SSR Lovers and Owners Part 2

[Happy99]

Not sure about the Grandstand pool, I have not been keeping up with refurb schedules. Someone around here should know though.

The first question I can answer! Member Services will only speak with the member. So if you want to request a specific section, your friend will need to do it for you. Likewise if you wish to add a dining plan, your friend will have to add it for you. Payment in full for dining plan will be due at the time it is added. So you will need to figure out how that will be paid. If you trust this friend with your CC info, that would be the easiest, as then you would be charged directly.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards App, please excuse any typos or autocorrects!

There was a posting a couple of pages back saying the Grandstand pool will be closed Aug 25-Sept 14

 

[waltsgirl87]

Hey SSR fans!!

My DBF and I are staying at SSR 1 bedroom from Sept 27-Oct 4th and then switching to OKW from Oct 5-12th.
I'm using points through RCI and wasn't able to get back to back check in/check out dates.

Our plan is to stay at a Universal hotel the one night to take advantage of Express Pass. Do any of you know if Disney will hold/transfer our luggage to OKW for the next day check in?? This would ultimately be perfect for us so we don't have to bring our two weeks worth of luggage or a one night stay.

Also, what section would you all recommend? We were wanting to request Congress Park to be near the DTD walkway, but now with it closing we're thinking Springs so we still have a walkway just in case we have a late night at DTD and to be near the restaurants and such. The pool is not a huge interest to us; we'd actually prefer quiet pools (not sure if SSR has any, we loved the ones at POR Riverside last trip).

Thanks everyone!!

 

[dwelty]

Hey SSR fans!!

My DBF and I are staying at SSR 1 bedroom from Sept 27-Oct 4th and then switching to OKW from Oct 5-12th.
I'm using points through RCI and wasn't able to get back to back check in/check out dates.

Our plan is to stay at a Universal hotel the one night to take advantage of Express Pass. Do any of you know if Disney will hold/transfer our luggage to OKW for the next day check in?? This would ultimately be perfect for us so we don't have to bring our two weeks worth of luggage or a one night stay.

Also, what section would you all recommend? We were wanting to request Congress Park to be near the DTD walkway, but now with it closing we're thinking Springs so we still have a walkway just in case we have a late night at DTD and to be near the restaurants and such. The pool is not a huge interest to us; we'd actually prefer quiet pools (not sure if SSR has any, we loved the ones at POR Riverside last trip).

Thanks everyone!!

Yes, Disney will transfer the luggage To Old Key West, They are sister resorts with the same staff, so the transfer is seamless. If you are looking for a location close to the boat dock to Downtown Disney, and a quiet pool, you can not go wrong with the Grandstand section. Ask for one of the two closets buildings to the Carriage House (check in building). This section also has the first bus stop in the resort. This is great coming home late from the parks. It has a great quiet pool, and will have just finished a room refurbishment at the end of August. There is also a walkway to Downtown Disney Westside near the boat dock if you do not want to wait. have a great trip!

 

[waltsgirl87]

Yes, Disney will transfer the luggage To Old Key West, They are sister resorts with the same staff, so the transfer is seamless. If you are looking for a location close to the boat dock to Downtown Disney, and a quiet pool, you can not go wrong with the Grandstand section. Ask for one of the two closets buildings to the Carriage House (check in building). This section also has the first bus stop in the resort. This is great coming home late from the parks. It has a great quiet pool, and will have just finished a room refurbishment at the end of August. There is also a walkway to Downtown Disney Westside near the boat dock if you do not want to wait. have a great trip!

Thanks Dwelty!! I think Grandstand sound like the place for us <3
So, Disney is fine with transferring our luggage for us even though there is a day gap between check out/check in?
Just wanna make sure before I get all excited, haha

 

[dwelty]

Thanks Dwelty!! I think Grandstand sound like the place for us <3
So, Disney is fine with transferring our luggage for us even though there is a day gap between check out/check in?
Just wanna make sure before I get all excited, haha

waltsgirl, I'm sorry, I did not realize that you had a day's gap. I do not know if they will store the luggage for a day or not. They may not as they are trying to keep you on property. I would definitely not mention your night at Universal when you ask. worst case scenario you take the luggage with you for the one night.

 

[dwelty]

waltsgirl, I'm sorry, I did not realize that you had a day's gap. I do not know if they will store the luggage for a day or not. They may not as they are trying to keep you on property. I would definitely not mention your night at Universal when you ask. worst case scenario you take the luggage with you for the one night.

Also remember, the 1 bedrooms have washer/dryers. The advantage of this is the fact that you do not need to pack two weeks worth of clothes. when we stay in a 1 bedroom we usually pack enough clothes for about 3 or 4 days and do laundry. It sure beats hauling a bunch of luggage around!

 

[jennylyn_b]

We are staying next month for one week in a 1bdrm villa as a DVC guest (MIL's) We were able to get much cheaper airfare the day before (flying in at 5pm) and initially I just thought we would stay at Hyatt MCO or value but realized they both only offer double beds and for the 4 of us, it won't work. My husband is 6ft tall and my DD11 is 5'4. I want a good night sleep our first night.

So now I am debating just paying the 30% off room rate for an SSR studio for $270 or get a royal room a POR for $170 and taking a taxi over in the morning to "check in" at SSR and drop the luggage off at bell services before heading to a park.

I am leaning towards POR because we have never stayed there and I think the 3yr old would love the royal room for the night. I figure even if we stay at SSR, we would need to pack up, bring luggage to bell services and recheck in and leave luggage until the room is ready. So we might as well try something close by for cheaper.

Before I do this, is there any reason to stay at SSR the night before that I don't know about? They wouldn't transfer my luggage for me or check me in immediately so we can move quickly - or anything like that, would they?

If you choose POR they will transfer your bags to SSR for you! Just pack up and keep what you will need for the day. Go to the park and check in to SSR later in the afternoon. Check in is after 4. You can check in early and your room may be ready but I would enjoy the day then head to SSR before dinner and check in.

 

[MinnieTink]

Can anyone tell me if the 2BR units have one or two room safes? And are they the same as in the regular WDW resort rooms?

Also can you walk up to the Turf Club for dinner or are ADRs recommended?

 

[Suzanne74]

One more perk of my trip next month to SSR. I will have a working fridge!!!

 

[Suzanne74]

If you choose POR they will transfer your bags to SSR for you! Just pack up and keep what you will need for the day. Go to the park and check in to SSR later in the afternoon. Check in is after 4. You can check in early and your room may be ready but I would enjoy the day then head to SSR before dinner and check in.

The reason I am doing the taxi to SSR in AM is for multiple reasons. Checking in early AM is normally much quicker than 3-4pm. I can have the taxi pick me up from my POR building (no bell service needed) and will know my bags are already at SSR (I hear your bags can get there as late as 6pm.) then just hop on a bus to MK.

We are going to MK and have a 5:15pm reservation at Chef Mickey's. If we are checked in, they will call when our room is ready and we can decide if we want to go back for a break and freshen up from 2-4pm, if it is ready early or just go straight to CM if it isn't knowing our room is ready when we go back that night exhausted. I prefer to take a break (have a 3yr old) and take a taxi back to CM. That won't happen if we leave MK and hope the check-in line isn't long or the room is ready. It may be a lost cause.

I would pick SSR if they could keep me in the same building when I switch from a studio to a 1bdrm and just have DH check-in and out in the morning and move our luggage over. My fear is that we spend a lot of money for the studio only to have to check luggage and wait for room to be ready, which is what will probably happen. Then it doesn't really save us much convenience.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Can anyone tell me if the 2BR units have one or two room safes? And are they the same as in the regular WDW resort rooms?

Also can you walk up to the Turf Club for dinner or are ADRs recommended?

If you have a dedicated two-bedroom, you'll have a single safe. If you're in a lock-off, there will be a safe in the one-bedroom section, and a second safe in the studio section. These are booking categories, not requests. So if you have a reservation, you'll know up front whether you're in a dedicated room or lockoff. If the reservation doesn't say one way or the other, it's a dedicated room.

WDW has multiple types of room safes, so I'm not sure which type it is you're thinking of. The ones in the studios and 1/2/3 bedroom villas at SSR are a door in the wall with a key. They're only the depth of the wall itself, so somewhere about 2 1/2". My wallet touches both sides when I lay it in the bottom. They're wide, probably the full 16" between the studs, and maybe 20" tall.

The treehouses have the type of safe that's a small cube sitting on a pedestal, and are opened by entering a code on a keypad.

We've never had a problem walking up to Turf Club. Keep in mind, though, that they close early -- 9 PM. Many times we've wanted to head to Turf Club after coming in from a park and realized it was too late.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Apart from the closed path from CP to DTD is there any other path to walk / scooter to DTD does anyone know?

There are two other paths, but they're both technically not walking paths. One is a service path that leads from the tree house section over to the opposite bank of the river. The other is a golf cart path that leads from the first floor of the Carriage House, near the Pro Shop, to the opposite side of the river. Both connect to a path that leads to the DTD parking lot on the far side of the Cirque du Soleil building. Note that because this is not officially designated as a walking path, it is not lighted at night.

On the THV path, there's a sign that says "Cast Members Only." Many people ignore the sign and use the bridge, but you need to make a personal choice about how you feel about doing that.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Do any of you know if Disney will hold/transfer our luggage to OKW for the next day check in??

This shouldn't be a problem. Just explain to the bellman exactly what you need to do when they pick up your bags from your first room. Disney routinely transfers bags from one resort to another. They also hold bags for guests (as long as a week in the case of guests taking a cruise in the middle of a WDW vacation). I can't see why they wouldn't be willing to work with you to do a combination of move/hold.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

My husband is 6ft tall and my DD11 is 5'4. I want a good night sleep our first night.

So now I am debating just paying the 30% off room rate for an SSR studio for $270 or get a royal room a POR for $170 and taking a taxi over in the morning to "check in" at SSR and drop the luggage off at bell services before heading to a park.

Before I do this, is there any reason to stay at SSR the night before that I don't know about? They wouldn't transfer my luggage for me or check me in immediately so we can move quickly - or anything like that, would they?

We love the DVC studios -- but there are only two of us when we stay in one. I'd personally never consider it for a larger group.

In the POR room, you'd get two queen sized beds. In the SSR studio, you'd get a queen-sized bed and a full-sized pull out couch.

As much as I love, love, love SSR, I have to recommend that you go for the comfy beds, go for the princes them, and go for the cheaper price. Yep, POR is the better fit.

That said, SSR is a large resort with a lot of rooms. If you were flexible in the room location you wanted for your 1 bedroom, there is an excellent chance that they'd have a room available for you before the 11 am check-out time from your first room. I'd say that there is even a fair chance they might be able to keep you in the same building. Bell services would be able to move you directly from one room into the other. If the rooms were in different sections, they'd even transport your family along with the luggage using a golf cart or van.

One thing to keep in mind with SSR is that, unlike some other DVC resorts, they allow you to make an appointment with bell services the night before. I highly recommend doing this, as it's sometimes impossible to get assistance during the high-volume check-out hours if you haven't done so. Take this advice from someone who once had to lug four suitcases and two very heavy owner's lockers from the Grandstand Section to the Carriage House one morning to catch our DME bus in time.

 

[MinnieTink]

If you have a dedicated two-bedroom, you'll have a single safe. If you're in a lock-off, there will be a safe in the one-bedroom section, and a second safe in the studio section. These are booking categories, not requests. So if you have a reservation, you'll know up front whether you're in a dedicated room or lockoff. If the reservation doesn't say one way or the other, it's a dedicated room.

WDW has multiple types of room safes, so I'm not sure which type it is you're thinking of. The ones in the studios and 1/2/3 bedroom villas at SSR are a door in the wall with a key. They're only the depth of the wall itself, so somewhere about 2 1/2". My wallet touches both sides when I lay it in the bottom. They're wide, probably the full 16" between the studs, and maybe 20" tall.

The treehouses have the type of safe that's a small cube sitting on a pedestal, and are opened by entering a code on a keypad.

We've never had a problem walking up to Turf Club. Keep in mind, though, that they close early -- 9 PM. Many times we've wanted to head to Turf Club after coming in from a park and realized it was too late.

Great info! Thanks so much!

 

[Suzanne74]

We love the DVC studios -- but there are only two of us when we stay in one. I'd personally never consider it for a larger group.

In the POR room, you'd get two queen sized beds. In the SSR studio, you'd get a queen-sized bed and a full-sized pull out couch.

As much as I love, love, love SSR, I have to recommend that you go for the comfy beds, go for the princes them, and go for the cheaper price. Yep, POR is the better fit.

That said, SSR is a large resort with a lot of rooms. If you were flexible in the room location you wanted for your 1 bedroom, there is an excellent chance that they'd have a room available for you before the 11 am check-out time from your first room. I'd say that there is even a fair chance they might be able to keep you in the same building. Bell services would be able to move you directly from one room into the other. If the rooms were in different sections, they'd even transport your family along with the luggage using a golf cart or van.

One thing to keep in mind with SSR is that, unlike some other DVC resorts, they allow you to make an appointment with bell services the night before. I highly recommend doing this, as it's sometimes impossible to get assistance during the high-volume check-out hours if you haven't done so. Take this advice from someone who once had to lug four suitcases and two very heavy owner's lockers from the Grandstand Section to the Carriage House one morning to catch our DME bus in time.

Didn't know about the bell services - thanks! We will be moving to AoA for 3 days so this is a big help.

I like the flexibility option but with no car and a 3yr old, I rather wait for our room request (near paddock pool/bus, any level) than try and get these rooms together. I don't want to be a PIA at check-in

I think we are going to sample POR for the night. I have always wanted to tour those mods. Thanks!

 

[txcpamom]

Not sure about the Grandstand pool, I have not been keeping up with refurb schedules. Someone around here should know though.

The first question I can answer! Member Services will only speak with the member. So if you want to request a specific section, your friend will need to do it for you. Likewise if you wish to add a dining plan, your friend will have to add it for you. Payment in full for dining plan will be due at the time it is added. So you will need to figure out how that will be paid. If you trust this friend with your CC info, that would be the easiest, as then you would be charged directly.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards App, please excuse any typos or autocorrects!

Thank you so much! We are going to meet up next week and get all of that done together. So excited!!!

 

[txcpamom]

One more perk of my trip next month to SSR. I will have a working fridge!!!

I thought the same thing!

 

[mrsap]

Hey everyone! This will be our first time staying at SSR, we are going Thanksgiving week. Just wondering if you can see fireworks from any of the buildings? Thanks!

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Hey everyone! This will be our first time staying at SSR, we are going Thanksgiving week. Just wondering if you can see fireworks from any of the buildings? Thanks!

Not since they stopped doing the nightly "New Years Eve" fireworks at Downtown Disney. There are some spots where you can spot far-off fireworks sometimes above the trees, but not so well that you'd want to base a room selection on it, IMHO.