I Looooove Ssr!

[JenB]

My 5 year old dd and I just got back from a mom-daughter only trip and did we have fun! I always think Disney resorts are unique in the wow factor they have when you walk into the lobby. I think SSR was my biggest WOW so far! From the bellman to the CM that checked us in, customer service was fantastic. I must have gotten 5 Welcome Homes from the front desk alone. I checked in about 5:30 P.M. Payton went over to watch TV in that adorable little area while I took care of the paperwork. Always having my husband around for vacations, you take for granted having 2 sets of eyes and being able to split up duties. I could see her perfectly from the front desk so that was nice. I had orginally asked for a studio close to the main pool and bus stop thinking it would be more convenient for us but the CM checking us in said there was a studio overlooking Dowtown Disney available steps from the quiet pool and why don't I give it a try? So I did and BOY was I happy. The map of the resort makes things look much further away then they really are. It was a very short walk from our room in Congress Park to the main pool and Artist's Pallate. We also had a HUGE swan and ducks outside our door everyday to keep us company!
I really enjoyed Artist's Pallate. They put an easel on the table with a ton of crayons and paper so the kids can keep busy. I have heard about their being limited selections but we had no problems finding stuff to eat. However, if my son was with us (King Picky Eater) he might have gotten tired of the PB&J and whatever other kids selection ther was. Payton, however, will eat anything and especially enjoyed the French Toast cass in the morning and the roasted veggie flatbread and corn chowder. There is also a very nice selection of cheese, fruit, frozen pizzas, etc. that you can take back to your room. The decor in there is just my style, and I wish I could buy some of those light fixtures.
Bus service was not a problem. I did get on the bus one night with a family from the MK that were told to take the bus to SSR and then hop over to Dowtown Disney as it was easier. I don't know who told them.
We spent most of the pool time at the main pool but hit the hot tubs and quiet pool one night and afternoon. I liked them both very much. Payton (who can make friends with a rock) had plenty of kids to play with so she was happy.
All in all, I can't wait to go back and I am thinking about a girlfriend's trip down to take advantage of the spa. It looked wonderful and just using the bathroom in the same building was enjoyable. There was this awesome lavander smell and soft classical music playing-mmmmmmmm........ They do have a "my first pedicure and manicure" we were going to do but ran out of time.
Everything was great until we tried to leave Sunday at 10:00 AM. There was a 3 hour line to check in to Southwest and needless to say, we all missed our flights which snowballed into the next 24 HOURS shuffling from gate to gate trying to get on standby. We finally got home the next day about12:00 Noon. It was AWFUL but I was so glad to get home and Payton was a trooper!
Any more questions, just ask!

 

[rascalmom]

Thanks for the report! We stayed at SSR in March & fell in love too. Our next visit will be to OKW to use our bonus points, but we'll be looking forward to going "HOME" to SSR for future visits.

We loved the elegance of this resort - in my opinion the room interiors are the prettiest at WDW. Being right next to DTD was a big plus - that is usually our evening activity, especially during times of the year when the park hours are shorter. Our dd's liked High Rock Springs pool - we'll be pool-hopping over there on our next trip. We'll have to try Artist Palette - didn't get a chance last trip. Glad to know they have some yummy things on the menu. We get so tired of the usual burger/piizza/chicken strip offerings at most of the resort quick service restaurants.

 

[athenna]

Thanks for the report. Good to hear you love my ''home''. Your description makes me really wish I didn't have 192 days until I get back there .That upcoming trip of mine is a girls only trip, you can best believe we'll be at the spa
Loved to hear that your son enjoyed himself there.

 

[cristbaby]

Thanks for the report. We'll be going to SSR for the first time in Oct. Just can't wait!

 

[conciergekelly]

Oh no! I just booked a quick trip for the end of July. My kids wanted to stay at the Boardwalk. They have stayed at SSR 3 times and wanted a change. Now I am having second thoughts. It is a sickness. Glad to hear you had a good time! We love it there too!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm happy to hear that you had such a great time, (except for the ride home, but you made it, always the best news)!!

Bobbi

 

[barbnbrian]

I'll be there in 9 days. Thanks for the great report. Glad to hear that the walk is not far around the resort. My husband had knee surgery at the end of March and I was worried about the distance to and from the pool area and DTD. We don't plan to visit any parks this trip, so walking all day won't be an issue.

BTW, why was there a 3 hr. wait for checkin on SWA? We're flying SWA home to CT on Memorial Day, and I'm a little concerned about wait time and how early we will have to take the DME back to the airport.

 

[Daitcher]

Glad you had such a great trip at SSR. We also encountered huge lines to check in with Southwest at MCO. We ended going outside to check in with the skycap guys and still waited about 45 minutes. Security was a nightmare as well but at least we made it. Hopefully your post will alert others to arive early especially on weekends or peak times. Thanks again.


DAVE

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Thanks for sharing!!!

Ms. Sparrow aka Allison

 

[shelleyz]

So happy to hear you and your daughter had a great trip. SSR is my "home" now but not sure when we will get to stay there for our first "home" trip. We just went last month and bought into SSR. I like reading all the positive reviews.

 

[kpk89]

It sounds like a great trip! My biggest question is ... how did you manage to get on a dd and you trip, and what were dh and ds doing whilst you were away? I would love to do this with each of my kiddos at some point.

 

[JenB]

Thanks guys for the comments!
First of all, as Southwest kept telling us, Sunday was an extraordinary circumstance. A cruise ship got in 12 hours late and 6800 Enterprise convention participants all came to check in at once with paper tickets (meaning everyone had to go thru check-in). Those two things snowballed into what was, at one point, a 4 hour wait. The line went down past that hall that has all the shops and wrapped around the next security area a few times. Blech!
My son is 9 and when I planned it, I sat down with him and explained that we would have our trip too. Fortunately, my husband acts like he is 9 as well so they were thrilled with staying up all night playing video games and eating bacon quesadillas every night for dinner! They actually had so much fun, they wanted to know when we are doing this again, LOL. Ummmm, next week???

 

[kpk89]

That sounds great! Let's see, my oldest is 6... maybe I can finagle a new tradition where each kid gets to go on a Mommy & Me trip when they are, what 6.5?

 

[nicdanh]

Thanks!! We are visiting SSR for the first time in NOV.

 

[JenB]

Kim, you should totally do that. It was so easy and relaxed. Like I said, I didn't have to break bad once! I was like Mrs. Turtle (Franklin's Mom LOL)! I can tell Payton really cherrished having me with no other distractions. Plus, it doesn't hurt that her favorite things to do are pooling it and shopping. Hmmmm-what a coincidence-mine too!

 

[liznboys]

Thanks for the report! We stay there for the first time in December.

LOL about Mrs. Turtle!

 

[russct]

Just got back from SSR on Wednesday and have been to SSR 3 times since last May, and will be going again in June. Absolutely love the resort. Very diverse (spa, good pools, location to PI, golf and awesome Fitness facility. Like I stated in previous reports, I know all the DVC resorts are great in there own way, but everytime I book a trip I always sway back to booking SSR. Why ruin a good thing by staying at another resort if the resort fully meets your expectations!

 

[JenB]

Amen to that Russ! I love that we can go days without going to the parks and still have plenty to do!

 

[russct]

Thanks Jen

 

[russct]

One more thing, from SSR it is very easy to walk over to Marketplace and take any bus to any resort/hotel on Disney property. Had a reservation at Grand Floridian for Cinderella Dinner and was cabable of hoping on bus from Market Place (DTD) without having to take bus to park and then take bus to resort.