help! SSR questions.

[mjc2003]

We are planning a last minute trip (sometime in mid October through mid November). I can only find availability at SSR. We have never been there, but we have mixed feelings. We have 3 children, including an infant, and my wife is very worried about the size of the resort. With the baby, will we be constantly boarding buses and/or shuttles just to get around? Assuming we can't be near hospitality house, what are we looking at in terms of limitations? I don't want to rent a car.

We were offered an existing reservation at SSR for a great price, so I am tempted to jump on it. We are BCV owners, so our ideal trip would be to go to BCV and just spend a lot of time at the resort, since we can't do much with a 6 month old. But there is nothing except for a spare night here and there at ANY of the Epcot resorts (not surprising).

My wife thinks SSR would be too much of a hassle.

Any thoughts? Anybody with small kids who can give me feedback about SSR?

 

[hakepb]

I guess the main question is why do you need to "get around"?

There are 5 SSR sections. All park / dtd and WP busses have a stop at each section.
There are 2 feature pools (at Paddock and the main area. It sounds like the newer Paddock pool has a better kids area)
There is a quiet pool with a kids splash area and a pool bar at Grandstand.
And there is a quiet pool and playground at Congress Park (with an amazing DTD view)
Springs is considered the main area, although 2 of the Grandstand buildings are just as close.

There is a breakfast, lunch and dinner QS at the Paddock pool. The main area has a QS and the sit down. (but why eat meals at the resort when there can be more options at the parks...it took me a little whole to realize there is little difference between eating than going to a park vs fount to a park than eating)

The park bus stop order is Grandstand, Carousel, Paddock, Congress Park, then Springs. Busses can fill up by Congress park, so you want an earlier stop if you do not enjoy standing.

Congress Park is popular for its DTD views and easy walking path to DTD shopping.
Grandstand is popular for being the first bus stop, a pool with bar, and reasonable proximity to the main area, and being closest to the DTD boat.
Paddock is popular for its new feature pool and food. Carousel is now OK because of it's proximity to the Paddock pool.
Springs is popular for being near the main area.

THV is more distant and requires bus transfers, but you are staying in a THV!

Basically, if you or your DW is intent of shoehorning your BCV vacation into SSR, you will have a bad trip. If you take the time to learn about SSR and take advantage of its ammenities ( DTD, easy parking, spa, golf, walking...) you can have an amazing trip!

My overall take with young kids, they are at Disney! And as long as the water in the pool is wet they are happy!

 

[iluveeyore]

I don't have small kids, but I have whiny teenagers that don't like to walk too far
We are OKW lovers, but have stayed twice with the family at SSR and they completely enjoyed it. My advice would be to request the Grandstand section - all the buildings there are very close to the bus stop, it's the first stop to get picked up (so no full buses), and the first stop to get dropped off. There is a great pool there with a water play park for the kids, and a refill station. If you just walk on by the pool, it's about a two minute or less walk to the main hall, and just as close to walk to the DVC ferry. So it was a perfect area for us, and it would be if the kids were small as well. It's a beautiful resort - hubby loves the golf course views (he always requests one when we check in), and I love how close it is to DTD and not far to any of the parks from there. I think you would really like it. Just make sure you don't get Congress Park, it's the furthest away from main hall. Request Grandstand and when you check in, ask them to show you which buildings on the map are available so you know you're as close as you can be to everything. Enjoy your trip!!

 

[MrToad1345]

We just stayed there a couple of weeks ago in one of the Paddock buildings next to the new paddock pool. It was great!! Short walk to the main building or Springs Pool. However, walk to DTD was a bit long, especially in the heat and humidity. The bus order was different though due to the construction on the main gate. Not sure if it will still be going by the time your trip arrives. The first stop is Springs, then Grandstands, Carousel, Paddock and Congress. The only operating entrance/exit was the back exit by DTD.
Paddock pool has a limited drink and food menu, but does have a refill station and was very convenient. The pool was great , wonderful small kids side as well as zero entry. Big water slide for the teens too.
Enjoy!

 

[DizBub]

We also thought that SSR would be a hassle and not someplace we would ever want to stay. Boy, were we wrong! Love it there. Good thing we do since it's really the only place you can find availability on relatively short notice. Waitlists have always come through too. Buses are MUCH better than we expected. We drove and rarely used our car.

Our DD is taking 4 of her kids there later this month, she chose it over an existing reservation at BLT because there is more for the kids to do at SSR.

If you can get it, take it. If you end up not liking it, at least you will still be at WDW. You just might be surprised.

 

[SnowWhite2]

We also thought that SSR would be a hassle and not someplace we would ever want to stay. Boy, were we wrong! Love it there. Good thing we do since it's really the only place you can find availability on relatively short notice. Waitlists have always come through too. Buses are MUCH better than we expected. We drove and rarely used our car.

Our DD is taking 4 of her kids there later this month, she chose it over an existing reservation at BLT because there is more for the kids to do at SSR.

If you can get it, take it. If you end up not liking it, at least you will still be at WDW. You just might be surprised.

Sshhh! Don't let all of the good info on SSR out.

It is our favorite place and it is easy to get ressies. People have all kind of pre-conceived ideas about SSR and most of them are wrong. My whinney teens love it too. I felt the walk at BWV from the parking lot to the resort to my room was going to kill me and I would never make it. SSR is so much more convenient.

Go in with an open mind and you'll have a great time.

 

[delmar411]

Sshhh! Don't let all of the good info on SSR out.

It is our favorite place and it is easy to get ressies. People have all kind of pre-conceived ideas about SSR and most of them are wrong. My whinney teens love it too. I felt the walk at BWV from the parking lot to the resort to my room was going to kill me and I would never make it. SSR is so much more convenient.

Go in with an open mind and you'll have a great time.

I agree! We LOVE SSR. My kids see pictures of it and ask when we are going to our hotel home. LOL We stayed at BCV this spring and hated it. SSR is so much more family friendly and park accessible IMO (outside of walking to the world showcase).

I never do understand what people are trying to do when they talk about getting around. Everything is right where you need it and no never ending hallways to trudge down at the end of the day.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I'll join in with praises for SSR. We own at BCV, BLT, and SSR. While we love each of our home resorts, and can't beat the access to the adjacent parks for BCV and BLT, SSR is well and by far my favorite resort. I've never found transportation to be an issue there. It's a wonderful resort for when you have a car, and it's also a wonderful resort when you're using Disney transportation.

You're right that it is a large resort. Depending on the section you're in and the amenities that are important to you, it is possible to be disappointed in how far some things feel from your room. Your best bet is to figure out the optimal section for your family and add that as a request.

Here's a FAQ I posted in the SSR Lovers and Owners thread. You may find it helpful in choosing what to request. The FAQ includes several maps and pros & cons for each section.

Try something new and see if you like it. If not, as someone else said, you're still at Disney World. And you'll have a future frame of reference when booking last-minute requests. We've now tried every on-site DVC resort. There are some we love, some we found to be okay, and some we know we never want to stay at again. No two members are going to have the same exact list. Everyone's tastes and preferences are different.

 

[jennylyn_b]

We own 3 contracts at SSR so to say we love it is an understatement! We have taken our DD at 12.5 months and 18 months and are heading back in 33 days. She will be 2 then. We love the layout of the resort. The pools are great with splash areas for the kids at a few of the pools. Also lots of grassy areas for the kids to blow off steam without disturbing others LOL Transportation has always been very good for us. I think its a wonderful choice for families.


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[supersuperwendy]

We stayed the first time at SSR on developer points. We loved it so much we bought a contract there! It is by far my kids favorite resort. They always request to stay there. You really can't go wrong with any section of the resort. If you want to be close to carriage house then request the springs.

Also, since you'll have a stroller it's so nice that the buildings have elevators! I always bring mine into our room, but I saw several moms who left theirs just outside their door with no issues. We enjoy Congress Park because it's short walk to Carriage House and the views of Downtown Disney are amazing. There is playground there too!

 

[JenG]

I also have 3 kids and we have gone WDW 2x a year since they were babies (currently they are 8,4,3). We have stayed at SSR, BLT, OKW, BC and BW.

SSR is one of our absolutely favorite places to take the little ones. I have traveled with a 6mo old a few times and they love the zero entry pool at the main pool and the water play area at Grandstand.

I would pick the Grandstand myself. Super close to the main pool - food etc.. Only a 5 minutes very slow walk (my kids always had to walk everywhere!).

We love SSR so much that we are flying in a day early (10days from now!!) just to stay at SSR before we stay for a week at BLT with my BIL/SIL. We want to try the new feature pool and kid slide area.

Honestly, I find BW the worst for us for kids. No zero entry pool, no food inside hotel, looong hallways. Now, I also find BW the best for my adult weekends!1

 

[mjc2003]

OP here, thank you all so much for the wonderful thoughts. I read them all to my wife, and she feels much better about SSR.

We are trying to clear up 2 issues, one being a potential conflict with a work meeting and another being getting a few days out of school cleared for my daughter. I am now hoping the reservation is still available in a day or two, but at the very least we'd be able to find something.

I was also "selling" my wife on the proximity to DTD, which we have not visited in several years.

Thanks again all.

 

[NHBaerz]

OP here, thank you all so much for the wonderful thoughts. I read them all to my wife, and she feels much better about SSR.

We are trying to clear up 2 issues, one being a potential conflict with a work meeting and another being getting a few days out of school cleared for my daughter. I am now hoping the reservation is still available in a day or two, but at the very least we'd be able to find something.

I was also "selling" my wife on the proximity to DTD, which we have not visited in several years.

Thanks again all.

We stay in Grandstand and it is a quick walk to the carriage house but just far enough to be quiet with a great view of the golf course too. You will love it at SSR.

 

[Chellymouse]

SSR is our home resort and we LOVE it! The size on a map looks scary, but overall the resort, while large, is well designed and very easy to navigate. It's also very quiet, which we LOVE! We usually stay in CP because it's a very short walk to DTD and we'd rather eat Earl of Sandwich than flatbreads at AP. Everything is fairly close to the main Carriage House. Also, the biggest reason we love SSR...NO SHARED BUS!! Just SSR!! One of the biggest reasons we really did not like BWV was shared busing! yuck! It's a beautiful resort with PLENTY to do including a large community hall, 2 zero depth entry pools, bike (including surrey bike) rentals and a golf course and spa.

 

[cupcakefairy2u]

its been a few years back but we were booked at POR and they called and told us that there was a ugrade for free to SSR in a 1 Bedroom . I didnt want to do it at first so I asked if I could think about it and call back . I called back a few days later and took it . We stayed for 5 nights and bought on night 3 LOL . LOVE IT !

We have stayed a few times at other resorts and we loved them all . But my adult DD and her DH told me last year while we were still in WDW that THEY HAD to have SSR from now on . So we will be taking our Grandson 17 mo and Granddaughter 4 back to the " horsey " resort in one month for a long 8 night 9 day stay

 

[nuts]

I am always amazed at how people will spend their days walking the parks, but then complain walking the 5 minutes to the main building at SSR. To each his own I guess.

 

[Sammie]

In my opinion, SSR has better pools for young children than BCV. We really like the new Paddocks pool.