from BLT to SSR

[Mrmrezg]

So, we were planning to be at BLT in mid June. Our DS ran into some problems with school and needs to attend summer school. We've rescheduled for mid July at SSR. We were able to get a bigger 2 bedroom for 8 nights instead of 7. We Have never been to SSR and aren't real sure of what the locations are like. We were thinking about staying in the carriage house 8101-8436. it seems to be near the pool, grills, and bus stops.
Has anyone stayed here? What was your take on this area?

 

[florep1]

SSR is our home resort and we've always stayed at Grandstand in a 2BR. We like that it's the first bus stop so we can get a seat on the bus, and it's just a short walk to Springs. They also have a quiet pool that is nice. In the future, we'd like to try Congress Park due to its proximity to Downtown Disney but I always get outvoted by my family. We have the same scheduling issues with 3 college age kids. Even though this trip was booked 7 months out, they chose to stay in school instead of Disney for the summer. Have fun!

 

[DMKEDM]

Carriage House is the building with check-in, the two restaurants, the club house for the golf course, some lounge areas, etc. There are no villas there.

I'm not remembering which building numbers go with which sections...but I think the 8100s are Grand Stand...it's about a 5-minute walk from check-in at Carriage House to the closest of the Grandstand's four buildings (add another 5 minutes or so to the furthest of the Grandstand buildings)--there's a themed pool (w/out a slide), a poolside snack/drink bar, a kids' wet/spray play area, a barbeque area, and the bus stop is the first so you always get a seat on the bus. It's also got some golf course views and a lovely short-ish (7-8 minutes?) walk to Downtown Disney West Side..we like Grandstand a whole lot.

For older kids, SSR's key advantage is its proximity to Downtown Disney ... my DS during his college years LOVED being able to head over to Downtown Disney (usually had a friend or two w/him) at night...

SSR vies w/BCV as my favorite DVC resort; it comes in third for DS, who puts AKV and BCV ahead of SSR (we've stayed at all but Wilderness Lodge)...

It's a big, sprawling resort--very very pretty...2 very cool feature pools w/slides (the main pool behind the Carriage House and a new one over in the Paddock) plus a third themed pool w/the splash area (Grandstand) and a nice "quiet pool" at Congress Park...lots of pretty walkways...

LOVE LOVE LOVE SSR...hope you enjoy it as much as we do...

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I know it's disappointing when you have to change the plans you made, especially if you have to change resorts. Don't think of it as a downgrade, though. Just think of it as a chance to try out another great resort.

You're actually changing from my personal 2nd favorite (BLT) to my favorite (SSR).

Check out the SSR Lover's Thread for lots of information on the resort. This thread contains many discussions on the resort's six different sections and the pros and cons of each.

 

[Sammie]

you can certainly ask for a certain building but your chances of getting it are much less than if you ask for the area such as Grandstand, or Congress Park.

Paddocks has the new pool and counter service.

Congress Park has the best views and great quiet pool and newly rehabbed rooms.

Also that particular building has more handicapped accessible rooms than the others in Grandstand so you might get one of the HA rooms.

 

[Mrmrezg]

yes, i am sorry. i was meaning the grand stand. i am still not sure why i wrote carriage house?
I am not viewing this as a downgrade, especially knowing now that our current administration will have a presence at the contemporary resort on what should have been our last days. we really got lucky on that one.

Sammie, you say that that building is HA? would that be a good or bad thing? to get an HA room?

 

[Sammie]

yes, i am sorry. i was meaning the grand stand. i am still not sure why i wrote carriage house?
I am not viewing this as a downgrade, especially knowing now that our current administration will have a presence at the contemporary resort on what should have been our last days. we really got lucky on that one.

Sammie, you say that that building is HA? would that be a good or bad thing? to get an HA room?

That particular building is not completely HA but more rooms are HA than the other 3 buildings in Grandstand. If I did not need HA room I would not want it. Bathrooms do not have tubs and beds are low to the ground etc.

 

[Mrmrezg]

Thanks, we do not need an HA room. In fact we want the tub.

 

[windi622]

Just wanted to chime in and mention that we love staying in the Springs area. It feels kind of central for us. It is a short walk to the Carriage House (restaurant and pool area) and also a short walk to the Paddock area. Although it is not the closest area to Downtown Disney, we find the walk from the Springs to be very enjoyabl. Don't know that you can pick a bad place at SSR. We did not anticipate loving that resort as much as we do. In fact, we haven't stayed there in quite some time, and I miss it. Hope you have a wonderful stay!