TR SSR 6/14 Lots of Photos of Grandstand

[starbox]

We just got back from 6 nights at BWV/5 nights and VB and then surprised our kids by an "extra" night at Disney at SSR. We woke them up early to "drive home" and did not tell them that we were staying another night at WDW until we went thru the main Disney gate. They were SO shocked that they did not believe us.

After this trip, I will have stayed at all the DVC properties except BCV (which does not appeal to me). I can honestly say that SSR is my favorite WDW-area resort (although I am hoping to love AKV since we added on!). After staying in other resorts, the rooms at SSR are just SO nice and everything (light fixtures, countertops, carpet, electronics, bedding) is of such a high quality. SSR also has the largest studios outside of OKW - but IMHO the bed/sofa set-up gives you just as much or more usable space. I also love all the attention to small details throughout the resort, the architectural detailing and the landscape architecture. :love: :love:

We arrived at SSR at 9:30am, and I told the CM at check-in that I'd like to stay in the Grandstand if possible, and I did not mind not checking in until the evening. I was thrilled to not only have a room ready, but to be given my choice of numerous units. I picked a third floor unit facing the golf course and it was a fabulous view. The room was immaculate with extra mousekeeping touches - all the towels were folded and fanned out - AND, the studio came with a box of laundry detergent, which was a very nice surprise.

Even though Grandstand is the newest section, the landscaping was still pretty lush - they must have worked around some existing landscaping. I took lots of pictures. It is amazing how much the finished resort feels like a small town in NY and not like Orlando, Florida. It really is a an oasis.

We took advantage of the fact that SSR has awesome CS and avoided eating MK CS - so we enjoyed two breakfasts and one lunch at AP. We had the bacon/egg/cheese crossoints and kid's mickey waffles/bacon and fruit for breakfast and the artichoke and chicken flatbread/turkey brie panini with homemade chips/ and kids mini hotdogs for lunch. The kids both loved the artist easels on the tables, and DD8 was named "Artist of the Day". She was SO excited.

We actually visited SSR to view the AKV models, sign paperwork, and use the pool on one of our Boardwalk days. At SSR, there were lots of recreation activities by the pool ( a hula hoop contest and ice cream making) and although it was busy, there were plentiful pool chairs to be found. :thumbsup2

We also loved visiting DTD at night. I missed being so close in Congress Park, but I will request Grandstand again because it was just so, so pretty.

I have lots and lots of pictures, so enjoy.
AP:
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0678.jpg
Bus Station:
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0726.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0714.jpg
Nice detailing on the roof:
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0728.jpg
Two more nice things about the bus stop - there's a water fountain and a horseshoes playing field next to it.
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0717.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0727.jpg

[starbox]

Super-cool barbeque pavilion. The three in the first picture is planted so that the inside of the pavilion makes a sort of picture frame:
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0704.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0705.jpg
Spa Area:
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0711.jpg
Guest Laundry faces the pool:
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0712.jpg
Water Play Area:
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0706.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0708.jpg
Pool Bar:
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0709.jpg
Pool:
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0710.jpg
Gate:
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0707.jpg

[bobbiwoz]

It sounds like you had a perfect vacation!!! Good for you!! I gotta tell DH about the horseshoes...we went over to use the ones at VB, he's got a "thing" for playing that game!

Bobbi:goodvibes

[starbox]

http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0730.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0716.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0713.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0719.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0720.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0682.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0683.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0804.jpg

[utahkennedys]

Thanks so much for sharing your photos - they are lovely, and SSR looks lovely and quiet!

[starbox]

There's a reason Zagat rates the rooms the highest of any Disney property.

Before I get to the inside of the rooms, I just love the way they made the exterior resort windows frame the landscaping or other views:
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0703.jpg
Room with a view. I seriously felt like I was transported to the country.
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0701.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0808.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0686.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0810.jpg
Foyer area design is a nice addition, it really opens up the entrance:
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0691.jpg
Kitchenette
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0692.jpg
Vanity
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0693.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0694.jpg
Detail of pretty vanity light/mirror
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0820.jpg
Tide in the closet!
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0695.jpg
Nice sized bathroom:
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0696.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0700.jpg
Big TV/DVD
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0690.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0688.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0815.jpg
http://amylovesbooks.typepad.com/photos/vero_07/img_0817.jpg

The rooms at SSR remind me a lot of the Ritz Carlton. They are just so beautiful and detailed.

[DisDaydreamer]

Great report... always love pictures. We haven't been to SSR yet, except to walk around a couple years ago. Might just have to try it. It does look lush!

[starbox]

It sounds like you had a perfect vacation!!! Good for you!! I gotta tell DH about the horseshoes...we went over to use the ones at VB, he's got a "thing" for playing that game!

Bobbi:goodvibes

It was the best vacation we've had so far. :goodvibes :goodvibes I'm going to reports about BWV and VB with pictures once I get them downloaded from DH's computer. I had camera issues the first part of the trip and so my pictures are not where they are supposed to be!

I loved the BWV too. The location was all that people claim it to be, and the BW view was amazing.

[RachelTori]

GREAT pictures!! :thumbsup2 We were there 2 weeks ago - our first trip Home! :woohoo: Stayed in a studio in Grandstand too. Absolutely LOVED it!!!

My pictures just don't have the same quality as your's. What kind of camera did you use, if you don't mind my asking. Thanks! :)

[starbox]

GREAT pictures!! :thumbsup2 We were there 2 weeks ago - our first trip Home! :woohoo: Stayed in a studio in Grandstand too. Absolutely LOVED it!!!

My pictures just don't have the same quality as your's. What kind of camera did you use, if you don't mind my asking. Thanks! :)

I absolutely love my camera. It's a Canon digital Elph Powershot SD600, and it's the size of a deck of playing cards.

I can't praise it enough. Literally, all I know how to do is zoom and turn the flash on or off and it still takes amazing pictures.

[LIFERBABE]

Excellent Report Starbox!!:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

I've told you before, but your eye for detail is AMAZING!! I love the picture frame windows in the stairwells!! That is one of my favorite parts:cloud9:

It is so nice to read of someone who enjoys the resorts as much as we do. We spend alot of time at SSR and it is just really gorgeous and transporting. I would go there if it were not in WDW and being in Disney makes it that much better:wizard:

Really enjoyed your photos. We check in next week for our family reunion and seeing your pictures, just assures me that we made the right choice in hosting it at SSR.

[Sammie]

Since you could see the treehouses were you in the last Grandstand building to open?

If so was it quiet? It is somewhat placed facing Vacation Club Drive and I was concerned you might hear road noise in that building.

Thanks for the photos, they are lovely.

[starbox]

Since you could see the treehouses were you in the last Grandstand building to open?

If so was it quiet? It is somewhat placed facing Vacation Club Drive and I was concerned you might hear road noise in that building.

Thanks for the photos, they are lovely.

All I could hear in the morning was the sprinklers on the golf course and birds. :thumbsup2 There's a lot of landscaping surrounding the Grandstand buildings, and none of the units seemed to face any parking lot/road directly.

I'm sold on Grandstand; I don't think there's a bad room in the section.

[lyzziesmom]

Since you could see the treehouses were you in the last Grandstand building to open?

Could see the treehouses? Did I somehow miss those in the photos? I've always wondered what they look like, treehouses at WDW sound so cool.


The pictures are great! We are staying at SSR in September in 1-bedrooms. We were lucky enough to get the upgrade with our Free Dining and I've been trying to learn as much as I can about SSR. These pictures contain a lot of things I had not seen before, now more than every I'm convinced we made the right choice! We've requested the Springs or the Grandstand section. I love that water play area... not only is the theming just perfect but it looks like a lot of just plain FUN! And I love having a water fountain at the bus stops. These are the details that I haven't seen mentioned anywhere else. Thanks so much, I hope you have more pictures to share!

[disneymom8589]

LOVED your pictures!! Can't wait until we see SSR in person for our 1st visit next month!! :cloud9:

[DVCKennyD]

Nice trip report Starbox! I agree with your assessment of SSR and the Grandstand area in particular... We just returned from our inaugural trip as DVC members and I must say that I really enjoyed the resort. We were located in the building closest to the pool area and thought it was wonderful! I took a bunch of photos as well but am unable to post them because I can't add attachments to my posts yet:mad:!! I'm not quite sure why this is (I'm obviously a newbie;) )but when I can, I intend to post a few pictures as well...

Ken

[abbysmema]

Starbox, I love your pictures. Your TRs have made me so excited about our vacation which begins next week with 3 nights at VB (me, DH and DGD). This will be our first time at VB and I know we're going to love it there. After VB we will be going to SSR for 9 nights where the rest of our family will be joining us. Thanks again for sharing your love of DVC. Marie

[athenna]

Thanks so much for sharing your report and your beautiful pics of ''home'':thumbsup2

[MinnieGirl33]

It is so nice to read of someone who enjoys the resorts as much as we do.

:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

Thanks for the photos. Made me homesick :sad2: but thanks anyway :goodvibes

[Esmerelda]

Thank you for sharing such great photos!! We are also owners at SSR and I have personally stayed at all the other DVC properties. This is our absolute favorite and we won't stay any where else. There is not one thing about SSR that we have not loved!

glad you enjoyed your stay!!
Esmerelda :)

[NYMomof4]

Your pictures captured the best of SSR and made me homesick too I have only had DVC for just under 2 years now and have stayed at all of the resorts, at least for a few nights, and I love SSR more and more as it develops.

[DVCKennyD]

Hello,

Happy Fathers Day to all... I finally figured out how to post pictures of our recent trip to SSR... I believe, like Starboxes photos, they really capture the beauty of the resort!! SSR is no longer the "red headed stepchild" of the DVC community;) I've posted them on the SSR appreciation thread.

KennyD

[alldiz]

Thanks Starbox....
Those pics are awesome....

I didn't get over to the grandstand area last month....we stayed
in CP...It looks awesome though....

I agree with you SSR is sooo relaxing....
We only went to the parks 3 days out of 1 week....
We just relaxed....and still didn't make it over to grandstand:lmao:

I think that there won't be a DVC, that I don't like though:goodvibes
Kerri

[rie4630]

Starbox,
What room number where you in?

[luna99]

wow! thanks for sharing.. SSR looks beautiful!

I"m sorta daydreaming about joining DVC and from what I understand SSR seems to be the "cheapest" home resort to buy in at right? But it seems like there are so many more amenities there .. I'm thinking because it used to be Disney Institute.. like the gym and the spa ... the only thing is when I was looking at a point chart, it looked like it took more points to stay at SSR than it did at AKV... just slightly more, but more none-the-less.

also, I currently live in upstate NY (ok, so it's syracuse, and it's not as fancy as SSR, but still!) so I'm wondering if I were to join DVC maybe I should go with something with different theming than upstate NY! Although, I do like the idea of being so close to downtown disney (I used to work there).

anyway... thanks for posting these! I hope to see your other photos and reviews as well! :banana:

[starbox]

wow! thanks for sharing.. SSR looks beautiful!

I"m sorta daydreaming about joining DVC and from what I understand SSR seems to be the "cheapest" home resort to buy in at right? But it seems like there are so many more amenities there .. I'm thinking because it used to be Disney Institute.. like the gym and the spa ... the only thing is when I was looking at a point chart, it looked like it took more points to stay at SSR than it did at AKV... just slightly more, but more none-the-less.


Well, it does and it doesn't cost more. AKV has multiple room booking categories, and standard view rooms are a bargain points-wise - but beware! I bought DVC after running the numbers and assuming I'd be happy staying in standard view rooms and found that I really, really tend to want to go for the ocean, or boardwalk, or savanna views for the extra points! This put me about 20 points short, so I just had to add-on a hundred! :rotfl: :rotfl:

I've personally stayed in studios at all the DVC properties except for BCV and the things that attract me to SSR are:
1. Downtown Disney
2. The size does seem to equate to amnenties that are on a different level - spa, golf, fitness center, the best CS restaurant at any DVC.
3. Quiet and it feels like a country retreat.
4. Elegant rooms that are more reminiscent of Four Seasons or the Ritz than of typical Disney resort rooms.
5. Convenient, direct bus transportation.
6. Larger studios with the new and comfortable beds/sofa beds/ large tvs and DVD players.

But really, if you look through my SSR pictures, you'll see one with a book sitting on top of the TV armoire. The title of that book is Persuasion by Jane Austen. Yup, I am a girl that brings Jane Austen to Disneyworld. :rotfl: :rotfl: So, it's pretty obvious why SSR makes me happy - I'd gladly wander the grounds in a dress and bonnet. :lmao: I am a hopeless romantic when it comes to the whole Regency through Victorian eras, and SSR is like a giant dollhouse. :cloud9:

That said, I think AKV is going to be really great. I'll stay there next month! The thing that sold us on AKV was the fact that there are seperate sleeping arrangements in the 1bedroom. With opposite-gender kids age 8 and 10, the time is rapidly approaching when they'll need individual beds.

[starbox]

Starbox,
What room number where you in?

I think it was 9346, but it may have been 9347. :goodvibes

[magicalmcwho]

Starbox,

Great photos, we were there at the Grandstand the last week of May and the first week of June.

Here are some of our balcony photos and of the resort.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/72349DSC00010-med.JPG

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/72349DSC00021-med.JPG

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/72349DSC00022-med.JPG

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/72349DSC00029-med.JPG
Balcony view last week in May

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/72349DSC00011-med.JPG
Balcony view first week of June

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/72349DSC00013-med.JPG
I really like this one

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/72349DSC00015-med.JPG

Jim.

[ACDSNY]

Thanks for sharing. All of these photos are making me homesick, but I love them! How am I ever going to wait until the end of 2009 to go back home?

We love both Congress Park and the Grandstands. For us, it depends on the ages of our traveling companions. With young kids I'd prefer the Grandstands. For young adults, Congress Park so they are close to DTD.

[abk96]

Thank you for the great review of SSR. I can't wait to finally stay there. Loved all the great pictures. :thumbsup2

[Luckymommyx2]

Thank you sooo much for posting all of the pics!! I get homesick every time I look at my home away from home. The Grandstand was still under construction on our last trip to SSR (May 2006) but I knew then that it would be the section I'd be requesting on our next trip there. The golf course views cannot be beat IMO!! Thanks again! :goodvibes

[RLRDA]

Thanks for all the great pics and your glowing reports. We are staying at SSR (and AKV) in August.....59 days and counting. SSR is our home resort but we've haven't stayed there yet (added on at AKV). It's nice to see how many people absolutely love SSR......I'm sure we will, too! Any advice as to which building we should try to request? It will be myself, DH, DS9, DS8, DS2. Our boys love to take breaks by the pool. Which building is closest to the main pool? Thanks for any input!

[Desnik]

Thanks for the pics!! I also love SSR and think the rooms are fabulous!! It is one of our home resorts and we can't wait to be back in Nov!! I loved all the pics of the grandstand area and hopefully we can stay in that section in Nov.

starbox
Please take pics of your AKL stay next month!! We would love to see them. We will be staying there in Nov and did an add on there and can't wait to see some pics of the rooms actually in the resort, not just the models!

[disneyfanUSA]

Does the tide come in the studios or did you buy that?????

opps nvm i didnt read that in ur post b4!!

[RachelTori]

:rotfl2: I've got to quit reading these threads!!! I just called our guide and did a 50 point add-on. (considered AKV, but decided to stay with our home resort, SSR! :thumbsup2) I thought I was immune to "add-on itis" -- guess not!!! :laughing: What's really dangerous is how easy and quick it was!!! :rotfl:

[DISNEYNY]

Thanks for the great pictures. We will be at SSR in August...can't wait.

[disneyfanUSA]

How far was your walk to the main building, pool, and restaurants from grandstand??:surfweb:

[summergolf]

Could see the treehouses? Did I somehow miss those in the photos? I've always wondered what they look like, treehouses at WDW sound so cool.

We played golf at Lake Buena Vista which runs through OKW and SSR and runs along some of the treehouses. They look interesting...not in great shape and I heard that students use them.

[magicalmcwho]

disneyfanUSA,

The walk to the main building, pool, and restaurants from grandstand was probably 5 minutes or less, not far (since we were at the building between the bus stop and the grandstand area pool). I walked it several times both ways. If you only want to walk it one way, hope on any park bus and ride to the Springs bus stop which is across from the main pool. Then just walk back, I did this several times as well while we were there.

Jim.

[disneyfanUSA]

disneyfanUSA,

The walk to the main building, pool, and restaurants from grandstand was probably 5 minutes or less, not far (since we were at the building between the bus stop and the grandstand area pool). I walked it several times both ways. If you only want to walk it one way, hope on any park bus and ride to the Springs bus stop which is across from the main pool. Then just walk back, I did this several times as well while we were there.

Jim.

Thanks!

[ReneeDisney]

Thanks for the posting these wonderful photos!
:cutie:

[Ms. WDW]

Thank you so much for posting those pictures! I leave for SSR in 21 days and simply can't wait!! The anticipation is killing me!!! :dance3: