Back from SSR July 18-25!!

[deerh]

Hi all, just back from SSR and I have a "review" for you and my pros and cons of SSR..

OK-Cast: DW,DS 18,DD 13,son's GF 17,DD's friend 13 and me. We got a 2BR at SSR. After a short stop in Daytona Beach, we got to SSR at 3:58pm. We were checked right in, in room 2227 in the Congress Park (what I asked for). The room was on the 2nd floor, and VERY nice. No problems with the unit except for the light switch would cut off the alarm clock radio, so I had to reset the receptacle on the wall 3 times!! Other than that, no problems at all..

NOW, for the PROS: A nicer unit than BWV (granite ct, newer stove,etc). Beautiful resort, lots of trees, and the unit was very clean!!

NOW, for the CONS: IF you like the buses to go around the resort (aka CB,PO,etc), I did NOT! I like one stop, and get off and walk. Times to parks:
mk-22 min, AK-21min, DD-4 min, Epcot-15 min. It takes a long time to get to Congress park. ALSO, talk about walking- you must walk 1/10 of a mile just to get to the main pool.. not a bad walk, but after a day at the parks, you don't want to walk that far. You have just walked 3-4 miles, 1/10 is like a 5 mile hike!!! It is a lot farther than 1/10 mile at Carousel, etc... I just laugh at people who complain about the walk at BWV...
ALSO, my son, and all the teenagers were actually BORED a couple of times because of nothing to do during the rain we had, and we had a lot of rain!! At BWV, you have arcades, ESPN, shops, etc in easy walking distance. I guess they just missed that...

Couple of other issues: At the parks, people irritated me at the FP, because all the South American groups at the parks (a lot of them by the way), had 30 or so tickets to put into FP, and they held up the whole line seperating the tickets!! That in a word-sucked!!

Well, I DID like SSR, just thought you guys staying there want a 'view' of others staying there..

It IS a nice option of other DVC propeties...

ALSO, viewed the new AKL villas at SSR, and all I can say is WOW!!! Flat screen tv's, 2 bathrooms, fold out recliner, they are VERY nice!!!

deerh

 

[Ms. WDW]

We must have passed each other at some point. I was at SSR from the 14th through the 21st.

We actually found the buses much better this year than last. We hardly had any wait except for one afternoon going to the MK. Last year it seemed we would always miss our bus; this year it was just the opposite. It came within minutes of our getting to the bus stop.

I think we just left before the rain came. We had one afternoon (last Thursday) when the heavens opened up and that was it for the week.

I love Congress Park. We were in a 1BR - 1745 - 3rd floor overlooking the quiet pool and Downtown Disney. Great!! The first time we stayed there we found the walk difficult to the mail area. This year it didn't seem long at all.

Next time send the kids to DTD and let them hit a movie or Disney Quest. There's a nice arcade by the main pool also they can go to.

But our DS likes the BW better also because of the closeness to Epcot and MGM. "Momma and Dad" like SSR because we can relax.

Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

 

[deerh]

We must have seen each other!! We also had a "slight" view of DD, and overlooking the quiet pool..

One more tidbit-my wife got off at the wrong bus stop once, but did see the 'grandstand' pool, and I said, the boards (dis), said it was very nice. She said that our 'quiet pool' in congress park was bigger and nicer than that one.
Now, remember, we have 'older' kids, so she said the 'kiddie' area is nice, but our kids would not use it...

Just HER opinion, not mine... I never did see grandstand..

deerh

Glad you had a great trip!!

 

[disneymom8589]

We were there about the same time as both of you, too (7/15-7/20) and were also in CP. This was our 1st visit "home". SSR is beautiful and the rooms and beds were wonderful. As the OP mentioned, the walk was a bit tiring to the main pool after a day in the heat and crowds at WDW. I loved CP, but for our next stay DH and I thought we might request the Springs section to be a bit closer in.

 

[Entropy]

Hi all, just back from SSR and I have a "review" for you and my pros and cons of SSR..

OK-Cast: DW,DS 18,DD 13,son's GF 17,DD's friend 13 and me. We got a 2BR at SSR. After a short stop in Daytona Beach, we got to SSR at 3:58pm. We were checked right in, in room 2227 in the Congress Park (what I asked for). The room was on the 2nd floor, and VERY nice. No problems with the unit except for the light switch would cut off the alarm clock radio, so I had to reset the receptacle on the wall 3 times!! Other than that, no problems at all..

NOW, for the PROS: A nicer unit than BWV (granite ct, newer stove,etc). Beautiful resort, lots of trees, and the unit was very clean!!

NOW, for the CONS: IF you like the buses to go around the resort (aka CB,PO,etc), I did NOT! I like one stop, and get off and walk. Times to parks:
mk-22 min, AK-21min, DD-4 min, Epcot-15 min. It takes a long time to get to Congress park. ALSO, talk about walking- you must walk 1/10 of a mile just to get to the main pool.. not a bad walk, but after a day at the parks, you don't want to walk that far. You have just walked 3-4 miles, 1/10 is like a 5 mile hike!!! It is a lot farther than 1/10 mile at Carousel, etc... I just laugh at people who complain about the walk at BWV...
ALSO, my son, and all the teenagers were actually BORED a couple of times because of nothing to do during the rain we had, and we had a lot of rain!! At BWV, you have arcades, ESPN, shops, etc in easy walking distance. I guess they just missed that...

Couple of other issues: At the parks, people irritated me at the FP, because all the South American groups at the parks (a lot of them by the way), had 30 or so tickets to put into FP, and they held up the whole line seperating the tickets!! That in a word-sucked!!

...

deerh

We must have shared the bus shelter a few times. I was there at Congress Park from 7/15 to 7/25.
To get to the main pool and Carraige House, we just took the first park bus that came along. The walk back was 5 minutes if we didn't want to wait for the DTD bus that ran the opposite direction. The down side of COngress Park is that it's the last stop on the park busses so the busses tended to be fuller when we got on and we were the last to get dropped-off when we got off.

I was expecting the worst with the big teenage tour groups but other that a group of them making too much noise in the Pirates que (they were quiet on the ride), they were OK. I have heard horror stories about them in the past but either I missed the bad stuff or they are better behaved now.

 

[IndianaMouseLover]

Hi all, just back from SSR and I have a "review" for you and my pros and cons of SSR..

OK-Cast: DW,DS 18,DD 13,son's GF 17,DD's friend 13 and me. We got a 2BR at SSR. After a short stop in Daytona Beach, we got to SSR at 3:58pm. We were checked right in, in room 2227 in the Congress Park (what I asked for). The room was on the 2nd floor, and VERY nice. No problems with the unit except for the light switch would cut off the alarm clock radio, so I had to reset the receptacle on the wall 3 times!! Other than that, no problems at all..

NOW, for the PROS: A nicer unit than BWV (granite ct, newer stove,etc). Beautiful resort, lots of trees, and the unit was very clean!!

NOW, for the CONS: IF you like the buses to go around the resort (aka CB,PO,etc), I did NOT! I like one stop, and get off and walk. Times to parks:
mk-22 min, AK-21min, DD-4 min, Epcot-15 min. It takes a long time to get to Congress park. ALSO, talk about walking- you must walk 1/10 of a mile just to get to the main pool.. not a bad walk, but after a day at the parks, you don't want to walk that far. You have just walked 3-4 miles, 1/10 is like a 5 mile hike!!! It is a lot farther than 1/10 mile at Carousel, etc... I just laugh at people who complain about the walk at BWV...
ALSO, my son, and all the teenagers were actually BORED a couple of times because of nothing to do during the rain we had, and we had a lot of rain!! At BWV, you have arcades, ESPN, shops, etc in easy walking distance. I guess they just missed that...

Well, I DID like SSR, just thought you guys staying there want a 'view' of others staying there..

It IS a nice option of other DVC propeties...

ALSO, viewed the new AKL villas at SSR, and all I can say is WOW!!! Flat screen tv's, 2 bathrooms, fold out recliner, they are VERY nice!!!

deerh

Thanks for posting our comments, both pros and cons. It is nice to hear others comments on our beloved SSR . I am glad you had a great trip and sorry to hear about all of the rain.

I agree some of the walking can be tiring when one is already wiped out.

 

[MissSha]

We went "home" to SSR last summer, and loved it. The busses weren't bad at all

Our last trip, in January, we stayed at BWV. I must say, the location is wonderful. But, the units are showing their age - not as new or classy as SSR.

We're heading back to SSR for our holiday trip this December, and are on a wait list for BWV. Either way, how can we complain

Just love my Disney

 

[Ms. WDW]

We went "home" to SSR last summer, and loved it. The busses weren't bad at all

Our last trip, in January, we stayed at BWV. I must say, the location is wonderful. But, the units are showing their age - not as new or classy as SSR.

We're heading back to SSR for our holiday trip this December, and are on a wait list for BWV. Either way, how can we complain

Just love my Disney

Unfortunately I have to agree about the BWV beginning to show age. I was there last October and while everything was clean and in place, you could see wear and tear. Especially after just being at SSR a few months before.

But something interesting.....when we checked into SSR a few weeks ago I had to call Maintenance. Half of the tiles surrounding the jacuzzi in the dressing area (we had a 1BR - 1745) were loose or completely off; laying on the floor! Someone could seriously cut themself. Now, how mousekeeping missed this is a puzzle. And we noticed that the pillows on the couch in the livingroom were not "seated" properly. The ones that you rest your back on; they "gapped" when you tried to set them in place. Almost as if someone was using them "folded" up or something. We noticed 4 holes in the wall; yes holes. Almost as if someone poked some into the wall. It's a good thing we've stayed there before or I would have been disappointed in the condition of this particular unit. Plus....the DVD player was missing and we had to call on that also. I told DH I wanted them to know we were missing it NOW and not when we checked out!

But I do love SSR; no regrets here at all. It's just unfortunate that not everyone treats the units the way they should.

I'll be at the BW in October and I can't wait!!

 

[deerh]

Another point on my trip:

1. Went to Savannah Mixer' at the back entrance to Epcot:It was MUCH better
than I expected! They had free ice cream, free wine, free punch/H20. They
had games for the kids, showed pics of AKV, had characters there. It was so
much better than 2 years ago when they had one.. If you get a chance to go
go to it!!

2. Pools- The pools were very nice at SSR, I saw the main pool and our quiet
pool. They were both nice, and the one at CP had a GREAT view of
DD!!

Just thought I would add a bit to my trip report...
Again, SSR is a nice option if you Wait too late to book your home resort!!!

deerh

 

[DisneyJen]

Another point on my trip:

1. Went to Savannah Mixer' at the back entrance to Epcot:It was MUCH better
than I expected! They had free ice cream, free wine, free punch/H20. They
had games for the kids, showed pics of AKV, had characters there. It was so
much better than 2 years ago when they had one.. If you get a chance to go
go to it!!

2. Pools- The pools were very nice at SSR, I saw the main pool and our quiet
pool. They were both nice, and the one at CP had a GREAT view of
DD!!

Just thought I would add a bit to my trip report...
Again, SSR is a nice option if you Wait too late to book your home resort!!!

deerh

We are heading to SSR for a last minute trip Aug. 15.

When are the Savannah Mixers' held? Where do we find out that info?

Also, I thought I read somewhere about being able to tour the different units at SSR ... but then again maybe I dreamed it

 

[Mtnman44]

I just got back for a July 14 - 22 conference trip. No DVC, were were at Coronado.

All I can say is HOLY H@#%!!!! Blast furnace hot! My clothes were soaking before I even got to the parks. Crowds were frustrating and the fast pass system was near useless as expected (we got to the parks around 5 pm most days). And what was with all the Brazillian groups? It seemed like half of Brazil's under 18 population was at WDW on the same week.

Even so, it was of course, a great trip and I was very impressed, as ususal, with the Disney bus system. During the whole time we only had one overcrowded bus and very few wait times for busses exceeded 10 minutes. I was able to enjoy many new WDW resatraunts including Moroco, La Cellier, and Rose and Crown to name a few.

I don't think I will ever visit WDW again in the middle of the summer. I just can't take that heat.

 

[Anthony1971]

DTD is great place to spend a rainy day check it out next time you are there....
If they like arcades Disney Quest is must and they also have intreactive rides I am sure they will like all indoors and in walking distance from SSR
Glad you enjoyed your trip

 

[rubbergypsy]

we were at ssr july 1-9-and there last august, i happen to love the blazing heat !!! the weather here in upstate ny has almost been fall like, i sure miss summer in wdw!!! i do leave the parks after lunch and return after dinner, do not like roasting in the parks. just really enjoy the tropical weather.

 

[deerh]

The "savannah' is at the International Gateway to Epcot. The "back" of Epcot if you will, near the entrance to BW and Y and BC... It was very nice and best of all: FREE!! You just show your member card, and get free ice cream, free punch, free wine, info on AKV, games for the kids and meet people from DVC..

I had fun, and it is usually on Thursdays 3-5pm.. I think till sometime in August, so every Thurs until late Aug...


HTH!!

deerh

 

[Debbiebee68]

We loved it, but it is real wasy to get lost. I took a wrong turn coming home from the spa and DD and I walked around in the heat for 45 minutes. I have ABSOLUTELY no sense of direction.

The room was gorgeous and the convenience of giving my kids breakfast BEFORE we started the day was the best! We felt it saved us time.

My DH found the theming to be perfect for him- gave him time to really relax and not feel like a theme park was being put down his throat.

Put it this way, the day we got home, DH bought us 100 more points, so I guess the trip was a success!!!

 

[DisneyJen]

The "savannah' is at the International Gateway to Epcot. The "back" of Epcot if you will, near the entrance to BW and Y and BC... It was very nice and best of all: FREE!! You just show your member card, and get free ice cream, free punch, free wine, info on AKV, games for the kids and meet people from DVC..

I had fun, and it is usually on Thursdays 3-5pm.. I think till sometime in August, so every Thurs until late Aug...


HTH!!

deerh

Thanks for the details! We will be sure to check it out in 18 days

 

[nisiemouse]

We must have shared the bus shelter a few times. I was there at Congress Park from 7/15 to 7/25.
To get to the main pool and Carraige House, we just took the first park bus that came along. The walk back was 5 minutes if we didn't want to wait for the DTD bus that ran the opposite direction. The down side of COngress Park is that it's the last stop on the park busses so the busses tended to be fuller when we got on and we were the last to get dropped-off when we got off.

I was expecting the worst with the big teenage tour groups but other that a group of them making too much noise in the Pirates que (they were quiet on the ride), they were OK. I have heard horror stories about them in the past but either I missed the bad stuff or they are better behaved now.

Does every bus stop at Carriage house before they leave for their destination? We will be at Saratoga for our first trip in 3 weeks. Thanks.

 

[Ms. WDW]

We loved it, but it is real wasy to get lost. I took a wrong turn coming home from the spa and DD and I walked around in the heat for 45 minutes. I have ABSOLUTELY no sense of direction.

My DH found the theming to be perfect for him- gave him time to really relax and not feel like a theme park was being put down his throat.

Put it this way, the day we got home, DH bought us 100 more points, so I guess the trip was a success!!!

On our first trip to SSR we were so confussed with the layout of the resort. But by the time we left we had it down pat. So things were so much easier t his past trip.

My DH feels exactly the same way as yours. At SSR he can relax. He's a walker and loves walking over to DTD in the mornings while I'm relaxing at the pool. He said that even though you're away from all the "action of the parks" he still can see the "Disney Magic" at SSR.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Does every bus stop at Carriage house before they leave for their destination? We will be at Saratoga for our first trip in 3 weeks. Thanks.

Yes. The Carriage House is actually the last stop before heading off the property to the parks.

You'll love SSR. This was our second trip and each trip is better than the last.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

 

[IndianaMouseLover]

Does every bus stop at Carriage house before they leave for their destination? We will be at Saratoga for our first trip in 3 weeks. Thanks.

Yes. The Carriage House is actually the last stop before heading off the property to the parks.

You'll love SSR. This was our second trip and each trip is better than the last.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

The bus to DTD does not stop at the Carriage House. At least it never did when we were there a few weeks ago. The last stop was at CP and then it exited out the back of SSR.

I could be wrong but I never saw it even pass the stop at the CH?