SSR Lovers and Owners Part 2

[Pinkocto]

Oh very cool, our stays overlap then!!! Are you doing the sunrise safari? We're doing it on 9/9.

We won't be on this trip. I did it last year and just loved it, well worth the money. I'll keep an eye out for you in the lounge. If I hear anyone talking to Stacey with a little one I'll say hi

 

[mrstomrice]

3 weeks to go and we'll be home for our first DVC visit!

 

[Pinkocto]

3 weeks to go and we'll be home for our first DVC visit!

Very exciting!!!

 

[mrstomrice]

Even more exciting...I was able to book Le Celleir for lunch on August 18! You never know when something will pop up like this

 

[bnk1120]

Myself and a friend are going down in January for our first half marathon. Our plan was to stay at OKW since they offer 2 beds. However, their studios are apparently all booked for that weekend. The only thing available was SSR, so that's what we took. Unfortunetely, this means one of us will be sleeping on the pullout bed. Can anyone tell me how comfortable (or uncomfortable) these are? The last thing either of us needs before running 13 miles is a bad night's sleep and waking up sore. Hopefully they're not as bad as I'm thinking.

I am laying on the pull out right now! I am in a refurbed room in congress park. The mattress looks thin, but it is actually very comfortable. No bar
Poking my back. I have back and neck problems and have slept fine.

 

[Mrmrezg]

we just returned home, from an eight night stay in room 8410 of the grandstand. we were pleased with our room and the resort in general. However, I cannot say that we loved the place. SSR will not be our first choice in DVC resorts. There is nothing in particular that I can blame because there was nothing bad about the place, we just enjoyed AKL, more.

we stayed at SSR because we needed to change our travel plans at the last minute and sir was the only resort that did not require a split stay.

 

[AnnaS]

Two weeks to go can't wait for our first stay here.

 

[Dizny Dad]

You will enjoy it! Find a rocker and sit a spell . . .

 

[KelseyLaPerle]

DH and I, along with DD7.5 and DS 4.5 will be in a one bedroom in just 15 days (yikes!). I'm wondering if we should bring an air mattress for one child? They have never slept in the same bed and I don't know if a trip like this is a good opportunity to try it out.

So, I have two questions:

1.) Are there two pull out couches in the "living room" or just one?
2.) Will a twin sized air mattress fit?

Thanks! I can't wait to be there!

 

[russct]

Just an FYI I was at SSR on 7/3 and they finished renovations in all of Congress Park Buildings, and have started in the Springs Section. Thanks

 

[AirGoofy]

we just returned home, from an eight night stay in room 8410 of the grandstand. we were pleased with our room and the resort in general. However, I cannot say that we loved the place. SSR will not be our first choice in DVC resorts. There is nothing in particular that I can blame because there was nothing bad about the place, we just enjoyed AKL, more.

we stayed at SSR because we needed to change our travel plans at the last minute and sir was the only resort that did not require a split stay.

Sorry, you did not have as magical a trip, but it is a different resort than AKL. It was able to accomodate your travel needs. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to return.

Two weeks to go can't wait for our first stay here.

Have a great trip.

Just an FYI I was at SSR on 7/3 and they finished renovations in all of Congress Park Buildings, and have started in the Springs Section. Thanks

Go to know. I want to stay at CP next time, but DW wants to stay at Paddock with the new feature pool. What terrible problems to have.

DH and I, along with DD7.5 and DS 4.5 will be in a one bedroom in just 15 days (yikes!). I'm wondering if we should bring an air mattress for one child? They have never slept in the same bed and I don't know if a trip like this is a good opportunity to try it out.

So, I have two questions:

1.) Are there two pull out couches in the "living room" or just one?
2.) Will a twin sized air mattress fit?

Thanks! I can't wait to be there!

There is just one couch in the living room. I'm not sure if the 1 BRs have added the sleeper chairs to them where the chair pulls out to a bed. Will defer to others. We have never tried an air mattress, but there is a lot of space in the 1 BR. You may have to scoot the table closer to the wall, but I would think there is plenty of room there.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

we just returned home, from an eight night stay in room 8410 of the grandstand. we were pleased with our room and the resort in general. However, I cannot say that we loved the place. SSR will not be our first choice in DVC resorts. There is nothing in particular that I can blame because there was nothing bad about the place, we just enjoyed AKL, more.

we stayed at SSR because we needed to change our travel plans at the last minute and sir was the only resort that did not require a split stay.

That's the best thing about DVC -- there truly is something for everyone. If one resort isn't quite your cup of tea, there are many others from which to choose.

It's sometimes hard to put your finger on exactly what makes you love or not quite love a particular resort. With myself, for example, I've never been able to put into words why SSR is my favorite resort, yet OKW, which is very similar to SSR in many respects, has just never done anything for me. Same with AKV... we enjoyed our vacation there, but it just didn't click for us. Unless the grandkids beg to do a savanna-view room some day to see the animals, our only future plans for AVL would be an occasional meal at Boma.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Just finished reading all 140 pages of the Part 2 post!! My eyes hurt and my brain is about ready to explode but it was worth it for all that I've learned.

We're traveling to WDW for 9 nights the second week in September. First 3 nights are club level at AKL, other 6 nights are in a THV. The trip originally started because my husband has to attend a conference at the Marriott World Center for work. We decided to add on a few days before and after the conference and also invited my parents (traveling with DD who will be 18 mos at the time).

I was reading reviews of the Marriott and the fact that we would have to take a shuttle just to get to our rental car in their parking structure really turned me off (especially because we would be paying for parking). So I was playing around with the Disney site and with the great 30% off sale found we could get a THV for nearly the same it was costing us for 2 standard rooms at the Marriott. When you factor in the savings on theme park parking, hotel parking, and free wi-fi, I really think we made out. Of course I do have to drop off DH at his conference bright and early at 6am on Monday, but I'm willing to make the sacrifice to stay in a THV. Plus it will be so much nicer to share one unit with my parents given the fact that we'll be spending most evenings back in the room due to DD not making it much past 9-10pm.

We're renting a car so I'm not worried about transportation but do have a question on where you check in for the THV, is it all done at Carriage House or is there someplace else?

We have 6 day hopper passes and 1 day at Universal (have to see Mr. Potter and friends) so we have quite a packed schedule. We'll be doing the Sunrise Savanna tour while staying at AKL which I'm really excited about.

I think we're going to drive most of the days to the park because I would feel more comfortable with DD in her car seat. Any tips from parents who have traveled with car seat age children, do you feel safe with them on your lap on the bus? What about the boat to DTD and on to PO, should I bring her small life jacket from home for the ride?

If we do end up driving to the parks is there an area you recommend parking (for Epcot and MK)? We don't mind walking and will have a compact stroller for DD.

I'm sure I'll have more questions as it gets closer. I'm getting very excited for our trip. I went once as a child and stayed in the old Buena Vista Palace and DH and I went 12 years ago for the millennium celebration but stayed offsite.

Sorry for such a long post

It looks like you've already gotten some good advice from several others. I'll just jump in late (been on business travel without a personal computer for the past week) with a few comments.

When you drive the a park, Disney will show you the exact parking space that you're to park in. There aren't really any recommended places to park. Just follow the directions given to you by the cast members in the yellow and white shirts. They have their parking lots down to a science.

Prior to 2011, we relied on Disney Transportation exclusively and took the buses everywhere. Recently, though, we've been getting spoiled by renting a car, and that's starting to become our new normal. We now mostly drive to the parks -- with the exception of the Magic Kingdom. Because of the hassle of dealing with the Ticket and Transportation Center, I'd rather take Disney Transportation to that park from the resort. (To get from the Magic Kingdom parking lot, you either walk from your car or take the parking lot shuttle to get to the TTC. From there, you need to take either a monorail or a ferry to get across the Seven Seas Lagoon to the Magic Kingdom entrance. There's no way to walk between the TTC and the Magic Kingdom.

If you're wary about the safety of Disney buses, I'll give you one other thing to consider. There may be times (near park openings and closing) when buses could be standing room only. In addition to thoughts about whether you're comfortable with holding your kids in your lap, also consider that there could be times that you could be standing holding a strap with one hand and a kid with the other. Of course, you always have the option to wait for the next bus and a seat, but believe me, when it's midnight and you've been in the park all day, the prospect of waiting for another twenty minutes isn't very appealing.

All Disney boats have an ample supply of both adult and child life vests for use in the event of an emergency. There's no need to pack a personal one.

It's nice to have the longer pass. You're right -- the days get cheaper when you add more. You'll find that even if you're not spending a full day in a Disney Park, it's nice to be able to run to an in-park restaurant, go for just the fireworks, or just quickly do a few favorite rides. Since you'll be staying at the THV, you'll also get the perk of extra magic hours. Since you had the foresight to invite built-in babysitters, you and your husband could take advantage of the late park hours for some "you" time.

Have fun!

 

[Disjunky]

Definitely rent a car it makes life so much easier. Especially with the car seat any young child it just makes commuting to and from the parks in hotels so much easier for you and your family. Parking's easy if you have a car seat, just put your kid in stroller and go from there. Enjoy the trip. Renting a car is by far the easiest way to do disney. You dont wait for buses and go at ur own will. Imo

 

[staceyeid]

Thank you BirdsOfPreyDave and Disjunky!!

I think the car is going to work out the best for us. We found a great deal for under $280 for a minivan for 10 days so we're pretty happy about that (of course still shopping around to see if I can get that price down even more!)

You bring up a very good point about standing room only on the bus. I've been warned about the double mode of transportation required to get into MK. Does anyone know if we could pay for valet parking at Poly and take the monorail to MK? I know you can't park there (3 hr limit, resort guests only) and go into MK, but if you pay valet is it then allowed? We have reservations for Kona Cafe for our MK day but I don't really feel like worrying about my car being towed the whole time we're enjoying the park and don't want to break the rules. Just curious if valet was ok to do.

DH and I will definitely be sneaking away one night to enjoy the park in the evening, maybe have a nice meal as well.

I'm also really looking forward to trying out the child swap option. Most days it will be my parents and I in the park with DD and I didn't think we'd be able to ride too much. But now it looks like we stand a chance of getting in a few adult rides at each park and I'm a total ride junkie. So excited for EE at AKL!! It was being built the last time we were there.

Thank you again for all of your help and tips!!

 

[alwaysmagical]

Because this is a huge thread, I decided to just post my question rather than implode my brain trying to read it all. I can't get over the SIZE of this resort! I'm afraid we'll end up out in the middle of nowhere. Can anyone tell me which buildings near the Carriage House have one bedroom villas in them? I know that requests are not guaranteed but I would like to try for a building as close to the center of the action as possible. Also, is the ferry the same one that will take you to OKW, POFQ and POR or is it on a separate line, in case we want to go to one of those resorts for lunch or something without going to DTD first?

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Because this is a huge thread, I decided to just post my question rather than implode my brain trying to read it all. I can't get over the SIZE of this resort! I'm afraid we'll end up out in the middle of nowhere. Can anyone tell me which buildings near the Carriage House have one bedroom villas in them? I know that requests are not guaranteed but I would like to try for a building as close to the center of the action as possible. Also, is the ferry the same one that will take you to OKW, POFQ and POR or is it on a separate line, in case we want to go to one of those resorts for lunch or something without going to DTD first?

Check out this post for my thoughts on the "which section is best" question and a map of the resort.

Every building at SSR has the same floor plan, so they all have one-bedrooms. The buildings in the Springs are closest to the Carriage House.

The boats from SSR use the same dock at Downtown Disney as the other resorts, but it's not all the same route. To get to OKW or Port Orleans by boat, you'd need to change boats at DTD.

 

[mrstomrice]

We are renting a car (great specials at Dollar.com when I clicked on City special.) I want to find the addresses for each parking area for the parks, the airport, and Sea World. Does anyone have a suggestion for how I can get this information? Thanks!

 

[alwaysmagical]

Check out this post for my thoughts on the "which section is best" question and a map of the resort.

Every building at SSR has the same floor plan, so they all have one-bedrooms. The buildings in the Springs are closest to the Carriage House.

The boats from SSR use the same dock at Downtown Disney as the other resorts, but it's not all the same route. To get to OKW or Port Orleans by boat, you'd need to change boats at DTD.

Wow, this is EXACTLY what I was looking for! Thanks BirdsOfPreyDave!

 

[jacksmommy]

We are just under 2 months out from our first stay at SSR! We are excited but nervous as well with a new resort.

I am traveling with my family - DH, DS 6 and DD almost 3 at time of trip. My in-laws, low 60's and this is their third trip with us, they are in relatively good shape and my FIL is in fantastic shape.

I am reading through this thread and am a bit overwhelmed with which section I should request in SSR. Once I think I have it narrowed down I read more and get !

We have stayed at AKL twice (once in villas and once in Arusha/Jambo House) and last year we stayed at BLT. I felt like I could easily find which section best suited our needs there and we had great locations each time.

So we would like to be close to transportation, child-friendly pool and able to get food fairly quickly. We will have our car as we drive down from NC. We have never been to DTD but do have ressies there one evening. But I don't think that is overly critical.

Hit me with your suggestions please.

Thanks so much!!!