SSR on 4 Hours Notice - Our End of Summer Trip

[Cinderelli]

This is starting to be a tradition for us as this same scenario played out last summer. School was to start in just a couple of weeks and we really needed a quick “get-away” fix to end our summer (I can’t believe I just said summer is ending and it’s still July, but I digress). Last Saturday, 7/15, on a whim we called all the DVC resorts to check availability for a one bedroom. SSR was all that was available (as was the case last July when we did this same adventure). This was around noon, and by 5 pm we were checking into our SSR 1 BR. We were given villa 1245 in Congress Park. This was our best room in CP yet. The kids slept on the fold-out couch with the curtains open each night, using the lights of DD as their nightlight. Almost as good as the castle (according to them). The view was awesome.

It was slightly disheartening to use up 54 points when we didn’t arrive until 5 pm on a Saturday. We always say we won’t use our points on a weekend night, but I believe this is the 3rd time we’ve done it. And, if guaranteed a room like we had – it’s probably worth it.

The pool was not crowded at all being that it was later in the day and we spent the entire evening eating and having a few drinks around the pool. Sunday my DH got up early to golf at Falcon’s Fire. The kids and I had more pool fun. Pool was much more crowded on Sunday. By noon most of the seats had been taken.

Dinner was at Rainforest Café. Had an awesome server (Maurice) and a great dinner. We also had a 9 PM reservation for the carriage ride at SSR. What an enjoyable experience. Only $35 for a 25 minute tour. It picked us up at the boat ramp and was waiting for us when we returned via boat from dinner. This will be on our “must do” lists for all future visits. We all thoroughly enjoyed the carriage ride. Back in the villa by 10 for more sweet dreams by the DD lights.

Monday we drove over to New Smyrna Beach. About a 1 hr, 15 min drive. The kids loved being able to drive and park right on the beach. Headed back to SSR and went off-site for dinner this night (great steak at Long Horns on I92 or is it 192). Back to DD to do some shopping. There is a candy store in DD now (may have been there for awhile, but we haven’t been to DD in awhile). They make a dessert with 5 marshmallows and any topping you could want. You watch them make it. My youngest had one made while the rest of us shopped for chocolate. It was only $2.25 and she absolutely loved it. The best deal for a marshmallow lover on property.

Tuesday we had a wonderful breakfast at Kona Café at the Poly. Did our usual monorail shopping tour and then headed home. No parks for us this trip. We didn’t do parks last summer, either. We had done the Disney Cruise and 3 nights at OKW back in June and did Universal then, so our kids haven’t been into a Disney Park in almost 2.5 years. They are excited about heading back for our big Christmas/New Years trip in 2007/2008. But, I have a feeling, we’ll be back for our end of summer getaway next year, too.

Honestly, every time we stay at a DVC resort we say “this one is our favorite”. How can one choose a favorite when there is something absolutely special about each resort.

 

[Poohs Pal]

Nice tradition. I plan to make last minute weekend trips when I move to Florida next year. I to can go to disney and not visit the parks. Didn't think I'd ever say that Susan

 

[disgirl]

So glad you had a chance for such a nice "spur of the moment" trip once again. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. Good for you and I thought your line about how can you choose a favorite when there is something absolutely special about each one was such a nice uplifting thought. We have only stayed at BCV and love that resort, but I want to try all of them someday so that was nice to hear. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

 

[bobbiwoz]

What a nice report, and a great tradition!

Are you saying that you made these arrangements ON a Saturday and that you used points? I am confused about that.

Bobbi

 

[CarolA]

What a nice report, and a great tradition!

Are you saying that you made these arrangements ON a Saturday and that you used points? I am confused about that.

Bobbi

If you decide on a weekend day to go to Disney that weekend, you can call the resort directly. If they have the room, they can access your account and use your points. They will not book in advance so you can't call directly to book next week (or next year) but if you are on the phone saying "I am coming" or standing there going "Gotta room?" they can work with you.

 

[MissD]

Those spur of the moment trips always seem to be our most enjoyable as well--and we always get that 'one last trip before school' bug too.

This year's 'end of summer, almost last minute' trip is our 4 nighter at BWV--so DS12 can see the Tampa Bay Bucs training camp. I'll have my chance to try all those restaurants I'd normally feel guilty about spending the $$ on--thanks to the DDP. Hello, Spoodles and Kona Cafe!

Hmmm-football for the 'boys' and no cooking for me..that's magical

 

[DisneyFreaks]

What a wonderful report. I really can't wait to check into SSR now. So glad you had such a great last minute trip.

 

[Cinderelli]

Bobbiwoz,

As CarolA explained, yes, we had to call the resort directly, as it was a Saturday. I thought I had previously read on these boards that other members had done this. I also remember staying an extra night a few years ago at VWL and having to deal directly w/the front desk since it was a weekend.

I originally tried the MS number, just in case, but the recording said if it was off hours to call the resorts directly and it gave each resort's telephone number. So, we called on Saturday at noon, checked in Saturday at 5 pm. It was alot of points for the Sat night, but oh so well worth it. Such a relaxing trip. We're now ready to start school in 12 days (oh, the horror, tee hee!).

Thanks for all the comments to everyone else.

Lissa

 

[abk96]

I'm happy to hear you all had such a great spur of the moment trip to Disney. That's so nice. We sometimes do last minute trips to the shore and they are always the trips we have the most fun. I guess it's less stressful that way.

 

[almousefan]

Bobbiwoz,

As CarolA explained, yes, we had to call the resort directly, as it was a Saturday. I thought I had previously read on these boards that other members had done this. I also remember staying an extra night a few years ago at VWL and having to deal directly w/the front desk since it was a weekend.

I originally tried the MS number, just in case, but the recording said if it was off hours to call the resorts directly and it gave each resort's telephone number. So, we called on Saturday at noon, checked in Saturday at 5 pm. It was alot of points for the Sat night, but oh so well worth it. Such a relaxing trip. We're now ready to start school in 12 days (oh, the horror, tee hee!).

Thanks for all the comments to everyone else.

Lissa

Well, that is a good thing to find out. I recently took a last minute trip to BWV for July4th and waited until Monday morning of the 3rd to find out through MS if anything was available. If I had known that, we could have called the resorts on Sunday and left a day earlier. Oh well, I will know for next time. I love the impropmtu trips! They are the most fun!

 

[rinkwide]

54 points is tough to swallow. I wonder if you could have gotten a discounted cash rate.

 

[westjones]

If you decide on a weekend day to go to Disney that weekend, you can call the resort directly. If they have the room, they can access your account and use your points. They will not book in advance so you can't call directly to book next week (or next year) but if you are on the phone saying "I am coming" or standing there going "Gotta room?" they can work with you.

I never knew this! Does this apply to after hours too? If you decide you just don't want to leave until the next day can you check and see if a room is available for that night?

WOW! This is great to know!
DJ

 

[byoung]

Thanks for reporting.

 

[starbox]

No parks for us this trip. We didn’t do parks last summer, either. We had done the Disney Cruise and 3 nights at OKW back in June and did Universal then, so our kids haven’t been into a Disney Park in almost 2.5 years. They are excited about heading back for our big Christmas/New Years trip in 2007/2008. But, I have a feeling, we’ll be back for our end of summer getaway next year, too.

Honestly, every time we stay at a DVC resort we say “this one is our favorite”. How can one choose a favorite when there is something absolutely special about each resort.

Great trip report. I've always felt like the planners intended SSR to be a resort that could be enjoyable and relaxing even without doing the parks, and your trip report definitely confirms that notion.

 

[CarolA]

I never knew this! Does this apply to after hours too? If you decide you just don't want to leave until the next day can you check and see if a room is available for that night?

WOW! This is great to know!
DJ

As I understand it, it is for instnaces when MS is going to be closed. I attempted to get the front desk at BWV to extend my stay one time and they made me wait until the next morning to call Member Services. So if on Saturday morning you decide you don't want to check out it's the front desk. If on Monday morning you decide it's MS. I think if you just show up at 10 PM on Monday night they can check for you for that night only.

 

[rogerram]

that is a great idea. i wish i wasn't so far away, but you never know. I could see me planning on going for a long weekend sometime, on a whim. It sounded like a great getaway.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I never knew these things, and can't wait to tell DH with what I've learned today!!

Bobbi

 

[anewvance]

We just came back from a spur of the moment SSR stay as well. We don't own in DVC but I found a last minute rental from someone on the renting board and my very sweet dh thought I needed a get away so he treated us even though he didn't get to come. Our first time at SSR and we LOVED it. Our room was in (can't remember the name, not Springs or Congress, the last one, lol) which was quite a distance away from the main building but we had the playground next to us and a bus stop. We didn't do any parks (well Sea World yesterday), just hung around the hotel mostly and swam and my kids LOVED LOVED the Community Hall.... we spent alot of time in there doing all sorts of crafts and playing games and all. I think I would love SSR again if we weren't doing parks, for doing parks I think I prefer POFQ because it's smaller and closer to everything when you are on the run. But for what we were there for SSR was AWESOME!!!