Weekend Point Splurge at SSR

tiggerrr

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Jun 12, 2007
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So, we decided a couple of months ago to do a weekend at SSR and not care about how many points we used on a weekend in the summer. That weekend is this weekend - we arrived today at SSR. (Okay we did care about the points, because we only booked a studio.)

This isn't a real trip report, it'll probably be more random thoughts of our experiences.

First, let me say that after being here only a few hours, that this will probably be our first and last trip in a studio for a long while. I miss the laundry in the room. I miss the real kitchen, the real fridge, all the dishes. I miss the big bed. Yep, we've clearly become DVC snobs - there's no way I'd want to go back to a hotel room at Disney.

This is our first trip to SSR and I'm reasonably impressed. We actually did an add on here a couple of months ago, but had not stayed here yet. There was a good feeling around the resort with a fair amount of pedestrian traffic around the place, which gave it a nice community feel to it. Rooms are nice, a real nice, light, airy feel to the decor. To give context to that comment, I love AKL but am not a fan of the "heavy" decor there.

CM's have been great. The CM at check in was as friendly as could be, but also was tremendously organized and efficient, which was important to me. I like friendly CM's, but at check in, I want my room keys, parking pass, welcome package all handled quickly. Bell Services was also great. My Owner's Locker was loaded into the vehicle.

I can't say enough about having an OL. I was certainly on the fence about this investment because we will likely only be once a year people for a couple of weeks. But, it sure was nice not to have to bring all the stuff we have in our OL. Let me correct that, it is nice to have the stuff in our OL that we never actually pack and bring. Things like the blender (mmmm...margaritas), bottles of liquor, the brita water pitcher, fitted sheets. We are planning a two week trip in January, and with what is in our OL, we might be able to do carry on only (for a two week trip:yay: :yay: :yay: ).

Last comment: I saw something I'd never seen before today. On the first leg of our flight to Denver this morning, United actually asked a passenger to leave the plane before we left for excessive body odor. I'd never seen that, and it was certainly warranted, but it was kind of a surprise. It was actually faily discretely handle as well, so kudos to United (an airline I'm not particularly fond of otherwise).

On the Agenda: Tomorrow is a day at EPCOT, cruising the World Showcase, followed by one last trip to the Adventurers Club before it closes. Sunday will be a Keys to the Kingdom Tour in the morning, an afternoon at the pool, dinner at Chef Mickey's, and emh at the Magic Kingdom (until 2am:cheer2: ). Monday will be am EMH at DHS to try Toy Story for the first time. The afternoon will be some shopping and that'll be it for our weekend trip to WDW. I'll see what I come up with for pictures.
 
Well, it might not be a real trip report as far as you are concerned, but I enjoyed reading it, LOL. If you have time when you return, would love to hear about the rest of your trip.

P.S. I feel the same way about studios and hotel rooms. I just love the 1 bedrooms and even when it's just the two of us, that's what I reserve. I'd rather go for a shorter period in a 1 bedroom, than stay longer in a studio. :)
 
Took me a while to get to finishing my post about the weekend trip.

Small editorial: Wow, when it rains, it RAINS. Started raining about 10 minutes after we got our room and I've never seen that much water come down that fast. Or be over so quickly.

We have decided without any doubt that this will be our first and only trip to WDW in August if we can help it. We were here this year in May and the temp was only about 5 degrees less, but what a difference in humidity. I found after only a couple of days, I was starting to get cranky. And we weren't doing anything like commando touring. I can't imagine what you'd feel like if you were going hard at the parks in this heat.

I was certainly expecting a lot more people in the parks, but walking around did not feel any more crowded than early May did. The wait times for the big rides were a little longer, but not usually more than an extra 10 minutes. I have to believe that attendance is down over previous summers.

Saturday we spent at EPCOT, wandering the World Showcase shopping. We haven't really done a lot of that before and it was kind of nice. Saw a little bit of the World Showcase Players in both Italy and later in the UK. Rode Soarin' on a Fastpass. My editorial comment is that buying DVC will really change the way we visit WDW. No pressure - do the stuff you want to do and if it is too hot (crowded, wet, windy, etc), go back the room. Or do something else. There is a real peace in knowing that you will be back (and soon probably). I am sure there are lots of things that could have irritated us but we just didn't notice or care.

We also went over to the Adventurers Club on Saturday night to say goodbye. I'm going to miss that place. One last beer song, one last new member induction ("An adventurer's life is best").

Sunday, we took the Keys to the Kingdom tour. What a great tour. I will say that I think my original expectation was that it was primarily a behind the scenes tour. Instead it is actually more of a tour that shows how the Magic Kingdom runs both backstage and on stage, with the "keys" to how they do things. Great tour - seriously recommend it, but not for anyone on their first trip to WDW (you need to feel the magic for a while before you find out how it happens).

We spent the day (and pm EMH) at MK and had a great time.

Monday, we got up early and headed to DHS to try out TSM for the first time. Okay, this could be a seriously addictive attraction. Maybe it's a good thing that the lines are so long, that way you'll have to do other things. Of course we got to TSM about 8:05 (it was an am EMH) and that 10 minutes later than planned meant that the fastpass we got was for 10:30 and the standby line was 60 minutes. Fastpasses were completely gone for the whole day by 10:45. But, it's a great attraction. I was a little worried that it was just another Buzz Lightyear, but it is much faster paced - action packed and the 3D effects are fantastic.

One interesting side effect of the TSM popularity, IMHO, is that it really does put a strain on the RnR and ToT as well. It looks to me like TSM draws crowds to DHS and once you ride it and are waiting around for your fastpass time, there aren't a lot of other attractions at DHS to absorb the crowd. RnR was already more than 90 minutes by 9:00am.

All in all a really nice weekend to just come down, do a few rides, shop a little, have a bite to eat, see how BLT is coming along, and then move on. We could find ourselves wanting to do this again (but then I'd need more points).
 

Thank you for sharing your trip details with me. I know you didn't want to call it a Trip Report but I sure enjoyed it a lot!!!

I am in total agreement about a studio vs. a 1BR. Makes a world of difference in how you feel in your room and how much dirty laundry you may have to go home with...that's the part I dislike the most!

I don't think I could do WDW in August...me and humidity really don't mix well.

Thanks again for sharing...:flower3:
 
First, let me say that after being here only a few hours, that this will probably be our first and last trip in a studio for a long while. I miss the laundry in the room. I miss the real kitchen, the real fridge, all the dishes. I miss the big bed. Yep, we've clearly become DVC snobs - there's no way I'd want to go back to a hotel room ...
AMEN!!
 
OP where was your room at SSR located?


Dennis-
 
We know how you feel about the studios. After last week, spending 2 nights in the studio and then moving to the 2 bdrm, my DH has decided that we need to be in the 1 bdrm at the very least. Of course, he's not the keeper of the points. So if I tell him that we don't have enough points for what he wants, do you think he'll go for more points? :lmao:

Have a great weekend...oh, and as my niece says,"Are you feelin' it"pixiedust:
 
Thanks for the report..."thoughts";)
I hear ya.....I love my 1BR's....totally spoiled....and I think one August trip was enough for me as well. I get cranky when my glasses fog immediately:headache:

Those weekend points do hurt....but so does paying cash;)
Kerri
 
Thanks for the report..."thoughts";)
I hear ya.....I love my 1BR's....totally spoiled....and I think one August trip was enough for me as well. I get cranky when my glasses fog immediately:headache:

Those weekend points do hurt....but so does paying cash;)
Kerri

Congrats on post #5000 :banana: :banana:
 
Very nice report!

We don't go in August anymore either, too damn hot!

We have become timeshare/condo snobs too. Regular hotel rooms, especially with the kids, just do not cut it anymore.

Looks like you had a great time, thanks for posting!

Tom
 
OP where was your room at SSR located?


Dennis-

We requested and received The Springs area. Our building was across the road from the Preview/Sales building. We wanted that area because it was close to the main pool and walking distance to the ferry to DTD.

Our next trip will be in January and we've decided we wanted to try Congress Park since it is walking distance to DTD and we'll end up there a little more on that trip.
 
We know how you feel about the studios. After last week, spending 2 nights in the studio and then moving to the 2 bdrm, my DH has decided that we need to be in the 1 bdrm at the very least. Of course, he's not the keeper of the points. So if I tell him that we don't have enough points for what he wants, do you think he'll go for more points? :lmao:

Have a great weekend...oh, and as my niece says,"Are you feelin' it"pixiedust:

That's why we did an add-on this May - to pick up enough points to stay 1Br instead of studio. We just figured we would stay studio once in a while, but no more. Hmmm, maybe we need even more points.
 



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