SSR and getting to DD

[vbalacek]

We have our first trip to SSR coming up, and I'm trying to start my planning.
We typically spend evenings (and have dinner) back at the resort. We've never been to downtown disney, and since there is only one resturant at SSR, we'd figure we'd take advantage of the location to try dining there a few nights.

I'm still a little unclear on the logistics though. Is it a long walk to DD (we have 3 small kids and will be pushing at least one double stroller)? If you walk, are you at one particular end of DD/ closer to certain restaurants? Can you take a boat from SS to DD? Does that let you off at a particular part of DD?

Thanks!

 

[vandy]

We have our first trip to SSR coming up, and I'm trying to start my planning.
We typically spend evenings (and have dinner) back at the resort. We've never been to downtown disney, and since there is only one resturant at SSR, we'd figure we'd take advantage of the location to try dining there a few nights.

I'm still a little unclear on the logistics though. Is it a long walk to DD (we have 3 small kids and will be pushing at least one double stroller)? If you walk, are you at one particular end of DD/ closer to certain restaurants? Can you take a boat from SS to DD? Does that let you off at a particular part of DD?

Thanks!

You can walk, take a bus or ride the boat. It will really matter as to where in the resort you are staying. The walking path is from Congress Park and goes around the east end of the lake. You end up by the bus stop on the east end of DD. The busses seemed to us to run quite frequently and take you to the same location. We greatly preferred to take the boat. It is a nice, pleasant ride and again, will take you over to the dock on the east side of DD. We did not go for dining so the particular restaurants might not be accurate, but I believe you would be by the Rainforest Cafe and Fultons. Since all forms of transportation end up basically at the same spot, the boat is more relaxing and easier to take the stroller on. I am sure the kids would enjoy this much more as well! (The boat dock is just outside the Carraige House and Turf Club).

 

[DMKEDM]

It's maybe a 10-minute walk/stroll from Congress Park to Downtown Disney...the walking path comes out right where the buses would let you off, at the Marketplace. There are a number of restaurants in the Marketplace...there are even more in or near Pleasure Island (the "middle") and then even more over on the West Side...it's likely less than a mile from the Marketplace bus stop to the Cirque du Soleil (the "end" of the West Side), but probably close to a mile.

You can walk from the Springs section of SSR, too...via a golf path over a bridge across a parking lot to Cirque du Soleil...that's also about a 10-minute walk.

We've not taken the boat, but the boat dock is right behind the TUrf Club at SSR...I believe it lets you off at the Marketplace, over by the Rainforest Cafe (we did take a boat from Port Orleans/Riverside, back when it was Dixie Landings, and that's where the dock was then)...

There is also a bus from SSR to any of 3 stops at Downtown Disney (Marketplace, Pleasure Island, and West Side)...

From the furthest point (Carousel section?) to the furthest point (either Marketplace bus stop or CIrque du Soleil), it's a walk that's roughly equivalent to a mile or perhaps a bit more...easy for an adult, probably not hard pushing a stroller, either, if you're not too tired...not sure about your walking little one...how little is your walking little one? For an 8-year-old, I'd guess it wouldn't be a problem...for a 3-year-old, it might be...

Good luck!

 

[MouseT]

We stayed at SSR in Congress Park last December. We only had one little one (2 yo DD) that we pushed in a stroller. We used the path to walk over multiple times. Didn't use any of the other transportation as the walk was quick, as others stated, about 10 min tops.

 

[jenelope]

The boat ride is really nice, but not a good choice if you're in a hurry to get anywhere. The ride itself is relatively short, but the wait at the dock can get unpredictably long. Still, it's a lovely way to travel, especially at night.

 

[btrim]

There are actually two restaurants at SSR. Artists' Palette and Turf Club. AP is counter service and TC is table service. We enjoy AP and they have artist's pads and crayons on the tables that our DGD loves to draw on. We haven't tried TC yet, but everyone says it is very nice. The walk from CP is not bad at all. Very enjoyable for us. If you are on the other side of the resort, you could hop on a bus and get off at CP stop and walk over or you could ride the boat also.

 

[vbalacek]

Thanks for all the info!

I was hoping there was a boat option. Walking there may be work depending on which section of SS we end up with, but its good to have easy way home. Our kids are 2, 4, and 6, and it is very nice to be able to roll anyone who may fall asleep onto a boat, rather than have to unload to get on a bus.

How is the walk from the Springs section to the West end? (I've only heard about the other path.) Would you get in golfers way? Is it really trafficy crossing the parking lot?


Thanks again. It really helps to get an idea of the geography when looking to make dinner reservations.

 

[vandy]

Thanks for all the info!

I was hoping there was a boat option. Walking there may be work depending on which section of SS we end up with, but its good to have easy way home. Our kids are 2, 4, and 6, and it is very nice to be able to roll anyone who may fall asleep onto a boat, rather than have to unload to get on a bus.

How is the walk from the Springs section to the West end? (I've only heard about the other path.) Would you get in golfers way? Is it really trafficy crossing the parking lot?


Thanks again. It really helps to get an idea of the geography when looking to make dinner reservations.

The walk from Springs to west side DD is about 10-15 minutes. Don't have to worry about golfers up to Sept. 28th. The course is closed for rehab until that time. You will cross the street from the Springs to go to the Carraige House. That road can be busy at times.

Taking the boat will be like any other transportation in as they make you remove the child from the stroller (from what I have seen). The big difference between the boat and the bus is that the boat has so much more room and there is a place up by the helm they have you put the stroller.

 

[LeCras]

How is the walk from the Springs section to the West end? (I've only heard about the other path.) Would you get in golfers way? Is it really trafficy crossing the parking lot?

Don't worry, you don't get in the golfers' way at all. The path follows the edge of the lake, so all you walk past is a putting practice area and a tee area.

You never actually cross the West Side parking lot - rather you walk alongside it for a few minutes. I know, that doesn't sound very inspiring, but there is always the view of the lake on your left. The path ends next to the House of Blues, opposite Cirque.

We have only ever taken the boat a couple of times to and from DTD, we have always found it quicker and easier to walk. Then again, there are only the two of us with no kids so I appreciate that boat may be an easier option for you. In any case, DTD is lovely in the evenings and well worth the trip. I'm sure your kids will love the Lego displays!

Charlotte