WDW experts - more questions :-)

michellebelle

2 Questions

1) can you do character dining without staying at a WDW resort?  I thought I saw something on mousesavers about that but I was requesting a quote for a resort so I can't remember if it is only available for resort stays or you can buy a la cart without the meal plan.

2) Has anyone ever stayed here: http://www.shadesofgreen.org/home.html?  My brother is suggesting we get a suite there because he is retired military and the kids could play together in the common living space while adults get ready in separate rooms.  We are meeting my bro, sil, nephews, mom, and her fiance there in December.

I almost want to suggest that he and his family stay there with mom and her fiance, and then DH, M, and I can stay at the Wilderness Lodge. =D  But if it's a nice place and I can save significant moolah, why not?

 

aggiewed

I'm not expert but the Shades of green rooms are nice but the facility itself is not as amazing as some of the other resorts and you quite a hike to get to the tram to WDW. But it was worth saving the money for us because we knew we wouldn't be at the resort a ton.

CindyandScott

 Yes, you can do character dining without staying on property.

michellebelle

aggiewed:

I'm not expert but the Shades of green rooms are nice but the facility itself is not as amazing as some of the other resorts and you quite a hike to get to the tram to WDW. But it was worth saving the money for us because we knew we wouldn't be at the resort a ton.

I have found the budget to stay at the wildnerness lodge.  But my Bro and his family and mom don't have the same budget.

To you, would it be worth it to stay there over staying at someone's home about 30 minutes away from WDW, to be able to stay "on property?" when you want to go to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom?

Thanks Cindyandscott about the character dining question!

CallMeKel

I would stay at shades of green over staying at someone's home....it would be fun for the cousins to be together and plus, it will feel more like a vacation (staying at a hotel via a home).I am sure Wilderness lodge is fun and all, but M will like maximium cousin time more than a nicer hotel room.

PAGAS

I would do Shades of Green.  How much of a savings is it?  I thought Wilderness Lodge was not so hot, I probably won't ever stay there again.  Rooms were small and worn, we had the worst view even though we paid for an upgraded view and I found the staff to be way under Disney standards (except for one cookie decorating lady that was awesome, but we only encountered her the last day)

You can character dine no matter where you stay.

michellebelle

PAGAS - I'm not sure exactly how much the discount is yet.  The discount rates vary based on your military service and status (retired/disabled/etc.).

I requested a quote from the travel agency that mousesavers recommends and am getting one from my brother too.

The only "con" about the suite is time with her cousins means more time DH and I cannot relax.  (My nephew, God love him, is very hyperactive and it really irritates DH, which then irritates me).  UNLESS we take turns babysitting and Bro/SIL can go out one night while DH and I go out another. =D

Thanks PAGAS on the Wilderness Lodge tip.  I had read so many great things about it!