Any downside to the Springs section?

[rutgers1]

We are going to be staying at SSR for the first time next month, and our requested area was Springs. I requested that with little knowledge of the resort. I asked the cast member on the phone which was closest to the main pool and "action," and she said Springs. However, since then, I hear everyone rave about Grandstand. I get the impression that people choose Grandstand over Springs because Grandstand is the first bus stop and isn't that far from the action. Is that the case? And if so, is the walk to the Grandstand bus stop a long one from Springs? When I told me wife about the bus difference, she said, "So what, we'll just walk to the Grandstand bus stop if we are concerned about not getting a seat." If it is a two minute walk, it seems like Springs would be great for the following reasons:
1) right by the main area (I think....am I right?)
2) short walk to the Grandstand bus stop, if I want to be the first on the bus in the morning (I think....am I right?)
3) first bus BACK from the parks (once again, I think that is the case)

Thanks for your insight!!!!

[thelionqueen]

We LOVED the Springs section, and will request to stay there again on our next visit. No down side from what we experienced, enjoy and I hope your request comes through!

[simba20]

There's not really a downside. The only one I can think of, is the one you mentioned about not getting a seat on a bus or the bus being standing room only.

To answer your questions:
1) right by the main area (I think....am I right?)

Yes. Right where the action is. Not a far walk to the feature pool, CS and TS restraunts, check-in, Community Hall, etc.

2) short walk to the Grandstand bus stop, if I want to be the first on the bus in the morning (I think....am I right?)

About 5-10 minutes depending on what building you are in and how fast you walk. The path to the Grandstand section directly from the Carraige House, goes by the Grandstand pool. From there keep walking straight ahead and there's the GS bus stop.

3) first bus BACK from the parks (once again, I think that is the case)
No. Grandstand would be the first stop back. Bus stop order for the parks: Grandstand, Carosel (sp), Paddock, Congress Park, and The Springs.

Not an authority, but next week marks our 3rd trip this year staying at SSR.

[Greyhound22]

The walk to the "action" from the Grandstand was around 3 minutes. Plus we had our own action with a pool, mug-fill station, etc. I say go for the Grandstand! It was the first dropoff as well as pickup also.

[rutgers1]

Grandstand is first pickup AND return? What a coup!

[hakepb]

On the personal preference side, I prefer the more "private" (i.e not seeing other DVC units) views I've had a Grandstand and Congress Park (although some of those units may face other units, too..) I felt more peaceful than the slight, extra "bustle" at Springs..
On a map, the 2 Grandstand pool buildings are the same distance to AP/Turf Club as the middle Springs building, but Grandstand does have 2 farther buildings (that have wonderful, private, golf course views)

[DisneyStarWisher]

We stayed at SSR last fall, actually in both sections. We started in a studio in the Grandstand section and ended in a 1 BR in the Springs. Even though we loved the 1 BR, we loved the Grandstand more. It was much quieter than the Springs. Even though the Springs was right by the action, that is exactly what made it noisier. Each morning, the beeping of a service vehicle backing up woke us. Grandstand was quieter, but was still a very short walk to the action. And the first bus stop was also a HUGE plus!!! My vote is for the Grandstand!!!

[HsvTeacher]

We stayed in the Springs for five nights in May. If we ever stay at SSR again, I am going to request Grandstand.

The bus situation was horrible at the Springs stop. When going to the parks, there were usually not any seats, or even standing room, by the time the buses got to us. The Springs bus stop got really crowded with folks who couldn't fit on the buses. After a couple of days of crowded buses, we ended up hopping on the internal bus that went to the Grandstand stop and waited for a bus there. (I'm not sure that the internal bus still stops at Grandstand, since the Treehouses are now open.)

[MrsNick]

Does anyone know how long of a walk it is from the Grandstand to DTD Westside? Thanks!

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Originally Posted by MrsNick

Does anyone know how long of a walk it is from the Grandstand to DTD Westside? Thanks!

It depends on the exact building you're leaving from, but it's about a 1/2 mile -- roughly the same as getting to the Marketplace from Congress Park. However, walking to DTD from Grandstand brings you to the very end of the West Side, through the parking lot by Cirque. Unlike arriving right in the midst of things at the Marketplace, you have to walk a bit through the West Side before you hit "civilization."

We're not allowed to use it here at work any more, but Google Earth has a very nice tool that lets you trace a complex path and find out the walking/driving distance.

[ParrotBill]

To clear this up:

Buses to parks, first stop on is Grandstand, last stop on is Springs.
Coming back, same route, first stop is Grandstand, last stop Springs.

DTD Bus uses back entrance: First stop is Springs, second stop is Grandstand, then around to Carousel, Paddock and Congress Park and out to DTD. Same coming back.

In Grandstand, request 8000s to be close to pool and short walk to main pool, food and lobby. It is also a little noisy from the pool and a creaky windvane on the pool house. There is a drink refill station at the pool open about noon to 6.

We requested that but got Grandstand 9000s. That is a short walk to the pool but a longer walk to the main pool, food and lobby. It is quieter.

[shortbusmom]

we always stay at congress park when we go DH likes to walk to DTD but this time I thought it would be fun to stay at the springs what a mistake- the bus was horrible from there more times than not it was full and it didn't even stop and then you wait for the next bus which could come in another 20 minutes we just started taking which ever bus came and wasn't full to get when we needed. I will request either the Grandstand or Congress Park also the Springs was too crowded in the afternoon no chairs available I pool near the Grandstand and Congress Park is better less people.

[MrsNick]

Originally Posted by BirdsOfPreyDave

It depends on the exact building you're leaving from, but it's about a 1/2 mile -- roughly the same as getting to the Marketplace from Congress Park. However, walking to DTD from Grandstand brings you to the very end of the West Side, through the parking lot by Cirque. Unlike arriving right in the midst of things at the Marketplace, you have to walk a bit through the West Side before you hit "civilization."

We're not allowed to use it here at work any more, but Google Earth has a very nice tool that lets you trace a complex path and find out the walking/driving distance.

Thanks, I appreciate the info!

[tjkraz]

Personally I think the bus thing is a little overblown. It really depends upon when you arrive at the bus stop in relation to the bus making its rounds. Example:

Two families leave their respective rooms at 8:00am. One family is staying in The Grandstand and the other in The Springs. At 8am the theme park bus both wish to board is just pulling into The Paddock bus stop. Net result: The family staying in The Springs gets on that bus while the family headed for The Grandstand has missed it and will have to wait for the next.

And even if the bus arrives a few minutes later, both groups will still get onto the same bus and arrive at the park the same time.

The only other issue would seem to be a fear of not getting onto the bus due to overcrowding. I have never experienced that myself and rarely see a report of it happening. But it seems that even for bus service there are pros to either location.

As for the question of what The Springs doesn't have, #1 on my list would be the Downtown Disney balcony view.

[minnierealtor]

We spent two weeks at SSR in June. The first week we stayed in the Springs section and asked to be moved to the Grandstand for the second week. The bus stop was crowded and we rarely had a seat on the bus in the morning. We started to hike to the Paddock bus stop over the bridge to avoid it. We also are not big fans of the main pool. It's very crowded and the Grandstand and Congress Park pools are large but easier to get a chair and not as loud. The walk to Westside is nice and quick.