disneyfan2kids
DisneyFan3Kids now, but I can't change my name.
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2005
- Messages
- 1,137
Bear with me as this is my very first trip report... and I should comment that I was so nervous buying SSR after having seen many negative comments about SSR...but here goes!
Arrived @ Orlando Airport @ 9:30am on Monday. Mag. Exp. was wonderful and we arrived at SSR by about 10:15. Our room request in the Springs wasn't ready...but they offered us the Paddocks. We declined and decided to hit MK instead until our room was ready. We first stopped for breakfast at Artist's Palette. Ate brkfst platters - food was great! We were starting to really love SSR already! Walked around the pool area and got SO excited for our 5 days ahead of us!
Off to the bus stop....Waited WAY TOO LONG for MK bus to arrive (approx. 45 minutes) and off we went.
At MK we hit Stitch's great escape, Buzz Lightyear, Carousel of Progress (all 3 we WALKED ON!). GREAT! Got ice cream on main street (delicious!) and walked around for an hour just taking it all in! Saw so much in such a short time. The crowds were light as could be! We couldn't believe our luck!
Went back to room around 3pm. Room was ready! OK - to start off...the room was outstanding. Beautifully decorated and in perfect shape. We were in 3136 (Springs) with a Patio facing Broadway Ave (could've been a better view, but hey - you can't have it all! Bed was amazingly comfy, room was size was perfect for us (me, DH, DS 5, DS 1). I personally wouldn't have been comfy on the couch bed, but DS 5 thought it was so cool that he had a couch bed. DS 1 was perfectly happy in the pack-n-play that was provided. Room was clean as could be and really just beautiful. Furniture is so nice, bed is more comfy than any other hotel bed I've slept in (although I did miss my king). Kitchenette was perfect for what we needed (I had brought many microwaveable soups/snacks for the kids). Called the front desk and asked if Staples delivered my water... front desk had it at my room in under 5 minutes.
After relaxing for a bit and unpacking...back to MK for the night (had to wait about 30 minutes for MK bus again - however all other buses seemed to come twice each?!). Had ADR's at Liberty Tree tavern for Character dinner. Once we put in our names, we waited about 10 minutes and were seated. Characters were great and interacted often and for long periods. Food was great (ham/turkey/mac&cheese/green beans - basic staple food.) Server was great and overall the meal was perfect (except that the very first character my 1 year old saw was a 7 foot goofy and he freaked out a bit....I knew he'd cool off after a few experiences.) Overall A+ for dinner! Saw Spectromagic (great!) and Wishes...fabulous! (We watched wishes from the bridge next to Liberty Tree - thought we had great seats until we realized that the trees were in our way for the fireworks portion.) Oh well - music & fireworks brought tears to my eyes... beautiful.)
On a side note - this was the first time that I saw that while sitting waiting for parades the CM's would start games for the kids. It was great! Every parade we saw my 5yo had a ball playing games like dodgeball/duckduckgoose/etc with all the CM's and other kids. Such a relief to not have to entertain him while waiting for parades!
Back to the room for bed!
Day 2 - had ADR's at Chef Mickey's & took Bus to MK (waited again for about 30 minutes for MK bus) and took monorail over to Contemporary. Had only about 10 minute wait for seating. Chef Mickey's was great! Food - outstanding. Characters - Fabulous! My 1yo had now warmed up and was kissing and hugging the characters! Overall - A+! The part where they encourage the kids to wave their napkins is just great! Kids had a blast! After Chef Mickey's we go back to MK for the day. Monorail back to MK.
It's my birthday and we stop @ main street and grab a birthday pin for me. With no exxageration - at least 25 different CM's wished me happy birthday (by name) all day. I had CM's sing to me - encourage others to do so - and at Space Mt. I found out that I am the exact same age as Space Mt. (the ride turned 32 the same day as me!) So the CM's made a huge deal and just made me feel so great!
Hit Pirates (10 min. wait)- Big Thunder (Fast pass) - Space Mountain (Fast Pass) - Hall of Presidents (walk on) - Haunted Mansion (10 min. wait). All rides were great as usual! Stopped and watched Dreams parade. Fantastic!
Back to SSR for some R&R. Played in the pool for a few hours...had some drinks at On the rocks and relaxed in the hot tub. GREAT! Back to the room and ate take out from Artist's Palette. Stuffed meatloaf/Spicy Chic. Pan./Veg. Flatbread...all outstanding! After dinner my in-laws took the kids to their room and DH and I decided to walk to DTD for my birthday. Decided to time the walk for informing the DIS boards. From our room at the Springs to the quiet pool in CP it was exactly 5 minutes (and we are NOT fast walkers!). Once we get to the quiet pool we see the DTD view...OH...MY.... GOODNESS!!!!! At that moment we knew that SSR would be our all time favorite resort. That view is beyond words. In the future we will def. request CP. Still a short walk to Springs/Pool/etc. but that view is truly indescribable!
After we hit quiet pool it was another 10 min. walk to DTD. The walk was fantastic. We couldn't take our eyes off the view. I should tell you that I am NOT one for walking (a bit on the lazy side) but that walk was VERY doable. (Maybe I was expecting the worst after reading these boards, but I can't imagine how people can walk the parks all day - but then think that walk is long?) The walk is BEAUTIFUL and quite quick!
DTD was great! Such a nice, relaxing end to our day. Stopped and had a few drinks at the Margarita bar and sat at a dockside table and watched the water for an hour or so. Hit almost every store and just couldn't wait to bring the kids (& in-laws) back the next night so they could experience DTD. In the past I haven't visited DTD too often b/c I didn't want to catch yet another bus from the resort late at night. Seemed like too much after a long day in the parks. But at SSR...I would do DTD every night. The view..the ambiance...the convenience... WOW! While sitting on the docks and looking at the beautiful sights of DTD with SSR in the background.... at that moment SSR became my favorite resort. Breathtaking!
Took the boat back in order to experience it... fantastic view and just a wonderful end to my B-day in WDW. Once back at SSR we put on our suits and end our day at midnight relaxing in the hot tub with drinks!
Day 3 - MGM. Sleep-in and head to MGM @ 11am. Had ADR's at H&V for playhouse disney lunch. Best character interaction yet! Kids were up dancing in the aisles for the entire lunch. It was all I could do to shove some food dowm my throat b/c we were just enjoying video taping the kids dancing and singing the whole time. Best video footage I've gotten in all my years of video taping my kids! Had my 5yo & 1yo dancing with Little Einsteins/JoJo/Goliath/etc for over an hour! They had the time of their life!
After lunch we hit Ind. Jones/Playhouse Dis/Power Rangers/Great Movie Ride/Honey I shrunk the kids playground (literally every single ride was a walk-on or under 5 min. wait.). Sat and watched the Stars/Cars parade. IMO - if you have kids - this is the best parade. Every single disney movie character is here. Just great! (in-laws like the old cars too!) Great day overall!
We head back to the room - get showered & head back for fantasmic. Had great seats off center and to the back of the stadium. As usual - fantasmic was...well... FANTASMIC! Best finale in WDW IMO.
Back to SSR and we walk to DTD (I'll now do this every night...ha!) DTD was great! Even with 2 little kids in tow the walk is great & beautiful! Even DS5 talked the whole walk about the view. DTD is just such a great end to a day in the parks! Ate at Earl of Sandwich. Best sandwhich I've ever gotten. Now I know why all of you speak so highly of it...wow! Great food! Take the boat back for the night and hit the beds and fall fast asleep!
Day 4 - Epcot! We do Future world in the morning and WALKED ON Nemo/TT with Crush/Lion King/and Figment. For the record, this was my 1st time seeing Nemo & Turtle Talk - could fast become my 2 favorite rides. The kids didn't stop giggling the whole time on both rides. They were just GREAT! Spent most of the afternoon in Innoventions playing games ... it was so fun! Got the private character interaction with my my Disney Visa. That 10 minutes is well worth having the card! For those that don't know... in Innoventions West there's a private room with Characters in it. You need your Disney Visa card to get in (no charge - just have to prove you have the card). You get basically 10 minutes ALONE with Mickey/Pluto/Goofy/etc for the kids to get one-on-one interaction and they take a group picture that they give you for FREE! It was one of the highlights of our trip. To have the kids play with the characters by themselves with NO time restrictions and NO other kids around was great! They get the undivided attention of the characters and got to see them and get autographs/pictures/etc in a relaxed & private setting. Well worth the Disney card (esp. considering there's no annual fee!)
Hit the countries and walked around World Showcase from Mexico & around. Stopped at UK for ADR's at Rose & Crown. I wasn't expecting to like it b/c I'm not a "fish" person. But I had the mushroom appetizer (amazing!) and Grilled Steak (fantastic!). For dessert - the sticky toffee pudding was hands down the BEST dessert I've ever eaten! Service was spectacular! Overall I would visit there again in a heartbeat!
Finish the countries and head back to the resort. In-laws take the kids for the night and DH & I head back for Illuminations. Great as usual! Had a few beers & relaxed and watched the show with no kids... much needed at this point! After Illuminations, back to SSR to walk to DTD...AGAIN! I just couldn't get enough of this view! Once again - drinks on the water with SSR in the background...just perfect. SSR has surpassed any expectations I had...it's my favorite - favorite - favorite! Once again - we end our day in the hot tub!
Last day - AK. We wake up - check out - and head to AK for our final day. Checked our luggage at Bell Services (great!) and head to AK. We hit Bug's life/Festival of Lion King/Dinoland rides & playground/ every single thing is WALK-ON. We fastpassed EE early and end our day with the 5yo on EE. I was nervous...he LOVED it! Ate lunch in Dinoland and head back to the resort for Magical Express pickup! Perfect timing and we head to airport & home!
In summary - SSR is our resort of choice moving forward without a doubt! Rooms - OUTSTANDING! Buses - mediocre. Location - OUTSTANDING!
Having been at both the "hotel-style" resorts and now the "laid-back" resorts. I know that the laid back is for us. SSR is the perfect style for us! The walks are VERY doable from the Springs/Paddocks/Congress Park (don't know about Carousel & Grandstand...didn't see much of them.
Please ask questions.... I'd love to answer!
Hope all enjoyed my first TR!
Arrived @ Orlando Airport @ 9:30am on Monday. Mag. Exp. was wonderful and we arrived at SSR by about 10:15. Our room request in the Springs wasn't ready...but they offered us the Paddocks. We declined and decided to hit MK instead until our room was ready. We first stopped for breakfast at Artist's Palette. Ate brkfst platters - food was great! We were starting to really love SSR already! Walked around the pool area and got SO excited for our 5 days ahead of us!
Off to the bus stop....Waited WAY TOO LONG for MK bus to arrive (approx. 45 minutes) and off we went.
At MK we hit Stitch's great escape, Buzz Lightyear, Carousel of Progress (all 3 we WALKED ON!). GREAT! Got ice cream on main street (delicious!) and walked around for an hour just taking it all in! Saw so much in such a short time. The crowds were light as could be! We couldn't believe our luck!
Went back to room around 3pm. Room was ready! OK - to start off...the room was outstanding. Beautifully decorated and in perfect shape. We were in 3136 (Springs) with a Patio facing Broadway Ave (could've been a better view, but hey - you can't have it all! Bed was amazingly comfy, room was size was perfect for us (me, DH, DS 5, DS 1). I personally wouldn't have been comfy on the couch bed, but DS 5 thought it was so cool that he had a couch bed. DS 1 was perfectly happy in the pack-n-play that was provided. Room was clean as could be and really just beautiful. Furniture is so nice, bed is more comfy than any other hotel bed I've slept in (although I did miss my king). Kitchenette was perfect for what we needed (I had brought many microwaveable soups/snacks for the kids). Called the front desk and asked if Staples delivered my water... front desk had it at my room in under 5 minutes.
After relaxing for a bit and unpacking...back to MK for the night (had to wait about 30 minutes for MK bus again - however all other buses seemed to come twice each?!). Had ADR's at Liberty Tree tavern for Character dinner. Once we put in our names, we waited about 10 minutes and were seated. Characters were great and interacted often and for long periods. Food was great (ham/turkey/mac&cheese/green beans - basic staple food.) Server was great and overall the meal was perfect (except that the very first character my 1 year old saw was a 7 foot goofy and he freaked out a bit....I knew he'd cool off after a few experiences.) Overall A+ for dinner! Saw Spectromagic (great!) and Wishes...fabulous! (We watched wishes from the bridge next to Liberty Tree - thought we had great seats until we realized that the trees were in our way for the fireworks portion.) Oh well - music & fireworks brought tears to my eyes... beautiful.)
On a side note - this was the first time that I saw that while sitting waiting for parades the CM's would start games for the kids. It was great! Every parade we saw my 5yo had a ball playing games like dodgeball/duckduckgoose/etc with all the CM's and other kids. Such a relief to not have to entertain him while waiting for parades!
Back to the room for bed!
Day 2 - had ADR's at Chef Mickey's & took Bus to MK (waited again for about 30 minutes for MK bus) and took monorail over to Contemporary. Had only about 10 minute wait for seating. Chef Mickey's was great! Food - outstanding. Characters - Fabulous! My 1yo had now warmed up and was kissing and hugging the characters! Overall - A+! The part where they encourage the kids to wave their napkins is just great! Kids had a blast! After Chef Mickey's we go back to MK for the day. Monorail back to MK.
It's my birthday and we stop @ main street and grab a birthday pin for me. With no exxageration - at least 25 different CM's wished me happy birthday (by name) all day. I had CM's sing to me - encourage others to do so - and at Space Mt. I found out that I am the exact same age as Space Mt. (the ride turned 32 the same day as me!) So the CM's made a huge deal and just made me feel so great!
Hit Pirates (10 min. wait)- Big Thunder (Fast pass) - Space Mountain (Fast Pass) - Hall of Presidents (walk on) - Haunted Mansion (10 min. wait). All rides were great as usual! Stopped and watched Dreams parade. Fantastic!
Back to SSR for some R&R. Played in the pool for a few hours...had some drinks at On the rocks and relaxed in the hot tub. GREAT! Back to the room and ate take out from Artist's Palette. Stuffed meatloaf/Spicy Chic. Pan./Veg. Flatbread...all outstanding! After dinner my in-laws took the kids to their room and DH and I decided to walk to DTD for my birthday. Decided to time the walk for informing the DIS boards. From our room at the Springs to the quiet pool in CP it was exactly 5 minutes (and we are NOT fast walkers!). Once we get to the quiet pool we see the DTD view...OH...MY.... GOODNESS!!!!! At that moment we knew that SSR would be our all time favorite resort. That view is beyond words. In the future we will def. request CP. Still a short walk to Springs/Pool/etc. but that view is truly indescribable!
After we hit quiet pool it was another 10 min. walk to DTD. The walk was fantastic. We couldn't take our eyes off the view. I should tell you that I am NOT one for walking (a bit on the lazy side) but that walk was VERY doable. (Maybe I was expecting the worst after reading these boards, but I can't imagine how people can walk the parks all day - but then think that walk is long?) The walk is BEAUTIFUL and quite quick!
DTD was great! Such a nice, relaxing end to our day. Stopped and had a few drinks at the Margarita bar and sat at a dockside table and watched the water for an hour or so. Hit almost every store and just couldn't wait to bring the kids (& in-laws) back the next night so they could experience DTD. In the past I haven't visited DTD too often b/c I didn't want to catch yet another bus from the resort late at night. Seemed like too much after a long day in the parks. But at SSR...I would do DTD every night. The view..the ambiance...the convenience... WOW! While sitting on the docks and looking at the beautiful sights of DTD with SSR in the background.... at that moment SSR became my favorite resort. Breathtaking!
Took the boat back in order to experience it... fantastic view and just a wonderful end to my B-day in WDW. Once back at SSR we put on our suits and end our day at midnight relaxing in the hot tub with drinks!
Day 3 - MGM. Sleep-in and head to MGM @ 11am. Had ADR's at H&V for playhouse disney lunch. Best character interaction yet! Kids were up dancing in the aisles for the entire lunch. It was all I could do to shove some food dowm my throat b/c we were just enjoying video taping the kids dancing and singing the whole time. Best video footage I've gotten in all my years of video taping my kids! Had my 5yo & 1yo dancing with Little Einsteins/JoJo/Goliath/etc for over an hour! They had the time of their life!
After lunch we hit Ind. Jones/Playhouse Dis/Power Rangers/Great Movie Ride/Honey I shrunk the kids playground (literally every single ride was a walk-on or under 5 min. wait.). Sat and watched the Stars/Cars parade. IMO - if you have kids - this is the best parade. Every single disney movie character is here. Just great! (in-laws like the old cars too!) Great day overall!
We head back to the room - get showered & head back for fantasmic. Had great seats off center and to the back of the stadium. As usual - fantasmic was...well... FANTASMIC! Best finale in WDW IMO.
Back to SSR and we walk to DTD (I'll now do this every night...ha!) DTD was great! Even with 2 little kids in tow the walk is great & beautiful! Even DS5 talked the whole walk about the view. DTD is just such a great end to a day in the parks! Ate at Earl of Sandwich. Best sandwhich I've ever gotten. Now I know why all of you speak so highly of it...wow! Great food! Take the boat back for the night and hit the beds and fall fast asleep!
Day 4 - Epcot! We do Future world in the morning and WALKED ON Nemo/TT with Crush/Lion King/and Figment. For the record, this was my 1st time seeing Nemo & Turtle Talk - could fast become my 2 favorite rides. The kids didn't stop giggling the whole time on both rides. They were just GREAT! Spent most of the afternoon in Innoventions playing games ... it was so fun! Got the private character interaction with my my Disney Visa. That 10 minutes is well worth having the card! For those that don't know... in Innoventions West there's a private room with Characters in it. You need your Disney Visa card to get in (no charge - just have to prove you have the card). You get basically 10 minutes ALONE with Mickey/Pluto/Goofy/etc for the kids to get one-on-one interaction and they take a group picture that they give you for FREE! It was one of the highlights of our trip. To have the kids play with the characters by themselves with NO time restrictions and NO other kids around was great! They get the undivided attention of the characters and got to see them and get autographs/pictures/etc in a relaxed & private setting. Well worth the Disney card (esp. considering there's no annual fee!)
Hit the countries and walked around World Showcase from Mexico & around. Stopped at UK for ADR's at Rose & Crown. I wasn't expecting to like it b/c I'm not a "fish" person. But I had the mushroom appetizer (amazing!) and Grilled Steak (fantastic!). For dessert - the sticky toffee pudding was hands down the BEST dessert I've ever eaten! Service was spectacular! Overall I would visit there again in a heartbeat!
Finish the countries and head back to the resort. In-laws take the kids for the night and DH & I head back for Illuminations. Great as usual! Had a few beers & relaxed and watched the show with no kids... much needed at this point! After Illuminations, back to SSR to walk to DTD...AGAIN! I just couldn't get enough of this view! Once again - drinks on the water with SSR in the background...just perfect. SSR has surpassed any expectations I had...it's my favorite - favorite - favorite! Once again - we end our day in the hot tub!
Last day - AK. We wake up - check out - and head to AK for our final day. Checked our luggage at Bell Services (great!) and head to AK. We hit Bug's life/Festival of Lion King/Dinoland rides & playground/ every single thing is WALK-ON. We fastpassed EE early and end our day with the 5yo on EE. I was nervous...he LOVED it! Ate lunch in Dinoland and head back to the resort for Magical Express pickup! Perfect timing and we head to airport & home!
In summary - SSR is our resort of choice moving forward without a doubt! Rooms - OUTSTANDING! Buses - mediocre. Location - OUTSTANDING!
Having been at both the "hotel-style" resorts and now the "laid-back" resorts. I know that the laid back is for us. SSR is the perfect style for us! The walks are VERY doable from the Springs/Paddocks/Congress Park (don't know about Carousel & Grandstand...didn't see much of them.
Please ask questions.... I'd love to answer!
Hope all enjoyed my first TR!
Will you join us on the SSR Lovers and/or Owners thread in this forum? We'd love to have you.
Will you be posting pics?
being able to hang out at DTD every evening, and the CP quiet pool overlooking DTD has got to be one of the most magical hidden spots at Disney. 
