nhdisnut
My screen name says it all!!
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2000
- Messages
- 829
We just returned today
from a wonderful week at WDW! In addition to spending a night at POP at the beginning of our trip, and a night at CSR at the end, we spent the middle part of our week in a 1-BR in the new Grandstand section at SSR. During our two previous SSR trips we had stayed in Congress Park, but I requested the Grandstand to see how we liked that location. I guess the quick and easy thing to do is to summarize:
Wow, I have written alot!
Just one of more comment (for now):
The Year of a Million Dreams - for such a highly promoted campaign - is the least relevant promotion I have seen in the parks in terms of actually impacting the majority of guests. Yes, many items, from popcorn boxes to soda cups, have the YOMD theme on them, and the parks have the "butterfly" type decoration everywhere, but overall, unless you are one of the lucky few to actually win something really nothing special seems to be going on at all! This is really in direct contrast to last year's 50th anniversary celebration. No, I did not win anything (my kids did in December - Dream fastpasses in AK), and no, I am not bitter about that. It just seemed to me that the actual YOMD experience was really lacking in overall impact.
I'll try to get back soon with a few more impressions. In the meantime, I do have a few new SSR pics in the link in my signature (mostly of the 1 BR). I'm hoping to add more in the next few days after I recover from my return to reality......
from a wonderful week at WDW! In addition to spending a night at POP at the beginning of our trip, and a night at CSR at the end, we spent the middle part of our week in a 1-BR in the new Grandstand section at SSR. During our two previous SSR trips we had stayed in Congress Park, but I requested the Grandstand to see how we liked that location. I guess the quick and easy thing to do is to summarize:- The Grandstand is very convenient to the Carriage House, AP, Turf Club, and High Rock Spring pool - less than a 5 minute walk from our building. The walk itself was very nice - it crossed the golf cart path and wound around the check-in area.
- The quiet pool in the Grandstand is the most themed quiet pool I have seen at any WDW resort. The kids water play area was fantastic (lots of squirting fountains, horses, etc.) and the pool and hot tub were never too crowded. (Of course only two of the four buildings were open so far.) The pool bar and mug refill station were not open while we were there (maybe they are waiting until completion of the section?)...that would have been nice.
- The decor in the rooms is pretty much the same as in CP - I think that maybe the pictures decorating the walls are a bit different - there was one specifically of a "grandstand" at a horse race - but I couldn't swear to it.
- Views seem like they will be mostly golf course or pool views. We were at the end of one of the buildings that overlooked both the golf course and (at an angle) the Grandstand bus stop. I thought the noise of the buses might be a problem, but with the balcony door shut there was no noise. Once the trees grow up the view of the bus stop (and any noise) will be reduced. My parents, in a room closer to the pool, had a wonderful view of the rest of SSR (toward the Carousel section) and the golf course.
- Speaking of the bus stop, the Grandstand is the first stop in SSR, so going to the theme parks takes an extra 5 minutes or so to circulate through the rest of SSR. This actually works out ok, as it is very easy to get to any other part of the resort without walking (if desired). The Grandstand is also the first drop-off stop when returning from the parks - also a plus - especially at midnight coming back from a long day!
- Bus service was excellent. We waited maybe 10 - 20 minutes a couple of times, but overall less than 5 - 10 minutes both to depart SSR and to return from the parks.
- Next to the bus stop they have put a couple of horseshoe pits - really brilliant if you ask me! - My father and my kids really enjoyed playing horseshoes while waiting for the bus.
- The landscaping at the Grandstand is just as well done as the rest of the resort. Once everything grows in, it will be spectacular! The gardens and flowers already are beautiful.
Wow, I have written alot!
Just one of more comment (for now):
The Year of a Million Dreams - for such a highly promoted campaign - is the least relevant promotion I have seen in the parks in terms of actually impacting the majority of guests. Yes, many items, from popcorn boxes to soda cups, have the YOMD theme on them, and the parks have the "butterfly" type decoration everywhere, but overall, unless you are one of the lucky few to actually win something really nothing special seems to be going on at all! This is really in direct contrast to last year's 50th anniversary celebration. No, I did not win anything (my kids did in December - Dream fastpasses in AK), and no, I am not bitter about that. It just seemed to me that the actual YOMD experience was really lacking in overall impact.
I'll try to get back soon with a few more impressions. In the meantime, I do have a few new SSR pics in the link in my signature (mostly of the 1 BR). I'm hoping to add more in the next few days after I recover from my return to reality......
