A few questions about SSR

[angelkk]

It was a difficult choice to select between Deluxes and DVCs (we are not DVC owners), but finally we selected SSR. We will be travelling with our 3-year-old son in first week of January, and would like to ask some questions.

1). Are there the 3 buildings in Springs? Which building will be closest to the parking lot?
2). Does Springs have bus stop? If not, is the bus stop at main entrance closest?
3). Does SSR have its own Souvenir Mug? Available in Artist's Palette?
4). Is fitness center free for all resort guest (or DVC member only)?
5). Any activities for kids (my DS3)?

We plan to rent a car from MCO (Orlando International Airport), I would appreciate if someone can give us driving directions to SSR - I was unable to locate 1960 Broadway in MapQuest.

I think we shall drive to every park except MK? How long is the bus ride to MK & frequency?

Lastly, we will still be in SSR during Marathon Weekend 2007 (Jan 6 & 7). I heard that traffic is bad everywhere within WDW. My original plan was visit AK on Jan 6 (Sat), and visit GF (1900 Park Fare) for breakfast on Jan 7 (Sun) and then go offsite (outlet shopping). Just curious how bad will the traffic be, if we are starting from SSR (DTD area) to these places.

 

[3DisneyKids]

1). Are there the 3 buildings in Springs? Which building will be closest to the parking lot?

Yes, 3 buildings. All buildings have their own parking lots right in front/next to the buildings. Springs section is closest to pool, AP, etc.

2). Does Springs have bus stop? If not, is the bus stop at main entrance closest?

Yes

3). Does SSR have its own Souvenir Mug? Available in Artist's Palette?

Yes and yes--available at AP

4). Is fitness center free for all resort guest (or DVC member only)?

Free for DVCers only, others pay a fee (though I have heard that this is not often enforced...)

5). Any activities for kids (my DS3)?

Lots. There is the pool with 2 slides...one is perfect for a pre-schooler. There is also Donald's splash area...perfect for toddlers and little ones. The pool is zero-entry, a huge plus. The community hall is chock full of activities...you can get an activity list at the front desk...all kinds of crafts, etc. Plus, the lifeguards play games with the kids at the pool. GREAT resort for kids.

Directions:

SSR Phone: Front Desk: (407) 827-1100


From Orlando International Airport
• Take the airport's south exit, follow the red directional signs to State Road 417 (The Greenway) South.
Note: This is a toll road.
• Take State Road 417 to the beginning of State Road 536 West.
• Travel West on 536.
• Once at the Walt Disney World®: Resort; take the third right.
• Go straight through the traffic light and follow Disney Vacation Club Way to the entrance to the resort on the right.
• Follow signs to the resort check-in.

 

[nhdisnut]

Hi there! I think you will enjoy SSR - It is our home resort and we love it there! To answer your questions (as best I can):

1)The Springs does have three buildings. They are the closest to the main pool and the Carriage House check in area (and Artist's Palette/Turf Club restaurants). Each building has parking right next to it. That's one of the positive aspects of SSR - very convenient parking to ALL rooms.
2)There is a bus stop right at the Springs - sort of in the middle of the three buildings. Very easy access (and, in fact, is the stop closest to the Carriage House).
3)When we were at SSR in April, the mug was an "Epcot" mug with Disney characters on it. I admit I was disappointed that SSR did not have its own mug design. We purchased one anyway, just for the savings and convenience. Hopefully they will (or already have) come out with their own design.
4)I believe (but don't quote me) that the spa fitness center is free for all registered guests. We have not used it at all. When we were at the BWV in August we were able to use the gym facilities there even without showing and room or DVC id at all.
5)Community Hall has a bunch of fun activities for kids (coloring, crafts, etc.) that are offered either as a walk-in activity or are scheduled. At check-in you will recieve a schedule of all events. Every day at 3:30 (I beleive) there is a "pool party" where there are games for kids young and old at the High Rock Springs pool. I assume they still offer this in January.

Signs from MCO to WDW are easy to follow. Once in WDW (you will know when you go under the "Welcome to Walt Disney World" sign - a great moment!) follow the signs for the Downtown Disney area. Resort signs for SSR will appear as you get closer. I can't offer you any specific routes because I have always just followed the signs.

I'm afraid I can't help you with traffic on that particular weekend. I do know that we did get stuck in traffic one time leaving WDW during the in-line skating marathon. It took us a good 30 - 45 minutes to get from AKL to the exit of WDW (we were heading to the airport).

Have a great trip! We will be there the week before (Christmas week - yikes!). Can't wait!

 

[angelkk]

THANKS A LOT!
Another question - I read that SSR has two entrance/exits? If I am driving to the theme parks which exit would be closest? How about if I am driving to Belz outlet (off site)?

I asked before I read from the Unofficial guide that, the "southern" (?) exit has heavy traffic congestions from time to time.

 

[mikron]

You can get free transportation with disneys express from and to the Orlando airport. Also they will take your bags at the departure airport and bring them to your room and return them to your home airport. Unless you plan on travling outside of disney world you don't need a car. Free disney bus service will take you to all the parks and resorts. Parking at the parks is about $10.00 a day to park. Call MS and they will set up the bus service for you.

 

[shellbelle1971]

You can get free transportation with disneys express from and to the Orlando airport. Also they will take your bags at the departure airport and bring them to your room and return them to your home airport. Unless you plan on travling outside of disney world you don't need a car. Free disney bus service will take you to all the parks and resorts. Parking at the parks is about $10.00 a day to park. Call MS and they will set up the bus service for you.

I respectfully disagree. For our family, the convenience of having our own transportation is important. We would hate having to wait for busses. Parking (both at the resorts and the parks) is free for onsite resort guests.

 

[3DisneyKids]

You can get free transportation with disneys express from and to the Orlando airport. Also they will take your bags at the departure airport and bring them to your room and return them to your home airport. Unless you plan on travling outside of disney world you don't need a car. Free disney bus service will take you to all the parks and resorts. Parking at the parks is about $10.00 a day to park. Call MS and they will set up the bus service for you.

When staying onsite, such as at SSR, you get free parking at all the parks. They give you a placard to place in your windsheild...when you get to the park entrance, the CM will just look at your window and wave you through.

I also disagree...we always get a car and find it invaluable, Mikron...plus, as DVCs have kitchens, there can be multiple trips to stores, etc. Yes, ME is great for some folks, while many others prefer having a car.

 

[angelkk]

Thanks. I guess we will rent a car from MCO anyway, especially we plan to go offsite (outlets, check around Orlando area) during Marathon weekend if traffic is bad in WDW.

I have made quite a few ADRs in other resorts, such as WCC in WL, Ohana in Poly, Boma in AKL, so a car would be more convenient for us.

Now regarding going to theme parks - I am not sure. Last year (while we stayed at POFQ), we drove to every parks except MK (we took a bus). Would you suggest the same when we stay at SSR?

BTW, curious to know - there was a boat from POR -> POFQ -> DTD. Is that the same boat that takes you from SSR -> DTD?

 

[nhdisnut]

We have done both WDW transporation and rental car. Either way has worked well for us as far as getting around. With your ADR's around various resorts I certainly can see the benefit of using your own car.....much easier.

The only park I would not drive to is MK. The busses will take you right to the main entrance and you can bypass parking, taking the tram to the TTC, and riding either the monorail or the ferry to the main entrance. Of course, this can be fun too! The other theme parks (and water parks) have parking near the main entrance and it's quick (either by foot or tram) to the entrances.

The boat from SSR to DTD is shared with OKW. It is not the same boat that goes to POR. While DTD is an easy walk from SSR, but we did take the boat once last April, just for the fun of it.

 

[angelkk]

Thanks again & again

Are there Internal buses that takes you building to building in SSR? Say if we are assigned at the far end (e.g. Paddocks), is there a easy way to get to the main area (e.g. food court)?

I heard that the buses (to parks) are dropped off first at Paddock, then Springs, then Congress Park? How about pick up?

Just curious if I can get a ride on the theme park buses to food court, but do I better walk back to my building, or they do a revise route too?

I read a while ago, about SSR air-condition problems - does it occur frequently? Since we are going in early Jan, I think we won't need much air conditioning, right?

 

[OHIOVACATIONER]

We are also staying at SSR in Dec. Can you request which building you would like? Also can you check in early? Does the boat to DTD cost?

 

[nhdisnut]

Are there Internal buses that takes you building to building in SSR? Say if we are assigned at the far end (e.g. Paddocks), is there a easy way to get to the main area (e.g. food court)?

I heard that the buses (to parks) are dropped off first at Paddock, then Springs, then Congress Park? How about pick up?

Just curious if I can get a ride on the theme park buses to food court, but do I better walk back to my building, or they do a revise route too?

I read a while ago, about SSR air-condition problems - does it occur frequently? Since we are going in early Jan, I think we won't need much air conditioning, right?

There is an internal bus that circles the resort. We didn't use it though. We stayed in Congress Park and found it a fairly short and easy walk to the Carriage House.

Seems to me the busses always travelled in a clockwise manner around the resort (Paddock, CP, then the Springs) but I could be wrong about this. Depends which location you are in whether or not you might benefit from waiting for a bus. In my mind, I would rather walk 5 minutes instead of waiting 5 minutes just to ride....but we are a family of walkers !

I had found a thread at one point about SSR air conditioning. I'll have to try to find it again. We did find in April that the AC would turn itself off (the motion sensor would not be activated) in the middle of the night - got a bit warm, to say the least! Apparently there is a way to override the automatic energy-saver feature, at least temporarily. I'll have to do a search.....don't want the same problem when we are there next month!

 

[nhdisnut]

I have found two possible answers in my search (quoted from other threads - hope that's okay):

We had this very problem when staying at the Polynesian. I didn't know any better and suffered through it until I read a tip here on the Dis Boards. Not sure if it will work the same everywhere but it is certainly worth a try but I can tell you it worked at the Poly. Thanks to the Dis Member that Posted it!

On the thermostat, push the power button and the down arrow (that adjusts the temp) at the exact same time. If you do this correctly there will be the letters "bp" where the temp numbers usually are. You are now bypassing the sensors in the room. You can then set the temp to whatever you want and it keeps the room that cold whether you are in it, moving around or not. You may have to do this once a day as the thermostat tends to go back to sensor mode after 24 hours.

We like to sleep with it cold in the room so I really only needed this for the nights. It was great not to wake up in the middle of the night in a sweat.

Yes, they are motion sensor activated and yes they do get warm unless you move around.

Now, I didn't tell you this:

The thermostat has two buttons on the left (ON/OFF and AUTO/FAN) and two buttons on the right (UP and DOWN)

1) Press the ON/OFF and AUTO/FAN buttons together. The digital display will change to 'CA'.

2) Press the ON/OFF and DOWN button together. The digital display will change to 'OR" (or something similar).

You have just deactivated the motion sensor. This will last for three days at which point you will have to repeat the process.

Now I'll have to print this to take with me!

 

[angelkk]

Thanks nhdisnut! Enjoy your stay at SSR, and I also look forward to my first stay in early Jan

 

[Sammie]

The bus route at SSR is Carousel, Paddocks, Congress Park and Springs.

 

[OHIOVACATIONER]

May be a dumb question but everyone has discussed the AC but in December is there need for heat?