Good news for SSR fans

[RweTHEREyet]

We arrive at SSR in 11 days and I'm afraid those will be my feelings as well. We never intended on staying at SSR but when you do a last minute trip during the summer...you take what is available. But I'm hoping I'm surprised and don't have the feelings you described.

Is there a way to walk to DTD from SSR??

Hey, I am sorry we are going to miss you by a few days. We are leaving tomorrow morning and returning on the 7th. This will be our 4th stay at SSR, and we really like it. I love the decor of the rooms and the surroundings are lovely, in my opinion. SSR is different from all other DVC properties, but to me, that is nice. True, the location is not as convenient to EPCOT, but they can't all be.

And yes there is a walkway to DTD, it only takes a few minutes, not bad at all, and I am not an avid walker (bummer for a Disney freak).

Hope you guys have a great trip and that you appreciate SSR for all it offers and not what it doesn't. At least it is not dark like Wilderness Lodge.

 

[littlestar]

I LOVE OKW's tropical colors also. It feels like Florida with all the palm trees. I guess the reason why I like OKW over SSR is because of the Florida feel. It just feels beachy, florida feeling at OKW to me. And I don't own there. We own at VWL, BCV, and BWV because of the resort feel. But, I make an exception for OKW. It's so darling.

It's funny that you stated it feels too much like the outside world is intruding at SSR. That's exactly what I told my husband after we got back Memorial Day weekend. We stayed at OKW, but picked up passengers through Magical Express at SSR. It feels like too much of the "outside" is close to me. And I don't like that the general public can access it so easily. We saw people walking over from the downtown disney hotels to SSR. And we heard people talking about catching a bus from SSR to the parks. We heard this while waiting for our OKW bus at Downtown Disney. My husband said he wonders if Disney will have to gate the access later for room cards (like Vero does from the public beach). Of course, anyone with a multi-day pass is entitled to use the buses.

 

[DemoBri1]

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.)

More than likely this has to do with BWV, BCV, and VWL being attached to regular resorts. I'd like to hear from an OKW owner as to whether or not Bell Services meets and greets you like the other 3 resorts being that OKW is an entity unto itself.

Brian

 

[llp479]

Bell Services meets you as you arrive at OKW. They have always been extremely helpful. In fact, I don't really notice much of a difference when we arrive at OKW or BWV when it comes to the bell service staff.

 

[Galahad]

More than likely this has to do with BWV, BCV, and VWL being attached to regular resorts. I'd like to hear from an OKW owner as to whether or not Bell Services meets and greets you like the other 3 resorts being that OKW is an entity unto itself.

Brian

12 Year OKW owner here and we will be at SSR for the first time next month. We LOVE OKW and any similarities will make SSR good for us. I'll add my 2 cents after that trip. Really looking forward to it!

We really had fun years ago taking the classes at the Disney Institute (what SSR used to be). We'll really miss that, but I understand that the fitness club at SSR is the same one from the DI. If so, it is an incredible place.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I'd like to hear from an OKW owner as to whether or not Bell Services meets and greets you like the other 3 resorts being that OKW is an entity unto itself.

Yes....IF you pull up to the lobby circle driveway. We don't always do this though. Often times I'll park in the lot on the side and walk inside and check-in. We have used the Bells service to store our luggage on occasion. Generally, we just prefer to keep the luggage in our van until our room is ready. But the option for guests to use full service of the BH's is readily available. I've always seen no less than 2-3 Bell Hops standing outside the OKW lobby with a smile and a greet.
I've read entirely different experiences from guests who have stayed at SSR. Seems either they're there and very helpful or not there at all Maybe because they're a fairly new resort and not fully open (aka still in construction ?)

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

It is rather easy to get to Downtown Disney, and the walk from all builidngs currently open is no further than the walk from BWV to the International Gateway at Epcot. From the closest building you can reach DTD in 5 min or less on foot.

Synonymous: Sorry you didn't enjoy your trip more. I agree with Diane--different strokes!

Definitely easy. Maybe they were directed to the west sides path which is much longer of a walk. We found that anjoyable too since it goes next to the golf course a bit.

As far as the dining selections I was concerned too when we first visited but the menu is awesome but it had to grow on me. I like that it is designed for a more sophisticated palette then the average bugers, fries, pizza thing. It is more of what you would expect at a spa. according to the DVC rep we spoke with in Feb they are definitely adding on a full service restaurant. We will see.

 

[Synonymous]

I'm glad to hear the walk isn't bad- that would make things a bit easier. The weather was so hot, we were afraid to try it. Front desk told us ten minutes, but other guests told us it was actually a long walk, so I didn't want to risk it. It looked to me like it SHOULD be a short walk. If the weather was cooler I would have given it a try.

Somebody mentioned the front bell staff not being helpful- I don't want to give the wrong impression. They were VERY good once we came to their attention. But there don't seem to be as many of them out front as at the other resorts, so it took a little while for them to get to us.

 

[bongo59]

We arrive at SSR in 11 days and I'm afraid those will be my feelings as well. We never intended on staying at SSR but when you do a last minute trip during the summer...you take what is available. But I'm hoping I'm surprised and don't have the feelings you described.

Is there a way to walk to DTD from SSR??

we arrive at SSR on 6/12 and it will be our 4th time back............we own at every resort and find that each one is different and offers different vacations..........we love the change............and sometimes even the forced change of a new resort grows on you after a while..............we used to be creatures of habit with respect to DVC but we really have opened our eyes to other alternatives with our DVC ownership.........i think you'll evolve over time like most long termers have done.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Bongo says : we used to be creates of habit with respect to DVC but we really have opened our eyes to other alternatives with our DVC ownership.........i think you'll evolve over time like most long termers have done.

Well said.....after all, how can you go wrong with a DVC resort
We're able to see the beauty of each one. I'd be happy to stay in any of them

 

[fkj2]

The walk from SSR to DTD is fine if your room is in one of the first buildings opened. I think it will be a horrendous hike for those guests quartered much further away and nearly impossible for guests in those most outer buildings still under construction, unless the resort institutes some form of internal transportation so that guests can ride to the stop nearest the walkway.

As for the bell services: When I called for a luggage pick-up at the end of April, there was only one bellcap working. It seems that DVC wasn't anticipating that SSR would come online so quickly and they were expecting additional help to be inserviced in the near future. They had over 400 rooms opened. That, however, did not help me, and I ended up dragging my (now full of souveiners) luggage quite some distance to the Carriage House to catch a Mears bus. Thank goodness the humidity wasn't too bad.

I don't think SSR can be compared to OKW at all. Yes, the accommodations are nice, but I think it's just going to be too big.

 

[CharlesTD]

We pool hopped over to SSR and checked the place out we absolutely love it and are glad we added on there. We like the proximity to DTD and the easy access via walking path to get there. The boat started at 11 AM and ran on the hour same as they do @ OKW. We can't wait for our stay there next Dec after we get back from the cruise now that I am not looking foreward to.

 

[Mississippian]

And that is why it is so nice to have the variety offered by DVC. You don't HAVE to stay there again if you don't like it.

Actually this isn't correct. DVC is flooding the market with an absolutely inferior product. A very substantial percentage of SSR purchasers really don't want to stay there. So unless we can make our reservations seven months out, it will be very difficult to use our points on a decent resorts, and so we will HAVE to stay at SSR. Yuk!

 

[Disneylovers]

We checked out our "home" last August, and made the walk to DTD a couple of times. My younger DD is disabled, so she's a slow walker, yet we made the trip in under 10 minutes. Now, granted, we were in one of the first buildings opened, so we were closer to the walkway. For those staying in the farther away buildings, there's always the bus, which, if memory serves me, will make a stop at Congress Parkway, which is close to the walkway.

 

[tjkraz]

A very substantial percentage of SSR purchasers really don't want to stay there.

I'd be curious to hear your source on this one.

Alas, I suspect you've already dropped your bomb and disappeared into the ether.

 

[Mississippian]

I'd be curious to hear your source on this one.

Alas, I suspect you've already dropped your bomb and disappeared into the ether.

Tjkraz,
I visited the Beach Club on rented points in February. Since that time I have purchased 200 points at BWV, which is my first purchase. While at the BCV I met two different couples going to and from the parks who had purchased at SSR but did so mainly in hopes of staying at other resorts. I have also read quite a few posts on these boards from other SSR purchasers who have said the same thing.
I realize that tastes can differ, but it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that for MOST people resorts such as BCV, BWV and VWL are far more appealing than SSR. I realize that some people don't like eating out or having easy access to the parks, and for them SSR might be a great option.
But for the rest of us, the sheer volume of SSR units is going to be terrible, and will make it very difficult to get a non-SSR reservation within the seven-month window.

 

[tjkraz]

The walk from SSR to DTD is fine if your room is in one of the first buildings opened. I think it will be a horrendous hike for those guests quartered much further away and nearly impossible for guests in those most outer buildings still under construction...

As I said in my earlier post, guests staying in the buildings open now (Congress Park and The Springs) as well as several of the buildings in The Paddock should have no problem making the walk in 15 minutes or less. In other words, it's no more "impossible" than the walk from the Boardwalk to Epcot or MGM.

Direct bus service is provided for those unwilling or unable to make the walk.

...unless the resort institutes some form of internal transportation so that guests can ride to the stop nearest the walkway.

Right now, EVERY bus is an internal bus. All busses entering the resort stop just outside the Carriage House, proceed to Congress Park, and then circle around to The Springs.

As for the bell services: When I called for a luggage pick-up at the end of April, there was only one bellcap working. It seems that DVC wasn't anticipating that SSR would come online so quickly and they were expecting additional help to be inserviced in the near future.

If someone at the resort told you that, they were full of you-know-what. The resort development schedule has been known for some time, and there is no reason why staffing issues should have arisen as units opened. In fact, the buildings in The Springs were originally slated to begin opening in January, and were later pushed-back to March.

They had over 400 rooms opened.

That's a little high. As of April there were 6 buildings open. At 46 units per building, there were about 276 units open.

I don't think SSR can be compared to OKW at all. Yes, the accommodations are nice, but I think it's just going to be too big.

"Too big" in what sense? The footprint of the land is just about identical to Old Key West. There will be about 60% more rooms, but each building is several times the size of a building at OKW.

But with only about 800 units, SSR will be the third or fourth SMALLEST of the 20+ Disney owned and operated resorts on site.

 

[tjkraz]

Tjkraz,
I visited the Beach Club on rented points in February. Since that time I have purchased 200 points at BWV, which is my first purchase. While at the BCV I met two different couples going to and from the parks who had purchased at SSR but did so mainly in hopes of staying at other resorts.

Two comments:

1. That hardly makes them unique. Most people who have bought direct from DVC bought whichever resort was offered at the time. There are owners at every resort who dislike their Home and consistenly stay elsewhere
2. I'm no statistician, but I don't really think that conversations with two couples is a good basis for concluding that "A very substantial percentage of SSR purchasers really don't want to stay there."

I have also read quite a few posts on these boards from other SSR purchasers who have said the same thing.

And I can confidently say that there are many, many times that number of reports from SSR owners who were thrilled with their Home and look forward to many years of staying there. There are also many reports from non-SSR owners who loved their stay and look forward to returning.

I realize that tastes can differ, but it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that for MOST people resorts such as BCV, BWV and VWL are far more appealing than SSR.

Please open your eyes and realize that your idea of "far more appealing" does not necessarily match that of 90,000 others.

* Do BCV or VWL have a Community Hall?
* Do BCV or VWL have Grand Villas?
* Do any of those resorts have parking right outside of the unit?
* Do any of those resorts have a golf clubhouse on property?
* Are any of those resorts within walking distance of Downtown Disney?
* Do any of those resorts have a spa / workout facility even remotely comparable to SSR?
* Do any of those resorts have in-room furnishings that can hold a candle to SSR? (Speaking as someone who's stayed at BCV, BWV and SSR, the answer is "no")
* Do any of those resorts have a basketball court? (Not a huge issue but I play 3+ times per week so it's important to me.)

Why are BWV, BCV and VWL so inferior in the areas detailed above? If you want to talk inferior, take a look at the (not so) prime real estate on which the Beach Club and Wilderness Lodge Villas were constructed. Heck, I'll take any room at SSR over the BCV "road view" or the VWL "dumpster view."

Even if you want to debate transportation, we usually have a car while on vacation. I can drive from SSR to MGM faster than you can walk there from BCV.

I realize that some people don't like eating out or having easy access to the parks, and for them SSR might be a great option.
But for the rest of us, the sheer volume of SSR units is going to be terrible, and will make it very difficult to get a non-SSR reservation within the seven-month window.

Well, then let me throw a monkey into your wrench. I fall into the "rest of us" category, but will be staying at SSR even more in the future after my recent lackluster visit to BWV. Go figure.

Will it get harder to book those resorts inside of 7 months? Sure will. But you've got you 7 month window and that's all that was ever promised. To imply that BCV, BWV and VWL will be near 100% capacity before there are any significant bookings at SSR is ludicrous. And, if you're actually convinced that will happen, it sounds like you made the mistake in buying in the first place.

If you choose to refer to SSR as an "inferior product" and imply that it is not among the "decent" resorts, just realize that you represent a group of ONE. You aren't even an SSR owner yourself, so I don't see how you can claim to speak for that "very substantial percentage" of owners.

 

[mamatojon]

tjkraz, I'm fairly new here and not really one for online debates, but I just wanted to chime in to fully agree with everything you just said. I for one am very excited about being a SSR owner, it all comes down to personal preferences.

Mississippian, If I took every negative comment I read online about WDW or DL as gospel, I'd never go there. The nature of commenting on anything is that people will mostly complain, not rave. I'm sure if you went to SSR and started talking to people staying there you'd have more people than not saying they love the place. Why on earth would somebody plop down 14K plus on something they hate to *maybe* get something they like? And if that is what people are doing then they really should have thought through the purchase a bit better.

 

[MiaSRN62]

If you choose to refer to SSR as an "inferior product" and imply that it is not among the "decent" resorts, just realize that you represent a group of ONE.

I have to agree with Tjkraz on this.

I realize that tastes can differ, but it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that for MOST people resorts such as BCV, BWV and VWL are far more appealing than SSR.

Think this is blown out of proportion. "Far more appealing" I'm sure there is a good percentage of folks that would disagree. Who are you speaking for ? The major percentage of DVC Members don't even know about this board most likely. From what I see here, each of the resorts has it's fan-base pretty equally spread.

Mississippian says : it will be very difficult to use our points on a decent resorts, and so we will HAVE to stay at SSR. Yuk!

Ok, maybe you'll be a little disappointed that you didn't get BWV or wherever......but "yuk" is pretty darn harsh to say about SSR. It's a beautiful resort/spa that I'd bet many a wdw guest wish they could stay at. Have you even stayed there ? It's a shame that some people can't appreciate some things. Timeshares, in general, are designed for people making plans well in advance anyway. They don't work as well for those making plans at the 3-5 month mark (particularily during busy times). This is why Members get a 4 month lead on their "home" resorts. Maybe more diligent planning will be in order in the near future, but I don't feel any Member will get "stuck" with a "yuk" resort if their first choice is not available. DVC resorts are top notch places.