Anyone know about SSR - resort and grand villas?

[BoardwalkSuzy]

No surprise. By the time got my new membership # and ready to reserve that favorite season at Disney - early December - of course, no availability at home resort BWV for any Grand Villas. Also learned today from guide that even all the other resorts have their GV's reserved already, so won't be able to reserve at 7 month window next month either.

But there was availability at SSR. I know nothing about SSR, never visited, don't know where it is (near Downtown Disney?), not much of anything.

Anyone know how good is the spa there - what services?

Do they have childcare center?

What are the grand villas like compared to BLT, BWV, or AKL? Which ones best to ask for? Do any have balconies or terraces? Floorplan shows only a patio off of dining room - but really like having a deck/terrace with view.

What is SSR like at Christmas - decorations, story time like at Grand Floridian - any of that stuff?

Are there bike rentals?

Do people use pool during Dec - heated warm enough?

What location do we ask for if want to be closest to Downtown Disney to walk?

Where do the boats go from SSR? How fast are the buses?

What restaurants, food courts, do they have?

Haven't been in a while - but what is left at Downtown Disney? I just recall the dance clubs, a lego store, and Rainforest Cafe. Where can I find a list of Downtown Disney business, restaurants, etc?

Anything you can share on the resort would be appreciated. Apparently they have 36 grand villas or something like that, so lots of extras if other places are booked up. Just never learned anything about the resort, except it has a golf course and is walking distance to Downtown Disney.

 

[dianeschlicht]

SSR's location is not an issue, and the rooms are well appointed. If you are used to the layout of BWV, BCV and VWL, it is the same layout at SSR.

The theme at SSR is upstate NY (Saratoga) and thus a horse racing theme. The pools are themed thusly too with the main pool being a rocky area.

I have not stayed in a SSR GV, but I can tell you they are MUCH smaller than an OKW GV. I didn't care for the way they were chopped up and not as open as OKW and BWV. The GVs are going to have balconys, since I believe they are on 2 floors, and there is elevator access to both floors of the GV unlike the 2 floor GVs at OKW.

Some folks don't care for the "apartment complex" feeling of SSR, but bus service has improved, and having access to the dining options at DTD is nice. Also, we find Turf Club restaurant at SSR to be one of our favorite on site table service places.

The spa there is wonderful, but a bit pricey. You do get some discounts with DVC membership.

You can either walk or take the boat to DTD from SSR, and which you choose will depend on where in the resort you are staying. The boats from SSR go to both areas of DTD.

They have all the amenities that ALL DVC resorts have....rentals of bikes and water craft etc. The Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is accessed from there as well.

Yes, some of us northerners swim in December, but it's a crap shoot on weather that time of year, so you may or may not choose to do so.

 

[Starr W.]

We stayed in a GV at SSR last Thanksgiving and have another one booked for this year. My kids have been in the pool for the last 3 T-giving trips and our 3 MLK weekend trips, so yes the pools are heated. Though last year the quiet pool was warmer than High Springs(main pool).

No kiddie club at SSR.

Location-depends on what you are looking for. No matter what size unit we get at SSR, we prefer the Congress Park section for easy walking to DTD and the kids enjoy the quiet pool there as they usually have it to themselves. 5 min walk to the main pool.

Springs section puts you right at the heart of the resort, Grandstand section is the newest, with a nice themed pool and it's the first bus stop.

I've never gotten around in our 4 yrs of owning to the spa, to me prices look reasonable for a destination spa, plus DVC discounts.

Yes, the only patio is off the dining room. The living room features a huge 2 story window.

I find the bus service at SSR at Thanksgiving to be great especially the last 2 yrs. Personally I've ran into more bus problems at VWL(2 stays there) and BCV at non-holiday times than at SSR.


My kids loved the GV and it was really great the one day it rained and everyone was rather surly after a morning at MK. Kids went to one bedroom, sister in another, DH took a nap in the master and I sat and watched tv!

Be sure to pack a router, if multiple laptops are making the trip. We had 3 of them and I loved not having to "be Mom" and time DH, sister, kids on computer time.

 

[Tara]

Anyone know how good is the spa there - what services?

Yes - and there are some services discounted for DVC members. It's on the expensive end for what you get, but not out of line. The Canyon Ranch Spa at the Gaylord Palms was about the same price, maybe a little higher. But I will say that I wasn't terribly pleased with the spa overall. It didn't have quite the same luxurious spa feel that I've experienced in many other full-service spas. And I know it's Florida and humid enough with the climate, but even more humid in the spa, but there seemed to be a fair amount of mildew in some places. (lying on a towel on a steam room "bench" and looking up at a mildew-coated light fixture is just gross) I'm not saying it was out of control, just not what I expected. I went with my girlfriends and we all did enjoy our services and spa in general and there was no hard sell of products. It was just a little dingy and that surprised me.

The spa flip flops they provide are perhaps the most uncomfortable thing I've ever put on my feet - I highly recommend bringing your own!

Do they have childcare center?


No, they don't.

Are there bike rentals?


Yes, both regular bikes and surrey bikes.

Do people use pool during Dec - heated warm enough?


I've seen people swimming at all times of year at Disney, even when the temps were in the 35-45F range. The pools are heated to about 85F I think. The pool temp is less important that the air temp - some December days are hot enough for me to enjoy swimming - but most aren't FOR ME.

How fast are the buses?


I've taken exactly 1 bus from SSR in my 3 stays there. It was from Springs, the last stop before leaving the resort. It took 17 minutes once on the bus to get to MK and 25 minutes to get back to our stop. There are 4 stops and Springs is last, and I believe the deal with the new Treehouses is that there's a bus for that area that runs between it and one of the other stops - Grandstand? I don't recall...

What restaurants, food courts, do they have?


Artist's Palette is the quick service - it can be very chaotic during mealtime rushes because the area is small and the lines for the registers and for food ordering get squeezed into the same small area. I've only eaten a couple of things there - the chicken and artichoke flatbread is great IMO.

There's also Turf Club, which a lot of people consider a hidden gem - quiet, good food from what I've read. I've never eaten there, though.

Haven't been in a while - but what is left at Downtown Disney? I just recall the dance clubs, a lego store, and Rainforest Cafe. Where can I find a list of Downtown Disney business, restaurants, etc?


The Disney website, the DIS (but I just looked at this list and it's very out of date), All Ears - many places to find the list of shops and restaurants. Pleasure Island is closed and there are several newish restaurants - T-Rex, Raglan Road, Paradiso 37 and a handful of new shops - Tren-D (which I LOVE) and a new one called D Street - both have more urban/modern stuff. Tren-D is women's clothing and accessories and D Street offers stuff for men and women, plus art and collectibles. Another newish place I remember is Ridemakerz where kids can build and then drive their own RC car.

 

[5forDiz]

You can use childcare centers at any Disney resort that does have that available ( YC/BC, WL, GF, Polynesian, AK & even at Swan-Dolphin although these are not Disney-owned/operated ) because SSR does not have that onsite or in-room babysitting can be arranged through Kids Night Out which is recommended by Disney.

Here's a link to more info on childcare from allears dot net

http://land.allears.net/reviewpost/showcat.php?cat=153

Prices at the childcare centers are approximately $12 or more per hour per child. The above link should provide more details or call Disney CRO and ask for rates.

SSR does have Community Hall with children's activities scheduled throughout the day but this is not a childcare/babysitting service.

Best wishes

 

[BoardwalkSuzy]

Thanks for all the tips about the router, kiddie clubs, the bikes for rent, All Ears listing of businesses in DTD, etc. Been to Canyon Ranch spa when stay at Venetian hotel, and many other spas, so thanks for comparison. The 2 dining options sound fine. Wonder what the Grand Stand area is I read about being convenient? Yes, the apartment complex feel does kind of make me worry, and the sprawl of the complex as well. The pool looks great for little kids with the zero entry through. We're thinking of changing reservations to last week of April so can enjoy more of the pools, etc. Been to WDW twice during early Dec, and got rained on a lot, maybe better to wait till spring to enjoy parks early morning, and evenings - have afternoons in the pool. Is there any shaded areas near pool, or all open? Are all Grand Villas upper floors, or some ground level too?