First SSR trip...opinions and review

[tjkraz]

I couldn't agree more with your take on SSR. I own there and will be booking all of our stays elsewhere.

Sounds like you didn't research your timeshare purchase very well. All of these items were quite well-known about SSR by the time they started selling points in August '03.

A Resort isn't a Resort to me when you lug your own luggage and groceries. Where are the shopping carts or bell carts? All places I've stayed that have kitchens have this. How could Disney overlook this?

They didn't. SSR has its own bell services staff who can help you with your items. We often saw them assisting guests during our stay.

Room service is also a must for us. With a 3 year old who wnats to be at the pool all day and come home and cook or get everyone ready to eat out? Not me.

This father of a 3yo and 1yo doesn't mind. Guess that's why there is such variety in the types of resorts they build.

I'll be of the group that will be booking at the 7 month window elsewhere. Thanks for the review.

Well, then you better avoid Old Key West, too. Same style development and no room service. Once SSR is fully developed, about 65% of the rooms on-site will fall into this same category of unacceptability to you. I hope you thought this purchase through carefully...

 

[Miffy2003]

We stayed at SSR for the first time in December. We loved the resort very much and actually (I was slightly surprised by this) enjoyed not being next to the parks. Made it more relaxing, somehow. I know if I stay in BWV or BCV I will find it hard to ignore the lure of Epcot and MGM, LOL.

Thank you for the review!

 

[ErinC]

I'll be at SSR in a couple of weeks. I think that I'm going to feel exactly as you do. I keep thinking that It's not going to have the same resort feel at SSR that I had at VWL, and I think I'm going to miss it. I keep trying to tell myself all the positive stuff, access to car (less tipping), hopefully a great view of DD, a beautiful resort, and I'm sure it will be fine. I just don't think that SSR will be my first choice on the list next time, we'll see! I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. What did your family think of the accomodations?

 

[kristielee]

Hi Erin...my family kinda felt the same way I did. We all missed being closer to the theme parks. The view of DTD is nothing spectacular. I'd rather have a view of the castle, myself. Again...I still think it's the best purchase we ever made (next to invisible dog fencing that is!) and I WOULD stay there again, just not as a first choice. Looking back, if I could have done it differently, I would have looked into a resale at VWL. I just don't think any resort can compare to the theming of the Lodge, IMHO. As far as researching it first, we had rented from DVC owners on 3 separate occasions before making a purchase of our own. I don't regret it for one instant. My observations of SSR are strictly my own opinion (and that of my family). I guess we were spoiled by the other DVC accommodations (ie, restaurants on site, proximity to theme parks, on site shopping, more efficient bell services, valet parking....again, it's all what you're into). My biggest gripe is the outdoor hallways. I think there's much LESS privacy with the open unit design than with a quiet, indoor hallway. I love the feel of walking into the VWL and the peacefulness of the Copland playing in the background, the wood and leather decor, and the fact that it is SOOOOO quiet! Then I truly feel like I'm on vacation. Oh yeah, that was one more thing that none of us liked about SSR....the nightly fireworks. Being very early risers we all were awakened every night at MN by the sudden explosion of fireworks. It was cool the first night, but rapidly got old. I know there are folks who will love about SSR, exactly the things I'm not crazy about. That's the beauty of DVC...we all have options.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Thought I might head over to DTD, but wound up just staying in the room. I don't know which building we were in, but it looked like a good ways to walk. Luckily, we had food and coffee in the room.

What looks like a "good ways to walk" is a 5 minute walk from building # 4 in Congress Park with a 5 year old child holding one back. That would make it about a 10 minute walk from Building # 1 in Congress Park. Well worth the walk for a buy one get one free sundae at Ghirardelli's, DVC 20% discount at McDonald's, DVC 10% discount at Arriba's Crystal and Glass, and the experience of wandering through "World of Disney" and "Once Upon a Toy."

 

[Sammie]

Hi Erin...my family kinda felt the same way I did. We all missed being closer to the theme parks. The view of DTD is nothing spectacular. I'd rather have a view of the castle, myself. Again...I still think it's the best purchase we ever made (next to invisible dog fencing that is!) and I WOULD stay there again, just not as a first choice. Looking back, if I could have done it differently, I would have looked into a resale at VWL. I just don't think any resort can compare to the theming of the Lodge, IMHO. As far as researching it first, we had rented from DVC owners on 3 separate occasions before making a purchase of our own. I don't regret it for one instant. My observations of SSR are strictly my own opinion (and that of my family). I guess we were spoiled by the other DVC accommodations (ie, restaurants on site, proximity to theme parks, on site shopping, more efficient bell services, valet parking....again, it's all what you're into). My biggest gripe is the outdoor hallways. I think there's much LESS privacy with the open unit design than with a quiet, indoor hallway. I love the feel of walking into the VWL and the peacefulness of the Copland playing in the background, the wood and leather decor, and the fact that it is SOOOOO quiet! Then I truly feel like I'm on vacation. Oh yeah, that was one more thing that none of us liked about SSR....the nightly fireworks. Being very early risers we all were awakened every night at MN by the sudden explosion of fireworks. It was cool the first night, but rapidly got old. I know there are folks who will love about SSR, exactly the things I'm not crazy about. That's the beauty of DVC...we all have options.

What DVC location offers a view of the Castle, sign me up for that one too.

 

[Sammie]

I'll be at SSR in a couple of weeks. I think that I'm going to feel exactly as you do. I keep thinking that It's not going to have the same resort feel at SSR that I had at VWL, and I think I'm going to miss it. I keep trying to tell myself all the positive stuff, access to car (less tipping), hopefully a great view of DD, a beautiful resort, and I'm sure it will be fine. I just don't think that SSR will be my first choice on the list next time, we'll see! I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. What did your family think of the accomodations?

At SSR you will definitely have a beautiful resort feel, you won't however have a "hotel" feel. If you like hotels, then you might be disappointed in SSR, as it is not a hotel.

 

[Sammie]

It always interesting to read other's comments about something we have experienced. Then I go, did we stay at the same resort. We were so excited about having a Downtown Disney view so we could watch the fireworks nightly. We missed them the first 2 nights as we did not hear them.

We found the walk from Congress Park building #4 to be short to anything including the main pool, dining, and Downtown Disney. We had been concerned before we arrived it would be a long walk, we were so pleased it wasn't.

We loved having our car right outside our villa door, as it seemed we were always leaving something in it we needed. It would have been horrible to have it parked so far away.

Every night we enjoyed strolling back to our room through the open hallways, enjoying the nightly breeze and being able to see the lovely landscape and smell the beautiful flowers. So much nicer than dirty carpet and torn wallpaper we have seen in other hotel hallways.

We loved the centrally located location to all things Disney. We never felt we were far from anything. Certainly WL is closer to MK, but far from the other parks. BC and BW are close to Epcot and MGM but not to other locations.

I am amazed at the number of people who have purchased SSR and really have no desire to stay there. I hope they are not disappointed when they are unable to get into another resort at 7 months out.

For those that have not stayed at SSR I hope you enjoy it half as much as we did.

 

[kristielee]

Hi Sammie, I was speaking hypothetically re: view of the castle...it's just the DTS wasn't for us. I'm not saying I'd be disappointed staying at SSR, just that it wouldn't be my first choice for favorite resorts.

 

[mndisfam]

Hi Kristie & Sammie - sannie - we totally agree with you. Its funny kristie - how we can all have such diff opinions.

We love the outdoor hallways (we are from Minnesota and go when the weather is bad here) so we appreciate feeling as much outside as possible.

We loved the gorgeous quiet pool - esp. at night. I thought our room was beautiful, we loved the DTD view (actually were mesmerized by it nightly) and loved the fireworks.

We are going to VWL in less than a month - it will be interesting to compare it. We have also stayed at OKW and loved that.

There is one thing about SSR I was a tough negative about - it feels kind of industrial. But I bet when they get their plantings regoing (didn't they lose a lot in the hurricanes) and they mature - and the construction is done - it will be gorgeous. As it is, the landscaping was lovely now.

And - we like being away from the parks - more quiet!

 

[athenna]

I am getting more excited by the minute to see my new ''home''. I can't wait to see it.
Is it April yet????

 

[Sammie]

Hi Sammie, I was speaking hypothetically re: view of the castle...it's just the DTS wasn't for us. I'm not saying I'd be disappointed staying at SSR, just that it wouldn't be my first choice for favorite resorts.

I understand completely. Luckily for us our tastes in resorts are very diversified and we like them all. I truely can not say I dislike anything about a Vacation Club resort.

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Thanks for sharing!!!

Allison