Going to SSR in 30 days and very uneasy about the reports we have heard

[MikeyNS]

We went 3 weeks ago and loved it even more than the AKV's.. nothing like SSR! I'm sure SSR won't be some people's choice and that's their perogative. You have to try it to really appreciate it. I'm really glad we purchased SSR and don't regret having it as our home resort at all. We have never felt unsafe at any Disney resort or DTD. Just heavenly!

 

[disneyfan2kids]

I totally understand where you are coming from. We recently bought at SSR & feel it was a mistake. I don't think we will ever actually stay there & never be able to take advantage of the 11 month booking perk I am just too scared after reading about the bad things that have happened there & the "gang-like presence" I read about at Downtown Disney.

FWIW, I think SSR is great! Honestly - IMHO the comment about the "gang-like presence" is laughable. Unless the "gangs" are referencing screaming toddlers running around, I've never seen anything like that.

Don't let some posts on a bulletin board force you to never try something out and form your own opinions.

If I read long enough through these threads... I could find "valid" reasons to never visit ANY resort.

 

[vabeth]

We stayed at SSR for the first time in August and had an amazing time. The resort is beautiful, we were able to check-in at 10am, the CM's were all extremely friendly, we had no problems and certainly didn't encounter any crime or 'gang presence'. We always felt totally safe walking to and from DTD at night.
Please, please, please don't let the odd bad report stop you from going to such a wonderful resort. I can't wait to go back again in February!

 

[lovethattink]

We stayed at SSR in July. We had a fabulous time. Here is my trip report with some pics http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1525906

 

[vandy]

Those reports you read can be true at any other resort, Disney, DVC or whatever brand. We always reduce our risk of being victims by following our common sense. We don't leave valuables and electronics in plain view when we are not in our room. At any hotel, many people have access to your room. We don't walk alone. always in at least pairs. We don't go to DTD/Pleasure Island late at night. DTD is not just for Disney guests so you need to be aware of your surroundings as you would at any nightclub or place after dark. Again, just use common security sense. If you search hard enough, you can dig up enough 'dirt' on any Disney resort that will make you wonder how you ever survived visiting here.

Having said that, we have never had any problems at SSR and LOVE IT! We love it to the point that we feel guilty when we stay elsewhere, and hope SSR never learns of our little trists to other DVCs! EGAD, cheating on our home resort! Give your home a try!

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

I went to SSR and LOVED it! I had wanted to stay at BCV but some family crisis made us redo our schedule and we were forced to SSR. I wasnt looking forward to it but we love it. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. SO peaceful and still looks so new. Don't worry about those who have had a bad stay. They are a minority.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I went to SSR and LOVED it! I had wanted to stay at BCV but some family crisis made us redo our schedule and we were forced to SSR. I wasnt looking forward to it but we love it. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. SO peaceful and still looks so new. Don't worry about those who have had a bad stay. They are a minority.

I'm glad you had such a great time!!
Bobbi

 

[CarolAnnC]

We have enjoyed all our SSR stays - the last one being last December. No problems on any trip!

 

[kimberh]

My daughter and her husband just returned from a stay at SSR. They loved it. She said the CM's went out of their way to Welcome them and continued to make them feel welcome. She had her some of the negativaity and asked, "What's up with that?"

 

[jwfla422]

We recently returned from our 2nd stay at SSR and I am trying to sneak away again to stay there in December. I really like it there. It has a real "homey" feel to it. Not sure what "gang like presence" you could be referring to there, maybe DTD, but definitely not there. I can see PI being that way but it wasn't when we were there.

We were lucky enough to be upgraded from a studio to a 1 bedroom villa both stays. I think I have gotten the best sleep ever the last time we went as our villa was so nice a quiet. Even though the location I requested (CP) was not available they gave us a villa the Paddocks which was just across from CP so it was not a bad walk to the main area or CP.

The grounds are very lovely. I had no problem with the car and can't quite understand how there would be car thefts with this being a secured resort. I would think any resort has this possibility then? I've heard about the park parking lots having this problem on occasion.

I do have to admit I was a little apprehensive walking back from DTD with dd myself one night when we did stay at CP. We took the trail which was lite up but I wasn't real comfortable walking by the street just prior to entering DTD...but that may just be the "city" girl that's still left in me. I do find it hard to believe there was a mugging at SSR, maybe it was somewhere near DTD? I do remember seeing lots of security in the DTD parking lots.

I highly recommend SSR. We loved the boat rides and had dinner at the "the keys" one night (really at Olivia's at OKW)...but it felt like we were pulling into a little dock at the "keys". I parked the car by the boat dock at SSR to take the boat because it was a bit of a walk for dd that time of night back to our villa however it were dd and I, we would have just walked.

 

[JW9DVC]

Glad you enjoyed your trip, EVERYONE, the gang situation exists no matter where you go. Im sure they even own vacation shares with us. As long as they are not commiting any criminal activity, they have every right to be there. Im all about public safety, im in law enforcement. I think if you don't feel comfortable walking alone along the trail, either don't do it or walk with a group. You could and should always call the security and report any suspicous activities who would then report those findings to the local law enforcement department. Know what to do to avoid and/or protect yourself in a dangerous sitiuation. JW

 

[andreadoiron]

I don't know where anyone heard about muggings or thefts but we stayed in SSR right after easter this year and felt perfectly safe! the SSR is a wonderful resort and we are going back again in november! in fact when we go in jan for a family trip, we are staying in OKW and I'm wondering if we'll like it as much!
here are some facts to counter the alleged issues people have heard about
checkin is 4pm - we checked in at 1pm at one of the peak vaca times and got a fantastic location (the springs) in a 1 bedroom villa that was lovely
muggings/theft - we weren't out til 2am but we did walk to DTD in the dark w/our kids and did not have a saftey concern at all
don't take other reports to heart - everyone has a different opinion about everything so go to the SSR, give it a chance and if you don't like it, OKW is large and should be easy to get into next time

 

[UConnJack]

I wouldn't be surprised if criminal activity is more "prevalent" at SSR than other WDW resorts because of its proximity to DTD. Being a busy public place that is free to access, DTD is probably the easiest target in WDW for car break-ins, pick-pockets, muggings, etc., when compared to the other areas of WDW. That said, I can't imagine it being anywhere near a common occurence or prevalent enough to really be concerned about.

 

[jaurban]

We just returned from our first stay at SSR and had no problems whatsoever - the resort was beautiful and quiet, and we had no issues walking to DTD from the CP area - and saw no activities of concern at SSR or DTD. (And I am from a big city, and would be able to see it.) We also took the boat back at night and I walked alone to Artist's Palatte, with no issues.

 

[summergolf]

I will also add my endorsement of SSR...We just got back from 7 glorious days
at SSR..it was peaceful..relaxing..everybody was friendly and nothing...I mean nothing made us feel uncomfortable...I even left my laptop plugged in out in the open in my room...I wasnt worried.

 

[mrmom456]

We have stayed at SSR several times since they have opened. I have read about some of the incidents and the response by Disney and the Sheriff's Dept. I have walked to Downtown Disney at night with others and alone with out incident. I have walked through both paths to Downtown around 1am on weeknights and weekends alone, met some of the locals, but encountered no resistance. We have had vehicles in the SSR parking lot each visit with no problem. Security is always prevelant during the night hours.

People seem to think that once they arrive at Disney, the real world is left behind. Disney is wonderful (my favorite place) but, this is 2007 and people need to remember that you still need to be cautious of your surroundings where ever you go. I tend to wonder if some of the problems are caused by the people staying at SSR as guests as opposed to "outsiders".

 

[jwfla422]

I wouldn't be surprised if criminal activity is more "prevalent" at SSR than other WDW resorts because of its proximity to DTD. Being a busy public place that is free to access, DTD is probably the easiest target in WDW for car break-ins, pick-pockets, muggings, etc., when compared to the other areas of WDW. That said, I can't imagine it being anywhere near a common occurence or prevalent enough to really be concerned about.

That being said we did notice quite a security system going on at DTD when we were there a few weeks back. I'm talking Orange County police, not just WDW security. We saw lots of coverage in the parking lots near PI.

As for SSR, it is still a gated resort. I'm sure people could walk over that don't belong there but I wouldn't be overly concerned about that.

The times we've stayed there we've enjoyed very much and plan to return. Of course, you always need to keep aware anywhere you go, unfortunately even WDW is still a public place so you should always be aware of your surroundings regardless and use common sense.

 

[Lexxiefern]

I just stayed at SSR over columbus day weekend (a week and a half ago). I checked in at 9am and a room was ready for me! It was in the carousel, which I had read not so good reviews of. But we were on the top floor and had a beautiful view of a pond with a fountain and the golf course beyond that. It was better than a room I had in Congress Park. It was a short walk to everywhere and very very pretty. I really enjoyed my stay there and would stay there again in a heartbeat! We had no issues with our room or theft or anything.

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[tfc3rid]

Back from SSR about a week and a half ago... First trip there... We love it... Were able to check in by 1:30, no problems... Car was left alone...

There is crime everywhere... With constant staff turnover, sadly, people slip through the cracks...

 

[ldo]

Checked in on a Sun--got a room right away at 10:00 AM! Wonderful stay, felt very safe, friendly staff, kids loved it!