Just got back from a trip that was planned two weeks before we left. All we could get was SSR and my friends were using their points so they reserved a studio. Three adults in a studio.
First we loved the location in Congress Park. The staff at the front desk & Artist Point are some of the friendliest we have encountered! We wouldn't hesitate to stay at SSR again. We did find the numbering system a bit confusing at first (we are used to OKW). What we didn't love was 3 adults in a studio! It's been a long time since we did something like this - we are used to 1 or 2 BR. Here are a few of my thoughts:
I love my friends but there is little privacy in a studio. Our first night I couldn't sleep and I would have loved to put the TV on or even a light to read a bit (without doing so in the bathroom). Too, vacations for me are all about rest (even at WDW). The sofa bed was hard which was fine for me because I'm used to a hard mattress. So for all those posters who ask about 3-4 adults in a studio, please think twice. Remember the sofa bed is a double and unless your guests (or you) are used to sleeping on a hard double bed, you won't rest well. If you are looking to impress your friends, get a 1BR (at least) or 2 studios. JMHO
This was the first time for using the DDP which we won't do again. Seemed all we did was eat (which we do anyway but it just seemed more pronounced). Even so we ended up with 5 counter service meals when we were leaving so bought a family lunch at Earl of Sandwich. The only place that the DDP worked for me was the buffets. We ate at Yachtsman Steakhouse and I ended up paying out of pocket (although we have the TIW card). I had the lobster soup and the tomato salad and was done. Credits didn't go to waste though as we had another reservation at Boma (so instead of 3 of us paying out of pocket, we only had to pay for one). Too, at Sanaa, I love the tomato soup and the bread service which aren't part of the DDP (so I gave my "dinner" to a friend). I think I used only 2 snack credits so my friends took home a bunch of rice krispie treats.
We also didn't rent a car (although had access for three days when some friends from Miami came up). It was sorely missed. We dine at resorts a lot (especially AKL & AKV). Our second morning we walked over to DTD about 8:30AM to catch a bus to AKL for breakfast at Boma to read the sign that busses don't start running until 9:00am (interesting because there were a lot of busses coming through - just not AKL). After talking to a driver, they sent a bus to pick us up. Another morning, we decided to catch what ever bus came to the stop first (at SSR) and transfer to an AKL bus at whatever park we ended up. It was a studios bus (should have waited for the AK bus). We got to the studios and were told it would probably be awhile before an AKL bus came (just don't understand this) and maybe take the AK bus (which is what we did). So we went from SSR to HS to AK to AKL. Now you know why we missed a car.
Weather was cold but it certainly didn't stop us from having fun. I felt bad for our Miami friends. One had on long underwear, turtleneck, sweathshirt, parka and two scarves (one of which was mine). I've never liked cold rainy weather here in Chicago and they aren't much better in Orlando.
SSR owners, you have a lot to be proud of. I love my BWV and my friends love their OKW but we were really impressed by the staff at SSR.
Cyn
First we loved the location in Congress Park. The staff at the front desk & Artist Point are some of the friendliest we have encountered! We wouldn't hesitate to stay at SSR again. We did find the numbering system a bit confusing at first (we are used to OKW). What we didn't love was 3 adults in a studio! It's been a long time since we did something like this - we are used to 1 or 2 BR. Here are a few of my thoughts:
I love my friends but there is little privacy in a studio. Our first night I couldn't sleep and I would have loved to put the TV on or even a light to read a bit (without doing so in the bathroom). Too, vacations for me are all about rest (even at WDW). The sofa bed was hard which was fine for me because I'm used to a hard mattress. So for all those posters who ask about 3-4 adults in a studio, please think twice. Remember the sofa bed is a double and unless your guests (or you) are used to sleeping on a hard double bed, you won't rest well. If you are looking to impress your friends, get a 1BR (at least) or 2 studios. JMHO
This was the first time for using the DDP which we won't do again. Seemed all we did was eat (which we do anyway but it just seemed more pronounced). Even so we ended up with 5 counter service meals when we were leaving so bought a family lunch at Earl of Sandwich. The only place that the DDP worked for me was the buffets. We ate at Yachtsman Steakhouse and I ended up paying out of pocket (although we have the TIW card). I had the lobster soup and the tomato salad and was done. Credits didn't go to waste though as we had another reservation at Boma (so instead of 3 of us paying out of pocket, we only had to pay for one). Too, at Sanaa, I love the tomato soup and the bread service which aren't part of the DDP (so I gave my "dinner" to a friend). I think I used only 2 snack credits so my friends took home a bunch of rice krispie treats.
We also didn't rent a car (although had access for three days when some friends from Miami came up). It was sorely missed. We dine at resorts a lot (especially AKL & AKV). Our second morning we walked over to DTD about 8:30AM to catch a bus to AKL for breakfast at Boma to read the sign that busses don't start running until 9:00am (interesting because there were a lot of busses coming through - just not AKL). After talking to a driver, they sent a bus to pick us up. Another morning, we decided to catch what ever bus came to the stop first (at SSR) and transfer to an AKL bus at whatever park we ended up. It was a studios bus (should have waited for the AK bus). We got to the studios and were told it would probably be awhile before an AKL bus came (just don't understand this) and maybe take the AK bus (which is what we did). So we went from SSR to HS to AK to AKL. Now you know why we missed a car.
Weather was cold but it certainly didn't stop us from having fun. I felt bad for our Miami friends. One had on long underwear, turtleneck, sweathshirt, parka and two scarves (one of which was mine). I've never liked cold rainy weather here in Chicago and they aren't much better in Orlando.
SSR owners, you have a lot to be proud of. I love my BWV and my friends love their OKW but we were really impressed by the staff at SSR.
Cyn
