Help!!! Parking at SSR.....and Leaving in 24 Hrs!!!

[pklein09]

DH and I are leaving for a quick weekend without the kids

Of course, I'm in overdrive trying to get 4 kids stuff packed to go to Nana's house, get the house in order, get the dogs to the kennel, and pack us. I was awake for 2 hours in the middle of the night stressing!!!

One of the things that occurred to me is that we will have our own car and will be using parking lots. On the DVC member website, is says that we get free valet parking at BWV, BC, and VWL. What about SSR? Anyone know? We're also having dinner at V&A's Friday night. Should we drive or take the bus/monorail? If we drive, should we splurge for valet? (Not that $6 will break the bank.....)

TIA!!!!


--Michelle

 

[carol1231]

There is plenty of parking at SSR and best of all, it is practically right outside of your door. The one time that we ate dinner at GF, we valet parked. I don't know if there is a convenient self park lot nearby, we generally valet if it looks easier.

Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Each building at SSR has it's own parking lot. Not exactly right outside your door like it is at OKW, but certainly right outside your own building and close to the buildings elevators for unloading purposes.

 

[dianeschlicht]

When going to V&A's I would drive, because using Disney transportation between resorts isn't as efficient as it is to the parks. If you will be going and returning during park hours, you could take the bus to MK and the monorail to GF, but if you will be later than the parks, I would drive.

 

[bobbiwoz]

If I had a car and was going to V&A, I would valet park. Have a wonderful weekend!

Bobbi

 

[pklein09]

Thank you all soooooooo much!!! That takes the pressure off what to do with the car when we get there. I think we will valet park at GF. It's a fancy dinner and valet parking will be a nice touch. My adreneline is pumping....the first thing on my to do list is get the kids on the bus (today is the last day)!!! Then ditch the dogs at the kennel! I just keep telling myself that this time tomorrow, we should be somewhere around DC headed south!!

Thanks again!!!

--Michelle

 

[dianeschlicht]

Have a great trip!

 

[spiceycat]

definitely valet park - the GF self parking is probably the furthest from their front door than any other WDW hotel.

 

[lllovell]

What a nice trip! Enjoy!!!

 

[conciergekelly]

Have a great time! SSR is ia very nice resort. The quiet pool is especially nice at night. The view is fantastic. If you should decide not to take the car, you can walk over to DTD and catch a bus to any resort. I know, not very romantic but it is an option. Have fun at V&A. I hear it is the best!

 

[Desnik]

Definately valet park at the GF. The self park lot is far from the resort. It's a special night out so I would just valet park.
I don't believe ther is valet parking at SSR. We will be checking in there on Friday!!!
I just have one question for you. You are driving from NJ for 2 days at WDW?
I'm intrieged! DH doesn't fly and we would love to go to WDW for a quick get a way without the kids. I just didn't think it was worth it because of the drive. Tell me I'm wrong!!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

DH and I are leaving for a quick weekend without the kids

Of course, I'm in overdrive trying to get 4 kids stuff packed to go to Nana's house, get the house in order, get the dogs to the kennel, and pack us. I was awake for 2 hours in the middle of the night stressing!!!

One of the things that occurred to me is that we will have our own car and will be using parking lots. On the DVC member website, is says that we get free valet parking at BWV, BC, and VWL. What about SSR? Anyone know? We're also having dinner at V&A's Friday night. Should we drive or take the bus/monorail? If we drive, should we splurge for valet? (Not that $6 will break the bank.....)
--Michelle

TIA!!!!

There is no valet parking at SSR, park at your villa similar to OKW. As far as going to V&A's, definitely drive and use valet. Self-parking at the Grand Floridian is is across the street from the Resort, the parking close to the resort is valet.

 

[married@wdw]

I believe valet parking is included with a V&A meal!!! I'd give a quick call when you get there to doublecheck me. Either way, definitely valet park! Self parking at GF is horrible and you want to enjoy the evening!

 

[pklein09]

We're sorta going for 2 days and yes....we're driving!!! Call us crazy, but we will be away from our kids!!!!!

We're leaving Thursday with the intent of getting to Northern Florida by the evening. We're going to get a hotel somewhere off the highway and continue on in the morning. We figure we'll be in Orlando by noon. I want to go to Celebration (would eventually like to move there ). We'll head over to SSR after Celebration and hopefully be able to get in our room. If not, we head to the pool. V&A is for 6:00. We're going to spend Saturday and Sunday in the parks. We'll get leave sometime on Monday, spending Monday night in a motel probably around the DC area. Tuesday we pick up the kids at my Mom's and get the dogs by 6:00 at the kennel.

We'll be gone for 6 days, with only 2 full days on property. But that's okay with us. We really need some couple time. Our 13th wedding anniversary was in May so we're celebrating while we're down there. The anniversary is noted on our reservation and PS info. I'm curious to see what they might do. We're actually looking forward to the drive just to be able to have a conversation without being interrupted!

I will definitely ask about valet parking with V&A ressies. Thanks for the tip married@WDW.

I'm about halfway through my to-do list. I'm going to start packing us next. The kids are already packed.

Thanks so much for all the well-wishes!!! Off to find a suitcase.....

Oh yes....we looked into flying, but the cost would have been between $500 and $600 to fly from Philly, Newark, or Atlantic City. There was really cheap but early flight out of BWI, but by the time I called DH, it was gone. That would have run us about $250 for both of us, but then it would have been $80 for limo transfer and no Celebration, or $$$ for a rental car. We just decided to drive and enjoy the quiet.

 

[Beca]

I would be VERY surprised if valet was not included with your meal. We were there in April, and did the "Aurora Tea Party" thing at GF. It starts at $200 to attend (very similarly priced to V&A's). When we pulled up to valet, the bellhop said, "You're attending the tea?" When we replied yes, he said... "Well, valet is included in that price, and please feel free to stay here all day and go to MK using the monorail if you wish." REALLY nice!!!!



Beca

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We're sorta going for 2 days and yes....we're driving!!! Call us crazy, but we will be away from our kids!!!!!

We're leaving Thursday with the intent of getting to Northern Florida by the evening. We're going to get a hotel somewhere off the highway and continue on in the morning. We figure we'll be in Orlando by noon. I want to go to Celebration (would eventually like to move there ). We'll head over to SSR after Celebration and hopefully be able to get in our room. If not, we head to the pool. V&A is for 6:00. We're going to spend Saturday and Sunday in the parks. We'll get leave sometime on Monday, spending Monday night in a motel probably around the DC area. Tuesday we pick up the kids at my Mom's and get the dogs by 6:00 at the kennel.

We'll be gone for 6 days, with only 2 full days on property. But that's okay with us. We really need some couple time. Our 13th wedding anniversary was in May so we're celebrating while we're down there. The anniversary is noted on our reservation and PS info. I'm curious to see what they might do. We're actually looking forward to the drive just to be able to have a conversation without being interrupted!

I will definitely ask about valet parking with V&A ressies. Thanks for the tip married@WDW.

I'm about halfway through my to-do list. I'm going to start packing us next. The kids are already packed.

Thanks so much for all the well-wishes!!! Off to find a suitcase.....

Oh yes....we looked into flying, but the cost would have been between $500 and $600 to fly from Philly, Newark, or Atlantic City. There was really cheap but early flight out of BWI, but by the time I called DH, it was gone. That would have run us about $250 for both of us, but then it would have been $80 for limo transfer and no Celebration, or $$$ for a rental car. We just decided to drive and enjoy the quiet.

We just celebrated our 25th at SSR, and we had autographed pictures from the characters and balloons each day for 3 days. We think one of them came from the DVC Sales office where we went to sign our add-on. But the other two had to come from the resort. We had a great stay at SSR, but the weather gods did not cooperate at all.

Hope your "late" anniversary celebration is all you are anticipating.

 

[pklein09]

Well, I just called PS for V&A to ask about valet parking. I think the CM thought I was nuts asking of valet parking was included in the price of dinner. I told him about Disboards (he knew of us) and I told him about the Princess tea and valet parking....vast silence on the other end. I told him I just didn't want to look like an idiot in the parking lot, that I'd gladly pay the $6.

One odd thing though....I called the number for V&A listed on the Disney Website (407-939-9100) and got a recording asking to punch in my phone # (which I did like an idiot) and then the recording came back on and said "...I could hang up now." I called the number back to see if I dialed correctly, and I got the same recording. I just thought it was unusual.

I've managed to find the suit case, but there's still nothing in them!!!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

You don't pay for valet parking until you leave. So you can ask about validation at V&A's when you get there. You won't look like an idiot. Just remember to tip the person you hand your car off to.

 

[jctwizzer]

[ If we drive, should we splurge for valet? (Not that $6 will break the bank.....)

no biggie, but I think valet parking is now $7

 

[pklein09]

We had the best time!!!! We squeezed a ton of stuff into a 3 day visit!!!

Victoria and Alberts was fantastic!!! We've decided not to renew our vows in 13 years at WDW....we're going to pay for our family and close friends to come down with us and dine at V&A's! It was an amazing experience and I'd be glad to answer any questions. Valet parking is included in the dinner. When we arrived, the maitre'd hotel asked for our valet slip to validate it. We did tip the valet upon receiving the car.

SSR was HUGE!!! We were back in Congress Park. Our unit overlooked the bus stop, but we didn't care! It has a much different atmosphere than VWL and BWV. I won't say it was good or bad, just different. One thing I noticed was the lack of music. For me, music really sets the mood of the location. I wished it was at least playing in the elevator areas.

SSR left balloons in our room with a card from Cinderella and Prince Charming. We got a "Congratulations" button on the boat from BW to MGM. We also got a chocolate card with "Happy Anniversary" on it from V&A's.

We took our time in the parks (MK, Epcot, and MGM). We tried to do things we don't do with the kids and skip the things we do do with the kids. We took our time and tried not to rush. It worked!!! We were in the parks all day and didn't feel crazed or exhausted. Amazingly, after a 1 1/2 car trip back and having 4 kids under foot, I'm still pretty relaxed!

Thanks for all your help!!!

--Michelle