SSR made me feel like Cinderella - before the Prince arrived!

[Fitswimmer]

Each time this happened, not just my family but other families complained. The fact is that it didn't seem to improve the situation. I would like to think that the reader that mentioned the new bus system is correct and that WDW is just working out the kinks. I plan on staying at SSR again... I bought there because I loved the resort.

That's good. I still have faith in Disney, and if guests at SSR are complaining I believe that they will address the problem. I agree that the new bus system could be causing the problems. We were there in May and we only had one crowded bus. We got on, but by the time the bus reached the last stop there was no room for any more riders.

We love the resort too, and hopefully this issue will be corrected soon and everything will be perfect again!

 

[fishermouse]

If you want to beat the crowded bus at springs take a short stroll across the bridge to Paddock or Carousel bus stop. Depending where you stay in the springs it's not much farther.This will get you on before the Congress Park stop....This is not a fix but it will help those reading this especially if you require a seat...I only had to skip a full bus once at Springs but an empty bus was only minutes behind. We let a few families with children go ahead of us so they could get to the park and were well rewarded with an almost empty bus. All the buses have radios if you find yourself waiting, tell the first bus that comes along to put in a call. Disney will divert a bus from a less busy route to come for you... Just be nice about it, you'll get good results and have a fantastic trip. Maybe reading these boards and knowing how to use thesystem is why I am rarely disappointed. Every trip has been great no matter where we stay, there are always bumps in the road but we go around them..Best bet is to take the advice of the well seasoned DVC'ers on these boards..

 

[kjbstore]

I'm sorry your stay wasn't magical. We stayed at SSR for two weeks (came home on Tuesday) and loved the resort. We had a two bedroom the first week and a one-bedroom the second week and although we had a few maintenance issues, they were always handled quickly and efficiently.

We rented a car, which made all the difference in the world. We've had two trips where we used DW transportation and vowed never again. In addition to the time saved, we were able to go to Walmart and stock up on stuff, plus I had to go to the ER and it would have been very difficult without a car. Well worth the extra money for the time saved and the peace and quiet!

 

[BroganMc]

You can also head over to the Grandstand bus stop. That's the first on the route so busses should be empty in the morning.

When I was there in October my issues were a bit different. Both my dad and I used motorized devices to get around (me a powerchair and he an ECV). They only allow 2 such vehicles per bus. And if you happen to get one of the older lift busses it takes an extra 3-5 minutes. (The lowered floor ramp busses are soooo much easier.)

We were at the Springs so our big worry was that we'd encounter busses already filled with chairs. Instead we continually met another scooter party at the bus stop.

Most days we were heading to different parks but one day all four of us wanted to go to EPCOT. When the EPCOT bus drove up it was full yet they still made room for the other scooter party. Alfie the onsite dispatcher got on his radio to call for another bus. But my dad and I suddenly remembered we had a fully-equipped ramp van in the parking lot. (We stay offsite the week before but pretty much abandon the vehicle at Disney.) So we hopped in our van and drove off as the bus driver was still tying down the first pair of scooters. They and us ended up meeting up at the gates to the park, laughing about our pixie dust, and having breakfast together.

Now my sister had absolutely fantastic luck with the busses. She'd leave me waiting at a stop but everytime she arrive, the bus would turn up. Once I left her for 3 minutes to get a drink refill and she hopped the bus and left without me. My van saved her neck that day otherwise she would have felt the wrath of BroganMc.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

So Sorry to hear you had to wait 90 minutes!! That is ridiculous!! However, we own at the BW and our last trip - no buses came to pick us up at the MK closing for 45 minutes-- so I think the bus problem isn't just unique to SSR.

I choose the BWV or SSR for the convenience to Epcot and MGM- Getting to Epcot is great, but the only way to MGM is to take a 20 minute boat ride or a 15 minute walk- which is okay for us, but not for the kids. And the trips to AK & MK have you stopping at 3-5 hotels-- not just stops along the routes, but 3-5 hotels you need to enter into and depart back into the street. I paid more for the BW and I'm not happy with the bus service either-- but it sure beats driving!!

Now only if they put those people movers in place!!! Now that would be magical.

 

[DW Dad]

I love SSR but I do have to say in Feb when we were there, there were some problems with the buses, we had to also wait upwards of 45 min to 1hr for the bus to pick us up. Although it was only the buses to epcot where we had a problem (which is my 8 yr olds favorite park, so we spent most of our time there and MK)
We stayed at the springs this trip as well, and when the buses got to us they were almost always empty. My DW was very unhappy with this, especially when you have 2 anxious kids ready to go to the park, and when coming home they were about to fall asleep at the bus stop at the parks.

 

[summergolf]

This thread just solidifies our decision to rent cars when we go to the world.
We just prefer to control our own time.

 

[wdwfan1]

We always rent a car, but do not use it often to go to the parks. We use the busses with no problem. We have never stayed at SSR though. I read the earlier posts about having the driver check resort IDs at SSR. I know years ago, Disney "rules" stated that if you had a valid park pass you were entitled to unlimited use of the transportation system. If that is still the case, people may think this is an okay thing to do. I am not trying to be argumentative, just wondering if the policy on passes and transportation has changed.

 

[CinderellasSister]

We'd stayed at SSR this past May. The only bus problems we encountered was at the parks, trying to get BACK to the resort. We stayed in Congress Park, adn the buses were great, never waited longer than 10 minutes. So sorry to hear that the OP had such problems. I do hope they can clean up the GPS thing and be more efficient.

 

[RLCarmichael]

We're preaching to the choir here.

Email DVC and tell them... DVCmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvacationclub.com

 

[UConnJack]

They should move the current Congress Park stop closer to the resort center and further away from the DTD path, then add another bus stop right at the DTD path. Then reroute the busses so that this new stop gets picked up dead last. That way, most DTD users only get on the busses if there is room left over. Granted, some smart ones might figure this out and walk the extra distance to the old (but newly located stop) further away, but I bet most won't.

 

[connorlevismom]

We just got back from our stay at SSR and rather than feeling magical, I felt like the we stayed at the ignored step-sister of the Disney resorts. First and foremost, let me say that I am not completely bashing SSR. The rooms and the resort were beautiful (and Turf Club was one of our favorite meals), the staff was great and I really would recommend it once they get their act together at this resort.

Disney needs to do so little to make this resort first class and I just don't understand how WDW, experts at dealing with crowds, missed on this one. Let me explain... The bus service was absolutely terrible the entire week we were there. Without question, there are not sufficient buses dispatched to this property. Our first day, with our children's faces lit up with anticipation, the Magic Kingdom bus took 90 MINUTES to get our stop. One other MK bus did pass by, but they were full and didn't stop. (We stayed at the Springs...the last stop at SSR) I can't even repeat the tirade of another guest who probably missed their Royal Table reservations because of an hour and a half long wait for a bus. Likewise, on other days we waited 45 mintues and 60 mintues for the buses which of course, coming so infrequently, were filled to the brim. The bus drivers were sympathetic and recommended that we take the boat or walk over to Downtown Disney for a bus. I suspect that WDW is so lax on the buses at this resort because they figure you can just go to DD. BUT THAT IS NOT THE POINT! I became a DVC member in part, because my family loves the convenience of the internal transportation system. I should not have to walk any further than the closest bus stop to get a bus!!! The slow buses were not limited to just the outgoing buses. The line for the SSR return buses at each of the parks was always the longest byfar.

Also, the pool complex, as great as it was, handles a large number of guests. On several occassions, although the pool was not overcrowded, there was not a pool chair to be had. Knowing that this pool handles so many guests, the resort should do a better job of making sure that guests do not leave behind towels and reserve chairs for hours without being present.

SSR needs to do so little to be great. I would love to speak to someone at DVC operations to let them know that there is a problem - a very fixable problem - but a problem nonetheless.

That is strange. I was there from the 11-17 (same time as you) and we did not have any issue with the buses. The longest we ever waited was 20 minutes at the MK to bring us back. Other than that, it was like 5 minute waits. Not trying to call you a liar, but I have a hard time believing that you waited an hour for a bus that took 5 minutes for me.

Kristine

 

[Sammie]

Based on your comments only 2 issues were a problem and everything else was good.

I can help future guests deal with these problems. If a bus does not arrive after a 20 minute wait, call from the phone at the bus stop and ask why?? I only had to do this once at SSR and a bus arrived within mins of the call.

As to the pool, if a body aint in the chair and it has nothing on it but a towel, it is empty.

Glad you enjoyed the rooms, the beautiful resort and staff.

Since you were in Springs and going the MK, have to wonder if the bus filled up with nonSSR riders, if so, guests really need to complain about this as it won't get fixed unless you do. They need to add additional buses to cover it.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I read the earlier posts about having the driver check resort IDs at SSR. I know years ago, Disney "rules" stated that if you had a valid park pass you were entitled to unlimited use of the transportation system. If that is still the case, people may think this is an okay thing to do. I am not trying to be argumentative, just wondering if the policy on passes and transportation has changed.

BINGO. That's just what I was going to type. You didn't need a resort ID to use the transportation, only a park ticket.
That said, I think it's slimy for offsite guests to do as suggested.

MG

 

[KevGuy]

SSR is awesome, I never have a problem!

 

[evaready51]

We were there the 3rd week of October and had absolutely NO issues w/SSR or the bus transportation.

 

[granmanh603]

we were at SSR from 10/16 thru 11/6 and were at Congress Park.....bus service at times was ok but the MK buses were awful....arrived late full and often passed the Springs and left people waiting. took 1 hr to get to Early entry . One day 2 busses for other parks came while waiting fore MK and one day bus driver actually got off the bus to look at his sign to see where he was going( there were 2 buses at the stop within minutes going to Epcot) We also had to deal with the DTD walk ups.
Maybe it depends on what time you are waiting for the buses? early , late, or middle of the day?
Oh at DTD on a rainy night on the west side...was waiting for the bus in the shelter, it drove up and while walking toward the bus the driver pulled up open the door for a second the shut it almost in my face? He did reopen the door but if I had been any slower he would have left.
Bottom line I was not impressed with the bus service at SSR.

 

[Sammie]

If the transportation at SSR has been problematic for anyone, please let Disney and DVC know. Use the email listed in post 50 for DVC and here is the email for Disney guest complaints.

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

Only by making Transportation aware of the problems can there be any hope of improvement. Contacting them directly with specifics is better than complaining to SSR.

While they would like to see transportation improve, that department will be more likely to listen to guests than SSR staff.

 

[Lauralei]

After reading just some of these comments about the buses, I'm glad we go by auto-train and have our own car!

 

[PatsMom]

We just got back from a week at SSR and found the busses mostly OK. We rarely waited very long. We did need to get to Epcot early one morning for the Segway tour. We were at the bus stop at 7:00. We literally saw two busses for each of the other parks come before DH finally asked a bus driver at 7:45 if he knew when an Epcot bus would show up. One showed up a few minutes later. We had allowed plenty of time and reached Epcot in time for our tour with no problem. That was our only issue with the bus transportation. Other than that we never waited for more than what we considered reasonable. We were in Congress Park and have to agree that not everyone waiting at the bus stop was staying at SSR. I could understand later in the day or evening that it might be guests from other resorts going to shop but early in the morning, it was most likely people parking at DTD to beat the parking fee. I felt sorry for those at the Springs stop since there was typically barely any standing room left when we got there. I have e-mailed regarding both of these issues. I don't expect that there is much that Disney can do about the DTD parkers. There will always be those willing to cheat the system.

As for the pool chairs, we didn't have any problems. And if we had, we would have removed the towels if it looked like no one was really there. There are signs where you pick up the towels clearly stating that you shouldn't use them to "save" chairs so I wouldn't feel the least bit bad about moving one.