SSR Lovers and Owners Part 3

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

We will be going next month, and I am torn on which section to request. I'd like an easy walk to DTD, and thought Congress Park would be a good location. But I am also concerned about being too far away from the High Rock Springs pool and the Paddock pool. I feel like everything seems like a bigger distance on the map. I also wasn't sure how the walk to DTD has changed due to construction. I am not concerned about construction noise, as we will spend most of the time at the parks, or a few hours here and there doing pool/resort activities. Any thoughts are appreciated.

*if this is not the correct thread to post this question, please let me know and I will change my post.

Thanks!

The Congress Park pool is actually a nice relaxing place to hang out for a swim. If you're looking for the fun & activities of one of the bigger pools, though, the walk really isn't that bad to either. It's only about a 10 minute walk. You also have the option to hop on any theme park bus to get to the High Rock Spring pool from Congress Park. Take the Downtown Disney bus to get back. (Use the opposite buses if going to the Paddock Pool.)

Currently no construction concerns to using the path between SSR and DTD.

 

[yaksack]

We chose the Springs because it is close to the main pool and restaurant.

 

[Fall1]

We are staying at SSR in 3 weeks. Can anyone share experience you've had on the DTD boat transportation.

Is that the best way to get there? Thanks!!

 

[KalamityJane]

I am having a hard time figuring out which pool to pick - we are doing a resort only stay so whatever is the most fun pool for kids will be the best. I'm thinking Paddock or The Springs section. I've got youngish kids who won't want to walk far to the pool.

Leaning towards Springs for easier access to DTD, and closer to the community hall. Is the main pool where they do the movies? Also, it totally looks gorgeous at SSR from the pictures, and I'm super excited!

One last question - anyone know if there is wired internet (NOT wifi) in the rooms? DH needs to do some work (he's in software) and needs wired internet access.

 

[famgel]

We are staying at SSR in 3 weeks. Can anyone share experience you've had on the DTD boat transportation.

Is that the best way to get there? Thanks!!

Yes the boat is the best way here's a link http://www.wdwmagic.com/transportation/downtown-disney-water-taxi.htm

We are staying at SSR in 3 weeks. Can anyone share experience you've had on the DTD boat transportation.

Is that the best way to get there? Thanks!!

http://www.wdwmagic.com/transportation/downtown-disney-water-taxi.htm

 

[famgel]

I am having a hard time figuring out which pool to pick - we are doing a resort only stay so whatever is the most fun pool for kids will be the best. I'm thinking Paddock or The Springs section. I've got youngish kids who won't want to walk far to the pool.

Leaning towards Springs for easier access to DTD, and closer to the community hall. Is the main pool where they do the movies? Also, it totally looks gorgeous at SSR from the pictures, and I'm super excited!

One last question - anyone know if there is wired internet (NOT wifi) in the rooms? DH needs to do some work (he's in software) and needs wired internet access.

 

[famgel]

We always stay in Grandstand, first section 8501-8836 you not only have your own pool, hot tub, and sprinkler area, also food and drink bar and its across street from the main hub also easy access to bus stop
http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/SSMap.pdf

 

[jlsmith376]

I am having a hard time figuring out which pool to pick - we are doing a resort only stay so whatever is the most fun pool for kids will be the best. I'm thinking Paddock or The Springs section. I've got youngish kids who won't want to walk far to the pool.

Leaning towards Springs for easier access to DTD, and closer to the community hall. Is the main pool where they do the movies? Also, it totally looks gorgeous at SSR from the pictures, and I'm super excited!

One last question - anyone know if there is wired internet (NOT wifi) in the rooms? DH needs to do some work (he's in software) and needs wired internet access.

SSR is gorgeous! We are owners there but have stayed at many of the other DVC resorts and it's still our favorite. My kids are about the same age as yours and they enjoy both High Rock Springs and Paddock pools the most but Paddock would have a slight edge. That is because for the youngest kids the children's splash area at Paddock has better features and my oldest thinks the water slide is a bit more exciting, but you really can't go wrong with either one. We usually alternate between the two pools. We like to stay in the Springs or Congress sections due to their proximity to the Carriage House and Downtown Disney. Hope you have a great time!

 

[sarah4770]

I am having a hard time figuring out which pool to pick - we are doing a resort only stay so whatever is the most fun pool for kids will be the best. I'm thinking Paddock or The Springs section. I've got youngish kids who won't want to walk far to the pool.

Leaning towards Springs for easier access to DTD, and closer to the community hall. Is the main pool where they do the movies? Also, it totally looks gorgeous at SSR from the pictures, and I'm super excited!

One last question - anyone know if there is wired internet (NOT wifi) in the rooms? DH needs to do some work (he's in software) and needs wired internet access.

There used to be a cable in the closet and an internet port near the table. I am not sure if that has changed. Best to call the resort directly.
The main pool is where the movies are shown.

 

[sarah4770]

We always stay in Grandstand, first section 8501-8836 you not only have your own pool, hot tub, and sprinkler area, also food and drink bar and its across street from the main hub also easy access to bus stop
http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/SSMap.pdf

How do you get that section. I always request grandstand, but they always put me in the 9100-9800 section. Do you call MS to put it on your reservation?

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I am having a hard time figuring out which pool to pick - we are doing a resort only stay so whatever is the most fun pool for kids will be the best. I'm thinking Paddock or The Springs section. I've got youngish kids who won't want to walk far to the pool.

The rooms in the Springs section actually sit between the High Rock Spring (main) pool and the Paddock pool. If you're plan is to hang out at the resort, this location would probably be your best bet. You could choose to cross the street to one pool on one day, and cross the bridge to the other pool on another.

The walk to the DTD boat is also close from the Springs. Walking to DTD itself isn't bad, but of course, it isn't nearly as close as walking there from Congress Park.

Leaning towards Springs for easier access to DTD, and closer to the community hall. Is the main pool where they do the movies? Also, it totally looks gorgeous at SSR from the pictures, and I'm super excited!

Yes, the movies are at the High Rock Spring pool. During the day, both the High Rock Spring and Paddock pool have activities.

It is a gorgeous resort. My favorite, in fact. Be sure to post some pictures for us when you get home!

One last question - anyone know if there is wired internet (NOT wifi) in the rooms? DH needs to do some work (he's in software) and needs wired internet access.

No, sorry. Disney removed all the hard-wired internet connections from all WDW resorts when they installed the WiFi a few years ago.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

How do you get that section. I always request grandstand, but they always put me in the 9100-9800 section. Do you call MS to put it on your reservation?

There are several ways to make a room request.

My recommendation is to call Member Services and ask them to add the request to your reservation. This is the most flexible method. You can give them a prioritized list of desires. (Ours, for example, is usually Paddock section, near the pool, high floor, non-HA room.)

If you do online check-in, you can make two selections from a limited list of options.

You can also ask the cast member checking you in at the front desk.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

We are staying at SSR in 3 weeks. Can anyone share experience you've had on the DTD boat transportation.

Is that the best way to get there? Thanks!!

At the main resort, the boat dock is behind the Carriage House. The quickest way to get there depends on where you're walking from.

From the Grandstand, don't walk into the Carriage House. Walk off on the path to the right, which leads behind the Carriage House to the Golf Course Pro Shop. The boat dock is a little farther on beyond the pro shop.

From the Springs, Carousel, and Paddock buildings near the Carousel, you can either walk around the building to the left and past the DVC Previous Center, or you can walk through the Carriage House. There's a set of stairs near the Turf Club that leads right down to the dock.

From Congress Park or the Paddock buildings near Congress Park, turn to walk past the DVC Preview Center and continue around to the right behind the Carriage House.

In the Tree Houses, there's a boat dock in the second loop.

The boat ride is a nice relaxing way to get to DTD. Note that the boats stop at the Carriage House both on their way to the Tree Houses and from the Tree Houses, so if the boat is on the way to the Tree Houses, you have the option to wait at the dock for them to come back, or tag along for the ride.

 

[MarkF0wle]

We are staying at SSR in 3 weeks. Can anyone share experience you've had on the DTD boat transportation.

Is that the best way to get there? Thanks!!

The boat is the most relaxing way to get there but it wasn't my favoured way of visiting. The SSR boat dock is at Cirque du Soleil & the majority of stuff I enjoy is at the marketplace on the opposite side. My favoured way to experience DTD was the walk across the new bridge connecting the resort to DTD. Staying in Grandstand it meant the walk was longer to the bridge than to the boat but gave the ability to walk into the marketplace to do what we wanted to do, walk through DTD all the way to Cirque & grab a boat back to SSR. A nice loop without backtracking that would work equally well in reverse.

Either way if you in the DTD marketplace it would be just as quick to walk back to SSR than it would to walk to the boat dock, wait for & then ride the boat. I love SSR for the ability to walk to DTD. :-D

 

[dawne98]

We're going for one night with friends and we have a 2 BR booked we are also going to MVMCP...
how are the buses getting to MK and back and what should we request for the best in using the bus?
Also if we have two cars do each of us get a pass for our cars if we're going to drive to the park?

 

[MadHookUp]

Question about SSR and Disney Magic Express. I know there are many variables that will effect the time is takes for you to get from your airport to the resort. I also read that hotels are grouped together for DME, and where the hotel is located in the path for that group will also impact that time it takes to get to the resort.

I was curious if anyone knows where Saratoga stands within its group? Is it the first drop off, 2nd, etc? Also if anyone has any personal experience as to what time they arrived at SSR after their plane landed. My flight lands on a Monday at 2pm. I was hoping to take the DME to the resort, check in, and immediately travel to DHS. I am planning my day around a 5pm arrival time at DHS. I am not sure how realistic that is.

 

[MarkF0wle]

Question about SSR and Disney Magic Express. I know there are many variables that will effect the time is takes for you to get from your airport to the resort. I also read that hotels are grouped together for DME, and where the hotel is located in the path for that group will also impact that time it takes to get to the resort.

I was curious if anyone knows where Saratoga stands within its group? Is it the first drop off, 2nd, etc? Also if anyone has any personal experience as to what time they arrived at SSR after their plane landed. My flight lands on a Monday at 2pm. I was hoping to take the DME to the resort, check in, and immediately travel to DHS. I am planning my day around a 5pm arrival time at DHS. I am not sure how realistic that is.

In the 2 times I have been to SSR using DME, if I recall correctly we were 2nd drop off. Both times we dropped off at OKW first then SSR before the bus was heading to POR, seems like a strange route but that's as I remember it.

 

[KalamityJane]

We just got back early Friday morning. Oh my goodness, you all, it is amazing at SSR! We totally fell in love with the resort! It was a resort only stay and we lounged around at the pool (kids adored the games and slides) and the easy access to Downtown Disney. It was perfect for the type of relaxing vacation we were going for.

 

[ajasmom]

We just got back early Friday morning. Oh my goodness, you all, it is amazing at SSR! We totally fell in love with the resort! It was a resort only stay and we lounged around at the pool (kids adored the games and slides) and the easy access to Downtown Disney. It was perfect for the type of relaxing vacation we were going for.

Shhhhhh we try to keep all that you said a secret so we can enjoy our "home" when're we want. Seriously though glad you had a wonderful experience. We love it at SSR

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

We just got back early Friday morning. Oh my goodness, you all, it is amazing at SSR! We totally fell in love with the resort! It was a resort only stay and we lounged around at the pool (kids adored the games and slides) and the easy access to Downtown Disney. It was perfect for the type of relaxing vacation we were going for.

LOL, now you can join the rest of us in shaking our heads whenever we see a thread that starts out with something along the lines of "I'm so disappointed. The only thing available for our trip is SSR." Poor SSR has a bad rep for some reason. I'm with ajasmom, though. All the more room for those of us who love it!