Quick trip - no parks - which resort?

[ktbugsmom]

I have the opportunity to go to Orlando to visit some friends the first week of March during my daughter's spring break.

My daughter (age 10) and I may go a couple days early (DH has work commitments) and I thought we would spend a couple nights at WDW using our points (probably 2 - maybe 3 nights). Crazy - but I want to relax on this trip - so I already told DD no parks - just fun pool time.

I called DVC today and can get a studio at WLV, SSR, OKW and AKV (I know - that could change by tomorrow). We just stayed at AKV in January 2010 - so we want something new. We have have stayed at WLV and OKW - but it has been a couple years. We have never stayed at SSR.

Any thoughts on which to choose for a mom and daughter team on a quick 3 day stay - with no park visits? Pluses/minuses?

Thanks! I am excited to add this quick trip... my DH nixed our traditional January trip... so when our friends moved to Orlando last July - I was very happy! I knew it meant I could add a trip in the near future!
Sue

 

[nolanboys]

Why not SSR. You would be a walk away from DTD for food and shopping fun. The pool is great and you and your daughter could sit and relax during the day and the walk over to DTD for dinner and some fun.

 

[quirty30]

I think SSR is a great choice for a no parks visit. It's a beautiful resort and the proximity to DtD is a nice option so close by.

 

[ktbugsmom]

I was thinking that might be a good option - but I am nervous about how big the resort is.

I remember staying at OKW when my daughter was little. It was a hike to the main pool... is it the same at SSR? It appears that way.

So - if we want to be close to the main pool - which is the best building to request? (Understanding of course that it is only a request and can not be guaranteed.)

Sue

 

[Cee]

I would request Springs to be near the main area. The Paddock would be my second choice, but the Grandstand has a great pool all it's own. I've done many non-park trips and SSR is definitely the way to go. Have fun!

 

[Dizny Dad]

SSR - Shopping!

 

[ktbugsmom]

I think pool time and shopping will be fun. To be honest, since we normally stay over at AKV or BWV (where we own points) - we have not been to Downtown Disney in a couple years - so I am excited to check it out again!

Now I just have to figure out the logistics of getting us there... my daughter and I can leave on a Tuesday after my last class for the day. My husband will be in a city 3 hours from us for work - so he will fly out of that town on Thursday morning... But, with Magical Express - we can get to the resort no problems. He can then take a cab... no need for a car.

Now I am excited! Thanks all. SSR will be fun to check out and since we are not doing the parks - it will be neat to spend some time just looking around.

 

[maburke]

Now I just have to figure out the logistics of getting us there... my daughter and I can leave on a Tuesday after my last class for the day. My husband will be in a city 3 hours from us for work - so he will fly out of that town on Thursday morning... But, with Magical Express - we can get to the resort no problems. He can then take a cab... no need for a car.

You know that he can take ME, too, right?

 

[a742246]

Why not SSR. You would be a walk away from DTD for food and shopping fun. The pool is great and you and your daughter could sit and relax during the day and the walk over to DTD for dinner and some fun.

I agree with this SSR, would be the best for a no park vacation.

 

[ktbugsmom]

Cool! I was not sure if DH could take Magical Express and did not want to break the rules or start any flaming. That would be awesome! Also - I talked DH into three nights at the resort - and 3 nights at our friends. They have to work during the week anyway and their son is in school (different spring break time) - so yeah for 3 days! Now you all have me excited for SSR. It looks lovely. I can't wait!

 

[ktbugsmom]

I booked 3 nights at SSR today! I am so excited.

I almost could not get the first night I needed, but told the MS person, I would split the stay and stay someplace else the first night. He put me on hold and found me one more night so I would not have to switch. Very cool! he said the computers were having issues - so maybe he was able to manually find one night - which was very kind of him. His name was Darren! Very helpful!

Thanks for all of your help. I can't wait to get out of the Wisconsin cold!

 

[OhioDVC]

Definitely SSR - short walk to downtown Disney,a great Spa and gym

 

[thepops]

I agree with SSR .... A little SPA time for the ladies would be a very nice park alternative.

 

[FindTheMickeys]

Since SSR is my home resort, I tend to lean that way. The Springs puts you within a short walk to the main pool. Congress Park has a pool too but it doesn't have a slide. But the views of DTD at night from the balcony across the water is breathtaking!! And Congress Park is a very short walk to DTD.
That being said, if it were me taking my grandsons, I would vote for the Springs for the close walk to the main pool and hop a bus to DTD when necessary.
Enjoy your visit at SSR and with your friends.

 

[ktbugsmom]

Thanks again to everyone. I am so excited to stay at SSR!

Two more quick questions - I realize that room requests are not guaranteed - but I requested the Springs area - for the pool as my daughter is 10 - and it will just be the two of us for the first 2 nights - so I thought that would be most convenient. But - are the odds any good that I will get that location?

We also arrive very late our first night (flight gets in around 10:40pm and we are taking Magical Express) - so if we are not in that area, does someone take us by cart to our room? The thought of lugging luggage and a tired 10 year old around a huge resort at midnight does not sound appealing.

Thanks again. I just realized I am happiest booking and planning my Disney vacations!
Sue

 

[DVCSAMNH]

Thanks again to everyone. I am so excited to stay at SSR!

Two more quick questions - I realize that room requests are not guaranteed - but I requested the Springs area - for the pool as my daughter is 10 - and it will just be the two of us for the first 2 nights - so I thought that would be most convenient. But - are the odds any good that I will get that location?

I usually stay at SSR and always request one location or another. I think I requested Congress Park once and got the Springs instead. Other than that I have always gotten the section that I wanted. They seem to at least try to put you in the section that you ask for. I don't narrow down my requests too much. I have heard some chatter around the boards lately that room requests are going to be handled more at check in than ahead of time with the new computer system. I'm sure somebody else has a little more info about that and maybe some experience with it.

I don't use bell services but there always seems to be bell services folks around to help with luggage.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Requests are not guaranteed, but Bell Services is excellent and will drop you off and pick you up at your bldg. Last fall we had Manny, and he was most helpful. We requested him when it was time to leave, and he carted us to the ME stop and took our luggage over to RAC!

DTD has some excellent options! You could catch a movie at AMC, HOB has a nice happy hour (sit anywhere) with half off apps and drink specials, Trend-D ( my new favorite store) and the SSR Community Hall offers a full schedule. I have always wanted to try the floral arranging class and next time we stay I will. The spa is excellent and if you get a service, you have spa access for the entire day.

 

[rynosmom]

If you cannot get the Springs I would take Congress Park as it is super close to DTD. It has its own pool and is a short walk to the main pool.

 

[ktbugsmom]

Thanks for the insights. I guess as long as I can get a ride to our room - that will make life easier. And - the more I think about it - where ever we end up we will be fine. It will just be the two of us for 2 nights - then DH will show up for the last night. My DD and I can walk around and explore the pools! I will just be sure to bring a pool bag to lug our stuff.

Gee - do they offer mom/daughter spa options? That could be fun (but pricey!) too!

And - I am excited to shop and explore DTD with my daughter. If it rains - we can go to a movie. I am also considering Cirque. I have seen it once, but that was 11 years ago on my honeymoon! I think it is time to go again!
Sue

 

[dmbkmb]

Most definitely SSR - you are so close to non-park activities and you can enjoy the boat ride if you want too.