SSR - Tell me I won't be disappointed

[TagsMissy]

So we booked yesterday for our first trip and used our Dev pts at SSR -- tell me I won't be disappointed and all the great stuff about this resort! It is lovely, don't get me wrong, and I can appreciate the theming etc but it's just not our cup of tea per se so I have a bit of apprehension.

I want to make the trip as magical as possible and enjoy every second of it no matter what so help to get us excited about our stay there.

We're staying in a 2BR (but I will keep on trying for a Treehouse!) and taking my bro, sil and their kids along. Will the kids be disappointed with the hotel? They are 7, 12 and 13... We won't have a car any recommendations on the best building to request as I was asked yesterday when I reserved if I had any requests and I had no idea.

Are there any hidden gems about the resort? For example at POR there's the butterfly garden... anything special like that at SSR?

Thanks for your help and suggestions.

 

[mackeyapp]

Hi We have stayed at most of the DVC spots and love each of them for different reasons. I must tell you we just came back from a 16 day trip for Xmas and our two boys that will be 12 & 13 in two weeks had the best time at SSR. We stayed the first part of the trip at BWV which I love and they did have a great time there. The second part of the trip we stayed at SSR. We generally request the Spings area because we never rent a car, DH loves to walk over for coffee in the morning and this year our boys loved the fact they were were across the way from the Community Hall. They had so much fun there with all the daily activites, table tennis, games, meeting other kids their age, etc. It is next door to the main pool which is great since they could walk back and forth from the community hall to the pool which allowed us to relax at the pool and always know they were close by. The Grandstand also has a fun pool area and we spent one afternoon there. We also love the fact that you can have a lovely walk to Downtown Disney. DH loves SSR for those reasons and much more. I think you may be pleasantly surprised with this calming and very relaxing resort. BWV and SSR is where we call home.

 

[culli]

Springs area is easy walk to main pool which is very nice. I love SSR would be my favorite resort if I could pick it up and put at the boradwalk. At your kids age it is easy walking distance to DTD and I have always wanted to try the Disneyquest but my kids are too young. Not sure what would disappoint you Just like any resort some love them while others have no interest.......for me no desire to stay at AKV (I'm sure I will someday).

Do some searches, I believe congress park is closest to DTD. Yes the resort is spread out but I like the ability to relax in a laid back atmosphere when I get back from parks or whatever. If you golf it is right on the course. Only other drawback is you can't walk to a park. Others have had bad expereince with busses but we didn't, had worse experience at BWV for going to MK and AK.

Again not sure why the kids will be disappointed with the "hotel", as it is actually a 2br villa/condo. For the most part BCV, BWV and DWL are the same layout and size as SSR.

Oh yeah the spa and gym are awesome at SSR too.

 

[MikeyNS]

This is a total personal preference type of question.

Personally we LOVE SSR. It is our cup of tea.. on the flip side we didn't really care for the Beach Club, which many many people absolutely adore.

We don't find the size of SSR to be bad. We like the quiet pools. Love to walk or take the boat to DTD. Love the relaxation. Love the community hall. The main pool is nice. We almost always cook in our rooms, but the times we went to AP the food was great. Bus service always seems to mesh with when we get to the stops, but bus service can be hit or miss anywhere, but you do hear more about it at SSR.
The only resort we haven't tried is OKW (and BLT now!), so I'm all for trying everything at least once so you know what you're in for because there always will be a next time!

 

[jbrowna]

Remember the Pollyana scene, where she quotes Abraham Lincoln? "If you look for the worst in people you will surely find it." I think that goes for DVC resorts as well -- if you are looking to be disappointed, then you probably will be.

However, it seems to me that what you're asking is "What makes SSR special?" Meaning that if there isn't anything unique or special about it, then you'll probably be disappointed. As others have pointed out, there are some great things about it. The main pool is great. But the Grandstand pool was a favorite of our granddaughter's when we stayed there - she loved the interactive water feature which she dubbed the "carwash".

The community hall offers a lot of games and activities. I don't know if it's only seasonally, but they also have evening movies by the pool. They have bingo games sometimes there as well. Walking or taking the boat over to Downtown Disney is fun. If you're the outdoors type, the walk to OKW and back is beautiful. The pool table in the lounge at the entrance to the Turf Club is free, and we've wasted many an evening hour there. The grounds themselves are nice to prowl, although that may not be the cup of tea for some tweeners. If nothing else, take a tour of the models for BLT or AKV that they have at the sales center and see what you might be missing!

 

[TagsMissy]

Remember the Pollyana scene, where she quotes Abraham Lincoln? "If you look for the worst in people you will surely find it." I think that goes for DVC resorts as well -- if you are looking to be disappointed, then you probably will be.

However, it seems to me that what you're asking is "What makes SSR special?" Meaning that if there isn't anything unique or special about it, then you'll probably be disappointed. As others have pointed out, there are some great things about it. The main pool is great. But the Grandstand pool was a favorite of our granddaughter's when we stayed there - she loved the interactive water feature which she dubbed the "carwash".

The community hall offers a lot of games and activities. I don't know if it's only seasonally, but they also have evening movies by the pool. They have bingo games sometimes there as well. Walking or taking the boat over to Downtown Disney is fun. If you're the outdoors type, the walk to OKW and back is beautiful. The pool table in the lounge at the entrance to the Turf Club is free, and we've wasted many an evening hour there. The grounds themselves are nice to prowl, although that may not be the cup of tea for some tweeners. If nothing else, take a tour of the models for BLT or AKV that they have at the sales center and see what you might be missing!

As I mentioned I will make the best of it and that the resort is lovely just not our thing so I am trying to find things to get me excited about going there... As for visiting the models of BLT I don't need to do that -- I own that and we are going to BLT after SSR on this trip

See the Community Hall games etc I didn't know about that until today and I have looked at websites -- I may have missed that or just that info wasn't on those sites so that is something I am learning about now and part of the stuff I want to learn about.

We are golfers but this trip is about Disney for us since we will have the kids there (even though 2 of the 3 kids golf as well). I just hope we get a room close enough to walk to the dining hall/community hall, etc.

Does anybody know what hours the community hall is open or is it 24hrs?

 

[Sammie]

TagsMissy, do you mind if I ask what about SSR makes it not your cup of tea and maybe then I can help you find things about it that will appeal to you.

 

[TagsMissy]

TagsMissy, do you mind if I ask what about SSR makes it not your cup of tea and maybe then I can help you find things about it that will appeal to you.

Hard to put a finger on it... I know I'd never choose to stay there but I had no choice for the Dev Points for WDW... Whenever we've been on property I've never had any desire to stick around to spend the night there.

Guess maybe just appears to be like any other golf resort I've been to and lacks wow factor or any emotional pull for me other than just doesn't appeal to me. As I said there's nothing wrong with the place, it is lovely, I guess just not what I look for in Disney?? LOL Maybe it's too much like home and so it's not a true get-away?

 

[GuySmiley]

I just went on my developer points in Jan. Given the right attitude, you will not be disappointed. I mean, you are at WDW, how can you end up disappointed!? But really, SSR is a beautiful resort. I ended up in the Padock (spelling?) section, which is too far from the main pool/dining/store for me. I also don't like the theme, its not 'strong' enough for me. But it'd have to be far worse than that for me to say I was disappointed. The 2BR is far more room than my family of 5 needed, it felt indulgent really, and I'd have actually felt bad spending that many points if they weren't use or lose developer points.

 

[Sammie]

What appeals to me about SSR, is the serene beauty of the place. It is so quiet and peaceful. Beautiful buildings, upscale decor and furnishings, and many nice walking trails and public places.

The staff has always been so accommidating and professional. Really like Artist Pallette, it is one of our favorite counter services places. Like the Turf Club too.

I think the pools are as good as any Disney has to offer and the kids seem to really always be having a great time at the main pool and also the new Grandstand pool.

Love the ability to walk to Downtown Disney. There is in my opinion on better place to shop and great places to dine.

All the DVC resorts are special and I would be hard pressed to say I have a favorite, but SSR is right up there with the others in appealing to us.

As to kids being disappointed, it is Disney World, I am sure they will be thrilled.

As to building requests I would suggest the Springs or Grandstand.

As to theme, I think the detail is outstanding, I just think many are not familar with Saratoga Springs, New York and miss that detailing.

Definitely check out the activities at the Community Center.

 

[marvali]

When we stayed there it was just a short two night stay on developer points. We were in The Paddock (didn't know enough to care where they put us at the time), one building over from the quiet pool. The walk from there to the main pool wasn't that far, and we enjoyed the walking bridge across the water to get there.

We enjoyed the feature pool and thought the resort was overall very relaxing. We never had a problem with the buses to the parks. Last summer we stayed at OKW and that is when I realized there was a boat dock behind the main building that you could ride to DTD. It was a very nice ride from OKW, and DW and I did it once just for a nice evening on the water. We enjoyed the quick serve location and thought it had a lot of good choices for counter service.

There are a lot of features we never even got to experience because we just weren't that familiar with the resort. I think if you are going to take any time at SSR instead of trying to maximize every minute in the parks, you will find plenty to enjoy about SSR.

 

[ChelleinNC]

My kids are 15 & 12 and they love SSR! Community Hall is one of their favorite places to hang out, they play video games, ping pong, crafts, hang out, watch tv. They spend a lot of time at Community Hall and at the arcade . They also love the main pool and the Grandstand pool. They play tennis, they go to the Carriage House for pin trading. The Welcome Home parties at the main pool on Sunday's are also a lot of fun with games & dancing & singing. DS even won a Pixar Monopoly game for winning his age groups hula hoop contest

We prefer to stay in the Grandstand, near the pool with golf course views. It's beautiful and convenient. Short walk to main area (Carriage House), 1st bus stop, Grandstand Pool & Backstretch Bar

 

[TagsMissy]

Does anybody know if a well maintained SSR website that I can go to to get info and insight from a user's perspective rather than simply an official website? Perhaps a fellow Dis'er has put something together?

 

[ChelleinNC]

Does anybody know if a well maintained SSR website that I can go to to get info and insight from a user's perspective rather than simply an official website? Perhaps a fellow Dis'er has put something together?

Can't say that it's well maintained, but here's a link to the SSR Lovers and/or Owners thread

and a similar thread from another site: I like SSR and I'm not afraid to say it

and the Dis (wdwinfo) info on SSR

 

[TagsMissy]

Thanks Chelle... can anybody confirm.. is there free internet for DVC members at SSR?

 

[Coach81]

The resort is beautiful... the proximity to Downtown Disney is fantastic.. the pool and community hall are great, the spa and fitness center are fantastic!!! Have a great time!!!

 

[ChelleinNC]

Thanks Chelle... can anybody confirm.. is there free internet for DVC members at SSR?

You're welcome and yes, free internet for DVC members at all DVC resorts. It's wired, not wireless and in the SSR 2BR villas, the connection is in the MBR at a very nice desk.

 

[culli]

Thanks Chelle... can anybody confirm.. is there free internet for DVC members at SSR?

Yes free internet. Also a good sight is allears.net

 

[TagsMissy]

Thanks gang... i am starting to feel better about staying at SSR