SSR Lovers and Owners Part 2

[vandy]

Thank you for the great info on this thread. We have booked and will be staying at SSR for the first time in Aug!

Based on what I have read, I submitted a request to stay in the Grandstand area. Even though not guaranteed, I think for my family this area would be ideal due to being first for bus service to the park and it seems to be an easy walk to the Springs for the pool and restaurants. Does this sound like a good plan? The pool slides are a must for my daughter.

Also, would the best way to get to the Paddocks pool from Grandstand be taking any park bus?

Thanks in advance!

Yes, request to be close to the bus stop or the Grandstand pool. These are the better buildings in my opinion because it is not that far of a walk to the main area. Grandstand has a nice pool and snack bar area of it's own so you may not even want to go the the Paddock pool, but if you do and you are in the buildings by the Grandstand pool then just use the Grandstand bus stop and hop on any bus. That would be the quickest.

 

[homeatssr]

Since it sounds like you are only there for one night, the Springs would probably be your best choice. You are right by the main area and pool, and the layout of the rest of the resort is not as much of an issue. Also, I have had 2br villas at SSR be ready at 10am and a couple of weeks ago it was ready when we arrived at 11am so you might get lucky.

Great! thank for the advice

 

[jjmm]

Yes, request to be close to the bus stop or the Grandstand pool. These are the better buildings in my opinion because it is not that far of a walk to the main area. Grandstand has a nice pool and snack bar area of it's own so you may not even want to go the the Paddock pool, but if you do and you are in the buildings by the Grandstand pool then just use the Grandstand bus stop and hop on any bus. That would be the quickest.

Thanks so much for the feedback!

 

[kbknepp]

Can you walk from SSR to the THV? We are traveling with family who will be staying in one, but it's not large enough for all of us. Is there a section I should recommend to get the closest possible? If so, how far does this leave us when trying to get back to Artist Palette?

 

[DannysMom]

Can you walk from SSR to the THV? We are traveling with family who will be staying in one, but it's not large enough for all of us. Is there a section I should recommend to get the closest possible? If so, how far does this leave us when trying to get back to Artist Palette?

Really? A day later and no one has answered yet? I'll take a crack at it, though I am far from an expert, having only stayed there once last month. But I still have a map!

From my map reading abilities I can tell you that the Grandstand is the closest section to the THV and there does appear to be a walking path between the two. On check in you should ask for a location in the Grandstand near the path to THV. Likewise when the other party checks in for THV they should mention they are traveling with another party staying in a villa and request a location close to the walking path path to the Grandstand area. GL

 

[Irishmom23]

Can you walk from SSR to the THV? We are traveling with family who will be staying in one, but it's not large enough for all of us. Is there a section I should recommend to get the closest possible? If so, how far does this leave us when trying to get back to Artist Palette?

We were in THV 7059 and requested to be "near transportation" We were near the South bus stop and the pathway to Grandstand at the main resort (the North bus stop is near the exit, NOT near the pathway to the Grandstand) We walked every day to the Grandstand bus stop and did not use the internal transportation except for once. The walk is very doable from the Grandstand and even the Springs, and the path is well lighted even at night. It took us a day to figure out the layout of the resort but once we did we were fine. The cast members were all great. We walked to the Springs pool several times and it was very relaxing after our massage at the spa.

 

[Bowen9475]

We are currently booked in a 1BR at OKW from July 30-August 4. We are a family of 5:2A, 3C ages 15, 13 and 9. A friend is willing to transfer us enough points in order to change the ressie to a 2BR but there are no 2BRs available at OKW for our dates. The only resort that has availability is SSR. My daughter and I have never stayed their but my husband and sons have. I do all the planning and usually know what I want but I have no idea about SSR. Where should we request to be? Is there an area that is close to the main pool and a bus stop but has views of DTD? How likely are we to get any of our requests when trying to book/change the ressie only a little more than a month before arrival? I love OKW but would really like the extra room of a 2BR.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Can you walk from SSR to the THV? We are traveling with family who will be staying in one, but it's not large enough for all of us. Is there a section I should recommend to get the closest possible? If so, how far does this leave us when trying to get back to Artist Palette?

As previously mentioned, there is a path between the THV and the Grandstand section. Call Member Services and ask them to make "Grandstand" the first request for the non-THV room. However, both the Grandstand and THV are large sections. Certain rooms in the Grandstand would be a good hike to certain Tree Houses. When talking with Member Services, ask them to also mark both reservations as "Traveling With." This is a way to tell the resort you want the two rooms to be as close as possible, and to consider both reservations together when making room assignments. Follow up on this request when you check in.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

We are currently booked in a 1BR at OKW from July 30-August 4. We are a family of 5:2A, 3C ages 15, 13 and 9. A friend is willing to transfer us enough points in order to change the ressie to a 2BR but there are no 2BRs available at OKW for our dates. The only resort that has availability is SSR. My daughter and I have never stayed their but my husband and sons have. I do all the planning and usually know what I want but I have no idea about SSR. Where should we request to be? Is there an area that is close to the main pool and a bus stop but has views of DTD? How likely are we to get any of our requests when trying to book/change the ressie only a little more than a month before arrival? I love OKW but would really like the extra room of a 2BR.

There are many posts in this thread that speak to the relative strengths and weaknesses of the various sections of SSR. A few very good summaries have been posted in the recent past, so check back 2-3 pages.

Every section has a bus stop, and every section except Carousel has a pool. The pools in the Springs and the Paddock are themed pools with lifeguards. The pools at the Grandstand, Congress Park, and THV are quiet pools. Quick service restaurants are at the Carriage House (closest to the Springs Section) and at the Paddock Pool. The Turf Club (sit down) restaurant, front desk, Spa, gym, and bell services are also in the Carriage House.

Congress Park is the section to request for Downtown Disney views.

As to your chances of a specific request? We've usually had a lot of luck getting what we want at SSR. It's a large resort with a large number of rooms in each section. Of course, as with any DVC resort, it helps to check in earlier in the day.

 

[kbknepp]

Thanks, All. I appreciate the help. My mother made both reservations at the same time and I believe they are marked with a request to get them as close together as possible. Now I know which section to actually ask for if we're not already in it.

 

[Melmarie622]

Just booked a total last minute girls trip. Leaving in 16 days!! We always do rope drops, then swim, then to a park for the evening. We have a 9 and 10 yr old who will want to swim at a pool with a slide. So, I need to be close to a bus stop and a pool with a slide and we will buy refillable mugs. So, is there more than 1 place to fill up those and does only the main pool have a slide. So, which section should I request?? And, Im well aware that I may not get my request but it doesn't hurt to at least put it in!

 

[goodferry]

Hello! We are leaving in about a week and a half for SSR. This is our first stay in the resort. We decided to go at the last minute and SSR was all that was available on points.

To be honest the primary reason we have never stayed there is that DH and my boys went to visit during one trip and got hopelessly lost. DH is not thrilled about staying there, he likes smaller resorts (his favorite is VWL) but I am kind of excited, I am originally from Saratoga Springs!

Could you all help me choose a room location to request and help me convince DH he will not spend the week hopelessly lost? We have a studio reserved and would like to be near a feature pool and amenities. We will have a rental car and do not spend that much time in Downtown Disney since Pleasure Island closed. We will use the fitness center and spa a good bit.

Thanks for your help!!!

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Just booked a total last minute girls trip. Leaving in 16 days!! We always do rope drops, then swim, then to a park for the evening. We have a 9 and 10 yr old who will want to swim at a pool with a slide. So, I need to be close to a bus stop and a pool with a slide and we will buy refillable mugs. So, is there more than 1 place to fill up those and does only the main pool have a slide. So, which section should I request?? And, Im well aware that I may not get my request but it doesn't hurt to at least put it in!

Hello! We are leaving in about a week and a half for SSR. This is our first stay in the resort. We decided to go at the last minute and SSR was all that was available on points.

To be honest the primary reason we have never stayed there is that DH and my boys went to visit during one trip and got hopelessly lost. DH is not thrilled about staying there, he likes smaller resorts (his favorite is VWL) but I am kind of excited, I am originally from Saratoga Springs!

Could you all help me choose a room location to request and help me convince DH he will not spend the week hopelessly lost? We have a studio reserved and would like to be near a feature pool and amenities. We will have a rental car and do not spend that much time in Downtown Disney since Pleasure Island closed. We will use the fitness center and spa a good bit.

Thanks for your help!!!

Sounds like you both have similar needs, so I'll go for a two-for answer.

The section closest to the Carriage House (the location of the front desk, main pool, Turf Club and Artist's Palette restaurants, and the Spa/gym) is the Springs. There are drink refill stations at both Artist's Palette and the main pool. The Springs is also on the main street through the resort, Broadway. The High Rock Spring pool has a great water slide. There are only three buildings in the Springs, so all rooms are close to the bus stop. One downside to the Springs is the fact that it's the last stop on the theme park bus route. During busy times of year (like summer), the buses will sometimes arrive at the Springs already full. If you're heading to the parks during a peak time, it could be standing room only or possibly completely full.

Another section that works for both of you would be the Paddock. The pool here also has a quick service restaurant with a drink refill station. There's also a wonderful water slide at this pool. (I personally prefer this slide better. It's a bit more of a corkscrew.) There's a bridge across the lake connecting the Paddock to the Springs, so the walk to the Carriage House isn't too far. The Paddock is the largest section of SSR. Some of the buildings are actually closer to the Carousel or Congress Park bus stops.

 

[bnk1120]

We stayed at SSr last summer when we booked a last minute trip. We own at VWL. My DH was not at all excited about SSR. It is basically opposite of everything he likes about VWl - it's condo style, spread out, many bus stops etc.

BUT, we are staying there again this summer and we booked exactly at 7 months. SSR was the resort both he and my DD requested!!! We loooved it! Very relaxing, beautiful pools and grounds, transportation was excellent, we loved Turf Club, I could go on and on! We are planning on adding on there soon...

The springs is near the main pool, food, spa etc. If you want to be near everything request that. I was in the paddock section last year and it was almost as close to the springs pool as the paddock. I will be requesting Congress Park. I like to go to DTD in the evening or to grab a bite to eat.

 

[portsofcall]

Hi,
I was thinking about breakfast and wondering if the studios have a toaster, etc. And I'm sipping myself two boxes filled with snacks, juice, bagels, tuna salad comes in sealed packs now, etc.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Pinkocto]

Oh yes, the studios have a toaster and microwave and the mini fridge. We like to make honey and peanut butter sandwiches and take them for lunch in the parks. You can buy milk at the store so maybe ship cereal if you like that for breakfast.

 

[portsofcall]

Oh yes, the studios have a toaster and microwave and the mini fridge. We like to make honey and peanut butter sandwiches and take them for lunch in the parks. You can buy milk at the store so maybe ship cereal if you like that for breakfast.

Thanks, do you know if there's a washer and dryer in the room? I heard there is and I also heard there's one set in each building. We have a studio, requested Congress Park. By the way, I have read many concerns about the shuttle bus wait to the parks,
if we are near DTD, we can walk back and forth instead from the shuttles that go to downtown disney?

 

[AirGoofy]

Thanks, do you know if there's a washer and dryer in the room? I heard there is and I also heard there's one set in each building. We have a studio, requested Congress Park. By the way, I have read many concerns about the shuttle bus wait to the parks,
if we are near DTD, we can walk back and forth instead from the shuttles that go to downtown disney?

1 BR and up have the washer/dryer, but studios do not. There are laundry machines at different locations. There are 5 bus stops at CP is towards the end of the cycle. But, it will take you 15 minutes to walk to DTD and then you'll have to bus to another resort to go to the theme parks. Better to just wait there at CP. They send buses on a regular basis.

 

[Pinkocto]

We stayed at Congress Park last December and never ever had a problem with the buses. It was a pleasant walk when we walked there, but I definitely wouldn't walk to DTD to get a bus to the parks.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

By the way, I have read many concerns about the shuttle bus wait to the parks,
if we are near DTD, we can walk back and forth instead from the shuttles that go to downtown disney?

We stayed at Congress Park last December and never ever had a problem with the buses. It was a pleasant walk when we walked there, but I definitely wouldn't walk to DTD to get a bus to the parks.

There are no direct buses between theme parks and Downtown Disney. Disney does this to discourage people from parking at DTD to avoid the parking fees at the parks. You need to get the theme park buses at the resorts. The only buses you'll find at DTD will be ones heading to other resorts. You likewise won't find a DTD bus at any of the parks.

Buses come very regularly. Yes, you'll probably have a story at the end of your trip about "that one bus we really needed to wait on," but transportation at SSR is very reliable in general.