SSR 2 Bedroom vs. Treehouse

[trasor]

I'm looking for the pros and cons of each. I'll be traveling with my in-laws and 2 children. We've all stayed in a 2 bedroom before so either really works fine for our sleeping arrangements. I guess I'm trying to figure out if the uniqueness of the Treehouse is worth any inconvenience of location, transportation or amenities. TIA

 

[stopher1]

In January we did a split stay, taking my folks along. We began our stay in a treehouse, and then moved over to a 2-BR at Kidani. Both were excellent stays - but certainly by the end we had wished that we had been in the THV the entire time.

The real beauty came in that all 3 of our kids stayed together in the bunk-bed bedroom (my eldest was on an air mattress on the floor - his choice - vs. taking the sleeper couch or chair in the living room). That meant that the two sets of adults could sit up and talk in the living room into the evening after the kids were in bed. At Kidani we couldn't do that since the kids were in the living room. Our only choice there was for all 4 of us to crowd into the studio portion, or to hang out in the master bedroom & on the balcony. Not as comfortable by any means!

Another cool factor of the THV is the deck with the table & chairs, and the bbq grill right at the base of the steps. Each unit has their own. And we used it - 3 times! It was awesome. But I guess only if you are a family that cooks in the room, as we are.

My folks really liked the tranquility of the forest, and enjoyed walking the roads at the THV's - moreso than they sidewalks and parking lot at Kidani. Again probably a personal preference, but one just the same to consider.

Regardless of what you choose, I hope you have a great trip when it comes around.

 

[Pakey]

We have stayed in both.

1. If you don't have your own transportation, I cannot recommend staying in the THV. They are remote. Using WDW transportation, you have the option of taking the 10 minute walk to the Grandstand bus stop and catching that or you can use the THV internal bus that will take you to an SSR bus stop where you will transfer. There is only one parking spot at THV so if you have more than one vehicle, you have to park the second one at SSR. We took the bus a few times and we couldn't believe how long it took us to get anywhere.

2. The Treehouse villas are gorgeous. If I were going on a vacation to WDW where I wanted to hang out at the resort and eat in, I'd pick these again. Both the kitchen and the master bath are stunning. Each villa has its own charcoal barbeque at the bottom of the deck and the deck areas are very nice (although the mosquitos ate us up and we could not use it).

With the size of your group, the THV would work. The square footage is the same as an SSR 2 bedroom so by gaining the 3rd bedroom, you give up area in the living room. The living room is super small. We hated that.

The pool at THV is no better than a backyard pool but it was always empty when we went by it. We used the SSR pool.

We were a party of 4 adults and all 4 of us agreed that we would not stay at THV again but it was nice to try once.

 

[TisBit]

I really enjoyed the THV and I think you would benefit with the people going. Both you and your in-laws will have their own room. When we went with my parents, we gave them the master so they had privacy, which meant we didn't. The kids will have their own room with TV and there is more living space in the main area (big difference is that it has a more real dining area that is not pushed against the living room).

You are more remote, so if you spend a lot of time at the pool, that could be a downside. We stayed without a vehicle and were the first Villa in from the Grandstand path, it wasn't a big deal to walk over to the busses in the morning and even the other villas in the area wouldn't be bad. If you don't have a car, I would recommend requesting near the south bus stop. There is a quiet pool, so you do have options.

 

[soxyes]

I really enjoyed the THV and I think you would benefit with the people going. Both you and your in-laws will have their own room. When we went with my parents, we gave them the master so they had privacy, which meant we didn't. The kids will have their own room with TV and there is more living space in the main area (big difference is that it has a more real dining area that is not pushed against the living room).

You are more remote, so if you spend a lot of time at the pool, that could be a downside. We stayed without a vehicle and were the first Villa in from the Grandstand path, it wasn't a big deal to walk over to the busses in the morning and even the other villas in the area wouldn't be bad. If you don't have a car, I would recommend requesting near the south bus stop. There is a quiet pool, so you do have options.

Sorry to hijack, but I have a location question now. When you say near the "south bus stop," is that a Treehouse Villa bus stop or a SSR bus stop? (We have the Treehouse reserved for next summer and are trying to figure out where to request to stay. It's likely that we won't have a car.) Thanks!!

 

[Muhlenberg]

We really enjoyed the THV. The bedroom set-up was perfect for us. The living area is about 1/3 of the square footage, if you look at a room layout, and that's about the same as a regular 2 BR. HOWEVER...without someone sleeping on the chair bed or sofa bed, all the adults can hang out in the living area while the kids are sleeping.

We would stay there again in a heartbeat!

 

[sweetdana]

With 2 sets of adults and kids.. THV is an ideal design. Both adults get there own rooms and kids get there own room.

 

[TisBit]

Sorry to hijack, but I have a location question now. When you say near the "south bus stop," is that a Treehouse Villa bus stop or a SSR bus stop? (We have the Treehouse reserved for next summer and are trying to figure out where to request to stay. It's likely that we won't have a car.) Thanks!!

THV stop.....there are two stops, North and South, the North stop is near the entrance to the THV's and the South is all the way down near the path to Grandstand. It is also very close to the boat ramp and pool. If I were staying at THV with a car, I would want near the North stop to be able to get in and out quickly and without I would prefer near the South to be closer to SSR and transportation.

 

[TisBit]

We really enjoyed the THV. The bedroom set-up was perfect for us. The living area is about 1/3 of the square footage, if you look at a room layout, and that's about the same as a regular 2 BR. HOWEVER...without someone sleeping on the chair bed or sofa bed, all the adults can hang out in the living area while the kids are sleeping.

We would stay there again in a heartbeat!

Yes, the square footage is less, but the layout is better. The 2 Bedrooms are wide so there is a lot of space between the Couch and TV vs the THV which is narrow, but wider through the dining area. Definitely didn't feel as on top of each other as in the 2 bedroom, just a good flow to it.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Yes, the square footage is less, but the layout is better. The 2 Bedrooms are wide so there is a lot of space between the Couch and TV vs the THV which is narrow, but wider through the dining area. Definitely didn't feel as on top of each other as in the 2 bedroom, just a good flow to it.

We had a great stay in the THV last Christmas and the design is excellent. They do feel more spacious than an SSR 2 bedroom in the living area because of the flow. There is more seating also and with the bar stools and dining area, it feels like 1 big space. They are impressive and I will definitely stay there again.

We loved the pool because it was quiet and heated and it was like having a private hot tub

We had 3 boys share the bunk room with an air mattress, and kept the living area free for all to use. We had large gatherings in the THV and having the layout along with the deck was great for entertaining.
My Dsis and fam stayed at SSR in a 1 bed, and they put her in the GS section in the bldg closest to the pathway to THV. We were close to the walkway also, so a short walk along the path worked out great!

 

[Paticake]

How old are the kids? We loved staying in a THV last Nov. with DB, DSIL and niece and nephew, 8 and 11. I would not stay there with little guys who need carriages due to the bus transfer for the parks.(folding carriages and using 2 busses). We mostly just walked over to Grandstand area and got the bus there but after dark we did the transfer. It was pretty easy and we never waited long for a THV bus. We loved THV's as did the kids.

 

[goofystitchfan]

We are staying in the THV in November and are so excited. Thanks for all the great comments.

 

[TisBit]

How old are the kids? We loved staying in a THV last Nov. with DB, DSIL and niece and nephew, 8 and 11. I would not stay there with little guys who need carriages due to the bus transfer for the parks.(folding carriages and using 2 busses). We mostly just walked over to Grandstand area and got the bus there but after dark we did the transfer. It was pretty easy and we never waited long for a THV bus. We loved THV's as did the kids.

When we stayed there, we did have four kids in strollers (two double strollers), it wasn't bad, we walked to Grandstand and got the buses there. The couple of times we did a transfer, I just didn't unfold the stroller waiting for the second bus, we dropped at a bus stop and just waiting for another bus, so no need for the stroller.

Incidentally, the THV was great with the strollers, we didn't take them inside, we parked them out of view under the treehouse and even with torrential downpours they never got wet. It was nice not having to store them in the villa!