Long time no post; opinions wanted on SSR GV

[gopherit]

Been a member here since practically Day 1 but been a long time since I've posted (maybe 2013?!?) Since then, the Gopher brood has significantly aged (along with this gopher-rama-mamma) and it seems the difficulty of booking a family vacation has only increased along with our ages! College kids with summer jobs and spring break plans, high schooler with sports tourneys and college tours, elementary kid with a school calendar and truancy officer ever-watching, and lest I forget... me and Mr. Gopher still gotta work to pay for all that fun and frolic... leaves little time for vacay planning like I *used* to have. Woe unto me to find Disney has NOT made that any easier. I USED to book at my 11 mos window... adjust at the 7 mos as needed. Now ... I'm lucky to know our availability 4-5 mos ahead. So now that we did in fact find a time we can reconvene in WDW... the trouble is, not much is available for our dates. We are a fam of 6 (me and Mr. Gopher, plus 2 sons aged 22 and 20; daughter 17 and another son aged 7... he came free with the first three...).

OUR OPTIONS (for a 6 night stay):
SSR Grand Villa Preferred View
SSR Grand Villa Standard View
SSR 2 BR Preferred View
SSR 2 BR Standard View
Poly Bungalow
TreeHouse Villa

There are some "patches" of availability that have cropped up now and then - 3 days in Kidani in a 2BR savannah view... or 2 or 3 days in a BW GV... but not enough to say "wait list me!"and feel like we could actually get the whole 6 nights. So of those options listed - I'm inclined to just go ahead and book the preferred view SSR GV. I'd appreciate thoughts on that. I know that they have a slew of those at SSR (36?)...where are the preferred views located? And I've heard all sorts of issues about the bungalows... and was frankly concerned about the distance to most transportation from those already. I'd rather not split our stay - yes I've done it before but we are already doing a relo to Universal Studios, so I'd like to keep the resort hopping down while at Disney.

Input on the SSR GV (specifically preferred view) appreciated, and then maybe secondarily on the bungalows (if I'm offbase with my fears) or treehouse villas (those seem too remote for my crew... they wanna be more "connected" to the WDW environment).

Just FYI - we've stayed at BWV, BCV, (the resort formerly known as VWL, LOL), SSR (a 2BR in Congress Park); OKW, Kidani (savannah view). Would have loved to have locked in on a more park-conducive resort (BW is actually our home resort but heck if I was ready to book anything at 11 or even 7 mos out). But it is what it is!

THANKS!

 

[BobNed]

The booking categories at SSR aren't really "views" so much as "locations". Two of the sections, Congress Park and The Springs are considered Preferred Locations. Congress Park because it is closer to Disney Springs, and The Springs because it is close to the main pool, restaurant, etc. Some would consider the other sections to be better locations, including the Grandstand. Take a look at this thread for pros and cons of each area of SSR. I would not use my points on a preferred location. https://www.disboards.com/threads/ssr-lovers-and-owners-part-3.3303265/

 

[hakepb]

I'd certainly consider the Poly Bungalow...if your children would be agreeable to the sleeping arrangements.
There's no better, straight-on view of the MK castle from any other room on property.
(Yes, I'm still a bit in awe from the tour I took last summer...I know they wouldn't be perfect for every trip to WDW, but I would like to try one)

Transportation isnt much different than the distance from BCV or VWL to their boat transportation.
At Poly, you can walk to the TTC to the Epcot monorail, or take the boat or monorail to MK.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'd certainly consider the Poly Bungalow...if your children would be agreeable to the sleeping arrangements.
There's no better, straight-on view of the MK castle from any other room on property.
(Yes, I'm still a bit in awe from the tour I took last summer...I know they wouldn't be perfect for every trip to WDW, but I would like to try one)

Transportation isnt much different than the distance from BCV or VWL to their boat transportation.
At Poly, you can walk to the TTC to the Epcot monorail, or take the boat or monorail to MK.

The problem with the bungalows is that they have two murphy beds (one in the living room, one in the second bedroom). They might be okay for the seven yr old, but unless the 17 yr old daughter is shorter, she might be uncomfortable on one. That leaves one queen bed and one queen sleeper sofa for the two older sons.

 

[Donna M]

Go with the GV, either category. You need the space and extra bedroom. The bungalows are too small for your group, and way too many points, IMHO. The preferred would probably be good for your ages since the "kids" may like to head over to DS. A 2bd would work, but since you seem to have the points, go with the GV. You'll be glad you did.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I'd do a SSR GV and request Congress Park.

 

[Perelandra]

We are a family of 6 and the SSR 2BR is plenty big enough. I would save the extra points for another trip or rent them out to pay for this one. With your kids ages a preferred room at Congress Park would probably be best.