SSR Lovers and Owners Part 2

[dreamlinda]

[I made the mistake of picking up our two Owner's Lockers with the car at Bell Services on a recent trip instead of asking to have them delivered.

We did the same thing last week but only on the way in ~ departing we called Bell Services!!

AND ~ if your going soon and have requested Congress Park be aware that the refurbish is ongoing. Equipment and crews have several parking spaces blocked so parking is at a premium in front of Bldg 15-18 and 11-14. I believe they are working their way toward bldg's 11-14, so be prepared for the possibility of a room in worn and kind of sad condition. We were in 1312 and it could really use some love!

 

[vandy]

Thanks for the info. Are you normally able to get your room earlier than 4? Although, I guess we could leave our bags with bell services, correct?

It is never a guarantee that you will check in before 4 pm (or even at 4 pm at times!). However if you do the online check in you do have the opportunity to tell them what time you plan to arrive. This may or may not help, but we checked into SSR around 11:30 am and our room was ready. Yes, you can leave your bags with bell services, just be sure to tip them.

 

[Swistakfam]

It is never a guarantee that you will check in before 4 pm (or even at 4 pm at times!). However if you do the online check in you do have the opportunity to tell them what time you plan to arrive. This may or may not help, but we checked into SSR around 11:30 am and our room was ready. Yes, you can leave your bags with bell services, just be sure to tip them.

Thanks so much for your info, the room being ready really isn't a huge issue. Just dont want our luggage to bake in the Florida sun, looks like storing with bell services it is. My husband is a great tipper, so no worries there. Thanks again!

 

[supersuperwendy]

2 weeks to go!!!

Question.... I've just read recent reports that Congress Park is undergoing the new refurb. We have a request for that section because we love it. I'm afraid my toddler won't nap if there's banging/hammering etc going on around us.

Where should I request instead? Are there good water views from the Springs or The Paddock? There's a lake between them right?

 

[AirGoofy]

2 weeks to go!!!

Question.... I've just read recent reports that Congress Park is undergoing the new refurb. We have a request for that section because we love it. I'm afraid my toddler won't nap if there's banging/hammering etc going on around us.

Where should I request instead? Are there good water views from the Springs or The Paddock? There's a lake between them right?

We had a lake view at the paddock, near the pool and bridge that goes across it. It was a terrific view and liked walking over the bridge.

 

[Achray]

Hi Everyone. Have just completed reading this thread. We are new DVC members and SSR is going to be our first DVC resort stay.
I would appreciate your opinions on what would be the best area for us to request. We (DH and myself), kids will be in college so they can't come, prefer the quiet pools, balcony with a view, don't mind walking, doesn't have to be close to food. We will be flying down Oct 23 and leaving for a cruise the 27th. Have a studio booked. I was thinking of Congress park. Would that be a good fit. We have never stayed here before so unsure exactly where to request. Any suggestions for would greatly appreciated.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Hi Everyone. Have just completed reading this thread. We are new DVC members and SSR is going to be our first DVC resort stay.
I would appreciate your opinions on what would be the best area for us to request. We (DH and myself), kids will be in college so they can't come, prefer the quiet pools, balcony with a view, don't mind walking, doesn't have to be close to food. We will be flying down Oct 23 and leaving for a cruise the 27th. Have a studio booked. I was thinking of Congress park. Would that be a good fit. We have never stayed here before so unsure exactly where to request. Any suggestions for would greatly appreciated.

To me Congress Park is the perfect adult location. We always request a DTD view. We enjoy the walk to DTD from there. There are some great benches along the path to just sit and relax. Also nothing better than sitting on the balcony in the morning overlooking the water and drinking coffee. I also really like the quiet pool there. It is a bit of a walk to the main area but we don't mind that. Not as close as some other areas to refill your mug or get something quick to eat/drink but again not a big deal to us.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

2 weeks to go!!!

Question.... I've just read recent reports that Congress Park is undergoing the new refurb. We have a request for that section because we love it. I'm afraid my toddler won't nap if there's banging/hammering etc going on around us.

Where should I request instead? Are there good water views from the Springs or The Paddock? There's a lake between them right?

We had a lake view at the paddock, near the pool and bridge that goes across it. It was a terrific view and liked walking over the bridge.

Hi Everyone. Have just completed reading this thread. We are new DVC members and SSR is going to be our first DVC resort stay.
I would appreciate your opinions on what would be the best area for us to request. We (DH and myself), kids will be in college so they can't come, prefer the quiet pools, balcony with a view, don't mind walking, doesn't have to be close to food. We will be flying down Oct 23 and leaving for a cruise the 27th. Have a studio booked. I was thinking of Congress park. Would that be a good fit. We have never stayed here before so unsure exactly where to request. Any suggestions for would greatly appreciated.

THV aside, the Paddock buildings near the pool have become my absolute favorite section of the resort. The lake and bridge back there are just beautiful. It's also a lovely walk to the Carriage House across the bridge. Here are a few pictures from a recent trip.

(We were on our way to a wedding, and took advantage of these beautiful backgrounds for a few pictures. We don't normally walk around Disney in suits and tuxedos. I was just disappointed that not a single person passed us that morning for me to ask them to take a picture of the two of us together.)

The balcony shots are from room 5823, which is in the building immediately South of the pool.

A little Disney Florist color added to the balcony view.

Around the lake
(Try to look at the scenery and not be distracted by my ugly mug. )

 

[Pinkocto]

Beautiful pictures Dave

 

[Blondie1973]

Beautiful pics! That's where I want to do my vow renewal.

Does anyone know if there's a Salon on site or is it only spa services?

 

[Sir William]

2 weeks to go!!!

Question.... I've just read recent reports that Congress Park is undergoing the new refurb. We have a request for that section because we love it. I'm afraid my toddler won't nap if there's banging/hammering etc going on around us.

Where should I request instead? Are there good water views from the Springs or The Paddock? There's a lake between them right?

We were in Congress Park last week and I don't remember any major construction noise during the day, and we were near a work area. They are working on a the bus stop but have a temporary shaded bus stop (the CM at check-in said we had to catch the bus at the Springs but was obviously wrong).

 

[AirGoofy]

(We were on our way to a wedding, and took advantage of these beautiful backgrounds for a few pictures. We don't normally walk around Disney in suits and tuxedos. I was just disappointed that not a single person passed us that morning for me to ask them to take a picture of the two of us together.)

The balcony shots are from room 5823, which is in the building immediately South of the pool.

[]

Great shots. And, the tux is really cool.

 

[Mobley5]

I've not done the actual walk. However, using the resport maps that were posted back on page 127, it looks like the walk from Congress Park to the Paddock Pool is a little further than walking from the THV South bus stop to the Grandstand bus stop. (I used the highly sophisticated process of holding a ruler to my computer monitor. ) I've clocked the THV-to-Grandstand walk to be about 10 minutes at a normal pace. So walking to the paddock pool would be 10-15 minutes, depending on the pace you set.

When we stayed in the southern-most building at the Paddock and would use the Congress Park bus stop, we discovered that there's no sidewalk between the Paddock and Congress Park on the street side of the Paddock buildings. If you were to go that way, you'd have to walk in the street. There is, however, a sidewalk if you walk to the left of the Congress Park bus stop, and then walk between the lake and the Paddock buildings to get to the pool.

You can also take the bus. Take the Downtown Disney bus to get from Congress Park to the Paddock, and any theme park bus to get back.

Thank you!!

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Beautiful pics! That's where I want to do my vow renewal.

Does anyone know if there's a Salon on site or is it only spa services?

Thanks

SSR's spa has spa services only. There are salons at the Yacht Club and Grand Floridian. There may be others, but those are the ones I know of.

 

[supersuperwendy]

Those pics are stunning!!! I wonder if the system would allow a request for a bridge view???!

 

[vandy]

2 weeks to go!!!

Question.... I've just read recent reports that Congress Park is undergoing the new refurb. We have a request for that section because we love it. I'm afraid my toddler won't nap if there's banging/hammering etc going on around us.

Where should I request instead? Are there good water views from the Springs or The Paddock? There's a lake between them right?

Just got back from SSR and Congress Park and although the room above us had hammering going on, I did find out it was not part of the rehab going on, but rather repair on a unit. What we saw for rehab was the building next to ours was shut down and they were working in the entire building. No people were staying there so the work did not bother anyone. We were in the last building to the east or the closest for walking to DTD. Did not appear that our building was worked on yet.

 

[AnimalPrincess]

I just had to vent to someone who might understand, anyone else out there not liking the new decor of the rooms? We always stay in studios and I really loved the decor of SSR, especially the color pallet, but ugh this new decor and color pallet is BLAH!! Sooooo boring!! And those new drapes, UGLY!!!

Anyone with me??

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I'll have to see it in person before I'm sure, but I kind of like it. I can't figure out what the deal is with the bridal strap on the curtains, though.

 

[pinkxray]

We will be staying at SSR for 1 night in Sept before leaving for a cruise. We plan on spending most of the day at the resort in the pool and maybe walking over to DTD.

Thinking of requesting CP for a DTD view. Is that a good choice? It doesn't look like a far walk to the new pool or should we just request Paddlock?

Also, I know that SSR is a huge resort but I am just wondering how long does it take to walk around the whole resort. Is that even possible, is it all connected with paths? I will be getting a new DSLR right before the trip and was hoping to wander around and take pictures.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Also, I know that SSR is a huge resort but I am just wondering how long does it take to walk around the whole resort. Is that even possible, is it all connected with paths?

Yes and no. There are paths connecting every section of the resort, but not necessarily a path that would let you walk the complete perimeter of the resort. You'd have to do a little bit of back tracking. (For example, you couldn't get from Carousel directly to Grandstand unless you walked on either a golf cart path (which have signs specifically prohibiting pedestrians) or along the street. You'd want to walk back through the Springs and get to the Grandstand via the Carriage House.

Check out Google Earth and search for 1960 Broadway, Lake Buena Vista, FL. The buildings are actually 3-D, and you can do a street level walk through the resort online to plan your path.