WDW Spas - Recommendations requested.

[secox28]

Has anyone ever gone to the GF or SSR spa? I am thinking about rewarding myself in May for my next trip.

Which one is better? What services do you recommend? Do you know the appoximate cost of various services? How far in advance to you need to make arrangements?

Thank you in advance for your input.

I need some spoiling!!!!!!

 

[SueOKW]

I've been to DI and GF. I will go to SSR in 50 odd days. I hope it's like DI.

GF was poorly managed and not nearly as well run and as comfortable as DI. GF is owned by an external company, DI was owned by WDW. I don't know what the status of SSR is.

I guess I would say my experience at GF was just bad enough that I am willing to go to SSR on spec. I had a half day at GF and after every treatment they made you get up and go to the waiting room for your next therapist. One time the next person took me to the exact room I had just vacated. Wouldn't it have been better to just let me continue to relax in the dim light and nice music? Would you think that if you were going to design a 1/2 day plan you would make it have as little disruption as possible? Don't even think of eating a spa lunch there... it was served in the lobby. Bad management - decent therapists.

I repeat again, I hope SSR is like DI was.
ps - i am now on a search for prices etc and will post more if no one else has..

 

[SueOKW]

http://www.kingdom-travel.com/Walt_Disney_World_Planning/Walt_Disney_World_Spas.shtml

this has prices etc.. i just realized i had the ultimate day at GF and i really felt like i was robbed...

as far as therapies go - I like pedicures, aromatherapy and hot stone massages, body scrubs and masques. Don't get a facial if you plan on sunbathing any time within a few days after that!!!!

I hope your thread gets info on SSR!
Sue

 

[Lorelai71]

Has anyone ever gone to the GF or SSR spa? I am thinking about rewarding myself in May for my next trip.

Which one is better? What services do you recommend? Do you know the appoximate cost of various services? How far in advance to you need to make arrangements?

Thank you in advance for your input.

I need some spoiling!!!!!!

Bumbing
I am interested in the answer also

 

[KayleeUK]

Moving this over to Theme Park Attraction and Strategies - hopefully you will get some more answers there.

 

[twojo21]

we have gone to many of the wdw spa's including the grand floridian spa *run by niki bryan where we enjoyed a couples spa treatment by candlelight, as well as individual swedish massage, arometherapy massage & pedicures. have had good experiences each time, made appt. in advance. we also did the disney institute which we loved as well as treatments at some of the resort spa/healthclub's at the animal kingdom lodge, wilderness lodge, yacht club & boardwalk which we have enjoyed. it's wonderful to get a massage after all the walking you do at wdw, its also relaxing for all & romantic for couples. we also had a spa treatment at the coronado springs health club but the center was very small in comparison. we have yet to try saratoga springs.

i would definetly recommend a spa treatment at wdw. the gf/ssr takes requests upto a year in advance while others are 30days. go under the wdwinfo.com under spa's for gf's services & prices through relaxedyet.com (the gf/nikibryan site) fyi - the resort spa services i mentioned above are usually cheapier than the gf & ssr but sometimes have less offerings.

have a great time at wdw!

 

[SueOKW]

I agree with twojo21... while the resorts have some offerings - they will not be as nice as GF - or hopefully SSR. If it's just a massage you want, many places can do that. If you want a whirlpool, sauna, steam bath, and ambience go to the spas.

I've made appts a year ahead and 45 days ahead... reminds me, I'd better get on the ball and make some now!!

 

[Ms. Belle]

I've been to both and the spa at the GF is extremely expensive and not very organized. The waiting area is way too small. The SSR is alot better, larger locker room area. If you want to have a really great spa experience, go to the Canyon Ranch Spa at the Gaylord Palms. It is in the same price range as the GF, but so much nicer. You are treated like royalty there.

 

[anewvance]

Ms. Belle, I second that on the Canyon Ranch Spa at the Gaylord. We just went there on Saturday and wow wow woweeeee! We had a fantastic time and they treat you like royalty. For $170 we had 50min massages and 50min pedicures and we got to use the steam room and sauna as long as we wanted. OHH, I can't wait to go back.

 

[SueOKW]

Interesting recommendation - I have not gone to the Gaylord. Is it very crowded at SSR or Gaylord?

 

[lentesta]

My wife went to the GF, SSR, and Canyon Ranch in Las Vegas last year. She prefers the GF overall, saying it has the best facilities and nicest people.

Hope this helps.

Len

 

[SueOKW]

GF - small facilities - nice people... terrible appointment management. That's my opinion and I'm stickin' to it! I now have an appt at SSR - can't wait to see what that's going to be like. I will look very carefully.

I guess our opinions aren't totally opposite - but if your wife had the full day appt like I did and was shuffled about like I was, I believe she would be discouraged.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

My sisters and I were thinking of SSR for spa treatments before my younger sister's wedding in May. We have also gotten info from the spa at Westgate Lakes Resort. Has anyone been there? I think the name is Papillion or something like that...interested in hearing more about SSR as well. We are staying at the WL and think that the convienience of SSR also being on property is a big help, although the spa at Westgate is a little less expensive. We've never done this before, so any tips would be great!

 

[CarnotaurDad]

I believe they are run by the same company.

 

[SueOKW]

The people at SSR have told me they are Disney employees and the spa is owned by Disney - that would like DI was. I know GF is an outside firm.

 

[Aimee K]

The people at SSR have told me they are Disney employees and the spa is owned by Disney - that would like DI was. I know GF is an outside firm.

I'm a massage therapist at SSR... we are employed by Niki Bryan, Inc. We are considered Disney Cast Members, but labeled 'Participant Cast Members'. So, same company that runs GF and fitness centers on property runs SSR.

I'm happy to answer any questions I can!

SueOKW, I'm sorry you had a dissapointing time at GF.. what did your half day of treatments consist of? We generally escort our guest back to the lounge in between treatments, even if we will be taking them back to the same room. Different treatments require different set ups, and ALWAYS a change of linens in between treatments. It's also important if you are recieving many treatments to drink water and sometimes have a snack in between the treatments.

If I can answer any questions about SSR, feel free to ask!

Aimee K

 

[Pete W.]

Hi Aimee,
We'll be visiting WDW at the end of June and I'd like to arrange a spa treatment at SSR for my wife while the kids and I pool-hop (we're DVC members). Where can I find the complete list of treatments available at SSR and what would you recommend for a 'newbie' to spas? I know there is a 4-hour package for DVC members but I'm not sure if that would be a good idea for someone who has never visited a spa before. thanks!

 

[iluvpiglet]

Hi, I'm the younger sister of Kirstin's Mommy and I'm getting married at Cypress Grove Park near Disney on May 19th. I thought it would be nice to have a spa experience with my sisters the day of the wedding. I have been advised not to have a facial or a wrap because I could have a reaction and be red and splotchy for the wedding. So, the only things I need are a manicure, a pedicure, makeup and hair done. This is the last major detail that we have to get together. A spa onsite would be more convenient but some place nearby would also be ok. Any suggestions would be great! This will be our first spa experience also. Thanks!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

My DH treated me to a spa treatment at SSR last Dec and it was great! I am not the "spa-type" and this was only my second sap experience. I went for the Mystical Forest Therapies which consists of a Swedish massage and reflexology (50 min total). The massage was wonderful but the reflexology was THE BEST! I thought the reflexology was more relaxing and calming than the massage. And after a day in the parks, reflexology is a nice way to unwind. For DVC members this treatment combo was $100.

The locker rooms were nice, there is a whirlpool, steam room, and dry sauna. The lounge was private and nicely kept. I was very comfortable there and can't wait to go back. Next time I think I'll try hydrotherapy!

D4D

PS - Ask for Allison!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

We were thinking of the hydro therapy also, since we didn't want to have a massage and be sore for the wedding. (Don't know if that would be the case, never done this before!) Aimee, do you guys do hair and makeup as well? We would like to do everything all at once, but not too far ahead of the time we'll need to leave for the wedding location. Don't want the hair and makeup to get messed up!