Please tell me we will like SSR!

[homedad]

A bit of a last minute planned trip for us and the two choices were OKW and SSR for early April. We've stayed at the BWV, BCV for our previous DVC visits and WL before we were DVC.I requested a room close to main pool for dd7 and ds9. I know I shouldn't stress and just be happy were going but I'd like to hear the good and bad. TIA!!!

 

[culli]

A bit of a last minute planned trip for us and the two choices were OKW and SSR for early April. We've stayed at the BWV, BCV for our previous DVC visits and WL before we were DVC.I requested a room close to main pool for dd7 and ds9. I know I shouldn't stress and just be happy were going but I'd like to hear the good and bad. TIA!!!

I love SSR, only drawback for me is I like to walk to EPCOT every night. SSR is my favorite resort except for the walking to EPCOT and DHS. My ideal resort would be to pick up SSR and place it where the Swan/Dolpin is located......those are such an eye sore. But you can see them from the airplane and allowed me to show my kids (and my Mom) where we are staying!

At night it is fun to wander to DTD everynight and just walk around. We are walkers and like the idea of "getting away" from everything Disney if we want at SSR. I like the "condo" feel parking outside your unit, the open spaces, great pool. They have a nice rec facility and workout room, I bet your kids will love the SSR area with lots to do.

With all that said, I love EPCOT and that area will always be #1 to me becasue of that aspect. We have stayed at VWL and would prefer SSR over that resort too - much better pool. My preference is based only on location becasue I hate the busses (we have 4 small kids with strollers) and we try to walk as much as we can. I just started renting a vehicle but even with that prefer to walk.

Have a blast and enjoy it, I understand where you are coming from.....but it is beautiful and you are at WDW!!!!!!!!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

A bit of a last minute planned trip for us and the two choices were OKW and SSR for early April. We've stayed at the BWV, BCV for our previous DVC visits and WL before we were DVC.I requested a room close to main pool for dd7 and ds9. I know I shouldn't stress and just be happy were going but I'd like to hear the good and bad. TIA!!!

Hope you and your family enjoy your April trip to SSR.

 

[Kymm1111]

I like both resorts but neither are my first choice (unless booking for someone else point wise ). Mainly because they are a bit far. We will be at saratoga in March and my request was to be by a bus stop for my Grandma since she is 90. The resort is clean and really nice- with easy access to downtown disney. My is really vwl and blt because of the closeness of the hot tubs at the end of the day!

 

[RumpleMom]

I have stayed at all of the DVC resorts, except BLT and SSR Treehouses.

They all have different appeal.

My order of preference is: OKW, SSR, Kidani, VWL, BWV, BCV.

I expected to love BCV because of all of thegreat opinions on the Dis, but was surprised that I don't care for it.

We love HHI and are returning to Vero after a break of ten years. I'm anxious to be there again.

Try all of the DVC resorts and don't listen to anyone's opinion. Go and form your own opinion. They are all beautiful choices.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you like the community style resort, you'll be fine. If you insist on a hotel style, you'll hate it.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think your children are at good ages to enjoy the SSR main pool and the other activities that the Community Center has. When we ate at the Artist Palette all 7 of us, 4 adults and 3 childre, found something to enjoy. I think you'll have a wonderful time. It's easy to say and hard to do, but Don't Stress over it!

There was a long line at check-in in November when we stayed, around Veteran's day. Within moments, some of the CM's came out chatting with people in line and offered Disney pirate or Princess trinkets. I was offered a tiara. It really did make the wait seem shorter! Great CM's, that was our experience at SSR.

Bobbi

 

[Sooze]

My personal favs are BWV and BCV, as someone else mentioned, because of their location and quick walks to Epcot and DHS. But I LOVE SSR! The resort is just GORGEOUS!! And has a magnificent 'vibe' to it.

I'll repeat a sentiment above, you will have to form your own opinion, but hopefully you will find it as beautiful and magical as we do!

One last point, if you have a car, IMHO, it makes staying at SSR better!!

 

[Brian Noble]

You will like SSR!

At least, if you give yourself a chance to, you will. It will be different, but you might like some things better---parking close to your unit, having a little more privacy, and a little more peace and quiet than in the hotel-style resorts. Being close to DTD gives you a few new places to try for drinks and dinner.

 

[rentayenta]

Why wouldn't you like SSR?

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

SSR is great for kids that age. My DD 10 loves being able to go to the Arcade by herself while we sit in the hot tub right outside the entrance...she feels like a grown-up. The pool with the slide is a big hit; and there's always noodles and stuff at the Community Center. Also, there are bikes to rent to ride around.
One drawback is being so close to Downtown Disney...the Lego store and World of Disney could add to your costs.

 

[culli]

SSR is great for kids that age. My DD 10 loves being able to go to the Arcade by herself while we sit in the hot tub right outside the entrance...she feels like a grown-up. The pool with the slide is a big hit; and there's always noodles and stuff at the Community Center. Also, there are bikes to rent to ride around.
One drawback is being so close to Downtown Disney...the Lego store and World of Disney could add to your costs.

Boy are you right on about the Lego store! I think my 5 year old son went into overload when we got to the Lego store. I couldn't get him to leave...I found bringing the Grandparents with me lowered my "I want" costs!

 

[eljefe45]

It's big. I think it is nice though. We used to stay at the Villas of Grand Cypress and we loved those. On a golf course, like SSR. SSR rooms are smaller than Grand Cypress but work fine. Being closer to stuff is all the difference.

 

[lanand3]

I loved staying at SSR.I thought the resort was beautiful and I actually prefer that location to all the others.I loved being able to walk along the lake to downtown and all of the dining options there.We would pack up any leftovers to bring back to room for a late night snack or a meal the next day. Oh,did I mention how much I loved sitting on the balcony at night and listening to the music playing downtown?!

 

[kikiq]

First the "bad" or what other people think are "bad"
1. Have to take buses to parks if you aren't driving.
2. The grounds are spread out, walking paths and buildings far from check - in
3. Condo style buildings rather than being connected to a hotel.

I think those are the big three that people go on and on and on about.

Now the "good" or what we think is "good"
1. It's like a neighborhood, we like that vibe. Kids can run along the river, and on the path around the lake. You can rent bikes and ride to OKW and around the SSR grounds.
2. You don't have to deal with lots of people like walking in a hotel because it's spread out. It's what my DH loves the most. He travels and a hotel just does not say "relax" to him unless he's in Hawaii.
3. The main pool is great but so is the pool at Grandstand. And the quiet pool at Congress Park has DTD views as well as a playground.
4. The community hall is one of the best on property. The CMs are wonderful. Rent bikes!
5. If you drive, you can park right near your building.
6. DTD, need I say more. Take a break from the parks, eat at Earls or Wolfgang Puck Express, rent motor boats, oh and shop...WOD and the Lego store and most nights, there's some kind of entertainment in the amphitheater. Last November, the DJ that does the West Coast DVC events was part of the amphitheater program, it was a blast.

SSR is our home resort so we're very happy there. But last minute booking, we would be happy to be anywhere if we were at Disney. Well, let me qualify that, I would be happy anywhere, my DH refuses to stay at VWL. Reminds him of camping and he does not do camping or anything that looks like camping

 

[FigmentLady]

I was upgraded from Pop to SSR last year. It was a great move on disney's part bc it is exactly why we purchased. We fell in love with the location. DTD is one of my favorite places in the world. The resort is open, and feels like a vacation community rather than just a hotel. The views are great, the pools are great, and all of the cast members were wonderful.

I never understand the people who complain about SSR, then again, I'm not a fan of BLT so I guess it's all a matter of personal taste.

 

[homedad]

thanks everyone for taking the time to post and give me your insights, just booked a flight so now we have an extra day, really looking forward to visit and resort

 

[buzz5985]

Boy are you right on about the Lego store! I think my 5 year old son went into overload when we got to the Lego store. I couldn't get him to leave...I found bringing the Grandparents with me lowered my "I want" costs!

You have to learn to steer the children in the other direction of stores like this. DS is now 14. He just saw the Lego store last year for the first time. He said - Mom can you imagine if this store was here when I was little?? Hey - what he doesn't know doesn't hurt him. He doesn't know what Disney Quest is either. What a bad Mommy I am!!!!

We enjoyed SSR - especially the proximity to DTD. Our last trip we only went to a park one day - so we spent a lot of time at DTD. We had a great time.

 

[Kerchak]

We love SSR. Great proximity to DTD - easy walking distance. Fantastic views. Amazing wildlife with otters and turtles swimming and feeding beside the bridge. You'll love it
Enjoy!

 

[~Brandy~]

We always drive, and I love parking right outside our room after a long day in the parks. SSR (and OKW for that matter) are great for this. No kids whining that their legs hurt, etc. I also like how each building has an elevator.

We loved the main pool and the Grandstand pool, and taking the boat to DTD.

On the con side, the food court is a little lame IMO, and the room seemed a bit smaller than the 1 bedrooms at other resorts.