Just back from SSR 7/1-7/7

[TriciaT]

Hi Everyone,

We just returned yesterday from our first stay at SSR. We had room 8525, a 1 bedroom, in the Grandstand section. Our room was on the first floor and the closest room possible to the Grandstand pool. We were thrilled with the location. Our back patio faced the golf course. We were a 3 minute walk to the main area, and an even shorter walk to the Grandstand bus stop and the parking lot.

We enjoyed our stay there. We rented a car so cannot give any feedback about Disney Transportation. We did not use the Spa, golf course, or main pool, but my husband and sons did go on a fishing excursion. We also ate at both Turf Club and Artist Palette, and of course spent time at the Grandstand Pool.

We used online checkin which worked very well for us. We got off our plane at 9:45, got our rental car, checked in at the resort, drove to AK and walked through the turnstiles at 11:15. Our room was not ready when we checked in but we were not expecting that anyway. We had groceries delivered from Garden Grocer which were left with Bell Services before we arrived.

I'd be happy to answer any questions about our stay at SSR.

 

[dizney4us]

Glad you had a nice stay. We love the Grandstand section! Had a great stay there last October in a studio that overlooked the golf course. We had a great meal at the Turf Club, and we always enjoy Artist Palette.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Sounds like a great vacation. My son (12), his uncle and best friends also did the Bass Fishing excursion and loved it.

It's amazing how quickly the time goes by! Time to plan the next one!

 

[MrsNick]

Sounds like a wonderful vacation

Quick questions for you about the online check-in:
Was there a separate line for people who had done online check-in at registration?
Did you make a location request, and if so were they able to fulfill it?
Did they get you checked in any faster (like did they already have your folder and room keys ready)?

Thanks! (P.S. we're a stones throw away from you down Rte. 3, lol)

 

[TriciaT]

Mrs Nick>>>>
There was a seperate check in line for online check in. There was no one at it when I walked in, and there were two cast members working that counter. So I walked right up and was handed my folder. I did have special requests through member services, first floor, prefers Grandstand, close to bus and pool as per a medical condition. On the outside of my folder was a sticker that said my name and underneath it said, "check notes" which I'm not sure if that happens with all requests or that mine were medical in nature (I have newly dx'd MS and was intimidated by the size of the resort and voiced that to Member Services when making my ressies)

Had I left a credit card as deposit over the internet I would have been on my way in about 30 seconds, but I brought a lot of cash and gift cards and asked the cast member to transfer them as well as my park tickets to our kttw cards. Those additional transactions took about 5 minutes. Our room was not ready. We were told we would get a phone call when it was. We left AK at 6PM and no phone call so we stopped at the front desk on our way back and got our room number. It was ready but there must have been a glitch in the system because we did not receive a call letting us know.

BEASLYBOO>>>>>
My sons 13 and 17 did the trip with their dad and his best friend who lives in the area. They did the Bass trip at Beach Club and did find the fish bigger and more plentiful in the Epcot waters but it could have been the weather or some other circumstance affecting their success. I know nothing about fishing and leave that fun up to dh and the boys....I took it as a morning to sleep in! We were able to use a coupon from the Birnbaum guide book and saved $52 off the trip so if you plan to go again definitely buy one of those books!

disney4us>>>>>
We really enjoyed Turf Club and I tried really really hard to like Artist Palette. As a grab and go spot or a merchandise store it was great, but the hot foods line was long, slow and average food. I tried to ignore all the negative comments about it that I read before we went, but I have to agree it could be a better counter service spot. Not much variety and the food was so so. I bought prepackaged things to eat in our rooms when the line seemed daunting though. However if I were on the dining plan and had credits to use and no car to get anywhere else to use them, I would have been frustrated. That was not our situation so it didn't really bother me. Turf Club was quite enjoyable though!

 

[wdrl]

Glad to hear you had an enjoyable trip. May I ask you a few questions about your stay at SSR?

How long is the walk from the Grandstand to Turf Club/Artist Point?

Did you walk or take the ferry boat to Downtown Disney? If so, how long did it take you?

As I understand it, the Grandstand is the first stop on the Park Bus route, and the Springs is the last stop. If you rode the busses, were they crowded or full by the time they reached the Springs' bus stop?

Thanks!

 

[TriciaT]

From our room at the Grandstand (keep in mind there are different buildings in that section) it was a 3 minute walk to main building which was the main pool, check in and concierge desks, Artist Palette and Turf Cluf. Our room was directly facing the Grandstand Pool so that would be the walking time from the pool to the main building.

As far as the busses, it is my understanding that the Grandstand is the first stop, and the Springs is the last, but we had a rental car so I don't know from experience. I will say that I never saw more than 10 people at the Grandstand bus stop at one time (it was right by our room so we passed it often) so its not like the bus stops were jam packed with people.

We went to DTD twice but took our car both times, so I am sorry I can't help with that. I will say that even driving, DTD is much further away from where we were staying than I thought. I think I expected it to be right across the road from us but it was really a 3 or 4 minute drive from door to door. That's from the Grandstand area though. I think we were the furthest away.

 

[KPH500]

Hi Tricia! We just returned from our stay at SSR too (6/25-7/4), we probably saw you at the pool!! We were in the Grandstand, room 8114 a 1br on the first floor, very close to the bus stop. This was our third stay at SSR but first time in the Grandstand, we will definitely request this area again.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Glad you had such a good trip! I've never stayed in the Grandstand area; usually Congress Park.

Can I ask how you liked Garden Grocer? I was thinking of using a grocery service next year, but I'm not sure yet which one.

 

[TriciaT]

Karen>>>We spent some time at the pool after our first couple of days. Our first full day it was closed for weather and they forgot to take the sign down! We called Disney recreation and they said it was open but I think everyone was afraid to jump in with that sign still there! And then the pump broke and it was closed the next day....ugh. We got a slow start but by the 4th started spending more time there. I went through 2 hardcover books this trip mostly at that pool. It was a nice quiet area.

MsWDW>>>>This was my second time using Garden Grocer. For the most part it was fine. I placed an order a couple of weeks before the trip then 2 days before decided to add a couple of items. Those extra items were just called in so I didn't get to select off the internet exact items. For example I asked for a pound of butter, and I got a tub of country crock. The other issue was I asked for two frozen pizzas each a different style and received one. When I called to question it they said they couldn't find the second type (I think it was stuffed crust) so they just sent the one they found. Considering the add on of the order was two phone calls plus they called my twice to confirm that they left the food with bell services, I don't really understand why they didn't either just send two of the pizza that they did have in stock or call me to ask what I would like in exchange. That was our planned dinner for arrival night and it kinda messed up our dinner plans. We made the one pizza for the kids and dh and I went to Artist Palette and split a sandwich. Was it the end of the world? No but I was a little disappointed. I am not certain if I was charged for that extra pizza or not because I didn't see a receipt for the add on part of the order. I did call them when I realized we were missing a pizza and they said I wasn't charged but I have no proof of that.

All in all I would use them again, but I would be more careful with my order and order closer to my trip and not add extra things on at the last minute.

 

[BlakeNJ]

Hi Everyone,

We just returned yesterday from our first stay at SSR. We had room 8525, a 1 bedroom, in the Grandstand section. Our room was on the first floor and the closest room possible to the Grandstand pool. We were thrilled with the location. Our back patio faced the golf course. We were a 3 minute walk to the main area, and an even shorter walk to the Grandstand bus stop and the parking lot.

We enjoyed our stay there. We rented a car so cannot give any feedback about Disney Transportation. We did not use the Spa, golf course, or main pool, but my husband and sons did go on a fishing excursion. We also ate at both Turf Club and Artist Palette, and of course spent time at the Grandstand Pool.

We used online checkin which worked very well for us. We got off our plane at 9:45, got our rental car, checked in at the resort, drove to AK and walked through the turnstiles at 11:15. Our room was not ready when we checked in but we were not expecting that anyway. We had groceries delivered from Garden Grocer which were left with Bell Services before we arrived.

I'd be happy to answer any questions about our stay at SSR.

I am glad you enjoyed SSR. We stayed there for the first time this past November--right next door to you in 8523 (2br). It was a great location, wasn't it? We would request there again in a heartbeat! I am sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis.

Sounds like a wonderful vacation

Quick questions for you about the online check-in:
Was there a separate line for people who had done online check-in at registration?
Did you make a location request, and if so were they able to fulfill it?
Did they get you checked in any faster (like did they already have your folder and room keys ready)?

Thanks! (P.S. we're a stones throw away from you down Rte. 3, lol)

We are off RT 3 too! Jersey Girl

 

[wdrl]

Thanks so much for answering our questions! We are thinking of staying at SSR in late September 2010 and wonder what section we should request. We'll have a car, but like to use the Disney busses to get to the parks. Your insights are a great help!

 

[zalansky]

Hello! We're heading to SSR for an overnighter this weekend because we have some holding point we need to use ASAP. We've booked the Turf Club for dinner - do you mind sharing what you had for dinner? I peeked at the menu and think I know what I am going to get but would love to know what made you guys so happy.

 

[oakmanner]

SSR is awesome! Love The Turf Club...can't wait to return in May!

 

[FindTheMickeys]

To have a decent walk to DTD, Congress Park is a better option. I have stayed in Congress Park twice and the Springs once. I have to admit that the view from our room in CP was much prettier (both times we were looking at DTD) than the Springs (looking at the bus stop). For our next trip in September, I have requested Congress Park so that we can walk to DTD. Standing on a bus doesn't bother me as long as it is taking me to see the Mouse