Having done the walk between (what was then) VWL and the Fort several times, I'm pretty sure most WDW vacationers won't do it, just as most people do not walk from BWV to Studios, even though it is very doable.
I really like SSR. It's not steps from a theme park, but it has other things going for it.
The vibe is "understatedly sophisticated." It is subtle, and a lot of people miss it for "not themed at all," but I really appreciate it. There are some nice pools, and enough room around them for the size of the resort. The walking paths are mostly on the interior of the resort, with the buildings separating you from the roads, so it's a great place to stroll. When the resort was first developed, it had a McMansions on a Moonscape vibe, but the landscaping has grown in nicely since then.
The easy proximity to Disney Springs gives you access to some of the best dining---in both quality and value---in the World, and a solid set of entertainment offerings when the Parks are more been-there-done-that. For example, I caught
311 at the House of Blues a few years ago, and had a great time. The resort's location is fairly central to several main arteries, so the bus times are shorter than it seems like they should be.
It has the
DVC 2.0 layout, which leaves a lot to be desired, but the most recent re-design makes the most of the space, and the Villas are significantly more funcitonal and comfortable than they were prior.
Finally: It's one of the DVC resorts that everyone loves to hate, and I like hanging out with the underdogs.
