SSR question (if you've actually BEEN)... and no, not another one of "those" threads!

[tink2020]

Ok. I have a question about SSR before we go tour it this summer, just to clarify something in my head. PLEASE don't turn this into whether you like it or not. I'm exhausted reading all of those threads. I don't want a comparison to other WDW DVC resorts, or a comment on proximity to parks, ok?

My family used to have a condo on an island off of SC (not Hilton Head). While there, we were in close proximity to the beach if that is where we were spending our time for the day. Otherwise, it was not given a second thought to walk a bit to a fitness center, ride a bike to the tennis courts, or - gasp - drive a car to a restaurant. The condos were set up (very similar to Hilton Head, at least the one or two places I've been there) in sort of "neighborhoods", and you had access to lots of stuff -- you just might have to burn a few (and I'm not talking a few hundred) calories to get there.

Is this how SSR is set up? If you have a bike or 2 good legs, then it's reasonable, no? I'm not asking if it's "desirable" for you but if it is similar to other resort areas besides disney world?

Please know that I HONESTLY am not trying to argue with people who think it's too big. When we tour, if we like SSR then we will buy there and if not, we won't. Thanks in advance

 

[RobDoc]

From any of the current buildings at SSR it is no further than about 400-500 yards to the main pool, spa or Artist's Pallette areas of the resort. From the farthest buildings in The Paddock, it's about 600 yards to the marina.

Once you are on the Congress Park walkway, it's again about 400-500 yards to walk to DD and it may be about 200 yards to get to that walkway from a couple of the outer buildings at the resort- including those currently under construction.

I'd agree about the layout at HH (and many of the other Atlantic barrier islands - even VB), a car is necessary to access some services while others may be reached on foot. In fact, every WDW resort offers the same experience- there are some features, attractions and options within a short walk and other things that must be accessed by some sort of transportation- either personal vehicle or bus, boat or monorail provided by WDW. There is no resort option where every attraction may be accessed on foot.

Enjoy your SSR tour!

 

[TinkGirl]

We were there in January and did not have a car. We stayed in the Springs area, where it was a 5-minutes (maybe) walk to a bus stop, the main pool, restaurant, spa and fitness room, and community building. We also walked to both ends of Downtown Disney. I guess it was about a 15 minute walk from our unit. It was also a short walk to the boat launch area where you can board a boat to DD. We really enjoyed our stay at SSR. I don't know if that answers your question. It seems like all the Disney resorts are set up so you don't have to have a car. We prefer walking, too.

 

[JimC]

We were there in January. I enjoyed walking the resort every day. Assuming no health restrictions, it is easy to walk to anywhere -- the Spa, Pool, Restaurant, even DD. It is a nice resort for walking because there are plenty of paths to take and a shortcut across the one end of the large lake (my personal favorite!).

In February we were at Shadow Ridge. When completed it will be Marriott's largest timeshare and larger than SSR. This is in Palm Desert (near Palm Springs). It also was very walkable to get to pools, restaurants, golf, whatever.

Enjoy your tour of SSR and your holiday at WDW

 

[tink2020]

Thanks! That's what I figured. I guess I don't see that as a bad thing, probably because I won't have known anything different. It seems to me that it may be a nice break, to be AT disney world and at the same time feel like I'm elsewhere when I'm hanging around the resort. (Edited to clarify, not that I'd want to be "elsewhere" than at disney world as a whole. If that's the case, I don't think DVC would be for me, but then again neither would spending so much time on these boards! I simply mean IN disney, but away from the hustle and bustle of the busier areas)

I guess that's where the whole "to each his own" thing comes in, but I'm thankful that you all have reassured me of that. We just might be some of the ones who would LOVE to stay at SSR, and may or may not book elsewhere just for a change of pace (but certainly not go to another resort as a norm, as some have suggested).

Thanks again for answering my question!

 

[DVC Sadie]

We find everything is within walking distance but after a long day at a park I enjoy hoping on the designated internal bus system to ride to the food court. Other than that I pretty much walk everywhere when traveling solo without a car. Hope this helps.

 

[tink2020]

We find everything is within walking distance but after a long day at a park I enjoy hoping on the designated internal bus system to ride to the food court. Other than that I pretty much walk everywhere when traveling solo without a car. Hope this helps.

An internal bus system throughout SSR? I hadn't heard of that (we're just now really looking into it). If that's the case, I really don't think I'll have a problem staying there!

I can't wait to see it for myself, but thanks again to all of you for trying to help me get a better picture!

 

[granmanh603]

We find everything is within walking distance but after a long day at a park I enjoy hoping on the designated internal bus system to ride to the food court. Other than that I pretty much walk everywhere when traveling solo without a car. Hope this helps.

I was just at SSR(my DD and family stayed there) and I never saw an internal bus and I was at the bus stop alot!!! I did come across people asking where the bus was stopping next and hopping on for a ride there.

 

[cobbler]

We stayed in Congress Park and had a very easy walk to DTD. I think 5-6 minutes. We even took the long way walk over by Cirque and the West Side and that took us probably about 12 or so. Mostly because we were confused and didn't really understand the path.

The walk to the main area was quick too, where the food court is. We have 2 little ones (9 and 4) and it was no problem for them, even the DTD walks. Which we did probably 4 times during our stay for shopping, eating or to grab a bus to another resort.

We had to walk back to our room once in the rain. We got something to go from AP and it started raining. We could wind our way mostly through covered areas if we wanted to make it a little longer (with only a few small breaks inbetween bldgs) but we chose to jog instead. It wasn't bad at all.

Enjoy your tour!

 

[bradpga]

My wife and I just got back 2 weeks ago and loved it. We stayed at Congress park area. 1-2 min. walk to bus stop, 4-5 min. walk to main pool and restaurant, 6-8 min. walk to DTD. I read someone's post that it was a 5 min. walk to the bus stop? From most buildings you could crawl to the bus stop in 2-3 min.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Is this how SSR is set up? If you have a bike or 2 good legs, then it's reasonable, no? I'm not asking if it's "desirable" for you but if it is similar to other resort areas besides disney world?

Yes.
Many others have given you more detail, but to not reitterate (sp?) what they've said.

Though it is a large resort, it is a nice walk from 'here' to 'there' -- no problems for us.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I was just at SSR(my DD and family stayed there) and I never saw an internal bus and I was at the bus stop alot!!! I did come across people asking where the bus was stopping next and hopping on for a ride there.

I haven't used the bus system there,but I'm pretty sure that it will do pickups at say, Congress Park, and then do some stops along the way. One of those stops being the main pool/Artist's Palette/Spa building, etc. You can always hop off when they stop there to do a pick up.

Others -- feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[DVC Sadie]

An internal bus system throughout SSR? I hadn't heard of that (we're just now really looking into it). If that's the case, I really don't think I'll have a problem staying there!

I can't wait to see it for myself, but thanks again to all of you for trying to help me get a better picture!

Yes there is an internal bus system at the SSR. A lot of the times I just ask the park bus drivers if they are going past the pool area and if so I just hop on that bus for a brief ride to grab some dinner or a quick bagel for breakfast. Everyone that works at SSR is so nice and helpful. I hope you enjoy SSR as much as I, it truly is a lovely resort.

 

[Sammie]

Doc is the Master of facts so believe me, when he says it is not that far then you can believe it.

We have stayed at SSR multiple times and never found the walks any worse than any other resort location.

It is very peaceful and quiet and we loved being away from the parks. Bus stops are very conveniently located to each building.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[dsneygirl]

We stayed there in Oct last year and were in the furthest building of Congress Park. It was maybe a 7-8 minute walk to the main area (pool, AP). Like others have said I found the walk very pleasant and enjoyable.

 

[elijahpep]

Tink2020, we just got back yesterday from WDW SSR and the walks in the evenings were very calming and relaxing. The ducks, rabbits and water is so enjoyable after a long day of excitement at the parks. In the mornings, you see lots of folks taking their morning jogs and kids are always smiling. I hope you will enjoy your tour of the SSR facility. Enjoy~
DW

 

[Amy&Dan]

We have stayed in the Springs area and were literally two minutes from the main buildings and pools. It was great, we had a view of the pool and DTD which was pretty nice. We have also stayed in the Paddock section which is "far out" and I actually preferred that in some ways. There was a bridge that took us over towards the main areas. We also had a very nice quiet pool near our Paddock building that had a hot tub as well. I would say that walk to the Main area was around 5-8 minutes, we had my elderly parents with us who are both pretty feeble and they had no problem. The nice thing about the Paddock area was it was so quiet! We had a bus stop right outside our building and it was the second stop to be picked up and dropped off. When you are in the Springs you are close to the main pool but the trade off is that the bus stop near your building will be one of the later ones picking up and dropping off. If its a busy time of year you might be standing as the bus might be full by the time it reaches you. This happend to us several times but it wasn't the end of the world (and it was a busy time of year and we were a large party which complicated things). In the future, I won't stress so much about location as they all have their pluses and minuses! The resort is so pretty that a short walk to another area is more of a treat than torture in my book. Its a lovely resort, we love it and are so glad we bought into DVC.

 

[popsmensahbonsu]

I was just at SSR(my DD and family stayed there) and I never saw an internal bus and I was at the bus stop alot!!! I did come across people asking where the bus was stopping next and hopping on for a ride there.

There is no internal bus that is why you didn't see one. I believe people are talking about hopping on a regular WDW bus and the getting off at another stop closer to where they are going.