SSR Lovers and/or Owners Thread!

[Dano2007]

If you have an internet enabled phone, you can check in on your phone with just your confirmation number. That will give you your boarding number. You can then print your pass out at the airport or the baggage check stand at the bell desk: mobile.southwest.com

 

[lizet313]

I will be going to SSR in two weeks and two days. I am very excited.

 

[disneyaggies]

We too are new members (6-08). I can't wait to spend our Christmas at are home away from home! First time ever for a destination Christmas. 12-22 to 12-27

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Going back home in May
Last 2 times we have stayed Grandstand...thinking about not requesting anything! lol
However, since that is so not me...what are some of everyone's fave areas and why? Thanks

 

[DisneyBride'03]

We too are new members (6-08). I can't wait to spend our Christmas at are home away from home! First time ever for a destination Christmas. 12-22 to 12-27

Welcome home and Congrats!

 

[disneymomof2boyz]

Going back home in May
Last 2 times we have stayed Grandstand...thinking about not requesting anything! lol
However, since that is so not me...what are some of everyone's fave areas and why? Thanks

I too would like to know everyone's favorite sections....it will be our first time at SSR in April!

 

[BlakeNJ]

I have only stayed in the Grandstand section and loved it! We were no more than a 5 minute walk to everything.

 

[lizet313]

What is there to do in SSR?

 

[nezy]

What is there to do in SSR?

When we were there in December we went to the various pools on property and we played Disney Trivia and other pool games-like Bingo. the boys played basketball, ping-pong. DD and I painted and did ceramics. We also took a boat to DTD. We then hopped on a boat to Port Orleans-the kids wanted to eat there. On the boat on the way back the driver was kind enough to bring us directly back to SSR-not their regular route. We explored and walked around the resort and we saw a sea otter! It is a relaxing enjoyable place.

 

[lizet313]

Oh wow sounds great. Thanks.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

What is there to do in SSR?

Let's start with food first:
* You must hit Turf Club. It's a little pricey, but one of the best restaurants on Dis property, IMHO.
* You can go anywhere in DTD, as you're within a 5 - 15 minute walk (depending on where you stay).
* Artist's Palette (good flatbread pizzas, sandwiches and soups)

Recreation - If you enjoy working out...
* Beautiful walking paths around the resort, and over to OKW.
* Great workout facility (where the spa is located).

Spa
* Need I say more?

Pools

Main Pool

Quiet Pool

Okay...all of these pictures are making me miss both SSR and WDW!

 

[lizet313]

Oh my that is beautiful I haven't been there yet and I miss it too Am just scared that once I get there I wont wanna come back home . Those are beautiful breathtaking even. Thanks for the great ideas.

 

[Liljam]

I would vote for Grandstand and Springs as the Best areas with Congress Park as the third best. Here is why:
Grandstand: 1st bus stop for all but DTD so if the bus is packed you got your seat (except in our family we give up our seats for elderly, pregnant women, etc, so I guess it's no biggie, )
Has a nice pool of it's own, with splash area for kids, plus mug refill station.
Has an alternative walking path to DTD West that people often forget about that is pretty short (10-15 minutes leisure pace)
Not far from main area (Pool, Food) - 5 minutes or so
(This is the only place we've stayed)

The Springs:
Near all of the main activities and still fairly close to that walking path to DTD West.

Congress Park:
DTD Marketplace path is near by, but we actually like DTD West because we go to HOB nightly for outdoor entertainment and drinks after a day in the parks. We happen to love HOB and think it's a hidden treasure at DTD.
The views over at Congress Park of DTD are pretty cool.

Those are my picks! If we can't get a THV for our next trip, we'll try a request for The Springs I think.

 

[disneymomof2boyz]

Thank you for all the responses! I think that we will pick the Grandstand section, as I like the idea of being the first stop on the bus route (We also give up our seats to those in need, but it's always better being in a bus than waiting at the bus stop) And I also like the fact that there is a great pool in the Grandstand area.
Liljam- can you "try" explaining where this walkway is? Thanks

 

[Liljam]

Someone has a great map with the walkway but I can try to explain.

The walkway is off to the right as you are coming up the main sidewalk to go to the little golf store, or back to the boat dock to take a ferry over to DTD. There is a little wooden bridge that you have to cross and it appears that it is for golf carts only but it's not. I think the Turf Club is visible back there too but I'm ashamed to say I didn't have time to eat there. I was hooked on the Artist Palette's Buffalo Chicken Flatbread and Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwiches! Anyway, I wish I could give you a better description. The other description I have would be to look at the main entrance where Magical Express drops off guests. There is a bell services area located right there. if you are facing the main entrance and bell services looking towards High Rock Springs Pool the path is slightly down the walkway to the right toward the golf course and The Grandstand. Too funny, but one night, I got caught in the sprinklers, and I'm such a kid at heart (thank goodness!) I was on my way to meet some other family members and I could have dodged the sprinklers if I wanted to, but instead, I realized I was all alone on a beautiful path in the middle of a resort in Disney World, so I danced in the water instead.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

...Too funny, but one night, I got caught in the sprinklers, and I'm such a kid at heart (thank goodness!) I was on my way to meet some other family members and I could have dodged the sprinklers if I wanted to, but instead, I realized I was all alone on a beautiful path in the middle of a resort in Disney World, so I danced in the water instead.

Ahhhh...If we could all be so free spirited! You made me smile.

 

[lizet313]

Thanks for your responses I am so excited.

 

[Liljam]

Ahhhh...If we could all be so free spirited! You made me smile.

Heh, try it yourself next time you're there, you never know how much fun it can be playing in sprinklers as an adult until you're caught in the middle of them!

I was sort of surprised though that the sprinklers came on - it was around 8pm, and I would have expected them to stay off through the evening until guests are less likely to be on the path, but maybe since the golf course was closed for the evening they didn't care that they're might be pedestrians. I tend to be sort of the sundress and flip flops kind of gal so I dried off in a matter of minutes, but someone going to PI might not have been as happy !

I would like to try the walking path all the way around to OKW sometime though when I'm are SSR. I've read that a few people have done it and it's about 3 miles I think. I think it would be a fun walking path to just relax in the early morning. I told myself last time I was there I was going to try to visit the other DVC resorts to see them in person but I was so in love with my villa and the grounds at SSR and the closeness to DTD that I had no need to go out of the way.

 

[mtmbyck]

Ok, so staying for our first time in 5 weeks for 10 days in a dedicated 2 bedroom. Here's the dilema.

High Rock Springs will be closed our entire visit and DD9 and DD12 are so bummed out. We are also travelling with Grandma who doesn't like to walk very far. We do not have a car.

So while I originally requested Springs, I then changed my request to Congress park thinking it would be a nicer view for Grandma and there was a pool and we will stroll to DTD a few evenings. But evidently they may move the poolside activites to Grandstand so I can't decide now where to request.

Is it a crazy far walk from Congress Park to Grandstand - give me a reference point like from the Lego store to Rainforest cafe......

Thanks for the help.....

 

[Liljam]

I had saved this map when the wonderful and very knowledgeable BroganMac posted it for me. It may be on this thread somewhere, but here it is again. CaskBill did the measurements and it is really helpful for knowing where to go.

I will say this. We stayed in Grandstand area in the building where the J is located. You can also see the "bus" icon is near by. It took me about 10-15 to walk to DTD West, 5 minutes to High Rock Springs Pool, add maybe another 2 minutes to get to/over the pretty wooden bridge that connects you to The Paddock, didn't walk to Congress Park or to The Carousel, but I would have imagined about another 5-7 from HRS pool to either location. From Artist's Palette, it might have taken us 3-4 minutes to get over to the DVC area, but there were a few of us and my mom was walking slower.

If you do not stay in The Grandstand, verify that the DTD bus still runs in a backward order from the park buses (meaning GS would be last stop) and take the bus over to the pool for activities, or ask one of the bell hops to ride you over on one of the carts that you find running through out the resort. They're more than happy to take you to anywhere, even DTD. We just usually got the same one so we tipped him nicely each time.