Shades of Green vs. Caribbean Beach Resort

[jpalerino]

We are taking our first trip to WDW next month. We are currently booked at Caribbean Beach , but have the opportunity to possibly change to Shades of Green based on availability. Need your opinions on whether to change or not. Is Shades better? Transportation better? Etc.

Thanks

 

[goof29]

There are probably more transportation options from CB than from Shades of Green. However, if you like Shades more you could always walk to the Grand or Poly if you just wanted more transportation options.

 

[Ms. Tinkerbell]

We stayed at the Shades of Green last year and really enjoyed it. We were able to use Disney transportation and EMH and even package delivery to the hotel. We couldn't charge to our room outside of the resort, of course and we couldn't do the Dining plan but that was all. SOG is a very nice resort and it has nice large rooms and patio/balcony on each room. There is a small AAFES and a coffee stand, several restaurants, etc there as well. Depending on your rank, the prices are less than what you pay for a value resort at Disney, but it does book very fast. We originially were going to stay there for our upcoming trip late March, but they were completely booked.

The Poly is just a short walk away and you can hop the monorail or you can use the SOG or Disney busses

 

[The Mom]

I haven't stayed at SOG since it was the Disney Inn, but the rooms were bigger than those at Carribean Beach. Ours had two queen beds with a good sized daybed, which was separated by a half partition...giving a little more privacy. The bathroom dressing area was big enough to set up a baby's crib. I also found that, depending upon the time, the buses were more crowded at CBR, as were the pools. As mentioned, you can walk to the Polynesian to get the monorail for MK.The SOG didn't have a themed pool with waterslide, however, when we stayed there.

We always felt as if we were away from the crowds when we stayed there and had room to stretch out and relax; I don't know if that's still true. I always felt crowded at CBR resort, and depending upon your room location, the walk to the "big" pool/food area could be as long as the walk to the Poly from SOG.

BTW, it used to be our resort of choice, and I stayed there about 5 or 6 times.

 

[slappy magoo]

What Shades of Green will probably be lacking most of all would be theming. Can't say for sure, as I'm not in the military and have never stayed there, but SoG is supposed to be an excellent resort, as impeccably maintained as you'd expect from Disney OR the military, but it doesn't "Scream" Disney, you know? But the rooms are bigger, you're certainly closer to the MK (if you'd like to be close, that is), walking distance to Poly also means walking distance to all the Poly has to offer (monorail service, resturants, Luau show, etc). And as The Mom pointed out, CBR DOES tend to be more crowded, and the resort is more spread out.

Also, if you or your family tend to get along better with other military families, you may feel more comfortable at SoG.

If I were in your shoes, I'd be more than happy to be at CBR (especially if I had little ones who thrive on the overall Disney experience) but I'd personally, probably be happier wit the extra space and the location of SoG, and would take them up on a room if one became available. Besides, unless you don't think you'll be going back to WDW for a long long time, you can always stay at CBR next time (whereas SoG rooms are harder to come by).

 

[CleveRocks]

I've never been to SOG.

If money is tight and if you do NOT plan to rent a car, keep in mind that you can get FREE round-trip transportation between the airport and CBR with Disney's Magical Express. DME isn't available for SOG or any other resort that isn't Disney owned-and-operated. And as someone else mentioned, you won't be able to have WDW-wide room charging privileges.

These are probably very minor things to most people, but I just thought I'd throw them in there for your consideration.

 

[amykissangel]

Bus service is, in my opinion, a bit sub-par at CBR, because it is so spread out, and has several stops. I can't comment on SoG, but it seems smaller and more intimate, so hopefully the busses would work to your advantage :~)

 

[disneyfankev]

i love the cbr.if you stay there try for trinadad north.its i short walk to food court and pool. have fun

 

[MickeyTigg]

As said...the transportation options should be better at the CBR, but you're probably not going to beat the price of SOG.

 

[Mori Anne]

Shades of green is WAY BETTER.

I stayed at both recently, and will NEVER go back to CBR.

Transportation is HORRIBLE at CBR. We had NO hot water and were told that happens when the hotel reaches full capacity. We had to walk all over the place to access things. The beds sat way to high off the ground for my kids. The rooms were so small.

SHADES OF GREEN YEA!!!!!

1. You can walk (8 minutes) to Poly and hop the monerail. Buses are located right outside the hotel lobby.

2. You have a living area, sleeping area, and large bathroom.

3. You get EMH, Room Delivery, ROOM SERVICE FOR MORE THAN PIZZA!!!! It is all located within the same building. Not 15 buildings per lobby.

4. Food is cheaper, better, and many selections.

5. Service is better.

6. It is a true HOTEL, not Motel.

7. It is fun for the kids, and there are little hints of Disney in the lobby.

8. A lot less crowded in the rec areas.

9. IT IS TAX FREE & CHEAPER!!

 

[CleveRocks]

i love the cbr.if you stay there try for trinadad north.its i short walk to food court and pool. have fun

Just to make sure everyone understands ...

If you simply "ask" for Trinidad North you're not likely to get it.

CBR is rather large and spread out (I happen to like that aspect of it -- it always seems tranquil and serene because it's too big to be crowded). There is a single complex called Old Port Royale (OPR) that has the main pool, food court, restaurant, shops, watercraft rentals, outdoor bar, and so on. All of the rooms in the six buildings nearest OPR are officially called "preferred location." These buildings are three of the six buildings in Martinique (24, 25 and 26) and all three buildings in Trinidad North (31, 32 and 33).

Preferred location rooms cost $15-$20 extra per night. These are reserved and paid for, and are guaranteed. If you don;t book a preferred location room and merely ask for one, everyone who paid for that amenity is in line ahead of you. Preferred location rooms frequently sell out, and in that case you'd have a zero percent chance of getting that request granted.

As for room size, CBR's rooms are actually the largest in Disney's moderate class of resorts. CBR's rooms are 340 square feet, the other 3 mods' rooms are 314 square feet, a difference roughly the size of a double bed.

None of Disney's moderate resorts has interior corridors. Only one (CSR) has room service that goes beyond pizza. And yes, the rooms are smaller than at most deluxe resorts. It always tickles me when someone expects deluxe resort amenities at moderate resorts.

The PP who had no hot water -- well, there's absolutely no excuse for that. I also never heard of it. Both of my stays at CBR were during full capacity times, and there was never a water issue. So what I'm saying is, you had awful luck, and again, there's no excuse for it and it would steam me (no pun intended) to no end, but it's not a standard problem at CBR.

 

[brertigger]

Personally, I'd recommend Caribbean Beach Resort.
No one in my family is in the military, but we have been on a bus ride through SoG parking lot (long story...).

It is a very nice resort, but just did not feel very Disney-ish to me at all (which I like to feel like I am at a Disney resort). The grounds are beautiful, with a nice waterfall and lots of trees. The bus service was pretty bad, from what some friends said. For example, for direct service after Illuminations, they had to almost run out of the park to make the last bus of the evening. They missed one or two buses by mere minutes, and had to find alternative transportation. It just took a lot longer for them to get anywhere. They said the rooms were nice, but the employees were not giving great service (or quick, for that matter). It was cheap though, and you're not in your room much.

 

[Ms. Tinkerbell]

Personally, I'd recommend Caribbean Beach Resort.
No one in my family is in the military, but we have been on a bus ride through SoG parking lot (long story...).

It is a very nice resort, but just did not feel very Disney-ish to me at all (which I like to feel like I am at a Disney resort). The grounds are beautiful, with a nice waterfall and lots of trees. The bus service was pretty bad, from what some friends said. For example, for direct service after Illuminations, they had to almost run out of the park to make the last bus of the evening. They missed one or two buses by mere minutes, and had to find alternative transportation. It just took a lot longer for them to get anywhere. They said the rooms were nice, but the employees were not giving great service (or quick, for that matter). It was cheap though, and you're not in your room much.

We are military and stayed at SoG in March 06 and had none of these problems at all. Everyone was great and we had terrific service throughout the resort. We never had any problems with bus service either. We always made it where we were going with plenty of time including the extra magic hours in the morning, and there was no problem with bus service even after the evening extra magic hours or leaving the parks after fireworks/ and or at closing. While the rooms are very inexpensive at about $115 night for a deluxe, I don't think by any means you can call the hotel cheap. It does have some subtle Disney decor including the patriotic Mickey that was given to them from Disney after they had all been out and on tour and display. It's a quiet peaceful hotel and while the pools are not themed, they do have several including the Mickey head shaped pool which was fun for the kids after their busy days.

 

[Jessie&Buzz]

While enjoyed staying at SoG, I don't like that you can't use DME or the dining plan. Those to me are worth staying at a moderate resort. Yes, you save money on the room at SoG, but you end up spending it on transfers to/from airport (if you fly) and food. SoG is beautiful and the rooms are awesome. I would concider staying there again only if I couldn't get a deal at one of the other resorts.

I've never stayed at CBR, but I know someone that has. They liked it but were lucky that they got near a bus stop and the main building.

 

[Ragin]

My boyfriend and I just returned from our stay at the Shades of Green. I found it to be a beautiful resort. The service was great, the food was terrific and the prices were quite reasonable. PLUS EVERYTHING'S TAX FREE!. Not to mention the best hotel/resort prices in Disney!!

SOG is a deluxe full service resort with the most spacious standard rooms on Disney, private balconies, full room service, heated swimming pools, and tennis courts. Everything is located within the main building, with the exception of the Evergreens restaurant situated right next to the Mickey Mouse pool. For a couples vacation, this is most definitely the place to stay, as well as for families with children.

Shuttle buses came every 15 minutes from early morning through park closing. We had no problem catching the bus after Epcot's illuminations display and we even had time to stop and shop for last minute souvenirs as we left the park. (The AAFES at SOG has loads of Disney souvenirs too and everything is tax free)

One thing I will say is that the children at SOG were the most behaved kids I've seen anywhere in Disney and throughout my stays at other theme parks. Must be their military upbringing.

SOG is restricted to active and retired members of the military and DOD. If you qualify to stay there, I highly recommend it.

 

[Mori Anne]

Thanks for you update . I am glad that you liked it. This is our "choice" hotel.

 

[eagles]

i have stayed at sog, and really loved it. i can not think of anything bad to say about it at all. except the disney dining plan is not available.
the bus system was great, and the driver even took the strollers and put them under in the enclosed compartments under the bus. disney's buses you bring the strollers on yourself.

i would go back in a heartbeat, however, i really want to try out all the resorts so since i have already been there, i am staying at another resort.