DVC Mike Live from BWV/SSR (3/7-3/15/09)

[dr&momto2boys]

So, have you added on at SSR, yet? Or are you good with an even 20 contracts?

 

[DVC Mike]

Tonight, we're having dinner at Raglun Road in Downtown Disney.

A few pics from my morning walk around Congress Park

http://i235.*************************************20090316_0421.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090316_0425.jpg
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The view from our 1-BR ground-floor room in Congress Park

http://i235.*************************************20090316_0429.jpg

A view from SSR of DTD

http://i235.*************************************20090316_0416.jpg

 

[bobbiwoz]

Have you seen the otters that are around SSR/OKW at all? You seem to go for early morning walks and I hope you see them and take their pictures.

Bobbi

 

[DVC Mike]

Hey Mike! How's it going at SSR? Do you miss the Boardwalk yet?

I already miss BWV!

OK, I'm going to preface this by saying that this is my personal opinion. It's just my own feeling. I know that since over 1/3 of DVC members own at SSR, I may be in the minority.

I'm not a big fan of SSR. When I got the BLT developer points, I used some for our DLR trip to California, used some more to give our neighbors a free trip, and I still had points left over. Since they're only good at SSR, that's what I booked.

I approached another stay at SSR with a fresh outlook, hoping I would enjoy it.

The positives are that I really like the elegant and sophisticated décor of the rooms. SSR is also a beautiful resort. And it is close to DTD, although I'm not a big fan of DTD.

However, I just can't get past the size of SSR. It's a large, very spread out resort. I don't like having to get in my car to drive to the lobby, feature pool, or onsite dining (of which there are few options).

Walking the grounds does not give me the same feeling as the Epcot resorts or VWL. Entering the lobby does not give me the same awe-inspiring feeling as when I enter the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge. The understated, subdued theme of SSR doesn't do it for me.

The apartment/condo-style setup is also not to my liking. I don't like so much asphalt. I don't like busses driving by me. I prefer the DVC resorts that are attached to the Deluxe resorts.

Buy hey, it's still Disney and I'm going to enjoy my stay at SSR.

 

[DVC Mike]

A couple more pics for you SSR fans

http://i235.*************************************20090316_0430.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090316_0431.jpg

 

[DVC Mike]

Have you seen the otters that are around SSR/OKW at all? You seem to go for early morning walks and I hope you see them and take their pictures.

Bobbi

Nope, not yet!

 

[Credit Man]

Great report, Mike! Thanks for posting.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Mike, you take really great photos! Really enjoying them. I love walking the grounds of SSR in the morning.

Thank you for sharing

 

[cjs123123]

omg this is awesome... thanks for sharing your trip!!! It just got me really excited to go... I cant wait till I can bring the suitcases up from the basement and start packing.. To bad I wont do that till the end of may we are staying at the boardwalk and have a boardwalk view.. I cant wait!! thanks again for sharing!!!

 

[twinklebug]

I already miss BWV!

OK, I'm going to preface this by saying that this is my personal opinion. It's just my own feeling. I know that since over 1/3 of DVC members own at SSR, I may be in the minority.

I'm not a big fan of SSR. When I got the BLT developer points, I used some for our DLR trip to California, used some more to give our neighbors a free trip, and I still had points left over. Since they're only good at SSR, that's what I booked.

I approached another stay at SSR with a fresh outlook, hoping I would enjoy it.

The positives are that I really like the elegant and sophisticated décor of the rooms. SSR is also a beautiful resort. And it is close to DTD, although I'm not a big fan of DTD.

However, I just can't get past the size of SSR. It's a large, very spread out resort. I don't like having to get in my car to drive to the lobby, feature pool, or onsite dining (of which there are few options).

Walking the grounds does not give me the same feeling as the Epcot resorts or VWL. Entering the lobby does not give me the same awe-inspiring feeling as when I enter the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge. The understated, subdued theme of SSR doesn't do it for me.

The apartment/condo-style setup is also not to my liking. I don't like so much asphalt. I don't like busses driving by me. I prefer the DVC resorts that are attached to the Deluxe resorts.

Buy hey, it's still Disney and I'm going to enjoy my stay at SSR.

You did it backwards Mike... you're supposed to finish your stay at the resort that you hold near and dear. That said, have you asked the Mrs what is her favorite resort recently? If your previous theory holds true, you might have to pick up some SSR points

Your description of why you don't care for SSR as much as the other resorts perfectly describes my feelings toward SSR & OKW. They're beautiful resorts, but I much prefer the theming & hotel feel at VWL, AKV & BWV. And Honestly, if there's a hurricane brewing it's nice to be close to or part of the main building.

 

[JasonDVC]

I already miss BWV!

OK, I'm going to preface this by saying that this is my personal opinion. It's just my own feeling. I know that since over 1/3 of DVC members own at SSR, I may be in the minority.

I'm not a big fan of SSR. When I got the BLT developer points, I used some for our DLR trip to California, used some more to give our neighbors a free trip, and I still had points left over. Since they're only good at SSR, that's what I booked.

I approached another stay at SSR with a fresh outlook, hoping I would enjoy it.

The positives are that I really like the elegant and sophisticated décor of the rooms. SSR is also a beautiful resort. And it is close to DTD, although I'm not a big fan of DTD.

However, I just can't get past the size of SSR. It's a large, very spread out resort. I don't like having to get in my car to drive to the lobby, feature pool, or onsite dining (of which there are few options).

Walking the grounds does not give me the same feeling as the Epcot resorts or VWL. Entering the lobby does not give me the same awe-inspiring feeling as when I enter the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge. The understated, subdued theme of SSR doesn't do it for me.

The apartment/condo-style setup is also not to my liking. I don't like so much asphalt. I don't like busses driving by me. I prefer the DVC resorts that are attached to the Deluxe resorts.

Buy hey, it's still Disney and I'm going to enjoy my stay at SSR.

Great Trip report Mike. Thanks for doing this during your trip!

About your thoughts on SSR... I just would like to add the DW and I feel the same way. When we joined DVC last summer, we did the tour and they showed us SSR and the models for AKV. We told the Guide that if all they were selling was SSR, we would not buy in, SSR just doesn't do it for us. We did buy AKV and love it!

 

[Jillpie]

Mike, I couldn't agree with you more on you feelings about SSR. I feel the exact same way about getting to the lobby and main pool. And try to picture us way out at Carousel without a car! Oh that was so aggravating. I can't wait to get back to the BCVs in just 4 weeks and love that whole area too. I'm still totally hooked on your report and please have your wife take a pic of you so we can picture the man that's been entertaining us for a week now? Have some more fun!!

 

[nunzia]

I love all these pictures! I really want to know how you manage to NEVER have a SOUL in your photos..must be a spell.

 

[LisaS]

Mike, I couldn't agree with you more on you feelings about SSR. I feel the exact same way about getting to the lobby and main pool. And try to picture us way out at Carousel without a car! Oh that was so aggravating. I can't wait to get back to the BCVs in just 4 weeks and love that whole area too. I'm still totally hooked on your report and please have your wife take a pic of you so we can picture the man that's been entertaining us for a week now? Have some more fun!!

See post #243 right in this thread! Here is a link to the page containing that post: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2111962&page=17

 

[mtmbyck]

In answer to the question about the boats - the PO and POR boats do not stop at SSR. They go right on by. Only OKW stops at SSR on it's way to a from DTD and this month they have added boats to accommodate the guests at SSR wanting to use OKW main pool.

The boats have different colour flags and so this is how you know they are for the different destinations.

I also saw the Treehouses and I have to say - I don't get what all the fuss is about. They look IDENTICAL to the ones that were there - and still stuck in the middle of the trees/woods which never appealed to me. Still dark brown and really, if I didn't know they had been rebuilt - I would think they were the same buildings. I'm sure they will be nice and fresh on the inside, but they seem like they will be out in the middle of nowhere.....

Mike, I am in Congress Park right now also. We are on the 4th floor facing the pool. Agree with you on the size of the resort - it's a pain to go to the main building so we really haven't gone over much. We don't have a car so we have to walk or take the bus.

Mike, what is your take on the crowds - I find it incredibly busy this week! Was at MK today and by noon Peter Pan was 45 min., SPace Mountian was 60 and Splash Mountian was 60, and you could harldy move on the streets for people. Seems like most of Texas is here mixed in with the Canadians.

 

[Granny]

You did it backwards Mike... you're supposed to finish your stay at the resort that you hold near and dear. That said, have you asked the Mrs what is her favorite resort recently? If your previous theory holds true, you might have to pick up some SSR points

Oh, nicely played!!

 

[yourgoingagain?]

I already miss BWV!

OK, I'm going to preface this by saying that this is my personal opinion. It's just my own feeling. I know that since over 1/3 of DVC members own at SSR, I may be in the minority.

Walking the grounds does not give me the same feeling as the Epcot resorts or VWL. Entering the lobby does not give me the same awe-inspiring feeling as when I enter the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge. The understated, subdued theme of SSR doesn't do it for me.

The apartment/condo-style setup is also not to my liking. I don't like so much asphalt. I don't like busses driving by me. I prefer the DVC resorts that are attached to the Deluxe resorts.

Buy hey, it's still Disney and I'm going to enjoy my stay at SSR.

I feel the same way about SSR and I own there (for a little longer). I can appreciate that different people like different things and it is not a right or a wrong, just a personal preference. I do enjoy the CS there better than the other DVC on property and the gym is definitely the best on property.

By the way, we also own at the same 5 resorts that you do. Once SSR contract is sold (4/2) we are buying more BCV and maybe more AKV.

I have one other question. In a long ago e-mail, I believe you mentioned you work for a financial institution in Charlotte. I was wondering if it is the same one I work for which is now headquartered in San Francisco or the one I used to work for when it was NCNB.

I understand if you choose not to answer, I was just curious.

By the way concerning your dining reservations. Since you use the DDE instead of the dining plan have you ever chosen to eat at the Bistro?

 

[SLM]

Thank you for taking the time to post those beautiful pictures and sharing your trip experiences-I hope you had a wonderful, relaxing time.

 

[Mouse511]

Great report Mike - but I guess I need to add my opinion about SSR - what you dislike about SSR is what my DH and I love about SSR & OKW. We love the 'condo' style and how easy it is to get to your car when you want to run to dinner or a park. Now dont get me wrong WLV is our favorite resort - but SSR & OKW are right behind it.

As a matter a fact - we are booking -hopefully- OKW tomorrow morning for our Oct trip !!

 

[Jillpie]

See post #243 right in this thread! Here is a link to the page containing that post: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2111962&page=17[/QUOTE

Thanks Lisa! I don't know how I managed to miss that one!