SSR Lovers and Owners Part 2

[SonOfAStitch]

Check out the SSR FAQ link in my signature. FAQ #4 provides some pros and cons for each of the sections.

Have you considered a tree house instead of a 2-bedroom? It's a few more points, but would give each kid their own room. The tree houses are a little remote, however, and wouldn't be near a pool with a water slide without doing some walking (or a bus ride). They are a great experience though -- one of my favorite places to stay in all of WDW. Very unique, but admitedly not for everyone. Check out FAQ #9, too.

Also check out the Paddocks as a possible good fit.

Thanks for the response, I will read the SSR FAQ link in your signature. We did stay at the original tree houses back in 2000 and enjoyed it, and while the new and improved tree houses look great, I am hoping to stay in one of the buildings at SSR this time. A few others have also recommended Paddocks. Thanks again, appreciate your time.

 

[RobynPrincess]

Thanks so much for all the helpful info on here! I've just booked a last min trip with a friend for a months time. I didn't know where would be the best place to request as I'm most likely going to be in my ECV. Going to request grandstand so at least I can get a place on the bus as it's the first stop

 

[smcabee]

Well I tried so hard.. Going back to school for my Bachelors degree in Nursing and the DW, DSIL, DBIL, DMIL, and DFIL as well as the nieces decided to spend a week at SSR in March this year after a week in Bradenton, FL for Pirates Spring training. I told them no I wasnt going, need to do school work. So what happens, DW bought me a laptop and put me on the ressie and since we have AP's I guess I "have" to go now. lol. So here I come Flower and Garden Festival and spending time with the nieces who have never been to WDW before. I just hope they can all forgive me if I spend some time on my new laptop in the mornings to try to actually do some school work.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Well I tried so hard.. Going back to school for my Bachelors degree in Nursing and the DW, DSIL, DBIL, DMIL, and DFIL as well as the nieces decided to spend a week at SSR in March this year after a week in Bradenton, FL for Pirates Spring training. I told them no I wasnt going, need to do school work. So what happens, DW bought me a laptop and put me on the ressie and since we have AP's I guess I "have" to go now. lol. So here I come Flower and Garden Festival and spending time with the nieces who have never been to WDW before. I just hope they can all forgive me if I spend some time on my new laptop in the mornings to try to actually do some school work.

If you need a nice quiet place to get away in the mornings to do some work, check out the lounge area outside the Turf Club. Since they don't open until dinner, this area is pretty quiet during the day.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Thanks so much for all the helpful info on here! I've just booked a last min trip with a friend for a months time. I didn't know where would be the best place to request as I'm most likely going to be in my ECV. Going to request grandstand so at least I can get a place on the bus as it's the first stop

this is where I stay and I use an ECV. It's great to get the bus and also to get to the carriage house. Def the right choice imao! Enjoy!

 

[RobynPrincess]

this is where I stay and I use an ECV. It's great to get the bus and also to get to the carriage house. Def the right choice imao! Enjoy!

Oh thank you so much Paula! Xxx

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Oh thank you so much Paula! Xxx

glad to help! What's great about this building is you approach the carriage house where the quick service food and reception etc are from the back which has a much gentler slope than the one going up from The Springs.

Any more questions just ask! I like Magic Band being room key as being disabled didn't have to keep getting my card out!

 

[smcabee]

If you need a nice quiet place to get away in the mornings to do some work, check out the lounge area outside the Turf Club. Since they don't open until dinner, this area is pretty quiet during the day.

Thanks for the info. I will def try that.

 

[DeeCee735]

I understand they recently renovated. I'm thinking of driving over from the BWV to check it out. I'm wondering what users of the spa think of the service and the spa itself? Is there a whirlpool, sauna, etc?

Do you recommend? I usually go to Mandara at Dolphin but looking to try something new. Is it worth a drive over?

 

[stargaze98]

Hi everyone!

Quick question if you don't mind, how realistic is it to think that if my family stayed at SSR it would be easy to frequent DTD for meals? We are not doing the dining plan so instead of going to the parks or other resorts on our off days (no parks) I like the thought of DTD being close and the meals being quick and a decent price. Thanks in advance!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Hi everyone! Quick question if you don't mind, how realistic is it to think that if my family stayed at SSR it would be easy to frequent DTD for meals? We are not doing the dining plan so instead of going to the parks or other resorts on our off days (no parks) I like the thought of DTD being close and the meals being quick and a decent price. Thanks in advance!

Hi. This would be a very viable option for you. There are plenty of restaurants at DTD from counter service to table service. You can walk, get the boat or bus so lots of options there also. If you really like walking you could even make it as far as the crossroads where there are other non disney restaurants like Mcdonalds, Red Lobster , A Pizza / Italian place ( Uno something ) and a Perkins I think...

DTD we eat at a lot. We like Rain Forest Cafe, Earl of Sandwich best a lot of people say Cookes of Dublin does lovely fish and chip takeaway at a good price!

 

[lovin'fl]

What is the status on walking to/from DD from Congress Park? Is the path still closed?

 

[sjw211]

We're going in August so assume there'll be no problem with the path then.
We're trying to decide which part to stay in...
The Springs seems the most central - but I imagine a lakeside view from Congress Park may be the nicest? We are in a Deluxe Studio - I assume they are in each area? Is there a hot drink station at Congress Park - nice for an early morning, refillable coffee.
It says this is the fourth pickup on the buses - but I guess there's nothing stopping us taking a fifteen minute or so walk across to the Grandstand area in the mornings if necessary? How do the buses work now (it's many years since we last went)? Do the buses go to certain parks and you get on the one you need - or are they 'looping' around? Same question about return trips - how do we get back from the Parks?

Thanks everyone!

Steve

 

[delmar411]

We're going in August so assume there'll be no problem with the path then.
We're trying to decide which part to stay in...
The Springs seems the most central - but I imagine a lakeside view from Congress Park may be the nicest? We are in a Deluxe Studio - I assume they are in each area? Is there a hot drink station at Congress Park - nice for an early morning, refillable coffee.
It says this is the fourth pickup on the buses - but I guess there's nothing stopping us taking a fifteen minute or so walk across to the Grandstand area in the mornings if necessary? How do the buses work now (it's many years since we last went)? Do the buses go to certain parks and you get on the one you need - or are they 'looping' around? Same question about return trips - how do we get back from the Parks?

Thanks everyone!

Steve

The studios are in every building of every section. If you are looking for nice views then the back part of the springs or paddock areas face very beautiful lakes. The current view of DTD might not be as nice due to the construction.

No hot drink station in Congress Park AFAIK....not sure if there is a drink station there at all (haven't been over there in quite a while).

I wouldn't walk over to the Grandstand from Congress Park to catch a bus (like I would NEVER do that LOL). Each bus goes to a single specific place (the water parks are the exception) and it is shown on the bus where it is going. You take the SSR bus back from each park. The bus stops are numbered with a giant sign telling you what number spot is SSR's.

 

[stargaze98]

Hi. This would be a very viable option for you. There are plenty of restaurants at DTD from counter service to table service. You can walk, get the boat or bus so lots of options there also. If you really like walking you could even make it as far as the crossroads where there are other non disney restaurants like Mcdonalds, Red Lobster , A Pizza / Italian place ( Uno something ) and a Perkins I think...

DTD we eat at a lot. We like Rain Forest Cafe, Earl of Sandwich best a lot of people say Cookes of Dublin does lovely fish and chip takeaway at a good price!

Thank you so much for your response. Sounds exactly what I was hoping for!

 

[sjw211]

Many thanks delmar411 for the quick and informative reply!
I only heard about the construction today lol. Assume it's a large project then that will still be running in August? Having said that though, it will still probably look nice at night across the lake? First thing in the morning and last thing at night are basically the only times we'll be there though.
So even coming back from Parks, SSR has its own buses? Are they every 10 mins or so? At closing times does there tend to be a queue then? I assume it's the same bus dropping people off as when people get on - so Grandstand is the first drop off too?
How long does it tend to take to get to each park - the buses don't stop anywhere else?
My concern about Springs is it's the last stop to get on at - so could already be full when it arrives? Is there anywhere specific you could recommend in Springs and Paddock?
Your answers are very much appreciated!

Steve

 

[delmar411]

Many thanks delmar411 for the quick and informative reply!
I only heard about the construction today lol. Assume it's a large project then that will still be running in August? Having said that though, it will still probably look nice at night across the lake? First thing in the morning and last thing at night are basically the only times we'll be there though.
So even coming back from Parks, SSR has its own buses? Are they every 10 mins or so? At closing times does there tend to be a queue then? I assume it's the same bus dropping people off as when people get on - so Grandstand is the first drop off too?
How long does it tend to take to get to each park - the buses don't stop anywhere else?
My concern about Springs is it's the last stop to get on at - so could already be full when it arrives? Is there anywhere specific you could recommend in Springs and Paddock?
Your answers are very much appreciated!

Steve

The DTD project will be going on for a long while yet. It is the Disney Spings project. (Not to be confused with the Springs section of the resort )

I honestly don't know what the current view is at night.

SSR does have its own buses. Most resorts do not share buses. Buses run every 20mins-ish. At night there can be a line but each bus takes a lot of people and they run a ton more buses at closing time.

It only takes like 10mins to get to the parks. Animal kingdom takes the longest maybe 15mins or so when the water park is not open. It takes much longer when Blizzard Beach is open as the bus stops there as well. The DTD bus also stops at Typhoon Lagoon but stops there after DTD so you won't stop there on the way to DTD but would on the way back. And this is only when the water park is open. The other buses are non-stop the parks.

The bus runs the exact same loop in the resort for the parks (not DTD):
Grandstand
Carousel
Paddock
Congress park
Springs

DTD bus loop is:
Springs
Grandstand
Carousel
Paddock
Congress park

The bus can be full when it reaches the Springs. This only happens in very busy mornings. My family prefers the Paddock area in either building that are next to the pool. I'd need a map to know the building numbers.

HTH!

 

[Hopefully]

We are staying off site, as I am working at the Orange County Convention Center this trip. But on the weekend we have ADR's for a few restaurants we have not yet tried. We have an ADR on Thursday night for the Turf Club.
I have a Handicapped Parking Placard, as I have trouble walking distances. Is there Valet Parking at SSR near the Turf Club (The Springs - right?).
If not are there Handicapped spaces nearby?
TIA

 

[sjw211]

Thanks again for the info delmar!
What/when is generally considered a busy morning? Around 8am?
Leaning towards the back of Springs or Paddock now. Thanks!

 

[delmar411]

Thanks again for the info delmar!
What/when is generally considered a busy morning? Around 8am?
Leaning towards the back of Springs or Paddock now. Thanks!

High crowd times are busy mornings. And yes around 8am on any morning has a lot of people heading out to parks.