Have i made a huge mistake with SSR

[delmar411]

if you stay in the Springs, it would likely be a good walk to the Grandstand or Carousel from your room because of how the paths go around the resort. The bus follows the same path and if you miss the bus in the Grandstand (like you see that you've missed it) you can make it to the Springs before it gets there.

I've gotten off at the Grandstand, ran to our room, grabbed the stuff we'd forgotten, and ran to the Springs and made the same bus I just got off of. Should give you an idea that the resort isn't as large as those reviews would claim. I'm not in good shape at all either.

From the Grandstand the boys could be in the main pool in less than 5mins and that's from the farthest building out. We just stayed in that building and it was about 5mins to the main pool when we were walking briskly and about 10mins when we were tired. LOL

If you stayed in the Paddock, that pool has a slide, the bus stop is in front of the pool and it is the 3rd stop. You can also take the bridge across the pond to immediately be in the Springs and directly across the street from the main pool.

If you want to get to the springs you just have to get on any bus other than the DTD one. The springs is the last stop before leaving the resort. To get back to your room, the springs is the first stop for the DTD bus (springs, grandstand, carousel, paddock, congress park, DTD) and Congress Park is the last.

No reason to really have to walk all over if you really don't want to.

 

[2MouseMoguls]

No worries! I had had to use an ECV at SSR and it worked out great. People were very kind and quite helpful. I did carry cute little individually wrapped candies and give them to anyone that I might be ruffling, "Sweets for the Sweet" type of thing, thanking them for their kindness or thoughtfulness. It is Disney and guests are much nicer than elsewhere. The bus drivers have this system down.

The only consideration is to make sure that your ECV is compatible with the buses, if you are bringing your own. There is one that offsite vendors rent that is enormous and not recommended if you are not on the monorail system. It does not fit the bus. Most of the rental ECV DO FIT.

The pool was easy access and the boat to DTD was a breeze. SSR is a fabulous resort that has a nice relaxing vibe, appreciated after the hectic pace at the parks. I hope this might be helpful. No worries. ENJOY!

 

[pumpkinmomma]

WOW

Thankyou guys so much for all the replys! and all the info,I have actually read up and done alot of looking at reviews on trip adviser It was the reviews "lots of them|" that said" DONT STAY HERE IF YOU DONT HAVE A CAR"
That scared me and has made me panick!

I actually think the place looks very pretty and I admit that Pictures never show what the true beauty is really like,nobody in my family is a golf fan lol so it worried me about the golf courts but saying that its not like the whole resort is based on golf I know that we would enjoy the 2 bed having the boys be able to grab a snack/drink and also not tip toeing around the room when they are asleep will be good.

The pools do look fab as does the splash play this was my boys fav thing about Kidani as even though we stayed at Jambo Lodge we used to go across to the Kidani for the slide opening and the games that they LOVED!

It really was the size of the place that has scared me the most like i said having to get on a bus just to get to a pool is worrying!!(this is what a few reviews said) now luckily my boys will walk as will Dh and myself "dh is Military and used to walking) so its not a huge problem plus mum will just roll along side us with all the bags "comes in very handy that basket and back of her seat"!!

I think staying at a place where the bus stop is 1st or 2nd is the best thing for us to do,
Quick question Say we was to stay where one of the main pools was how far would it be to walk to a bus stop that was 1st or 2nd on the bus route? I was wondering as my mum said today that if we wanted to be nr to a pool with a slide for the boys thenhow long a walk would it be to just walk to the next stop that would be 1st or 2nd on! this way we could solve a few issues like not having to walk to far to grab food.drink or swim and also not be last on the buses with standing room as when we took the ECV last yr when we stayed at AKL they def did tell us to go on 1st when people had qued or if it came from Kidani 1st then they would get the people to move so mum could get on and she did feel bad for that!

Thanks again for all the positive feed back its put a smile on my face

I think the paddock section would be a good choice. Its the third stop and some of the buildings are very close to the carousel section, which is the 2nd stop. The paddock pool is great. Plus, we never noticed the buses to be very full until about the 4th stop so you should be able to get on, no problem.

I would request either paddock or grandstand for your family.

 

[JeanfromBNA]

I don't see a way around getting the ECV on a bus if you want to go to all of the parks. If your Mother can walk for a little while, you can rent ECVs when you get to the park.

Or rent a car. This seems to address all of your concerns. Have you seen mousesaversdotcom for rental car discounts?

If you inform Disney reservations that you need a first floor room because you have a handicapped person who will be using an ECV, they will accommodate you. You can stay at SSR or Old Key West (or anywhere) No reason to worry about the lifts. BTW, Old Key West is pretty big, too.

 

[JeanfromBNA]

WOW

Thankyou guys so much for all the replys! and all the info,I have actually read up and done alot of looking at reviews on trip adviser It was the reviews "lots of them|" that said" DONT STAY HERE IF YOU DONT HAVE A CAR"
That scared me and has made me panick!
(snip)
It really was the size of the place that has scared me the most like i said having to get on a bus just to get to a pool is worrying!!(this is what a few reviews said)(snip)

I hate to do this, but I'm going to throw some of my countrymen under the bus (pun intended). Public mass transportation is uncommon outside of metro areas in the U.S. (it exists - it's just not very good), so most Americans have a couple of cars. Americans are used to parking spaces right outside the place they want to go. If we have to park at the back of the lot, it's far away. Fist fights are started over convenient parking spaces at the mall. Kids are driven everywhere. I think it's just a matter of time before we float around in hover chairs and forget how to walk, a la WALL-E. I wonder if some of the "OMG THE POOL IS A MILE FROM OUR ROOM!" "THE BUS TOOK TWO HOURS TO GET TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM," reviews reflect our unfamiliarilty with public transportation, and getting somewhere under your own steam.

You might use Google Earth to scale off the distance from your room at AKL to the pool, and compare it to some of the buildings at SSR and OKW.

And yes, there are multiple bus stops, but that's what the bus does. It stops to pick people up and let people off.

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi
We go on holiday in just over 3 months!!
I booked a 2bed at SSR for 15 nights around a yr ago as i managed to get a great price with free DDP,
There will be myself Dh our 3 boys and my mum.I love the look of the pools and the fact its so close to DTD but im now really worried about the size of the place and all the bus stops etc!! My mum uses an ECV and we hate it when a bus has people on it and then along comes my mum and they allow her to get on infront of anybody else making the others already on the bus lose their seats! I know the ECV has to go on in the right place etc but id be really narked if id been queing got my seat and then i had to get off again,"of course we always give up seats ourselves to women with babies etc " but were a bit embarrassed if we have to make others get up who was either in the que or already on the bus before us!

Also im worried about the kids wanting to be nr the main pool and having to walk miles to get to the pool with them for what will prob only be a few hours at a time or a break in the middle of the day.
We have stayed at POP before and loved it and AKL too although we was at the end of the savannah corridor at AKL and it seemed miles long because it was all in 1 building it didnt seem too bad.Ive called up to try and change the booking to AKL or Kidani or infact any other villa with NO luck apparently they are completly booked up even to get 2 rooms at AKL!! If we go to a value resort we lose our DDP and that will cost us £2000 more then what we are paying now..................

Im really panicking that we wont love this resort my boys and infact us actually love over the top theming and dont really think the theme of SSR is that Disney like.
In case your wondering why i even booked SSR its because I originally booked OKW until i heard there was only 3 buildings with lifts not great when you have an ECV so then the Disney agent talked me into SSR as she had been there a few times and went on about how wonderful it was.
So is it that HUGE im so worried im not even sleeping over this "stupid I know"

I am booked at SSR for the first time in Dec...really excited to stay at a new resort. But, I am also concerned about the size. But heck....it'll work out.
So...with that in mind, I will address the ECV issue. When guests board the bus, they can see which seats are going to be used by ECV users if they board. I never sit in those seats. I have seen people asked to move in the past..and they got quite disgruntled. One lady was really perturbed. So perturbed that I felt I just had to say something since she was making the ECV bound guest feel really awkward!! I merely said....'You know, those seats are marked for those needed special assistence. And I have to admit that while being asked to move is a pain in the rear, at least I can get up and actually move!!!' Man, did that lady looked embarrassed!!! I seldom say anything but that time was exceptionally uncomfortable!!!!

Another thing to keep in mind....most bus drivers won't pick up an ECV unless there is alternative seating for anyone sitting in those special tie-down seats. You will find that they like the bus to be empty when boarding an ECV, or unloading one. So, try to be at the bus stop that is served first in the route.

Also, I would have one person in your group board with mom, and have the rest of the group get into the line. I think that's the one thing that really upsets others...having an entire family get onboard with the ECV/wheelchair. I've seen groups of 12 board with Gramps...really annoying!!!

 

[DrMomof3]

We stayed at SSR a few years ago. It's a beautiful resort and my kids LOVED the pool. Some days the buses were great and some days we waited a bit but overall it was totally fine. Our room was lovely. I think for such a long trip you'll appreciate the laundry and kitchen.
We had many of our dining reservations at DTD because it was so easy by boat.

Amanda

 

[Desnik]

If I were you I would request the Grandstand location. It is the 1st bus stop. It has the water play area at its pool and it is a short walk to the main pool & food & boat dock to DtD.

SSR is one of our home resorts & we have stayed there many times. It's a great resort and we love it. I have never had a car while staying there & didn't feel like we needed it.

 

[JeanfromBNA]

Also, I would have one person in your group board with mom, and have the rest of the group get into the line. I think that's the one thing that really upsets others...having an entire family get onboard with the ECV/wheelchair. I've seen groups of 12 board with Gramps...really annoying!!!

I agree with this.

 

[tinkerpea]

Also, I would have one person in your group board with mom, and have the rest of the group get into the line. I think that's the one thing that really upsets others...having an entire family get onboard with the ECV/wheelchair. I've seen groups of 12 board with Gramps...really annoying!!!

You know what I agree with this, BUT we had the ECV last trip when we was at AKL and when we got to the bus stop we always qued up and let mum wait in the ECV area......when the Bus arrived and the driver loaded on my mum they always asked if she was alone when she replied no my family is in the line the driver replied they must wait with you, and called us over when we would say to the driver theres 5 of us plus mum so we will wait the driver always said NO you must get on the bus now because if the bus filla up and you can get on I then have to un-load the ECV so you can get on another bus!!!
The driver said that its important we all load together so we can guarentee being on that bus.

This is the bit that embarrassed us as we hated them skipping line but was told the same by every driver we encountered on that 3 wk trip.So its hard to know what to do for the best

So that we would take up less seats we ALWAYS have our 3 boys sit on our laps and Dh ALWAYS gives up his seat for any one who is elderly/ pregnant/ or has a child of any age!

 

[tinkerpea]

I hate to do this, but I'm going to throw some of my countrymen under the bus (pun intended). Public mass transportation is uncommon outside of metro areas in the U.S. (it exists - it's just not very good), so most Americans have a couple of cars. Americans are used to parking spaces right outside the place they want to go. If we have to park at the back of the lot, it's far away. Fist fights are started over convenient parking spaces at the mall. Kids are driven everywhere. I think it's just a matter of time before we float around in hover chairs and forget how to walk, a la WALL-E. I wonder if some of the "OMG THE POOL IS A MILE FROM OUR ROOM!" "THE BUS TOOK TWO HOURS TO GET TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM," reviews reflect our unfamiliarilty with public transportation, and getting somewhere under your own steam.

You might use Google Earth to scale off the distance from your room at AKL to the pool, and compare it to some of the buildings at SSR and OKW.

And yes, there are multiple bus stops, but that's what the bus does. It stops to pick people up and let people off.

Had to at this, My dads American and he always says to look at where the people are from when reading the reviews!

Ill take a look at Google earth that sounds like a fab idea

Its not the fact the place has multiple stops that bothers me infact Ive never found a problem like that (apart from at the end of the night when EVERYBODY seems to want to go to the same place and theres NO buses) Infact i read alot of reviews that said about AKL buses and how they was some of the worst waites and the fact that it was soooo far from EVERYTHING!! we didnt seem to find this at all I expect some wait at a bus stop and yep it can feel like every bus but the one to the park you want comes, but then i realise its prob only been 10 mins or so

It was the fact that If the place had multiple stops how big exactly is the place

Thanks for the help and the reply

 

[Sammie]

At SSR you will never be far from a bus stop or pool at any location.

Some locations will be further from the main pool and restaurants but nothing horrible.

I agree that many are spoiled when it comes to walking. It is a beautiful resort and if people take time to enjoy the walk it can be a fun part of the total experience.

As to the multiple stops it is similar to the Riverside, Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs.

Have a wonderful trip.

 

[cupcakefairy2u]

we stay here all the time as it is our home resort with DVC . We always ask for Congress Park so we can walk to DTD. You didnt make a mistake , I hope you report back about how much you loved it .
There are plenty of buses I dont think you will have a problem .
When we stayed somewhere else last year we enjoyed it but my adult kids asked to make sure we are at SSR because they missed it

Also if you are eating at other resorts you can walk ( if you are close enough) or take the bus to DTD and then grab the resort bus to whereever you are going to eat and then take the bus back to DTD and grab a bus back to SSR if you are to far to make the walk .