Shades of Green??

[britlightyear]

Has anyone stayed at the Shades of Green recently? We are thinking about staying there in January and I don't really know much about it. What are some pro's and con's of staying there? We have always stayed at the Contemporary before so I'm kind of afraid of how different it will be but the price is too good to pass up. Are the restaurants any good?
Does anyone have any recent pictures to share? All the pics I can find on the internet are from several years ago before they did the renovation.

 

[PineapplePrincess]

Sorry I don't have any pics. We have stayed there a few times in the past, and are staying there on our next trip which begins in 6 days!:sohappy:
You're absolutely right.....you can't beat the price.
We have been fortunate to have stayed in the new section, and I have requested the new section again. I know the old section was also refurbished, but the new section has some fabulous views of the golf course.
DH & I have conficting views regarding Shades. I love it! The rooms are large and the walk to the Polynesian is scenic(sp?) and not very long.
The buses run on a schedule which they give you on arrival, so you will always know when to be at the bus stop.
The restaurants are okay, but we are not planning to eat at Shades at all on this trip. Bonus! There is a Starbucks at Shades! Also, by the bus stop, there is a little "mart" where you can buy snacks & such, including Red Bull which DH likes to start his day with.
If you are going to the Polynesian to get on the monorail, sometimes you will be lucky enough to catch the "Shady Shuttle". It's a golf cart that will take you to the end of the property, so you just have to cross the street and you're at Poly. It cuts a little bit of your walking time.
DH does not like Shades because it is not "Disney themed". He prefers to stay at Beach Club or Poly, but when you compare the prices, it's no contest!
I hope this helps.....enjoy your trip!

 

[britlightyear]

Yes, thank you very much! This kind of info is exactly what I'm looking for.
I hope you have a lot of fun on your trip and maybe you can post some room pics when you come back

My husband prefers the Contemporary so I'm not really sure what his reaction will be on the lack of theme at Shades but for $85/night he's just gonna have to deal with it! Lol :ROFLOL:

 

[flynnibus]

shades of green is a perfect value if you are eligible

The rooms are huge - biggest on property. about 75% bigger then a value, and almost 100sqft bigger then most deluxes

the property is tidy and well kept. It is not flamboyant. I equate it to a nicer Holiday Inn/Marriott

The resturant on property is nice because it's cheap and has a pretty good range on the menu.

The pool is basic but does it's job

Do not expect Disney theming everywhere - there are only subtle Disney tags throughout the place.

The bus service looks like all other properties, but no sharing, and you can goto the TTC directly if you like by walking or hitching a ride.

The property used to be the best period if you liked to drive - because the garage is connected to the new wing and you could literally have your car within a few dozen yards of your room. However, recently they have changed the parking policy and that a parking permit for SoG is NO LONGER good for park parking! This is a real drag compared to the old scenario where driving and parking in WDW was perfect at the SoG.

There is a dedicated ticket counter in the hotel which is great for buying those military discounted tickets.. and there is a breakfast/cafe counter near the bus stop to get morning needs before you head out.

The place is QUIET (unlike walking through the lobby of Pop Century or All Stars).

It's the best combination on property as long as you are not looking for something exotic. You will not get the 'magical' feeling there, but it is calming and you never have to feel like you are getting ripped off.

 

[britlightyear]

Thank you flynnibus! I had been wondering how big the rooms were but I didn't realize they were that much bigger! Also, I think I have decided to buy an annual pass just for myself because if I have to pay $14/day for parking for 10 days- that is $140 plus the cost of a ten day park hopper is almost equal to the price of the annual pass so if you include the discounts that you get with an AP at stores and restaurants, it just seems like it makes sense.

 

[Mammymouse]

I don't read or hear much about Shades of Green so I forget it is there, and actually have never been there either. I'm wondering where it is and why it doesn't seem to be in the lineup of the other hotels when you see advertisements? Maybe it is just me not paying attention?

 

[britlightyear]

I don't read or hear much about Shades of Green so I forget it is there, and actually have never been there either. I'm wondering where it is and why it doesn't seem to be in the lineup of the other hotels when you see advertisements? Maybe it is just me not paying attention?

I think it's not included in the list of regular "Disney" hotels because Disney doesn't own it anymore. The department of defense bought it from Disney and converted it into a hotel for only members of the military. And from what I have been told, it's right across the street from the Polynesian. I think I remember driving by it on our last trip because I wanted to drive by the Poly but I don't really remember anything about it.

 

[flynnibus]

I don't read or hear much about Shades of Green so I forget it is there, and actually have never been there either. I'm wondering where it is and why it doesn't seem to be in the lineup of the other hotels when you see advertisements? Maybe it is just me not paying attention?

because it is a facility only for eligible military/DoD personnel. It's where the old Golf Resort.. then Disney Inn.. now SoG is/was. It's basically across the parking lots from Poly.

Eligible people pay rates based on their grade. It's very affordable and is treated like a Disney property for EMH, etc.. and USED to be for parking

 

[a2grafix]

Brit, have to agree with those on this thread. I recently stayed at Shades and I am going back in October.

As of now, that I am still actively in the Air National Guard and close to retirement, Shades is/was, and will be my resort of choice. It's economical, spacious, exclusive, has slight touches of Disney, and is within a short walk to the Polynesian.

With the exceptions of a Disney movie playing for the kids in the lobby, an American patriot big fig Mickey, and some subtle hints of Disney, you know you are on or near Disney property because you can hear the sounds of the Walt Disney Railroad and wolf / dog howl (when near Halloween) echoing from the Magic Kingdom from time to time. You can also see clearly the Great Ceremonial House and the top of the Grand Floridian.

Sure you can stay at the Contemporary or some other Disney-backed resort through a military discount, but staying at Shades is based on rank and there is no sales tax. Plus there is an AAFES shopette and Class Six for all your needs, if need be. There is even free Internet, too - near the shopette. It's amazing that I will be staying in a suite-type room for $66.50 a night, no tax. Can't beat that!

SOG buses shuttle back and forth to the major Disney resort attractions, but on a half-hour basis. I like this because you can either take Disney transportation or Shades transportation or both at your leisure. I personally don't mind walking the 5-7 minute path to the top of the resort and across the street to the Poly to catch the monorail or to the TTC to catch the monorail to Epcot or bus to Animal Kingdom. It's an added bonus, like you are apart of an exclusive club. You have access to everything Disney, plus a military-only / exclusive.

Best yet is the $10 round-trip van service per person to Universal and SeaWorld. You have to, though, reserve the van a day ahead of time at the same counter you purchase your discounted park (Disney, Universal, Busch Gardens) tix at.

It's a quiet normal-looking resort with some exclusive benefits, and that is why I love staying there. On occasion my room is right off the parking garage, so it cuts off 5-10 minutes of walking through the resort.

For additional info, check out the SOG website and its Facebook page.

Best of luck and enjoy your vacation!

 

[cdswanda]

I stayed at the Shades of Green in 08. It was beautiful and the rooms were very roomy. The standard room could easily fit 5 with the fold out couch. We orginally had two rooms booked but had to cancel the 2nd room within 30 days of arrival (my grandmother broke her leg and then a week later my father broke the same leg werid I know!). Shades of Green was awesome with accomdating our room change and did not make us pay a penlty for the 2nd room since I faxed a doctor's note!

While I agree the resort is not alot disney themed they have an awesome Mickey statue in the lobby, a mickey pool, and things throughout. All 3 resturants on property were good and they have a little grab and go near the buses was nice as well. It was also great that they had an AFFES store on propperty and a desk to buy tickets and other attractions.

The one thing I disliked was no Disney Magical Express and they do not offer free airport shuttle service. So you A. have to rent a car and pay for parking or B. pay for a shuttle service from an outside service.

I would stay there again can't beat the price even at the highest rates (which I have to pay as a govt employee)

 

[BrittanyRose428]

I don't know whats there for restaurants now because last time I stayed there in 06' I heard some of them were closing and/or changing but I could be wrong. From what I remember there was Evergreens which was basically a pub with an arcade of to the side, it was basic bar food, burgers, fries, beer, etc... There was an Italian restaurant which was very good, but thats the one that I'm not sure is there anymore. I know there is a buffet as well but I've never eaten there.

The pros to staying at Shades of Green in my opinion are...
- close proximity to Magic Kingdom
- ability to walk to the Polynesian to get the monorail
- room rates/military discounted tickets
- the Italian restaurant if it's still there

cons...
- taking the buses (if you're used to staying at the Contemporary, though you can still walk to the Poly)
- less of a Disney feel, the only real Disney theming is the Mickey in the lobby, but its still a very nice hotel.
- could have some better restaurants, but considering you can walk to the Poly again not a big deal.

I'm staying there again in December, I'll probably post a trip report on that when we get back.

 

[PineapplePrincess]

One more thing....they just recently opened a spa. It's called Magnolia Spa. It looks very nice in the photos. I'm tempted to try it, but I don't think I could relax knowing I could be in one of the parks!

 

[BUZZCRUSH]

Get the facial it's sooo relaxing. Love SOG, big rooms, nice decor and don't miss Disney theming (there's plenty in the parks) and staff is very accomodating. (beers are cheap too!)

 

[bhunt]

My wife and I were there 2 weeks ago. We also stayed there on our honeymoon in 09. It's great! Rooms are huge. We stayed in the Palm (new) Bldg both times but the older rooms have been renovated as well. As long as you don't crave the extra Disney themeing at every turn, you won't regret your decision. You do have to pay $5 a day for their parking garage (a lesser known charge), but no tax on the room so...

 

[princessmommy]

One more thing....they just recently opened a spa. It's called Magnolia Spa. It looks very nice in the photos. I'm tempted to try it, but I don't think I could relax knowing I could be in one of the parks!

Love it!!!! I couldn't relax either! "Would you hurry up so I can make it to Splash Mountain,lol"