SSR, is it worth it?

[mand0lyn]

My family has a trip planned mid-July (curse our schedules for only aligning in the middle of summer) and currently have a 2 bedroom villa booked at SSR. I got it at what felt like a steal (35% off the current rate) and was initially excited just to have the 2 bathrooms. However, as I've been digging around and doing more research, I'm starting to doubt if it's going to be the right fit for us.

Our group will be myself (38), my mom (69), my brother (45), his wife (36), and her daughter (13). My mom has terminal brain cancer and while she doesn't have too many mobility issues yet (she just needs to sit and take breaks occasionally), because the cancer is fast and aggressive, we have no guarantees what her mobility will be like then. Because SSR is notorious for being so sprawling, I'm starting to worry if that will be an issue for her. Also worried now that one of the only on site restaurants, Turf Club, is closed, it limits what we can even do at the resort itself.

We've never stayed at a Disney Resort and this will be our first family trip to Disney World since I was a baby and my brother was 8. His family has never been. So we are trying to make this one last, epic family vacation while my mom is still with us.

On the other hand, I've always dreamed about staying in a Savanna room at AKL (I mean, who hasn't??) I did find someone to rent DVC points from and it will only be a couple extra hundred dollars difference from our SSR reservation, so I'm wondering if it's better to cancel SSR and go the AKL DVC route instead.

I guess tl;dr looking on insight into if SSR is worth it or we should splurge on AKL. Or any insight into others with mobility issues or cancer and their experience at either resort.

Thank you all so much in advance!

 

[intamin]

My family has a trip planned mid-July (curse our schedules for only aligning in the middle of summer) and currently have a 2 bedroom villa booked at SSR. I got it at what felt like a steal (35% off the current rate) and was initially excited just to have the 2 bathrooms. However, as I've been digging around and doing more research, I'm starting to doubt if it's going to be the right fit for us.

Our group will be myself (38), my mom (69), my brother (45), his wife (36), and her daughter (13). My mom has terminal brain cancer and while she doesn't have too many mobility issues yet (she just needs to sit and take breaks occasionally), because the cancer is fast and aggressive, we have no guarantees what her mobility will be like then. Because SSR is notorious for being so sprawling, I'm starting to worry if that will be an issue for her. Also worried now that one of the only on site restaurants, Turf Club, is closed, it limits what we can even do at the resort itself.

We've never stayed at a Disney Resort and this will be our first family trip to Disney World since I was a baby and my brother was 8. His family has never been. So we are trying to make this one last, epic family vacation while my mom is still with us.

On the other hand, I've always dreamed about staying in a Savanna room at AKL (I mean, who hasn't??) I did find someone to rent DVC points from and it will only be a couple extra hundred dollars difference from our SSR reservation, so I'm wondering if it's better to cancel SSR and go the AKL DVC route instead.

I guess tl;dr looking on insight into if SSR is worth it or we should splurge on AKL. Or any insight into others with mobility issues or cancer and their experience at either resort.

Thank you all so much in advance!

Is the room category preferred? Because if it is you can pick Congress Park area and that would open up all of the dining at Disney Springs as you can walk there from SSR but I wouldn't walk from any other area of the resort than that personally, it's just too sprawling. Turf Club being down is not that big of a deal tbh as SSRs real dining is Disney Springs. Worse comes to worst, they do have buses that will take you from SSR to Disney Springs. If you're wanting everything to be convenient and in the resort then Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House is the way to go.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

My first question would be does your mom have a preference? If so, go with that for sure. AKL would certainly be a dream trip looking out over the savannah. They also have some outstanding dining options. I will say, though, depending on where your room is (Kidani? Jambo?), AKL can also feel a bit sprawling at times! But either location would be great for your trip. SSR with close proximity to Disney Springs is great. AKL is our favorite resort anywhere, not just at WDW. It could make for a very special trip. All the best to you and your family as you put this together........

 

[fla4fun]

My family has a trip planned mid-July (curse our schedules for only aligning in the middle of summer) and currently have a 2 bedroom villa booked at SSR. I got it at what felt like a steal (35% off the current rate) and was initially excited just to have the 2 bathrooms. However, as I've been digging around and doing more research, I'm starting to doubt if it's going to be the right fit for us.

Our group will be myself (38), my mom (69), my brother (45), his wife (36), and her daughter (13). My mom has terminal brain cancer and while she doesn't have too many mobility issues yet (she just needs to sit and take breaks occasionally), because the cancer is fast and aggressive, we have no guarantees what her mobility will be like then. Because SSR is notorious for being so sprawling, I'm starting to worry if that will be an issue for her. Also worried now that one of the only on site restaurants, Turf Club, is closed, it limits what we can even do at the resort itself.

We've never stayed at a Disney Resort and this will be our first family trip to Disney World since I was a baby and my brother was 8. His family has never been. So we are trying to make this one last, epic family vacation while my mom is still with us.

On the other hand, I've always dreamed about staying in a Savanna room at AKL (I mean, who hasn't??) I did find someone to rent DVC points from and it will only be a couple extra hundred dollars difference from our SSR reservation, so I'm wondering if it's better to cancel SSR and go the AKL DVC route instead.

I guess tl;dr looking on insight into if SSR is worth it or we should splurge on AKL. Or any insight into others with mobility issues or cancer and their experience at either resort.

Thank you all so much in advance!

I am sorry your mom is ill. My mom passed from cancer several years ago, so I know it can be important to make memories while you can. She did like to travel, but it was tiring for her as the disease progressed. You may want to think about renting or borrowing a wheelchair from a friend to have on hand. One trip, my mom got so tired inside MK that I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get her back to the resort (we had only rented a wheelchair in the park) so when we got home we bought a combination walker and transport wheelchair so we would be prepared. It wasn’t expensive and was worth its weight in gold when she did need it. She would not have been able to enjoy Disney as long as she did without it.

I agree that finding out your mom’s preference should be the first thing to do, unless the trip is a surprise. If it were me, I would switch to AKV in a heartbeat though. For one thing, if she is feeling like she needs to rest at the resort for a day, she can sit on the balcony and watch the animals. That is an experience you just don’t get at any other Disney resort. There are also restaurants close by, which may or may not be the case at SSR depending on where your room is located. I like both resorts, but they have different ambiance to me. AKV feels more like an exotic luxury resort (in part because it is attached to the AKL), where SSR feels more like a vacation condo. Nothing wrong with either one, and the suggestion by the PP to request Congress Park would give you access to DS and the dining opportunities there.

There isn’t a wrong decision here. You may decide the difference in room rates could be better spent towards an experience like a special meal or after hour theme park event if available (when it may be cooler). Only you know what is best for your family. I hope you have a great trip.

 

[gottalovepluto]

AKL/AKV in a heartbeat would be my choice. We tried 4 nights SSR, 4 adults 1 bedroom preferred. My goodness I underestimated the inconvenience of walking to the main building for food! (We aren't cooking on vacay!) Even though we were the exact building I requested, we were at the end of it and then after crossing the road you also have to walk up an incline to get to the main building. Without Turf Club it would have been miserable, we like TS over QS. Yes you can boat to DS but you still have to get to the boat dock which is behind the main building and then if it's busy you can end up having to wait for the next boat as capacity isn't high and it shares (we should have taken the DS bus honestly).

You also need to take weather into account, every time you want anything at SSR out into the weather you go. At AKL/AKV out into an airconditioned hallway you go with indoor dining options.

Also, if your mom needs to take time off she can go out on the balcony and enjoy the animals.

 

[CarolynFH]

On the other hand, I've always dreamed about staying in a Savanna room at AKL (I mean, who hasn't??) I did find someone to rent DVC points from and it will only be a couple extra hundred dollars difference from our SSR reservation, so I'm wondering if it's better to cancel SSR and go the AKL DVC route instead.

I agree with others and would switch to AKV. And be aware that a 2BR at Kidani has 3 full bathrooms, as opposed to the 2BR at Jambo and SSR which have only 2 bathrooms. That plus the possibility of watching animals from the balcony and the diversity of dining options between the two buildings (Kidani and Jambo, with a shuttle or 10-minute walk between them) would influence my choice. So I'd ask the DVC owner to book Kidani and to request "Low Floor" (closer view of the animals) and "Near Rafiki or Timon elevators" for a shorter walk from the lobby to the villa.

 

[DeeBee3]

Just be aware that the Jambo section of AKL will be under refurbishment.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

AKV!! For us, it would not even be a hard decision, AKL 110%!! So much nicer and a resort like no other. The resort itself, food options, smaller size and of course sitting on the balcony and watching animals from "your own" room.
SSR, it's nice.

 

[mand0lyn]

Is the room category preferred?

It is just a standard room. I didn't know how important it would be for preferred rooms. I was thinking it was like a special view, never considered it would affect location as well.

My first question would be does your mom have a preference?

She really doesn't have any preferences, aside from wanting the multiple bathrooms. She is a very easygoing person and just happy to be with her family.

My mom passed from cancer several years ago,

I am so sorry to hear about your mom and thank you so much for all the information! I never even considered that the rentals in the parks wouldn't be allowed out to the resorts (it makes perfect sense, just never thought of it!)

I love the idea of her being able to sit out on the balcony! She loves sitting outside on our porch or deck while reading, so she'd love that!

You also need to take weather into account

I also didn't realize the majority of SSR didn't have covered walkways. While we don't mind weather (mail carriers, so out in all types of weather) but she has a wearable medical device that can't get wet, so definitely something to consider.

 

[mand0lyn]

request "Low Floor" (closer view of the animals) and "Near Rafiki or Timon elevators" for a shorter walk from the lobby to the villa.

This is amazing advice! Tysm!!

Just be aware that the Jambo section of AKL will be under refurbishment.

We are looking at Kidani, so I'm hoping construction won't be too much of a hassle?

AKL 110%!!

We are finding less and less reasons not to go AKL, everyone's quick responses here have definitely helped a ton!

 

[CarolynFH]

This is amazing advice! Tysm!!


We are looking at Kidani, so I'm hoping construction won't be too much of a hassle?


We are finding less and less reasons not to go AKL, everyone's quick responses here have definitely helped a ton!

Another reason to choose Kidani over SSR - if you have a car, at SSR you park in front of your building, at Kidani you park under the building, near the elevator bank closest to your villa, out of rain and sun! Makes loading and unloading much easier, especially if you might have a walker or wheelchair.

 

[ShaneDJ]

AKL-Kidani is the right resort for that special of a trip.

At Kidani, the villas have a full extra bathroom. And Kidani has recently been renovated (and it was a good renovation!).

Savanna-view room would make that trip perfect. Best wishes!

 

[intamin]

It is just a standard room. I didn't know how important it would be for preferred rooms. I was thinking it was like a special view, never considered it would affect location as well.


She really doesn't have any preferences, aside from wanting the multiple bathrooms. She is a very easygoing person and just happy to be with her family.


I am so sorry to hear about your mom and thank you so much for all the information! I never even considered that the rentals in the parks wouldn't be allowed out to the resorts (it makes perfect sense, just never thought of it!)

I love the idea of her being able to sit out on the balcony! She loves sitting outside on our porch or deck while reading, so she'd love that!


I also didn't realize the majority of SSR didn't have covered walkways. While we don't mind weather (mail carriers, so out in all types of weather) but she has a wearable medical device that can't get wet, so definitely something to consider.

For SSR it affects location. Preferred means either the Springs or Congress Park. Without booking that category you have zero chance of Congress Park. With everything else you've said I would go with AKV over SSR.

 

[WLWildlife]

I have stayed at neither, but understand the importance of family time while you have it. We lost mil a year ago to cancer and had no time to make more memories. I say SPLURGE! I think it would be awesome to be at AK and watch animals from my balcony. I hope you have a fantastic trip. Hugs and positive thoughts to your family.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

Love both resorts. IMO if you have someone who is not in the best of health and sensitive to the heat (July at Disney can be stifling) it’s easier to get around in the single versus multiple building resorts and stay in the A/C. The easiest to do that is Jambo at AK. However, as someone mentioned, none of those rooms will be refurbished yet. So you will have sofa beds versus Murphy beds, which aren’t comfortable.

Kidani would give you newly renovated rooms and if you want the restaurants and store at Jambo you can ride the air conditioned shuttle back and forth. It’s a quieter lobby area. It also gives you the third bathroom and the under the resort parking that is covered.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

AKL is sprawling in its own right and can be quite the mission to get to the amenities depending on where your room is located.

But I think AKL might be the right choice for this trip, as much as I personally like SSR and the room updates.

Sorry about your mom's illness & wishing your family a wonderful time.

 

[mand0lyn]

I cannot thank everyone enough on their input to this thread! So many good tips and such great insight. We are going to try to make the whole DVC point rental thing for AKL Kidani work. We were already so excited for this trip but even more so now. And thank you everyone for the well wishes!!

Another reason to choose Kidani over SSR - if you have a car, at SSR you park in front of your building, at Kidani you park under the building, near the elevator bank closest to your villa, out of rain and sun! Makes loading and unloading much easier, especially if you might have a walker or wheelchair.

I have been wondering about parking because none of the pictures or videos I've seen of the resorts ever show the cars. I'm like "where the heck do the cars go??" Never thought about underground parking!

AKL-Kidani is the right resort for that special of a trip.

At Kidani, the villas have a full extra bathroom. And Kidani has recently been renovated (and it was a good renovation!).

Savanna-view room would make that trip perfect. Best wishes!

I am glad to know it's a good renovation! I saw that people haven't been too happy about other resort renos in the past

I have stayed at neither, but understand the importance of family time while you have it. We lost mil a year ago to cancer and had no time to make more memories. I say SPLURGE! I think it would be awesome to be at AK and watch animals from my balcony. I hope you have a fantastic trip. Hugs and positive thoughts to your family.

I am so sorry to hear about your MIL. My SIL lost her father suddenly a couple years ago and she said that while she got a good chunk of change after he passed, she obviously much rather have had more time to do things with him. So we decided as a family we rather spend the "inheritance" now and do as much as we can with my mom. Granted that meant everyone else was ready to take up residence in a Polynesian Bungalow and I had to be the adult and say "no, no, we have to save some money for spending".

Love both resorts. IMO if you have someone who is not in the best of health and sensitive to the heat (July at Disney can be stifling) it’s easier to get around in the single versus multiple building resorts and stay in the A/C. The easiest to do that is Jambo at AK. However, as someone mentioned, none of those rooms will be refurbished yet. So you will have sofa beds versus Murphy beds, which aren’t comfortable.

Kidani would give you newly renovated rooms and if you want the restaurants and store at Jambo you can ride the air conditioned shuttle back and forth. It’s a quieter lobby area. It also gives you the third bathroom and the under the resort parking that is covered.

We were excited for a 2nd bathroom, so a 3rd bathroom will be the ultimate luxury. Good to know about the sofa/murphy bed situation too! We have a couple other family members that may join us, so want to make sure we keep some decent sleeping spots available just in case.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

It is just a standard room. I didn't know how important it would be for preferred rooms. I was thinking it was like a special view, never considered it would affect location as well.


She really doesn't have any preferences, aside from wanting the multiple bathrooms. She is a very easygoing person and just happy to be with her family.


I am so sorry to hear about your mom and thank you so much for all the information! I never even considered that the rentals in the parks wouldn't be allowed out to the resorts (it makes perfect sense, just never thought of it!)

I love the idea of her being able to sit out on the balcony! She loves sitting outside on our porch or deck while reading, so she'd love that!


I also didn't realize the majority of SSR didn't have covered walkways. While we don't mind weather (mail carriers, so out in all types of weather) but she has a wearable medical device that can't get wet, so definitely something to consider.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

In July, weather COULD be a factor for everyone.
It can be oppressively hot & humid with afternoon T-storms at times.
We love SSR but NOT in the summer months.
Wishing you & your family a magical vacation

 

[LuvOrlando]

So sorry your family is struggling with this health issue.

We stayed in a Savannah room a few years back and it was a lovely experience, if this feels like AK is the place you want most as a shared experience then go with your gut on that.

I would suggest you do share the circumstances with the resort and request accommodation for easy access to handicapped parking and such, the resort management might be aware of certain supports that could make your family most comfortable. If mom does not have a handicapped placard and such maybe this is a good time to coordinate with her Dr. I also imagine brain cancer would cause significant sensory disruptions so maybe DAS is also a thing you want to check out.