Just back from SSR!

[Luv2trav]

I am not a DVC member but after staying here for 7 nights in a 2 bedroom I might just be convinced we need to be!

I was very unsure when we decided to stay here but it was the best and only offer available besides Key West on short notice. I must say I was very pleasantly surprised! Actually I was very impressed with SSR.

Check In-We checked in around 9 pm on Friday night. Check in was a little slow but nothing too bad. The man who checked us in was a little confused because we had a room only reservation for Fri and Sat and then rented from Sun-Thurs. We wanted the same room so we didn't have to switch. He had to get his supervisor involved to help him out. We only had 2 requests non-smoking and the Springs section. Both were granted!!

Room-We had a 2 bedroom in the Springs section overlooking the fountain. Excellent condition! Gound floor which worked great for us because my DS's got to feed the ducks every morning from our patio! Parking was never full. It was a very quick and easy walk to the main pool and Artist palette.

Pool/Recreation- Weather was awesome! My children (2,4) LOVED the small slide and zero entry. In addition my 4 yo loved to play bingo. We couldn't ask for better weather. NO rain, 70- high 80's each day... Only 1 cloudy day.. During the cloudy day we did rent surrey bikes. It was a nice ride but I wish there were an option to ride to other areas of the resort.

Food-This is/was my only complaint. My 2 year old lives on french fries...especially on vacation. Artist palette didn't serve french fries. That would not have been a big deal if I had known that before we went to the grocery store. I think this resort needs more selection of food. However that would not stop me from staying her again. I would just prepare to cook a little more.

Dining Plan-We did purchase the dining plan. We did the free dining last fall and it got us hooked on the plan. However after this trip we realized it is just TOO MUCH food for us. I love to eat at Disney and we made all of our reservations in advanced and planned well. I just found myself not hungry at lunch or dinner. I felt the pressure to make sure I used up all my credits. Last fall we didn't care if we used them all because it was free. However, I doubt we will ever purchase the plan again.

Transportation-We rented a van for the week but we did take a few buses. I would say the timing was OK. We have never relied on Disney buses so to us it seemed a bit slow. However, my kids LOVED waiting for the buses. It was an attraction in itself... The longest we waited about 25 minutes one night and the rest were about 15 minutes.

Parks-The weekend was busy...AK seemed to be the most crowded of all the parks.. We did get to ride Everest (Awesome ride) Mon-Thurs the parks didn't seem crowded at all. The most we waited for an attraction was about 15 minutes. I don't understand why people do not use the fast pass option. MGM on Tuesday night you didn't even need Fast Pass because Rockin Roller Coaster was only 5 minutes and TOT was 10 min.

Overall we LOVED SSR... I don't understand why it gets so much bad press on these boards. I do agree the resort is HUGE but that is some of the appeal. I am not sure if my opinion would have been different if we were not in the Springs. I think the location was key for us.

I would definately stay here again... Actually we are thinking about doing it again next May..

I would be happy to answer any questions...

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm glad you had such a nice time! Thank you for telling about it. It's hard for me to think that there's a counter service type restaurant that doesn't sell french fries! I'm surprised, too.

Bobbi

PS. Were you and your 2 children the only ones in the 2 bedroom? It sounds like a luxurious stay!

 

[tmt martins]

Thank you for your Report .We are headed down in June for a 2 bedroom stay our first trip home.

We already know we will love the resort (we've walked it a few times on trips to DTD).

And no french fries ,It's a good thing I can send DD over to DTD for some McDees.

 

[Luv2trav]

Bobbi, My mother was with us. She insists on having her own space. Just out of curiousity we pulled the sofa sleeper out to try it out. I was surprised how comfortable it was.. It was actually more comfortable as a bed than as a sofa.


tmt martins-We made 2 trips to McDonalds to get fries too....

 

[HUFF590]

Good to hear reports like this, WE love SSR Be there Sat may13 2bedroom first trip with the kids now that they are married.

 

[NYMomof4]

It sounds like you had an awesome trip! It reminded me of what my guide said when we took the tour last year-that I was already a DVC member, I just didn't know it yet! So true...If you stick around these boards long enough you may get the DVC fever Then add-on-itis....sigh

 

[DisneyFreaks]

What a wonderful report. Our first trip home to SSR is in december. We have visited every DVC resort but that one. (well once while it was Disney Institute) We are so anxious about seeing this resort. Thanks for posting how much you and your family enjoyed it.

 

[cncDisney4]

We, too, had our first trip "home" in December and loved it. I'm glad you trip was wonderful. We love SSR and I'm glad to see positive reports like yours.

 

[eporter66]

Great report. We love SSR and have already stayed there on both our trips "home" since becoming members. We are trying BWV next, but I have no problem staying at SSR - I am sure there are many trips to come!!!!

Thanks for the trip report
Eric