??s for anyone who's been to SSR in Dec/Christmas

[ellenmiele]

I'm in early planning stages for a WDW trip the first week of Dec 06. We own at SSR but have never stayed there. I know what the Christmas decorations and special touches are at the other DVC resorts but how about at SSR? Was there a big tree? Any carolers or other special events? What's the proximity of villas to the pool since Dec weather might be a little cool? I'd love to hear any feedback from anyone who's been to SSR in Dec. THANKS

 

[caspersmom83]

I was just about to post this question!

 

[lovewdwdvc]

we were at SSR, in 2004 for christmas. I do not rememberthe detailsexeptthat it was just fine. If you want to be a short walk to DTD stay at Congress. If you want to be close to themed pool and food stay at the Springs.

Any way , you will enjoy the resort. We stayed at 4 different resorts ( by choice) that stay wo I do not remember all of the details.

 

[athenna]

I'm in early planning stages for a WDW trip the first week of Dec 06. We own at SSR but have never stayed there. I know what the Christmas decorations and special touches are at the other DVC resorts but how about at SSR? Was there a big tree? Any carolers or other special events? What's the proximity of villas to the pool since Dec weather might be a little cool? I'd love to hear any feedback from anyone who's been to SSR in Dec. THANKS

I was there very early on in the Christmas season. I was there 11/27-12/5 and the World certainly was decorated! SSR Christmas decor was very subtle, but nice. Yes, there was a very nice Christmas tree in the lobby. I do believe I read that SSR had Christmas Carolers, but I think I read it was Christmas Eve or Christmas day, it is not an everday thing. There are a couple of different pools. The Springs sections is closest to the main pool, that's where I stayed this trip. I'm really got big into pools,unless it's REALLY hot, but love hot tubs!!!
The Congress Park section and the Paddocks section each have their own quiet pools w/hot tubs.
HTH!

 

[cinderminnie]

We were at SSR for Christmas time around Dec 17-23, 2005. The decorations are pretty with red poinsettas in large pots and a large decorated tree in the check in area. They have garland all around with the same theme of horses and poinsettas. Carolers were scheduled for Christmas Eve so missed that. Santa also comes on Christmas Eve to visit in the early evening.
As for the pool, we were not crazy about getting into a warm pool and then back into the cold air. It was chilly everyday we were there especially at night. Bitter cold winds! But there was people swimming in the main pool during the warmest part of the day.
We had a Congress Park room with a view of the Downtown Disney. It was nice and easy walk to main pool/area and Downtown Disney then I thought it was going to be. The Paddocks seem to be the longer walk to anything. The Springs were close to the main pool/area.
We also rented a Surrey bike and rode around the resort. That was fun and nice way to see the beautiful resort. $18 for 30 min was two times around the path.
I had so much fun planning our trip so if you need more info just let me know. If you like tours, look into the Yuletide Fantasy Tour. It was a great way to learn about Christmas traditions, other cultures, decorations and see the theme parks and resorts decorated for the holidays. It was $69.00 then DVC discount and lasted 4 hours.
Good luck planning!

 

[vascubaguy]

I'm planning an after-christmas and NYE trip to SSR. Do they have a good fireworks show at DTD that would be a good view from SSR?

Anyone?

 

[cinderminnie]

I'm planning an after-christmas and NYE trip to SSR. Do they have a good fireworks show at DTD that would be a good view from SSR?

Anyone?

I believe that I heard that fireworks at DTD would be stopped after Dec 31st because they are planning to change things like remove the stage area at PI. (Check ALLEARS.NET or WGWMAGIC.com) Now if they finish this before then perhaps they will bring back the fireworks. They did have a big fireworks show on NYE. I would think that they would still have that. You can see the fireworks from SSR very well from Congress Park area. We once were in our bed at midnight watching the quick fireworks display. Our girls thought they was neat and then went to sleep. They even pushed that the fireworks display in the SSR selling point. You think they would keep them going?

 

[ellenmiele]

Cinderminnie -- is the Yuletide Fantasy Tour just around SSR or all resorts or resorts+parks? How did you get around on the tour? What ages do you feel that it would be appropriate for?

 

[bobbiwoz]

We were in SSR in December '04 and there were plenty of Christmas caroling groups that performed in DTD. We enjoyed going there for the entertainment.

Bobbi

 

[tmt martins]

Also as I know there's a lot of NEW members for those that booked the week before did you book day by day or just wait and do the entire week

 

[cinderminnie]

Cinderminnie -- is the Yuletide Fantasy Tour just around SSR or all resorts or resorts+parks? How did you get around on the tour? What ages do you feel that it would be appropriate for?

The tour starts outside of Epcot at 8:45am. You get on a tour bus and they take you to the backlot of Epcot Countries to back of Germany. You get to walk by some of the countries as they talk about yuletide traditions from each one. Then back on the bus and you head to MGM Studios backlot. (HINT-Ask where is the purple cat) They take you to see the Osborne Lights and talk about Christmas and the movies. Next stop was Wilderness Lodge and more chat about the decorations etc. Back of bus and off to Magic Kingdom backlot (that was so cool). Take you down Main Street and talk about Walt Disney and his childhood memories. Now this was the neat part.....your next stop is the Decoration Warehouse were they store all the Disney Holiday decorations. You get to walk thru it and then see the design center. Some designers were there making last minute Christmas sprays for the hotels. They take you back to Epcot and you get a Tinker Bell pin to finish the day. That was about 1:00pm.
Now we decided to see the Grand Floridian Tree and Gingerbread house since it was NOT part of the tour. We took the monorail over from Epcot and back. That is worth doing!
As for age, I would think that a older child around 10 would like it, but it stated no one under 16. You would have to ask at WDW Tours. HINT - You can book tours thru 1-407-WDW-TOUR for Christmas NOW! They only offer this tour during the holidays. $69.00 and then Disney Visa discount knocked it down to $55.20. 20% off but the DVC discount is only 10%. And you do not have to pay for park attendance.
We did it the first day we were there and it was a great way to kick off the week. We also got a great tour guide named Carmen. She really brought her own stories into the tour and ask others to share their traditions. Very neat!

 

[Luvmyfam3]

I didn't notice a whole lot of Christmas decorations, but what they did have was very nice....(this was Dec. '04)

 

[Jimbo]

I believe that I heard that fireworks at DTD would be stopped after Dec 31st because they are planning to change things like remove the stage area at PI. (Check ALLEARS.NET or WGWMAGIC.com) Now if they finish this before then perhaps they will bring back the fireworks. They did have a big fireworks show on NYE. I would think that they would still have that. You can see the fireworks from SSR very well from Congress Park area. We once were in our bed at midnight watching the quick fireworks display. Our girls thought they was neat and then went to sleep. They even pushed that the fireworks display in the SSR selling point. You think they would keep them going?

We could easily see the fireworks from our room when we were at SSR last month. But I've gotta be honest, they were really unimpressive. DW called them PI's firework (singular) display. I think they shot off about 5 things.

It's hard to believe that the guides used it as a selling point. Anyone that bought SSR based on that was sure to be disappointed once they saw them. And, I guess, even more disappointed now that they can't see them at all.