Dissapointed with SSR

[jarestel]

Well, this thread does illustrate that we all have different ideas about what makes a good resort. If my home resort ( VWL ) wasn't available, I would be delighted to have SSR as my backup plan, or even as first choice for a change of pace. If I wasn't so committed to VWL, I would have a difficult time deciding between SSR and OKW as my primary destination. I love the rooms at OKW, but think the SSR location is awesome. But then again BCV is great and BWV is incredible... ahhh! decisions, decisions!

 

[Dean]

As a perspective SSR owner, I am not feeling the love here. The general tone seems to be that SSR owner's are not welcome at "other members" home resorts by fellow DVC members. Was I mislead to beleive that DVC was one big family? Its seems to me that there is not a lot of love among the different home resort owners. Do I have to sneak off into the dark corners and speak in hushed voice with other SSR owners so that we are not scorned by the other resort owners?

IMHO the 11 month window provides enough protection for an owner to stay at his or her home resort without having to worry about another resort owner "stealing" their room at their beloved resort. If your worried about increased competition for the 7 month window at the other resorts, are you not being a bit selfish? You want to book at new and different resorts (and for those of you who are shaking your head no, there seems to be a lot of interest in new DVC locations on the Monorail, Eagle Pines, and DL) but do not want any more members to compete with. Those resorts cost $, and its the new blood (like myself) that are financing the new resorts so that you now have a new option at a different location (just like each other resort when it was new.)

How I choose to spend my points is up to me. The rules are in place to protect your rights at your home resort if thats your thing. If you want new resorts to stay at, it comes with the price of increased membership.
Just because you do not like the latest DVC resort does not mean that no other members wants to stay there. I tend to trust Disney's judgement when it comes to measuring interest in a new resort location.

Any complaints are really directed to DVD, not you or any members at ANY resort. You bought into a system for all the goods and bad. Whether it be that you can't plan far enough ahead, can't get the room you want because someone booked it to rent, someone booked multiple rooms with the idea of keeping one and canceling the rest, etc. Just remember that all you are guaranteed is to have access to your home resort. Though not likely to change soon, it certainly could and likely will at some point in the future. Whether the change will be for your good or not depends on the specifics.

As for how you spend your points, I totally agree. Whether it be to rent out high demand rooms or any other reason. Heck, you can even reserve multiple rooms and just let them sit empty if you want.

 

[Stitch 626]

I guess I am just a bit confused about all the negative reaction to SSR. My wife and I have been in most of the DVC resorts and their rooms and have not really seen a drawback to any of them. The worst DVC room is still as good if not better than the rooms in the premium resorts such as the Poly and AKL. The views are a bit different and there are convience issues, but even if I was "forced" to confine the use of my points to a single resort for the next 48 years DVC is still a great value. While I am looking forward to eventually trying every DVC resort, it really will not bother us if we have to stay at a different resort than our first or second choice as long as we at least have the opportunity to book a room at our home resort.

I also envision DVC evolving over time. Some changes we will like, some we will not, but thats life. If it ever becomes unbearable, we always have the opportunity to sell, but I do not see that happening. We are hoping to pass along our DVC membership to our niece and nephew after we have spent many years of enjoyment at SSR and the other DVC resorts.

 

[athenna]

I just got back from my 1st trip as a DVC member. I confess, I haven't read every reply to this because I am exhausted (got stuck at Atlanta airport, long story) but wanted to reply myself.
I loved SSR so much I don't care to stay anywhere else. It felt like the home the minute I got there. The bell staff was ready to help me w/my luggage before my body was even out of the van! So the bell staff does certainly exist. I was checked in by a very nice CM, who welcomed me home, one of the trainees from HK DL. He answered any questions I had about the resort, as I was concerned I wouldn't be able to find my way around( had visions of certain folks saying how spread out it is) he said he thought I would really enjoy the room they had for me. Boy did I ever! I personally could not care less about the ''outside hallways'' some folks complain about, that's a big deal???? Didn't even really need a hallway, had a door to the outside right outside my room, 1 direction led me to carriage house, the other led me to DTD. And I began and ended each day, relaxing on the patio. I loved taking nice pleasant walks around SSR, I had never spent this much time just soaking up the atmosphere at a resort as I did on this trip. I thought the view to DTD was amazing. I actually got up a couple times very early to go relax in the hot tub in peace, at the hot tub in Congress Park. A couple times when the crowds were really thick in the parks, I just wanted to go ''home'' to feel peace. I had never even thought that before no matter where I've stayed. As far as the food, I can understand everyone's concern about the food at AP, I really can, but all that matters to me is what suits my family, and my father really enjoyed it there. He would say in the morning ''we are gonna eat here today, right'' We really only had dinner there once, the 1st night and we had flatbreads and enjoyed them. I guess I can uinderstand people's concerns about the main pool, but since pools were never very important to my family's needs, it didn't seem like a big deal to me. When I checked out Friday morning, I felt like I was leaving my home, and I cried a little. Dad said this resort is the best Disney one yet, and he's stayed at a bunch, so that really says something to me.
I'll end this by saying, that if other's don't care for SSR, that's fine 1) we are all entitled to our own feelings 2) more room for me!
Gonna go colapse from exhastion now. Talk to you all soon!

 

[Daitcher]

Curiousity has now gotten the best of me. We just mailed our paperwork back on a resale purchased directly through Disney and we have rented points at several other DVC resorts through the years, but I really am curious about SSR with all the posts lately. How can we take a tour given that we bought in from home? I would really like to see for myself before I make any plans to stay there.

Seeing for yourself won't help too much IMO. Complaints come from those you have stayed there. Walking through, the place looks beautiful. The planning was greatly lacking IMO. No food served poolside? Do they want dripping wet people trudging into AP for lunch? No room service? Some families don't like to eat out or cook in. Staying in Congress Park rooms and forget something in your room when at the main pool? Enjoy the half hour to walk back, elevator up and down and then walk back to the pool. Have arms full of groceries for your Villa? Enjoy those five trips up and down because there are no carts to help you. The other option is to go up to the room, call bell services( good luck catching them there) and then wait for them to come over. Want to eat dinner at AP? Enjoy those limited and lunch oriented choices. The best way to see if this Resort meets your families travel needs is to stay there. Touring will reveal little about this Resort IMO.


DAVE

 

[DrTomorrow]

Seeing for yourself won't help too much IMO. Complaints come from those you have stayed there. [...]

DAVE

Which is an odd comment, considering this poll of folks who have actually stayed at SSR. Of the 83 responders, 74 - a whopping 89% - liked it or loved it. Perhaps what you look for in a resort - room service, pool food service, bell carts at every building - isn't what most people expect. To each his own...

Be well!

 

[RobDoc]

Curiousity has now gotten the best of me. We just mailed our paperwork back on a resale purchased directly through Disney and we have rented points at several other DVC resorts through the years, but I really am curious about SSR with all the posts lately. How can we take a tour given that we bought in from home? I would really like to see for myself before I make any plans to stay there.

Taking a tour is a great idea. Your guide can certainly advise, but there is a DVC Member's meeting each week, with an open house (with food!) after the meeting - so you might consider that too!

When we stayed there we totally enjoyed our time at the resort. The walk from Congress Park took us less than 10 minutes to the High Rock Springs pool and front desk area- but there is also a great pool next to the building. We had no trouble remembering what to bring to the pool (a bathing suit and book were pretty easy to remember) but since it's less than 400 yards back to Congress Park it wouldn't have been a problem if we had forgotten either(there is also a bus stop at the pool for anyone challenged by the walk though).

There are three DVC resorts without room service, so if that's an important issue you might want to consider another resort since there are four that do offer room service. Most timeshares do not offer room service and at WDW only those with interior hallways connected to another resort offer that amenity.

The Bell Staff greeted us at check-in and offered to assist with luggage. They are available 24 hours a day and are a great resource for local travel information as well as storing luggage, assisting with bags, etc. Since, as at any resort, there is a finite number of staff available at any moment, there may be times when you'll need to wait until a Bellman is available after assisting other guests, but they were most gracious with our needs. They have the same luggage carts available at other WDW resorts. None are for public use (same as at all other WDW resorts), but the Bell Staff does use them to assist those who need help.

We enjoyed dining at Artist Pallette. They have a nice selection of choices on the menu for those wanting a quick meal. We especially enjoyed the flatbreads, but there are also daily specials for lunch and dinner. With DD so close and available on foot (it's about a 15 minute stroll), by bus or by boat (from the resort marina), there are more dining options available nearby than at any other onsite resort.

The resort staff is eager to assist all guests. The recreation programs at Community Hall have much to offer, tennis (clay courts) is available, the SSR Spa is top notch - as is the fitness center.

We totally enjoyed our stay there and look forward to our next opportunity to visit the resort. I'd definitely plan on taking a tour and would suggest making arrangements in advance thru your guide or go to the Member's Meeting and enjoy the relaxed tour afterwards.

Enjoy!

 

[WolfpackFan]

Enjoy the half hour to walk back, elevator up and down and then walk back to the pool.

I'm confused - it takes a half an hour to walk to the pool and back, but folks say it only takes 5 minutes to walk to DTD? BTW - You sure aren't shy about displaying your dislike of this resort. I'm sure that makes the folks who just bought there feel real good. What a shame.

 

[rinkwide]

...With DD so close and available on foot (it's about a 15 minute stroll), by bus or by boat (from the resort marina), there are more dining options available nearby than at any other onsite resort...

Oh please. The Epcot resorts have immediate access to over 30 full-service dining options at the Boardwalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Swan & Dolphin, World Showcase and even Disney/MGM. The selection at Downtown Disney pales in comparison.

 

[RobDoc]

Oh please. The Epcot resorts have immediate access to over 30 full-service dining options at the Boardwalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Swan & Dolphin, World Showcase and even Disney/MGM. The selection at Downtown Disney pales in comparison.

I guess that's true if you choose to dine only when the Theme Parks are open and use an admission. I'll stand by my statement for full service dining with a wide variety of cuisine accessible easily from SSR. If you want nice full service dining (with a menu to match) in a themed environment, I'll still take the DD options. If you want to include buffets, sports bars and hotel cafes as full service options, then the combination of BW, S/D and BC/YC will have a few more dining choices than SSR/DD.

I stand corrected!

The real issue for me and the point I was trying to make, is that with a minimal amount of advance planning, every restaurant at WDW is available to most anyone. The PS made by the guests at SSR will access the same table at the onsite WDW restaurants as the PS made while staying at GF, BCV or Motel 6. IMO, the proximity to good dining options is greatly overrated since guests have good access in a variety of ways. If it's important to be within a 15-20 walk from a large number of dining options, there are only a few resorts with that benefit - and SSR is one of them.

Enjoy!

 

[tjkraz]

Staying in Congress Park rooms and forget something in your room when at the main pool? Enjoy the half hour to walk back, elevator up and down and then walk back to the pool.

I'm curious. In your informed opinion, how does this (somewhat exaggerated) travel time compare to other resorts? For example, how long is the round-trip from a 5th floor room at BCV to Stormalong Bay?

Props, though for helping me think of a new item for the BCV-haters thread elsewhere:

"Forget something in your room during an aromatherapy massage? Enjoy the trip back to BCV from the Saratoga Springs Spa! You'll have to take the Epcot bus from SSR, walk from the front entrance to the International Gateway and on to your Villa. Then repeat the process to get back. Gosh, that would probably take 2 hours!!! Oh, how I hate the Beach Club for being so far from legitimate spa services!"

That's a valid complaint, right?

 

[agotta]

So I haven't checked back lately, but you all have been busy!!

Dave-You the man!! Your opinion is exactly that, your opinion. That is what this post was started as. I just wanted to share MY OPINION, to those who WANTED to read it. I did not inted to spread my dislike of SSR all over the Dis. If I can help it, I would not stay at SSR again. It just lacks that special Disney quality, and as a DVC member, I have the choice of not ever staying at SSR again.

To those who love it, good for you. Enjoy!

 

[lllovell]

Agotta, no one begrudges you not liking SSR. What people don't like is when you move from "its not for me" to "what a piece of garbage". In many ways, I would hope that each resort speaks to some part of each of us, but then I hope in a lot of ways they don't. *smile* I don't mind you not liking SSR and you have no problems with me liking it, so it all works for me!

 

[icydog]

I think the biggest concern here, for those of us who have been around for a while, is this statement paraphrased from an owner at SSR "Why waste points at SSR. I'll use OKW-- It has virtually the same neighborhood for less points, bigger rooms and parking in front of his door". My answer to him and to others that think like him is "don't buy SSR at all, buy OKW resale" It would have saved him money and would not affect the balance in the population of owners versus non owners. When he is not using his SSR villa it is left open for someone to use, but I personally don't think there will be any demand to reserve it from the people in the older resorts. There aren't many owners from any of the other DVC resorts planning trips to SSR.

MY CONCERN is,I have never had a problem reserving OKW at very short intervals and now I see that changing. I hate the competition for rooms I have always had at my disposal. I agree with Dean there will be a disproportional number of SSR people looking to use the other resorts, and since many people don't want to go there (SSR), it will make the trading into the older DVC that much more difficult. I think the vast majority of people who bought DVC bought into the resort they liked the best. I am finding from reading this thread and others, that many, many of the new owners at SSR are not going to do that but will rely on the 7 month window to trade out of their home resort. Why buy it if you don't like it? Buy resale and stay where you like. The 7 month window will be a zoo going forward with the size of SSR. I too, find that disappointing, and although perfectly within the DVC guidelines, very hard to swallow!

 

[Mickeysduck]

Our kids are grown up and we were waiting for a resort that was quiet, where we could take quiet walks, sit on a bench and enjoy the view, or just relax at the pool. We always rent a car so getting anywhere for meals, etc. are not a problem. We like being able to walk to DTD for a quick sandwich, or just an ice cream sundae.

To us, SSR is a great choice. Every year we take 2 mid-winter weeks at DVC. Next time we will spend our first week of vacation at BWV, then our second week at SSR to unwind and relax before our trek home.

Just my opinion...we really liked it there.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think the biggest concern here, for those of us who have been around for a while, is this statement paraphrased from an owner at SSR "Why waste points at SSR. I'll use OKW-- It has virtually the same neighborhood for less points, bigger rooms and parking in front of his door". My answer to him and to others that think like him is "don't buy SSR at all, buy OKW resale" It would have saved him money and would not affect the balance in the population of owners versus non owners. When he is not using his SSR villa it is left open for someone to use, but I personally don't think there will be any demand to reserve it from the people in the older resorts. There aren't many owners from any of the other DVC resorts planning trips to SSR.

MY CONCERN is,I have never had a problem reserving OKW at very short intervals and now I see that changing. I hate the competition for rooms I have always had at my disposal. I agree with Dean there will be a disproportional number of SSR people looking to use the other resorts, and since many people don't want to go there (SSR), it will make the trading into the older DVC that much more difficult. I think the vast majority of people who bought DVC bought into the resort they liked the best. I am finding from reading this thread and others, that many, many of the new owners at SSR are not going to do that but will rely on the 7 month window to trade out of their home resort. Why buy it if you don't like it? Buy resale and stay where you like. The 7 month window will be a zoo going forward with the size of SSR. I too, find that disappointing, and although perfectly within the DVC guidelines, very hard to swallow!

Well said, Icy-dog, and that is my concern too. OKW is the one resort that is totally different from the rest of DVC in room size, layout, and style. I made a consious effort to buy there in '97 when I could have purchased BWV instead. We toured BWV, and didn't like them at all. I could not be happier with our decision to buy OKW, but I am a bit worried about the number of SSR owners who don't intend to stay there. I'm sure that will change as they stay there more and want more and more to book at the 11 month window. My other concern is that if a lot of SSR members are always booking the other resorts at 7 months and start finding it difficult, that DVC will do away with that 7 month window. That would not benefit anyone much.

 

[agotta]

I guess what I don't understand is why you all assume that everyone from SSR is going to book other places. I know that I am just ONE example, but there have been a ton of posts that state how much SSR owners love SSR.

And was there something said about DVC doing away with the 7-month window? If not, then this is all just hearsay.

No, I personally don't like SSR and plan to use my vacations elsewhere. With that said, I never said I am going to vacation at OKW everytime. Next year we are going on another cruise. The year after, who knows! One of the biggest selling points of DVC for us, was the flexibilty. DVC was developed that way for a reason.

I think there is a lot of "panicking" for no reason.

 

[wtpclc]

I think there is a lot of "panicking" for no reason.

That about sums it up. Especially, when you start worrying that the 7 mo. window will go away. Wow.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I didn't say the 7 month window was going away. I said it COULD be something that could be revisited if there are lots of booking problems. The 7 month booking window is not guaranteed to last forever.

 

[Stitch 626]

MY CONCERN is,I have never had a problem reserving OKW at very short intervals and now I see that changing. I hate the competition for rooms I have always had at my disposal. I agree with Dean there will be a disproportional number of SSR people looking to use the other resorts, and since many people don't want to go there (SSR), it will make the trading into the older DVC that much more difficult. I think the vast majority of people who bought DVC bought into the resort they liked the best. I am finding from reading this thread and others, that many, many of the new owners at SSR are not going to do that but will rely on the 7 month window to trade out of their home resort. Why buy it if you don't like it? Buy resale and stay where you like. The 7 month window will be a zoo going forward with the size of SSR. I too, find that disappointing, and although perfectly within the DVC guidelines, very hard to swallow!

MY CONCERN is, there seems to be a lot of I want to be able to stay at other DVC resorts but do not want any competition from the new resort owners at SSR. As I stated in a previous thread, the reason there are different resorts to choose from is that the new members are financing the new DVC resorts. You may not like SSR and thats fine as everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Was there this kind of reaction to BCV members, VB members, and BWV members when those resorts were new? If Eagle Pines is the next resort, are the same arguments going to be made? Yes, I understand that SSR is larger and that there will be more members, but I also see SSR as a resort that will be in higher demand once construction has been completed and the staff has gotten used to the new facility and the quirks and demands of the resort have been worked out. If I had to spend every SSR point I own at SSR, it would not be a major disapointment. Yes, I do want to visit the other resorts to experience the different atmospheres, but I am a proud owner of SSR and BWR and plan to spend the majority of time at those two resorts.

While I am new here and have not seen the posts by SSR owners who have posted saying that they were never staying at SSR, I am sure they exist. I am also willing to bet that there are owners at other resorts with the exact same feelings. With a group as large and diverse as DVC, you are going to have all kinds of opinions and use patterns. Chance are that you are not going to see a drastic difference in your ability to book at other resorts and ability to get into rooms on short notice. There will be changes for sure, but they will probably be more evolutionary than revolutionary.

As my wife and I are new DVC members as of yesterday, we appreciate all the input and advice that all of the DIS boards members have provided. Discussions such as this one helped shape our opinions of the DVC and helped us make an informed purchase decision. Even threads with negativty and misinformation proved valuable as it lead us to research more thoroughly that we would have with out these boards. We may not agree with you, and you may not agree with us, but we are all part of the large DVC family and look forward to spending the next 36/48 years with all of you.