MinnieGirl33
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 16, 2003
- Messages
- 4,789
Hi all!
Just got back from SSR on Saturday & after reading about issues other had, I wanted to share our experience.
Arrived at about 10:45a on Sat 9/23. No wait for check in. Karen was efficient & friendly. Was assigned to the Springs (as requested) room 3221.
Stopped at Artist Palette before checking out our room. Flatbreads & painini's all around. Yum! We would end up spending alot of time here over the rest of the week. No, the food is not the typical burgers & fries but isn't that what so many of us complained about for so long? "Give us something new". Personally, this is what I like about it. Plus there are daily specials at all meals.
My only complaint here is I think there needs to be seperate cashiers for retail & food service. Waiting in line with ice cream or something hot while the cm has to go backstage to retrieve a package-pick-up is not great. CM's are friendly & focused on the guest.
Our room was in the building across from the theater, 2nd floor only a few rooms down from the stairs/elevator. Place was absolutely spotless! Upon inspection (DH is a bit "quirky" when it comes to hotel room cleanliness) the only things I could find were chipped pain on the doorknob to the laundry closet & a bit of chipped paint on one of the cabinet doors under the sink. I'll post photos under those of the "horrid SRR hallways".
(sorry, couldn't resist).
Was a bit disappointed that our lovely balcony view of the lake/fountain was blocked by a tree (we like to sit outside at night) - architechts are a bewildering breed sometimes. And after plopping down on the sofa, DH & I decided that WDW/DVC purposely does not give super duper comfy furniture because they want you out & about not hangin' in your room.
Nothing wrong with the sofa/chair just not comfy for us. I do think I prefer the sofa/love seat set up at OKW better since we are all able to have a place to sit & watch tv together for a bit at night besides the floor or a dining room chair. Personal preference.
The Spa was wonderful, as usual. I was a bit disappointed when I received a call on my cell from the spa the day before my appt to tell me my requested massage therapist (who I had been going to for about 18 months) was no longer there (found out later due to illness not quit). I kept the appt anyway & am very glad I did. Natalie was fabulous.
Her technique was different than I was used to - a bit "deeper" - really great. Don't forget that even if you don't have a treatment scheduled you are welcome to use the steam/sauna/whirlpool. It's very soothing.
The pool was great as expected. We have pool hopped here before from OKW so this wasn't our first time. Lovebugs were bad during the day so we shifted gears & became night swimmers. Didn't help my tan but equally enjoyable/relaxing. Wished On the Rocks (pool bar) stayed open later that 6pm - maybe til 8p when the lifeguards/slide go off - but was able to go up to Turf Club & bring back down. Minor inconvenience.
Ate at the Turf Club and thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Service was good. I hear there are plans to expand the menu here. The existing menu is just like every other menu in WDW these days so I'm not knocking it. I would definately return & look forward to new items as it seems this chef is at least making attempts at originality.
The arcade has finally switched over the the cards instead of coins.
We had alot of fun at Community Hall playing ping pong & watching Dancing with the Stars on the big screen. Boys loved getting their PlayStation fix. The CM's here are great! Very friendly & interact with the kids really well. I think they boys spent at least a little time here every day. You will get a list of that weeks activities when you check in & there are sample crafts on display so you can see what they are talking about.
As for the busses , we only rode 2x since we had a car. The first time I was by myself. My men dropped me off at DTD while they went to TL & I was going to bus back. As I was walking I went back & forth in my mind between boat/walk/bus. It was hot & I opted for the bus. Wrong choice. Waited about 15 mins, no big deal. Forgot about having to stop at PI/West Side. OK, not horrible, my own fault for forgetting. OK, come out of there & as we are driving I realize we are still in the left lane. Why are we in the left lane? Where the heck is this guy going? We need to turn right. Ended up stopping at TL???!! What??? I quick get on my cell to call DH to see if they are still there - figured I'd ride home with them - they just left - Oh well - see you when I get home
. DH hates the bus so it was funny to him.
Our other bus ride was round trip to MK with Jerry who was nice & funny. I hate the MK parking lot as much as DH hates busses so... figured more door to door service was a better option. Normally we park at Epcot & monorail our way around town but I wnted to stay for Wishes at 9 & didn't know if we'd have a problem getting back into Epcot. The bus was the right call in this case. No problem at all. Would do again.
Overall, I think SSR deserves
for quality, appearance & service.
Many of the things people talk about are just personal preferences. What matters to me might not matter to you & vice versa.
I just hope, for anyone who is unsure about trying this resort, you just judge for yourself. You might be surprised.
Thanks for reading!
Just got back from SSR on Saturday & after reading about issues other had, I wanted to share our experience.
Arrived at about 10:45a on Sat 9/23. No wait for check in. Karen was efficient & friendly. Was assigned to the Springs (as requested) room 3221.
Stopped at Artist Palette before checking out our room. Flatbreads & painini's all around. Yum! We would end up spending alot of time here over the rest of the week. No, the food is not the typical burgers & fries but isn't that what so many of us complained about for so long? "Give us something new". Personally, this is what I like about it. Plus there are daily specials at all meals.
My only complaint here is I think there needs to be seperate cashiers for retail & food service. Waiting in line with ice cream or something hot while the cm has to go backstage to retrieve a package-pick-up is not great. CM's are friendly & focused on the guest.
Our room was in the building across from the theater, 2nd floor only a few rooms down from the stairs/elevator. Place was absolutely spotless! Upon inspection (DH is a bit "quirky" when it comes to hotel room cleanliness) the only things I could find were chipped pain on the doorknob to the laundry closet & a bit of chipped paint on one of the cabinet doors under the sink. I'll post photos under those of the "horrid SRR hallways".

Was a bit disappointed that our lovely balcony view of the lake/fountain was blocked by a tree (we like to sit outside at night) - architechts are a bewildering breed sometimes. And after plopping down on the sofa, DH & I decided that WDW/DVC purposely does not give super duper comfy furniture because they want you out & about not hangin' in your room.

The Spa was wonderful, as usual. I was a bit disappointed when I received a call on my cell from the spa the day before my appt to tell me my requested massage therapist (who I had been going to for about 18 months) was no longer there (found out later due to illness not quit). I kept the appt anyway & am very glad I did. Natalie was fabulous.

The pool was great as expected. We have pool hopped here before from OKW so this wasn't our first time. Lovebugs were bad during the day so we shifted gears & became night swimmers. Didn't help my tan but equally enjoyable/relaxing. Wished On the Rocks (pool bar) stayed open later that 6pm - maybe til 8p when the lifeguards/slide go off - but was able to go up to Turf Club & bring back down. Minor inconvenience.
Ate at the Turf Club and thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Service was good. I hear there are plans to expand the menu here. The existing menu is just like every other menu in WDW these days so I'm not knocking it. I would definately return & look forward to new items as it seems this chef is at least making attempts at originality.
The arcade has finally switched over the the cards instead of coins.
We had alot of fun at Community Hall playing ping pong & watching Dancing with the Stars on the big screen. Boys loved getting their PlayStation fix. The CM's here are great! Very friendly & interact with the kids really well. I think they boys spent at least a little time here every day. You will get a list of that weeks activities when you check in & there are sample crafts on display so you can see what they are talking about.
As for the busses , we only rode 2x since we had a car. The first time I was by myself. My men dropped me off at DTD while they went to TL & I was going to bus back. As I was walking I went back & forth in my mind between boat/walk/bus. It was hot & I opted for the bus. Wrong choice. Waited about 15 mins, no big deal. Forgot about having to stop at PI/West Side. OK, not horrible, my own fault for forgetting. OK, come out of there & as we are driving I realize we are still in the left lane. Why are we in the left lane? Where the heck is this guy going? We need to turn right. Ended up stopping at TL???!! What??? I quick get on my cell to call DH to see if they are still there - figured I'd ride home with them - they just left - Oh well - see you when I get home

Our other bus ride was round trip to MK with Jerry who was nice & funny. I hate the MK parking lot as much as DH hates busses so... figured more door to door service was a better option. Normally we park at Epcot & monorail our way around town but I wnted to stay for Wishes at 9 & didn't know if we'd have a problem getting back into Epcot. The bus was the right call in this case. No problem at all. Would do again.
Overall, I think SSR deserves



Many of the things people talk about are just personal preferences. What matters to me might not matter to you & vice versa.
I just hope, for anyone who is unsure about trying this resort, you just judge for yourself. You might be surprised.
Thanks for reading!