The NEW Official SHADES OF GREEN Information (YouTube Video Info in 1st Post)

[robin19871]

Two questions:

1) when approximately does shades send out the request to pre-purchase tickets?

2) I need a bus refresher:

Typhoon Lagoon bus is which bus, and what is the order of stops?
Same question but for Blizzard Beach.

I'm just trying to figure out my first day with a very early arrival. we're thinking of hitting a water park (since we won't have a park day to spare, but will have an extra WP) but I'm also trying to figure out lunch because, well, I know we can't eat at shades LOL. Or possibly hitting one of the mini golfs and then lunch. Or barring all that, just buying tickets, hitting capt cooks at poly, hitting TTC to activate our tickets and then getting in the pool at shades.

so many options..only 5 months to sort it all out. hahaah.

I was told that Shades sends them out 2 weeks in advance..(I will found out if that is true in 3 days.) How early are you arriving? We arrived at Shades at 10:00a.m. last year after sailing the Dream and they had a room ready for us. (It can't hurt to ask.) We are arriving in the evening this time so we are doing something similar to what you mentioned. We are going to Capt Cooks for dinner and then heading over to the TTC to activate our tickets so we will be all ready in the morning. I heard that Capt Cooks has an amazing pulled pork sandwich that a lot of people rave about. AND Dole Whips. YUM. I am not sure about the bus schedule but I do know that they have the tickers on them saying where they are going. Have Fun..

 

[buffettgirl]

Thanks. I will probably put in for an early room but I know that's not always going to happen - we've been hit or miss with it over the years.

 

[WDW 3]

http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Shades-of-Green/Shades-of-Green-Transport.html

This website seems pretty accurate. AK/Blizzard Beach & DTD/Typhoon Lagoon.

 

[buffettgirl]

perfect thanks. I couldn't remember the order of those particular buses. That's what I needed to see.

Just a tip for anyone who doesn't know: About 50% of the time we jump on one of the monorail resort buses when leaving the water parks, or HS or AK, especially if we're at the wrong time for our SOG bus. It's nice to be able to plan for the SOG bus and it's always on time, but sometimes we'll see another first. Also, from AK or HS there is also a TTC bus which drop you off right at the SOG TTC stop. That also works well.

One more tip while I"m thinking about transportation: When leaving the MK at night don't stand in the monorail line to get back to TTC. Take the RESORT monorail line. It's always nearly empty, or at least 90% more empty than the regular monorail. And even though the ride is not "express" you still get to TTc often quicker because you're not waiting in line. but shh..don't share that with anyone LOL.

 

[WDW 3]

Exactly what we do too! So many people complain about the SOG buses but when you can use those AND all Disney has to offer we really are fotunate with all our options. We used SOG to TTC and the Disney bus AK and didn't wait for a minute going to the park.

 

[buffettgirl]

Exactly what we do too! So many people complain about the SOG buses but when you can use those AND all Disney has to offer we really are fotunate with all our options. We used SOG to TTC and the Disney bus AK and didn't wait for a minute going to the park.

I know! I honestly think we have the best of both worlds. And other than that ttc bus late at night, mostly every bus is easy to get onto without a crowd.

 

[jusero]

Does anyone know if we are allowed to have a toaster in the rooms? Probably not, but thought I would ask. Toast would be great in the mornings instead of cold sandwiches or poptarts.

 

[buffettgirl]

Does anyone know if we are allowed to have a toaster in the rooms? Probably not, but thought I would ask. Toast would be great in the mornings instead of cold sandwiches or poptarts.

I know. I'm happy with an english muffin or toast. (you could always give it the old college dorm room try with the iron hahah)

 

[capeseal]

Does anyone know if we are allowed to have a toaster in the rooms? Probably not, but thought I would ask. Toast would be great in the mornings instead of cold sandwiches or poptarts.

I think they are forbidden. It would be cool if they put them with the microwaves in the laundry rooms. We made egg sandwiches using the microwaves last time we were there, but toasted bread would have been even nicer.

 

[Chris2597]

I have my favorite area but..... I'd take any room

Please share what your favorite area is.

 

[Angel16]

I took a picture with my phone last Dec. I don't know how to post.
But details are: Red, blue and green.
$6.95
Refillable at Lucky's, Evergreens, Garden Gallery or Mangino's.
"Receive UNLIMITED refills for $1.00 EACH at those locations"
(Fountain drinks and iced tea only)

Too bad they don't say Shades of Green on them. They look like they would keep things cold or hot. Would make a nice souvenir!

Just found something pretty cool on YouTube. There is a series of short (6-10 minutes) videos revealing secrets of Disneyland and Disney World. It is called Disney Fact or Fiction and is hosted by the Disney Imagineers. I just watched a few covering the underground tunnels, Walt's apartments and if there is really a basketball court in the top of the Matterhorn. Did you know that Mickey Mouse actually climbs the Matterhorn sometimes? Just go to YouTube and search Disney Fact or Fiction. Enjoy!

This sounds great, going to go check it out tonight.

 

[buffettgirl]

I know this might be a sacrilege in this thread but does anyone have any info on the room discounts at the other hotels for the military? How good is availability, at moderates, and how many rooms can one person get?

Thinking of this now because at SOG I booked a room for my brother and his family but they might not want to go, so I thought maybe I'd let my college age daughter bring a friend and get 2 rooms at another resort. I can't have a smaller room with my 2 kids as it stands now, 19year old girl and 12 year old boy...so SOG works perfectly for us in that regard, but if we end up allowing the oldest to bring a friend then two smaller rooms might be fine. And - we're going to be trying not to do ADRs this year to keep our food light, so that means we're going to be hitting Poly, Contemp or one of the parks QS for every meal. and it might be nice to have food that's edible right there where we're staying, especially dinner.

Just wondering out loud.....


edit, never mind... lol. too expensive and nothing good available because they claim none of the moderates will give a rollaway anymore....(really??) But I can stay at the BC for the military discount rated of 1903 for 6 nights, or a family suite at AoA for 1223. yeah, I'll pass.

at some point if we travel again without the oldest I might consider it. We won't need the biggest room.

 

[appleorchard]

I just cancelled SoG because I booked Bay Lake Towers with a military rate--and one night there at 40 percent off equaled the cost of 4 nights at 40 percent at Shades! But I did it because I bit the bullet and borrowed some of our DVC points at BLT to make reservations for three of the days. I wanted to be right on the monorail and also have the option to walk over to the MK. Even at 40 percent, the moderate and deluxe Disney hotels are expensive!

 

[robin19871]

2 Weeks to go... I am mostly packed and excited. I have decided to pack a surge protector power outlet this year.. It will be able to plug in 6 things as I just remembered that I was constantly unplugging one thing to plug in another..( We have 3 Iphones an IPad and a Kindle fire and Camera) This way I can keep all the electronics in one place instead of in 2 different spots and not having to take out one to charge the other. Plus it is the pits to find out that something is not fully charged and running out of power.. So if you are like me, I would highly suggest bringing one...

 

[robin19871]

I just cancelled SoG because I booked Bay Lake Towers with a military rate--and one night there at 40 percent off equaled the cost of 4 nights at 40 percent at Shades! But I did it because I bit the bullet and borrowed some of our DVC points at BLT to make reservations for three of the days. I wanted to be right on the monorail and also have the option to walk over to the MK. Even at 40 percent, the moderate and deluxe Disney hotels are expensive!

Congrats I have checked into booking a WDW hotel before but when I added up the money with the 40% off it still seemed like so much money to me..(I was looking at The Polynesian and the Grand Floridian.) Perhaps it is because the time of year that I can go too. (Spring Break) which is still crazy expensive even with the discount.. (Over $600 a night) Some year when we can go out of a high dollar season I would like to try one out. Untill then, Shades will be my home every Spring Break..

 

[appleorchard]

A power strip is a GREAT idea--I have one in my Owner's Locker. DH laughed at me at first but now he gets it-- we have so many electronics we drag with us,with phones, laptops and cameras.

 

[buffettgirl]

Power strip was one of the greatest things we read about to bring last year. I can't believe we had never thought to do it before. it made it SO easy.

I loved the year we stayed at Contemp on the SOG rates while SOG was under reno. It was so convenient and we had a room that we could see the fireworks from, so I'd tuck the kids into bed and then open the curtains. I still dream of doing one of the monorail resorts again. But I was really shocked when I looked at the rates. Makes me wonder what the real world is spending when they go to Disney, AND buy dining plans. I'm just amazed. Even the free dining, they're all paying full price for rooms, right?

 

[robin19871]

Power strip was one of the greatest things we read about to bring last year. I can't believe we had never thought to do it before. it made it SO easy.

I loved the year we stayed at Contemp on the SOG rates while SOG was under reno. It was so convenient and we had a room that we could see the fireworks from, so I'd tuck the kids into bed and then open the curtains. I still dream of doing one of the monorail resorts again. But I was really shocked when I looked at the rates. Makes me wonder what the real world is spending when they go to Disney, AND buy dining plans. I'm just amazed. Even the free dining, they're all paying full price for rooms, right?

The price for our room at the Polynesian for Spring Break would have been $3,600.00 Plus whatever the tax is. That is for room only with the 40% discount. The room at Shades was $1,107.00 That was a huge difference to me.. And Yes, if you get the room discount you do not get free dining. The at least $2,500 difference was eye opening at how good we have it.. I could do 2 trips to Shades for 9 days and still have money left over for one stay at a Deluxe during peak season.. Some day I will try another though.. (Off season for sure.)

 

[WDW 3]

Please share what your favorite area is.

2nd floor Palm rooms 2101 - 2106. Close to lobby and bus stop. Really nice at the end of the day.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

We tend to stay deluxe with the 40% military discount. It's definitely quite a bit higher than staying at SoG, but we pretty much decide that when we book Disney, we'll spend what it takes have to trip we want. Sure is nice to have the financial break at SoG this time around, though.