Please tell me we will like SSR!

[MrsG]

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!!!

First let me say, our favorite resort is BCV. That being said, we have also stayed at BWV, BLT, and SSR. We also had misgivings about SSR, but we bought in because of great incentives. We stayed at SSR one time because we had gotten developer's points that had to be used there. I have to say we were very pleasantly surprised. It is beautiful and serene. The walk to DTD is great, the buses were great, and overall we had a wonderful time. We stayed there a second time for a few days before a cruise and again had a great stay. So don't worry, you will really enjoy it.

 

[a742246]

SSR is an excellent resort, make sure for take the time to eat ice cream
at Ghirardelli's in DTD. Hint share a banana split.

 

[DonnaL]

I agree with RumpleMom....all DVC resorts have different appeal. I also agree with her about BCV.....we really expected to like it there much more than we actually did. I don't see us staying there again.....not anything wrong with the place....just didn't suit us. We have stayed at mostly all of WDW resorts and at VB...which we liked very much for the relaxation benefit. I also did not really care for BLT......I personally felt it was a very cold and unwelcoming resort....lots of stainless and cold surfaces......I won't say we won't stay there again because my adult children did like it there.....however, I won't be in a big rush to book there again. We do especially like VWL for it's wonderful lodge appeal, BWV for the proximity to both Epcot and Studios.....I love a higher floor canal view facing the Studios at BWV, and SSR for the wonderful grounds, landscaping, room decor and ease of getting to your room. We've stayed at AKV/Jambo House and will be staying at Kidani on our upcoming March trip......we do really love the decor at AKV, but, since we're planning on using Disney transport during the March trip I'm wondering whether we will find it too far removed from everything else. We have not stayed at Treehouse Villas either.....again I would be hesitate to stay there unless we have a rental car for that particular trip. We're looking forward to some time in the future staying at HHI.....probably after we're retired and will be driving we'll make it a point to stop over at HHI on our way to or from WDW for a few nights.

 

[supersuperwendy]

I hope you will love it as much as we do! My husband and I just returned from our second trip to SSR. Our first visit was in Aug. 2009 in a 2 bedroom in The Grandstand. We all LOVED that trip. Our kids really enjoyed both pools at The Grandstand and High Rock Spring. This time it was just hubby and I in a studio in Congress Park. We loved the location of our villa. We had a DTD view and thought the walk to The Springs area was super close and fast. We had awesome bus service last week. We never waited very long for any bus..it was FANTASTIC! The staff at SSR is super friendly and helpful too. The whole property is beautiful and peaceful and relaxing. I seriously could live there! The quiet pool in Congress Park is in a perfect location and we enjoyed every moment of sitting in the hot tub watching characters in flight go up and down!

Saratoga Springs is PERFECTION!

 

[jenavive]

We love SSR. We have stayed there numerous times in various buildings. Our favorite was The Grandstand (building housing rooms 8501-8836). There was a pool right next to the building, the bus stop was a VERY short walk, and it was not far from the main pool, check in building, and restaurant. My DH especially loves the theming. I hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[Cisco]

We're often trying to make reservations at the last minute and normally SSR is the only resort with availability. However, that suits me just fine as I love the place.

 

[brerbear]

Saratoga was our first purchase into DVC and we have stayed there on four separate occasions since 2006. Our favorite section is Congress Park because of it's proximity to DTD; the pool In Congress Park provides great views of DTD. My wife has family in the real Saratoga, and the resort has much of the same vibe...very well done on Disney's part. Aside from Boardwalk's location, Saratoga Springs is our favorite DVC resort to date.

 

[Carl'n'Ellie'sDad]

All the other responses have hit the key points--enjoy the DTD Marketplace, the spacious grounds, HRS pool, etc. I'll plug two things -- Characters in Flight (the balloon ride) at DTD West Side is pretty much a 10-minute Soarin', only better, definitely not-to-be-missed. You also should be nosy and explore the Treehouse area, which is maybe a 10 minute walk from the Carriage House -- it may inspire another SSR stay.

If you don't have a car and are impatient with transportation, if you come from the Northeast, and if you don't like shopping at DTD, you might not be crazy about SSR. If none of those apply, I'd be willing to bet you'll love SSR.

 

[Madhatter266]

Our 5 year old grandson loved the Community Hall. We had a difficult time explaining that there were other things to see and do - such as the Parks. He would have been willing to stay there all day!

 

[Td1290]

We are heading for our first visit in August. It is interesting to see what overs have to say. I hope we like it too. We are not doing the parks this time, but getting a car and doing SW and Universal. I imagine that factors in since Disney transportaion is a non issue

 

[maciec]

We stayed there last October and I was all set to completely hate staying at our home resort SSR. We ended up loving it! The big sell for us was being so close to DTD. It was wonderful. Our kids were 7 and 9 at the time of the trip and they loved the pools. We stayed in the Grandstands and loved being the first bus stop. The walk to the main building was 5 minutes and the same for the boat dock.

What I don't like:
Artists Palette - didn't care for the food
Busses - it felt like we were on the bus forever! Never had to stand (I think we were lucky)

My kids really want to stay at BCV if we can get in for the October, but I don't think it's going to happen. Their next choice is SSR.

 

[kam0202]

We love SSR. We have stayed there numerous times in various buildings. Our favorite was The Grandstand (building housing rooms 8501-8836). There was a pool right next to the building, the bus stop was a VERY short walk, and it was not far from the main pool, check in building, and restaurant. My DH especially loves the theming. I hope you enjoy your trip!

- Beautiful grounds, peaceful, quiet, safe - I took a 3 mile loop jog every night we were there; lots of couples walking home from DTD and several playgrounds for kids to play on
- Rooms were well decorated, comfortable (DH and I slept on the sofa bed to allow our boys to sleep in the 1 bedroom king)
- Loved the pool area; great for toddlers and young kids - never crowded or loud
- Fitness/Gym was HUGE; always empty - loved to work out without having to wait my turn with weights or machines
- If we didn't walk to DTD, we took the quick ferry ride and also toured the tree house villas
- No issues with bus, but have also had our car to drive to MK

We've stayed at 3 of the other resorts; all have their perks and theme/feel.