First time at SSR-any tips, opinions?

[StitchFan73]

Hello,

I just booked a surprise Xmas trip for the family to SSR. I have never stayed there and have only been there for the DVC tour and once during a mistaken bus mishap lol.

So I was wondering what to expect? Do any SSR vets have any tips or things to not be missed? Or to be avoided

Also I keep reading mixed reviews about SSR and a lot of it seems to revolve around the buses. So I have a question-do the buses at DTD run to the parks? If so why not just walk over to DTD and grab a bus there?

Any info/help is greatly appreciated

 

[kikiq]

DTD buses do not go to the parks. I don't know that the buses are that bad in comparison to any other DVC. SSR is our home resort and haven't had to wait more than 20 minutes and usually within 10 minutes. I've had longer bus rides to the MK from BWV and AKV. Our longest bus wait was at OKW then had to wait longer for a family that ran up at the last minute with an EVC which boarded before another EVC family that had been waiting just as long as us.

But back to SSR, walk to DTD and have a family picture taken with the Disney statues dressed in holiday gear. And to us DTD is one the reasons we like SSR. Just for the food options, well just for the Earl of Sandwich

SSR itself is decorated but not over the top. Ask for either Grandstand or Congress Park. Congress Park section is our favorite especially if we get a DTD view. The lights at night are beautiful.

 

[DMKEDM]

I'm an SSR lover..I've wandered thru their spa, but haven't actually used any spa services...but if that's something that appeals to you, the facilities are wondrous...there's also golf, but I'm not a golfer so can't comment on that...

I love strolling the SSR grounds...there are so many lovely walks...among my favorites: the "loop" from one end of SSR thru all of Downtown Disney returning at the other end of SSR; the lovely stroll from SSR to OKW (and around OKW); all around and thru the various sections of SSR...

Turf Club is an excellent TS restaurant and a very nice option at the end of a long tiring park day...Artist's Palette is a very good CS option...and of course the eating options in Downtown Disney are also great...

You don't "have to" walk to DTD (altho it's very easy to do so)...there is a bus that circulates thru SSR that goes to & from DTD...

As the previous poster noted, there are no DTD buses to the parks...but a bus from Marketplace to Beach Club, Board Walk, Yacht Club, Swan or Dolphin will take you to walking distance of Epcot and the Studios; the bus to the Contemporary will take you to walking distance to Magic Kingdom...I've never had bad bus service from SSR (in too many visits to remember the exact count)...in my experience, the worst bus service is from the Epcot area...invariably, my longest bus waits have been from/to one of the Epcot resorts...

One "tip:" When you first arrive/check in, their "instructions" on how to get to your villa were worse than useless to me...now, I'm "geographically challenged" so maybe their directions weren't as mystifying as they seemed to me...but I couldn't figure out at all how to get where I was going! It was hot, and I had my carry-on baggage w/me, and it was an unhappy beginning to my trip (altho it turned into a terrific trip)...I was finally "rescued" (after about 15 minutes of wandering aimlessly and in increasing frustration) by a CM going by on golf cart...he pointed me in the right direction and I found my villa very quickly after that...

Things are not particularly well-marked or well-signed your first time, especially if you're not on the road that fronts the parking lots...and the numbering system doesn't make a whole lot of sense...

After you've found your villa, and walked to it once, it'll become very clear and easy...but that first time can be a challenge if you haven't "studied up" on SSR's building numbering system and layout ahead of time...

So...I'd advise you to look over an SSR map before you arrive (or spend some time looking at one once you get there)...you can have bell services take you to your villa after you check in, too, and if you do, pay some attention to how they get there...believe me, you'll appreciate it later!

As noted, after the first "orientation walk," it'll become much much easier/clearer...it's only that first one that was a problem for me...

Otherwise...it's a fantastic resort and a particularly lovely place to stay at Christmas...Disney last year cut back very noticeably on their holiday decorations (so sad) everywhere else, which makes SSR's understated decorations seem less "minimalist"...personally, I love SSR's decorations; just wish they were "thicker" and extended more into the grounds (they're pretty well confined to the pool/restaurant/spa/check-in area)...

Have a GREAT time!

 

[edk35]

Request the Grand Stand section..... the buses stop here first on their route around SSR and they also stop here first on the return home from the parks.

 

[FindTheMickeys]

Congress Park is great for the view of DTD and the short walk there as well. The Springs are great if you want to be close to the Carriage House and the restaurants and main pool. The buses aren't really an issue unless of course you have somewhere to be at a certain time. Then it will 'feel' as though you are waiting forever

 

[RDP]

Hello,

I just booked a surprise Xmas trip for the family to SSR. I have never stayed there and have only been there for the DVC tour and once during a mistaken bus mishap lol.

So I was wondering what to expect? Do any SSR vets have any tips or things to not be missed? Or to be avoided

Also I keep reading mixed reviews about SSR and a lot of it seems to revolve around the buses. So I have a question-do the buses at DTD run to the parks? If so why not just walk over to DTD and grab a bus there?

Any info/help is greatly appreciated

Check this out www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2434357 I asked a similar question we are going in October for the first time.

 

[edk35]

Also...Grandstand has the "other" themed pool and is also very close to the Carriage House as well. We have walked to the West Side of DTD from back where the boats are......not a far walk at all. Whenever we are going to House of Blues, Planet Hollywood or Disney Quest we go this way.

 

[Greysword]

If you have a car, I think SSR is the closest to off-site grocers, shops, and restaurants. It is fairly straight forward to get off property (take a right out of the gate and then left when you run out of road). You'll end up near the interstate. Ask directions from the front desk to a local grocery (we like Publix).

 

[StitchFan73]

Thank you for the replies so far.

Not that there is any way to guarantee is, but is there any section I would NOT want to stay in and why? I mean we are pretty easy and absolutely thrilled to be staying in a DVC, but beyond a less than scenic view, is there any section that has an issue like perhaps being close a noisy roadway or something like that?

 

[hakepb]

Carousel is the "farthest" section from the main area and does not have its own pool , but some love it because it is closest to the exit (if they are driving) and/or love the extra walking time through SSR's lovely landscaping. Paddock has the pool closest to Carosel, but I think by then it will be closed as it is transformed into a larger themed pool with food service. (and I think Paddock has some units with the infamous "firehouse" view of the Reddy Creek fire station across the street)

Springs is typically called the closest to the main area, but I think Grandstand is just as close and Congres Park has better views.

IMHO, SSR is more and more amazing the more time you plan to spend there. Even if you are not at Congress Point, try some time at the pool there, it's a pool with a DTD view! Many of the frustrations are when people want to leave or get to food or a pool right away and SSR is more spread out and not all indoors like other resorts.

I'd plan one meal at the Turf Club as it is rather good, and plan no more than one meal at Artist Point (see if the possible wait times-AP is way too small, and food (more upscale which may or may not be good for your taste buds) appeal to you, and if you love it change later plans and eat there more. If you plan multiple meals, you might feel stuck.

 

[supersuperwendy]

We stayed in The Grandstand right next to the path to the tree houses. One little tip I have is... walk that path and check out the tree houses! It's a very nice walk and at the end there is a boat dock for DTD!! We enjoyed this walk much better than walking to the other boat dock by carriage house! We really enjoyed SSR so much. It's very peaceful and beautiful. I think the decor of the villas is great too! We were on the 4th floor overlooking the golf course and we loved it!!

 

[DenLo]

I'd plan one meal at the Turf Club as it is rather good, and plan no more than one meal at Artist Point (see if the possible wait times-AP is way too small, and food (more upscale which may or may not be good for your taste buds) appeal to you, and if you love it change later plans and eat there more. If you plan multiple meals, you might feel stuck.

We too are planning on vacation and a stay at SSR. I'm a little confused by your statement. Are you saying the food at AP is upscale?

I know you can eat at the bar for Turf Club and have a limited menu (in comparison the Turf Club). And there is very little waiting time at the bar. We've eaten at Turf Club before and had a very nice meal. Have not had an opportunity to eat at AP.

 

[hakepb]

We too are planning on vacation and a stay at SSR. I'm a little confused by your statement. Are you saying the food at AP is upscale?

I know you can eat at the bar for Turf Club and have a limited menu (in comparison the Turf Club). And there is very little waiting time at the bar. We've eaten at Turf Club before and had a very nice meal. Have not had an opportunity to eat at AP.

AP has flatbreads (not pizza) and an herb-roasted rosemary chicken , (not burgers and chicken strips) so for my DS it is not appealing, but others love the variety over standard disney faire. Breakfast is mostly typical choices, though.

I think another ssr must is taking the boat to DTD boat docks behind turf club. It may be a long trip for shopping because the ssr boat only goes to the west side. But I find an occasional boat trip to be enjoyable and relaxing

 

[SaratogaShan]

Actually, Artists Palette does have chicken strips (with homemade potato chips!) and also hotdogs and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. True, most of the menu choices are a step above the "usual" counter service offerings, but they have enough to keep picky eaters satisfied.

Yummy!

 

[Wenny]

Mmmmmmm..... The homemade chips at AP are the best!

 

[canda]

The grilled ceaser salad at the turf club is a must for me. THe best salad i have ever had.

 

[AirGoofy]

The SSR link in my signature takes you to SSR Owners Thread 2 and if you go to that thread, you will find the link to the first SSR Owners Thread in post #4 from me. The Prime Rib at the Turf Club is excellent!

As for your specific question, I have not had longer wait problems with the buses than any other resort. The Springs is now the last bus stop, so if you are worried about overcrowding or want to be 1st off/ on the bus, then Grandstand is the 1st stop. But, boating to DTD then bus to a theme park will add another transport time onto your travel, which would not be a good use of time. The boat ride is really fun to go to DTD or boat to POFQ or OKW, but not for theme park travel. Enjoy your trip.