Just back from SSR--please turn up the heat!!

[jennypenny]

OK, it was 80 when we left Orlando, and when i woke up this morning it was a refreshing 9 degrees. Someone needs to explain to me why I live in the northeast.

I'll give the highlights (and some lowlights) in bullet form because my brain is not yet forming complete thoughts.

* SSR was nice, clean, and not too crowded. We stayed in the Springs this time. It was great being so close to the main area. Mousekeeping was good, and CM's were friendly.

* SSR bus service was very reliable this trip. I moaned and groaned after our August trip because the bus service was lousy, but I'm happy (and a little surprised) to report that the service was much better. I'm not sure if it's because we travelled during a holiday week this time, and an off week last time.

* Artist's Palette--OK, first let me say that I love the food here. But the service has been consistently bad both trips. It took 30 minutes to get 3 flavored coffees made and I had to complain to get them made at all. I think the food is good, and I don't mind the gift shop/restaurant combo, but they have got to figure out a better system for delivering the food. We would have eaten there more if the service wasn't so slow. BTW, they are giving 10% off for DVC and 20% for DDE.

* The pool was too cold. We go every winter and I never remember it being that cold at any resort. I've read that they are keeping the temps down. I'll definitely write to them about that particular issue. I heard from other people in the parks that it's across the board, not just SSR.

* On EVERY single bus trip back to the resort from a park there were people on the bus asking what stop to get off and walk to DTD. I don't think I like this. I realize that disney doesn't want to run a bus from DTD to the parks because of the parking problem, but why can't they run a bus from the parks TO DTD?

* President's Week was crowded but not as overwhelming as I expected considering all of the waitlist chatter on the boards. And weather was perfect so that wasn't a factor.

* Dining, however, is really clogged up now with the dining plan. We had our ADR's booked, but saw many people being turned away--some in tears (I'd cry too if I had the dining plan and couldn't use it). One night, Kona had a 90 minute wait and Ohana's wasn't taking anyone. England and Canada didn't seem to be taking any walkups when we were there. And when we left Italy the line was sooo long. Make your dining reservations!

* Garden Grocer was nice and efficient. Would definitely use them again. We also used Happy Limo for the first time and they were fine.

* I don't understand why disney doesn't open typhoon lagoon a week earlier so the pres week crowds don't all end up at blizzard beach. It reopened Saturday. Seems silly.

* DISCLAIMER--don't shoot the messenger--I was told by someone I trust down there that SSR sales have slowed (thus the increased advertising), and that the goofy van sign is really to entice Bonnet Creek people. He did wink when I asked about CR and said that the next announcement will come at the end of the summer when SSR starts to wind down. And expect another price increase when sales start for that one (but not SSR--that's how they'll sell it out). And it sounds like they expect CR to sell quickly like BCV so expect something else (like eagle pines) to be announced shortly after that.

Otherwise the trip was uneventful. No one got sick (I think that's the first time) and the weather was absolutely wonderful. I don't think we'll stay at SSR again. We're really not into DTD--I just don't like shopping on my vacation.

Jenny

 

[Jen D]

Thanks for your report! Glad to hear no one got sick-- isn't it true? Someone always gets sick there or is sick right when we get home. And very envious of the good weather you got. It was sunny but quite cool when we were there 2/4-14 and downright cold for the last couple days. I left saying February-- NEVER AGAIN! But we might have to do President's Week next year, so we'll see!

Sorry to hear about the serice at Artists Pallate!

Thanks for feeding the rumor mill-- I can never get enough. I've decided we need 75 more points, the question is where... wait for Contemporary... see if SSR does another fire sale to finish sales (I'm a cheapskate, love sales)... or do BWV. Right now I'm holding tight, haven't even closed on my current contract!

 

[jennypenny]

Last year we went the week before President's Day and had great weather, and Pres Week was bad. This year the opposite was true. I think the weather in February is really hit or miss. We've *hit* the last few years--we're due for a cold/rainy trip next year! I'll let you know what week we're going so you can avoid it

Jenny

 

[crazyfortinkandcindy]

Are they opening a new DVC?

 

[Sammie]

Are they opening a new DVC?

A DVC addition to the Contemporary resort. No official word yet.

 

[Sammie]

I agree about the Downtown Disney situation; but not sure what they can do about it. Even if they run a bus from the parks to DD, you are still going to have people walk over to SSR to ride the bus to the parks.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Thank you for the great trip report ! I know it must have been hard to come home ,to such cold weather ! Its freezing here in N.J. too !!!

 

[tmt martins]

I agree about the Downtown Disney situation; but not sure what they can do about it. Even if they run a bus from the parks to DD, you are still going to have people walk over to SSR to ride the bus to the parks.

A guard gate at walkway as well as showing resort ID to the Boat captians would be the only way to solve this.Or just the BUS drivers asking for Resort ID during peak travel times .

Can't wait until the monorail hits SSR that will solve everything

 

[lat]

When we were there the week during 2/11-2/18, I mentioned to a lifeguard at SSR that the pool was COLD!!!!

She said that the pool temp. was kept at between 78 and 80. I said I thought they would be at 82. DH was freezing in the pool while the kids did not mind as much.

She said in order to turn up the temp., I had to fill out a form and they would review it and the temp might be improved later, but not that day. I was rushing somewhere else with my mom so I did not pursue it at that point. OKW pool was cold during the week too.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

* On EVERY single bus trip back to the resort from a park there were people on the bus asking what stop to get off and walk to DTD. I don't think I like this. I realize that disney doesn't want to run a bus from DTD to the parks because of the parking problem, but why can't they run a bus from the parks TO DTD?

Jenny

Hi! We just got back too! Really miss the balmy weather. O'kay I confess, we were one of those people asking where to get off for the walk to DTD!

We were staying at OKW and my aunt was staying at SSR (she booked later and couldn't get into OKW). As we were walking to the bus stop from the MK, we waved good bye to the OKW bus puling away.

So, we decided to hop on the next bus to either SSR or OKW, whichever came first. A few minutes later the SSR bus pulls up so we join my aunt and her family on the SSR line. There were maybe another 3 or 4 families besides us on the bus so it wasn't at all crowded.

My aunt offers to drive us over to OKW after visiting with her a bit, but we decide to "check out" the walk way to DTD, do a little shopping and then take the ferry back to OKW instead. I asked the bus driver who replied that we wanted to get out at Congress Park. My aunt was getting off at the Paddocks section. Other passengers on the bus were very helpful and tod me actually where to go after we got off the bus. It is a very long walk in the heat!

After a few hours, we spent a leisurely (25 min) cruise back to OKW as the only passangers on the ferry. My DDs got to blow the horn and got co-captain pins from the captain. We made a stop at SSR and noticed a lot of people waiting for the DTD ferry. Our captain made a call for the "back up" ferry to go pick them up. A few minutes later, we saw why, the ferry coming from OKW was full. It was the dinner rush to DTD.

The walk way was clean but deserted and I doubt that I woould have found it without directions. My aunt was clueless, she would never walk anyway. She drives everywhere except the MK. It was a long but doable walk but not ideal after coming from a park. Thank goodness we had a stroller.

Unless we were staying at SSR (right near the walkway), I doubt we would be using the walk way again. I'd prefer the car or the ferry or the bus.