We're a family of 5 and will be staying at SSR the last week of June.
I'm a little concerned about getting around as we won't have a car.
I've heard that "Springs" is a nice section for proximity to check in, restaurants, etc. I've also heard that it's the last stop on the bus route & that the buses might be "standing room only" during busy times of year by the time they reach this particular section.
Could anyone tell me if it's plausible to walk over to the Grandstand section to catch a bus into the parks during busy times of the day/year? I can't exactly visualize how close/far each section is in relation to the others from the maps I've seen with regards to walking distance. I'm considering requesting Springs for proximity; or the Grandstand for bus availability. (I know our request will only be granted based on availability.) Another choice would be The Paddock for the pool (kids aged 7 & 11), tho I'm concerned we could be situated a great distance from same...
I also wonder about getting bkfst for the kids in the AM... I understand there is no rm. service. How long/far is the walk to pick up bkfst at Artist's Palette then back to a room at say Grandstand or Congress Park? Guaging from the map that doesn't seem a viable possiblilty at the other sections of the resort. Is that correct?
I've been told there is pizza delivery from outside vendors. Are there any options for food delivery within the resort? We'll be on the dining plan, so would prefer not to have to pay out of pocket for meals, but I'm sure there will be times when we're dead dog tired yet the kids have to eat...
Any comments, suggestions, etc will be greatly appreciated since we've never been to SSR and need all the help we can get in planning.
One more question: I've tried to reserve a table at the Turf Club for dinner for a night or two while we're there, but the WDW website shows no availability at times that are convenient for the kids to eat on a few of the days. Is it usually possible to just walk up & request a table for 5? I'm not sure tables are unavailable because it's such a large resort & the TC is the only TS restaurant, if it's due to being totally booked, or if it's "just because" and we might stand a chance...
Thank you for taking the time to read this rather long post & responding.
I may be mistaken on specifics, but I believe SSR is one of the largest resort areas in all of WDW. It's
huge. The walking distance from the Paddock to the Artist's Palette is likely exceeded only by the distance from the
Carousel. Our first stay at SSR was in the Paddock, and walking to the main lobby was a
hike, on top of the fact my mom had a broken foot and was at times in need of a wheel chair I chauffeured for her (gasp, wheeze
). Unless you're staying in the Springs, I don't know that I would
rely on the ability to walk to Artist's Palette
and back to pick up breakfast and not end up finding it cold on your return - unless you're just picking up cold cereals or things like that. When we go to breakfast at AP, we just eat there.
I, personally, wouldn't want to make a practice of walking from the Springs over to the Grandstand every day just for a shot at early seat choice on the buses. In our three visits to SSR, we have,
at times found the buses a little full, but I can't recall there ever being a time where we
could not board a bus because it was maxed out. The Springs bus stop is right across from the Carriage House, and one year we were assigned a room (oops, villa) in the first building that was
ridiculously convenient/close to that bus stop. It was almost like cheating
For me, I would favor locating at the Springs and taking my chances with bus capacity. The flip side would be to reside somewhere at, say, the Carousel, and discovering a late-night need to go to Artists Palette (which also doubles as a convenience store) or the check-in desk to resolve some issue, but that walk wouldn't be very appealing.
Other folks might disagree with some or all of what I've posted here, but that's my experience. We hope to be assigned to the Springs, and perhaps secondarily to Congress Park with its proximity to Downtown Disney. The Paddock area is nice, but it and the Carousel are the most remote from the Carriage House, and thus somewhat less preferable in my book.
I hope that helps. We have thoroughly enjoyed SSR, think its a seriously underappreciated venue at WDW. Looking forward to a return trip this summer!
Have a great time!
You don't mention what kind of room you're considering, but if you can snag it, a room with a kitchen would allow you the option of making light breakfasts in the room. That's what we do, and also a big reason we don't do
DDP.
In the three times we've visited SSR, I've not known of any Disney-based food service delivery.
I can't offer any advice on the Turf Club, as we've never eaten there.