SSR Congress Park....What are we Missing?

[Mike Bartenhagen]

My parents are DVC owners and every other year we travel as extended family to WDW. There are 12 of us and this will be our 3rd time to stay in SSR and specifically Congress Park. Our kids are pin traders so we love to walk to DTD most every night so they can trade pins, we just really enjoy the DTD atmosphere. We have always requested and gotten rooms in Congress Park, each time we go I worry that we won't becuase it seems to me that everyone would want to stay here but maybe we are missing something equally as exciting in another part of the resort?

Have we been lucky to get CP each time we visit or are the other areas equally as popular? Do some avoid CP because of the lights and sounds of DTD?

 

[bobbiwoz]

A lot of people here ask for Grandstand because of the order of the buses, and now the Paddock area is popular because of the new pool, and for some the Springs is requested because it's near the main pool. SSR seems to have a lot of nice places to request.

Once we stayed in CP, but didn't have a view of DTD, we viewed the bus stop, so not all parts of CP are created equal.

I hope you get what you want again!

 

[dvcterry]

I think the great thing about SSR is that relaxing resort feel to it. We haven't put in a request anytime we have stayed and have been happy with all our stays, no matter where they have been throughout the resort. The kiddos do love walking to DTD and I like taking the boat. The pools are fun. We enjoy getting a surrey bike while there. It's just one of those resorts we truly feel we've had a great vacation with and are looking forward to February.

Hopefully you will get your request next time and I'm glad to hear you and your family enjoy it.

 

[DizBub]

We also love Congress Park and request it every time. Love, love ,love the view, especially at night and really enjoy the easy walk to DTD.

My DD was there last month and stayed in the Springs section. She didn't think they would like it but found that they were very close to the bus stop, Carriage House, the main pool and by walking across the long bridge, the new Paddock Pool. She especially liked having the food court and store being so close. All disappointment of not being in CP disappeared.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Have we been lucky to get CP each time we visit or are the other areas equally as popular? Do some avoid CP because of the lights and sounds of DTD?

I don't think it's luck at all, I've requested it 3 times and gotten each time. We've gotten it in Jun, Oct & Pre -Thanksgiving. We love it's proximity to DTD, we love the view, especially at night! It's by a quiet pool!

My 1st two stays at SSR, without requests, not once but twice, landed us in the Carousel area (No man's land), view of the parking lot, street and guard gate! Talk about dismal! That's when I learned to make requests!

 

[butsy113]

We will be staying at SSR fir the first time in May. We requested Paddock area near the bridge. If we get this area will it be better to walk to DTD or take the boat? We don't mind walking and don't want to take the bus there.

 

[Meggysmum]

We stayed at the Paddocks and I thought it was lovely, we had a longer walk to DTD but I quite enjoyed that and it helped work off all the food I was eating!

Congress park seemes a long way from a drinks fountain and I didnt like the views from the none DTD rooms so I was quite happy with Paddocks and would ask for that area again. I thought some of the Grandstand seemed a long way from anywhere.

We dont use the buses so the order is not important to us.

 

[bnk1120]

I love CP too, but it can be too loud. We had a great room with a view of the quiet pool, close to the bus stop. The music and noise from DTD was loud at night and I could see why it might bother people. For me, I put up with the noise because the location was great.

 

[Cee]

I'm a Congress Park girl myself.

 

[Dean]

Now 4 of the 5 sections have their supporters. I suspect a large contingent don't make requests and for those that do the requests are spread out enough that for one not to get the section they wanted as the only request would simply mean no one looked or tried to fill the request, at least for most situations.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

There are pros and cons for each of the SSR sections. In the end, it all comes down to a matter of personal preference. We've stayed in every section except Carousel (which I plan to resolve on our next trip), and have enjoyed each for different reasons.

Check out this post from the SSR Lovers and Owners thread. FAQ #4 has my thoughts on the pros and cons of each section.

 

[iluveeyore]

Our last two stays we requested the Grandstand and loved it there - everyone thinks it's far because of the roads on the map, but the walking paths are literally a couple minutes from Carriage House and the DVC ferry. It is the first bus stop (at least it was when we stayed), and the pool there is awesome, has a play area for kids and a drink station. Nice views too with the golf course all around. I did love Congress Park when I stayed with my sister and we would just walk to get dinner or catch a movie or shop at DTD, but with the family they enjoyed Grandstand better so they could get to the pool quick or go to the main hall without a long walk. And the ferry ride was nice every day as well.

 

[supersuperwendy]

We LOVE congress park!!! SSR is great for making requests. They have always given us exactly what we've requested.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I do find it interesting to see what everyone else likes and why!

When it was just me and DH we always requested Congress Park, I loved the DTD views and easy access via the waking path, and thought the quiet pool was awesome.

Now with little ones we always request the Springs, with the Grandstands as back up. I like being closer to the action, and being able to get on the bus first at the Grandstands is awesome. Not to mention that the main pool and the Grandstand pool are great for little ones.

I can imagine once the kids hit older preschool age we'll want to stay at the paddock. Once we are free of strollers it will be easier to get around, and I'm sure that pool will really appeal to them.

SSR really is a resort that grows with you!