SSR - would love some advice

[cdziuba]

We are sooo excited to be staying at SSR in late August in a 2bdr. I need help narrowing down our choices of which area of SSR to request. We like peace and quiet, enjoy looking at water birds, and would like to be near a pool that will keep a 12-year-old happy. It would be nice if we were somewhat near the DTD walkway, although we don't mind walking. All help appreciated! Thanks. Oh, did I mention I was excited ?!!

 

[stacy6552]

Just ask to be close to the lobby area. Although if you are staying on points, you are probably too late to make a request as you are supposed to do it at the time of booking. Good luck!

 

[disneynutz]

We are sooo excited to be staying at SSR in late August in a 2bdr. I need help narrowing down our choices of which area of SSR to request. We like peace and quiet, enjoy looking at water birds, and would like to be near a pool that will keep a 12-year-old happy. It would be nice if we were somewhat near the DTD walkway, although we don't mind walking. All help appreciated! Thanks. Oh, did I mention I was excited ?!!

The Springs area is where the action is. Congress Park is quieter and closer to DTD. You can find additional information here:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/saratoga.htm

 

[twinx4]

I stayed at SSR for the first time in April during Spring Break, I didn't think that I would enjoy it, b/c previous stays I was stayed in the Swan and Dolphin and I thought that I would miss the Board Walk action
And how would I adjust not being in walking distance to Epcot and a boats ride away from MGM.

But I had to remind myself that change is sometimes a good thing . I really enjoyed SSR, although some say that the property is too large. But I found it to be really peaceful and it was very beautiful. We wanted to experience both a studio and a one bedroom, for comparison for future stays. Both rooms were located in Congress park, the first few nights we stayed in a studio on the 1st level and our room was just steps away from the pool. The remainder of our stay we were one building away in the one bedroom (and after staying there it will be extremely hard to stay in a studio again ) We walked over to DTD a couple of times and the walk was roughly 10 minutes. From our one bedroom balcony on the 3rd floor we had a DTD/lakeside view. I would definately stay there again. Oh and don't forget to try Earl of Sandwich and Wolfgangs Pucks Cafe for lunch at DTD, especially if you are using the Dining Plan

Hopefully for Christmas my family and I will stay in a 2bdrm at SSR. Enjoy your vacation

 

[MEM]

I have DS12 and DD11. We called long, long after we made our reservations and had our room preferences added to our reservation only 2 weeks before our trip. We asked for Springs, then Congress Park, then Grandstand. We were given Congress Park - with great views of Fulton's and Cirque du Soleil. We walked to the main pool once and were not overly impressed with it. It wasn't crowded but nearly every chair was being reserved by a book or a pair of flip-flops. Once you use the slide at SAB, everything else seems to pale in comparison. For future swims we stayed near our room and used the "leisure pool" there. The kids loved having a pool (and hot tub) to themselves many times. It was a bit of a haul taking my 4 refillable mugs all the way down to Artist's Palette and back every morning but that is my only complaint related to location.

Our location in Congress Park made for a very pleasant walk to DTD most evenings, although it was a tiny bit secluded on the path. The thought ran through my mind that a person could get mugged and their body thrown in the water and no one would know, but then, I look for things to worry about. Fortunately, MousePolice on bicycles patrol that path.

Regarding wildlife, we saw dozens of the most beautiful brown bunnies hopping around as well as mallard couples. We called them "Disney bunnies" because they were the healthiest looking wild rabbits I ever saw. I don't recall anything more exotic than that, but we still enjoyed seeing them.

 

[nbodyhome]

We are sooo excited to be staying at SSR in late August in a 2bdr. I need help narrowing down our choices of which area of SSR to request. We like peace and quiet, enjoy looking at water birds, and would like to be near a pool that will keep a 12-year-old happy. It would be nice if we were somewhat near the DTD walkway, although we don't mind walking. All help appreciated! Thanks. Oh, did I mention I was excited ?!!

There are actually 2 Downtown Disney walkways I know about - one to the Marketplace, one to the West End. The latter is not open during the evening though. I have a photo walk in 3 parks around SS/DD http://www.mousesteps.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=24&Itemid=50

That said, Congress Park is a great area to request - it's going to be close to the main DD path (to the Marketplace).

 

[mcqueengroupie]

We stayed in Congress Park in May '06 and are returing "home" on Nov. 30th. I requested Congress Park when I made our ressies at the 11 month mark. I LOVED being there. It is soooo peaceful and beatiful, and nothing beats waking up and going out on the balcony overlooking the lake and DTD. Believe it or not, it was very quiet at night too. I loved the walk to DTD, and like a PP suggested, make sure to go to the Earl of Sandwhich, it was delish!!

 

[BroganMc]

I'm gonna be radical here and suggest you ask to be near the Paddocks pool. Why?

- Well Congress Park is nice, but I notice the boating on the lake tends to chase those lake birds during the day. (It can get downright noisy when the power boats are out.) Meanwhile Paddocks has two lakes for them to frequent (Springs has an additional one).

- The Paddocks pool is a leisure pool with playground and BBQ (just like Congress Park), but seemed a bit quieter during the day. It is also near the bridge spanning the lake to the Springs making it a short walk to the Springs and its food court and main pool (with games and slides).

- Paddocks pool is near the 3rd bus stop on the resort route so you have a better chance of getting a seat. (Congress Park is the 4th and Springs is the last. I noted people almost always had to stand when catching a Springs bus.) Depending on which building you're in, you could also have an equal distant access to the Carousel bus stop, allowing two possible attempts at that bus.

- And last, because of those noisy daytime boats I think Paddocks is actually more removed and peaceful.

My second recommendation is Grandstand but that has more golf course than lake view. If you're looking to watch the swans glide along the lake, you're much better off in the Paddocks or Springs.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

To support BroganMc's suggestion- We had a nice spot in the Paddocks and watched the beautiful swans everyday. Also we had two hawks nearby one day- luckily we didn't see any extreme 'circle of life' nature moments. Here is my view with the swans:

ANd here is a picture of my view with the hawk flying through the air:

This was a really convenient location for walking to DTD Marketplace and we were about equally distanced from the Paddocks or the CP pool. We were the 1st building in the Paddocks- so we were actually closer to the CP busstop than the Paddocks one. It was a quick and easy 5 minute walk to the main pool and Artist's Pallette.

 

[JerJan]

Another vote for the PADDOCKS area!!! We stayed there last August and it was the MOST enjoyable and relaxing vacation that we have ever had!!!! We are hoping we get the same section this August. We have previously stayed in Congress Park and The Springs.

 

[Pig Pen]

Where do you suggest if you have no car?

Paddocks sounds nice, but I want to be near the bus stop! We don't do the refillable mug thing (I bring my own coffee beans & grinder...I'm so fussy) so being near the snackbar is probably not a priority.

A good waterview IS a priority for me.....

 

[JerJan]

A bus stop is located right in front of the leisure pool in The Paddocks. Each section has their own bus stop in SSR.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Where do you suggest if you have no car?
Paddocks sounds nice, but I want to be near the bus stop! We don't do the refillable mug thing (I bring my own coffee beans & grinder...I'm so fussy) so being near the snackbar is probably not a priority.
A good waterview IS a priority for me.....

Every section has its own bus stop. So I don't think you would be too far wherever you end up. I think if you want a water view near a bus stop and you aren't picky about which section you are in, they will very likey be able to accomodate you.

 

[BroganMc]

SSR is designed to be equally accessible to car drivers and bus riders. There are 5 bus stops within the resort, in each section, so you aren't far from transportation. I wouldn't recommend using a car for inner-resort hopping since you'll be spending all your extra time parking. But folks do use the busses to hop. And whatever you do, don't bother using a car to drive over to DTD. That parking lot is a nightmare. One of the benefits of staying at SSR is not having to deal with that lot.

Just to help you, here's the current map of the resort. You can see the bus stops and what we're talking about.

The above pictures are taken from building 65xx. The building across the lake is a Springs building.

 

[BroganMc]

This is the view from the bench by the Paddocks pool (overlooking the lake and bridge to Springs).

 

[BroganMc]

And this is from the walkway outside building 61xx looking up toward the Paddocks bridge.

 

[cdziuba]

Wow, this has really given me so much to think about! I've gone back and forth, around and around, and I've decided on requesting the Paddocks, and failing that, then the Grandstand. They all sound great, but I'm going to ask for the Paddocks because of the nature, birds, views, and bridges. Many thanks to all!

 

[BroganMc]

Just make sure you ask for a water view. I'd hate for you to wind up in the one corner room that faces the Congress Park parking lot.

Near that pool seems to be the best spot to me. I love just going out for a walk and resting at the benches overlooking the bridge. During the day the pool was pretty much empty save for the couple who discovered the best way to spend a hot, steamy afternoon.

Between noon and 4 is the hottest, I found. Perfect pool weather. After 4, people start returning from the parks and diving in.

 

[Pig Pen]

Looks great! I have to add my daughter to my ressie so I will request waterview at Paddocks at the same time.