Back from SSR

[monorailmom]

Well, we're back-- and boy, did we have fun!

This was our second stay at SSR, and we still loved it. The room, anyway!! We were in Grandstand, in the 8000's building by the pool, which was fabulous. The only complaint I have is that those rugs really need to be shampooed! (yes, I mentioned it while I was there) I loved the location of our room, since we could enjoy being by the pool and the Artist's Pallette. The Artists' Pallette wasn't overly busy this time, it seemed to us. No problems with finding seats for six of us or waiting a long time for food.

Now the busses--- that's a whole other story!! We almost always waited over 15 mins for a bus, no matter where we were. One time, leaving Epcot, our bus was there. We sprinted (in 95 degree heat mind you) for the bus, my 15yo DD was right NEXT TO THE BUS and it PULLED AWAY!!!!! We were standing right there!! And--there was no one on the bus!!!! Unbelievable!! Fortunately, another bus came along about 10mins later that said it was "Earning My Ears" and picked us, and now the other folks in line, up. He was very friendly and told jokes the whole way. I certainly hope he has his ears now!! He was the best bus driver of the whole week. One night we waited 40mins at Downtown Disney for a bus to the beach club, which was bad enough, but it also stopped at Yacht Club, Swan, Dolphin, and Boardwalk! Not so sure now I want to stay at those resorts if their busses are always so slow and crowded.

Anyway, it was still a magical week, so sad it's over. But, as I keep telling my 11yo DD, that just means it's time to plan the next one!

Oh--also-- don't you just love talking to other DVC members on the bus or at your resort? We've met some of the nicest people and had such fun just talking with them.

[El&Asmom]

Glad you enjoyed your trip. Tough luck with the buses. We were lucky the week we were there. I would be furious with the EPCOT driver. Why in the world would he have not waited for you?

[liznboys]

Glad you had a nice trip (except the bus thing). Yes, it is really fun meeting other DVC members in the World!!

[jamie@dvcstore]

Hi monorailmom,
Thanks for the review of your stay at Saratoga. I am sorry to hear about the buses though. It seems like they can be very hit or miss. You are so right that the only thing that makes returning home better is planning the next trip!

[sparkyboy]

Glad you enjoyed your stay at SS. Thanks for your report--I too have reported the cleanliness of the rugs and kitchen floors as my gkids live on that carpet when we are at DVC. Hope you start planning your next vacation soon.

[BEASLYBOO]

Thanks for the trip report!
Best thing about DVC, when one vacation end it's time to plan the next one!

[Bobbybear68]

This story reminds me of something that happen to us during our May visit to SSR and may explain why the bus pulled out on you. We were waiting for the bus at EPCOT to take us back to SSR. A bus pulls up to our stop with the sign on front saying Saratoga Springs and proceeds to let out a bus full of people. The bus driver yells out to the people in line to get on that the bus just got rerouted to go to the all-star resorts and another bus will be coming soon. The front sign changed to All-Star. In the meantime a couple people were running up from the back of the bus trying to catch the bus and totally bypassed the line and jumped on the bus at the back door. The last person had just gotten off the bus and before the driver could close the back door. I guess the driver either didn't see them jump on or maybe didn't care but he closed both doors and took off out of the parking lot, i guess heading to All-stars. They people in the line had a good laugh, after a long day in EPCOT, wondering when the rude people who jumped the line would actual get to SSR.

[Chellymouse]

Good to hear you had a great trip! We just came home ourselves and I couldn't agree more about the buses. DH says if we are spending the money, the least they could do is make sure that DVC resorts have decent bus service!

[Agent P]

Have they upgraded the TVs yet? When I was there in the spring the talk was upgrading to flat scrrens. I am going in october and my DD kept turning on and off the old TV the entire week last time ( she's 1) Hoping flat screen would be too high for her to reach.

[monorailmom]

No, the tv's were still the same. I didn't know they were going to be upgrading them! That'll be nice!! Of course, for our next trip, I think we'll try a different resort. We have points at AKV and BLT, so we have some 'tough' decisions to make!!

[Mississippian]

Originally Posted by monorailmom

One night we waited 40mins at Downtown Disney for a bus to the beach club, which was bad enough, but it also stopped at Yacht Club, Swan, Dolphin, and Boardwalk! Not so sure now I want to stay at those resorts if their busses are always so slow and crowded.

All of these resorts are in the exact same place (YC and BC in the same building!), so you can get off at any stop and take a few small steps and you will be at any resort you wish. It's a shame WDW won't put a centralized transportation hub between the Swan and Dolphin and only have one stop for all of these resorts. There needs to be only one boat stop, too.

[vellamint]

Originally Posted by El&Asmom

Glad you enjoyed your trip. Tough luck with the buses. We were lucky the week we were there. I would be furious with the EPCOT driver. Why in the world would he have not waited for you?

Twice in the 8 nights we were there this happened to us.....and the bus driver SAW us running....there was not a line of people with us because if there was I could SEE him not waiting.....it looked to me like they ENJOYED taking off and one of them actually WAVED to us.....can you tell I am still angry?

Originally Posted by monorailmom

No, the tv's were still the same. I didn't know they were going to be upgrading them! That'll be nice!! Of course, for our next trip, I think we'll try a different resort. We have points at AKV and BLT, so we have some 'tough' decisions to make!!

I would love to know the answer to whether there are plans to upgrade the TV's.

[dwelty]

Originally Posted by vellamint

I would love to know the answer to whether there are plans to upgrade the TV's.

My understanding is that all TV's will be upgraded at all resorts once their useful life has ended. Translation: when they stop working. TV manufacturers are really only making flat panel TVs now so this makes sense that as they die they will be replaced by flat panels. Many of the newly refurbished rooms at BCV still have the old TVs.

Remember, any upgrades to the rooms come out of our member fees. The TVs at SSR are not that old and work fine for our family. We do not go on vacation to watch TV. and the channel selections at the resort really suck anyway.