First Family Trip to SSR: My report!

[Divamomto3]

Sorry this is delayed….I had ACL reconstruction surgery 2 days after returning from WDW! We were at SSR from 8/13-8/20.
DH and I had stayed in a studio in SSR by ourselves last summer, but this was our first trip home in a 2 BR villa with the 3 kids. Here's the scoop...I'll try to hit on a lot of major areas:

Delta Song JFK to MCO: Love Song...but no matter how much money I'm going to save, I'm never going to fly from JFK instead of Bradley in Hartford ever again. Getting there, parking, and the yucky, dirty airport was not worth the $500 I saved.

Tiffany Towncar: This is the only ground transportation I've ever used when going to WDW. However, next time I'm trying the free Magical Express or maybe even renting a car. Our driver was adequate, but never so much as uttered a word the entire trip, even when I commented on the weather. He also timed us with a watch during our grocery stop.

Walker Mobility ECV rental: This is my first (hopefully my last) trip requiring a mobility device. I tore my ACL in July and had surgery Tuesday (that's another thread!) but we still went on our trip to WDW, although it was shortened by a few days. The scooter was waiting for me at Bell Services at SSR and it worked great and was absolutely a lifesaver for me this trip. Thank you Walker!

Saratoga Springs: Where to begin? We were so pleased for the most part.
Check in: Very smooth. An envelope was waiting for me at check in. I opened it and it was a "Magical Moment" certificate wishing me "successful knee surgery" from Diane in Member Services. She's the CM I talked to when I had to shorten my trip from 11 nights to 7 nights after my accident. She was also instrumental in getting my points put back into my use year and not into a holding account due to my special circumstances. Thank you, Diane! She had also preassigned me to a room in the Springs building on the 1st floor due to my walking problems and marked the room "DO NOT MOVE MEDICAL ISSUES" which I thought was nice and should be comforting to all those members that are worried about getting a certain room for a legitimate medical condition. However, that room wasn't ready yet so the CM at the desk offered me a room that was already ready also in one of the Springs buildings, but on the 3rd floor. We took it b/c we wanted to get into the room ASAP and I had the scooter and the elevator, so I wasn't worried. Bell Services took my DH and our oldest and youngest sons and our luggage over to the villa in a golf cart and I scooted over on my ECV and my middle son walked with me. We arrived first, put our key in the door and were WOWED. The room was gorgeous and HUGE in my opinion. I know I'll never be able to stay in less than a 2 BR villa ever again. We had room 4310 and we faced a small pond/lake with a geyser in the middle. We could also see the Reedy Creek Fire Dept and the Paddock buildings. Loved the room location..close to the Springs bus stop and right next to the main pool, arcade, and Artist's Palette. I think this is an excellent location with kids.

Artist's Palette: I wish the store were bigger and had more merchandise. The food was good. I enjoyed the flatbreads quite a bit. My family and I did say MANY times this trip that SSR needs a sit down restaurant. I don't care how "close" you are to Downtown Disney, it's still a good walk with 3 kids and a heat index of over 100 degrees or a bus ride away. Sometimes you just don't feel like "going out" to eat, and the selections at Artist's Palette aren't extensive enough to interest anyone on a daily basis. We did the refillable mugs and that was worth it for us.

The High Rock Springs Pool: It's a nice pool, but I think the resort was at 50% capacity and it seemed like that was enough people for the pool. We never had trouble getting chairs, or even an umbrella table for that matter. The pool bar was nice and made great pina coladas!

The Spa: It's beautiful. I didn't feel up to any spa treatments this time. I wasn't feeling very beautiful with my big black metal brace on my leg, but I had a manicure there last year and it's a wonderful spa and very relaxing and upscale. I did walk through it with my DH this time and he did buy me a beautiful Vera Bradley tote bag that they were selling in the spa.

Bus Service: We had some days we didn't wait more than a couple of minutes, and sometimes we felt like we were waiting forever. I had to get my scooter on the bus and the drivers were so accomodating and helped us out with that. I have to say the Disney World is an excellent place to vacation if you have mobility problems. They really go out of their way to assist you and make you feel comfortable.

The Turf Club: very nicely decorated, nice pool table, good drinks and a few snack selections. My children and DH enjoyed playing a few games of pool there.

Park Crowd Levels: We were there August 13-20th. The hardest ride to get on for us was Soarin'. It was worth the wait though! Otherwise, we found the crowds to be quite manageable. The Magic Kingdom always seemed the most crowded. We didn't make it to Animal Kingdom at all this trip...we wanted an extra resort/pool day due to the extreme heat. (4 out of 5 days had record temps...figures!!!!)

Food: Other than my Artist's Palette flatbreads, House of Blues, and Boma, I was largely disappointed with most of the food choices. Chef Mickey's was psychotically crowded and loud and it's usually our first meal in WDW, but I think we're "over it" now and need a new tradition. Concourse Steakhouse turned my "medium" NY strip into shoe leather. They offered to bring me a new one, but I wanted to see Wishes and didn't want to wait...plus I don't think the kids would have lasted that long. I did enjoy milkshakes at Pinocchio's Village House in MK and at the Sci Fi in MGM and I highly recommend the Sunday House of Blues Gospel Brunch to anyone who is looking for something fun and different to do in the World. Good food and good entertainment!

Ice Cream: SSR needs an ice cream place right next to the arcade...kind of like a Beaches and Cream. I know Ghiardelli's is right downtown, but again..sometimes you don't feel like going that far for a cone!

Sorry so long....just wanted to highlight my observations!

 

[pplasky]

My mom had an ECV also. We had good experiences with it as well. We enjoyed most of the restaurants we ate at, it stinks when you don't like the dining options. Glad you were able to get your report on-line, I think you were in the room right next to us, funny how we didn't seem to cross paths with the ECV's and all. Hope your recovery goes well.

 

[kathleena]

Glad that you had a great trip! I actually thought about you during our flight down on the 19th because I remember you said you would be leaving the next day and I wondered how you did.

I know what you mean about the money savings vs the airport situation. You can only get connecting flights out of Portland, ME and would have to go to Boston or Manchester NH for direct. I live 6 miles from the nice little airport here and have lots of people willing to drive me in and pick me up. If I traveled 2 hours to either city - I could save the $$$$, but would have to drive myself and park, or take the train, maybe stay overnight and then "look forward" to the drive home after returning - NOT! I would rather do without something else between trips and spend the extra to leave from Portland!

I have never stayed at SSR, (but it looks beautiful!) and whenever there are discussions about SSR vs BWV/BCV and food options I always think the same as you have said. Yes, DTD has options, but they are further away, like MGM or Epcot are. BWV and BCV have more food options at the resorts. Hopefully SSR will build options as it's sales grow!

And how nice for MS to add that magic to your stay!

 

[travelbug]

Thanks for a wonderful detailed trip report! I enjoyed reading all about your stay. Glad you had a great time overall, despite the heat.

I took my parents down in Feb. this year, and we rented ECVs for both of them from Walker. They were truly lifesavers! We were very impressed with the excellent service we received from Walker. I'm glad your experience was a good one too.

Sure hope your surgery went well, and that you heal quickly and fully.

 

[Divamomto3]

My mom had an ECV also. We had good experiences with it as well. We enjoyed most of the restaurants we ate at, it stinks when you don't like the dining options. Glad you were able to get your report on-line, I think you were in the room right next to us, funny how we didn't seem to cross paths with the ECV's and all. Hope your recovery goes well.

It is so strange we never ran into each other! I was scoping out everyone at the pool, trying to figure out who might be a DIS'er! And I never saw another single soul on an ECV the whole week I was there. I was everywhere too...every bus, every park, Turf Club, Artist's Palette, the pool...all with the ECV. It was an eye opening experience for me. Most people were very kind, some treated me like I was invisible, some were impatient.