SSR Lovers and Owners Part 2

[Lucys dad]

Hi. Yes we were nervous too. But would never go back now. We are from England I see you are from Scotland? We tend to stay 2 weeks so we bring 1 weeks clothes and just wash and dry them! It's great. We have enjoyed all the blocks we stayed in expect Carousel. The Springs is great for getting to the Artist Point in the morning for coffee. It's quite a walk from Congress Park. Worst case could be 20 mins I would say. that gets old soon! Fine from Grandstand I do it easily with a rollator! ( walking frame on wheels ) . Probably best from Springs though but they do serve coffee from Paddock pool also. But we like going to the main food court Artist Point. I think your best options are Grandstand or Springs then. Good luck!

Thanks again, I have now requested The Springs section but will phone them direct nearer the time. I am always take complaints of walking long distances with a pinch of salt as its very subjective. That said, a potential 20 minute walk from Congress Park for a morning coffee is stretching it even for me.


Yes, we are up in Scotland and usually go for 2 weeks as well but managed 3 this time. Its one of the reasons we are trying SSR. I was looking at our favourite resort of WL but the current offer had 3 weeks SSR for the same price as 2 weeks WL, both including the 'free' dining. An extra week was a no brainer. Just need to get the flights sorted and then get through the next 11 months.

 

[csharpwv]

Just booked 3 weeks in May 2014, first time at SSR !! Its actually our first time at any of the DVC resorts so despite the wealth of information on here I have a few queries.

As non DVC members will we get mousekeeping every day as we do in the WDW Hotels ? Also, my daughter will be sleeping on the fold down couch/bed. I take it when the maid comes she just makes it back up to a couch and we effectively fold out the bed again each night or does it stay as a bed for the whole 3 weeks ?

Also, we don't hire a car so I was guessing the best building to request would be The Springs or Maybe the Grandstand ? We prefer higher floors as well. Are all the buildings 3 storey ?

Sorry for all the queries but quite excited now that we have booked. Any help is appreciated.

Cheers

You will find that you will want to have the bed converted back to a sofa each day. There isn't much floor space at all with the sofa folded out.

You will also find that the sofa bed isn't the most comfortable in the world - the mattress on them is very thin. Don't get me wrong, they aren't horrible - but they aren't amazing either.

I believe all of the buildings at SSR are 4 stories tall - some may be three, but I know many are 4. I know the building that I stayed in week before last was 4. The elevators are central on the front of the building.

If you are not a DVC member, and didn't rent points from a member, yes, you will receive housekeeping every day!

You will find that there are members that love every different section of the resort for their own reasons - and you will find that each section has its own conveniences.

Saratoga Springs is a beautiful resort, the grounds are so picturesque! The fountains add such a stately feel, and the colorful buildings are so whimsical!

With a three week stay, I am certain that you will discover every corner of the resort and have a lot to share with us after your stay!

 

[dreamlinda]

Just booked 3 weeks in May 2014, first time at SSR !! Its actually our first time at any of the DVC resorts so despite the wealth of information on here I have a few queries.

As non DVC members will we get mousekeeping every day as we do in the WDW Hotels ? Also, my daughter will be sleeping on the fold down couch/bed. I take it when the maid comes she just makes it back up to a couch and we effectively fold out the bed again each night or does it stay as a bed for the whole 3 weeks ?

Also, we don't hire a car so I was guessing the best building to request would be The Springs or Maybe the Grandstand ? We prefer higher floors as well. Are all the buildings 3 storey ?

Sorry for all the queries but quite excited now that we have booked. Any help is appreciated.

Cheers

Just a thought for you. Our friends did an extended stay in a studio, and for their daughter they purchased a child sized airbed rather than using the fold out couch. I believe they ordered it from Walmart and had it delivered directly to the resort. It was a Disney Princess mattress, and they also purchased a matching princess sleeping bag. Their daughter loved it, and part of the fun was where to put the bed during the day. Seems it "hid" just about everywhere from the bathtub to the balcony. Not sure how old your daughter is, but she might enjoy this option.

 

[Suzanne74]

Just a thought for you. Our friends did an extended stay in a studio, and for their daughter they purchased a child sized airbed rather than using the fold out couch. I believe they ordered it from Walmart and had it delivered directly to the resort. It was a Disney Princess mattress, and they also purchased a matching princess sleeping bag. Their daughter loved it, and part of the fun was where to put the bed during the day. Seems it "hid" just about everywhere from the bathtub to the balcony. Not sure how old your daughter is, but she might enjoy this option.

That is the cutest idea. Thanks for sharing

How hard is the bed to get in and out? We don't have mousekeeping for the week.

 

[carmie3377]

That is the cutest idea. Thanks for sharing

How hard is the bed to get in and out? We don't have mousekeeping for the week.

We just got back from 5 nights in a studio. We kept the bed made up cause the only time we were in the room was at night or to rest mid day. The biggest pain was getting the sheets to stay on. There was no fitted sheet (only two flat sheets). The sheets couldn't tuck well but we did our best. The girls (DD and her BFF) slept well though and didn't complain about the "bed".

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[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Thanks again, I have now requested The Springs section but will phone them direct nearer the time. I am always take complaints of walking long distances with a pinch of salt as its very subjective. That said, a potential 20 minute walk from Congress Park for a morning coffee is stretching it even for me.

Yes, we are up in Scotland and usually go for 2 weeks as well but managed 3 this time. Its one of the reasons we are trying SSR. I was looking at our favourite resort of WL but the current offer had 3 weeks SSR for the same price as 2 weeks WL, both including the 'free' dining. An extra week was a no brainer. Just need to get the flights sorted and then get through the next 11 months.

Great! Good luck. How lovely 3 weeks. WL is a lovely resort too. And AK. Have you considered buying DVC or renting from a member? If you come every year enjoying the DVC resorts might be worth the investment. We never regretted it. We buy an annual pass as you get a DVD discount and time our stays so we get two holidays out of it. The following year we just come 2 weeks earlier. Saves a fortune! I bet a lot of folks on the Disboards do that. We just got 3 trips out of the discounted PAP. But that was pure greed lol.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Just saw in another post that construction is about to begin on the new bridge that will connect SSR with Downtown Disney as part of the Disney Springs makeover. The walking path between SSR and the Downtown Disney Marketplace will close on July 18th, and will remain closed until the bridge construction is complete. No date was announced on when the path will re-open.

You can see the location of the planned bridge on this drawing. When complete, it will make the walk to DTD even shorter (and much more picturesque), as you won’t have to walk all the way up to the street to cross the water.

Those staying at SSR this summer who requested Congress Park based on the walk to DTD may want to re-think the section they've requested.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Just saw in another post that construction is about to begin on the new bridge that will connect SSR with Downtown Disney as part of the Disney Springs makeover. The walking path between SSR and the Downtown Disney Marketplace will close on July 18th, and will remain closed until the bridge construction is complete. No date was announced on when the path will re-open.

You can see the location of the planned bridge on this drawing. When complete, it will make the walk to DTD even shorter (and much more picturesque), as you won’t have to walk all the way up to the street to cross the water.

Those staying at SSR this summer who requested Congress Park based on the walk to DTD may want to re-think the section they've requested.

Oh thanks for the info did not realise!

 

[Suzanne74]

So the boat is the only option?

 

[js]

I LOVE our SSR points. We purchased there looking ahead and knowing my kids would be getting bigger and eventually, at night, like to go to DDT for something to do to keep them occupied. Our next stay they will be 16 and almost 21 and I'm so glad we are so close to DDT. We get to go to the movies, have a variety of places to eat and entertainment. I am actually usually surprised it is not a DVC Resort that is more in demand. I've stayed at BLT, BWV, BC, AK and of course SSR and love SSR location more than any others. Maybe we should just keep it our little secret!

 

[carmie3377]

I wonder how much this will impact the buses at SSR? With a bunch of new parking, makes me wonder how many staying offsite will park, walk to SSR, then catch the bus to the park of their choice. I know it has been done and last week, overheard a girl telling her friend on the phone about how to park at DTD. I really hope they implement something to stop this from happening with all the parking. People shopping, dining, bowling, ect should be able to park for free but not those trying to get around paying for theme park parking. Frustrating to drive around forever trying to find a spot and it will be frustrating for those at SSR having to deal with excess people riding buses.

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[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I wonder how much this will impact the buses at SSR? With a bunch of new parking, makes me wonder how many staying offsite will park, walk to SSR, then catch the bus to the park of their choice. I know it has been done and last week, overheard a girl telling her friend on the phone about how to park at DTD. I really hope they implement something to stop this from happening with all the parking. People shopping, dining, bowling, ect should be able to park for free but not those trying to get around paying for theme park parking. Frustrating to drive around forever trying to find a spot and it will be frustrating for those at SSR having to deal with excess people riding buses.

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Yes same thought ourselves. Maybe with the bracelets they might put some swipe device on the buses to make sure guests are staying onsite?

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

So the boat is the only option?

Or the bus. There's also a path behind the Carriage House that will take you into the West Side near Cirque du Soleil.

 

[Suzanne74]

Or the bus. There's also a path behind the Carriage House that will take you into the West Side near Cirque du Soleil.

Thank you. It will be our first time at SSR in a month and we are going to Cirque du Soleil.

 

[luv2sleep]

My 6 year old son and I are staying here Jan 1-4 before a cruise. We won't have a car and will be visiting HS and Epcot. Maybe MK. Can anyone tell me how long I can expect the buses to run to and from those parks at night? I've been looking at pictures of this resort. Looks so peaceful! Looking forward to it.

 

[MarkF0wle]

Have just booked 3 weeks at SSR with the Free Dining offer they have on this side of the pond. Staying May 1st through May 22nd.

We have visited SSR before but never stayed there looking forward to staying there, hoping not to get stuck in Carousel.

 

[jennylyn_b]

Have just booked 3 weeks at SSR with the Free Dining offer they have on this side of the pond. Staying May 1st through May 22nd.

We have visited SSR before but never stayed there looking forward to staying there, hoping not to get stuck in Carousel.

We will be there May 5-13! Have a great trip!

 

[MarkF0wle]

We will be there May 5-13! Have a great trip!

Thanks. You too.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yes same thought ourselves. Maybe with the bracelets they might put some swipe device on the buses to make sure guests are staying onsite?

The buses are available to anyone to use...not just those staying onsite. Disney has no issue with someone that has driven to WDW, from an offsite hotel, and then taking buses, monorails, boats to wherever they want. I have to say that when I've stayed at SSR, I have never noticed any huge number of people hopping on at Congress Park...at least no more than at any other stop along the way. I really don't think all that many people are actually parking at DTD and heading over to SSR to get to the parks.

Thank you. It will be our first time at SSR in a month and we are going to Cirque du Soleil.

I'm doing the same thing in Dec!! My ds and his wife are heading over from Tampa to spend the day with me. We'll hang at SSR, and then head over to Cirque that night!! Really looking forward to a non-park day!!!

My 6 year old son and I are staying here Jan 1-4 before a cruise. We won't have a car and will be visiting HS and Epcot. Maybe MK. Can anyone tell me how long I can expect the buses to run to and from those parks at night? I've been looking at pictures of this resort. Looks so peaceful! Looking forward to it.

The buses run about every 20 mins, between resorts and parks. They tend to run more frequently at park opening and closing though. They do start running by 6:30am every morning but not as frequently as the buses running an hour before park opening. At night, they run fairly often as well. There will be lines of guests trying to get on a bus at park closing, but it's the same with every resort!

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

My 6 year old son and I are staying here Jan 1-4 before a cruise. We won't have a car and will be visiting HS and Epcot. Maybe MK. Can anyone tell me how long I can expect the buses to run to and from those parks at night? I've been looking at pictures of this resort. Looks so peaceful! Looking forward to it.

The Walt Disney World web site specifies that buses officially run from resort to parks from one hour before the park opens until one hour after the park closes. However, the reality is that you can get there ealier than one hour before opening and you won't be left stranded if you show up at the bus stop 61 minutes after closing time.

In the mornings, there are special buses that take guests to character meals, many of which are at restaurants in the parks. Reservations are available at these restaurants before the parks open, and the buses run plenty early enough to get you there in time. (Very early reservations at a different resort may require some special transportation planning. Every park has at least one pre-opening character breakfast, so it is possible to go to a park, then hop a second bus to your destination resort. A taxi is a much less stressful way to do this, however, and is well worth the money.)

In the evening, Disney transportation will continue to take guests back to their resort until the park has been emptied out.