Just returned from our first trip home to SSR

[oakmanner]

and have a few thoughts to share...

My wife and I had a studio in the Grandstand area of the resort. We were in one of the buildings accross the parking lot from the Back Stretch pool. A little inconvienent but we got used to it. Our balcony overlooked the golf course and afforded us a view of the workers constucting the Tree House Villas. This was cool, I took some pictures and I'll try to put them up later.

The room was perfectly clean and ready for us. I've read many complaints regarding Mousekeeping in general at DVC resorts but our experiance was top notch cleaning service!

The Artist Pallette offered good food that seemed more healthy than the typical Disney offerings. Flat bread pizza, salads, veggie wraps etc. were very good.

We ate at The Turf Club for one of our table service meals and were very impressed. The best food item we had was the Ceasar Salad. They cut a head of Romane lettace in half lightly grilled it to give it a smoky flavor then refridgerated it. The ceasar dressing was out of this world garlicly with chunks of cheese, delicious! We both got the NY stip steak mine was a little fatty but my wife's was perfect. Would definitly go back again.

The cast at check in and through out our stay was very freindly and helpful, really made us feel welcome.

We were also surprized at the amount of DVC merchandise availible at the store. Aside from the travel mugs, licence plates, window decals etc. they had SSR specific tee shirts for men and women, hooded sweat shirts, bathrobes, pullover wind breakers etc. Perhaps Disney is listening and expanding the DVC merchandise selection.

Some things that disappointed us:

Everything closed at 11:00. Being adults with no kids on this trip it would have been nice to get a few more drinks from the bar next to the Turf Club after 11:00. Also it would be nice if they had some sort of entertainment a piano player, comedian or something JMHO.

Bus service was outstanding. Never more than a 10 minute wait. After reading alot of negative trip reports about SSR we were very impressed and satisfied with our stay. Can't wait to go back in April and try out a 1 bedroom!

Dennis

 

[mello]

We're headed back in exactly 8 weeks. I'm especially glad to hear a good report (finally) about the buses. I totally agree with you on that caesar salad - oh my godness I was craving it this summer!

 

[carol1231]

Great to hear that you had a good experience at SSR. We love SSR, it's our favorite resort! The 11:00 closing hour isn't a problem for us, we are usually tucked in by then but for the night owls, it wouldn't be good.

 

[Jeremy&Susan]

Good to hear that you had a great time and also that buses were there for you.

It seems that buses all over Disney World seem to be hit or miss over the past few years. Hopefully Disney is listening and straightenning out the bus wait times. One of the best perkes for me is the buses and the ease of moving around the property without having to drive.

Thanks for the report and keep up the good work Mickey.

 

[bama106]

Thanks for the report. We are headed to SSR in January. This will be our first time at SSR, reading your report is very encouraging for us.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Thanks for the report. I'll be there tomorrow and I can't wait.

Oh that's right; no more Pleasure Island!!! I was just going to ask why you didn't go over there for cocktails and then it hit me...it's closed. I wonder if after all the renovations are complete will they have any sort of "night club" for the adults?

 

[LIFERBABE]

Great Report!!

DTD still has offerings after midnight, that are not in a nightclub setting. Most of the restaurants do not close until midnight and I believe a few stay open later.

They still run the busses late to DTD as well.

Can't wait to see your THV pics!

 

[smep013]

I also hate that everything at the resorts closes at 11!

 

[Disneyhappy]

Good news on the bus service. I agree about the ceasar salad at AP. It is our favorite salad in all of WDW. We get it with chicken. MMMMmmmmm!!!!!

 

[disneyistheone]

Good reading! We too were at Grandstand, right next to the pool. Loved it. For the most part, the transportation was rigfht on the numbers; never a long wait.
We liked Artist's Palette as well. I was surprised at the variety and pricing of the groceries there. I expected the prices to be high but they were actually reasonable, considering the location.

 

[robandkelly13]

glad to hear SSR was nice. We'll be staying there in Dec.

 

[sparkyboy]

Good report. This is our home resort and DH and I also stayed at the Grandstand area in May. We loved sitting on the balcony every morning watching the golfers and planning our daily activity. We can wait to hear Welcome Home and eat at the Turf again.

 

[MickeyMcMouse]

We were there last week as well (for the 4th time this year ) and just love the resort. Room was ready very early, and as always, everything was immaculate.

Agree with your thoughts regarding the "early" closing and have to say the Downtown Disney - especially the PI area is very "flat" during its transition period.

Back in planning mode for the next visit

David

 

[JESW]

Glad to hear that you had a good time!

We were at SSR for the first time in August. I will admit that I was NOT looking forward to the stay. We had recently purchased DVC and got a lot of incentive points so this year we were fortunate enough to book 3 *free* trips (lodging). We LOVED VWL and OKW and SSR did not appeal to me at all.

Well, we LOVED it!!! Took me completely by surprise how much I liked it and we will certainly stay there again. Our trip was a bit wet due to the tropical storm that passed by when we were there.

Jill

 

[M & M]

Thanks for the report and glad you enjoyed SSR. I also wish thngs were open past 11 PM.

 

[mouse]

Agree about the caesar salad at The Turf Club. It is the best I have ever had. Like to squeeze the lemon over it, too.

 

[georgemoe]

Thanks for the report Dennis. The bus update is encouraging.

We'll be there "adults only" for our first visit home early December and then again in May '09. Really looking forward too it!

 

[Silver Queen]

This is great to hear . We'll be there in early December for our first trip as DVC owners. We are two adults also but we like to get an early start when we're in"The World". I sympathize about the 11:00 closings. If you arrive late your choices for a late dinner an be very limiting. One time when I was staying at the Contemporary my son joined me but his flight didn't get him in until 11:00. We ended up with salads from the machine that night.

 

[dizney4us]

We were at SSR last week too and had a great stay. Been home a few days and we are discussing how much we wish we were back at SSR. We love Artist Palette too, last February while staying at BWV, we went to SSR to enjoy its beauty and a dinner at AP!
PS....love your idea of a piano in the bar area, that would fit right into the classy feel of the resort!

 

[Laneychris]

Great report, glad you had a good time!