With all of the questions on rooms at SSR,

[ADAMANDLISA]

could we just compile a list of the pros and cons at each of the areas?

Congress Park
The Grandstand
The Springs
The Paddock
The Carousel

examples: best view, easiest bus stop, best for families with little ones, best for teens, best for those who need HA, best pool area, etc...and the worst view, bus stop, etc.

Help us SSR newbies out!

 

[starbox]

could we just compile a list of the pros and cons at each of the areas?

Congress Park - DTD view, close to walking path to DTD, great (and romantic) quiet pool

The Grandstand - This is my favorite section. BBQ pavilion, fun quiet pool for kids, first bus-stop, golf-course views.

The Springs - Close to central buildings/dining/pool - BUT the last bus stop - so expect standing room only and slower bus service (if a bus fills at other stops, this stop will get skipped)

The Paddock - have not stayed here

The Carousel - Have not stayed here - but - I think this one has the really cute "dollhouse" playground.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I am liking grandstand more and more since we like to take the bus to the parks at open. How far is the walk from there to the main pool, or to the DTD boat/walkway? Right now I'm torn between grandstand and congress park. My kids will be 17, almost 14, and 10. For the older two, a pool is just for laying out in the sun at this point.
Robin M.

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

This is great so far! Anyone else?

 

[Sophie's Mom]

We stayed at Tha Paddock this past November. Since we always rent a car, I'm not 100% sure, but it looks as if The Paddock is the first bus stop? Whenever we followed buses in the front gate, they always turned in ahead of us. It was very quiet, but pretty far away from the main pool etc. Also no "views" to speak of.

 

[starbox]

Here are Grandstand Photos from a trip report last June:
Super-cool barbeque pavilion. The three in the first picture is planted so that the inside of the pavilion makes a sort of picture frame:

Spa Area:

Guest Laundry faces the pool:

Water Play Area:

Pool Bar:

Pool:

Gate:

Room with a view. I seriously felt like I was transported to the country.

 

[starbox]

Foyer area design is a nice addition, it really opens up the entrance:

Kitchenette

Vanity

Detail of pretty vanity light/mirror

Tide in the closet!

Nice sized bathroom:

Big TV/DVD

 

[starbox]

Also - Grandstand definitely has DVD players in studios - I've heard that other sections did not.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Is that the Grandstand pool, not the main pool, right? It looks cool too.
Robin M.

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

Wow *starbox*! Great pictures! How did you like the bussing at The Grandstand?

 

[starbox]

Is that the Grandstand pool, not the main pool, right? It looks cool too.
Robin M.

Yes, that's the Grandstand pool. It has a nice water-play area, but does not have a slide like the main pool. When we stayed last year, Grandstand was only partially open so the pool bar was not open yet - but it looked like there would be a drink refill station.

Wow *starbox*! Great pictures! How did you like the bussing at The Grandstand?

We had no problems with bussing at all, love being the first stop on and off!! I will say that by the time we got to the Springs, it was standing room only a lot of the time.

 

[Paticake]

We have stayed in 1.Congress Park (favorite for views and quiet, about a 10 min walk to either DTD or main pool area) stayed 2x. 2.Grandstand (love the pool, poolbar and children's area. Golf course views. 5 minute walk to main area. stayed 1x. 3. Springs (right across from the main area ) stayed 1x. For my Sept vacation I have requested Congress Park or Grandstand. Have fun.

 

[NJOGRE]

I am and always will be a springs fan.

SPRINGS- CLOSEST TO MAIN POOL< FOOD< LAUNDRY<FRONT DESK

CAN:T BEAT IT


NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BUS, NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BUS AT ALL AT SSR. THEN AGAIN WE NEVER GO IN PEAK always value season


LOVE LOVE LOVE THE SPRINGS

 

[mygirl]

awesome photos!!

 

[Debbie Jean]

The Carousel-- stayed there once and never again!

It's the furthest away from main pool/checkin/dining and has no pool of it's own. The closest pool is in The Paddock and that's the smallest of the quiet pools at SSR. Go figure. Internal transportation is not great so if you want to go back to Carousel from main buildings, you can have quite a wait for the DTD bus.

Congress Park and The Paddock

 

[ChelleinNC]

Great pics starbox!

Just wanted to add that the Backstretch Bar is great and there is a drink refill station there, but it's only open when the bar is. The hot tub at the Grand Stand pool is great! We met the most friendly people there every night

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

Everyone has posted such great information so far. Who has a picture of the sofa pulled out as a bed?

 

[ChelleinNC]

This doesn't show the bed as much as it shows that's it's comfy It was near 10am and I'd already opened the curtains & sheers

 

[BroganMc]

I am liking grandstand more and more since we like to take the bus to the parks at open. How far is the walk from there to the main pool, or to the DTD boat/walkway? Right now I'm torn between grandstand and congress park. My kids will be 17, almost 14, and 10. For the older two, a pool is just for laying out in the sun at this point.
Robin M.

If you're in one of the two buildings nearest the Grandstand pool, it's about a 5 minute scenic walk. I love it, especially in Spring. This was last May:

To DTD West Side from the dock walkway is .47 miles (about 10 minutes). That's great for teens who are DQ-addicts.

DTD Marketplace is longer (roughly 1 mile or a 15-20 minute walk). For teens with young feet it's no problem. More mature desk jockeys may prefer waiting on the ferry. It starts running at 11am.

Keep in mind, the length of DTD (Marketplace to DTD) is roughly the same as Grandstand to Congress Park. The shortest path will be whatever side is your intended destination. (e.g. If you're DQ-bound, Grandstand is still closer than Congress Park. If you're headed to World of Disney, Congress Park is much closer.)

Unlike others, I don't have big issues with Carousel because I discovered that secret walking route through the golf course to Grandstand bus stop. It makes for a scenic nature stroll.

In fact the only buildings at the resort I'm not eager to make home base are in Paddocks... buildings 61xx and 65xx. They have views of the firehouse and are closer to Congress Park but they still feel so remote. That extra pond area between them and the rest of Paddocks and Springs is the problem. I wish they'd build another bridge across the main lake to Springs.

 

[DVCKennyD]

Hello all,

I would like to add my support for the Grandstand area as well!! My family and I really enjoyed our stay there last June. My boys loved the pool area so much... our villa was directly adjacent to the pool and my wife and I had to laugh when they referred to it as "our" pool

Here are some more photos of the Grandstand pool area as well as a few of SSR in general:

KennyD