My first SSR experience

[Chic]

We have been members of DVC since July 2007 and SSR is our home resort. We usually book a different resort at the 7 month window so we can be closer to the parks. We just returned a few days ago from a Christmas vacation which had us staying at SSR. The only reason we stayed at SSR this trip was because nothing else was available. We were waitlisted for several other resorts but nothing ever came through for us. I'll admit that we had mixed feelings about staying at SSR. All I can say is "wow"! We were completely blown away with our home resort. The grounds are peaceful, beautiful, and well maintained. The amenities such as the pools, food services, gym, Surrey bikes, Community Hall, and shopping were excellent. The bus service was great too. We now look at SSR in a new way. In fact, we have decided to make all of our future Christmas vacations at this resort. We are very proud to call SSR home!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

I really enjoy reading posts like this about any resort, but especially SSR because it gets such bad press! I am so glad you enjoyed your stay! I remember staying at OKW (which I still love, by the way) and driving by SSR thinking, "Wow. I would love to own there some day!"

My husband and I decided when we joined that we would try all of the DVC resorts. After this summer, we will have stayed at all except BLT and HHI! It's been interesting. My favorites aren't his favorites, but we have decided that we love all of them for different reasons! There hasn't been one place we've stayed where we've said, "Yuck. We'll never be back!" Or, "We have to stay here EVERY visit!"

Again, I'm glad you had a good time at SSR, and that it was such a pleasant surprise! Those unexpected surprises are the very best!

 

[dbprimeaux]

We love SSR!! It is also our home resort!! It is very peaceful after a busy day at the parks...I also LOVE being close to DTD!!

 

[pilgrimr]

We also just got back from our first experience at SSR. It is also our home resort and we really loved it. We were at the Grandstand area and it was nice and quiet. Our patio looked out onto part of the golf course and we could see the river and boats pass through. We really enjoyed it and are looking forward to doing it again. We are thrilled to call it home. We are going to try other resorts and see how they are but it will be hard to beat.

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

Thanks for sharing your experience. We are considering trying to book for next Christmas at SSR and have never stayed there although it is our home resort.

 

[alldiz]

Thanks for posting your positive SSR experience

I also really enjoyed my stay there....and if I couldn't get WLV over Christmas....SSR is a great place over xmas....Nice to be away from the hustle and bustle.
Kerri

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

That's what it's all about -- variety. We bought SSR sight unseen in 2005 after touring the Boardwalk Villas the previous year. For us, SSR works. We like the quiet, the low profile of the buildings (not hotel-like), and the grounds (where you can spy wildlife in the a.m. -- can't wait to see what staying at THV will bring).
We're proud to call SSR home. Glad you gave it a try.

 

[D&R love Disney]

We also just had our first stay at SSR where we've owned for 3 years. It was very nice, we were in Congress Park and loved the pool there. The bus service wasn't great so I just used the car.

 

[sparkyboy]

Glad that you had a wonderful experience at SSR. We certainly enjoy our home resort and like that it is quiet when we come home at night.

 

[Silver Queen]

We recently returned from our first DVC vacation where we stayed at SSR (our home resort). We were very, very pleased. As previous posters noted, it's quiet, lovely and doesn't have the "hotel" feel. We'll look forward to coming back (and trying the other resorts too!).

 

[Chellymouse]

SSR is our home resort also and we love it! DH was very impressed with his first trip "home" and can't wait to go back!

 

[thelionqueen]

I think SSR is beautiful as well. If we as DVC owner's have to book SSR as a "last resort" (when nothing else is available) sounds like we will always stay in some kind of paradise!
Thanks for the review!

 

[DisneyBuffinDE]

I'm glad to hear about others liking SSR. We are going in Feb 10-15 and I was worried after hearing some of the previous feed back. Now I'm looking forward to going. Thanks for the info.

 

[corky441]

I also have great things to say about my home resort - SSR.

My DH & I stayed there for the first time just a few weeks ago. I can only say that I am sooooooo happy not to have listened to all the nay sayers out there.

This resort is a wonderful home away from home. The peace & quite of early morning having coffee out on the balcony was fantastic. I really felt like I was tucked away in some beautiful spa for the weekend.

After hours and hours at the parks each day - it was great to come back in the afternoon to freshen up for the evening and enjoy our home.

the bus transportation was great too - considering the horror stories I had heard I was very apprehensive.
let them say what they want - I love my home and can't wait to return. Talk about Disney's best kept secret.....

 

[Meishanoel]

Animal Kingdom is my home resort. I didn't think I would want to stay at another property after staying here. I love my home resort.

This past September when we were there we had our guide give us a tour at Saratoga Springs. We will now be checking in at Saratoga Springs this February.

It is a beautiful resort with a relaxing, laid back atmosphere. Looking forward to it.

 

[nuts]

People, stop it!!!!
Stop braggin up SSR! We want to keep it exclusive

 

[kikiq]

People, stop it!!!!
Stop braggin up SSR! We want to keep it exclusive

And don't forget the Turf Club as another best kept secret TS. Oh, how about how convenient it is for those who golf or like views of the golf course. I'd like to try another resort this summer and my DH doesn't want to leave SSR.
He doesn't want to give up his morning walk around the lake with his cup of coffee.

 

[soozer52]

People, stop it!!!!
Stop braggin up SSR! We want to keep it exclusive

You ain't kiddin'. My daughter and I stayed there 2 weeks ago in a 1 bedroom and we just loved it. Very serene in the late afternoon watching the egrets at the lake and enjoying some wine. The sunsets were beautiful. Can't wait to go back

 

[kjjlouie]

I can't say enough about our stay at SSR. We had a great time, and we were in the Carousel section (farthest away). One of the great things about having so many units is that your chances of getting into a unit before 4:00 is more likely. Delta changed our flight time from California, and we landed in Orlando at 5:00 A.M. Of course, my family was exhausted because we were originally supposed to fly out early and arrive in the afternoon. All I had to do was ask for a room when we arrived, and we were able to check in at 9:00 A.M.

Garden Grocer delivered the groceries promptly, and Magical Express brought our luggage within 1 hour of our check in. The room 7534 was immaculate, and the building was quiet. It was nice to come back to a quiet area after a long day at the parks.

I had to wait for a couple of buses for about 30 minutes (Magic Kingdom), but most of the buses were at our stop within 15 minutes. We put ourselves in the mind set that we were not going to rush to try to see everything because we knew that we'd be back sooner rather than later.

The parks were crazy. People everywhere. However, we just waited until Evening Extra Magic Hours, and we were able to get on all of the major rides with a wait of 30 minutes or less. After we figured this out (on the first day, by luck) we slept in until 9:00 A.M. and made our way to the parks at our own leisure. When we got to the park of our choice, we chose one ride that we wanted to go on and got a fastpass for it (usually the return time was close to closing). Then, when everyone would leave after park closing, Extra Magic Hours provided enough time for us to see the big rides.

Some examples of wait times during Extra Magic Hours: Mission Space 10 minutes. Test Track walk on. Rockin' Roller Coaster 20 minutes. Tower of Terror walk on. Star Tours 10 minutes. Expedition Everest 20 minutes. Splash Mountain 10 minutes. Big Thunder Mountain 25 minutes. Space Mountain 30 minutes. Dinosaur 20 minutes. Haunted Mansion (2x) 10 minutes. Pirates walk on. Toy Story Mania (said 80 minutes) actually waited 30 minutes.

All of this was done either after fireworks, or during Extra Magic Hours. This made our trip a bit more relaxed and more fun.

Anyways, SSR was beautiful with cranes, egrets, turtles, etc. The pool was great. The staff and service was prompt. The bell hops were attentive and informative. And, to top it off, the treehouses are going to be really cool.

Some day, I plan on staying at all of the other resorts. However, I don't feel like I have to. SSR is perfectly fine with me.

 

[Z'sDisneyMom]

Add me to the list of SSR lovers. We had our first DVC stay the week before Xmas and my family quickly fell in love with SSR: the pools, the grounds, our Congress Park 1 bedroom and the walkway to DD! Hope you SSR owners won't mind, but while SSR is not our home resort, we definately plan to return.

P.S. We never waited more than 15 minutes for a bus (even midday) and the buses were not crowded when they arrived.