Cancelled VB, Booked SSR - Need Help!

[Hopefully]

Because of all the radio news stories here in MA of the probablity of the oil spill gong into the "loop current" through the Keys and up the East coast of FLA, we cancelled our October week in Vero today. I was looking forward to a week at the beach and I am disappointed. But I am going to WDW, so all is right with the world.
Now I am in a position I never thought I would be. I have many of the oft asked questions, whose answers I never paid attention to before. So my apologies in advance.
We love our BCV home during F & W, we book 11 months to the day, and I never planned to stay anywhere else. But as expected at 4 1/2 months the only availablity was SSR or OKW. We booked a 1 bedroom at SSR. It is just DH and I, two "mature" adults.
I know nearly nothing about SSR. I looked at pictures and it looks very nice. (I just have to get over that I will miss the theme of the BCV).
Since we were going to VB we do have a rental car booked. We usually do DME and Disney transportation when in the World, but I am wondering if a car would be better at SSR. We will do all 4 major parks, and some resort dining in the evening. I have never minded the buses from BCV, but is SSR too big or too remote? I understand that a rental is a personal choice, but looking for your opinions here.
What area should I request? We don't have young ones, so a playground is not important to us. I would like relative quiet and a nice view. (I think DTD would be nice) We don't need a "themed" pool, but a pool bar would be fun. I have respiratory issues, so walking too far can be a challenge. I would like to be relatively near a bus stop and preferably one where we might get a seat.
Do the buildings have elevators?
Looking at a map I thought maybe Congress Park or the Grandstands from the picture.
What would you recommend.
Please help me get excited for this changed trip.
Thanks in Advance

 

[spiceycat]

Congress Park for nice views of DD.

that say with walking issues - you might consider getting on the waitlist for BCV.

you will have to walk at SSR and of course in all the parks. you could get a scooter?

you can walk to DD from CP in around 5 to 15 minutes. this is just the DD area not a restuarant.

is definitely one of my favorite places to stay at ssr - wish DD still have the fireworks....

 

[Hopefully]

Thanks for the quick reply.
The respiratory issues are not disabling at this point (I pray they never will be), But I do need to take it a bit slower and gauge distance. Going up hills and up stairs leaves me short of breath. For example the bridge over the canal between the UK and France can leave me short of breath if I don't take it slowly. Just enough of a hill to bother me.
I think I will waitlist for BCV.
Which is harder to get a studio or a 1 BR? We have a 1 BR but would take a studio as well. Is there a better chance if I waitlisted just a few days of our trip rather than the whole week?
Are there others with thoughts on SSR?
TIA

 

[DisneySJB]

I think you have made the right choice. The oil spill is getting more and more scary every day.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised with SSR. Yes, you should keep the rental car. One of the positives of SSR is having easy access to your car. Since you are used to walking to the bus stop at BCV, I don't think you will have problems with SSR but it is always good to have a back up plan.

You might want to look into requesting a golf course view. Very quiet and beautiful!! I would request a first floor room if stairs are a concern.

 

[spiceycat]

there are elevators at all the building at SSR.

but taking the steps is definitely faster.

the path to DD is pretty flat.

the path to the food court,restuarants at ssr is not perfectly flat - there is a slight climb - but if you take your car (although it is less than a mile - about a 1/2 mile and hate to take the car for short trips....)

 

[BoVance]

Our home resort is SSR and we've stayed all over disney property. We stayed at SSR over Thanksgiving and Easter this year. We have a DS that is 6 so we also limited our walking. It seemed that the buss stop for Congress Park was a bit of a walk. I guess it depends on your building. We stayed at the Grandstand and the bus stop was just outside the door. We go 3 times a year and usually only rent a car on one trip. If you have a car it is very easy to drive to Wal-mart or an off property resturant Hwy 529? is just around the corner. We never drive to parks or on property unless we have dinner reservation at one of the other resorts. The elevators are fine and the buildings usually have 3-4 floors. If it was me, I would choose the Grandstand.

 

[toniosmom]

We stayed in the Paddock section (where they are going to build the new pool) and loved it. I'm not sure if they will have started construction by then, so you may want to avoid that section. If they haven't started the construction, I highly recommend it. You can park outside of each building and all have easy access to the elevator. Since you don't need to be hear a bus stop, you can request something else like close to a quiet pool, view of the water, etc. We had a great view of the walking bridge and water spout. It was so peaceful.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

SSR is lovely. You can get to DD via boat, path, or bus. The boat is lovely. The pool area at the main pool and Grand Stand both have pool bars. If you are looking for something comparably restful to a beach, I would recommend SSR (I am an SSR owner - full disclosure). If you plan to take advantages of the parks and want to be in the action, choosing either of the Epcots or BLT resorts would probably suit you best. Having a car and going to the park, remember there is still the parking and then getting to the front door. As annoying as the buses can be (sometimes) they probably drop you closer to then park entrances then parking.
Good luck with your decision and have a fabulous time.

 

[Hopefully]

SSR is lovely. You can get to DD via boat, path, or bus. The boat is lovely. The pool area at the main pool and Grand Stand both have pool bars. If you are looking for something comparably restful to a beach, I would recommend SSR (I am an SSR owner - full disclosure). If you plan to take advantages of the parks and want to be in the action, choosing either of the Epcots or BLT resorts would probably suit you best. Having a car and going to the park, remember there is still the parking and then getting to the front door. As annoying as the buses can be (sometimes) they probably drop you closer to then park entrances then parking.
Good luck with your decision and have a fabulous time.

Thanks all,
We have a definite reservation for a 1 BR in October at SSR. At 4 1/2 months out it was all that was available. We do prefer the EC resorts area for location, but I am happy to be going to SSR.
We have a car reservation, but I think we are going to cancel it and use Disney transportation. So a bus stop is a consideration in our requests.
Where is the boat dock to DTD located?
Thanks for the help.

 

[hoffmann2828]

Great. I wish I never read this thread. I was booked for Vero in October too and now I don't know what to do. I'm not an overly-emotional person, but this has me in tears!

We had ressies for VWL for 7 days, then I changed it to 2 days and 5 at Vero. I know I won't be able to find anything except maybe SSR. We changed it because we didn't think we'd have enough saved for the park tickets.

Now I'm worried it's going to horrible and maybe we shouldn't go anywhere this year. Ugh!

Jenny

 

[js]

I have a 2 bedroom booked at Vero using my points for July 23.
I think I will have to put them into holding soon if I change my mind.
I don't know what to do since our main focus is sitting on the beach and not doing anything LOL

 

[Tiggerfan40]

DH and I just returned from a 6 night stay at SSR (our home resort) We had a beautiful studio room in Congress Park (4th floor) overlooking DD with a view of Fulton's crab house (boat) right in front of us. We could watch the hot air balloon from our balcony! It is an easy walk to DD or you can hop on any park bus and get off at the Springs stop and take the boat to DD (located behind Artist's Palette restaurant and store) or take the DD bus. The quiet pool in the Congress Park Section is lovely and relaxing (but no pool bar). The main pool is lively and has a pool bar and is also right near Artists Palette. If you want to be near all the action and close to the main pool and restaurants request the Springs section. If you want a more relaxed atmosphere and beautiful views of the water and DD request Congress Park, upper floor, DD view! Enjoy your stay!

 

[shortypots]

I would definitely say Congress park. We love that area. The quiet pool is really nice and the walkway to DTD is great (although I understand walking that kind of distance might be difficult.)

 

[puente0629]

Does SSR have bar-b-q pits?

Thanks,

 

[shortypots]

Yes I am pretty sure they do. Just not entirely certain where they are all located.

 

[lanand3]

We just returned from SSR and loved it.We stayed in room 1710 and had a nice view of downtown.The bus stop was almost right in front of our building.The walk to the main pool was only 10 minutes,but is would be difficult for someone not able to walk far.However,all the busses(with the exception of the downtown bus)that stop there go to the springs stop next which is across the street from main pool area.I'm not sure how to take the bus back but i'm sure you could find out.It was tough for my mother to make the walk at times so she often took the bus to the pool.I have read mixed reviews on the bus service but all I can give is my experience,and we never waited there for more than 10 minutes.

 

[edk35]

Grandstand is a good choice too. The bus picks up first at Grandstand and also drops off first from parks. Enjoy your stay.

 

[SFD998]

Here is another vote for Congress Park. Great views at night of DTD.

 

[DipsyDoodles]

Great. I wish I never read this thread. I was booked for Vero in October too and now I don't know what to do. I'm not an overly-emotional person, but this has me in tears!

We had ressies for VWL for 7 days, then I changed it to 2 days and 5 at Vero. I know I won't be able to find anything except maybe SSR. We changed it because we didn't think we'd have enough saved for the park tickets.

Now I'm worried it's going to horrible and maybe we shouldn't go anywhere this year. Ugh!

Jenny

I wouldn't worry, the chances of the oil slick making it to the Atlantic side of Florida is very, very slim. Especially in October, no more tears you will have a wonderful vacation!

 

[smidgy]

dipsydoodles... since you seem "in the know" (and are optimistic..we all want to hear good things)

we are booked at VB end of July. still slim chances?