SSR preferences opinion, please...

[MinnesotaChill]

We just bought into SSR, have never stayed there, but have stayed at our BWV home several times.

We gave my cousin and her family a trip with us next Jan in a GV at SSR. She was there as a child, never with her kids. Her husband has never been there and has no concept of what it is, but is so excited he almost cried on Christmas. My cousin DID cry.

We will possibly be a party of 13, two girls 4 & 9, three boys 7,8,9, DH and I, Cousin (DC?) and her husband, my parents (11 people for sure) and possibly her parents (all grandparents in their 60s, but very active).

I was thinking about reserving Grandstand area, because if I remember correctly, it is the area on the lower left corner of the map close to DD, and with the new theme pool. Correct? Does anyone know if that pool is zero entry? If not, I will ask for the main pool area, since the 4 year old is a bit timid around the water.

Does anyone else have suggestions on location? I am fully aware of the dangers of doing this with family, but have "backup" family that would love to join us in the GV at our expense if my cousin can't go at the last minute. The "possible" grandparents I'm not worried about, since they are booking through II and will lose their own "points" not ours.

Also, any thoughts on Grand Gatherings? I have been down there with large groups in the past (family and non-family) and found that it was best to plan at most one thing each day or day-and-a-half together. Otherwise we state our plans and everyone pairs up and goes their own way. Any benefit to Grand Gatherings? The email ability seems cool, but I can't figure out how to make it work. WILL it work with DVC?

 

[Dean]

We just bought into SSR, have never stayed there, but have stayed at our BWV home several times.

We gave my cousin and her family a trip with us next Jan in a GV at SSR. She was there as a child, never with her kids. Her husband has never been there and has no concept of what it is, but is so excited he almost cried on Christmas. My cousin DID cry.

We will possibly be a party of 13, two girls 4 & 9, three boys 7,8,9, DH and I, Cousin (DC?) and her husband, my parents (11 people for sure) and possibly her parents (all grandparents in their 60s, but very active).

I was thinking about reserving Grandstand area, because if I remember correctly, it is the area on the lower left corner of the map close to DD, and with the new theme pool. Correct? Does anyone know if that pool is zero entry? If not, I will ask for the main pool area, since the 4 year old is a bit timid around the water.

Does anyone else have suggestions on location? I am fully aware of the dangers of doing this with family, but have "backup" family that would love to join us in the GV at our expense if my cousin can't go at the last minute. The "possible" grandparents I'm not worried about, since they are booking through II and will lose their own "points" not ours.

Also, any thoughts on Grand Gatherings? I have been down there with large groups in the past (family and non-family) and found that it was best to plan at most one thing each day or day-and-a-half together. Otherwise we state our plans and everyone pairs up and goes their own way. Any benefit to Grand Gatherings? The email ability seems cool, but I can't figure out how to make it work. WILL it work with DVC?

It sounds like you're looking at two different units, one through II, but if not you could end up over the occupancy limit and/or very crowed even in a GV. The Grandstand will be fairly close to the boats and closest to Disney West side but somewhat far from DD itself. Congress Park will be the closest to DD. The Grandstand and Springs will be closest to the main area and larger pools.

 

[MinnesotaChill]

Yes, we are looking at two units. The II will likely be a two bedroom and both sets of grandparents (siblings) will be in that unit. Otherwise my parents will stay with us in the GV.

Are the Springs units the main area by Artist's, etc? I wish the maps were labeled with the individual areas on them.

Grandstand IS where the new big pool will be, correct?

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Grandstand will be the new area but the pool is not that big from what we saw. The pool area now seems to have a lot of stuff going around the pool to do.

Springs are the building between the carriage house (artis,check-in,pool) and the lake.

Carosel is at entrance far upper left

Paddocks are across the lake.

Congress park is closest to the Marketplace end of DTD. We just stayed there and really like that area.

 

[BroganMc]

I don't believe the Grandstand units are open yet. They were still under construction when I visited earlier this month. Opening date is scheduled for this Spring.

I tried to get the Congress Park area but the only thing available for us was in the Springs. The building where the preview units are located. It turned out to be much more to our liking. It's right across the street from the main pool, Artist Point and other activities. And the boat dock to DTD is behind Artist Point (we had a car and it was cold so we never used the ferry). Bus stop is on the unit side of the street opposite the pool.

The Paddock area is behind the Springs but not so far off if you are in one of the more central buildings. And the bus service picks up there second so you might find emptier busses.

You'll love the stay. I was a bit nervous staying my first time, even though my walk-thru was in May. I'm a Marriott owner so I had a certain standard in mind. And I am a wheelchair user so I needed a handicap unit (but hadn't been shown one). Turned out that our accommodations were superb. We got the refillable mugs and would stroll over to Artist Point in the morning or evening to refill them with hot drinks (did I mention it was cold? Like bonechilling cold).

I'd love to get my family down for a Magical Gathering (there are 4 families and 16 of us), but so far only one taker. They're slaves to school schedules right now. But I don't think I'd spend the points on a GV. It's beautiful, but a couple two bedrooms (or some studios) will accommodate our family for far less.

Oh, the Congress Park area is really not a short walk (to anywhere) in the cold. (and January will probably be cold). But the one benefit is that you will end up with a view of DTD.

 

[starbox]

With a group your size, I'd recommend The Springs as well. It's a good central location.

 

[NJBlackBerry]

We are "home" at SSR for the first time, and staying in Congress Park. About a 10-12 minute walk to Downtown Disney. We haven't taken the boat, which is behind Artist's Palette (Artist Point is at Wilderness Lodge).

We like this location - right across the street from the bus stop, and a very short walk to the pool.

We do have a car, but only used it to go to Wilderness Lodge.

 

[magerzoo]

We stayed it the Paddocks and was close to the pool and the bus stop. Seemed very convenient for us, but we were only four!