No love for SSR?

[Mom2darlingboys]

We are considering a two week SSR/AKL split stay this August. I can't seem to find much info on SSR, amongst all other resort. Why no love? Seems like a lovely resort with lots to offer at Disney Springs.

 

[Oswin]

It's a great resort but the things I've heard from a lot of others are that it has a lack of Disney theming, they feel unsafe being that close to Disney Springs, and it's too far from the parks. My parents own DVC at SSR and we stay there a lot. Like 3-4 times a year a lot. We love this resort when we travel as a family. It is a quiet resort with a lot of amenities, and we love being able to take the boat to Disney Springs. We also love the pools at SSR and the bus service here. The travel time to the parks isn't an issue, with the exception of some AK trips feeling long. I recommend staying in the grandstand section, because it is the first bus stop picked up and dropped off for the park buses. It also has a great pool in this section with a splash area for kids, and a bar at the pool that offers food and has a drink refill station if you get the rapid refill cups. The walk to the main building is about 2-3 minutes in this section, and from there you can get some great dining, do some shopping, and visit the main pool area.

 

[bbak30]

We stayed at SSR last October and loved it! It is pretty basic, but we thought it was really nice and fit our needs. The room was clean and very spacious. I would definitely stay there again.
I never felt unsafe being near Disney Springs. And I didn't find that it took long to get to the parks either. In fact, I think the buses were awesome.

 

[dansdad]

We are considering a two week SSR/AKL split stay this August. I can't seem to find much info on SSR, amongst all other resort. Why no love? Seems like a lovely resort with lots to offer at Disney Springs.

SSR is a DVC resort and there's tons of love, and info, for SSR over on the DVC Board. http://www.disboards.com/threads/ssr-lovers-and-owners-part-3.3303265/

 

[Mom2darlingboys]

Yes, I've already read through that post. It just seems to be rarely mentioned. We've stayed at a ton of WDW resorts and thought it might be fun to try here. We love the proximity to Disney Springs, boat access and am not really concerned about distance to the parks as we regularly stay at POR. The safety issue is the first I am hearing. Not sure I would worry about that... we have never felt unsafe at Disney Springs, so that should be fine.

Just would like to hear more about how people spend their time there, and tips for managing the size of the resort. I've heard Grandstand mentioned many times. What about Springs?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

SSR is a beautiful resort with lovely pools. A lot of the lack of love for it is because as Deluxes go, it's very large, and it's not near a park.

 

[Micca]

SSR is one of our home resorts and we like it a lot. I guess it isn't themed to the hilt like some of the other resorts, but it compares favorably with any other non-Disney resort. I've never heard of any safety concerns, and while it does have convenient access to Disney Springs, it's not like you'll be bothered by the noise. Nor is there much incentive for throngs of Disney Springs visitors to roam the grounds of SSR wreaking havoc.

 

[POTCfan]

I think every resort has positives and negatives. As a previous poster mentioned, it is an all DVC resort, so more discussion happens over there in the DVC forums. It is a very large resort, and therefore easier to get into than most of the other resorts. It may suffer from people not seeing it as exclusive enough (not as difficult to get into so might not be as good). But it is a great resort - close to Disney Springs and it has some great pools. Also, because of the size it seems like it is easier to get rooms close to one another when travelling with large groups (though that could just be my limited experience of travelling with large groups).

 

[addiln]

This is one of my favorite resorts. It is a larger resort that is more spacious than the other resorts. It has a great main pool. The smaller pools are more laid back and quiet. It is with in walking distance to Disney Springs. The bus system is pretty good and it stops at all the areas of the resort so you don't have to walk far to catch a bus to the parks. If you are looking to do some golfing this a great resort for that since the course is right there as well. The one downside to this resort is that it is not very Disney themed. This can be a good or bad thing depending on who you ask. I would like to see a little more Disney at this resort.

 

[jlmorris70]

We stayed at SSR last year, grandstand section, and love it! Beautiful resort and the kids loved the pool and walking around the resort.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

We love SSR! We are also DVC and stay there every year. We like it is not so Disney themed. Feels like a break while being close to the magic. Like PP have said the bus transport we find good and a great block for that is The Grandstand. This is one of our favourite blocks also. Nice pool, mug refill , close to laundry, good parking. It might be nice for you to also walk over the bridge to Disney Springs I am disabled so I use a wheelchair. The quick service Artist Palette is nice and offers good food selection but with all of Disney Springs you are spoilt for choice! We have breakfast in our room generally and then lunch and dinner out.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Sorry - we didn't love it. It's built like a motel - all outside corridors. Definitely not the greatest in the Florida weather.
Bus transportation was pretty bad. There must be a gazillion stops within the resort. Ended up standing on many trips until we figured out to walk to an earlier stop on the route. Seemed to take forever to get anywhere.
The rooms were badly in need of upgrades and just general maintenance. However, we were there a couple years ago, so that may have changed.

 

[Micca]

BTW, a split stay SSR/AKL would be ideal. You'd be spending some time at the most lavishly themed resort, and one that is more subdued.

 

[writerguyfl]

Sorry - we didn't love it. It's built like a motel - all outside corridors. Definitely not the greatest in the Florida weather.

Just a clarification. While this resort does not have air-conditioned hallways where the entry doors are located, it is not really built like a motel. With typical motel-style exterior entries, the entry door is next to the only window in the room. This set-up severely reduces privacy. Essentially, if you want to see out your window, you have to let anyone walking by see into your room.

At Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, the windows are on the opposite side of the room/suite from the entry door. So, privacy isn't an issue like it would be at a value or moderate resort.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

My idea of a motel:
Single, or double storied building with connected rooms; has open walkways, exterior entrances.
Often Less expensive than Hotels due to lack of amenities, basic rooms, locations, etc .
Dining options at SSR are very limited compared to other DVC properties (with the exception of OKW), but Disney Springs is quite close. No room service except pizza delivery.
Just not my cup of tea - but as noted, many disagree.

 

[luvbwv]

I am at SSR right now. This is my first stay here. It is OK. The resort is huge and hard to navigate if you are not familiar with it.
The food court does not have many choices and the gift shop is small.
I personally would not stay here again. I own at BWV and have stayed at many of the resorts and been happy. SSR just is not for me.

 

[illinidp]

One of the reasons it isn't more popular is that it requires more points than OKW for a very similar experience.

 

[Juliet25]

I've stayed there twice (once was just for a night), and it's just OK. Not bad, just not as immersive as the other resorts. I've never stayed off site, but I imagine it's what an off site resort would feel like. Nice, but not Disney. (Yes, I know it's Disney. )

 

[mousefan73]

For me and just my opinion. SSR amd OKW seem like apartment complexes and like and offsite condo.

I can see though from a DVC side them offering more ( dining, poons, disney bubble) than a standard offsite condo.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The food court does not have many choices and the gift shop is small.

Deluxes do not have "food courts." If you want a food court, stay at a Value.