We just got home from our Disney vacation where we spent 3 nights at Shades of Green and then moved over to Beach Club.
We were pleasantly surprised at how much we loved SOG! We stayed on the Palm side and enjoyed being close to the parking garage and a short walk to our vehicle. (We drove)
The room was very nice and clean! Loved having the ceiling fan! The balcony was so nice and the whole property was so calm, quiet, and relaxing.
The only complaint I could have is that there’s no good navigation from the Palm side to the pools. They need some signs. We had a hard time finding the pools and went on some “adventures” a few times.
I’m anxious to see how the refurbishments have gone in the magnolia side because we may stay closer to the pool next time.
(The pools were both great! We all loved the big slide and my kids loved both slides)
We also loved the buffet and most of all, the pricing! $65 with tip for 5 people to eat is unheard of on Disney property. Plus the food was good and my kids loved the activities they had for them. (Making pizza for example)
Having Starbucks’s coffee in the lobby was great as well!
The walk to the Poly for the monorail sealed the deal for me. It was such a nice walk and really not that long.
We’ve visited Disney 3 times now and have always stayed at a Disney resort. I can honestly say that this will be our “home” resort from now on.
We went to Beach Club from SOG and it was such a disappointment! Especially considering we were paying so much more.
We've done exact thing, split stay SOG and BC. To be fair the BC was awesome over SOG in size, pool, mickey waffles and refillable drinks with our Disney cups at the store downstairs, oh and EPCOT location by far. However, the room at BC in my opinion was terrible in comparison from what we had at SOG. I could hear everything on the other room next to us, and we had a balcony that looked onto the roof top, very far walk down the hallway.
We love SOG, I don't care too much that it isn't really Disney themed, we get theming all day at the parks. Love the Palm wing, it's my favorite even though it's not closest to the pool. We always try to stay there if we can. I guess they could add a sign on the path to the pool as you suggested, we've never had trouble finding it, however, I would like to see some better lighting on that path by the back pond of the Palm wing that goes by the golf course/tennis court leading up to Evergreens. We stayed one night this year (non Disney-related overnight Orlando trip) and my son and I could not see much at all, it was just a really dark night, I don't see well at night as is, but he had trouble seeing too so we had to use my iPhone flashlight.
DH and I think the buffet is OK, the price is not as bad in comparison with closer resorts, and the variety is usually fine and my kids really love it. They are the bigger fans of it. It's a little understaffed, well it has been every time we've been anyway. I think in total we've have five or six stays over the years. Love having the coffee place in the lobby! I usually go down to get my coffee while everyone's getting dressed and I love the lobby even though not themed.
That's my few minutes of calm time, getting my coffee in the lobby with the tall windows.
Also like the little place by the bus waiting area on occasion will grab something for the kids there. Also we like to walk over to the monorail sometimes!
but that's what I was thinking of!
