throwing trip together 6 months out...poly, VGF, SSR

[daisyx3]

We have a Carnival cruise booked March 11-18, but DH has told me he really isn't into cruising without the kids (who are 24,21, 18). We did a Dream cruise last year with the youngest, but college spring break is the week before mine.
I am OK with canceling, but I would like to throw together a 3 or 4 night trip during the week so I can enjoy my own spring break a little. We are 6 months out so options are limited. It would be either Monday-Thursday or Monday-Friday. Flights are cheaper if we do 3 nights only.
Here are the available studio options without waitlisting:
SSR, preferred or not (I would do preferred as the one time we stayed there, our home resort, we stayed in Congress Park and I really liked it).
Poly lake view studio (3 nights only) or standard view.
VWL (3 nights only) BUT I know it's in some rehab right now.
VGF standard view (3 nights only)
OKW (not HH)

We have not stayed in is VGF. How are the standard view rooms? I think if we do 3 nights that is the one. But if we do 4 nights, should we just save points and stay at SSR? I haven't been there since 2009; are the busses still awful? Is it run down? If we do OKW (never stayed here either) are the busses better than SSR? We never rent a car.
Thanks.

 

[Mpadovani2]

I think it all depends on where you plan on going and eating while there. IMO, If the 3 nights are still available at VGF I would book them and waitlist the other night. The rooms are very nice and tastefully appointed. I would mention lacking in some storage spaces. I would request hotel grounds view and upper floor, you should have a great view of the fireworks. VGF is a very short walk under cover to main building with lots to do. It's my favorite, although I have never stayed in SSR, so I can't comment or compare busses. For me with young kids in tow it's always monorail resort or BCV. We recently stayed at PVB and were very much less than impressed, but it was nice being just a short stroll to the TTC. I would avoid VWL with all of the construction. Good luck!

 

[jmassey1samchi]

I have never stayed at vgf, but have been there. I have, however, recently stayed at the Polynesian villas in a studio, and really enjoyed it. Great room, great pool and food options. There is also a cool little bar that also serves lite fare in trader SAMs grog grotto if you and/or your kids like to have a fun place to go at night. Plus, you are on the monorail loop.I feel as though the poly may be more fun for your kids than vgf.

 

[lovin'fl]

SsR buses are still terrible. OKW has a better bus situation if you're in HH section or near it where you take HH bus out to parks and get off first stop when coming back...if back in the resort you might have similar bus situation to SSR. SsR and OKW 2 are bottom of our list...well so are Poly and VGF due to high point cost. We likely would pick VWL. Though only 3 or 4 nights wouldnt put an overwhelming dent in your points.

 

[DenLo]

I think the SSR buses are better than OKW and Disney is making an effort for more buses being available to the parks in the morning. I don't know how it will work with the internal bus going to all the stops and no Disney Springs bus. We never took the DS bus as we always walked over and now with the new bridge near Congress Park it is even easier.

If you can the OP should consider staying at VGF or PVB if they have never stayed at either one.

 

[senadler]

We love the Poly and I would absolutely stay there. I am thinking once the Poly is 100% sold it will become very difficult to book there, so I would do it now. I love the location and am less concerned with the view, so I would do standard for four nights if it is available.

I am really looking forward to trying VWL, but I would not book during the construction.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

SSR - take advantage of the spa and have some me time. Request Grand Stand, which is easy walk to boat docks and Carriage House. Take the boat to DS for dining and shopping. The buses to/from the parks are better than years past.

 

[jerseygal]

I think the SSR buses are better than OKW and Disney is making an effort for more buses being available to the parks in the morning. I don't know how it will work with the internal bus going to all the stops and no Disney Springs bus. We never took the DS bus as we always walked over and now with the new bridge near Congress Park it is even easier.

If you can the OP should consider staying at VGF or PVB if they have never stayed at either one.

We have friends staying at SSR for our Oct.F&W trip. If they will have some ADR's at DS, it is a good recommendation to request Congress Park area so they can walk over the new bridge?As I have never done it, how far a walk can I tell them it is from the Congress Park area bridge to DS? TIA!

 

[jerseygal]

I would choose Poly, stayed twice, really ENJOYED it, once with DH and I and the second time with our DS, 29 and 21. Stayed at VGF standard during a December trip, Xmas tree/lobby gorgeous, beautiful grounds and pools. Poly seems though to have a more "active" vibe which your older kids would probably enjoy. If you decide on Poly, walk over to VGF to check it out on the walking path, have lunch at Gasparillos, quick serve I think is quite good(love Gasparillo made to order salads that they mix there) and if you wish, you can pool hop to VGF pools, but NOT vice versa to Poly pools. If you choose VGF, walk over to Poly along path past the wedding chapel, check it out including Captain Cooks, say for a quick serve breakfast. Stayed at SSR once, but that was before the bridge to DS which sounds like would be awesome if you have a lot of ADR's at DS and are planning on spending a lot of time there. HAVE FUN whatever you decide.

 

[Donna M]

We have stayed at all the resorts you mentioned, and our favorite is VGF. We love the feel of the place and enjoy going to the main building in the evening to listen to the music. We had lake view 1 bd once and wasn't overly impressed. Three stays in standard view 2 bds have been great. Request an upper floor to avoid looking onto the roof of the porte cochère.

We stayed in a lake view studio at Poly and the noise form the ferry was very bothersome for me since I am a light sleeper, even with ear plugs I was woken up at night and in the morning. The rooms are very large, and the bath configuration is handy.

SSR has gotten better since we went years ago, the landscaping is beautiful now. Can't comment on the busses since we rent a car. Being able to walk to Disney Springs is convenient.

OKW is our go to resort when we need a lot of space because the living rooms are the largest.

I love the WL, but with the construction it could be a problem, or not. I hear it's not crowded and you could get a room facing away from the construction.

We will be at the VGF in a standard view 2 bd in 39 days!!!