SSR

[lisatx04]

We leave for SSR on Friday. Yesterday, I received an email from SSR asking if I had any room requests between the areas of Congress Park or The Springs for the new preferred category that we booked. We are staying in a 2 BR. Having only stayed at SSR once, OKW is our home resort, I looked at a map and picked The Springs area. For all those that own at SSR, was this a good choice? The cast member I spoke to yesterday said that SSR is very slow this week. Maybe it will stay a bit slower next week. One can only hope!

There will be 6 of us: myself, my sister and 4 kids, ages 17-20.

I am excited that the Flower and Garden Show will be going on, but not really excited about the crowds. I know it is spring break so we will just take it as it comes. FP's have been made along with dining.

Anything new and exciting I need to know about?

 

[hakepb]

Congress Park has nice water overlooking Disney Springs views, and a shorter walk to DS. (Some family's with teens really like that...but it's not like it's impossible to walk to DS from other SSR buildings)

SSR Springs is closer to the main pool and SSR dining area.
Springs is the last bus stop, so you are a bit more likely to stand on a full bus.

 

[drusba]

Prior to dividing SSR into standard and preferred, Springs and Congress Park were both popular request areas. Springs for closeness to original main pool, restaurant, and recreational areas (tennis courts, golf clubhouse, Spa and Fitness Center) and Congress Park because of easy walking access to Disney Springs and fantastic lake views looking across to Disney Springs. Either is a good area to have and it is just a matter of what amenities you might prefer being close to.

Not sure anything would be new to you since I do not know your last stay. The major "new" will not start until late May when Pandora opens at AK. In the last year or so, they have opened the Frozen ride in Norway, added fireworks to Studios (other than just the ones at Fantasmic), opened a very good Club Villian dinner show in Studios, and added some nightly events to AK. And Disney Springs is now becoming a reality without everything being under major construction.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

We just stayed preferred at SSR last week, and we were in the Springs. The location was fantastic. We had a lovely water view, and were super close to pools and the Artist's Palette for food/drinks/shop. It is the last bus stop on the loop, so you have a bit of a longer ride coming home, and we had buses that got to our stop in the morning that were already full so we had to wait for another. That was probably the worst part about staying there.

I have no experience with Congress Park but I know that is where you want to be to walk to Disney Springs, so if that is really important to you, this would be a good location choice.

 

[Murron]

Both Congress Park and Springs are great. But with children 17-20, I vote Congress Park for the accessibility to Disney Springs. I've edited this because I thought I should mention that we were in SSR with 4 ages 17 to 22 and they practically lived in (then) Downtown Disney.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

With kids those ages I would want to be closer to Disney Springs than the pool, so I personally would choose Congress Park unless you plan on doing a lot of swimming at the main pool.

 

[DizDaD7]

count me in the CP request as well..... Both are nice though, & SPrings is really convenient to the main pool & Food choices?

 

[lisatx04]

I picked Springs because we plan on relaxing more than touring. Don't get me wrong, we will be in the parks but I know of at least one day that we will be using the pool. Of course, with teens, plans change in a moments notice!

 

[BillPA]

I would go with the springs area. Close to the original main pool and a short walk to the pool at the Paddock area. Also close to the boat to Disney Springs, the food 'court' area, gift shop and the Turf club dining.
http://www.dvcnews.com/index.php/re...ings-66472/maps-a-photos-96147#prettyPhoto/0/

 

[mdelano4]

I know OP is already there, so what I have to say is really for someone who is planning. We always request Grandstand. First, there's a pool right outside that never seems to be crowded. It's a shirt walk down the path to the front of the main building for QS food or to main pool. The walk to DS is a little longer, but doable. Last and perhaps most important, it's the first bus stop, on and off.