Help picking SSR location request

[queenbee99]

Would love some recommendations on where to stay at Sarasota...it's our first stay there and I have been reading some past threads and I am confused. I have a 7 year old, will be there 4 1/2 days after a cruise, so I would like to enjoy some of the resort but we will be in the parks for most of it and using the buses. My dh does like to eat at Earl of Sandwich. LOL So would I pick Congress Park? Springs? Grandstand? THANKS!

 

[Sammie]

Congress Park is the closest section to Downtown Disney.

 

[queenbee99]

I read something about another area being a boat ride away to DDD...isn't CP last on/off bus? THANKS!

 

[Sammie]

Springs is the last bus stop and the closest to the Boat ramp, it is faster to walk to DD from Congress Park and closer to the area where Earl of Sandwich is. Also Congress Park has the nicest views.

Even if you request an area no guarantee you will get it. So I would not get overly into picking an area.

Springs is the closet to main pool and the restaurants, lobby area etc.

 

[Pakey]

I personally like Congress Park the best because of the views. I have walked to DTD from every section at SSR; it can be done, it just means you add on another 5 minutes.

SSR is spread out and looks intimidating but in reality, it's not that far to walk from any section of SSR to Springs, the main section.

If you are going at a busy time and using the buses, I would probably want Grandstand because it's the first stop. Springs is last, Congress Park is 4th. I stayed at SSR during Easter week and the buses were often full by the time they got to Springs but it was fine at Congress Park (where we were catching the bus).

So do you want shortest walk to DTD or first bus stop? Or if you want to be closest to the main pool, that is Springs but then you are at the last bus and busiest bus stop. Paddock is nice but they are putting in that new themed pool so I'm not sure about construction noise. Carousel is the only section where I have not stayed.

 

[queenbee99]

We will be there the week after Easter....looks like I want Congress Park then. It would be nice to walk to DDD. It just looks SO big. We have stayed at Pop before and it looks big but really isn't that big to us. I don't want to be forever waiting on a bus either. I don't know that we will even have time to swim but we will have a car. Is there parking close to Congress Park? Thanks for everyones help. I realize that we might not even get our request but I guess I can request CP first and then Springs second.

 

[steve12256]

There is no guarantee you will get an area if you request it. Springs area has the biggest pool, also the nicest one. Other areas have pools also, and probably a little less crowded. Whatever area you are assigned to, the walk isn't that long to see the others. Afterall, your are in Disney where walking is a must anyway.

 

[queenbee99]

I do realize we may not get it but it doesn't hurt to ask right? How far is Springs from DDD?

 

[aidtrismommy]

Like PP said, you can walk to DTD from all of the sections. We walk to DTD from Grandstand which is the farthest away. It is about a 20minute walk and that is with kids deciding to get in and out of the stroller, looking at lizards on the sidewalk, and sometimes stopping to look at other wildlife. It really is no big deal. But Congress is the closest, they also have a playground in that section. Just weigh out the pros and cons of the services you plan on using during your stay (pool, restaurants, quiet pools, DTD, etc) SSR is a wonderful resort and I'm sure you'll enjoy it!!

 

[Pakey]

I do realize we may not get it but it doesn't hurt to ask right? How far is Springs from DDD?

Springs is probably 15 minutes to walk vs Congress Park at 10 minutes.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have stayed in all sections of SSR, they each one have their pros but I found very little cons!

Springs: Closest to main pool and restaurants, so very convenient although it is the last stop on the bus route and the busses can be very crowded by the time they reach the Springs.

Grandstand: First on bus route, still very close to the main area and it has a nice feature pool with spray cannons and its own pool bar and drink refill.

Paddock: Probably my favorite section, stop #3 on the bus route, not a far walk across the bridge to the main area and we had lovely views. I do agree with a pp though that with the new pool being built that might make that section less peaceful (new pool is not set to open until after your visit).

Carousel: Very peaceful, #2 on the bus route about ten minute walk to the main area. One nice thing about this section is that if you have a car, its right near the entrance so nice and convenient when you are driving in and out of the resort. Once the new pool at the Paddock opens this section will be way more popular. For now with no pool of its own, and being the furthest away from the main area many do not care for it, but we enjoyed it.

Congress Park: Obviously close to DTD, lovely quiet pool with incredible views of the river and DTD, not too far from the main area. It is #4 on the bus route. Our experience was the busses were seldom full to standing room only when they stopped at Congress Park. This and Paddock are our two favorite sections.

With a 7 year old I would request Congress Park, Granstand or Springs in that order.

One thing to bear in mind is that each section has a few buildings. So even if you get Congress Park, you may be in a buidling that is a bit further to DTD but thereby closer to the Springs.

We did not find SSR too big at all. Its well laid out, its a lovely resort and with multiple bus stops and pools, no building is far to a pool or bus stop. Unlike Pop with one stop that some buildings are a bit far from. I stayed at SSR with my parents and dh's. All of whom were elderly with various health woes and they all did great walking around SSR and loved it. My kids loved it too, I think it has one of the best main pools on property and one of the best cs places for a deluxe. Not a food court but still a nice and more varied selection than most other DVC's.

Enjoy your stay!