I absolutely LOVE SOG, DH and I honeymooned there while I was ADAF, and I've been 3 times since, with and without kids, and it's always just so relaxing. Proximity to the Poly is unbeatable. We've driven in from MCO and the $9/day parking is cheaper than anywhere else as far as that goes, so might be worth having a car. If you have an AP and prefer to drive to parks, then that's something to think about too.
I have been able to take advantage of the veterans benefit of staying there AND purchasing tickets. I traveled last Sept w/ my brother, and was able to purchase an AP voucher for him at the SOG rate, and were still able to get his FP+ etc at 60 days, as I also already had an AP. The ticketing office is a big help but be sure you have your questions organized. Their answer has always been to me that "if you're eligible to stay here -and are staying here- you can use the ticket office as an eligible guest." but there was an exception to this, as I couldn't buy the salute the troops PH passes...but could get
MNSSHP tickets (30 days out) at the military rate. I would say check the website (
https://www.shadesofgreen.org/appli...447/Walt_Disney_World_Ticket_Price_List_2.pdf ) and give the ticket office a call, they can walk you through specifics...I also bet someone else on here will know more about other ticket options.
I'm hoping to go this Sept again too and my AP expired. So now I'm playing the Disney Math/Justification game for whether it's worth the savings in tax on the AP to stay/buy at SOG for me to have to take an Uber/Lyft to and from MCO, etc etc etc lol