SSR - 1st Trip Home - Need Guidance

[justaskjul]

Hello everyone. I've been more of a lurker than a participator, but hopefully when I have some more experience under my belt, I'll have something to contribute.

We are planning a trip home next month and I have some questions about the different "sections" of SSR. (i've heard of Congress Park and I know there's a few others.)

Can someone please give me a rundown of the different areas of rooms and the pros/cons for each? Keep in mind we have daughter who will be 14 mos old when we go.

Thanks in advance for any feedback you can provide.

 

[emma'smom]

We going for the first time in June with dd 16 months and dd4. We want to know too!

 

[tinkerbell of winter]

Well let's see i'll tell you what I can. Congress Park is the area to the east of the main hall with high rock spring pool, The Springs is directly across from High Rock Springs pool, and the paddock is across the lake from the springs. We stayed in the Paddock and found the bus stops to be fairly close, we were right between two of them, the one for congress park was just as close as the second paddock stop. There was a quiet pool one building down. It's a little bit of a walk from the paddock to the main hall, if you get there late at night they will transport you to your room either via van, or cart. I really liked SSR, it's my home resort. We had a two bedroom this time, I have only stayed in a studio before, and that was at the boardwalk. I think I am now spoiled and will be saving up my points at least for a one bedroom for the next excursion. The buildings are all pretty much alike. One benefit to staying in the paddock, is that you are the first ones on and off of the buses. I'll take that in trade for the longer walk to the main hall. To get around there is supposedly an internal resort bus, but I never saw it. You can always take one of the regular buses to the springs stop if you don't want to walk to the main hall. The SSR channel on the television has all kinds of information, as well as daily activities at the resort, and they will give you a schedule of those activities as well when you check in. Enjoy your stay!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

The Springs: close to the main pool, Carriage House check in and Community Hall and Artists Palette, fitness center and spa.

Congress Park: Closest to Downtown Disney. It has a quiet pool laundry and bus stop.

Paddock: Furthest from DTD walkway and the main areas, has a quiet pool, laundry and bus stop right there.

I agree with the above poster, the Paddock is nice because of being dropped off and picked up first. We enjoyed the Paddock area very much in October, it was very quiet, we had a bus stop and quiet pool right outside our building. The walk to the main area was about 5-8 minutes depending on how much we stopped to admire this and that along the way. It didn't feel that far out to my family and since we had the quiet pool/hot tub right there, we didn't need to venture to the Main area that often anyway. We have also stayed in the Springs, which was also great as it was close to the main pool. With a small child that can't swim, the Paddock might be nice since the quiet pool is generally just that, quiet. The main pool is great for toddlers as it is zero entry and has the Donald spray jet area. The lifeguards play a lot of fun games with the kids, like hoola hoop contests and water balloon toss. I think all three areas have their advantages and disadvantages. The "internal" bus system to the best of my knowledge is just the WDW bus transportation system that makes 4 stops total. I know a couple of times my mom and I just boarded the first bus that came along by our Paddock building to take over to the main area. Then we would walk back. That was great for her since she is elderly but to me its just easier to walk. There is a bridge that connects the Paddock to the main area. We also had a much prettier view from our Paddock balcony. In the Springs, our balcony overlooked the main drag where the buses go. We couldn't hear noise from inside but it didn't make the for the peaceful-morning-coffee-on-the-balcony ritual we enjoyed from the Paddock.

 

[TinkGirl]

We were in the Springs area in January, which we really liked. My kids are 9, 11, 13, and we used the main pool most days. We also visited the arcade and gift shop almost daily. I went to the spa one day. Our location was perfect for us. We were close to a bus stop, too. I think all the areas are close to a pool and bus stop, so they all have advantages. I found the whole resort to be very quiet even though we stayed right near all the main buildings.

 

[justaskjul]

Thanks for the feedback.

Here's my next question(s)... where in DTD does the path from SSR lead you to? I thought I read somewhere that the path closes at dusk? (this wasn't the case from BWV/BCW --> Epcot). If so, do you need to take the bus back after dusk?

 

[LeCras]

Thanks for the feedback.

Here's my next question(s)... where in DTD does the path from SSR lead you to? I thought I read somewhere that the path closes at dusk? (this wasn't the case from BWV/BCW --> Epcot). If so, do you need to take the bus back after dusk?

There are two walkways to Downtown Disney. One leads you to the Marketplace entrance and the other one to West Side, just by Cirque. Take a look at the map below.

In the top right corner you see a number 12. This is the walkway that leads to the Marketplace. Now, at the bottom of the map there is a number 11. Just to the left of this there is a yellow path disappearing into the trees. This is the path to West Side.

Hope that helps.

Oh, and as for the paths closing - that certainly wasn't the case during our last visit. We walked home from DTD waaaaaay after dusk on more than one occasion, no problems at all. Actually, that was one of the best bits about SSR; getting a takeout from Wolfgang Puck Express after a night out and strolling home to eat on the balcony overlooking DTD... Only two more weeks to go!

Charlotte

 

[Caskbill]

It's the path from DD to the OKW resort that closes at dusk, because it isn't lighted, goes along the water's edge, and through some wooded areas which, if you didn't have a flashlight or a full moon, would put you in basically a pitch dark area.

In the map in the post by LeCras above, path # 11 exits the SSR area and crosses over a bridge (not shown). After crossing the bridge, turn left to follow the path to DD Westside.

If you were to turn right, the path would take you to OKW. That's the section of the path that closes at dusk, the part between SSR and OKW.

 

[justaskjul]

Thanks so much everyone. I was looking for a map I could go by, thanks so much.

And thanks Caskbill, that clarifies the paths closing.

 

[Coloradomom]

We just got back last week and were in a studio 5832 in the Paddocks. This location was wonderful. (we did not have little kids just DH, DD 16 and me).

However our building was right next to the quiet pool and hot tub,in fact our balcony overlooked them! And right next to them is the bus stop and a play ground area.Lots of folks with little ones had one parent playing on the playground with the child while waiting for the bus, very handy! We really liked being so close to the bus stop and that it was the second stop both going to the parks and coming back.So never had to stand, although at SSR I rarely saw someone have to stand on the bus.

And it was a quick walk to the main area as well...probably longer for you with a little one,but still not bad.

 

[abk96]

I didn't know there was a walkway from SSR to OKW. How long of a walk is it?

Thanks for cleaing up the SSR to DTD walk. I was wondering the same thing.