Back from SSR... not impressed......

[Tomskatt]

I just spent 4 days with my kids and we had a blast! That's easy to do when they are 3, 5 and 7... everything is aweinspiring in their eyes and I wouldn't have traded it for a minute. This was our first trip to SSR, however, and that I hope not to do again if we don't have to. Problem is we bought an add on there and now it may have to be that we go there a few times.
The hotel itself is nice enough. But is not spectacular in the Disney way that I personally have found the other DVC resorts. it's just average. Add to that that it is the size of a small college campus and you can understand that to get to anything with out wheels is no small feat. We were in room 1110 and that is "miles" from anything. The buses take an eternity. For example, we were out and ready at 7:55 to get a bus to MK for the 9:00 opening. I thought it was cutting it close, but try getting everyone out the door with only one adult and 3 kids....well, you get the picture .
Anyway, I thought at least we might get a glimpse of the opening... nope didn't arrive to the park til almost 9:30!!!!!!!! Needless to say, the next day I drove.
I know this has been mentioned on another thread recently, but to add insult to injury, in order for me to even get internet access I had to pay $10.00 a day! Now I get the whole budget arguement and dues blah blah blah.... but that is just plain ridiculous. I had to check on two important issues involving my job and my DD3's medical issue and only used it for about 5 minutes. I guess it's right up there with the crazy prices of everything else in the land of the mouse, but when I hear "Welcome Home", I expect to be treated like I am home. (Within reason, please don't flame me on that one! )
The capper was: my DD3 and DS5 were playing Prince and Princess in the LR and I heard them say something about a frog. I thought, "awww how cute! They are reinacting the fairytales". No!!! I walk into the room and there is my immuno compromised daughter holding a frog.... a real live frog!!!!!!!!! I about lost my mind! Thank God her counts had been good the day before we left or I would have been taking a trip to Celebration for that one.
There were a few other incidents that happened along the way, but again I want to say... it wasn't terrible. Just not the usual DVC great I am used to. I guess I'll just travel off season or gamble on waitlists from now on. Sorry to go on, I am just a little sad about it all. Would I go back to Disney anytime soon????????? Sure!!!! A bad experience at Disney is still better than any other family trip I can imagine!

 

[Jen D]

Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy SSR. How long did you wait for the bus on the day you went to MK?

The high speed access prices are in line with other luxury hotels, so I can't really fault Disney. (And this is the price charged across the board at all Disney resorts, from All Star to DVC to the Grand Floridian.) However, I do feel since the Disney Hotels and DVC resorts have who often stay for a week, there could offer discounts for buying a certain number of days. I think they'd have more people buying it. I think much cheaper or free high speed access is in the future for most hotels, but I think it will be a couple years or more.

In the meantime, there is always dial-up, but what a pain it always is, finding the access numbers and dealing with the slow connection. After the last trip, I'll be eating the $10/day charge and crossing my fingers that eventually the price will drop.

 

[WDWorld2003]

I'm becoming concerned here. I'm scheduled to arrive at SSR in 3 weeks with two 16 year olds. My DD and I are used to the BWV (which we love!). I really hope we're not disappointed. We will not have a car so buses or cabs are the only option.

Were you disappointed in the the resort in general or the walking distances involved to get from one place to the other? I understand the bus service is not great so I am aware of that. I am on the waitlist for BWV and BCV so will take them if they become available.

 

[Rozzie]

SSR is our favorite! And yes, we have stayed at them all! Different strokes for different folks! Hope your next stay is magical, and your daughter has a speedy road to health!

 

[evaready51]

We too own at SSR and love it. We were there 12/22/05 - 12/26/05 and had no issues w/the buses or the resort.

The Internet is pricey but that is what Disney charges everyone. If you want to use it you need to be prepared to pay for it.

As for the frog, well it's Florida all kind of strange amphibians, bugs, animals and lizzards live there!

 

[psu4glory]

sorry to hear about your less-than-perfect experience. i am a new member that hasn't been to ANY of the DVC resorts yet - but have planned our 1st trip home this JUN to.....you guessed it.....Saratoga Springs!

some of your experiences concern me a little - but i've also read a LOT of good things about the resort from other folks...so i'm hoping that your situation was the exception and not the rule.

good luck on your next trip...hope it's a better one for you

 

[gppnj]

It seemed like the biggest problem you had was with the transportation. Fortunately, that's something that can be fixed relatively easily if Disney chooses to.

Obviously, SSR can't be held responsible for the frog. That's just part of being in Florida.

As for the size of SSR, I think DVC would have been better off building two separate resorts on the size rather than having one big one. A point does come when a resort is just too big, and I do think that SSR got past that point.

 

[Tomskatt]

Absolutely, different strokes! You know as I read other responses, I wonder where these families that liked it stayed. I am willing to concede that our particular location stunk... all the way at the end of Congress Park... about as far out from things as you can be... and I do realizze that none of these matters by itself is earthshattering... I just named a few annoiances and/or inconveniences I experienced. Now that I have been there, if I do get stuck haviing to stay there again, I will have a better idea of where we want to be and what to request. yes, I know the whole shpeeel about the internet access and the $$$, but because it's done everywhere doesn't mean I have to like it. I just miss being treated as personally as we have been in the past.
For those that like SSR so much, i would love to know what it is you like about it. I really am not trying to start a civil war, just wondering if maybe we didn't have an accurate experience...believe me, I would love to be wrong about this! BTW, thank you Rozzie for your good wishes, I really do appreciate it!

 

[minniemoms]

I haven't been and I can't wait, not going until Dec, we aren't driving either, only using busses. I still can't wait to come, but I think I asked which was the best place to stay around the resort, and I didn't write it down, maybe those of you that love it could post it again... Thanks

 

[Tomskatt]

I'm becoming concerned here. I'm scheduled to arrive at SSR in 3 weeks with two 16 year olds. My DD and I are used to the BWV (which we love!). I really hope we're not disappointed. We will not have a car so buses or cabs are the only option.

Were you disappointed in the the resort in general or the walking distances involved to get from one place to the other? I understand the bus service is not great so I am aware of that. I am on the waitlist for BWV and BCV so will take them if they become available.

You know, I hate when I am getting psyched up for a trip and then read a negative post about where I am going. That is why I have never left a negative post before this. I am sorry if I am responsible for taking any of your excitement away. Please understand your situation is very different from mine. Your 16 year olds are going to be looking for different experiences than my 3, 5 and 7 yr olds. And you don't have to carry all their paraphanalia for them either !
The resort is what it is. I just didn't like not having someone help me with my luggage (there are people available, but it was easier with my screaming tribe to not wait for them to get there), I didn't like the vastness of it. I guess for some that is a selling point. Let's put it this way... if they called me tomorrow and said we will give you a full refund if you give your points back and don't come back to SSR, I would pass. I like my DVC membership and flexability it offers me. I also realize that was the 1st and most likely the last time I will travel solo with my kids while they are this young. The rest of our Disney trip was AWESOME!!!! I guess I have left my last negative post... I can't live with the guilt!

 

[MikeyNS]

We LOVE SSR and are extremely happy we bought there. Buses were fine for us (much better than our stay at the Boardwalk), and honestly I expect a lot of walking when I come to Disney. We find the theming to be very calming and love being close to DTD. It is definitely different strokes, but we're still going to try all the other DVC resorts when we can, but won't feel bad when we choose our home resort!

 

[JerJan]

LOVE....LOVE......LOVE, SSR!!! I've been to BWV and OKW and they don't compare to SSR!

 

[Sammie]

Absolutely, different strokes! You know as I read other responses, I wonder where these families that liked it stayed. I am willing to concede that our particular location stunk... all the way at the end of Congress Park... about as far out from things as you can be... and I do realizze that none of these matters by itself is earthshattering... I just named a few annoiances and/or inconveniences I experienced. Now that I have been there, if I do get stuck haviing to stay there again, I will have a better idea of where we want to be and what to request. yes, I know the whole shpeeel about the internet access and the $$$, but because it's done everywhere doesn't mean I have to like it. I just miss being treated as personally as we have been in the past.
For those that like SSR so much, i would love to know what it is you like about it. I really am not trying to start a civil war, just wondering if maybe we didn't have an accurate experience...believe me, I would love to be wrong about this! BTW, thank you Rozzie for your good wishes, I really do appreciate it!

Actually we stayed in the same building you were in and loved it. Never had a problem with the transportation and loved that location for being close to Downtown Disney.

Internet access, well that has been covered and is the same property wide so SSR can not be faulted. I would suggest you take that up with DVC in general.

Frogs, again, it's Florida, by any chance were you on the first floor. You do tend to get a few more visitors on the first floor rooms. They seem to hang out at the front door looking for bugs and well open door, you know what can happen. I am sure with kids especially there were times it was a chore just getting everyone out the door.

Now what do I like. I love the spread out feeling, lots of landscaping, the feel of not being right on top of everybody.

Love the quiet pools, the one at Congress Park is my favorite of all quiet pools at Disney. Think the main pool is a blast.

Love the staff, they were so friendly and helpful.

Really like Artist's Pallette, where one can eat something other than burgers and chicken tenders.

Love the peace and quiet of the resort and yet I am so close to Downtown Disney. I think the interior decor is the best of any DVC, so refined.

Actually I can not think of a single thing I did not like.

Please do not take this the wrong way, as it is meant with the best intentions but could possibly some of this disappointment stem from dealing with 3 very young children, all thier gear (as you said), and one adult. And having to deal with important business issues while on vacation can never be fun.

I know for me, it would be more than I could possibly even imagine undertaking. I know it would make waits for buses seem eternally long to me. I know when we go with extended family the bus times always seemed longer when the kids were restless. And we had plenty of adults to help out.

Just curious did your kids say they found the frog in the room, or did they pick it up outside and bring it in.

 

[NMW]

Sorry you didn't like SSR that much. Glad you had a good trip though. As for the frog, did you ever read the thread on the resort board about the dead, mummified gecko in between the mattress and boxspring in the CR tower? The person was putting bedrails in for a child and found it. At least your frog wasn't dead in your bed!

 

[Rozzie]

great post Sammie! You summed up exactly the way I feel.

We have learned that each resort is a different experience. Once I think one goes into the resort without expectations of another resort, than you enjoy your stay better. Of course if you are dying to walk to Epcot, and you are "stuck" at SSR, you will be disapointed.

We tend to cater our activities around the style of the resort. BCV/BWV? lots of epcot/mgm time. VWL? lots of MK time SSR? lots of relaxation/pool/DTD shopping time OKW? lots of TOTAL relaxation/pool/laid back approach to the parks. Then again, we go a lot, and like to mix up every trip, to make every trip different in it's own way.

We love SSR, we love that it feels like a home, and not a hotel. We love having a car right there to zip around, and love the dining/nightlife of DTD. This last trip at BCV, we just craved SSR/OKW. We love leaving the parks and leaving the craziness behind, and retreting to our quiet balcony's with a perfect glass of wine.

Now if we had small ones, and especially if I was alone with them, I would likely feel a little different. I can't imagine the stuff! DH and I fill up a entire bellservice cart, I can't imagine any additions without a forklift.

I hope the OP does have a better stay next time, and I would recommend the Springs location with little ones. I think the bus situation is hit or miss at every resort. We have had excellent to poor service at every resort we have stayed in the past 20 years.

Again, wishing the best of health to the OPs precious little one. I had a thing for frogs when I was that age also!

 

[mydogdrew]

There is really nothing about SSR that appeals to me. Location, size, view, dining, etc. We didn't use the buses but apparently that's not great either. I sure didn't feel like we were staying at a delux.

 

[jimh13432]

I have a question or two.....

Did you request a non-frog room? I know MS does not guarantee non-frog rooms, they can mark it as a preference, but they can not guarantee.

Having said that though, I can not stand to stay in a frog room, the second hand frog is horrible. I am allergic to frog.

 

[RCM]

I have four grown children and a teen. I would never think to take a trip with three young ones by myself. I think the outlook might be different with older children.

Next month will be our 3rd stay and looking forward. We will have all 5 children and our six grandchildren 5yrs and under. I may have a different view when I return.

I have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and found that overwhelming with the different buildings. Personally I like walking out of my door and not having halls to walk through. It feels like a real condo.

The food is a little eclectic but ok for quickie.

RCM

 

[justloveit]

We had a gecko in our bed at BWV in Feb. EEK!! We managed to trap it and release it on the balcony. However, we did have the patio doors open because of the beautiful weather, and I think it came in that way. Lesson learned: keep the doors closed!!! Same thing happened at OKW. The critters are a part of the environment. I share the wishes of the other posters for the health of your DD and a more magical trip next time!

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Our experience with SSR in January 2005 seems to be somewhat opposite to the OP's recent experience.

We visited SSR in January 2005 and stayed in Room 1234 in Congress Park, the same building as the OP (I believe). We didn't find the walk to the pool to be overly arduous -- about 10 minutes maximum with a 5 year old princess in tow.

My review of our first trip home may be found here.

We are staying at OKW on this trip -- but will be happily home at SSR again for New Year's Eve. We loved SSR.