Bummed about SSR...first world problems...

[AshleyMWC]

OK, so long story short, we had to juggle some finances around and ended up decided to rent DVC points rather that do Free Dining with a room package. Since we are under 7 months, all we could get was SSR for the week of Dec 11-17. I REALLY wanted AKL for the kids first trip. I know SSR is a nice resort, but I'm bummed that it's just so sprawling and won't feel Christmasy or very Disney for my kids - ages 5 and almost 3. It'll be cold so no pools I'm guessing Please make me feel ok about staying here with little kids!!!

 

[HarleenQ]

The pools are heated up to 82 degrees, so you may want to swim depending on the weather. I know a lot of people do. It'll also be fun to go to Disney Springs - you can walk and I think there is also a boat.

Maybe your renter can keep checking for AKV for you, but if not, SSR should look very pretty for Christmas time.

And let's be honest, your kids are too little to care They'll be happy wherever they are. They're simple creatures.

 

[LisaCM614]

OK, so long story short, we had to juggle some finances around and ended up decided to rent DVC points rather that do Free Dining with a room package. Since we are under 7 months, all we could get was SSR for the week of Dec 11-17. I REALLY wanted AKL for the kids first trip. I know SSR is a nice resort, but I'm bummed that it's just so sprawling and won't feel Christmasy or very Disney for my kids - ages 5 and almost 3. It'll be cold so no pools I'm guessing Please make me feel ok about staying here with little kids!!!

You're going to Disney! It will be wonderful! Not sure where your home is but my kids were swimming in December. We're from CT though. It was chilly at night and in the AM but there were a few days when the kids thought it was warm enough to swim. It will feely Christmasy at the resort. Most of the deluxe villa resorts have tamed down Disney theming. You'll always be able to go to AKL NEXT time! Enjoy the extra space you'll get at SSR.

 

[Skywise]

Besides it gives your kids something to look forward to for the next trip. If you start at "the top" where do you go from there?

"You think THIS place is great? Wait til we stay in AKL for the next trip!!!"

 

[bumbershoot]

It'll be cold so no pools I'm guessing

Might be cold, might be hot. We left around the 17th in 2010 and it was 80. Of course, it had been literally freezing on other days, so you just NEVER know. Pack for anything in December (and January). (and February)

We swam when it was 55 during that trip. In the water is fine, but you need your support crew (parents, LOL) to take care of cold kids as they get out of the warm water.

"You think THIS place is great? Wait til we stay in AKL for the next trip!!!"

For us that would backfire. Of all the villas and resorts we've stayed at while at WD so far, AKL is by far our LEAST favorite one. The service has been terrible, the rooms falling apart. As a family we've stayed at Jambo and Kidani, and I stayed at Kidani solo, and I'm done with it.

And since our first stay was in mid December, you'd think I would have seen xmas decorations up, but I have ZERO recollection of them. Wilderness Lodge had an amazing tree there, and OKW was fun and bright with some decorations, but I don't remember what I saw at AKL.


Request staying at The Paddock at SSR. If it's warm enough for the water, they have a lovely height restricted, gated-off, water play area just off the pool, and the pool is fun, too.

SSR is seriously one of our faves. Our first stay there wasn't perfect, but they did their best to take care of us, which was the exact opposite service experience we've had at AKL.

 

[HopperFan]

Or if you truly have your heart set on their first trip at AKL and you think you won't get past that, I would keep trying for it or wait until next year - giving me an extra year to save.

 

[robinb]

If it'll make you feel any better, I don't think your 3 and 5 year old won't care about the resort other than the pool. The feature pool is very nice are the quiet pools. We go over Christmas ever year and we always swim. Sometimes it's chilly and sometimes it's warm.

 

[Shanti]

OK, so long story short, we had to juggle some finances around and ended up decided to rent DVC points rather that do Free Dining with a room package. Since we are under 7 months, all we could get was SSR for the week of Dec 11-17. I REALLY wanted AKL for the kids first trip. I know SSR is a nice resort, but I'm bummed that it's just so sprawling and won't feel Christmasy or very Disney for my kids - ages 5 and almost 3. It'll be cold so no pools I'm guessing Please make me feel ok about staying here with little kids!!!

Your kids will be overjoyed to be at Disney. Keep the focus on the positive, and don't even suggest to them that there is anything better than where you're staying. They will absorb your attitude, so it should be one of joy and gratitude.

 

[AshleyMWC]

Thanks everyone! Th more I think about it, think the bigger rooms here will be a huge plus for us! We are on the waiting list at AKV but if it doesn't come through no biggies! My daughter is animal and horse obsessed, so I'm sure she'll love all the carousel horses And I also decided that this might be the perfect time to stay at SSR! They don't know the difference in any other hotel, we have more space for them, and being away from the MK side and alls he excitement might be less stimulating at bedtime haha! Im hoping for a room near the main building at least. OH, and we had to change our dates and now we'll be there on ym actually birthday woohoo!! Any suggestions for areas or buildings to request??

 

[ldo]

our 1st stay was at SSR and we loved it so much, I went home about bought a small resale DVc contract. There is a good kids club with arts/crafts/games. We rented a surrey bike and rode around. It's an easy walk over to DTD and a very fun (esp. for 3-5 yrs) boat ride over to DTD. As others have said, they won't care. Actually, a 3-5 yr old would probably like POP Century just as well-lol! SSR is a fine resort. AKV is just over the top--I agree with others, leave that for something special when they are older. My teens love AKV, but also loved SSR when they were 7.

 

[kiford]

t'll be cold so no pools I'm guessing

We went swimming last year around that time because it was so hot we wanted to cool off. Even one evening we went in the pool. It was a little cooler so we also spent some time in the hot tub, but it was still nice. You never know at that time of year. It can get pretty chilly after dark sometimes during that time of year, but there will probably be at least one day where it's warm enough during the daylight hours if not more than one day. The last three times we've gone within the first two weeks or so of December it's been very warm.

 

[larissawbb]

Ask to be in one of the buildings near the Paddock pool.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

There's nothing wrong with SSR. and Disney Springs is close by. and there is no guarantee that it will be too cold to swim...it might not be. The pools are heated, though. the little kids aren't really going to care unless you tip them off that there are "better" places to stay.

 

[abner1776]

Thanks everyone! Th more I think about it, think the bigger rooms here will be a huge plus for us! We are on the waiting list at AKV but if it doesn't come through no biggies! My daughter is animal and horse obsessed, so I'm sure she'll love all the carousel horses And I also decided that this might be the perfect time to stay at SSR! They don't know the difference in any other hotel, we have more space for them, and being away from the MK side and alls he excitement might be less stimulating at bedtime haha! Im hoping for a room near the main building at least. OH, and we had to change our dates and now we'll be there on ym actually birthday woohoo!! Any suggestions for areas or buildings to request??

As far as bldgs to request, keep in mind that SSR(similar to OKW) has now implemented "preferred" booking selection whereby certain areas/bldgs are now subject to preferred booking so you may not have access to certain bldgs when you go to make your request.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

As far as bldgs to request, keep in mind that SSR(similar to OKW) has now implemented "preferred" booking selection whereby certain areas/bldgs are now subject to preferred booking so you may not have access to certain bldgs when you go to make your request.

That's not until 2017. Her 2016 points stay is not subject to the new classifications.

 

[Ali]

I stayed at SSR last night. My first room was in the carousel area, room 1701. First floor in the first room assigned had a bad musty non used smell. It was Loud next to a bus stop. I called and asked for a change. Changed to a room in the grandstand on the 4th floor that smelled clean. So if you are unhappy with your room call them and ask to change. If they say no tell them you will move the next day. This is a resort that is huge so make sure you learn the bus routes and take them as you travel around.

 

[Barbara76]

Last year we went from 17 - 22 in Dec and it was warm enough for the pool everyday but one, it was in the high 70's and 80's most of the trip.

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

We go to WDW every Christmas. 2 years ago we were at SSR and the resort was great. We love the Grandstand, one of the best splash areas for little ones. I have a Christmas tree that I bring every year and at SSR it fit beautifully in a studio. You can take the kids to all the resorts to visit to see the decorations. They are all decorated beautifully. Last year we were at BLT, room was way tooooooo small and they really only had limited decorations in lobby area. Your at Disney At Christmas, there is nothing better! Start a tradition like we did, my kids are 20 and 17 now. Lots of memories.

 

[Anniefrances]

I've never been to SSR but I wanted to let you know that my kids and I stayed CL at the Contemporary when they were ages 5 and 3 and despite it having been our most "magical" of all WDW visits they have no recollection of that trip (they are now 12 and 10). And on top of it, so far their favorite resort is POP (go figure!).

 

[AshleyMWC]

Thanks everyone! I didn't know there was a kids club area at SSR. I knew BLT had one. My DH and I have stayed at SSR before, before kids, and it was fine for us. But of course, NOTHING is the same with kids haha! I'm excited now We got an AMAZING deal, and are literally paying the same as 6 nights at a value, and we'll have Disney Springs right across the water Already planning Rainforest for the first night