Tell me what I'm going to love about SSR

[Juliet25]

I have ressies next week for SSR and I'm trying to get excited about it. But TBH, I much rather be staying at the BC, VWL, or BW. I think it's the size of the resort. It just doesn't seem very homey to me. I know there's people who love the resort, so let me in on what you find so appealing. I've never been there...just seen pics and viewed it from DD.

Also, if you have a suggestion for a room request, I'm all ears.

THANK YOU!

 

[beachblanket]

The highlight of your stay will be checking out.

 

[corinnak]

Well, I don't know you, but there are some things that I have especially enjoyed about staying at SSR.

The pool is warm, the hot tubs are hot and there are TWO slides at the main pool. The big one, which is very fun, and the little one which is a different kind of fun, depending on your kids. My 4 year old went down the big slide about 3 times last month and he went down the little slide about a bazillion times. The drinks at the bar are very nice as well - have a Pina CoLAVA - you will be glad you did!

We also really enjoyed the proximity to DTD. Breakfast at Wolfgang Puck Express is really good, and it's nice to be able to enjoy a stroll over there, too.

The beds are very comfortable at SSR and it really is generally quite a quiet, relaxing place to retreat to after the parks, though admitedly I have never stayed at Congress Park.

The SSR Lovers and Owners thread has slipped off the board, but there are lots of people who enjoy SSR. Here's the link anyhow. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1329308

Oh, and here's my old trip report from January: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1324429

Which, in case you don't want to sift through all of it, I found contains another list of things that I enjoy about SSR :


1. The bus stops are cleverly designed to accomodate TWO bus pick ups at the same time. I don't know that this is unique to SSR, but it was not the case at POFQ or OKW. I will have take a picture to illustrate this.

2. The landscaping, being a series of formal gardens invites a contemplative stroll or a relaxing repose on a well placed bench....not that I have seen a whole lot of people doing this, but it's what I want to do!

3. The wildlife is just everywhere - and again, maybe this is true elsewhere, but in addition to the little lizards I saw at POFQ last year, I have seen more plump little toads than I would believe! At least one or two on pretty much every venture out of the room in the evening. We have also seen rabbits, swans and - forgive my lack of ornithological accuracy, one of those big white water birds - a heron or an egret, not sure which, just walking along near the sidewalk.

4. Even from the Carousel, walking from DTD's West Side only takes a half an hour at a relaxed pace, and it's a very nice walk along the Paddock water feature.

 

[Juliet25]

I apologize if I sound like an SSR basher. I'm being honest that I rather stay elsewhere. That said, I know there are many things to love about SSR, just as there are the "little things" I love about the BC -- I just have no clue what they are. I am sincere that I want to know what they are. I'm sorry if that tone didn't come through.

 

[corinnak]

Juliet, I don't think you came across as a basher at all - I had a hard time getting excited about going to SSR before my first trip as well - Hopefully you will enjoy it. There are those who don't, but this is just one of many DVC trips and if you don't like it, then at least you will know for the future? Hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised, and hopefully, the highlight of your trip will be something other than checking out.

 

[Juliet25]

Thanks, Corrinnak. Good to know about the pool being heated. DD *loves* to swim and I wasn't sure we'd be able to do so. I'll have to pass on the Pina CoLAVA, being 6 months pregnant, LOL. The beds sure sound appealing! The purpose of this trip is relaxation (as opposed to the gung-ho nature of our usual trips), so I'm thinking the SSR grounds will help with that.

I couldn't get the links to open, but I'll try tomorrow on my work computer.

 

[Juliet25]

Links opened!

 

[OlderMan]

The highlight of your stay will probably being saying "What were the naysayers--especially the likes of an earlier poster--talking about?????"

 

[corinnak]

Thanks, Corrinnak. Good to know about the pool being heated. DD *loves* to swim and I wasn't sure we'd be able to do so. I'll have to pass on the Pina CoLAVA, being 6 months pregnant, LOL. The beds sure sound appealing! The purpose of this trip is relaxation (as opposed to the gung-ho nature of our usual trips), so I'm thinking the SSR grounds will help with that.

I couldn't get the links to open, but I'll try tomorrow on my work computer.

Yes, sorry - skip the Pina CoLAVA. And probably the hot tub as well.... Congratulations! The main pool really was wonderful last month, though. We spent two nights at POFQ before switching to SSR, and the water in the dragon pool was.....brisk. I got in, but it was not that fun. The High Rock Springs pool was such a pleasant surprise after that. Just very comfortable. We were OK until we got out of the pool, and then we wrapped up in towels for the walk back to the room. You may want to request an area near the main hub of the resort. For November, we had Congress Park as a request, but at the last minute, DH couldn't go, and I changed the request to either Grandstand (the CM insisted on putting a particular building) or Springs. Happily, we got a room in the Springs and it made it so much easier having the two kids on my own for the week.

If you want to take it easy and relax, SSR is very nice for that.

The playgrounds are so cute, too - your DD may enjoy those as well, depending on her age. There is one by the Paddock quiet pool and one by the Congress Park quiet pool. We haven't used them, but I always think they look like they'd be fun if we weren't wearing ourselves out at the theme parks.

Glad the links ended up working for you.

 

[ldo]

stayed with 3 kids this summer in Grandstands. Kids could play in pool or spray area and there was no problem getting a table and chairs. Great for a quick dip before/after dinner--there is a hot tub also.
Springs pool was great, we spent hours over there. Very fun kids loved it,esp the slide. We also enjoyed getting food at AP and then walking a few steps to the pool and eating poolside. Kids loved Community Hall.

 

[disneykid4ever]

We've stayed at SSR twice now and we enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. It really isn't as big as people think; once you get the lay of the land you'll find it's a quick walk from almost anywhere on the property to the Carriage House (main building). If you stay in Congress Park you'll also have a short walk to DTD Marketplace where you can shop and get some great food from Earl of Sandwich, Ghiradelli, or Wolfgang Puck. If you stay in the Springs or Grandstand sections you'll be closest to the Carriage House and an easy boat ride to DTD. The food at SSR (Artist's Palette and Turf Club) is quite good and all of the CMs are really nice. As someone earlier mentioned there are lots of wildlife running/flying around; we've seen tons of bunnies, a few hawks, and this last trip we saw 2 otters swimming in one of the ponds in the Springs section. My husband actually has video of one of the otters walking across the sidewalk to slide into the pond and swim. It was early in the morning when he got the video and we didn't see them when lots of people were out and about but I thought it was cool! Another thing we really enjoy is just sitting out on our balcony and enjoying some snacks and the view. It really is a very relaxing place. The pools are quite nice; the main pool is great with zero entry for little kids. Also, if you drive down or rent a car, it's nice to be able to park right outside your building.
Try to approach staying at SSR as a new experience instead of a disappoinment and I think you'll be surprised at how well you'll like it!

 

[mello]

For a relaxing trip, it's perfect. We enjoyed the same things others have mentioned - pleasant walks, beautiful grounds, lots of little critters, great pool, good food at Turf Club and excellent counter service food at AP, boat rides to DTD, etc. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the spa! To me, that's one of the best reasons for going there! A foot massage or peppermint pedicure might be just the thing, especially if I were pg.

 

[Juliet25]

Thanks for all the feedback. DD4 is big into horses and ponies right now, so I am excited to see the horse theming...she's going to love it. I'm looking forward to eating at Turf Club and the AP food court (something BW and BC lack!).

 

[OlderMan]

...Saratoga Springs, NY is a horse racing town....

You will see many horse themes at WDW.

And remember, if you ever go to the REAL Saratoga Springs in upstate NY, all of the places you see in paintings when you check in really do exist!!

 

[nuts]

I apologize if I sound like an SSR basher. I'm being honest that I rather stay elsewhere. That said, I know there are many things to love about SSR, just as there are the "little things" I love about the BC -- I just have no clue what they are. I am sincere that I want to know what they are. I'm sorry if that tone didn't come through.

Well, each person has their own taste, which why DVC is great. For example, my teenagers hate BCV (too crowded and not enough for them to do). They refuse to let us stay anywhere but SSR. They like the proximity to DTD, the peacefulness of the area after busy days in the park, and the pools.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

We are going to stay at SSR for the first time in Jan and am looking forward to trying something new just DD and myself. However I can't imagine teenagers not liking the BCV's with the Stormalong Baypool, Boardwalk, ESPN and Epcot so close by........DTD is fun but to our teenagers not as nice as the BCV' area ...maybe if they were old enough to drink then DTD would be more alluring LOL

Everyone likes different things

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

We travel with 4 teenagers and they love both SSR and OKW!! Go figure. DTD is the attraction for sure, but they love hanging out at the quiet pools and seem to find things to do each day.

As adults we really love the spa at SSR. Last vacation my DH and I went each morning to 'work out'. Well, he may have hit the fitness room but i was just enjoying the steam room and sauna. What a great way to start the day. Our friends work at a great spa here at home and they give SSR high marks for their facility.

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

I just think overall the resort is done with a lot of class and good taste. It is very quiet and relaxing, yet close to nightlife at PI. I did not find anything to dislike and the buses don't make stops at other resorts. Nice walk around the lake. If you rent a car parking is convenient and it is close to town so you don't feel like you have to spend disney $$$$ to eat if you don't want to.

 

[appstate04]

It is extremely quite and relaxing, and the food at the Turf Club is abosolutely great. Go spoil yourself. I haven't even talked about the rooms yet!!!!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

As I've stated in many responses, I love ALL of the DVC resorts. I truly don't have a preference, but I do like to have different experiences with different trips. SSR and OKW, at least to me, provide similar experiences. We're going down the week of Easter, so we opted to stay at OKW or SSR. Knowing how many people will be down there that week, I didn't want to be among the BW, BC, YC crowds. SSR let's you be on Dis property, but escape the chaos.

Things I enjoy about SSR:
1) Fitness Center/Grounds - If you and/or your family enjoy working out, I love SSR. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and you can go to DTD or to OKW (which is a beautiful run). They also have a GREAT fitness center. Heads and shoulders above most I've experienced (within or outside of WDW).

2) Spa - If working out isn't your thing, try the spa!!! If you've never treated yourself to a massage, try it! Definitely a trip highlight. I've never had a manicure, so in March, I'm thinking of taking DD (who's 5) down with me to have some mommy/daughter fun!

3) Experience - The resort has an "upscale" feel to it. The decor is more formal than the other rooms, but not too formal. Because the resort is still new, you don't get a worn out feeling.

4) Staff - I've read this before in other threads, but I think SSR has a little more of a community feel. I think that's partly because of the CMs. Maybe it's just been my experiences, but they seem especially friendly and helpful.

When I first stayed at BWV, I had the same fears you do about SSR, but for the opposite reasons. I didn't want to be in the middle of things. Guess what? I fell in love! So, now I have to think hard where I want to stay and what kind of vacation I want to have. If we're not hitting the parks on a given visit, I enjoy BWV/BCV. If I want to come home and escape from the crowds after park hopping, I enjoy SSR, OKW and VWL.

I hope you have a wonderful visit and enjoy SSR.