SSR with Young Children?

[mazzolag2005]

My wife and I have decided to buy, and think that SSR is the best value at this time. We also considered BWV, which we love, but the higher initial expense, higher maintenance fees, and the potential long wait on a waiting list for a 200 point contract has swayed us toward SSR. We have one lingering doubt/question though before we commit: We have a 3 year old DD and 3 month old DD, and we were wondering what kind of activities, playgrounds, children’s pools, etc. are at the resort? We’ve never stayed at SSR (but have stayed at BWV several times, as well as Polynesian, and Caribbean Beach Resort) and want to make sure that over the next 10 or so years there is enough at the resort to capture young kids’ interest especially during those days when we just want to relax at the resort and not visit any parks. I would like to stay at all of the resorts eventually, but just considering this issue if we plan a trip during the busy seasons when the 11 month window is a necessity. I got the impression from the promotional DVD and other pictures I've seen that the resort and rooms we beautiful, but didn't really get a sense of what was available for the children.
Thanks in advance for your help – this board is fantastic and has really helped us do our research over the past year! Also, a special thanks to Caskbill for his excellent DVC-Planner.

 

[tjkraz]

What SSR has to offer for kids is at least on par with other Disney resorts and superior to others.

* Main Pool - zero entry, long slide, smaller 6' slide for kids, water fountains.
(There is also another pool under construction which will have some sort of advanced play area for which details have not yet been fully released.)

* Community Hall with all-day schedule of activities (BCV and VWL do not have Community Halls)

* Custom-design playgrounds, well-themed to match resort
(Here is a photo from allearsnet.com)

* Walking distance to Downtown Disney (DisneyQuest, shopping, LEGO Store, watercraft rentals)

* Arcade

* Bike rentals

* Horse-drawn carriage rides

* Tennis Courts

* Basketball Courts

Having stayed at BWV several times myself, I'm hard-pressed to think of anything you can find for kids at BWV that you can't find at SSR. At the same time, as long as you plan ahead, I'm sure you would have plenty of opportunities to book at stay at BWV if you wish.

 

[starbox]

SSR has a very cute themed playground. It looks like a dollhouse. You can see photos here:
http://www.mpimages.net/wdw1/compre...atoga_Springs/ssr_kids_playground-bennett.jpg

The current pool has a small, toddler slide, zero-depth entry, and an interactive water play area for small children. IMHO, SSR the most infant/toddler-friendly pool of any DVC. The new themed pool is supposed to have an interactive water play area as well.

The CS restaurant at SSR has large drawing easels with paper and art supplies for kids to draw on - they have a special place to display each days drawings.

There is a stroller-friendly walking path to DTD.

 

[mazzolag2005]

Thanks tjkraz and starbox for the quick replies and pictures - this really helps!

 

[mikron]

I own SSR and find it as good or better then the other resorts. I like how close it is to down town disney. After a long day at MK anything will look good to relax.

 

[3DisneyKids]

I have 3 little ones and SSR is great for them! The zero entry pool is wonderful for babies and toddlers (with parents, of course). There are 2 slides...one is really good for toddlers...very small yet fun for them. PLUS, they just annoucned plans for a quite large 1000+ sq feet "splah playground" which is perfect for little kids.

 

[Parkhopper13]

We were in SSR one month ago, and have a 1 year old DD. She had so much fun at SSR. She loved the zero-entry pool, and interactive water area. Also, there is a rental center for pool toys, bikes, and other kids gear. I had a similar worry to yours before buying, but was very happy once we stayed.

We loved it!!!

 

[corinnak]

I think that the main thing missing for kids that some of the other DVC's have close at hand is a Kids' Club/child care center.

I have heard that you can see turtles on the walk over the bridge from Paddocks to Springs - my kids will be into that, I know.

My 7 year old is SO excited to stay at SSR in January and did not want to hear of switching to another resort. Mind you, he hasn't actually stayed there yet. We have it in our heads to rent one of those surrey bikes with the kids - nothing impresses kids like a surrey bike, after all.

 

[Jeremy&Susan]

We don't have children yet, one is on the way. Stay tuned.

When we toured SSR prior to purchase (June 06) there was a kids center / activity room. There was also a kids club in session while we toured.

We were told there are baby-sitting services other group activities for kids, both young and a bit older.

 

[ohiominnie]

Yup, I'll agree with all of the above posters. My kids are older (9 and 12) but when were were there we saw lots of people with younger kids (babies and toddlers) and they were having the time of their lives! SSR has lots of choices for mid-afternoon breaks from the parks.

 

[corinnak]

We don't have children yet, one is on the way. Stay tuned.

When we toured SSR prior to purchase (June 06) there was a kids center / activity room. There was also a kids club in session while we toured.

We were told there are baby-sitting services other group activities for kids, both young and a bit older.

Congratulations on your child on the way!

My understanding is that there are in-room babysitting services available, but that the kids center at SSR is purely part of the DVC sales center. My then 2 year old played there while I was on a tour, and had a great time. However, they don't allow kids under 4 at the Kids Clubs childcare facilities at the other resorts. Maybe when SSR is sold out, they will turn that area into a Kids Club for members and guests, though.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I like all the paths and green lawns to play on.

I took my 2 year old niece and she loved the kiddie slide, the zero entry, the Donald splash area, coloring at Community Hall, riding to DTD in her stroller, riding the boat to OKW and DTD, seeing the ducks, rabbits, and swans and that playground, I couldnt pull her off of it.

 

[tjkraz]

...but that the kids center at SSR is purely part of the DVC sales center. My then 2 year old played there while I was on a tour, and had a great time. However, they don't allow kids under 4 at the Kids Clubs childcare facilities at the other resorts. Maybe when SSR is sold out, they will turn that area into a Kids Club for members and guests, though.

Just to clarify, I think there are a couple different things being discussed here.

Saratoga Springs has a Community Hall. The CH is basically an activity center staffed by Disney CMs. They have board games, foosball, videogames (Playstation) and other similar activities. The CH is also host to a number of different craft activities throughout the day. I still have my schedule from a trip back in May. Every single day the resort had at least a half-dozen different activities for kids and adults. Examples include:

* Make a necklace
* Paint a wooden picture frame
* Paint a piece of ceramic
* Make a key chain
* Learn to make towel animals
* Flower arranging
* Scavenger hunt

...and so on. Most are free activities, but some do have a cost.

The CH is NOT a day care service. There are no age restrictions, but parents must be responsible for their children.

Old Key West and the BoardWalk also have their own Community Halls. VWL and BCV do not have a CH.

The other topic mentioned is actual child care. Saratoga Springs does not have a child care facility on-site, nor do some other deluxe resorts. The BoardWalk does not have a child care facility, nor do the Contemporary or Old Key West.

There is a pseudo-childcare center that is part of the DVC sales center, but it isn't available to resort guests.

Guests can use the kids' clubs at any Disney resort whether they are staying there or not. The price is around $10 per child, and I believe there is a 2 hour minimum.

Aside from that, there are a number of reputable agencies in the Orlando area who will send someone right to your guest room to watch the children. Rates will vary.