Which section of SSR is best?

[momof2inapril06]

Hi...this is my 1st post!

We are taking our 1st family trip to DW this spring and staying at Saratoga Springs Resort. I have a 2 year old and 5 year old and want to request the villas that are closest to the main pool and bus line. I have been reading about how large the resort is and I know they wont be able to make it if we have to walk ALL THE TIME! LOL!

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[broncofan]

We've stayed at SSR twice with our developer points. The Grandstand is a nice section to be in. It is the first bus stop for all parks and the second stop for DTD, so you always have a seat. Plus it is nice to be dropped off first in the evening coming home from the parks. There is a quiet pool nearby with a drink / snack station and the central lobby / restaurants are about a 3-5 minute walk. If you really want to be near the main pool and the restaurants, you'd have to pick the Springs. But that is the last bus stop at SSR. There are five bus stops at SSR, so at busy times seats in the bus might be filled by the time the bus arrives.

 

[rkwier]

Hello and Welcome Home!

We just stayed at SSR the week before last in the Congress Park section. We had a pretty water/DTD view. We found that it was quicker (~5-10 mins or so) just to walk over to DTD rather than take the bus, especially coming back. Buses to the parks ran smoothly and we never had trouble finding seats. The walk to the main buildings was fairly short. They had record breaking freezing temperatures while we were there, so we were glad that we had ordered groceries though. The Springs section is directly across from the main buildings. The other sections, especially the Carousel, seemed very far away from everything and not very convenient.

 

[goldenears]

Welcome home and welcome to the DIS!

Here is the SSR map.
The Springs section is the closest to the main pool. The next time we go, I will request Congress. I think the views of DTD are nice and the walk to DTD from Congress is pretty quick. This is a really nice convenience.

Have fun on your first trip home!

 

[mtmbyck]

You said you are going in the spring. Keep in mind that the main pool is closed the whole month of March so might not want to be in the Springs section. Just FYI.

 

[SoThisIsLove]

Definitely go with the Grandstand section. It is great. I have a 21 mth old daughter and we've stayed in that section twice with her. The pool area is great for little kids and not crowded either. There is a big "quiet" pool and then a water play area for the kids with pop up fountains, water cannons and a misting /water arch. My daughter played for hours there and always wanted to go back. Also the water play area is cushioned with the tire floor. You can not go wrong. There is also a bar and drink station and laundry facilities if you are staying in a studio and need them. The lighted path to the main part of the resort is about a 5 minute walk.....which is nice for the quick service/grocery runs. Also, its the best of both worlds becuase you can walk to the main pool as well.

Have a Great Time!

 

[momof2inapril06]

Thank you for all your replies! I should have given a bit more details...

We are traveling at the end of April, so I am hoping that the pool maintenence is done by then...they said it would be done by the end of March.

Also, we are staying in a 1 bedroom Villa, so laundry facilities are not a factor.

So, with that being said, is it better to still stay at Grandstand and have access to the pool and bus line or stay at Congress Park and plan to walk to DTD to catch the bus daily. Keep in mind we have 2 little kids who are not that patient!

Thanks again!

 

[mdurette]

We have stayed at SSR a few times with our daughter - each section has a benefit. Here are my thoughts:

You should know every section has a pool and a bus stop. Also - just about all the sections are within a 5-10 minute walk to the main pool area. Not a major thing!!!

Congress Park: Like it because it is a close walk to Downtown. If you are planning on going to other resorts for charachter things then this is a definate plus since you can just walk to DTD and catch a resort bus from there. Also nice to go and grab dinner. It is only about a 5-8 minute walk to the main buildings/pool.

Springs: Nice because it is closest to the main area - but also the last bus stop. If the bus is full - standing room only sucks with kids and strollers.

Grandstand: Again - just a 5 minute walk to the main area. Very nice pool and "spray area" for the kids. 1st bus stop which is a plus.

Paddock: Have never stayed - but like like the fact that the bus stop has a playground near it.

My opinion:
If you are going to head to other resorts and go to Downtown to eat a couple of times - I would pick Congress Park so you have the shortest walk to DTD.

If the above don't apply - I would go with Grandstand so you can get on and off the bus 1st!

 

[littlestar]

Thank you for all your replies! I should have given a bit more details...

We are traveling at the end of April, so I am hoping that the pool maintenence is done by then...they said it would be done by the end of March.

Also, we are staying in a 1 bedroom Villa, so laundry facilities are not a factor.

So, with that being said, is it better to still stay at Grandstand and have access to the pool and bus line or stay at Congress Park and plan to walk to DTD to catch the bus daily. Keep in mind we have 2 little kids who are not that patient!

Thanks again!

Ask for Springs for the main pool with the slide and activities. The farthest buildings in Grandstand would be a pretty good walk to the main pool.

 

[ChristieK0310]

We stayed in the Grandstand section and really liked it. Will be requesting it when we go at Christmas. Really liked being first on the bus!

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

We've always stayed in Congress park so that we can walk to downtown disney and it has worked out great for us. A couple of times we sent dad over to DTD to get us sandwiches if our son wasn't in the mood to be out and about anymore. If we couldn't get into Congress park though we'd definitely choose Grandstand - first bus stop, the pool looks great and it is a quick walk to the main building to get a quick meal which is great when you've got young kids.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Not every section has a pool. The Carousel does not have a pool and neither does The Springs.

What we enjoy about SSR is out of the 5 sections, 3 of them have great advantages and 1 of them is pretty neutral. Carousel is the only section, I would be disappointed in getting as the only advantage is being close to the exit if you are driving. Some would say quiet also.

We love Congress Park. Love the quiet pool. Awesome views and nice walk to DTD. Not too far from main area, about 5 min walk.

Stayed in Grandstand last Christmas and really enjoyed it. We were in 1 of the farther bldgs on the golf course but still an enjoyable walk to the quiet pool and main area. Great views of the course and THV's. Also close to DTD path and boat dock. Would not balk if we get any of those buildings, but we did miss Congress Park.

Really enjoyed the Springs. Parking is a little tighter because you are closest to everything. We liked crossing the street and being at the Community Hall and HRS pool. Would not complain if we got that section again either.

The Paddock is pretty neutral, with bldgs close to the Springs and Congress Park. Also has its own pool.

Everyone has their favorite so getting your request can be easier at SSR than some of the smaller resorts where everyone is vying for the same location.

 

[momof2inapril06]

Thank you all so much!! When doing a request, do you do it at the time of the reservations or when you check in? Being that this is our 1st trip, I am pretty clueless. I want to make it the best vacation ever!!!

 

[Disneypirate85]

Thank you for all your replies! I should have given a bit more details...

We are traveling at the end of April, so I am hoping that the pool maintenence is done by then...they said it would be done by the end of March.

Also, we are staying in a 1 bedroom Villa, so laundry facilities are not a factor.

So, with that being said, is it better to still stay at Grandstand and have access to the pool and bus line or stay at Congress Park and plan to walk to DTD to catch the bus daily. Keep in mind we have 2 little kids who are not that patient!

Thanks again!

I thought bus service to the parks from DTD was stopped due to persons parking DTD and riding bus's to the parks to avoid the parking charge?
I know there is a SERIOUS problem with parkers at DTD walking over to SSR and riding SSR's bus's to the parks creating some VERY long lines especially after parks close

 

[oakmanner]

We love the Grandstand. Close to main buildings, quite pool, first bus stop!

Dennis-

 

[Golden Rose]

Count us as additional votes for the Grandstand. We just got back a week ago from using our developer points there, and we had a great trip. (Our party was me, DH, DS age 3, DM, and her DF.) I was really worried about SSR after all the negative posts I'd read here, but it met and exceded our needs. Mom and her DF didn't go to the parks at all, (they did a golf and DD week,) and they both really loved it. DH, DS, and I went to the parks every day, but the bus waits were among the best we've ever had at WDW. This might not have been true at another bus stop at SSR - I know the buses filled up completely a couple of times and we didn't pick anyone up at the last stop or two. At the Grandstand, there was almost always a cast member present and keeping tabs on things. If anyone waited 20 minutes, she called a bus from a collection waiting nearby in the Grandstand area. Our longest morning wait was about 18 minutes.

There is a great pool in the Grandstand, but we never used it. It was actually freezing at night during part of the week we were there, and there were about 3 days where I don't think the temperature got much above 50.

We walked to DD from the Grandstand multiple times, and even the 3 year old enjoyed the walk and didn't seem to find it particularly arduous.

We'd requested the Grandstand in advance, probably about 5 months out, and we were very pleased to find that we got it. The cast member checking us in said it was her favorite area as well.

 

[goldenears]

Thank you all so much!! When doing a request, do you do it at the time of the reservations or when you check in? Being that this is our 1st trip, I am pretty clueless. I want to make it the best vacation ever!!!

You should call MS and put the request on your reservation prior to arrival. Have a great trip!

 

[tmk0730]

We love the Springs section and we have a 2 year old. Here's why I like it:

-quick walk to main pool which has zero entry and slide for my son
- quick walk to counter service, store, etc...
-10-15 min walk to DTD
-Close walk to Grandstand if you want to check out there pool
-quick walkto DTD boat which my son loves to take
-Feels like you're part of the action in this area

Now we've been there during peak times and had trouble getting a seat on the bus so we would just take the quick walk to Grandstand and wait for the bus there. I'm not sure if this is frowned upon but this was after 2 full busses passed us by at the Springs.

 

[Coach81]

We're headed home for the first time in 18 days!!!! We have requested the grandstand for this trip, but I have heard the springs are really nice, especially with little ones.

 

[TiffBiff]

Just got back and even though I requested Grandstand, we were put in the Paddock. I had 2 2BR for 10 of us and our rooms were right by each other which I would rather have than having the section I requested.

Our building was right across the street from the Congress Park bus stop and didn't have any problems with the busses. I don't think we waited more than 5 minutes anywhere for a bus. And always had a seat. I have a 3 year old & 15 month old and both walked to the main pool several times (15 month old insists on walking everywhere) with no problems. And we could see the fireworks (Epcot?) from our balcony everynight.