Ssr - love it or NOT and why?

[chukdotcom]

If I'm not concerned with the cost of renting a car at SSR, should I rent one? Will it usually be faster in/out of the parks? I've only used the bus service at Disney in the past.

 

[Dean]

If I'm not concerned with the cost of renting a car at SSR, should I rent one? Will it usually be faster in/out of the parks? I've only used the bus service at Disney in the past.

Since we drive, we have the car. We generally drive to DD and the parks with 2 exceptions. MK due to the T&T center vs bus terminal location and if we're doing a triangle to a second park. I might not rent a car just for that option but I'd be reluctant to stay at SSR, OKW or AKV without one.

 

[chukdotcom]

Since we drive, we have the car. We generally drive to DD and the parks with 2 exceptions. MK due to the T&T center vs bus terminal location and if we're doing a triangle to a second park. I might not rent a car just for that option but I'd be reluctant to stay at SSR, OKW or AKV without one.

Thanks. We will likely be doing 2 parks a day. One in the AM for rope drop, back to SSR during the day, and then one at night. We won't be doing much DD. The car will be strictly for going to/from parks. I'm not concerned about the cost, only that it is generally faster than the bus.

 

[Figee17]

We LOVE SSR for its pools, quick service, and "feel." We like the relaxed atmosphere and walking around the resort. We bought in because of the price and we didn't have a resort we "had" to have and are so glad we did! Btw, we've stayed at the THV there too and didnt feel like we were "camping" at all...we are NOT campers, lol.

 

[Dean]

Thanks. We will likely be doing 2 parks a day. One in the AM for rope drop, back to SSR during the day, and then one at night. We won't be doing much DD. The car will be strictly for going to/from parks. I'm not concerned about the cost, only that it is generally faster than the bus.

I'd say you'll save an average of around 20-30 minutes per leg for all but to/from MK but it's variable. You'll save even more if you were trying to use the Bus to get to non direct locations like from SSR to WL or similar. That can save you easily an hour or more each way. If you have AAA, you can usually get a diamond parking pass that will be close to the handicapped locations. Some people like to use the cars, some don't, obviously you and I are the former.

 

[Dean]

We LOVE SSR for its pools, quick service, and "feel." We like the relaxed atmosphere and walking around the resort. We bought in because of the price and we didn't have a resort we "had" to have and are so glad we did! Btw, we've stayed at the THV there too and didnt feel like we were "camping" at all...we are NOT campers, lol.

Actually something like the THV or the cabins at Ft. Wilderness are about as close to camping as I want to be.

 

[lisaviolet]

Hi all,

We are purchasing a resale at some point soon and the best value seems to be in SSR and AKV. We loved AKV and do not mind the fact that it is remote. Kids love it too. Haven't been to SSR yet but it looks beautiful and many folks seem to love it!

Would anyone mind sharing with me likes, dislikes, pros and cons about the resort? We are a family of 4- my kiddos are little (2 and 4).

TIA

I own at BWV and SSR. Before I start, I prefer the hotel set up a lot more. And I'm in love with BWV. SSR is not one of my favourites.

But I really enjoy:

*walking to DD - HUGE deal to me
*lower maintenance fees
*spend a lot of time in the quiet pools
*units are not as dry as the others - weird but a big deal to me.
*peaceful
*noise transfer is pretty good - rarely hear much

Do not like:

*how spread out it is - cool weather could really care less - heat, I do and I walk miles most days at home
*outdoor hallways (but I realize that this is something that keeps my fees low )
*BIGGEST FACTOR for me - I do not like to see the outside world on vacation and you can at SSR

All the best on your decision. I would love more BWV points, ratio wise, but I have never regretted my SSR purchase. Especially since I book a lot under seven months.

 

[MsMagical]

We own at SSR but we usually stay at AKL. When we purchased, SSR was the resort being marketed. We like both resorts but I personally prefer the hotel feel of Jambo House and the guarantee of a higher floor and internal hallways. We have never had an issue booking a 1or 2 bedroom anytime after the 7 month mark but we are not picky about views. Our late Feb trip was booked in December but keep in mind that is a lower crowd season so busier times months not be so available.

 

[DisneyDetective]

We are DVC members since 2006 and Saratoga Springs is our home resort. i t is a place we really enjoy staying at because of the quietness it seems to offer, the proximity to Downtown Disney (walking) and parks and also I4. the only thing we have 'complained' about is the state of the rooms, thy can be dusty, musty and tired and mousekeeping don't seem to do a great job.

 

[kdh123]

I owned (and stayed at) AKV for the past 7 years. I recently purchased SSR and have stayed there twice. I loved AKV, and honestly didn't expect to like SSR as much, however, SSR has really surprised me (in a good way)! I still think AKV is beautiful and it does feel more luxurious and exotic, however, I can see myself enjoying SSR more and more as the years go on. The reasons I am beginning to like it better than AKV: I like walking, not necessarily for exercise, but just strolling. The grounds at SSR are big and spread out and there are many walking paths and it is really pretty. I feel at AKV like there is nowhere to go. When I was doing more park commando, I didn't mind, but now that I am spending more time at the resort and not so much at the parks, I prefer SSR for its tranquility, beauty, and walking paths. Also, you can walk to DTD and hop on a bus to any other Disney Resort for easier access to the Resort Restaurants and amenities. It feels like having several resorts in one. My child is getting older and as we get into the pre-teen and teen years, I do think DTD will be a bigger draw as it has more for tweens and teens to do. Both resorts are beautiful, in very different ways, and I think you really cannot go wrong with either. In my opinion, at least for us, SSR will probably give us more recreational options in the long run due to its location and size and therefore that would be my choice.

 

[NoleFan]

stayed at both this weekend. neither are my favorite.

++ SSR
parking is close
bus stops are close
close to DTD
was very impressed with how nice & helpful front desk CMs were.
nice pools (if you are in a building in close proximity)
community hall

---SSR
open hallways
lack & proximity of dining options on-site (not including DTD)
wait for buses is hit or miss
security at gates did not check ID, ask, or anything to confirm you are a guest (really did not like that)
very big

 

[rentayenta]

We love SSR too. It's a beautiful resort. Good pools, good dining. The THV are so super cool. The proximity to DTD cannot be beat.


We also love AKV. Animals, decor, vibe all amazing. Some of the best food at WDW.


You can't go wrong with either. Good luck with your decision.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Our DGC like the Community room, and DH & I enjoy the menus both at the counter service as well as the sit down restaurant there. I do not consider it a hardship to stay there, but do think the point costs are a bit too high!

I like the Congress Park pool area a lot!

Bobbi

 

[Cee]

Absolutely love it. We consider this resort "home". In the past few years, we have stayed at other resorts and loved them as well. This May, we are back at SSR and simply cannot wait.

 

[LSchrow]

love ssr
it's an elegant, relaxing resort. parking is near, without having cars in your face
love the turf club, gorgeous walkways, wildlife, proximity to DTD, very quiet quiet pools, even the open hallways are charming

 

[starwart]

We did not like SSR. It's too near the DTD that anybody, literally anybody can just walk in the resort. We did not feel secure at all staying there. The resort also is just too big, that to me, it feels just like a glorified value resort. Sure OKW is also big but we felt more secure there and the rooms are way bigger. Also the hallways going to the rooms make you feel like you are going to stay in a horse stable. This is are all just my opinion and I'm sure others love this resort to death. Not me though. This is resort is at the bottom of my list.

 

[Anal Annie]

Hi all,

We are purchasing a resale at some point soon and the best value seems to be in SSR and AKV. We loved AKV and do not mind the fact that it is remote. Kids love it too. Haven't been to SSR yet but it looks beautiful and many folks seem to love it!

Would anyone mind sharing with me likes, dislikes, pros and cons about the resort? We are a family of 4- my kiddos are little (2 and 4).

TIA

I think each DVC resort has its pluses and minuses. We own at SSR and like it just fine but we prefer to resort hop from trip to trip so that each trip is different from the last. SO FAR we have not been shut out of being able to book any resort at 7 months (although we DO always plan a trip with a 1st choice and 2nd choice of resort). We have been able to book every WDW resort (incl. Bay Lake over spring / Easter break) and will be visiting VGC at DL and Aulani this summer. Whenever we stay at SSR we tend to spend more time visiting DTD because it's so convenient. (We have no security concerns as another poster mentioned - I've never heard that one before - and goodness look at the public access the Boardwalk Villas have being RIGHT ON THE BOARDWALK!! )

We spent 9 nights at SSR in August and we just came back from another stay at AKV Jambo House a couple of weeks ago and I really don't feel like it's "way out there" like some people do. The furthest bus ride is to MK and that's only 15 minutes. With 30 min. to / from that still leaves 23 1/2 hours in your day. I think every resort has a bus ride to some park that is longer than the others. But we're only talking about 15 minutes. It's NOT THAT LONG. Epcot and HS are actually only a few minutes bus ride away and AK is RIGHT THERE. We also sometimes park hop directly from one park to another so the distance to AKV is irrelevant anyway.

Personally I would buy whichever resort I could find the best deal on (both price and available points / contract etc).