Stayed at SSR for the first time loved it except the bus situation

[theyoungs07]

This was my first time using Disney Transportation since we usually drive to WDW, but I was on a trip with just my oldest son. I am really interested in buying DVC, so I rented points to stay at SSR, which is likely where we'd buy.

I asked to be close to the Carriage House since I wanted to be able to check out the amenities there as well as the Community Hall.

We were put in 3601 in the Springs, I could see the bus stop from my window. The location of our room was great, we had easy access to everything we wanted to see, including a walk over to the Paddock pool to check it out.

We enjoyed the Artists Pallete, it was much more laid back than our previous foray into resort QS at POFQ.

I really enjoyed the resort, as did my son, but the bus situation was pretty bad. We stayed until park closing, or pretty close to it most times and any of the bus rides FROM the parks we ended up standing (two semi-fit males, we chose to when needed). We had a few trips that took almost an hour from getting to a bus stop until we were at our destination bus stop. Since we were in the Springs, we were the last stop on the ride home.

There were two major reasons I think:
People parking at Disney Springs...I can't count the number of people who kept asking the bus driver which stop was closest to DS...at 10pm-2am...most did not wear MBs. Once we hit that stop, the bus would be practically empty. I may be wrong and these folks were just going to visit DS, but if this is a problem I sure hope that Disney cracks down on it somehow.

ECVs!! Plenty of people need these things, I get it...but some of the drivers need more training on how to get them on the bus and moving much more quickly. We had one driver who was awesome...he had them on and we were moving very fast, others took sooo long. I'm pretty sure that 7/10 rides had them loading/unloading.

 

[Sammie]

Since you have not used Disney transportation before, this is not a problem only associated with SSR. Buses, monorails, boats are packed at closing of parks for all locations. We just don't rush to get on any and enjoy the parks as they close and ride back in a much less crowded bus.

As to people using SSR transportation to access Disney Springs, it has always been an issue and not sure it will change. If you are staying in the Springs area you can always get off at the first stop which is Grandstand and take a short walk over to Springs.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I agree that buses around park closing will often be packed. Often we've been standing no matter what resort we were heading to. Also, as a guest from another resort If I wanted to go to DS I'd take the SSR bus to get there although yes, I'd bet there is also lots of people doing free parking.

 

[theyoungs07]

Since you have not used Disney transportation before, this is not a problem only associated with SSR. Buses, monorails, boats are packed at closing of parks for all locations. We just don't rush to get on any and enjoy the parks as they close and ride back in a much less crowded bus.

As to people using SSR transportation to access Disney Springs, it has always been an issue and not sure it will change. If you are staying in the Springs area you can always get off at the first stop which is Grandstand and take a short walk over to Springs.

I should have spent some time getting more acquainted with the huge resort, then I would have noticed that the walk from the Grandstand wouldn't be too bad...I just didn't want to wander that late at night after a long day at the parks.

I am just fine standing on the buses, but the hour or so that it took really was surprising to me.

It is also unfortunate that at the park bus stops, the ECVs are supposed to park outside of the cover, it was raining Sunday night and there were three people waiting...of course only 2 can get on at a time so one person probably waited another 15-20 mins in the rain.

 

[spiceycat]

Grandstand is definitely a better choice. the one closest to DS is Congress park. Sounds like it is time to complaint again to Disney and DVC. the bus drivers are now to send these guests to PO (disney pays for it transportation not SSR which members pay for). It was on the signs at DS for PO.

So definitely complaint and mention that DVC members are paying for the transportation to SSR. So they will fix this problem. Or otherwise Disney needs to start paying part of the cost for bus transportation to SSR. Since DS is Disney owned. and these guests? may actually buy something at DS.

 

[theyoungs07]

One morning I rode the bus with a guy who was drinking coffee from his disposable Holiday Inn cup...seemed odd to me until I realized that there is a HI in the DS area.

 

[DaisyNY]

We also recently stayed at SSR for the first time and stayed in the Springs...we had 2-3 times when buses were full or nearly full when they arrived at our stop and had to wait for a second or third bus. There did seem to be a lot of people riding ECV's at this resort. Our home resort is BLT and the rooms there are much nicer! SSR has a weird bathroom layout in the master of the two bedroom villa. That said, staying there again in February as we couldn't find availability elsewhere (late booking)...it is a pretty resort.

 

[theyoungs07]

BTW...I did like the full size coffee pot in the studio. I was able to make a good cup of coffee (I like Joffrey's) and saved myself some $$ to be used elsewhere. Most hotels have pretty bad coffee setups so this was a nice addition. It didn't save much, but definitely was nice to have.

 

[Jhondy210]

People parking at Disney Springs...I can't count the number of people who kept asking the bus driver which stop was closest to DS...at 10pm-2am...most did not wear MBs. Once we hit that stop, the bus would be practically empty. I may be wrong and these folks were just going to visit DS, but if this is a problem I sure hope that Disney cracks down on it somehow.

We took the SSR bust to Congress Park and then to DS when we stayed at CBR last trip. The entire bus was full…i.e. people were standing…and not one person on the buss was staying at SSR. I know this for sure cause at one point the bus driver asked since all the people kept asking how to get to DS. Eventually, I just started giving directions to people on the bus what to do once we got to Congress Park stop. I felt bad for people staying at SSR because of this. I've stayed at SSR many times and will be staying there in January but I don't remember it ever being as bad as what I saw in November with people taking the bus just to go to DS.

 

[smcabee]

A ton of people ride the SSR bus to DS. Since the park buses dont go there, Ive heard numerous cast members tell folks to ride the SSR bus. As an owner at SSR im not happy about this but there is nothing I can do but write and complain which I do each trip and always receive a canned response. Bottom line is they want people spending money and with DS expanding, people are going in droves to the area and spending money. They dont care about any inconvenience to owners or cash paying guests as long as the cash flow keeps coming.

 

[goofy4tink]

This was my first time using Disney Transportation since we usually drive to WDW, but I was on a trip with just my oldest son. I am really interested in buying DVC, so I rented points to stay at SSR, which is likely where we'd buy.

I asked to be close to the Carriage House since I wanted to be able to check out the amenities there as well as the Community Hall.

We were put in 3601 in the Springs, I could see the bus stop from my window. The location of our room was great, we had easy access to everything we wanted to see, including a walk over to the Paddock pool to check it out.

We enjoyed the Artists Pallete, it was much more laid back than our previous foray into resort QS at POFQ.

I really enjoyed the resort, as did my son, but the bus situation was pretty bad. We stayed until park closing, or pretty close to it most times and any of the bus rides FROM the parks we ended up standing (two semi-fit males, we chose to when needed). We had a few trips that took almost an hour from getting to a bus stop until we were at our destination bus stop. Since we were in the Springs, we were the last stop on the ride home.

There were two major reasons I think:
People parking at Disney Springs...I can't count the number of people who kept asking the bus driver which stop was closest to DS...at 10pm-2am...most did not wear MBs. Once we hit that stop, the bus would be practically empty. I may be wrong and these folks were just going to visit DS, but if this is a problem I sure hope that Disney cracks down on it somehow.

ECVs!! Plenty of people need these things, I get it...but some of the drivers need more training on how to get them on the bus and moving much more quickly. We had one driver who was awesome...he had them on and we were moving very fast, others took sooo long. I'm pretty sure that 7/10 rides had them loading/unloading.

I've stayed at SSR many times...I own at BWV and BLT. I usually stay in the Grandstand area. Talk about a long time on the bus....being the first stop you get a seat but it takes 25 mins before you actually leave the resort. And it is the first stop for the return from the parks. The ECV issue happens everywhere, all the time. It's a pain but it is what it is.
As far as those that park at DS and head over to SSR to get to a park? They're idiots. It takes about 30+ mins to walk from DS to SSR, then another 40+ mins to a park. All to avoid paying to park. Time is money. And yes, CMs will tell guests, at the parks, to take the bus to SSR in order to get to DS. Again, it's time consuming. You could walk/boat/monorail to a nearby resort and take the bus to DS from there.....I think it's faster than going to SSR, but that's just me.
SSR is a huge resort.....very spread out. That's one of the minuses of the resort. And that's why I don't want to stay in the Springs area. The Grandstand area is a fairly quick walk to the main buildings and pool. Best of both worlds, so I'll take the lengthy ride to a park.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

We also recently stayed at SSR for the first time and stayed in the Springs...we had 2-3 times when buses were full or nearly full when they arrived at our stop and had to wait for a second or third bus. There did seem to be a lot of people riding ECV's at this resort. Our home resort is BLT and the rooms there are much nicer! SSR has a weird bathroom layout in the master of the two bedroom villa. That said, staying there again in February as we couldn't find availability elsewhere (late booking)...it is a pretty resort.

OT: I find BLT rooms sterile, cheap and uninviting, and the number of ECVS are probably on par but less visible because of the Monorail. We love our DVC home at SSR but we see no reason to denigrate someone else's choice.
OP - bus transportation can be hit or miss as others stated but I will gladly let someone else do the driving on vacation after spending 3 hrs/day x 5 days/week driving to and from work.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We also recently stayed at SSR for the first time and stayed in the Springs...we had 2-3 times when buses were full or nearly full when they arrived at our stop and had to wait for a second or third bus. There did seem to be a lot of people riding ECV's at this resort. Our home resort is BLT and the rooms there are much nicer! SSR has a weird bathroom layout in the master of the two bedroom villa. That said, staying there again in February as we couldn't find availability elsewhere (late booking)...it is a pretty resort.

Then you won't want to stay at VWL, BCV, BWV either since they have the pretty much the same bathroom layout. That was the standard layout of those four resorts with very minor modifications like the location of the door to the connecting studio.

As for buses, I find that a nice time to visit with the other guests. We usually meet the nicest people either at the bus stop waiting or on the bus.

 

[Deb & Bill]

A ton of people ride the SSR bus to DS. Since the park buses dont go there, Ive heard numerous cast members tell folks to ride the SSR bus. As an owner at SSR im not happy about this but there is nothing I can do but write and complain which I do each trip and always receive a canned response. Bottom line is they want people spending money and with DS expanding, people are going in droves to the area and spending money. They dont care about any inconvenience to owners or cash paying guests as long as the cash flow keeps coming.

They need to install a gate to be opened with a SSR wrist band at all the entrances to SSR from DS. And you'd need the wrist band both ways.

 

[SnowWhite2]

They need to install a gate to be opened with a SSR wrist band at all the entrances to SSR from DS. And you'd need the wrist band both ways.

Wasn't this supposed to happen on the bridge between the Contemporary and BLT? That didn't work well either.

 

[Anal Annie]

Doesn't SSR still have a water taxi to DS or am I thinking of OKW or something?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Wasn't this supposed to happen on the bridge between the Contemporary and BLT? That didn't work well either.

There's a bridge between BLT and CR?

 

[Sammie]

Maybe with the changes to the parking at BLT and BWV of only resort guests, or those with an ADR will be allowed to park without paying, they will also address the SSR situation.

 

[theyoungs07]

Doesn't SSR still have a water taxi to DS or am I thinking of OKW or something?

Yes there is...I rode it on the 17th.

 

[sticker231]

Doesn't SSR still have a water taxi to DS or am I thinking of OKW or something?

They both have it