Dorky SSR questions

[off to neverland]

After reading Dean's assessment of car vs. bus transportation to the parks, I'm wondering if we should have a car. We normally go without, but haven't stayed at SSR.

We'll be there for 4 days prior to our Disney cruise, and we have two kids ages 6 and 3. I was looking forward to not dealing with car seats.

Any thoughts? WE've done without a car at OKW. Not sure if I'd do it again, but it was doable.

 

[tjkraz]

Any thoughts? WE've done without a car at OKW. Not sure if I'd do it again, but it was doable.

The value of a car depends a great deal on how you would use it. If it's your habit to head to the parks in the morning...stay all day...and return to your room later, having a car probably won't save you much time.

But if you take a mid-day break to return to the room, that doubles your number of bus trips. If you plan any dining at resort restaurants, a car is almost invaluable since there is no direct resort-to-resort bus service. Also, if you like the flexibility of diverting to different locations mid-day, a car is the only way to do that. For instance, we have had days where we will dine in the AM at a resort restaurant, then head to a theme park, then stop by Downtown Disney on the way back to the room. I can't imagine how much time it would take to do that on Disney busses.

One last thing to consider is how much renting a car will cost vs. using taxi cabs when needed. If you will only be making 5 or 6 side trips during your stay, you might be better off paying $20 in cab fare each time rather than $200+ for a rental.

 

[off to neverland]

The cab idea is great, Tjkratz. Are there cabs out there that have car seats or would we need a service?

 

[off to neverland]

Another SSR question, to do with dining.

We may to the dining plan and are thinking of eating at the SSR Turf Club restaurant on the first day we arrive.

We arrive Orlando 5:40 pm, and are taking Magical Express to the resort. I made ressies at SSR restaurant for 7:40.

My question is: how is the SSR restaurant, and with DTD so close, does anyone have any recommendation for somewhere to eat there that is on the dining plan? I imagine the kids wouldn't mind the walk after all day on the plane, but I'm also more than happy to stay onsite and eat at Turf Club.

 

[Dean]

After reading Dean's assessment of car vs. bus transportation to the parks, I'm wondering if we should have a car. We normally go without, but haven't stayed at SSR.

We'll be there for 4 days prior to our Disney cruise, and we have two kids ages 6 and 3. I was looking forward to not dealing with car seats.

Any thoughts? WE've done without a car at OKW. Not sure if I'd do it again, but it was doable.

It is a balance. In part I think it depends on your party makeup, the length of your cruise and the like. You may find it's worth it to rent a car for your entire trip and pay for the parking during the cruise. By the time you factor in the taxi costs and transportation to and from the Cruise docks. IMO, ME has shifted this decision significantly but in your case it's worth considering. I think OKW and SSR are doable without a car but it is a significant disadvantage IMO. The longer the stay, the larger the party, the more likely you are to eat off property if you have a car and the more likely you are to eat in; all are factors that favor having a car.

 

[Dean]

Another SSR question, to do with dining.

We may to the dining plan and are thinking of eating at the SSR Turf Club restaurant on the first day we arrive.

We arrive Orlando 5:40 pm, and are taking Magical Express to the resort. I made ressies at SSR restaurant for 7:40.

My question is: how is the SSR restaurant, and with DTD so close, does anyone have any recommendation for somewhere to eat there that is on the dining plan? I imagine the kids wouldn't mind the walk after all day on the plane, but I'm also more than happy to stay onsite and eat at Turf Club.

I don't see the Turf Club listed on the 2006 list but it is for 2007. It still may be included but if your travel is in 2006 you should find out for certain. I'd check with the DDP board or call the dining line if you need to. For 2006 I'd suggest Capt Jack's, Raglan Road or Wolfgang Puck in the DD area. I've heard that Portofino will be added for 2007 but haven't seen it in writing, maybe some that are more up on it can tell us for certain. If you want to try the Turf Club (no reason not to otherwise) and save the coupon's for a signature, DVC members get a 10% discount there.

 

[off to neverland]

Hmmm...

The dining line is pretty busy right now, so ASSUMING Turf Club isn't on the 2006 plan, and we decide to pay cash for it, I have the following question:

Our reservation for the 4 nights at SSR is in chunks because I booked, waitlisted, then booked..... you know the drill. So, can we add the dining plan for just one part of the reservation? When they pull the reservation up, it pulls up as a linked reservation of two or three seperate ones.

 

[Dean]

Hmmm...

The dining line is pretty busy right now, so ASSUMING Turf Club isn't on the 2006 plan, and we decide to pay cash for it, I have the following question:

Our reservation for the 4 nights at SSR is in chunks because I booked, waitlisted, then booked..... you know the drill. So, can we add the dining plan for just one part of the reservation? When they pull the reservation up, it pulls up as a linked reservation of two or three seperate ones.

It it's linked, it's one stay. If it's not, you'll have to check out then back in again on the corresponding day(s) and possibly could have to change rooms. Go over to the DDP board, I bet you can find your answer pretty easy regarding the Turf Club for 06.

 

[disneykidatheart]

Here's a new question: I'm thinking of taking our bicycles and am wondering if there is any place to lock bikes at Downtown Disney. I'm not sure it's worth the hassle of taking them just to ride around SSR and to Downtown Disney (what's the abbreviation - DTD? DD?). But I know if I don't take them I won't rent them because I'm too cheap!


I believe there is a bike rack at West Side Disney at the point where the parking lot meets the sidewalk that goes past the golf course and on to OKW or Saratoga Springs. I think there is a sign that reads No Bikes beyond this point.

I think there is a bike rack at the last point where the path leaves Saratoga Springs and goes across the bridge to DTD Marketplace. I think there is a sign there that reads No Bikes Beyond This Point.

Maybe someone can verify this information or correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Sammie]

Turf Club is included in the DDP, we used ours there this summer.

I don't remember seeing a bike rack but that does not mean one is not there. Actually now that I think about it, seems I have seen CMs riding them to DD from their Cast Member parking lot which is pretty far away.

Don't remember where I saw it though, somewhere near the parking lots, I think. The walk is really not that long from the Congress Park area.

 

[Beiji]

Thanks for the bicycle information! I thought it would be fun to have them, but I'm not sure it's worth the hassle of taking them. It's too bad the WDW roads don't have bicycle lanes - that would make it worth hauling them all the way down there!