Checking out in the AM, my thoughts (SSR)

[weathernlu]

OK, SSR was awesome. The room is top notch (we had a one bedroom, in Congress Park) and I loved it here. However, as with everything there are some problems that need to be addressed........

1) The bus service. Oh my god, I mean I knew SSR was far away from the parks (with the slight exception of Epcot) but my lord we waited seriously no less than a half hour every time we needed the buses with the exception of Magic Kingdom (we had to do a mad sprint to catch it before it left). The bus service is beyond bad, it's horrendous.

2) Internet Access. $9.95 a day, are you kidding me? $12,000 and over $500 a year in dues and I have to shell out $40 over a 4 night stay for internet access? I mean come on, the $69 a night Days Inn gives internet access, this is 2006.

3) This is a nit picky one, but serious. PILLOWS! I mean here I sit in a room that would cost someone $300 plus a night and I swear the pillows are the size of a box of cereal. To make it even funnier, they are in like king sized pillowcases so they are like folded over and tucked in for it to fit. I mean pathetic, get some nice pillows already.

Other than those few things, the resort is awesome and really beautiful. I need to see if there a comment card or something, cause the first two things really burned me up.

[CarolA]

For your next visit... I discovered you can call and ask for pillows... I call and ask for feather pillows that are MUCH nicer then the standard pillows.

As for Internet.... Folks paying $400 a night also pay the $10. I pay it and use it. I don't mind. I figure it is better for those of us who use it to pay rather then the dues go up MORE so that we can have FREE internet.

(And just to let you know, I am typing this from a Wyndam in Birmingham.. $140 a night and $9.99 for internet that will expire NOT in 24 hours, but tomorrow at 11 am regardless of when I first accessed. The Days Inns give it as "loss leaders"... Nicer hotels are still charging. For example it's free at Fairfield Inn, but $10 at the Marriotts!)

[DonnaL]

CarolA,

Glad to hear you have no problem getting pillows.......on our visit to SSR in December we had a 1 bedroom and our two DS's were with us, one mid 20's and one 16. We brought a twin air bed and bedding, but, no pillow. One of them was going to use pullout and one the air bed. We only had one pillow in the closet, so, I called Housekeeping to ask for another pillow (if two people were using the pullout we still needed another pillow). I was told "Use one of the extra pillows on the King size bed". I replied "We are using the pillows on the King bed.....on the King bed. We need a pillow for the pullout." At that point she said "Oh alright, someone will be over shortly" in a not very nice way.

[CarolA]

I have just started asking for Pillows when I check in... it cuts down on a phone call. You must have just got a housekeeper who didn't want to leave the comfort of thier "office" LOL! (I had something simular at CSR one time. The main light in my room was out and it was PRETTY evident that the guy just didn't want to hike over and fix it... His first response was "It will be fixed tomorrow" and when that didn't fly, he actually said "you want me to come NOW" YES LOL!)

[weathernlu]

As for Internet.... Folks paying $400 a night also pay the $10. I pay it and use it. I don't mind. I figure it is better for those of us who use it to pay rather then the dues go up MORE so that we can have FREE internet.

(And just to let you know, I am typing this from a Wyndam in Birmingham.. $140 a night and $9.99 for internet that will expire NOT in 24 hours, but tomorrow at 11 am regardless of when I first accessed. The Days Inns give it as "loss leaders"... Nicer hotels are still charging. For example it's free at Fairfield Inn, but $10 at the Marriotts!)

Well, I just happen to disagree. I think we pay plenty enough dues already to cover the cost of internet access for the resort. How many people own SSR? If it's 10,000 members at SSR that a good $6 million a year in dues. Certainly they can budget some internet access in there. The property is brand new, there's no where near $6 million a year in upkeep right now. This of course is my opinion, maybe someone can prove me wrong.

We stayed at the Nick Hotel for 2 nights before coming here, $180 a night and FREE HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS. Also, I am a Mariott member (stay there a ton) and I have never paid for internet access. The Residence Inn's have free wireless and it's certainly no charge at the Courtyard's.

[westjones]

I would love to see the free internet access also (for DH, not for me--I'm on vacation, but he needs to check in to work sometimes).

Thanks for the report about SSR. That is the only DVC resort we haven't tried, but I am thinking of booking it for our 2007 trip. Did you walk over to DTD? How was that? I thought we might go see Cirque if we stay there since we will be right across from DTD.

Thanks!
DJ

[Good Ol Gal]

It would be nice if DVC members could get free interenet access when they showed their card at check-in, but I do NOT want to pay more $$ on my dues so that the whole resort can have it.

We've stayed at SSR twice and have never encountered the problem you had with the buses... we've never waited more than 15 min for a bus from CP.

[Daitcher]

Well, I just happen to disagree. I think we pay plenty enough dues already to cover the cost of internet access for the resort. How many people own SSR? If it's 10,000 members at SSR that a good $6 million a year in dues. Certainly they can budget some internet access in there. The property is brand new, there's no where near $6 million a year in upkeep right now. This of course is my opinion, maybe someone can prove me wrong.

We stayed at the Nick Hotel for 2 nights before coming here, $180 a night and FREE HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS. Also, I am a Mariott member (stay there a ton) and I have never paid for internet access. The Residence Inn's have free wireless and it's certainly no charge at the Courtyard's.



They'd have to budget it in. Just plan on an increase of dues. Also you might need to get the majority of owners to agree to this. I'd vote no as I do not use it on vacation. Internet access is not a necessity it is a luxury. The vast majority of guests at SSR probably don't use it, this is a vacation resort after all not a business?convention property. Making everyone pay for it when they do not use it seems like a stretch. Sorry about the pillows and the extra internet charge. It seems like standard practice these days especially at timeshare properties. I'd also like to see better bathroom products. The Disney soap and shampoo are horrible. :scared1:


DAVE

[cobbler]

I bring my own pillow :) Personally I hate ALL hotel pillows, I have yet to stay at one where there is a decent pillow. They are all flat as pancakes!!

[qgallo]

If you cant go on vacation without internet, then it is not a VACATION !!!!

[loribell]

For your next visit... I discovered you can call and ask for pillows... I call and ask for feather pillows that are MUCH nicer then the standard pillows.

You mean I don't have to bring my feather pillows with me?!? I never even dreamed they would have feather pillows there if only I asked. Do you know if the other resorts, specifically VWL, have them as well?

Thanks,
Lori

[vascubaguy]

If you cant go on vacation without internet, then it is not a VACATION !!!!

For me, I do not absolutely have to have internet access, but it is nice to check e-mail (and the DISboards) to keep current. Otherwise, I could spend hours when I get back home just sorting thru junk mail and responding to messages. :surfweb:

I certainly don't do it for work! Unless it's a business trip of course.

My take on the whole high-speed internet issue is that it should be added (but it should not impact dues). To ellaborate, I do not think they should have high-speed access in the rooms for free. I do, however, think they should have a common area where people could go and have free wireless access on their laptop, or even a couple of computers where you can sign on. Maybe at community hall. I imagine the resorts already have high speed internet, then it would just be a matter of adding 1 or 2 computers and/or a wireless access point in 1 location.

[soozer52]

We are home at SSR and love it. For us the laptop became a "communications central" when we were on our first trip last Sept. I don't use my laptop for business but for news and email mostly--and ipod of course. When hurricane Rita threatened our home and 4 DDs (all young adults) it became a lifeline as well as a communicator. Evacuations were ordered in our area and cell phones were jammed and landlines were constantly interrupted (your call cannot be completed...all circuits are busy, etc). We were so far from home and obviously anxious. Because of my laptop and high speed access (which most of our friends have)we were able to keep up with everyone and their whereabouts, also to change flight and car ressies, etc. There was a lot of stuff going on that we were not seeing on the local TV...even the national news were way off. But were able to keep up with the local Houston news because of this lil ol Apple ibook G-4. For us $9.95 a day was a small price to pay in the end. :surfweb:

[DisFlan]

I agree about the buses. We had the same problem last Oct. at BWV. Waiting 45 min. for a bus to the MK and almost the same coming back was just beyond ridiculous. I considered it (on average) 1.5 to 2 hours of precious vacation time wasted. Not to mention that they were crowded to the gills with non-dvc and/or BW guests. Yes, I KNOW the buses are for everyone, but geez...part of our dues pay for this "inconvenience".

Unlike the bus issues, I have mixed feelings about the internet access cost. Sure, I'd like free or cheaper access, but I don't want to pay higher dues, either. I can always choose NOT to use it, or not use it every day.

As for the pillows, I don't mind the ones they have in the rooms. I'm usually too tired to notice if there's even a pillow on the bed.

DisFlan

[palaemon]

I'd vote no as I do not use it on vacation. Internet access is not a necessity it is a luxury. The vast majority of guests at SSR probably don't use it, this is a vacation resort after all not a business?convention property. Making everyone pay for it when they do not use it seems like a stretch. DAVE

I believe that having free high speed internet is no more a luxury than having cable TV in the rooms. If this were 1995, I'd understand. Some people wind down watching Letterman, and some people wind down reading CNN Online or checking their email. Internet: It's not just for business people anymore. Having said that, I'm at least greatful that it's even available to guests. I've stayed at the Wyndham Palms and Orange Lake and it's not an option in every room, like SSR.

Palaemon

[Jen D]

I believe that having free high speed internet is no more a luxury than having cable TV in the rooms. If this were 1995, I'd understand. Some people wind down watching Letterman, and some people wind down reading CNN Online or checking their email. Internet: It's not just for business people anymore. Having said that, I'm at least greatful that it's even available to guests. I've stayed at the Wyndham Palms and Orange Lake and it's not an option in every room, like SSR.

Palaemon

I agree. I can't imagine traveling without our laptop and using the internet and we don't do business on vacation. I would also liken it to cable tv.

We generally use dial-up in hotels that have high fees for high speed.

I think a happy medium could be found though. SSR's high speed rates are in line with those charged in luxury hotels that cater to business travelers that often only stay 1-3 nights. It would be nice if they had a weekly rate: maybe $9.95 a day or $24.95 per week. I've seen deals like this at some hotels. I wouldn't pay 70 bucks to have high speed access for a week on vacation but I would pay 25-- and I bet their expenses would be more than covered.

[Mom B]

On the pillows...I have to say that I was amazed; my husband actually commented that SSR was the only place (ever!) where he was happy using only one pillow...he always uses 2 at home (and everywhere else we go)! I suppose that was mostly because they were new. I didn't pay too much attention to the size, and with him I know size DOESN"T matter (as far as pillows go :teeth: ) as much as the "loft". But in his opinion, they were great! :)

[MyLove4Disney]

I am a very very new member. I can tell you I don't understand why any hotels charge anything per day these days. As for dues going up to provide this service; If there is connection in every room currently, then the infrastructure has already been set up and Disney has already spent the funds to have it available . If no one uses it, all members will pay for it one way or another, they won’t take it out. In fact it costs them to administrate the billing and collections. They are running hundreds of programs and process throughout all the Disney properties to communicate via the internet. It doesn’t really cost any more if people use it or not, and I would find it very hard to believe that Disney is not their own provider and would have to pay an outside company to be their Internet Provider. The other thing is I don't know how they can justify the price. I have static IP address which is more expensive and DSL to my home for 39.95 a month whether I use it or not. OK that is just over 1.30 a day.


OH well I am still jazzed about being a member, the only thing that I am unhappy about is that I didn't buy into the club when I 1st had the chance.

I’m sure this question has been asked before, is it harder to get a studio room anytime you want one compared to a one bed room???

[jarestel]

Dues go up every year so I wouldn't mind a few pennies more to pay for, or at least subsidize, a reasonable internet access fee. Members already pay for services that not everyone uses - pools: not everyone swims, buses: many people rent cars or drive to WDW and choose not to use the Disney transportation, DVC lobbies: most of the time these areas are completely empty as members simply pass them by without a second look - I'm sure there are more examples, but the point is it's not necessary to have 100% usage by the membership in order to offer something.

As I said, dues are always going to go up, so it would be nice to have something "new" to show for it sometimes. I would hate to think that 40 years from now ( when dues have cracked the $10 / point level ), that the room decor and amenities would still be "stuck in the 90's".

[SueOKW]

I am one who unwinds checking the internet, making notes etc.... I am a Marriott member as well.... Courtyard is the business traveler's hotel - yes, free. Fairfield - loss leader. Regular old Marriotts? Pay... till noon. Not even 24 hours.. Oh - and that's not ALL Marriott's either!! I've found enough inconsistencies there that i'm no longer surprised.

I also agree it's getting to be like cable TV.

In the meantime, I do have the option of dial up for $.35.

Are there any wireless spots at our resorts?

[tor]

propose the internet question at the annual meeting it tells you in the piles of paper you got when you joined the process for that but im voting no if you cant disconnect at disney and let go and have fun you are never going to

as for the bus issue is it any worse than the buses at okw seems that the multi stop hotels dont do well and peoples lack of knowledge sometimes doesnt help as i have seen people waiting close to an hour for the internal at okw when they could hop on any bus as they all stop at the commodores house on the way in and out

[PamOKW]

I'm all for free internet access but not before we also drop the fee for towels and soap. If that's paid for by those who use, then internet should also be paid for by those who use.

It's kind of funny how the more expensive a hotel, the more likely you are to be charged for things. Coutryard by Marriott gives you free coffee, breakfast and internet access. A high-end NYC hotel charges $10 a day for internet access, $8 for the in-room pot of coffee and $400+ per night for the room.

[Laurabearz]

I maybe wrong, but I could swear they told me at BWV there was free WiFi in the lobby, and I did see a couple of people with laptops hanging out in the lobby...

Can anyone confirm??

[dvc_john]

I pay it and use it. I don't mind. I figure it is better for those of us who use it to pay rather then the dues go up MORE so that we can have FREE internet.


I disagree. I think free internet is an amenity whose time has come. If we are to have fee based amenities, here are a few suggestions that could lower dues:

Parking: $9 per day per car
Bus/Boat Transportation: $1.50 per person per ride
Work out room: $10 per person per day
Pool slide: $5 per person per day
Cable TV: $9.95 per day
Telephone access: $4.95 per day
Washer: $1.50 per load
Dryer: $1.50 per load
Tennis courts: $10 per hour
Bell services: $2 per bag

All of the above are items that only some people use, but everyone pays for.
And let's not forget: Magical Express, airline baggage check-in services, valet parking, high chairs and cribs, etc. etc. etc.

BTW, most name brand timeshares (Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt for example) have free internet service.

[auntsue]

We always stay at the BWV. I always ask for feather pillows and the last three times we called for them, we were told, "There are none available." I don't know if she meant there weren't any available at the moment or they just don't have them anymore.

Next month will be our last trip where we'll be flying from NJ. From then on in we'll be driving up from our retirement home in Naples, so I'll bring my own. Can't wait!

[shellbelle1971]

DH started a business (then called STSN, now called I-Bahn, check out their website here: http://www.ibahn.com/ ) which provides secure, high-speed internet access for the hospitality industry. They have more Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Ritz, etc. hotels installed and functioning than any other provider in that space. In most higher-end hotels, if you have to pay $9.95 per night (or something like that) you're probably using STSN. If it's free you probably aren't.

Disney properties do not use STSN; when they were in contract talks, the Disney people felt that STSN's security features (and therefore cost to operate) would require too high a percentage of revenues compared with other options.

FWIW, dh won't connect unless he's familiar with the firewall(s) and security protocols of a particular provider. I-Bahn's are very good. Many others...not so good...a few are extremely scary. When we stay at SSR (which we :love: ) we just consider ourselves on an internet vacation. If we really NEED a connection, we go over to the Marriott Orlando World Center's business center.

Many people never have a problem, but some do. We're probably just overly ISP-paranoid b/c DH is "in the industry" and has seen too many horror stories up close...

[Ali and boyz]

here is a bit of the disney website off ammenities on request at SSR:

Bed boards and rails
Full size cribs and extra portable cribs
Down pillows
High chairs and booster seat
Shower seat and toilet seat for Guests with disabilities
Smoke detector for hearing impaired
Telephone for hearing impaired
Electric adapters
Hand lotion
Tea bags and

[OKW Lover]

I maybe wrong, but I could swear they told me at BWV there was free WiFi in the lobby, and I did see a couple of people with laptops hanging out in the lobby...

Can anyone confirm??
The WiFi in the lobby is NOT free. It costs $9.95 for 24 hours, just like the wired internet access in the rooms. But they are not interchangable - the fee for each is separate.

[DrTomorrow]

To those who think that internet access should be as common (and free) as cable TV in a hotel room / timeshare, well, duh, of course you feel that way - YOU'RE ON THE INTERNET!

I'd be willing to be a few DVC points (priced significantly higher that $10 points ;) ) that the majority of DVC owners (not just the rarified few that post here on the DIS) doesn't even have laptops, much less worry about internet access while on vacation. And even among those who do have a laptop, I bet that most of them - myself included - don't travel with them on vacation. Heck - most trips we don't even turn on the TV!

So, IMHO, internet access should still be a those-few-who-use-it-should-pay option - at least for now.

[canda]

I just got back from a great stay at SSR. HHI is my home resort and for WDW I love SSR. my travel partner thought the pillows were the thickest pillow he has ever slept on. He was wanting to know if they had any thin pancake type pillows. In the mean time, I was sleeping on three, I guess you can't beat your own pillow at home.

[Maistre Gracey]

We all know that nothing is free. Either we pay an extra fee, or it gets budgeted into our annual dues.

Oh yes, I'm sure the cable TV charges are buried somewhere in our dues... :smokin:

MG