Synonymous
I know all about it, see?
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2000
- Messages
- 1,119
Just got back from a 4-night stay at SSR, which was our first time staying there. The good news for those of you who love SSR is that you won't have to compete with us for ressies anymore.
We won't be staying at SSR again. This is because of purely aesthetic reasons- I have no complaint about the service, which was great.
Let me start by saying that the reason I love staying on property is because WDW is, for me, an escape from the "real world." I like to disappear into it and leave all thought of the outside world behind. We never have a car, we never leave the property. If we want to go to Universal or something, we stay outside WDW before we begin the Disney portion of our vacation.
The disappointment started when we first entered WDW property. We're used to staying at VWL or BCV, entering the property on the road that leads to MK. It's a really great moment for us when we pass under the gates and know that "We're finally here!"
Entering through the entrance near SSR was a different experience, entirely. There were the giant Mickey and Minnie welcoming us, as expected, but once we passed through them we found ourselves not in the familiar confines of Walt Disney World, but rather driving through an area that looked like any big commercial zone- full of non-Disney properties like Hilton, Holiday Inn, etc. We had failed to leave the "real world" as expected. In fact, from the patio of our villa we could see one of these non-Disney hotels, which was a jarring intrusion, to my way of thinking.
Anyway, once we got to the property we were ready to start the Disney feeling. Arrival was very low key. At VWL or BCV, our car is always met by a bellman who opens the door, welcomes us and starts gathering the bags. Not at SSR. A couple weeks ago someone posted how they were disappointed SSR didn't have bell service to help with your bags, and I can see now how they could get that impression. I had to get all the bags to the curb myself, with the help of our driver. Then we waited a bit before anyone approached us to see if we needed help. The staff was wonderful from that point but, again, it was not the way I'm used to our Disney stays beginning.
Okay, so we walked to the lobby to check in. If you've ever been to WL, you know what an amazing experience it is to walk into the lobby. Pure Disney. Even BCV and BWV, although not as impressive as WL, have lobbies that are hubs of activity, with lots to look at, lots going on. But at SSR the lobby is essentially a big empty room with a single carousel horse in the middle. There's nothing at all going on except a TV off to the side for kids to watch cartoons. (Due credit, here- SSR still shows classic cartoons instead of the Disney channel, which is what you get at BC.)
Again, this is just aesthetics on my part. I'm sure plenty of people prefer this lobby because it's quiet and simple. But I was disappointed. The staff were very friendly and helpful- I can't even tell you how many "Welcome Homes" we heard. I do have a complaint about how they treated us, but I believe it is the same policy at all the DVC resorts, so I won't get into it here.
Okay, this next is a big one for me- cars, in my mind, are a huge symbol of the "outside world" that I go to Disney to escape. And at SSR, the buildings are surrounded by parking lots. Every time we came in or out of our building, we had to walk through a parking lot. This is just ugly. I know the other resorts all have parking lots, but at VWL it was three stays before I even figured out where the thing was. I still couldn't really tell you where it is at BCV. When you walk around those resorts, all you see is the beautiful landscaping. At SSR you are never more than a few yards from a parking lot. Yuck. I guess if you drive, or rent a car, this is very convenient, but I hated it.
Artist's Palette- this is a very nice space. But that's about all it is. Disney has combined retail with food service, and of course thereby does neither any credit. The store has less merchandise than those at the other resorts, the restaurant has less food selection than the other resorts. And it is, of course, the ONLY dining option at the resort. (I know, you can always go to Downtown Disney- I'll get to that in a second.)
I agree that it is nice to have choices other than hamburgers and chicken fingers. But it would be nice to ALSO have hamburgers and chicken fingers available when you want/need them. My daughter isn't particularly picky for a 7-yr old, but the only thing she would eat here was the pizza, which wasn't REALLY a pizza, it was a "flat bread." This fact makes things a little difficult. (It may be that chicken fingers are available here sometimes- I thought I saw them behind the glass once, but they weren't on the menu, so who knows?)
Oh- they did have a "chicken nugget" kids meal. It was pathetic. Four little nuggets and a bag of chips. C'mon.
The grocery selections also seemed pretty limited compared to other resorts, especially BW. Lots of wine selections, though, which is a plus, although we didn't get around to buying any this trip.
Downtown Disney- I had sort of looked forward to being close to DD, because we rarely get there on our trips and I thought it would be nice to spend more time there for a change. But we did not find getting there to be convenient at all. Now, maybe there's a much easier way that I'm missing, but then I blame SSR for not making that easier way clear. The boats are practically useless- during the day they only run every hour, and don't start until late in the morning. At night they are only every half hour. So, unless your schedule matches up with the boats' schedule, you're out of luck.
The bus was an easier way to get there, but the problem with that is that the only stops are at Marketplace. If you want to go to West Side (which we did both times we went over there) you have to walk all the way there and back again. I guess there is a boat shuttle from one end to the other, but I have no idea what the schedule for that was. Anyway, taking a bus to get to the boat to get to West Side (and vice-versa to return) doesn't seem at all convenient to me.
Finally, I just didn't like the look of the place. I didn't like the concrete tunnels that pass for hallways inside the villa buildings. I didn't like the "natural swimming hole" color of the pool water. The water was immaculately clean- but it didn't look like it because of the paint on the bottom.
Okay, I've piled on enough. As I said, I know these are all highly subjective judgments and many people may love the place for the very same reasons I don't like it.
I will say, on the plus side, that the staff was wonderful. Sometimes at BCV they seem a little surly (by Disney standards, at least,) but here they were great. A minor maintenance issue was addressed promptly and satisfactorily. There are tons of great activities available for the kids, and the community center is huge with lots to do. The Turf Club looked very nice (I like the pool table!), although we didn't get to use it this trip.
Anyway, live and learn. I'm glad I'm going back to my real "home" at VWL in December.
We won't be staying at SSR again. This is because of purely aesthetic reasons- I have no complaint about the service, which was great.
Let me start by saying that the reason I love staying on property is because WDW is, for me, an escape from the "real world." I like to disappear into it and leave all thought of the outside world behind. We never have a car, we never leave the property. If we want to go to Universal or something, we stay outside WDW before we begin the Disney portion of our vacation.
The disappointment started when we first entered WDW property. We're used to staying at VWL or BCV, entering the property on the road that leads to MK. It's a really great moment for us when we pass under the gates and know that "We're finally here!"
Entering through the entrance near SSR was a different experience, entirely. There were the giant Mickey and Minnie welcoming us, as expected, but once we passed through them we found ourselves not in the familiar confines of Walt Disney World, but rather driving through an area that looked like any big commercial zone- full of non-Disney properties like Hilton, Holiday Inn, etc. We had failed to leave the "real world" as expected. In fact, from the patio of our villa we could see one of these non-Disney hotels, which was a jarring intrusion, to my way of thinking.
Anyway, once we got to the property we were ready to start the Disney feeling. Arrival was very low key. At VWL or BCV, our car is always met by a bellman who opens the door, welcomes us and starts gathering the bags. Not at SSR. A couple weeks ago someone posted how they were disappointed SSR didn't have bell service to help with your bags, and I can see now how they could get that impression. I had to get all the bags to the curb myself, with the help of our driver. Then we waited a bit before anyone approached us to see if we needed help. The staff was wonderful from that point but, again, it was not the way I'm used to our Disney stays beginning.
Okay, so we walked to the lobby to check in. If you've ever been to WL, you know what an amazing experience it is to walk into the lobby. Pure Disney. Even BCV and BWV, although not as impressive as WL, have lobbies that are hubs of activity, with lots to look at, lots going on. But at SSR the lobby is essentially a big empty room with a single carousel horse in the middle. There's nothing at all going on except a TV off to the side for kids to watch cartoons. (Due credit, here- SSR still shows classic cartoons instead of the Disney channel, which is what you get at BC.)
Again, this is just aesthetics on my part. I'm sure plenty of people prefer this lobby because it's quiet and simple. But I was disappointed. The staff were very friendly and helpful- I can't even tell you how many "Welcome Homes" we heard. I do have a complaint about how they treated us, but I believe it is the same policy at all the DVC resorts, so I won't get into it here.
Okay, this next is a big one for me- cars, in my mind, are a huge symbol of the "outside world" that I go to Disney to escape. And at SSR, the buildings are surrounded by parking lots. Every time we came in or out of our building, we had to walk through a parking lot. This is just ugly. I know the other resorts all have parking lots, but at VWL it was three stays before I even figured out where the thing was. I still couldn't really tell you where it is at BCV. When you walk around those resorts, all you see is the beautiful landscaping. At SSR you are never more than a few yards from a parking lot. Yuck. I guess if you drive, or rent a car, this is very convenient, but I hated it.
Artist's Palette- this is a very nice space. But that's about all it is. Disney has combined retail with food service, and of course thereby does neither any credit. The store has less merchandise than those at the other resorts, the restaurant has less food selection than the other resorts. And it is, of course, the ONLY dining option at the resort. (I know, you can always go to Downtown Disney- I'll get to that in a second.)
I agree that it is nice to have choices other than hamburgers and chicken fingers. But it would be nice to ALSO have hamburgers and chicken fingers available when you want/need them. My daughter isn't particularly picky for a 7-yr old, but the only thing she would eat here was the pizza, which wasn't REALLY a pizza, it was a "flat bread." This fact makes things a little difficult. (It may be that chicken fingers are available here sometimes- I thought I saw them behind the glass once, but they weren't on the menu, so who knows?)
Oh- they did have a "chicken nugget" kids meal. It was pathetic. Four little nuggets and a bag of chips. C'mon.
The grocery selections also seemed pretty limited compared to other resorts, especially BW. Lots of wine selections, though, which is a plus, although we didn't get around to buying any this trip.
Downtown Disney- I had sort of looked forward to being close to DD, because we rarely get there on our trips and I thought it would be nice to spend more time there for a change. But we did not find getting there to be convenient at all. Now, maybe there's a much easier way that I'm missing, but then I blame SSR for not making that easier way clear. The boats are practically useless- during the day they only run every hour, and don't start until late in the morning. At night they are only every half hour. So, unless your schedule matches up with the boats' schedule, you're out of luck.
The bus was an easier way to get there, but the problem with that is that the only stops are at Marketplace. If you want to go to West Side (which we did both times we went over there) you have to walk all the way there and back again. I guess there is a boat shuttle from one end to the other, but I have no idea what the schedule for that was. Anyway, taking a bus to get to the boat to get to West Side (and vice-versa to return) doesn't seem at all convenient to me.
Finally, I just didn't like the look of the place. I didn't like the concrete tunnels that pass for hallways inside the villa buildings. I didn't like the "natural swimming hole" color of the pool water. The water was immaculately clean- but it didn't look like it because of the paint on the bottom.
Okay, I've piled on enough. As I said, I know these are all highly subjective judgments and many people may love the place for the very same reasons I don't like it.
I will say, on the plus side, that the staff was wonderful. Sometimes at BCV they seem a little surly (by Disney standards, at least,) but here they were great. A minor maintenance issue was addressed promptly and satisfactorily. There are tons of great activities available for the kids, and the community center is huge with lots to do. The Turf Club looked very nice (I like the pool table!), although we didn't get to use it this trip.
Anyway, live and learn. I'm glad I'm going back to my real "home" at VWL in December.
