Our first extended family trip to SSR- really long

[amandaC]

A few months ago my family M, DS, DBIL, DNiece, DNephew, DH and 2 DS decided to spend the New Year in Orlando. We chose 4 days at Universal for the front of the line benefit over NYE and then to SSR. Was surprised to get a 2 BR lock-off and a studio fairly last minute.

First off- awful, awful stay at Royal Pacific Resort. That's all I'll say.

Moved to SSR at 10:30. Easy check-in. Great bell service. Room wasn't ready. Hung out in community hall (what a nice touch) and the kids painted wooden cars. At 11:30 decided to go to DTD and checked on the rooms. The 2 BR was ready. Bell services brought us and our luggage to the room. What a great view of DTD. I love the decor of the room as well. The rooms are well insulated- didn't hear anything from DTD or from anyone outside.

We swam in both the quiet pool and in the theme pool. Both nice but with young kids you can't beat the water slide- even I loved going on it!

By the second day of our SSR stay my son asked me why we didn't stay at SSR the whole time and all the kids said how much better they liked it at SSR.

We loved how close we were to DTD- so many dining and shopping options. We didn't have a car this trip so it was great for us when we wanted to go to B&C- we just got the BC bus from DTD.

I agree with many posters that SSR will be huge when complete, but it is so spread out it doesn't feel big. I also agree that the theming is different than many Disney resorts. At first it bothered me. But after awhile I began to find it very relaxing and peaceful.

The one thing we all agreed on was that Artist Palate did not agree with most of the palates in our group. The kids offerrings are pretty weak and although I liked the turkey with brie sandwich, I was alone in that. Hopefully, as SSR grows, AP will change.

And for those of you who are curious: how did we all get along? Well DBIL got quite sick Sunday night, followed by my niece age 6 on Tuesday. We all went home Wed, my 36th (Yikes, I am now closer to 40 than 30) birthday. Yesterday I got braces (for the 2nd time) and today I have 2 sick children home from school! Hopefully, we'll have better luck next year!

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks for the report!

 

[LIFERBABE]

Thanks for the trip report!

You are scaring me with the braces for the 2nd time comment. Im ready to have mine off and don't want to do it again.

I agree, the Community Hall has some great activities scheduled.

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Thanks for the sharing!!! Glad you a great time!

Allison

 

[Laliox]

thanks 4 the report

 

[Deesknee]

thanks for the report. Hope everyone is feeling well soon. And Happy Bday mine is Sunday. add 6 to yours and you've got mine. the big 40 was a breeze, of course I spent mine on an Ultra sound table getting the first glimpse of DD. Hope yours is as memorable (in a good way)

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

So, will you stay at the Universal hotels for FOTL again? Maybe pick one of the other hotels?

Glad you had a happy visit to SSR and I enjoyed your report! Except....for the part where your family was ill Speaking of braces, I got them at 31 for TMJ; it made a big difference for that reason. Being pregnant with 2nd DS, however, while wearing them, was not so hot

Good luck with it!
Lisa

 

[loribell]

First off- awful, awful stay at Royal Pacific Resort. That's all I'll say.

Can you please elaborate a little? We are planning on 2 rooms for 2 nights in June at the RP. Should we reconsider?

Thanks,
Lori

 

[amandaC]

Okay, here goes about Royal Pacific-
We got there at midnight. I am very allergic to animals and asthmatic. I requested a non-smoking non-pet room when I booked and called again the day before arrival to verify. Check-in took an hour- with 4 kids, all under age 6 waiting to go to bed. We were all scattered about (one room in tower 3 and two rooms in tower 2). The woman at check-in said she would move us the next day to be adjoining.
Well, at 1am we walk into our room to be greeted with the smell of smoke. I went to the phone, moved the ashtray out of the way, and called the front desk. Mind you, when I checked in I again stated I had asthma and needed a NS, non-pet room. So we were moved. (At the same time my DSister and her family were moving to another room because theirs was already occupied when she got there!)
Now it is almost 2am. Walk into new room and DH eyes are itchy. I said it was probably from traveling. I had a little trouble breathing but it could be that I was due to take my medicine. DH calls front desk to verify that the room was non-pet ans was assured it was.
Had trouble with my asthma off and on the next day. That morning we heard dogs barking and saw many in the hall.
My parents went to the front desk to complain and get us moved. Their response was that I never reqested anything- not NS, non-pet, or adjoining rooms. They also said that this is a "pet friendly "hotel and I knew that when I booked. This is what really left a bad taste in my mouth. If they had only apologized I would have been much happier. They did take off half of one nights charge for the inconvenience. They made my parents wait in the lobby so that they could accommodate our unreasonable request for adjoining rooms and we ended up around the hall from one another. I don't think I will ever stay at RPR again. Giving Loews one more chance and will go to PBH in June.

Amanda

 

[loribell]

Thanks for the info. I will not tolerate a smoking room or a pet room either, my allergies would not let me. So now I'm wondering if we should even try. Couple this with the fact that they have determined that their rooms must now be made of gold and they aren't offering much in the way of discounts and the appeal is fading quickly. We have stayed at the Hard Rock twice and although we have never had these kinds of problems the staff attitude just really gets to me. I think it is time for those hotels to come down off their high horse.

Again, thanks for sharing the info. Now I need to determine if we will stay onsite at Universal.

Thanks,
Lori

 

[amandaC]

Lori-

I did call the 800 BE A STAR # when I got home. I asked if my ressie for PBH in June was listed as NS/ non-pet. They assured me it was and she even spoke to her supervisor who said she would put a notation on our ressie. I think the key is to call and check in EARLY. I was much more impressed with PBH than RPR. Check the rates there. I am going again this June simply b/c we bought APs and my kids love it there. So, we go to Universal on the weekends when DVC points are high. Got so spoiled with FOTL that we can't go there without staying on-site.

BTW, when are you going in June? We will be at BCV from 6/12 to 6/17 and PBH 6/17-6/19.

Amanda