2 bdroom VWL or SSR??

[DisneyMOM09]

Hi non DVC member here! Someone suggested I post here, so here goes. Which would you choose and why? We have pretty much decided to stay in a 2 bdroom villa for our 2009 stay.( We love the idea of a full kitchen and being all together, yet still having room to move around) We have narrowed it down to the VWL and SSR. I know 2 totally different resorts! I love the theming of the WL, but it would cost us 600+ dollars more to stay there over SSR. So I thought I'd turn to the real WDW experts and get your opinions! We will be a party of 7, 5 adults(ranging in age from 40 to 21) and 2 children! Do you have a different villa suggestion? Any advise and opinions are welcomed! Thank you so much.

 

[DVC Mike]

I would choose VWL.

VWL offers a magnificently rendered theme - probably the best! It features a quiet, peaceful and romantic setting, is the smallest DVC resort at WDW, is just a relaxing boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom, offers room service and valet parking, has an award winning restaurant (Artist Point) plus Whispering Canyon Café, and a great pool (Silver Creek Springs feature pool) with a Geyser.

SSR has an apartment-style setup (standalone, not attached to a hotel), features an understated, subdued theme, and is a large, very spread out resort (the largest DVC resort) with a long distance from some rooms to dining and services. It is close to Downtown Disney (for restaurants and nightlife), but offers only limited onsite dining (Artists Palette and The Turf Club). There is no room service or valet parking, but it does have convenient self parking.

Room sizes are similar:
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[disneylvrnMS]

If you are really wanting room to move around I would suggest looking at staying at OKW. We (4 adults) stayed in a 2 bdrm at SSR a few weeks ago. The living/kitchen area is very small. Not room for 2 people in the kitchen without running over each other.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Be careful...you may get DVC-itis!

Kidding aside, both are beautiful resorts. We just got back from SSR in March and we're staying at VWL on our Aug trip!!! I'd say it depends on what you like to do and what you plan on doing on your vacation.

If you like to exercise, SSR has a great workout facility and the grounds are amazing! Lots of nice walking/running paths. You can easily walk to DTD, and while the resort is spread out, I didn't find it nearly as large as other people. If you stay, request a room in either the Springs section or Congress Park. Both are super close to DTD. The benefit of staying at SSR is lots of places to eat and lots of things to do! If you're looking for a nice evening meal, make reservations at the Turf Club. It's expensive, but our food was REALLY good.

As for WL, I'm still in complete amazement every time I walk into the main lobby. Simply beautiful. I don't care as much for the rooms at WL, as they are much more rustic and just not my style. I do like the "woodsy" feel of the resort, though. WL is close to MK, and the pool area is really neat. The last time we ate at Wispering Canyon, which was YEARS ago, it wasn't the greatest. We haven't been back, but we're going to give it a whirl this stay.

Have a great stay! Honestly, you can't go wrong.

 

[megrod74]

I agree with someone else's suggestion of looking into a 2bedroom at Old Key West. Not sure how it compares pricewise but the rooms are huge. However, the resort is spread out like SSR, and doesn't have an extensive quick service food place (if memory serves).

It really depends on:
what parks will you be concentrating on? If a lot of MK, then def. VWL. If planning on a lot of DTD, SSR would be convenient, plus it's central to all the parks.

If you don't plan to eat in the room at all, I really suggest VWL because of it's proximity to Roaring Forks, if you like food court type places. Unless you are in The Springs or parts of Grandstand I don't (personally) find Artist's Palette as convenient at SSR, although their food is very good.

If you will have a car, I much prefer the parking at SSR - right outside your door. I guess if you valet at VWL it's about the same.

SSR has the spa along with the big gym, if that's of interest to anyone in your party.

I would also suggest that you ask for a dedicated 2 bedroom if you want 2 beds in the 2nd bedroom, instead of a pull out couch.

I think $600 is a lot of money for basically the same thing, so as long as you don't hate SSR I think you'd be fine there.

 

[keminole]

Having just stayed at Saratoga last Friday, I have to say I wasn't really that impressed with the resort and would hands down pick VWL. Saratoga is pretty, but there is nowhere near the "Wow" factor when you drive in. Honestly, living in South Florida, I was reminded of a nice retirement community when we first drove on the grounds. It looks like a large, upscale apartment complex. The room seemed more appropriately decorated for a older clientele. Really, for being a new resort, it seemed kind of dated.
This of course, is subjective.....but what is factual is that it is very spread out, and kind of a pain to get around. It's not like VWL or Animal Kingdom, or any other tower type of hotel, where you get the kids ready, herd them to the lobby and have a meal in the restaurant. At SSR, you get them in the car and drive them to a restaurant....every time you want to eat out. Very inconvenient if you ask me. You can obviosuly bring your own groceries, but this is true wherever you stay. I understand VWL is more expensive, but to me it is truly a function of getting what you pay for. If I was on a strict budget, SSR is still a good choice, it is after all, a Disney resort. One last thing about VWL is the casual restaurant, Whispering Canyon Cafe, is great for kids. The staff will joke with the kids, let them run in a pony race, and provide a very cheery atmsopthere, at least for breakfast. I did have dinner there once and I agree withe previous poster, it was just OK...but my 5 year old still talks about that breakfast. The pool there is great, the boat to Magic Kingdom is fun, the geyser is amazing, and the overall decor of the lobby is among the best of any U.S hotel. SSR is just a snooze fest in comparison.

Hope this helps and feel free to contact me with any questions.

 

[Muushka]

Having just stayed at Saratoga last Friday, I have to say I wasn't really that impressed with the resort and would hands down pick VWL. Saratoga is pretty, but there is nowhere near the "Wow" factor when you drive in. Honestly, living in South Florida, I was reminded of a nice retirement community when we first drove on the grounds. It looks like a large, upscale apartment complex. The room seemed more appropriately decorated for a older clientele. Really, for being a new resort, it seemed kind of dated.
This of course, is subjective.....but what is factual is that it is very spread out, and kind of a pain to get around. It's not like VWL or Animal Kingdom, or any other tower type of hotel, where you get the kids ready, herd them to the lobby and have a meal in the restaurant. At SSR, you get them in the car and drive them to a restaurant....every time you want to eat out. Very inconvenient if you ask me. You can obviosuly bring your own groceries, but this is true wherever you stay. I understand VWL is more expensive, but to me it is truly a function of getting what you pay for. If I was on a strict budget, SSR is still a good choice, it is after all, a Disney resort. One last thing about VWL is the casual restaurant, Whispering Canyon Cafe, is great for kids. The staff will joke with the kids, let them run in a pony race, and provide a very cheery atmsopthere, at least for breakfast. I did have dinner there once and I agree withe previous poster, it was just OK...but my 5 year old still talks about that breakfast. The pool there is great, the boat to Magic Kingdom is fun, the geyser is amazing, and the overall decor of the lobby is among the best of any U.S hotel. SSR is just a snooze fest in comparison.

Hope this helps and feel free to contact me with any questions.

I see this is your first post keminole, welcome!