Just Back From SSR: My TOP 10 List

[shellbelle1971]

We just got home from SSR last night and LOVED it. Here's my personal SSR TOP 10 list...and also my Bottom 10 list...

TOP 10 Things I Loved About SSR/DVC/This Trip

10: Eye-popping, unbelieveable view of Downtown Disney and the Lego Loch Ness Monster from our villa (#1125 in Congress Park)

9: Don't know how this managed to happen, given #10 above, but ALSO peaceful, serene patio view, complete with quiet benches, a lovely garden, etc.

8. Short walk to the fun Member Update. The theater (can't remember what it's called) was really well done.

7. Yummy snacks always available on a moment's notice. We picked up some refrigerated Toll House cookie dough & cookie dough ice cream to keep around. Whenever the midnight munchies struck...we were prepared!

6. Washer/Dryer in the room. I didn't plan to use this at all on this trip. But one night our baby got sick...maybe too many yummy snacks??...you don't need too much information on this point...but let's just say I was VERY grateful to have the washer and dryer available WITH SOAP and IN THE ROOM at 2:45 in the morning!

5. Going off season. DH, DS(12), DD (9 months) and I managed to hit FOUR parks (AK, MGM, MK, Epcot) all in one day and see/do everything we wanted, and never feel rushed. It was amazing. And all this with great weather (not overheated, not freezing) too!

4. Oh, yeah, GREAT weather. I know, the sun shines on the DVC and the Non-DVC alike. But it was still soooo nice...

3. Loved the SSR theming. I didn't think I was going to like it nearly as much as I actually did. Everything seemed elegant but relaxed. The boats to/from DD & OKW were especially fun.

2. Parking right outside our door. Literally. This made everything SOOOO easy!

1. Expedition Everst!! Another set of magical memories with my family!


Did I say there were some things I didn't like? Oh, yeah, here they are. They're pretty minor, though.

10. Small rooms. It wasn't a problem on this trip, but we had a 1-bedroom with 2 adults & 2 children. I'm probably spoiled by room sizes at OKW, but I'm a little worried about how squashed we'd feel having more adults in such a small space.

9. Wish there were a second, smaller towel rack for hand towels in by the big whirlpool tub.

8. Sick baby. (Not DVC's fault, I know! Nevertheless it WAS something I didn't like!)

7. No "real" restaurant right on site. This was okay for us, though, since Downtown Disney was actually just as close to us at the main SSR buildings.

6. Stopped in to see the SSR GV. Now I want one! Every time! Don't have enough points, though...

5. Walked through the Wilderness Lodge. Now I want to stay there sometime, but DH didn't like it, so I'll probably never get the chance

4. Walked through Boardwalk. Now I want to stay there sometime, but it's soooo hard to get a boardwalk view, so I'll proabaly never get the chance

3. Went to see the new (to me) OKW waterslide. If kids ever see it they'll never want to stay anywhere else

2. Walked through Beach Club. Love the location! I don't understand the rest of the appeal. Just not my cup of tea.

1. Had to go home after not enough time...

 

[mrsminniemouse]

Thanks for your post. I like the way you presented your top and bottom 10! We loved SSR too. Don't think I would even try to squeeze more than 2 adults and 2 kids in a one bedroom anyway. DD will be 2 years 8 months next month when we go and I will be 20 weeks pregnant. Next year we will 'lose' the living room as DD will sleep on the pull out and the new baby will sleep in with us I guess.

I agree about the lack of hand towel rail next to the sink by the jacuzzi. I used to lay it on the edge of the bath but thought it was odd.

Love the idea about the cookies and ice cream! Must remember that.

Toatally amazed that you did 4 parks in one day! You must have stamina!

Sorry to hear the little one was sick, hope she is ok now.

Cannot wait to get back to SSR soon. Look at my countdown. Woo hoo!

Mandy

 

[tiberius]

Maybe it didn't appeal to you, but I place the pool on the top ten list as well--what a great slide! I just wish the pool were about 50% larger.

Glad you had a good trip, we love the ease that off-season January gives you in the parks.

 

[cobbler]

Great top 10. I know what you mean about the extra towel bar. Oh will minor things, I am in Disney after all

 

[stampinshauna]

Thanks for sharing your top 10. I can't wait to take my first trip "home" to SSR. I must be patient, because it will probably be next year.

 

[lovinthemouse]

Thank you for sharing your experience. It is so nice to see good experiences too.

 

[PinotFan]

Maybe it didn't appeal to you, but I place the pool on the top ten list as well--what a great slide! I just wish the pool were about 50% larger.

The slide at High Rock Pool makes my top ten list, too. I thought it was great. Can hardly wait to go back in October for F&W and December for Christmas.

 

[bcsmom]

Thanks for your wonderful post. I can not wait to make my first trip home in November!

 

[Deputycoz]

Is the pool at SSR heated like all the other, sorry may be a silly question, but when I looked up the descriptions, all the others listed heated pool SSR didn't.

I haven't bought into DVC yet, but I am doing alot of research and it is getting very very tempting.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Great post! I must agree about the pool also - it is fantastic. I loved SSR so much that we are going there for our next trip in March. We were in a studio for 2 nights last trip - looking forward to a 1 bedroom this time. Thanks for sharing!

 

[mommym]

Thank you so much for your post. We are very new members at SSR and I cannot wait for our first trip home. Can I ask you a question though? What is the new slide like at OKW? I keep hearing about this and how great it is. We toured the pool at SSR and the slide looked kind of (dare I say this) wimpy and anemic. More for the really young kids. My kids are 7 and 9 and would love something more daring or eye catching. I am not putting us at BWV or BCV our first trip because even if we could get in I am afraid my boys would complain about any later DVC resort we stay at because the pools there are so great. "Complain" is too strong a word because it's WDW after all and the happiest place on earth Thnks for sharing some of the magic with us!!

 

[byoung]

Thanks for posting

 

[holcomb-mania]

Thanks for the post. We're planning on getting into SSR and these posts are just what we need! I wish that dern package would get here already!

As for the restaurant, or lack thereof, after hearing about the plans to quadruple capacity at SSR (in the Disney annual report) I wouldn't be surprised if they added a full-service restaurant. That would keep a bunch of bucks from flowing to Downtown Disney.

Questions: Did you rent bikes? I was wondering if they had good quality bikes so I wouldn't have to take ours. The rooms don't look big enough to store ours; are there any bike racks available? And how did the tennis courts look?

Also, as an unelected spokesman for DHs everywhere, if you want to stay in the WL badly enough, I guarantee your DH will submit.

 

[disfanmac]

it feels good to be in Disney wher ever you might be staying.
Thanks for the list!

 

[PinotFan]

Thank you so much for your post. We are very new members at SSR and I cannot wait for our first trip home. Can I ask you a question though? What is the new slide like at OKW? I keep hearing about this and how great it is. We toured the pool at SSR and the slide looked kind of (dare I say this) wimpy and anemic. More for the really young kids. My kids are 7 and 9 and would love something more daring or eye catching. I am not putting us at BWV or BCV our first trip because even if we could get in I am afraid my boys would complain about any later DVC resort we stay at because the pools there are so great. "Complain" is too strong a word because it's WDW after all and the happiest place on earth Thnks for sharing some of the magic with us!!

There are two slides at the High Rock Spring pool at SSR. One is for the tots. That must be the one you saw. The other one goes 'underground' through the rocks and is quite exciting.

Is the pool at SSR heated like all the other, sorry may be a silly question, but when I looked up the descriptions, all the others listed heated pool SSR didn't.

I haven't bought into DVC yet, but I am doing alot of research and it is getting very very tempting.

Yes, both the main pool and the quiet pools at SSR are heated.

 

[zalansky]

We bought 150 points at SSR on 02/01/06 with the F&F discount. Convinced DH to drop the contract off there in person this morning. We decided to do a 200 point contract while we were there instead, and they still honored the discount. So, I am thrilled to see your post.

BTW - we got a one bedroom guaranteed Boardwalk view at BWV for 3 nights in June, just last week

 

[mommym]

Congrats Zalansky-I was wondering if they'd honor F&F is we decided at the last minute to add-on. Our papers sit here because DH can't quite seems to sign by the Mouse ears. "Here honey have another Guiness and look at the pretty pictures with me..." It's just a matter of time. I too want to go up to 200 from 150 but I guess we'll start with baby steps. Enjoy!! Thanks for the OP's reply about the slide-I must have seen the toddler slide.
I cannot wait to Go Home

 

[zalansky]

Congrats Zalansky-I was wondering if they'd honor F&F is we decided at the last minute to add-on. Our papers sit here because DH can't quite seems to sign by the Mouse ears. "Here honey have another Guiness and look at the pretty pictures with me..." It's just a matter of time. I too want to go up to 200 from 150 but I guess we'll start with baby steps. Enjoy!! Thanks for the OP's reply about the slide-I must have seen the toddler slide.
I cannot wait to Go Home

As long as you haven't sent back the signed papers yet, they will let you buy add'l points with the discount. I don't know how you financed, but we put $5000 down and went with DVC financing, because we'll pay it off before the end of the year. But, if we had planned on sticking with DVC financing, the add'l 50 points were only going to run us an extra $15 a month. Well worth it, I thought! I am a bad influence I know. Sorry!