SSR Questions

[mebandy]

I need HELP! We are going to SSR and I don't know which section would be best. We have a 2 and 5 year old, so pool or playground proximity would be good, but afraid of noise. 5 year old very sensitive to change and noise.

Any suggestions? Should we request a section or building? This is our first time here.

Thanks!

Michelle

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We stayed there in March. Our kids were 5 and 7 at the time. We didn't notice any noise, it was a very quiet resort. Probably due to the fact that its so spread out and huge! That was the main thing I didn't like about it. We ended up using our car quite a bit because the buses didn't seem to come very often, or at least not often enough for us.

Our room was in the Congress Park section which we enjoyed. It was a short walk to the main pool, and we had a really nice playground right in front of our building. We used the walkway to DTD several times, which was nice. I think The Springs is also a good location. I would put that as a second choice.

 

[LilGMom]

We were in Congress Park and while it was a healthy walk to the main pool and food it wasn't bad with a 6 yr. old and a 2 yr. old. It was also a nice healthy, but enjoyable, walk to DTD. We were very close to one of the quiet pools but not so close that noise was ever an issue.

This was our building -

This is a view along the walkway to DTD -

A view from our balcony. Our building was facing DTD but there was landscaping and a quiet pool between us and the DTD view. -

 

[DISNEYNY]

We just stayed at SSR in August. We were going to be using bus service alot so that was important to us. We chose the Grandstand section as it is the first one on and the first one off the bus. The bus service worked out well for us. We never had to wait long for one to arrive and always had a seat. There are five stops and Springs is the last. There were several times that people at Springs did not get on the bus. That is the most requested section so it always had alot of people. We were there during Free Dining, so it was very busy. The Grandstand has it's own pool and you can refill your mugs at the poolbar-when it is open-so you don't always have to walk to the main hall. It was about a 5 minute walk to the main pool and Carriage House. You can catch the boat to DTD at the Carraige House-that was fun too.

 

[Pakey]

Since you didn't say when you were going, it's hard to say what is best for you. We have been twice in off-season when crowds were low and stayed in Springs. It is the closest to the main pool. There was no noise in our room at all. Each of our stays at SSR, regardless of section, have been quiet. Back to Springs.....even though Springs is last bus stop, during non-peak season we have never got onto an already full bus. During peak, yes, the Springs stop would be tough with two little ones as that stop is usually standing room only.

If you are wanting to be close to the main pool and are using the buses and going off season, Springs is the best. Peak season, Grandstand is the best. If you don't care about being near the main pool, then Congress Park offers the best view of DTD.

 

[mebandy]

Thank you all for your responses.

We are going in January, just booked it today! 4 nights at SSR and 3 nights on the Wonder? I believe.

I admit I am little nervous about SSR because it is so big. We stayed at OKW last year and you counldn't walk to the main area with the kids because of the distance. There was a quiet pool near our room, but this year my son wouldn't let us miss the waterslides!

Will the Springs be a good choice in January?

 

[Pakey]

We have stayed in Springs twice in January and loved it. We were as close to the main pool/store/artist's palette as you could get. For both trips there were 6 of us (all adults) and we never had any problems with bus space. We were on the top floor, which we loved, and close to the end stairwell. In the middle of each building, there is an elevator so if you are going with a stroller, you'll be able to roll down the exterior hall to the elevator and come out on ground floor with ease.

Also, we did walk to and from DTD from the Springs. It was a good walk but I think even the walk from Congress Park is deceiving and longer then it appears. Springs didn't seem that much worse and we did it almost every night. The boat launch to get to DTD is quite a ways from Springs so you probably will be better off taking the bus with 2 small children (unless the weather is nice and you enjoy the walk).

The main pool is great and we've been lucky in that our past 3 January trips have had several days of warm enough weather to enjoy the pools/water parks. Artists' Palette, although it has a small menu, was a nice area and there were always tables there and we would take our time, sit and chat, just enjoy being there. They had crayons and paper at the tables so my big kids (youngest is 26) would sit and color.

I hope you and your family have a marvelous trip. We'll be there in January too but staying at the BCV this time.

 

[DISNEYNY]

We only took the boat to DTD once, but I didn't think it would be that long of a walk from Springs. There is a hallway that you walk down near Artist Palette, then down the stairs and it is right there. We really enjoyed the boat ride. To me the bus to DTD is always a hassle getting back.

 

[Evil Princess]

Grandstand is nice, and is the newest section. It is a very short walk to the main building, easy access for food and the main pool.

It also has it's own pool and hot tub, with a small children's play area. This pool tends to be much quieter than the main pool.

 

[mebandy]

Thanks Pakey, DisneyNY and Evil Princess. Everthing there sounds great! I really appreciate your help because I am worried about SSR, since we haven't stayed there before. Grandstand and the Springs sound great!

Thanks for helping, this was my first post on Disboards!

 

[DISNEYNY]

Your welcome. I hope you have a great time!!!

 

[disneyfanUSA]

Hi I stayed at SSR this august. I don't think the noise will be a problem for your 5yr old if you stay in grandstand. We rarely saw anyone there. The grandstand section is very nice!! It was a short walk to the carriage house and main pool. The pool areas in both the springs and grandstand where nice! One benefit for us was the grandstand was the first to get picked up and to get dropped off! Also the food at SSR is very good! The Turf Club which is the TS there is very good and so is the the CS at Artists Palette!!

here are some pictures of SSR!!

View from our balcony in grandstand!

Our room (may i add me DD & DNice said the pullout was very uncomfortable! And the comforter in picture doesn't come with the pullout i gave them it from my bed.)

Outside our room

The building we stayed in!

Grandstand pool area

Grandstand BBQ area

Bus station

Springs pool area! (The zero entry pool will great for you since your kids are little!!!)

Carriage house

Right before we leave! =[

 

[mebandy]

Thanks Disneyfan!!! You have beautiful kids!!! Thanks for the pics, much better than the ones Disney has. They need to work on their website.

Counting the days..

 

[kimsuenew]

We loved The Springs @ SSR. It is close to everything (pool, bus stop, lobby, dining) but it is not noisy. It is a wonderful resort, beautiful theming, and they have fun family activities daily (they will give you a schedule). I hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[5 for WDW]

We stayed at SSR for the first time 9/13-9/22 in The Grandstand section. We were thrilled with the location and loved the resort.
Our kids are 10,7 and my DD turned 4 last week. The walk to the main pool was nothing for them. We even walked all the way across the resort to the DTD walkway and walked over to BBB. We would not do it everyday but, no one complained. So, Yes it is a very large resort but, we were not bothered by that at all.
Grandstand was very quiet and the kids loved the quiet pool there. Our building was overlooking the pool. That section being the first bus stop was a huge factor for us. I am having a third knee surgery next month in two years so I was pretty much limping everywhere. It was nice to know we always had a seat.
We can't say enoigh about SSR. We will absolutely be staying there in the future!
Have a great time!!

Oh yeah..The bus service was awesome the entire time we were there. The longest we waited for a bus was after MNSSHP on the 21st and that was only twenty minutes. They came frequently in the morning and when leaving the parks. This stay was the best in regards to buses in the ten years we have been going to WDW each year.

 

[disneyfanUSA]

Thanks Disneyfan!!! You have beautiful kids!!! Thanks for the pics, much better than the ones Disney has. They need to work on their website.

Counting the days..

Thanks! Hope you have great trip!

 

[DISNEYNY]

Bump