Bad SSR Reviews

[Ms.Mouse]

I'm going over paperwork and DVD that DVC sent my way and am now thinking.... "Should we buy in at SSR or buy a resale at another resort????"
The reviews I saw on another site were enought to get me questioning... Most of the complaints were about:
... the transportation in that other than those staying at SSR use the bus to get around and it creates a bussing problem for those staying at SSR.
... that you wait long periods of time to be able to get a bus to get anywhere.
... that the SSR staff are not "Disney caliber" in that they aren't friendly or helpful and on top of that, check in and check out is a "nightmare"
... that you end up staying on the bus transporting to other areas on WDW for long periods of time because EVERYTHING is so far away in comparison to the other resorts
Can anyone comment on this..????

 

[crisi]

Bus transportation will change over time....if Disney were to put in light rail it would become a moot point (perhaps not likely, but we can hope). If enough people are dissatified, it will likely improve. Bus service has been poor from the VWL and BWVs in the past, Disney tweaked and there are far fewer complaints now. So will the CMs.

Personally, I think SSR and OKW are set up for people who use cars - from these threads, most OKW owners tend to be the car type. If that is true, Disney has most people happy with "adequate" service because many people don't use it and may have less motivation to improve service.

We bought BWV sight unseen on resale, and with all this said, the ability to walk to Epcot (and MGM, though we don't walk to MGM with our daughter, she isn't a great walker) has been our favorite feature of that resort. Its really nice not to be dependant on the buses (which, for the most part, we have found adequate).

 

[mrsminniemouse]

There are also lots of good reviews of SSR. We had a fantastic trip there in Sept 04 and cannot wait to go back next month. We used our car sometimes and the buses sometimes, didn't have a problem with the transportation but that was a while ago. We like the location of SSR, walking to DTD at night was convenient plus we liked being near the 'real world' for eating out and shopping.

I am amazed that people are criticising the staff there. We found them very very friendly. At Artists Palette CMs would come over and chat and make a fuss of DD. They certainly were Disney calibre we felt. We were there during Hurricane Jeanne and the staff were superb.

All new resorts get bashed a bit I have heard. We are very happy with our purchase there. Since joining DVC we have stayed at VWL and OKW and had great times at both but it did not make us regret buying SSR. We love it. All of the resorts are fabulous.

Hope you reach a decision you are happy with.

Mandy

 

[lisaviolet]

Hi Mrs. Mouse,

I like SSR. Though I know it's not for everyone. Some do not like the way it's set up. Outdoor hallways. It's huge. Location (ie. not walking distance/or short boat to a park). Theme (some say not much of one...some say it is like SS, NY). Personally, I feel that it is too much like my home (ie. the trees)....but that's not a big deal. I go over to OKW and think "yeah palm trees". But I can visit and stay at OKW. That's the plus of DVC.

But how do you forsee planning your vacations? Do you think that you will book 11/10/9/8 months out on a regular basis? Some answer, "heck yes!!". Me, I answer "Nope". This is important in my opinion. If you aren't going to regularly use that 8-11 month window...well your home resort doesn't matter because we are all equal at 7 months. So think about what kind of planner you are and can be (ie. Work/booking vacation days)

Transportation: I enjoy walking to DD. I enjoy taking the boat to DD/OKW. I enjoy being close to the boat that goes to POFQ and POR.

The buses are not a big deal for me because I am so busy resort hopping that I rarely take a bus from SSR. Others do every single day. I think they will improve. Though some say they are not a problem. I've never had a problem with them.

The biggest plus for me: Resort hopping is so easy from SSR. It's great. With DD so close....I can resort hop with ease. It has been wonderful to not have to transfer to get to other resorts especially late at night. I love that!!!

Oh and I've never had a "nightmare" checking in and checkout is usually the paper kind for me. As for the staff at SSR.....I've had very friendly and I've had standoffish/or incompetent staff. People aren't perfect. But I've had the same at other resorts when I'm over inquiring about something. For the most part I find most WDW CMs/DVC CMs to be very friendly, knowledgable and extremely helpful. The other stories are just what you find in any business. A couple of workers...that's all. The great ones at WDW far outweigh any other ones. That's why I give my $$$$ to Disney...excellent service.

Plus, I stayed mostly in Value (which I loved too!!!) before DVC. So quite frankly I'm still pinching myself.

Good luck with your decision. Let us know. I'm excited for you.

 

[jandk95]

I think whether or not you choose SSR as your home resort depends on several things:
1. Do you have a preference concerning hotel style accomodations (BCV/BWV-indoor hallways, etc) or condo style accomodations(SSR/OKW-exterior entrances, park in front of your building)?
2. Would you prefer to be near a park (BCV/BWV-Epcot, VWL-MK), be secluded (OKW) or near Downtown Disney(SSR)?
3. Do the additional 12 years of membership at SSR outweigh any of your other preferences?

My wife and I enjoy walking over to Downtown Disney at the end of the day and SSR provides us with this opportunity. When we stayed there we had no issues with either the transportation or the staff, everything was wonderful. This is conjecture, but many of the bad experiences members have posted could probably be attributed to SSR being a new resort. After construction is done and everything settles out I would assume that if there are any issues with transportation they will be addressed. Good luck!!!

 

[aDVCwannabe]

i would suggest that you haven't read or given sufficient consideration to the positive ssr trip reports on the boards. try reading through this thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=978449&highlight=ssr+review and see what conclusions you can draw from those folks.

as many posters here suggest - don't buy there if you wouldn't want to stay there. we bought ssr in oct '05 after just doing a drive-by while staying at okw as a dvc guest a year ago - almost sight unseen and without being a long-time subscriber here. am not the least bit sorry about our purchase - it will get me out of the frozen wasteland of the northeast at least once a year - and what could be bad about that?

so what if i have to wait a little longer for a bus - i'll be sitting in the sun and listening to birds sing in a beautiful environment; check-in/check-out can be a nightmare anywhere given unusual circumstances, so what - the sun will shine, the birds will sing and the nightmare will pass; and why worry about disney caliber staff - they probably won't be uspet if i am not a disney caliber guest!

if the small inconveniences in life are enough to put you over the edge, then i suggest you consider purchasing a resale at another dvc resort - the shorter contract would mean that you couldn't be disappointed for as many years as the ssr contract offers. and if we happened to be staying at ssr at the same time - you wouldn't have to be troubled over why i'm not the least bit upset because we are sitting at a bus stop and waiting.

please don't think me disrespectful - but from where i'm coming from life is too short to be upset by waiting for a bus or struggling through a check-in/check-out - being here to wait for a bus or to check in to a vacation resort sure beats the alternative in my book!

 

[Ms.Mouse]

Thank you all sooo much for your info. ALL on this site have been so helpful (especially my FRIEND )and this is why I wanted to pass my questions on to you. I trust your opinions and feel lots better about SSR now. I'm finding this decision hard because the funds aren't coming easily to us these days BUT if we don't buy in now...we'll loose lots when the price goes up and may even have a harder time buying in. Not only is the F&F ending BUT my guide said the $ per point is going up also.

 

[aDVCguy]

SSR is a WINNER!
It's only in it's infancy...
over time that resort will become one of the most
wanted DVC's to stay at. SSR will be tweeked time
and time again to improve it's looks and efficiency.
Remember, SSR contracts currently are 12 yrs. longer
than the others which is a plus! We all are very happy
with SSR and it's location, transportation and CM's!!!
Above all...your buying into not just a time share...
but a DISNEY TIME SHARE...where magic lives!
Just think of all those DVC wannabees that can't
afford to buy in!
Just to let you know, the first time I stayed at SSR in
4/05, I walked around the SSR property and said to
myself..."Somebody pinch me...I can't believe I own
a piece of the MOUSE!"
Good luck in your decision!
__________________________________________

 

[lisaviolet]

Thank you all sooo much for your info. ALL on this site have been so helpful (especially my FRIEND )and this is why I wanted to pass my questions on to you. I trust your opinions and feel lots better about SSR now. I'm finding this decision hard because the funds aren't coming easily to us these days BUT if we don't buy in now...we'll loose lots when the price goes up and may even have a harder time buying in. Not only is the F&F ending BUT my guide said the $ per point is going up also.

Good to hear Ms. Mouse. Just FYI.... my guide has insinuated in so many words that the next DVC will be higher point spread and higher fees. And of course higher purchase price than F&F...a given.

 

[dvcmomdeh]

First, I'll tell you that SSR is not my favorite resort. We own at OKW, VERO, and BCV. We love those locations. OKW and SSR are neighbors as I sit and watch my screen saver go by with picture for our holiday trip to Disney (we stayed at SSR) I think it was a nice place to visit. It is a quite little city within Disney. They have some beautiful buildings and as it is with all Disney beautiful landscaping. I think they need to add more things to do at the resort. I am being complacent when I say you can't get anywhere without walking a miles. But I need the exercise. It was quite a hike from the Congress Park to Disney Quest, it looks like it is just around the corner. The corners kept turning and turning..... The view is awesom of Downtown

We had absolutely no trouble with the transportation (at the busiest time of year).

You can't go wrong if you buy into any of DVC's properties new or used!

 

[whiplash]

All I can tell you is that our experience with SSR is nothing short of fantastic. We found the people there to be extremely helpful and the bus transportation the best. SSR buses are for SSR people, no stopping at other resorts, straight to the theme parks and straight back, it was GREAT!! Found a broken closet door in our room, 1/2 an hour later it was fixed!! Have stayed at Beach Club and others, they have nothing on the service at SSR. Be there in June and again in December. Can't wait!!

 

[lisaviolet]

edit.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Some do not like the way it's set up. Outdoor hallways.

I have a question about SSR. I have seen mentioned a couple times about the outdoor hallways. Could someone explain this set up? Are they like the moderate and value resorts? They do have private balconies though don't they?

 

[jandk95]

The doors to the rooms are not on the exterior of the buildings like the value resorts. The walkways are internal to the buildings but they are not enclosed (i.e. no A/C). They are similar to what you would find in an apartment complex. All of the rooms do have balconies.

 

[lisaviolet]

No, it's not like the moderates. It's mostly enclosed. Just imagine an indoor hallway without carpet. It's only open ( no doors and half walls across the front of each building) at the front entrance. I don't mind it because I think it will keep fees down in the long run. Some hate it.

 

[lisaviolet]

The doors to the rooms are not on the exterior of the buildings like the value resorts. The walkways are internal to the buildings but they are not enclosed (i.e. no A/C). They are similar to what you would find in an apartment complex. All of the rooms do have balconies.

You beat me!!!! I laughed at the apartment complex (which is true!!) because I imagined SSR layout here in Toronto or Chicago or Detroit. Chilly!!!

 

[jennypenny]

I can't wait for CRV to officially *open* because then people will criticize that resort and leave SSR alone.

Seriously, when we first bought at BCV, people criticized it all the time. The rooms were too small, the staff wasn't friendly, and housekeeping wasn't up to par. Now that SSR is open, BCV is finally getting a break.

We really like SSR. It's not my favorite (I like WLV), and it's not my hubby's (he likes BCV), but my kids love SSR.

I think every new resort has growing pains and SSR is no different. When we stayed in August, it had some serious transportation issues. I think it's more noticable since you take a bus EVERYWHERE there. But ask anyone coming back from MK on the SW/DOL/BW/BC/YC bus and they will tell you transportation from that resort isn't perfect. The only issues I've ever had with staff is at the BCV (and we've stayed at them all) but I do think it's improving. I think they'll work the kinks out at SSR too. We're trying it again next month.

Some things that SSR offers that some others don't: community hall (my kids love it there), better pool than all but BCV, access to DTD (I think it's overrated, but they seem to be pushing it in a new/better direction and it's a nice place to go without a park ticket), extra 12 years, nice/quiet places to walk around without feeling like you have to be going anywhere (my big knock of the WLV), shorter bus rides to water park and to DTD to switch to a resort bus for dining (which I think really expands your dining options).

Don't sweat it. SSR is very nice.

Jenny

 

[Ed T]

It is important to weight referrals and comments with a grain of salt especially if you don't know the person personnally. Let's face it there are people in life that just love to complain and live in a negative world. I know people that buy stocks on others recommendations and you have some winners and losers. You need to experience anything before committing to it. Maybe you should stay there first if you are really on the fence to make sure it works for you. Be patient with the process and get to know the people that are giving you the advice.

Good luck

 

[CarolA]

If you are looking for 100% satisfaction with ANY DVC resort you are going to be disappointed. All of htem have thier fans and detractors. (And some folks can be downright hateful if you don't like THIER resort!!!)

I have stayed at all DVC's but VWL and Vero. I am not a big fan of BWV and really didn't think I would like SSR, but I loved it on both stays. Now, I don't normally take the bus anyplace except MK so my bus experince is limited, but I tend to take bus reviews with a grain of salt. I once got on a bus where the guy behind me complained LOUDLY to the driver about his half hour wait.... I told the driver (LOUDLY) that I was really surprised BOZO waited half an hour.. I waited 15 minutes and he arrived AFTER me! So... some of these HOUR long waits probably aren't that long, and some of them may be....

My experience with the SSR CMs has been very good. I find them equal to the other resorts. However, I will say that some DVC members tend to treat CMs like DIRT... you reap what your fellow members are sowing... (Always remember it's a ROOM REQUST not a DEMAND and that abusing the CM is not going to get them to throw someone out of YOUR room! LOL!)

 

[1000th happy haunt]

We had a pleasant stay at SSR last October.