information on the food quality of the SoG buffet?

If memory serves it was about 10 minutes? I could be a couple of minutes off either way. But not far at all.

I haven't eaten at the buffet recently enough to give you reviews, but you might be able to find someone who can.

 

[amypooh]

Thanks for all your help Tammy, waiting to call them tomorrow to see if the dining special (breakfast and dinner included with room) will carry through next March. If so, will probably book through them, if not will give you a call for POP bookings.

 

[The Mom]

I stayed at SOG many times when it was still the Disney Inn, and I agree that the rooms are much larger; a large dressing area outside of the bathroom, and there is a divider between the sleeping/couch area, so it feels like a mini suite.

The walk to the TTC is not very far. The grounds are very nice, and it is not as large a resort as Pop. Going back to eat from the MK wouldn not be a problem; the other parks would take longer.

I have many happy memories of my many stays there.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Thanks for all your help Tammy, waiting to call them tomorrow to see if the dining special (breakfast and dinner included with room) will carry through next March. If so, will probably book through them, if not will give you a call for POP bookings.

Sounds great Amypooh! Thanks!

 

[wdwsog]

SOG is awesome...you easily make up for the disney magic by staying at an incredible resort. The food prices are so low that I would not go with the dining plan you can get a pizza from the sports bar real cheap. The breakfast buffet is great but the dinner buffet is adequate. trans is not a problem to the poly and a great walk to the monorail. finally the size of the room is great too. we used to always stay at SOG green but stayed at the POP two years ago just to be different...we will only stay at SOG from here on out.

also, renting a car, they have the only covered parking garage on property and you can buy stuff at the hotel store for regular prices $1.50 for a coke vs $3.00 other places)

 

[a2grafix]

The best difference I can give you between Shades of Green and Pop (or any Disney resort) -- you re not taxed when you stay at Shades. It's military, it's government. If you are familiar purchasing groceries at the commissary or BX/PX/Shoppette/Class Six, you get somewhat reduced rate on items and no tax.

Mears is what I use for airport to Disney transportation. Mears used to offier a military rate (about $5-$7 off). Best thing I saw last time I went to Orlando on vacation -- there was NO line at Mears, but a huge weaving line at the Magical Express counter. I paid for my round trip shuttle and was in a van / minivan in no time flat and on my way to WDW.

On average, it could take about about 10 minutes to walk into the Poly to catch the monorail or the bus station, or an extra 5 minutes or so to walk to the TTC to catch a boat, a bus to Downtown Disney, the other parks, or the water parks, or the monorail to Epcot. But don't worry about time - you are on vacation and time has no meaning, no value, when you are on Disney property.

What we sacrifice in military / government service for our country, Shades of Green makes up for it. The room is HUGE -- 2 queen beds, plus a sofa and table/chairs. A very nice mini-suite. A lot of privacy and VERY quiet. You will do some walking to get back to the lobby, but once you know your way around you will find shortcuts.

Room rates are based on grade, so if you are a Staff Sergeant like myself, rooms are on the low end. My parents might join me for a few days, so I will have to pay extra (like yourself with your family and friends), but the amenities at Shades is well worth the price. As said, you don't even have to get a meal plan at Shades. Try a dinner and try a buffet - at least once. It's not Disney and there are no characters, but you can make your own mickey-shaped waffles!

Last few things -- $10 roundtrip via personal van / minivan that Shades contracts out will take you to Universal or SeaWorld. Can't beat that! Shades does operate its own fleet of buses for all the parks, Downtown Disney and the TTC, but if you can take an extra 10-15 minutes to walk across the street, you are at the Poly. If not, the SOG buses are pretty reliable to get you to the parks. Think of them as on-base transportation. They run on the half-hour, starting at I believe 7am until nearly 2-3am. It's all about being flexible.

And if you miss your SOG bus connection, you have a Disney bus / boat . monorail that will take you "close." In the past, coming "home" from a night at the Adventurers Club and Mannequins, I got the Disney bus driver to drop me off at the top of the driveway of Shades after he stopped at the Grand Floridian. Another night, the bus driver let me off at the end of the Poly property driveway. It got me pretty close, and cut about 5 minutes off my walk.

If you don't mind a leisurely stroll through the South Pacific and Spanish-moss covered trees day or night, then the Shades is the place for you.

Best of luck in your choice.

 

[a2grafix]

Here's current info on the Mears Shuttle, courtesy of MouseSavers.com

Walt Disney World

Mears Shuttle is moderately priced for transfers between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and the Disney resorts at $30 roundtrip for adults (12 and older) and $22 for kids ages 4-11. Kids 3 and under are free.

Unfortunately, Mears can be slow, since you will have to wait for the shuttle (which is often a big bus) to pick up numerous passengers and take them to their individual hotels. Allow about 90 minutes from the time you get off the plane until you arrive at your hotel. (Direct driving time is 20-30 minutes.)

 

[mouse_luv]

i would choose shades of green. Its considered a deluxe, and its quieter than value POP. I stay there all the time when we go down and used to stay there when it wa disney inn. The ticket for the parks is cheaper and seriously transportation isnt that bad. if you dont want to wait for a bus you can walk over to the Polynesian and just get a monorail from there.