All Star Resorts or SSR?

[Jenna319]

I am planning a trip to Disney in October and wanted to rent points again like I have in the past. However the only availability is for Saratoga Springs and that was probably my last choice of the villas. As I am doing pricing on Southwest also, I am finding it about $250 cheaper to stay at the All-Stars and book through Southwest. However, this is a 1-year anniversary trip and I know SSR will be a lot more quieter than the All-Stars. Does anyone have any nice comments about SSR than can sway me to spend a little more and stay there?? Also, does anyone know if I book through Southwest and am staying at Disney, if I can still add on the dining plan when I get there??

 

[Amy&Dan]

I love SSR. I also enjoy the All Stars but to me there is no comparison. The All Stars are much less relaxing and for an anniversary trip, I'd go with SSR. Frankly, I prefer SSR and OKW over the other DVC's simply because I like the spread out feel, being able to park right at my unit, and the proximity to DTD.

Here are my reasons for loving and owning at SSR:

The resort is new. The units are lovely, furnished very nicely and since its new, there isn't any of that worn out look yet that all resorts will at some point get!

Being close to DTD means lots of dining options. Not just at DTD either. If you don't have a car, you can get to DTD's bus stop and be at any resort on property very easily.

SSR has my favorite cs option in all of WDW, the Artist's Palette. Great sandwiches, salads, flatbread pizza, bakery items and chili dogs as well as kids meals and breakfast. I really miss that when I stay at Boardwalk and OKW.

The main pool at SSR, High Rock Springs is incredible. Great slide, zero entry, nice pool bar and it just feels like you are at a springs type pool. It also has a second feature pool in the Grandstand area that has its own pool bar as well. And the quiet pools at SSR are lovely too.

Turf Club is very good, we enjoyed dinner there very much a few times. It has a nice quiet atmosphere. I love to sit outdoors at that restaurant.

SSR is very relaxing. Its a great place to stroll, you can rent a bike which is also nice. The landscaping is very pretty, its very manicured, it looks like a golf course its so perfect!

It has a spa which would be nice to indulge in for an anniversary trip.

Again, I love the All Stars. And saving money is never a bad thing. But I can't imagine choosing them over SSR unless I just really needed to save that money. I would miss the full dining options, the nicer units with balconies, the hot tubs, the location of being near DTD and the grounds and peacefulness. And the queen sized beds (or King if you are staying in a one bedroom).

Check out the slideshows on: www.allearsnet.com if you haven't already. SSR has lots of fans. Some people don't care for its spread out style and location. They want to be near the parks. I happen to love the feeling of still being on property but also away from the hoopla. There's a lot to do nearby but then again, you can just chill and relax right there as well. Give it a try. When I stayed at Boardwalk for example, I missed the grounds, the cs option right there at the resort that SSR has and while it was wonderful and I can see the appeal. I doubt I ever go back. I prefer SSR and OKW (another favorite of mine and very similar).

Good luck with your choice!

P.S. I see you stayed at OKW. Did you like that? Because SSR is similar. But the units are newer and in my opinion much more nicely furnished, more on a deluxe level. Not that OKW isn't nice, but to me its more furnished like a mod and those furnishings/units are starting to show their age a bit. SSR units aren't as spacious (well the studios are about even but the one and two bedrooms are much larger at OKW). They are quite different as well, but if you liked the location and laid back feel of OKW, I can't imagine you wouldn't enjoy SSR as well.

 

[Jenna319]

Okay you sold me! Wow, great review of SSR! I can't wait! I just wish that I would have started planning this trip sooner because I wanted to stay a whole week but I could only get 5 nights....

 

[vicki_c]

I would agree, you're comparing apples to oranges with All Stars and SSR. We just had a great trip there - 2 nights at VWL and 2 nights at SSR - when it was over, I wished we had stayed at SSR all 4 nights.

We used the pool, our kids went to Community Hall one morning, we did DTD one afternoon, ate at Artists' Palette 2x, oh, and went to the parks as well! And we were only there for 2 nights!

And what about the spa? Didn't get a chance to try that at all. Very nice for a romantic anniversary activity. I think SSR will be a lot more grown-up for an anniversary trip.

Here's a photo of the view from our room in the Springs (although they ought to knock down that tall DTD hotel that messes up the view!).

 

[Amy&Dan]

Okay you sold me! Wow, great review of SSR! I can't wait! I just wish that I would have started planning this trip sooner because I wanted to stay a whole week but I could only get 5 nights....

Uh oh, if you don't like it you'll know who to blame! Seriously, it might not be your most favorite if you are very attached to say Beach Club and are used to being close to Epcot and MGM. But its a lovely resort. Have you tried to tack on those two extra nights with cash maybe on Expedia or Hotels.com? They will often have availablity or CRO might as well. You'd have two separate reservations but you'd get your two extra nights!

I hope you love it as much as I do!