Opinions on SSR please...

[MinnesotaChill]

Just got back and toured SSR with idea we'd like to add more points. What are other people's opinions about the resort? It seems REALLY spread out to me and like we'd do a lot of walking. Does it seem so big to those of you've who've stayed there, or is it manageable? I can't imagine having a room in one of the far off areas, the walk to the main buildings seems terrible! Is it just me?

 

[EricaLovesMickey]

I like SSR. It is spread out, but there are several bus stops so you never have to walk too far. The first time we stayed there we were really close to the main pool. The second time we were as far away as you could be, but we really didn't mind. The bus stopped outside our building and we were next to one of the other pools. I actually liked how close it is to DTD and to the grocery store outside of the world. It was very easy to run to the grocery store if we needed anything. Of course you would need a car for that perk.

 

[MinnesotaChill]

I've noticed that a lot of people love SSR because they DO drive and can park right next to their building. We never drive (long way from Minnesota) and I was thinking that with little kids, I feel more "exposed" at SSR for their sake. That might seem strange, but at some of the other resorts the outside world is much further away. I am more inclined to think I'd let them run down to the Boardwalk in a few years when we had a BW view, thinking no one would likely "get them" than I would let them run to the main buildings at SSR where they could be snatched and put into a car. Maybe I am overthinking this...

Are there others who don't drive to WDW that also love SSR? What are your reasons?

 

[MinnieGirl33]

We just returned from our first SSR visit (usually at OKW) where we stayed in the Springs.

We had an absolutely fabulous time but DH & I were discussing whether or not our perceptions would be different had we stayed in the Paddock. Would we love it quite as much?

I think alot depends on your circumstances. Are you adults only or are you traveling with kids? Do you rent a car or rely solely on Disney transportation. What kind of trip are you looking for? Lots of park time or lots of pool time? Does the theming appeal to you? Lots of factors play into why our favorites are our favorites.

We've been talking about doing another add-on as well. For us, the extra 12 years makes it a no-brainer plus we feel that SSR is maturing so nicely that it is only going to keep getting better.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[DVC Grammy]

We enjoy all the DVC resorts, so adding on at SSR was prompted by the extra 12 years. We only use Disney transportation, so that wasn't even a factor. Although we're "empty nesters" and it's doubtful that we will reap those extra 12 years, we have little grandkids, and they and their parents were our motivation. We're all WDW-crazy!

 

[magicmommy]

I have stayed twice in the Springs and once in the Paddocks. I enjoyed both. The Paddocks had the quiet pool and we were close to the bus stop. It was also a lovely walk across the bridge and thru the Springs to the main building.

 

[3DisneyKids]

It is large, no one will dispute that. We absolutely LOVE SSR...but we also always have a car, so that makes a big difference. We have stayed at OKW and said that we would never stay there without a car, so I guess that same line of thinking should hold true for SSR. However, to date, we have only stayed in the Springs section...and we really were in the building that was most close to the pool, AP, etc. and that was awesome.

Those 12 years sure are tempting, huh?

As for the "outsdide" world coming in...well, I don't think anyone can say that one DVC resort is "more safe" than another. Your example was BW...well, many Disney vactioners come to the BW for food, entertainment, etc. However, only people staying at SSR are likely to be there (not a lot of "regular" vactioners would just come over to SSR, where BW gets a large draw), so...I don't think the whole safety thing makes as much sense to me.

 

[nuts]

My four teenagers don't want to stay anywhere BUT SSR. They like the quiet spreadout feeling...plus easy walk to DTD. Yes it looks spreadout...but the walks aren't as bad as you think. We actually found it took less time to walk to the main building from the Paddocks then it took for us to walk to the lobby from BWV (talk about long hallways ).

SSR is quiet, even when fully booked. You don't feel as cramped in as the other resorts.

 

[Caskbill]

I've actually measured some of the resorts, using my GPS receiver, as we walked around. Have posted some reports here on the DIS. Unfortunately the OKW one isn't available as it was lost when servers were changed a couple of years ago.

However, just FYI, SSR is not as spread out as OKW is. SSR (currently) is more compact. If you want to get a good feel for OKW, try walking from the Millers Road bus stop to building 55, where the pathway to DD begins. You'll find that walk across property is longer than a similar walk across the width of the SSR property.

One other thing is location of the main areas. For example, the main pool at SSR is closer to the furthest SSR buildings than the main OKW pool is to the furthest OKW buildings. This is probably because the OKW main pool is not anywhere near the actual center of the resort, and also because you have to walk around the end of the waterway before you can turn back and go to the pool.

Note that all comparisons are walking distances, not straight line distances.

Now when SSR is completely finished and the outer buildings are done, it might be different. Another reason to go back and do some measurements....

 

[Dennyha]

We had our first stay at SSR in Sept. We loved it. We were also in Congress Park. The room was immaculate (with a towel sheep waiting for us on check-in). When I made the reservation, I told them this was our 23rd anniversary. When we got back from the parks on Saturday, there were balloons in our room, along with a card from Mickey and Minnie withing us a Happy 23rd Anniversary. The card included an autographed photo of Mickey and Minnie (very cool).

I timed the walk to the main pool as 5 minutes, and the walk to the bus stop in DTD was under 8 minutes. DW and I had dinner at DTD, and a midnight stroll back to our room along the water's edge. It was very memorable.

 

[solgent]

We had our first stay in August and loved SSR. We like the pool and the decor and the proximity to DTD and the longer contract. We use Disney transport. We did request and receive a room at the Springs. But one morning before the main pool was up & running we walked across the bridge to the Paddocks section & enjoyed the quiet pool there and I thought, staying over here wouldn't be bad at all! Congress Park I am not so sure about, but I think I could live with it!

The thing is, we really don't mind walking. The kids and I are used to walking (DH, not so much!) and if it's hot we have our mister fan and I feel that part of what we like about WDW is that we know we're not in Vermont!

Regarding safety, my older girls walk around our local downtown shopping district by themselves at times. As they get older & want to do more on their own, I expect to feel comfortable with their going places at WDW the same as at home. I don't think WDW is more dangerous than where we live or less dangerous.

 

[MinnesotaChill]

Thank you so much for all of your help! I agree that the walks at the BW are nothing to sneeze at! This trip we were two room off the elevator, so I'd forgotten how long they can be! I've actually found that when they tell you at check in that you've got a great room they don't mean the view, they mean the walk from the elevators!

I'm sold! SSR... here we come!

Now, how many points..

 

[dumbo71]

Thank you so much for all of your help! I agree that the walks at the BW are nothing to sneeze at! This trip we were two room off the elevator, so I'd forgotten how long they can be! I've actually found that when they tell you at check in that you've got a great room they don't mean the view, they mean the walk from the elevators!

I'm sold! SSR... here we come!

Now, how many points..

That is a good question..... how many points. My old advice would have been you can never have too many points.

After the recent limitations on transfers and some percieved gray area on renting, I'd recommend going with what you plan to use each year and then adding 20% for a buffer.

Check those point charts to see how many points you'll need for the size unit and season and go from there. The 20% additional buffer is for when you decide the once a year trip isn't enough. With banking and borrowing you will be all set.

Welcome home and happy travels.