kristielee
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2001
- Messages
- 176
Hi all, We are just home from an extended family trip 1/8-1/14. Trip included myself, DH, DD, DS, my parents, inlaws, and aunt (as well as family from Melbourne who came to visit). The weather was sublime, the food was glutanous (see dining reviews), the parks were empty. DH and FIL played golf at the Palm and LBV courses and loved it. DH said they were the nicest courses he'd ever played on. Liked LBV just a little bit better.
Now, thoughts on SSR. We have previously stayed at VWL, BWV, and BCV. This was the first time in a dedicated DVC resort. While I still think that this was the best decision EVER to make a purchase...I was not as overwhelmed with SSR than say VWL. Here's the pluses: The accomodations are so beautifully appointed. By far, the prettiest room decor of all DVC villas (IMHO), the fitness facility is out of this world! I got up each morning and worked out. It is a first class, state of the art facility. I did not take part in any spa services this trip, but fully intend to in the future! All I can say is WOW! High Rock Springs pool is very cool. Kids (ages 4 and 6) loved it! Especially the slides and zero degree entry.
I really enjoyed Artist Pallette. Great grab and go selection. Not terribly out of the ballpark pricewise (after all, it is Disney). Food was fresh and tasty. Service was friendly and efficient...we'd surely go back.
As for the downside...check in was a nightmare. Now, I realize checking in with a large group can be confusing, but this poor CM just couldn't get it figured out. We'd confirmed 2 two-bedroom units, had 2 vehicles, and I only wanted charging priviledges on my card. Seemed pretty straight forward. I don't know if she was new or something, but it took 20 minutes (no exaggeration) to check in. One room was ready, one was not.
As for the resort itself, the ongoing construction is an eyesore. I fully realize that this is temporary, but it does detract from the beauty of the resort. My biggest gripe of all though is the outside hallways. It truly cheapens the resort. The painted cement floors are tacky, and already grimy. On our departure day it poured down rain like I'd never seen in my life. Needless to say, the rain was blowing through the halls in sheets. We were soaked before even getting to our car. There were puddles in the hallways you had to skirt around. Even the mousekeepers were moving along the walls trying not to get the clean linens soaked. Granted, it doesn't rain like that all the time, but IMHO, the outdoor entries were poor planning and design.
The resort is huge and will only get bigger. The HRS pool is small, no doubt as well as awfully shallow for a main pool. I was also surprised at just how far it is from the Congress Park building (where we were) to the pool, Artist Pallette, and fitness facility. Because we were traveling with elderly folks, I asked if there was any where to drive over, instead of walking. We were told to park by the tennis courts near the DVC center. But if you didn't have a car, that's quite a poke. They also told us that you could wait and use one of the buses between stops. Not exactly a convenience.
I also found that I missed the convenience of being closer to the theme parks. Now, while I wouldn't trade my DVC ownership for anything and I am still so glad we purchased...I think next time we'll just try to rebook elsewhere. I do miss having a sit down table service restaurant to enjoy on site and the size and expanse is a deterrent to staying there. You can't just hop downstairs to hit the pool or gift shop. I almost felt out of the park being so far away.
These are just some of my opinions, so please don't flame me. I'd be curious to hear how others feel. All in all, it was a fantastic week, I can't wait to go back home again, to any of the DVC resorts!!!
Now, thoughts on SSR. We have previously stayed at VWL, BWV, and BCV. This was the first time in a dedicated DVC resort. While I still think that this was the best decision EVER to make a purchase...I was not as overwhelmed with SSR than say VWL. Here's the pluses: The accomodations are so beautifully appointed. By far, the prettiest room decor of all DVC villas (IMHO), the fitness facility is out of this world! I got up each morning and worked out. It is a first class, state of the art facility. I did not take part in any spa services this trip, but fully intend to in the future! All I can say is WOW! High Rock Springs pool is very cool. Kids (ages 4 and 6) loved it! Especially the slides and zero degree entry.
I really enjoyed Artist Pallette. Great grab and go selection. Not terribly out of the ballpark pricewise (after all, it is Disney). Food was fresh and tasty. Service was friendly and efficient...we'd surely go back.
As for the downside...check in was a nightmare. Now, I realize checking in with a large group can be confusing, but this poor CM just couldn't get it figured out. We'd confirmed 2 two-bedroom units, had 2 vehicles, and I only wanted charging priviledges on my card. Seemed pretty straight forward. I don't know if she was new or something, but it took 20 minutes (no exaggeration) to check in. One room was ready, one was not.
As for the resort itself, the ongoing construction is an eyesore. I fully realize that this is temporary, but it does detract from the beauty of the resort. My biggest gripe of all though is the outside hallways. It truly cheapens the resort. The painted cement floors are tacky, and already grimy. On our departure day it poured down rain like I'd never seen in my life. Needless to say, the rain was blowing through the halls in sheets. We were soaked before even getting to our car. There were puddles in the hallways you had to skirt around. Even the mousekeepers were moving along the walls trying not to get the clean linens soaked. Granted, it doesn't rain like that all the time, but IMHO, the outdoor entries were poor planning and design.
The resort is huge and will only get bigger. The HRS pool is small, no doubt as well as awfully shallow for a main pool. I was also surprised at just how far it is from the Congress Park building (where we were) to the pool, Artist Pallette, and fitness facility. Because we were traveling with elderly folks, I asked if there was any where to drive over, instead of walking. We were told to park by the tennis courts near the DVC center. But if you didn't have a car, that's quite a poke. They also told us that you could wait and use one of the buses between stops. Not exactly a convenience.
I also found that I missed the convenience of being closer to the theme parks. Now, while I wouldn't trade my DVC ownership for anything and I am still so glad we purchased...I think next time we'll just try to rebook elsewhere. I do miss having a sit down table service restaurant to enjoy on site and the size and expanse is a deterrent to staying there. You can't just hop downstairs to hit the pool or gift shop. I almost felt out of the park being so far away.
These are just some of my opinions, so please don't flame me. I'd be curious to hear how others feel. All in all, it was a fantastic week, I can't wait to go back home again, to any of the DVC resorts!!!
