Car-free strategies for SSR?

[Kitty-chan]

I'm staying at SSR for the first time next month, and am determined to do this without a car. I've been a little spooked by the fact that the UG folks (who I love love love) have slammed the SSR transportation system, and I've heard plenty of other people say that SSR really works best if you have a car.

I've been told that the buses pick up last at Springs, and also drop off first there when returning from the parks, so I've requested a room in Springs (and if that's not available, I'll ask for a room as close as possible to Springs, so we can walk to that bus stop if we choose).

Are there other good strategies for staying sane on Disney transportation from SSR? Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[dischick4778]

You can walk to DTD from SSR. So that's one way you won't need a car or bus. We did find bus transportation a bit slow last summer. I'm not sure how convenient this would be but you could always go to DTD for breakfast at McDonalds or wherever then take the bus to Contemporary and then the Monorail to MK or Epcot. Probably about the same as waiting for the SSR bus. But at least it would be a fun ride on the monorail.

 

[Ali]

Got back from SSR last night. I wouldn't want to be there without a car. It is huge, spread out, and so many people were in the bus stops all the time I would be afraid of always having to stand. Also, it is really really HOT and walking to DTD would not be an option for anyone unless they were in athlete type health and could carry a gallon of water. We were in the Grand Stand, the closest building to the Carraige House in that section, next to the pool, with a parking lot view. We walked to the High Springs pool many times, but were soaked with sweat and not really happy as a mommy who had to carry everything all the time because DS was too tired.

Everyone request the Springs section, some peopel have to stay elsewhere. We were assigned a room with a DTD view but I asked for a GRandstand room and we were able to get a room at 11:30 on Sunday. Lets say you get a room in the far away Carosel section, you would have to rely on the internal bus to get anywhere and that will take a lot of time out of your day.

If you have a car,use it. If you can afford a car, rent it. If you have any health issues you will need a car!

Just my opinion....

 

[MEK]

I used bus transportation at SSR last thanksgiving. We did have a car (for other reasons), but used the bus for every trip to the MK and for a return ride from MGM (when two of us wanted to stay a little longer to shop). I thought the bus transportation was fine. I always saw buses coming at going. The best thing about the bus was it wasn't crowded. No standing at all. I would not hesistate to stay there and use only the bus again. The bus drivers seem to know all the short cuts so it didn't take long to go anywhere.

Have fun! It's a beautiful resort!

 

[Disney lovin' senior]

We were there last November, and never encountered a problem with the bus service. It seemed as timely as any of the other resorts We also enjoyed strolling around the large complex. It's a beautiful resort.

 

[Kitty-chan]

Thanks for the advice, please keep it coming!

I really am determined to do this trip without a car. There's a ton of reasons for this and I'd prefer not to have to defend my choice here . . . just looking for strategies for how to manage without one.

I do like the idea of walking over to DTD once or twice, also perhaps taking the water launch. I've heard that it only runs once an hour? Is that correct, and if so does anyone know whether the schedule is posted or otherwise available? DS love the Disney transit system and wants to ride every type of vehicle possible. From what I understand SSR is an excellent opportunity to do so.

 

[elijahpep]

We've stayed at SSR several times and have never had to get into or move our car was after we checked in till the time we left. Best to make use of the boats and buses if you don't like to walk.

Good luck with your trip planning~

~DW

 

[sandyam76]

We stayed at SSR last year "Easter Week"....we had no problems with the transportation at all!! We stayed in the buildings closest to DTD and was a short walk over. We did that a lot....but even when we didn't we didn't have any problems with the buses. They were even quite nice, and dropped us closest to our building since we were the only ones on the bus late at night!! We did have early morning ressies for breakfast a few times and were right on time for those!! Maybe we were just lucky or maybe it was because we went at a busy time, but we had no problems at all!! Have fun!!

 

[Sammie]

The bus route at SSR is now:
Grandstand, Carousel, Paddocks, Congress Park and Springs.

So Springs is the last picked up and the last dropped off.

 

[Kitty-chan]

The bus route at SSR is now:
Grandstand, Carousel, Paddocks, Congress Park and Springs.

So Springs is the last picked up and the last dropped off.

Ah, that's good to know! Thanks!

I don't mind having to stand, so being picked up last is definitely my preference.

 

[Questforthemouse]

I'm staying at SSR for the first time next month, and am determined to do this without a car. I've been a little spooked by the fact that the UG folks (who I love love love) have slammed the SSR transportation system, and I've heard plenty of other people say that SSR really works best if you have a car.

I've been told that the buses pick up last at Springs, and also drop off first there when returning from the parks, so I've requested a room in Springs (and if that's not available, I'll ask for a room as close as possible to Springs, so we can walk to that bus stop if we choose).

Are there other good strategies for staying sane on Disney transportation from SSR? Any advice is much appreciated!

This'll be long-winded...

Park buses in order of pick up/drop off...

Grandstand, Carousel, Paddocks, Congress Park, Springs, to the park

Downtown Disney bus...

Congress Park, Springs, Grandstand, Carousel, Paddocks, Congress Park (again), to DTD

Internal bus...loops resort

Boat (from behind Turf Club restaurant)...

Mid-morning thru mid-afternoon once per hour; late afternoon thru evening twice per hour (get schedule when you check-in)

Walkways to DTD...

1) Far end of Congress Park leads to DTD Marketplace (lighted at night); 2) Near boat launch (go over bridge along side LBV golf course) leads to DTD Westside (not lighted at night)

FYI...

If you want to get to the main area (Carriage House, Springs Pool, Artist's Palette etc...) jump on any Park bus (as they all stop at Springs last) or the internal bus. If you're staying in the Congress Park section you can also take the DTD bus as it will stop at the Springs next.

If you want to get to your section from the Springs area take the internal bus or the DTD bus.

Some walking distance perspective...Most try to avoid the Carousel section as it is so far away from the Carriage House but are happy to stay in the Congress Park section. The furthest building in each of these sections is approximately equal distance from the Carriage House (about an 8 minute walk at a decent pace).

Heat will definitely be a factor walking/waiting for bus to main area vs. internal walks at other hotels. How big of a factor this is depends on the person.

I was there in the Springs section during the busiest time of year (Xmas) and had no problems getting a bus. Of course DW and I were "up 'n' at 'em" for park opening. Waiting till later in the morning may mean busses are full by the time they get to the Springs section. You may want to walk over to the Carousel or Paddocks section to catch your bus if staying in the Springs section and leaving later in the morning.

Have fun. SSR is great!

 

[Trekker]

I've been a little spooked by the fact that the UG folks (who I love love love) have slammed the SSR transportation system,

UM - who are the UG folks?

 

[Questforthemouse]

UM - who are the UG folks?

I presume UG is Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World...

 

[Kitty-chan]

I presume UG is Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World...

Yuppers! Sorry for not spelling it out . . .

Questforthemouse, thanks for the fabulously detailed information!

 

[G8RFAN]

We stayed there last week. Gotta say that it is tempting to jump in the car when you have to walk past your car to get to the bus stop. We've noticed this little psychological dilema doesn't occur whe we have to park our car in a parking lot far far away like VWL, BWV, BCV. I really don't think the bus system for SSR is any worse than the EPCOT resorts inclusive of the internal stops. I just think it is too easy to make up an excuse to jump in the car and go. At least you have the ferry option. I'm not an athelete, but the walk to either side of DTD depending on which side of SSR you are is not too bad. If you want to rent bikes, Horsing Around can rent you a bike to ride to DTD. I don't know if they have bike locks tho.

 

[mom2rb]

I have stayed at SSR twice and never had a car. I had no problems. One of my favorite things about SSR is how easy it is to get to other resorts. I made reservations at many new restaurants. My family would go to the other hotel after a day in the parks and hop on a bus to Downtown Disney. It was a 5-10 min. walk back to the room.

 

[Kitty-chan]

I have stayed at SSR twice and never had a car. I had no problems. One of my favorite things about SSR is how easy it is to get to other resorts. I made reservations at many new restaurants. My family would go to the other hotel are a day in the parks and hop on a bus to Downtown Disney. It was a 5-10 min. walk back to the room.

Oh, I hadn't even really thought about that . . . the only time I'd stayed on site before was POP, and it would have been a real headache to get to most of the other resorts. This is cool advice!