SSR or MK area resort

[Wood Nymph]

What has me rethinking all of this is the whole getting to the MK and back from the MK - the bane of every Disney vacation!

I don't know how many times you plan to go to MK, but you could take the MK bus to and from the resort rather than drive.

Both GF and WL are close to MK but not close to AK, HS and Epcot. The MK resort area is rather busy, too, so driving from those resorts to the other three parks could take a little longer than driving from SSR.

 

[CharissaOKC]

How long is your trip? Do you have park hopper? How many park days are you doing? Are you planning on eating/cooking in your villa? Do you plan on visiting DS?
These questions would help me make that decision personally.

I have stayed in a 2br non-preferred at SSR and loved it!

 

[Silvermist999]

Of your listed options, I would go with GF. You can monorail or boat to MK (also walk option but might not be ideal with elderly and young kids). You can monorail to TTC to get to Epcot. You can even walk to the Poly, short walk along a path. We love the monorail resorts, we have stayed at both Contemporary and the Poly multiple times.

 

[Tink_83]

How long is your trip? Do you have park hopper? How many park days are you doing? Are you planning on eating/cooking in your villa? Do you plan on visiting DS?
These questions would help me make that decision personally.

I have stayed in a 2br non-preferred at SSR and loved it!

6 nights but we arrive late Easter Sunday after spending time with family in Florida for Easter. 4 park days and one resort day. Most likely park hoppers and would definitely do hoppers at the MK area resort over SSR (and hoppers are currently factored into the cost analysis).

The most eating we will do is breakfast in the morning - but more like easy to eat items. Really the benefit of the kitchen will be to clean water bottles, keep a gallon of milk for the youngest to fill his cup in the morning - but I’m not cooking on this vacation. I’m planning on a sit down dinner reservation nightly. And we are doing all 4 parks.

 

[CharissaOKC]

6 nights but we arrive late Easter Sunday after spending time with family in Florida for Easter. 4 park days and one resort day. Most likely park hoppers and would definitely do hoppers at the MK area resort over SSR (and hoppers are currently factored into the cost analysis).

The most eating we will do is breakfast in the morning - but more like easy to eat items. Really the benefit of the kitchen will be to clean water bottles, keep a gallon of milk for the youngest to fill his cup in the morning - but I’m not cooking on this vacation. I’m planning on a sit down dinner reservation nightly. And we are doing all 4 parks.

I don’t blame you on cooking! I’m the same way!
I think if it was me I would choose WL. That week will be pretty busy and the monorail resorts get so chaotic during busy times. I think WL gives you the proximity but won’t be as crowded as GF with people just visiting the resort. I think it also depends on if that resort is appealing to you.

 

[Brian Noble]

SSR - 2 beds NOT preferred - but I am OK with walking, we don't plan to eat breakfast at the resort unless it's in the room and I can walk on the resort day to the pool (well, I say that now)
GF - 2 separate rooms for the first part of the stay and then when my husband leaves for his work trip my mom will move into the one remaining room and there will be 2 adults and 3 kids in one regular room at the GF
WL - 2 separate rooms the entire stay

Of these, I personally would rule out GF. I don't want to try to cram five people in one hotel room for half the trip.

And we are doing all 4 parks.

Nothing is close to everything. If you've never stayed in the MK area, you'll be surprised at how "interesting" it can be to get from there to all of the parks not named Magic Kingdom.

I'm a big fan of the Villas, and I like SSR a lot. Now, I also like WL a lot---and it might be possible to swing a 2BR at either Copper Creek or Boulder Ridge for not a whole lot more money, particularly if you are renting from a DVC owner.

i think it depends on the vibe you are going for.

SSR/Villa advantages: the Villa is qualitatively more comfortable and convenient than two hotel rooms. There is a place where everyone can gather, plus places for everyone to retreat to if they need to. The "home away from home" features make some things just more pleasant, even if you don't strictly "need" them. For example, on my last day I often throw some laundry into the washer on my way out to the park that day, so that I don't have to unpack luggage full of dirty clothes when I get back. That is certainly not necessary, but it is awfully pleasant.

WL advantages: a much more prevalent theme, and a fabulous location on Bay Lake. A little more energy than SSR, though not everyone would consider that an advantage. More easily accessible quick service if that is important.

 

[elvispursley]

Stayed at SSR earlier this month in non-preferred. Right next to the Paddock pool and bus stop and right across the bridge from the restaurants and feature pool. Didn’t need to drive around at all.

We’ve stayed at the paddock and had the bldg right next to the pool. It was the closest we’ve ever had to walk to a pool. My boys loved that pool and it was nice not to have to traipse around property to get to a pool. It was never crowded, whereas the feature pool was very crowded. We rented a car that trip as my FH hates waiting on Disney transportation. Nice location if you don’t want to pay for a preferred.

 

[Tink_83]

I appreciate all of the input. Thank you to all who responded! Right now I think I'm staying put at SSR, there is a slight cost increase moving to 2 rooms at WL and with the 2 year old I have a feeling a load or two of laundry is in my future on this vacation.

 

[Tink_83]

We’ve stayed at the paddock and had the bldg right next to the pool. It was the closest we’ve ever had to walk to a pool. My boys loved that pool and it was nice not to have to traipse around property to get to a pool. It was never crowded, whereas the feature pool was very crowded. We rented a car that trip as my FH hates waiting on Disney transportation. Nice location if you don’t want to pay for a preferred.

Is the paddock in a preferred section? If not I might call and just request it since it sounds like it may be ideal.

 

[CarolynFH]

Is the paddock in a preferred section? If not I might call and just request it since it sounds like it may be ideal.

Paddock is one of the Standard sections, so if you’re booked into Standard then go for it! Grandstand is another Standard section that has a nice pool, and it’s also close to the main building. Carousel is the other Standard and is close to its bus stop, but that’s about all it’s close to!

 

[Tink_83]

Paddock is one of the Standard sections, so if you’re booked into Standard then go for it! Grandstand is another Standard section that has a nice pool, and it’s also close to the main building. Carousel is the other Standard and is close to its bus stop, but that’s about all it’s close to!

I'll call today and ask since that does sound nice. I know there is no guarantee but looking at the map personally that would be near ideal without having to pay the extra for preferred, especially since I have no plans to eat at SSR except for a quick small breakfast in the room. Thank you again!

 

[elvispursley]

Nope

Is the paddock in a preferred section? If not I might call and just request it since it sounds like it may be ideal.

Nope--paddock is standard (as mentioned above). When we stayed there a few. years ago, we were pleasantly surprised by the room location. We had rented points and we checked in at like 8am (red eye from the west coast). The CM who checked us in asked if we wanted be near "the pool" which of course we said yes. Perfect room. Really loved the grounds of SSR (theming is ok but certainly better than when we've stayed off-site). OKW is another that we really loved--very peaceful grounds and ENORMOUS rooms. Would definitely stay at both of these again.

 

[TinkAgainU]

Just another two cents - I think with that many (tired) people, the extra space will be a Huge benefit over two studios. Depending on where you are on the bus line, I find the bus far superior to hiking to my car and driving when I'm tired.