First Time at SSR. What will I love about it?

[*NikkiBell*]

I am staying at SSR next week for the first time. What are the great things about this resort that I should know? I'm not really excited about the themeing, but this is what was available. Please convince me that I'll enjoy it and have a great time.

 

[loveswdw]

Just wanted to say we'll be there next week too! We are excited as SSR is a new resort for us! It looks so gorgeous in all the pictures I've seen. We are looking forward to seeing how we like the resort.

 

[Disney_Villain]

In our opinion, SSR's pools (4) are the best among the WDW DVC resorts (next to BWV's SAB).

Grandstand's satellite pool is BIG and has a separate children's water splash area . . . while the main pool has a zero-entry feature (good for toddlers or those with disabilities) and is very well themed. The other 2 pools are elegant and pretty quiet.

 

[np4gp]

DH, DS2 and I LOVED the pool. Our son loved the little slide and Donald fountain and DH and I loved the water temp and the theme of the pool area. I don't know about other people's experiences, but I wouldn't expect to LOVE the service. We were not at all unhappy with the size or comfort level of a studio. We were only there for one night so it might feel a little cramped for too much longer than that, but it really was a nice layout. PS. I also loved how comfortable the bed was!

 

[Tine731]

We love the food options! Artist's Palette is our favorite counter service restaurant out of all the DVC's and with DTD a quick walk or bus ride away you have alot of dining options....favorites include Wolgang Puck's and Earl of Sandwich. We had dinner for the 1st time at the Turf Club back in September and everyone agreed it would be a repeat for a future trip.

Have fun and enjoy your trip!

 

[ccigliano]

I really liked the close proximity to Downtown Disney by a 10 minute walk or a 5 minute boat ride. With DTD so close it really opens up your dining options and do try the Earl of Sandwich for lunch. They participate in the DDP if you are getting it and the hot sandwiches are great. The main pool is nice and if you get a refillable mug you refill it right at the pool. I was just at SSR in April and the buses ran great. Have a great vacation

 

[kikiq]

Beautiful workout area and if you have time, book a massage. Get up a little early and take your cup of coffee and stroll around the lake. Take the boat to DTD. Have dinner at the Turf Club and if it's nice weather, on the patio over looking the river. Take the boat to OKW and have dinner at Olivia's. My DH rented a bike and rode all over and then over to OKW.

Have a good time. Wish we were going.

 

[msabol01]

We had our reservations about SSR too and now consider it one of our favorites. For us it gave us a break from the in your face Disney theme yet we also knew the parks were merely a few minutes away. The overall property is nice and it will grow on you. I also enjoy being able to go to the spa each morning and use the gym and sauna. The kids enjoyed the pools.

You will like it, it may not become a favorite but it is a DVC property so it's going to be nice.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

If you're looking for a great meal, make reservations at Turf Club. It's a little expensive, but the portions are large and the food is top notch. I think it's one of the best restaurants at WDW.

As for what's special...here's a preview! Have a wonderful stay!

 

[5 for WDW]

We love everything about SSR. I hope you do too.

The grounds are gorgeous. The pools are beautiful. I love the decor and the rooms are immaculate. We all love Artist's Palette. Even my picky husband. Walking to DTD is a plus.

In case you couldn't tell, I am a big fan of our home resort. Have a great stay!

 

[jblrn2b]

Buckeye Fan. Thank you for those awesome pictures. We are going in Feb for six days and can't wait now - its not our Home but it looks nice.

 

[Jeremy&Susan]

The part we love most is the feel of really being at home. While not as big as "Home", you get to park where you stay / live while on vacation, you get to make your own breakfast and a bag lunch in your own kitchen and it does not have the "FEEL" of a hotel or apartment building.

 

[Coach81]

We're headed "home" for the first time this coming February. We are very excited, and can't wait to see our home away from home.

Anyone have any pics of the exercise room? I'm looking forward to working out every morning before hitting the parks.

 

[nikkistevej]

Thanks for the pics, I feel the same as the OP, not sure I really will like it. But everyone has such enthusiastic responses so I'm sure I'll love it. We are staying next August at SSR(using developers points from our add on), it really looks beautiful, and the pools look nice.

 

[manntra]

Buckeye fan thanks for the pictures....the walkways look so nice as well as the rest..I like the style of the kitchen too! This will also be my first trip to SSR (January) and I am really looking forward to it and checking out the on site restaurants too. I will check out Earl of Sandwich also, everyone has such great things to say and I have never stopped there on any trip to DTD .

 

[Tumbleweed]

We have stayed at SSR before. The main thing
I noticed was an air of calm and gentility. The
people staying there were all lovely and polite.
Even at the bus stops, people didn't rush and
shove their way to the front. The kids seemed
to have better manners and everyone was really
friendly - in a gracious kind of way.

 

[SLM]

Thank you for posting the pictures-it's a beautiful resort! Hope to add two nights with developer's points next summer-we plan on just relaxing by the pool at the end of a week at BCV-it looks like a fabulous place to unwind!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Buckeye fan thanks for the pictures....the walkways look so nice as well as the rest..I like the style of the kitchen too! This will also be my first trip to SSR (January) and I am really looking forward to it and checking out the on site restaurants too. I will check out Earl of Sandwich also, everyone has such great things to say and I have never stopped there on any trip to DTD .

Earl of Sandwich at DTD is great. We try to hit there every time we're down.

As for SSR as a whole, make sure you visit the pool at Grandstand, the Springs and Congress Park. All 3 are really cool. Grandstand is just unique, the Springs is the main pool, and you'll never beat the view of the pool at CP. It is right across from DTD. We spent the day at CP, walked over to Earl of Sandwich and came back and ate lunch there. Was probably about a 10 - 15 minute round trip walk and was just a great day.

FWIW, we have visited almost every DVC resort in the last two years, and I can honestly say, I will be back to each and every one. My BIL/SIL are OKW only people. If they're not at OKW, they're not nearly as happy. There's nothing wrong with loving your home resort. But, what I've found is that I've loved each one for different reasons. My vacation experience is different each time. If you go with the attitude of finding the very best that resort has to offer, then you'll have a ball. Plus, you'll have other resorts that may be a close second to your favorite!!! What I love about SSR...the tranquility, the landscaping, the pools, proximity to DTD, and workout facility. If you enjoy walks, the grounds are just beautiful.

Wishing everyone the best trip ever!

 

[SSRJen]

We have stayed at SSR before. The main thing
I noticed was an air of calm and gentility. The
people staying there were all lovely and polite.
Even at the bus stops, people didn't rush and
shove their way to the front. The kids seemed
to have better manners and everyone was really
friendly - in a gracious kind of way.

I have to agree with everything said above. We stayed here for the first time in July and it was the best WDW resort experience we have had by far because of how calm and quiet everything was. When in our room, we felt like we were in our own private cottage, unattached to anything else. We didn't hear kids running around outside..etc.

The pool area was very peaceful (Congress Park pool). Even during peak summer hours I was able to swim relaxing laps in the pool.

We can't wait to go back and are so happy we picked SSR as our home resort.