Does anyone know if they will be adding any full service dining options to SSR later?

[Daitcher]

But it seems like others have focused more on the "WDW Resort" aspect; expecting to be pretty much like any other WDW Deluxe Resort - except with bigger rooms.

I'm getting there, folks....[/QUOTE]



I don't think those expectations are unrealistic either. The buy in amounts and annual dues are pretty high. I hope to get more than a condo stay for that sum of money. Marriott and other companies are raising the bar with timeshare offerings. DVC needs to realize people want it all: large rooms, great pools, room service, concierge, gym and spa, sit down dining, quick serve options, larger grocery type store. You are on vacation, things should be taken care of for you. Work is for home.

P.S. I appreciate your sarcasism and humor even when it is at my expense.

DAVE

 

[kweaver]

The "food court" concept was one of the things that initially attracted us to SSR. I'm not totally thrilled with the execution so far, but I also realize that it is currently only servicing about 230 rooms.

Unless the full-service restaurant were something that just happened to appeal to us, we'd rarely (if ever) use it. If you transplanted something like Olivias or Spoodles to SSR, it would hold minimal appeal.

I agree on both points. The food court idea is great but needs lots of improvement on the offerings (quantity and quality).

If they add a table service restaurant...it should be something will major appeal. Something that will bring diners from other areas of WDW to visit (thinking Whispering Canyon without the noise...lol, California Grill, etc.). There must be some really great restaurants near Saratoga they could emulate. Though, I'm still holding out for the remodeled stable (aka Biltmore) theme!

 

[conciergekelly]

If they do add a sit down restaurant, it most likely won't be until close to completion. If there is only 250 rooms there now, they couldn't keep the food fresh or staff on hand for the few people that would be using it. That was my thought on the limited selection at AP too. If it is going to be the largest resort, they will have the the customers to support the restaurants. It is going through growing pains. We need to be patient.

 

[NMW]

And I'm sure there are many who still think it's unnecessary--myself included. The "food court" concept was one of the things that initially attracted us to SSR. I'm not totally thrilled with the execution so far, but I also realize that it is currently only servicing about 230 rooms.

Unless the full-service restaurant were something that just happened to appeal to us, we'd rarely (if ever) use it. If you transplanted something like Olivias or Spoodles to SSR, it would hold minimal appeal.

I disagree. The fact that there is no onsite full service restaurant at SSR makes SSR less appealing to our family. We would definately eat breakfast and maybe even dinner at a Spoodles-type restaurant at SSR. Food courts hold minimal appeal to us. I bet there are a lot of families who agree with us. I think a restaurant with a cool theme and good food like Cape May Cafe would do very well at SSR.

 

[mom2rb]

If they do add a sit down restaurant, it most likely won't be until close to completion. If there is only 250 rooms there now, they couldn't keep the food fresh or staff on hand for the few people that would be using it. That was my thought on the limited selection at AP too. If it is going to be the largest resort, they will have the the customers to support the restaurants. It is going through growing pains. We need to be patient.

I agree. I would love a restaurant but I am willing to wait for it.

 

[athenna]

If they do add a sit down restaurant, it most likely won't be until close to completion. If there is only 250 rooms there now, they couldn't keep the food fresh or staff on hand for the few people that would be using it. That was my thought on the limited selection at AP too. If it is going to be the largest resort, they will have the the customers to support the restaurants. It is going through growing pains. We need to be patient.

I agree w/this also. All good things come to those who wait. It would not be worth it for them to have a sit down restaurant now when they aren't sold out yet. They wouldn't have enough staff as Kelly mentioned, and even if they did, they would be paying the staff for not a lot going on.
We'll just wait & see.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Just saw an interesting discussion about this at another website (tongue-in-cheek.com). Some people who claim to be 'in the know' say that the plans for SSR dining are going in a different direction - food carts. Due to the spread-out nature of the Resort, centralized dining at SSR isn't seen by Disney to be that big of a draw, particularly when combined with the cooking facilities that all 1 & 2 BR Villas have, as well as the proximity to DTD. They do recognize that there needs to be more than just AP (and TC), so they are planning on having "hot dog vendor-like" carts situated in every neighborhood (CP, TS, TP) as well as in the pool area. There would be several carts in each neighborhood, each providing a different range of offerings; guest can either sit and eat near the quiet pools (small seating areas will be added) or brought back to the room. Since "cart-based" meals are something the Disney has a lot of experience with, there is a good chance that this will turn out well. Me - I'm just hoping for churros!

Be well!

 

[JimC]

Just saw an interesting discussion about this at another website (tongue-in-cheek.com). Some people who claim to be 'in the know' say that the plans for SSR dining are going in a different direction - food carts. Due to the spread-out nature of the Resort, centralized dining at SSR isn't seen by Disney to be that big of a draw, particularly when combined with the cooking facilities that all 1 & 2 BR Villas have, as well as the proximity to DTD. They do recognize that there needs to be more than just AP (and TC), so they are planning on having "hot dog vendor-like" carts situated in every neighborhood (CP, TS, TP) as well as in the pool area. There would be several carts in each neighborhood, each providing a different range of offerings; guest can either sit and eat near the quiet pools (small seating areas will be added) or brought back to the room. Since "cart-based" meals are something the Disney has a lot of experience with, there is a good chance that this will turn out well. Me - I'm just hoping for churros!

Be well!

Maybe they could expand on that and include street vendors as they might have had at the turn of the century. Possibly even fresh food so the guests who want to cook in the villas can run down for a selection of fresh meats, fish, and vegetables

 

[littlestar]

I LOVE Olivia's restaurant at Old Key West. As a matter a fact, our family has started making a tradition out of eating there each vacation. The buttermilk chicken breasts are so yummy! My brother is getting ready to stay at the Marriott Grande Vista in two weeks and he asked me this morning for some Walt Disney Resort restaurant suggestions and I told him to go eat lunch at Olivia's.

I feel like Saratoga needs a good sit-down restaurant. I also wish they could do something about the vacant/warehouse feel of some of the buildings. There was a large building we saw that we thought could have been a theater but someone told us it was nothing to do with DVC. It made me think of a back lot. I really do want to like Saratoga more than I do and I feel like Disney could fix some things if they will listen. I wonder if they will add a small snack bar at Saratoga at some of the farther out buildings like they have at OKW's Turtle Crawl area pool? I feel like Saratoga could be better than what I saw last fall. Maybe it will be when they get it all done.

 

[Moose for Sprite]

Maybe they could expand on that and include street vendors as they might have had at the turn of the century. Possibly even fresh food so the guests who want to cook in the villas can run down for a selection of fresh meats, fish, and vegetables

No you're talkin'!
Let the magic begin

 

[disneycrazed139]

My feeling is that they will add an onsite restaurant but not until they need to...that is they will add it when (and if) sales for SSR dwindle off a little bit...or if they forecast a downturn, they will announce it. I also got a survey asking about dining options, so that makes me think it is likely in the works or perhaps on the back burner for the time being.

 

[rinkwide]

...I'm still holding out for the remodeled stable (restaurant)...

Exactly, stick with the horse theme. They could call it The Longshot Grill and serve exotic specialties like Picula Ad Caval or Pastissada.