which would you choose?

[SUNFLOWER93]

Going in august and can choose btwn gf or ssr(garden view in gf vs 1br ssr). enjoy our luxury but also our space. Three girls: me, sister and 14yo niece. They share a bed i don't lol. We enjoy all the parks(dont care much for studios). have stayed at gf but not ssr. In April we stayed in bcv and enjoyed the vacation club but it was attached to a deluxe resort so maybe a different feel. Help me choose please

 

[vicki_c]

I think you're comparing 2 really different things - I'm not sure how to decide that beyond looking at: theming, convenience to where you want to go (MK, DTD, etc.), style - meaning hotel vs. more of a condo feel. There's more restaurants at GF, they both have a spa.

I think just think that's a tough comparison- not like comparing SSR and OKW or GF and Contemporary.

 

[lisa3383]

GF!

SSR is NOT a real deluxe resort (this is what Disney told me!). They don't have room service (no breakfast in bed!) and the restaurant choices are MUCH more limited than GF! DH wanted a nice flower arrangement for me as it was our anniversary and they said they couldn't accommodate that from the hotel itself as it wasn't really properly categorized as deluxe. Also, there were fewer amenities (ex: no bathrobes) and because its a DVC resort the mousekeeping is more limited - someone left trash in our hall and it took a week of calling before someone finally picked it up!

Also GF is on the monorail which is a nice bonus! I also think the GF is in a better location (unless you are planning on spending lots of time at DTD).

We only decided to try SSR after receiving a code that gave us free Park Hopper/water park and more tix. We were very disappointed though and vow never to return to SSR.

Let us know what you decide!

 

[lisa3383]

A few more notes: SSR is HUGE (very long walk from our room to the cafe) and the buses were ALWAYS running waaaay behind (and this was in January).

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with the Grand Floridian.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I think it depends on how much space you really need. Are you guys comfortable all in one room together? Or would having a bedroom that closes off from the living room be better? As the previous poster said, you won't have room service or bathrobes at SSR... and you won't have the monorail to MK.... but I do disagree about the dining. You've got tons of restaurants just a short walk away at Downtown Disney (Fulton's Crabhouse, Wolfgang Puck's, Captain Jack's, Rainforest Cafe, Earl of Sandwich, Raglan Road, House of Blues, Bongos, etc, etc) as well as the Turf Club and Artist's Palette right at SSR... so you won't go hungry. As for mousekeeping at the GF, we found a dirty pair of underwear in the nightstand drawer and a used kleenex, so you can have mousekeeping issues anywhere. I think the main thing to consider in making your choice is how much space you really need to be happy. If you guys are comfortable in one room then the GF is probably the choice I would make. I love being close to MK, being able to see Wishes and the EWP, and just the overall theme and feel at the GF.

Good luck deciding!

 

[MissyDVC]

I would always chose SSR Love the theme, beautiful grounds. SPACE, boat, bus or walk to DTD(shopping!!!!). Great main pool, had one the best meals at The Turf Club and love the different CS choices at Artist's Palette. We would always take space over robes or room service but to each his own We have not had any problems with buses in our 3 trips to SSR this year. As far as mousekeeping, if you book through CRO and not DVC the you get regular mousekeeping. It is only DVC members who have a different mousekeeping schedule. And we had a flower delivery to us at SSR in February through the Disney Florist But why on Earth am I trying to convince anyone to stay at our "home"???? Enjoy no matter where you stay

 

[disneygroomsmom]

I'd go for GF. At least you are close to the MK there.... you aren't close to any parks at SSR.

 

[SharonZ]

I've stayed at both, although I enjoyed GF and it's convenience to the MK -- I really liked SSR. I didn't mind the 10-minute walk from the Paddock area to the main building. It was great to have a full kitchen and washer/dryer in the unit and the convenience to DTD was nice. I think they are both great, the only downside to the GF was once having a "dormer" room, it was quite small.

 

[SUNFLOWER93]

I looked at annual pass rates but after much discussion we decided on AKL conc level. I hope I made the right choice. We love akl but havent stayed there and we love jiko. As three women I guess we are entitled to changing our minds lol.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I would pick SSR over GF any day. I love the space. It is deluxe accomodations in a condo setting. The rooms are lovely, the grounds are lovely but if you are one that needs (and will use) room service than its not the resort for you. I love having my own washer and dryer, a full kitchen (that I don't use to cook in but its nice to have real bowls and a dishwasher and full size frig). If you have a car it is beyond nice to park outside your door. The main pool is incredible. And Turf Club is probably the place I had the best meal in 17 nights on the DDP last month. It has a nice, intimate atmosphere, a lovely lounge and the food and service have always been great for us. I think Artist's Palette is wonderful for cs although I hate the way its cashier is combined with the store. Very stupid in my book. I also have to think dining at SSR is pretty nice given its close location to DTD. You can walk to a variety of places or take the boat. My husband has run over to RFC or Earl of Sandwich lots of times to grab lunch or dinner for us to enjoy by the pool. I love that.

I have spent over 20 nights at SSR between three visits over the last three years. I have never seen trash in the hallways (I have seen my fair share of gross room service trays at the Poly and BW) and the busses have been great for us. It also doesn't share busses which is nice. I am not at all discounting the other posters experience. But to me that is not the norm. I do think Disney goofed in not explaining what SSR is like compared to a typical hotel. And SSR is spread out. However, I have stayed in the Paddock, Grandstand and Springs and I have walked the whole resort. It is not more than 10-12 minutes to get to anyplace from any unit at SSR at a moderat to slow pace. My 70 year old mother who was terminally ill actually did fine at SSR. With kids who are toddlers and not in a stroller, that could be tough. And again, you have a parking space or bus stop very close to your room regardles of what section you are in.

Is a different set up and its definitely not for everyone. I am also mystified as to why someone wasn't able to order a flower arrangement? I think somebody got a lazy cm which is a shame. And can happen anywhere unfortunately.


Okay, just saw your post and see you are staying at AKL! Oh well, I'll keep my info up for anybody else thinking of staying at SSR. How'd I miss that?

 

[SUNFLOWER93]

I would pick SSR over GF any day. I love the space. It is deluxe accomodations in a condo setting. The rooms are lovely, the grounds are lovely but if you are one that needs (and will use) room service than its not the resort for you. I love having my own washer and dryer, a full kitchen (that I don't use to cook in but its nice to have real bowls and a dishwasher and full size frig). If you have a car it is beyond nice to park outside your door. The main pool is incredible. And Turf Club is probably the place I had the best meal in 17 nights on the DDP last month. It has a nice, intimate atmosphere, a lovely lounge and the food and service have always been great for us. I think Artist's Palette is wonderful for cs although I hate the way its cashier is combined with the store. Very stupid in my book. I also have to think dining at SSR is pretty nice given its close location to DTD. You can walk to a variety of places or take the boat. My husband has run over to RFC or Earl of Sandwich lots of times to grab lunch or dinner for us to enjoy by the pool. I love that.

I have spent over 20 nights at SSR between three visits over the last three years. I have never seen trash in the hallways (I have seen my fair share of gross room service trays at the Poly and BW) and the busses have been great for us. It also doesn't share busses which is nice. I am not at all discounting the other posters experience. But to me that is not the norm. I do think Disney goofed in not explaining what SSR is like compared to a typical hotel. And SSR is spread out. However, I have stayed in the Paddock, Grandstand and Springs and I have walked the whole resort. It is not more than 10-12 minutes to get to anyplace from any unit at SSR at a moderat to slow pace. My 70 year old mother who was terminally ill actually did fine at SSR. With kids who are toddlers and not in a stroller, that could be tough. And again, you have a parking space or bus stop very close to your room regardles of what section you are in.

Is a different set up and its definitely not for everyone. I am also mystified as to why someone wasn't able to order a flower arrangement? I think somebody got a lazy cm which is a shame. And can happen anywhere unfortunately.


Okay, just saw your post and see you are staying at AKL! Oh well, I'll keep my info up for anybody else thinking of staying at SSR. How'd I miss that?

We will be returning to wdw in december with my brother who is handicapped. We stayed in BCV(two bdrm) but the lack of food court really bothered us as we are early risers and like to get going after a quick meal. I think a 2bdrm unit at ssr will be great for us. Never really considered before now because we live about 40 min from the real Saratoga Springs thought it was weird to stay there lol. Have you stayed during the holidays? Whats the decor like at that time?

 

[Amy&Dan]

We will be returning to wdw in december with my brother who is handicapped. We stayed in BCV(two bdrm) but the lack of food court really bothered us as we are early risers and like to get going after a quick meal. I think a 2bdrm unit at ssr will be great for us. Never really considered before now because we live about 40 min from the real Saratoga Springs thought it was weird to stay there lol. Have you stayed during the holidays? Whats the decor like at that time?

I have stayed there during the holidays. It actually wasn't all that decorated as I recall. They had a lovely tree in the main lobby area and that was about it. So nothing like the Epcot resorts or monorail resorts that I remember.

We really like Artist's Palette. They serve very good food at breakfast and and they also have bakery items. I really miss it when we have stayed at BWV or even OKW (which has Goods to Go but isn't nearly as good as AP and has no indoor seating).

We stayed at SSR with my fil who was in a scooter. He loved it. Nice wide walkways for his scooter. And all the buildings have elevators which is nice.

Give it a try. Its very different from BCV but that isn't always a bad thing!