mrsminniemouse
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2003
- Messages
- 960
We returned yesterday from 2 weeks in a 2 bed lock off at SSR. We had a great time! We loved SSR and really enjoyed being DVC members. We were there for hurricane Jeanne and were confined to our room for 24 hours but all was ok. The smoke alarm in our room sounded a lot during the night so we were told to take it down and there was a terrible whistling noise as wind came through the front door but we were safe and not frightened.
I had requested top floor, DTD view, non -smoking and was delighted at check in to be told all our requests had been met. We were in the building nearest the main pool and furthest from DTD. We did get given a HA room but were told the only differences in this particular room was that the studio bathroom would have grab rails around the bath and toilet. When we saw the rooms we were surprised to see more differences than had been explained to us. The studio sink was in the bathroom and had no counter around it so there was no storage, the studio kitchen was laid out all over the place and the microwave was very low plus the closet was in a difficult to access place and you had to squeeze by the bed to get to it. Our room (the one bed) had no differences other than in the kitchen. But as we have never stayed in a DVC villa before we had no idea just how different it was.
After visiting the model room a few days into our trip we realised our kitchen was very different and if we had the standard kitchen it would be much better for us. Our 16 month DD had been pulling the coffee pot down, opening the drawers and knocking over the trash (which was free standing and not in a cupboard) We spoke to the DVC person at the model room and she was great. She said we should not have been given the accessible room with a toddler as they can reach the cooker controls and other stuff that should be out of their reach. She arranged for us to be moved to another room, same building no charge, no fuss. It was so much better for us. Everything was higher, the trash cans were in the under sink cupboard, DD ccould not reach anything. Remember, handicapped accessible is also toddler accessible! I had accepted the first room happily as I did not realise the implications. I do think it is strange though that the cast member who checked us in said we had been given a HA room because we requested non-smoking due to medical reasons!!!!!! Not sure why having asthma means you are a wheelchair user????
Anyway, the new rooms were great and I know to request standard rooms while our daughter is small. I loved our 1 bed, lots of room. We came home with hardly any laundry! I also did not miss having daily housekeeping. My only negative comment about the room is the noisiness of the appliances. We would set the dishwasher on timer to come on an hour after we had gone to bed, the toilet was VERY noisy so you did not want to flush it during the night and the washer dryer was loud too. However, DD slept like a dream in her pack and play and was never disturbed by noise, not even the hurricane or the smoke alarm at 3am! We put her pack and play under the window in the master bedroom, there was lots of room. Of course, we moved her from the window on the night of the hurricane.
Anyway, SSR is great! We loved walking to DTD, a lovely 10 min stroll with the stroller. Nice to have a drink over dinner and wander home. We got badly bitten on the first night so we used deet for the rest of the trip. We have never been bitten at WDW before but the bad storms and water standing everywhere have caused an increase in mosquitoes I believe. We did not get the boat from SSR as the dock does seem out of the way. We walked to DTD and got the boat to Olivias at OKW twice and got the boat home after a great dinner and a few cocktails (love the Sultry Seahorse mmmm) We hope to stay at OKW next year. It looks totally beautiful.
We spent lots of time at the main pool. the Donald water feature was broken for our first week. It was working for the second week and DD LOVED it! The small slide was a major hit with her too.
The spa and fitness centre at SSR are wonderful. My friend and I had pedicures. They were great! The locker room is luxurious, you get a robe and slippers, there is fruit and cold water for you to use, plus towels, wash cloths, toiletries, bathroom scales, combs, cotton wool, it was fantastic! I highly recommend going to the spa for a workout or a treatment. My husband and his friend had a workout in the gym and said the equipment is great.
Another thing we liked about SSR, is its close proximity to the real world it was easy to venture out to Crossroads to eat at Olive Garden or to get gas or whatever. You feel like you are in the middle of the Disney magic but you can quickly get out to other attractions and shops if you want to.
We ate at Artists Palette lots of times. The food there is good and extremely fresh. I really enjoyed the turkey Caesar sandwich, the pork flatbread and the breakfast pizza. The daily specials were lovely and included a chicken hot pot, meatball sub, lasagna and corned beef sandwich during our stay. We liked being able to buy chopped fresh fruit like melon, strawberries and grapes and these made quick healthy snacks for DD. We did miss being able to grab french fries or chicken tenders and it seems a shame such foods arent available at the pool bar like at other resorts. Some of the tables at AP have small easels with paper and crayons and sometimes Disney print outs to colour, this enabled us to eat peacefully while DD coloured! Great idea! The CMs at AP have little to do it seems and are super friendly and chat a lot. DD received pictures and stickers from them several times.
While I was at the spa, DH took DH into Community Hall. Although she was a little young the CM played with her and found some suitable toys. She also gave DD a set of fluffy Minnie ears to keep! Very generous!
DH and his friend played golf at LBV course on Tuesday, it was fun and very convenient while staying at SSR. However the course was wet and soggy and there were lots of fallen trees around. We did see damage from Jeanne all over. Ripped off roof tiles, broken signs but mostly trees damaged. Even very big, mature trees with big roots were uprooted. It is very sad.
Anyway, congratulations and thank you if you are still reading! Please ask if you want me to answer any questions about the resort. I have not stayed in any other DVC accommodations (stayed at The Beach Club 3 times) so I cannot compare but we loved SSR and will be very happy to go back.
Mandy
I had requested top floor, DTD view, non -smoking and was delighted at check in to be told all our requests had been met. We were in the building nearest the main pool and furthest from DTD. We did get given a HA room but were told the only differences in this particular room was that the studio bathroom would have grab rails around the bath and toilet. When we saw the rooms we were surprised to see more differences than had been explained to us. The studio sink was in the bathroom and had no counter around it so there was no storage, the studio kitchen was laid out all over the place and the microwave was very low plus the closet was in a difficult to access place and you had to squeeze by the bed to get to it. Our room (the one bed) had no differences other than in the kitchen. But as we have never stayed in a DVC villa before we had no idea just how different it was.
After visiting the model room a few days into our trip we realised our kitchen was very different and if we had the standard kitchen it would be much better for us. Our 16 month DD had been pulling the coffee pot down, opening the drawers and knocking over the trash (which was free standing and not in a cupboard) We spoke to the DVC person at the model room and she was great. She said we should not have been given the accessible room with a toddler as they can reach the cooker controls and other stuff that should be out of their reach. She arranged for us to be moved to another room, same building no charge, no fuss. It was so much better for us. Everything was higher, the trash cans were in the under sink cupboard, DD ccould not reach anything. Remember, handicapped accessible is also toddler accessible! I had accepted the first room happily as I did not realise the implications. I do think it is strange though that the cast member who checked us in said we had been given a HA room because we requested non-smoking due to medical reasons!!!!!! Not sure why having asthma means you are a wheelchair user????
Anyway, the new rooms were great and I know to request standard rooms while our daughter is small. I loved our 1 bed, lots of room. We came home with hardly any laundry! I also did not miss having daily housekeeping. My only negative comment about the room is the noisiness of the appliances. We would set the dishwasher on timer to come on an hour after we had gone to bed, the toilet was VERY noisy so you did not want to flush it during the night and the washer dryer was loud too. However, DD slept like a dream in her pack and play and was never disturbed by noise, not even the hurricane or the smoke alarm at 3am! We put her pack and play under the window in the master bedroom, there was lots of room. Of course, we moved her from the window on the night of the hurricane.
Anyway, SSR is great! We loved walking to DTD, a lovely 10 min stroll with the stroller. Nice to have a drink over dinner and wander home. We got badly bitten on the first night so we used deet for the rest of the trip. We have never been bitten at WDW before but the bad storms and water standing everywhere have caused an increase in mosquitoes I believe. We did not get the boat from SSR as the dock does seem out of the way. We walked to DTD and got the boat to Olivias at OKW twice and got the boat home after a great dinner and a few cocktails (love the Sultry Seahorse mmmm) We hope to stay at OKW next year. It looks totally beautiful.
We spent lots of time at the main pool. the Donald water feature was broken for our first week. It was working for the second week and DD LOVED it! The small slide was a major hit with her too.
The spa and fitness centre at SSR are wonderful. My friend and I had pedicures. They were great! The locker room is luxurious, you get a robe and slippers, there is fruit and cold water for you to use, plus towels, wash cloths, toiletries, bathroom scales, combs, cotton wool, it was fantastic! I highly recommend going to the spa for a workout or a treatment. My husband and his friend had a workout in the gym and said the equipment is great.
Another thing we liked about SSR, is its close proximity to the real world it was easy to venture out to Crossroads to eat at Olive Garden or to get gas or whatever. You feel like you are in the middle of the Disney magic but you can quickly get out to other attractions and shops if you want to.
We ate at Artists Palette lots of times. The food there is good and extremely fresh. I really enjoyed the turkey Caesar sandwich, the pork flatbread and the breakfast pizza. The daily specials were lovely and included a chicken hot pot, meatball sub, lasagna and corned beef sandwich during our stay. We liked being able to buy chopped fresh fruit like melon, strawberries and grapes and these made quick healthy snacks for DD. We did miss being able to grab french fries or chicken tenders and it seems a shame such foods arent available at the pool bar like at other resorts. Some of the tables at AP have small easels with paper and crayons and sometimes Disney print outs to colour, this enabled us to eat peacefully while DD coloured! Great idea! The CMs at AP have little to do it seems and are super friendly and chat a lot. DD received pictures and stickers from them several times.
While I was at the spa, DH took DH into Community Hall. Although she was a little young the CM played with her and found some suitable toys. She also gave DD a set of fluffy Minnie ears to keep! Very generous!
DH and his friend played golf at LBV course on Tuesday, it was fun and very convenient while staying at SSR. However the course was wet and soggy and there were lots of fallen trees around. We did see damage from Jeanne all over. Ripped off roof tiles, broken signs but mostly trees damaged. Even very big, mature trees with big roots were uprooted. It is very sad.
Anyway, congratulations and thank you if you are still reading! Please ask if you want me to answer any questions about the resort. I have not stayed in any other DVC accommodations (stayed at The Beach Club 3 times) so I cannot compare but we loved SSR and will be very happy to go back.
Mandy
I really enjoyed reading it and I am glad your trip came together with your friends like you hoped
