Should I make a room request at SSR?

[SnowWhitee]

Hubby and I are staying at SSR next week to celebrate our 10th anniversary. It's our first kid-free trip. On family trips I always plan everything out, including making room requests. This time I wanted to take a more laid back approach and have not done much planning.

Should I make a room request for SSR next week or take my chances? What would you do?

My original thought was not making a request keeps the options open and maybe we'd even get a room upgrade (we booked a studio). Now I'm worried they'll try sticking us way out in Carousel.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Are you renting a car? Because if you are, its easy enough to drive over from the Carousel. I would put the walk from the Carousel to the main area of SSR at about ten to twelve minutes for two adults walking at a leisurely pace. The upside to that location, it would be very quiet! I can't remember if the Carousel has its own quiet pool, but if it doesn't its pretty close to the Paddock's. I know the Carousel has its own bus stop.

If you decide to put in a request, for me if I were going with my husband, just the two of us, I'd actually want the Paddock. I love that area, its quiet, its early in the bus route and its only about a five minute walk across a bridge to the Main area. I also might want the Congress Park section since its the closet to DTD so easy access for all of that. However, Congress Park is often requested, I don't think the Paddock is, but to me its sort of the perfect location. Not too close to the main areas, not too far away.


You could always just call and say "put me anyplace but the Carousel" if that section really doesn't appeal to you! Have a great trip!

 

[SnowWhitee]

Thanks! We will not have a car - Disney transportation all the way.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks! We will not have a car - Disney transportation all the way.

Then I would request either the Paddock or the Grandstand. GS is #1 on the bus route, Paddock is #2 (I think). In any case, the Springs is the last stop and sometimes the busses are crowded by the time they reach that one.

I have to say, I have always had the best bus service at SSR. We stayed there twice without a car and just really thought it worked out fine (once in the Paddock, once in the Springs).

Its a spread out resort but there are paths to connect you to all the areas pretty easily and you can always hop on a bus to get to the main area from another area easily. Since the main area is the last to be picked up, you know any other area's bus stop will take you to the Springs! Its a lovely resort to stroll around and they have carriage rides. I always tell my husband someday he and I are going there alone without the kiddies!

Oh and since you don't have a car, SSR is great for when you dine at other resorts. You can get right over to DTD and hop on whatever resort bus you need to get to. And the Turf Club is pretty easy to get into last minute, their outdoor patio is so nice for a late dinner.

 

[SnowWhitee]

Wow, I did not know there were carriage rides at SSR. I had always heard about them at POR/POFQ. Do you know where I can read about them at SSR or get more info?

 

[Amy&Dan]

Okay, I am embarrassed! I was almost certain that they had carriage rides there, I thought I remembered seeing one during one of our stays. But I can't find a thing about it. I called my husband to see if he remembered and he said he had never seen one. So I must have been dreaming.

I am so sorry, I do know they have them at POR and Ft. Wildnerness. I promise my other info is accurate!

 

[brcworks]

First of all, there IS a carriage ride at SSR... at least there was last time I was there.

Secondly, the room you get is largely dependent on how full the resort is when you check-in. Requests are not guaranteed... your best bet is to get there early, and wait for a room to open in the area you like if necessary.

 

[SharonZ]

I never make room requests, and have never been disappointed. I stayed at SSR in December and was in the Paddock Section. I absolutely loved it! I thought the bus system worked very well while I was there and enjoyed the walk accross the bridge to Artists Palate or the Turf Club (which I thought was excellent). Keep in mind that the ferry can take you to DTD in less than 10 minutes.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

If I were you I'd request an area. Just take a look at the resort map and try to find the area that fits your needs best. We were in Congress Park and really enjoyed our view of DTD and Pleasure Island. Also I've heard many people enjoy The Springs because it's so close to the main pool and food areas. Have a great trip!!!

 

[DISNEYNY]

We stayed at SSR last August in the Grandstand section. We really enjoyed the quiet pool in that section. Being first on and off the bus was great too. As I remember when we were checking in we told the CM what section we preferred and she checked availability at that point. I believe I read that rooms at the DVC's are not assigned ahead of time. They will tell you what is available when you arrive.

 

[Amy&Dan]

First of all, there IS a carriage ride at SSR... at least there was last time I was there.

Secondly, the room you get is largely dependent on how full the resort is when you check-in. Requests are not guaranteed... your best bet is to get there early, and wait for a room to open in the area you like if necessary.

OMG, thank you! I really thought I had lost my mind. I remember that when we stayed there in January of 2006 with my inlaws seeing a carriage one day with my daughter and dh's cousin. I even called SSR last night (I am weird) and they told me they don't have carriage rides. Although this was clearly some central operator who wasn't actually at SSR, she had to look up SSR's recreation options and it wasn't listed. So they must have discontinued that. I didn't notice them when we pool hopped over there last week or when we stayed there in October of 2007.

 

[SnowWhitee]

Thanks to you all! I'm still mulling things over, but I appreciate your input.