First SSR trip............... help!!

[wendypooh]

Just booked SSR for July - it'll be our first time at this resort. The CM at member services suggested the "springs" - and I said OK - after reading here, I'm worried now - as I've read that this is the last bus stop, crowding, etc... - should we request a different area. I'd like to be close to the check - in, community hall, pool, dining area, but also close to the bus stop - also, any other info we need to know? OH - she also mentioned the boat to DTD? Is this another travel option? Can you take the boat to DTD - then a park? Is that easier?

Thanks!!

 

[supersuperwendy]

Hi wendypooh!

I suggest The Grandstand..and request to be close to the grandstand pool that way you'll only be steps away from High Rock Springs, Community Hall etc! The Grandstand is the first bus stop for all buses except the DTD bus. The DTD bus runs in the opposite direction of the theme park buses. There is a boat to DTD which a really nice ride. All of the theme parks are serviced by bus from SSR. You'll love it! We did!

 

[magicaldisney]

There are no buses to any of the parks from DTD. You will need to grab a bus at the resort. The Springs is close to everything you want. We personally prefer not to stay in the Springs, but we don't mind walking a few more minutes.

 

[wendypooh]

Thanks - I appreciate the info!! We are looking forward to trying out SSR - it's SO big - we just didn't know where we needed to be!!! LOL

Thanks Again!

 

[athenna]

Wendy, I just replied to you on the AKL thread in the Resorts forum

 

[TinkGirl]

The Springs is a great location!

 

[vandy]

A vote here for the Grandstand area, specifically the two buildings by the pool. Request to be by the pool or bus stop. Very short walk over to main area from here and it is the first bus stop.

 

[wendypooh]

Thanks Again, Athena - saw your post!!

Another quick question......... it's no big deal, but are the tv's upgraded? I thought all the dvc resorts had switched to the flat screen tvs? Thanks!!

 

[Sammie]

The Springs is a great location, and the bus situation is over stated in my opinion. Grandstand might be the first stop but they also are the stop for the Treehouse villas and many times it was very congested there with those buses coming and going in addition to park buses.

 

[athenna]

Wendy, they havent upgraded to the flat screens yet.

 

[seelyt2]

Hi. We stayed there in August. It was nice being close to the hub of activity (pool, community hall, etc.) and would stay in the Springs again. The room was great!

As far as the bus situation....out of 7 days in the parks we really only had 2 or so times when we had to stand on a bus going to a park, but it was no big deal since it is Disney (standing was harder for the little-one than anyone else since she doesn't balance so well yet, but I digress). We noticed more standing on the way back to the resort from the parks, but again, maybe 2 or 3 times, but can't think of a time when we had to wait for the next bus. You could switch to another part of the resort, but you're just switching out conveniences. The resort is HUGE and you'll sense that when you're getting around. Either way, you'll be fine. ENJOY!

 

[vandy]

The Springs is a great location, and the bus situation is over stated in my opinion. Grandstand might be the first stop but they also are the stop for the Treehouse villas and many times it was very congested there with those buses coming and going in addition to park buses.

I think the entire bus situation is purely relative to each one's personal experience. During this trip we have rarely waited for a bus. It seemed like everytime we got to the bus stop, a bus was there or soon there so we could say AKV and OKW have excellent bus service with very little wait times. However, talk to the people who walked up just one minute later and they will complain how slow it is because they now had to wait several minutes for the next one.

I admit we have not been home to SSR since the treehouses came on board so I do not have a personal experience with that. I just know in the past, the Grandstand gave us the best possible chance for a bus (plus the first drop off from the parks) and the Springs the least and I would rather go with the favorable odds. Specifically, when we were there in July (the same time when the OP is going) two years ago, Our bus skipped the Springs stop at least 4 times in the 6 days we were there because it was full, and several other times could only let a handful of people on before we were full. One time we wanted to catch a bus after going to Artist's Pallete and we were skipped while waiting at the Springs. We ended up walking to the Carousel to catch a bus there. When it got around to the Springs, only a few could get on and we would have missed that bus as well. Again, everything is relative and a minute or two can give different people different perspectives but this was our experience in the month the OP is going (July).

 

[wendypooh]

Thanks Everyone for all the advice - I appreciate it!!! I'm just going to hope for the best with the bus --- we always stay at AKL - it's our home resort - and the busses there are awesome - so, we'll see how it works out!!!