Has anyone changed their opinion of SSR?

[Paticake]

We do own at SSR. Our first stay was there in Nov.2004. Stayed in Congress Park area(2bdrm), we really enjoyed it. We never got over to the main area though, which was fine. My only thought at the time was that the bus rides to the parks took a little longer. We stayed at BWV (studio)(sv) waitlist came through, in Apr.2005. Really liked it. In Nov.2005 we stayed 1 night at SSR(Springs area)(2 bdrm)and then switched to BWV.(2 bdrm) I was shocked when I checked into BWV and told my husband I liked SSR more. I do love BWV location though! We stayed at VWL in a studio in Jan. Enjoyed that too. Some friends joined us for 1 night and we put them at OKW and went over to check that out. Very nice! I wanted to see a (2 bdrm) for future reference but none were available at that time. WE are going back to SSR in Nov. and we are really looking forward to it. I guess that I will be happy wherever I stay at WDW!! We will be trying OKW in Jan.2007 and hopefully VB in Oct. 2007. (PS) my brother and his family loooved SSR. They are joining us again in Nov. With young children they enjoyed walking over to DTD in the evenings. Our son and his wife bought at SSR in Nov. and we really look forward to a grand villa one day! Sorry so long and rambling!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I can't say that staying at SSR changed my opinion of the resort, because prior to staying there, I had no opinion. Although I'd seen some pictures and wasn't wowed, I reserved an opinion until I stayed there. I was not impressed. We had a really nice view of PI and the boats to DTD (we were the closest building to the walkway to DTD but I can't remember what that area's called). However, it was a long hike to the main building for food, and unlike at OKW, I felt like we were trouping through parking lots, past the tennis courts-it just wasn't the pretty stroll I hoped for. Also, I didn't like Artist Palette. The theming, and especially those overhead lamps (who bought those?) just felt very cold to us, as well as the fact that although there were very few people there when we were, there were lots of dirty tables. Although I didn't strongly dislike SSR, I can honestly say it would be my last choice of DVC resorts.

 

[shantay1008]

Here's the thing. We bought at SSR and expected to like it, and then we stayed there and we did like it. It is in our best interest to have a blast at SSR since we own there, and we managed to do just that.

I think we have some very different perspectives at play on these threads. We have people like me who bought at SSR with eyes wide open and think it's just great and wouldn't have (I hope) bought there if we didn't like it. We've already made ourselves at home there and have our list of things we can't wait to do when we go back.

But then there's another group who bought at other DVC resorts and are afraid they're going to be forced to stay at SSR, a resort they don't like very much.

I feel for you, but I don't know what you really hope to accomplish here. You're not going to convince those of us who bought SSR because we like it not to like it. Pointing out things you don't like won't really help your cause...and will just make you seem like a sort of buzz-killer.

So it seems to me that you need to work with DVC management to figure out what to do if you find yourself "stuck" in a resort you don't like. I'm not saying there's not room for improvement at any of the resorts, and conversations to that effect can be really interesting and productive, but I just don't think the current approach is very effective.

Shannon

 

[crisi]

crisi unless you book every dvc trip the next 30 years, 210+ days in advance, you WILL be staying at SSR. The numbers dictate this........

sorry.....

I book all my vacations eleven months out. I don't see that as changing, I've always known a year or more in advance when I'm going to take a trip. If that weren't the case, I'd sell my timeshare since I don't think timeshares are a good choice for non-planners.

I agree that if I wait, I'll end up booking my non-home resort - and SSR will be the only choice if I wait long enough. That isn't my intention, and honestly, I'll rent my points for the cost of dues (cheap points) and pay cash to stay at the Poly before I stay at SSR.

 

[jaysue]

This is an interesting thread

I decided to add on at SSR (DW wanted to add on at BCV which we already owned) - I convinced her that the extra 12 years would be good for the kids some day and it would be nice to own more towards the other Orlando attractions as opposed to be in the middle of WDW.

I bought there thinking ok it is a good price with good offers and the extra 12 years a kicker.

I was not expecting anything great - not a big DTD fan, and not a fan of the what on paper I saw of the design etc. DW was downright dismissive and a sceptical of the place.

And then sure enough we stayed there for the first time end of Dec 05 until Jan 2. Now DW really likes it - says it is her #2 fav DVC on WDW property after BCV - I like it as well (even though I would rank it after BCV, BWV and tie it with VWL overall). We liked the colours of the buildings and the decor of the rooms - the no parking lot views, the fountains, pathways, gardens and nice quiet pools and easy car access. We like High Rock Springs Pool as well and thought it is a great pool for the kids. We even like Artists Palette and that whole dining concept cross between counter service and restaurant feeling.

In short we went in thinking it would be just ok and went out thinking hey it is actually quite nice

We are thinking of adding there (and thinking of Fairfield Bonnet Creek as well)

Cheers
jaysue

 

[crisi]

I want to ask people this question:

If SSR is where BWV is, would you love SSR? And if BWV is where SSR is, would you still praise so high about BWV?

No. Location is one of my issues with SSR, but the bigger issue is that I HATE the decor. I think its realllllyyyyyy ruggggglllllyyyy! Its sort of the irrationalism that keeps people away from the BWVs due to the scary clown slide. You don't need to agree with my taste - its a matter of opinion. But I'd claw my eyes out if I needed to stay in that room for a week.

I also don't like the exterior hallways and think its important that the public areas of the resort be attached to the rooms - I'm not fond of the "modular" resorts or outside hallways.

If BWV had a different location, I wouldn't like it as much, and we'd own VWL. I'm not overly fond of the decor or theme of BWV (but I love the location). However, I love the decor and theme of VWL (and not overly fond of the location).

 

[jaysue]

I book all my vacations eleven months out. I don't see that as changing, I've always known a year or more in advance when I'm going to take a trip. If that weren't the case, I'd sell my timeshare since I don't think timeshares are a good choice for non-planners.

I agree that if I wait, I'll end up booking my non-home resort - and SSR will be the only choice if I wait long enough. That isn't my intention, and honestly, I'll rent my points for the cost of dues (cheap points) and pay cash to stay at the Poly before I stay at SSR.

Now that is a clear statement - DW feels the same way about OKW - she would rather stay at lots of places before OKW - says it feels too much like a condo - different strokes for different folks makes a market

Cheers
jaysue

 

[lts862]

For background: I had expressed interest in DVC but knew that DH and I could not afford it for a while (we had gone through years of expensive fertility treatments and just completed our 2nd international adoption) so the majority of our savings went for those things. We did not want to finance. I figured that we would take trips to Disney every other year or so and seemed content with that.

Our ownership/membership at SSR was actually a gift from my father. We were on a trip to WDW and my dad had been inquiring about DVC at the kiosks in the parks and at GF where we were staying, after I mentioned to him that I thought it was a really great program. He made an appointment to tour and asked me to come along.

We toured for SSR while at the Boardwalk. I thought that SSR was nice, I didn't fall in love with it but thought that it was nice. We had a no pressure tour and were being sold on the 12 extra years. The other resorts were mentioned as other options on site but that SSR would be our home. My Dad decided to purchase points that day as a gift for his new and very much wanted grandchildren (his only 2, by the way).

He was so happy to purchase this gift and had been to Saratoga, NY a few times and really liked it so he was especially thrilled that it was modeled after the town in NY. He came home and bought more points a few months later! My family was grateful for the generous gift.

I had read some negative things on these boards and was nervous about our first trip home. We had used our initial points for a quick getaway to the Poly. (I know, but when you're a newbie, and SSR was not yet open...). We took our first trip and were very impressed with the grounds and accomodations. (I am a hotel snob so I was worried but very pleased with the decor, furniture, etc.). Each trip, as the resort has grown, has pleased us more and more.

Maybe someday we will stay at one of the other resorts, but for now are very pleased and proud to stay at our home. I liked the resort when it was purchased but LOVED it when we stayed there.

I'd like to see the Turf Club become a nice sitdown restaurant and would enjoy poolside dining for those days when we are having a pool day. We do like AP, though.

So that is our story. I guess my family changed our opinion from like to love of SSR.

 

[Sammie]

Our first trip was the summer it opened. We were impressed then and are still impressed after other visits and have one booked again for the summer.

It is everything our family wants in a vacation resort.

 

[Jen D]

Also, I didn't like Artist Palette. The theming, and especially those overhead lamps (who bought those?)

I love the lighting fixtures at Artists Palette! I guess it is all a matter of taste!

 

[crisi]

I love the lighting fixtures at Artists Palette! I guess it is all a matter of taste!

I love those too. In fact, I think the public areas of the resort are beautiful, and I think the exterior is nice and will be gorgeous when the landscaping comes in. Had they carried the "arts and crafts" theme into the rooms, I would be all over the resort - instead of the insipid "1970s living room" theme.

It may be that I was so excited over the exterior pictures, and then the public area drawings that I'm so disappointed in the room decor.

 

[La2kw]

We had no desire to ever stay at SSR, let alone buy points there. I couldn't understand why anyone would ever want to buy points there. For us, OKW was always our favorite resort to stay at and the other DVC's while nice, just didn't compare. We were forced to stay there last summer and were surprised at how much we loved the resort. It's different than OKW, yet similar to it as well. We absolutely loved being within walking distance to DD where we could easily catch any resort bus to resort hop, or just have dinner or go shopping. We loved being within walking distance to Ghiradelli's and Disneyquest. With teens, that is a definite plus. We thought the furnishings were the nicest out of all the DVC resorts. The pool was great, and having Artist Pallette was great as well. We ended up loving that resort so much, we added on for the first time since buying OKW many years ago.

 

[La2kw]

Here's the thing. We bought at SSR and expected to like it, and then we stayed there and we did like it. It is in our best interest to have a blast at SSR since we own there, and we managed to do just that.

I think we have some very different perspectives at play on these threads. We have people like me who bought at SSR with eyes wide open and think it's just great and wouldn't have (I hope) bought there if we didn't like it. We've already made ourselves at home there and have our list of things we can't wait to do when we go back.

But then there's another group who bought at other DVC resorts and are afraid they're going to be forced to stay at SSR, a resort they don't like very much.

I feel for you, but I don't know what you really hope to accomplish here. You're not going to convince those of us who bought SSR because we like it not to like it. Pointing out things you don't like won't really help your cause...and will just make you seem like a sort of buzz-killer.

So it seems to me that you need to work with DVC management to figure out what to do if you find yourself "stuck" in a resort you don't like. I'm not saying there's not room for improvement at any of the resorts, and conversations to that effect can be really interesting and productive, but I just don't think the current approach is very effective.

Shannon

Very good points. I don't understand why someone who hates a resort so much wouldn't just sell their points and buy resale somewhere they think is better. I sure wouldn't hang onto something I hated. Of course if they did that, then they probably wouldn't have anything to talk about and would not get the attention they seem to crave.

 

[TomD]

We bought at SSR. We will be staying there Memorial Day Weekend. My kids like DTD alot. It is one of the 1st things we do on the day we arrive.

I will post my feelings on SSR when we return. I won't allow someone elses opinion to cloud my judgement.

 

[conciergekelly]

Yes, I changed my mind.

When I made the appointment to see DVC they were selling BCV but by the time I got down there they were only selling SSR. BCV had sold out that week. ( I didn't know about resale or DVC inventory). I had my heart set on an Epoct resort. I figured that Disney does everything so well I am sure I would like it well enough. I have since tried all of the onsite DVC resorts. While I love them all and have no problem with any of them, I feel that SSR suits my teen/ preteen family the best. We just love it there. I was surprise because I really thought an Ecot resort was where we would be happiest. Nope. Our family is going to SSR for the second time this year (and the fourth time since we've joined) in July, by choice, not because that is all that was left.

 

[SusanWasHere]

Very good points. I don't understand why someone who hates a resort so much wouldn't just sell their points and buy resale somewhere they think is better. I sure wouldn't hang onto something I hated. Of course if they did that, then they probably wouldn't have anything to talk about and would not get the attention they seem to crave.

couldn't agree with you more

 

[conciergekelly]

Very good points. I don't understand why someone who hates a resort so much wouldn't just sell their points and buy resale somewhere they think is better. I sure wouldn't hang onto something I hated. Of course if they did that, then they probably wouldn't have anything to talk about and would not get the attention they seem to crave.

I wish they would sell and put us all out of their misery.

....just joking!

 

[fishermouse]

DVC had a responsibility here to keep SSR a similiar size to the other DVC Resorts. By going over board they have done us all a disservice. Plan ahead or SSR will be your only option.


DAVE

WHY? Their first responsibility is to make money for their shareholders.,, It is the responsibility of the purchaser to read thier contract and do a little research before signing. I bought the first week SSR went on sale and new about the possibility of the third phase.
To answer the original post I guess I changed my mind about SSR it's even better than I thought. I had intended to stay at the other resorts more, but it's hard to go any where else.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

We own at SSR and haven't even had our 'first trip home' yet but thought the resort was beautiful when we went for our tour and can't wait to experience it (along with OKW and BWV this trip - time to stay in one place after we've experienced them all!!)..... Have been reading all the posts here trying to get info on all the resorts and perhaps I'm too simple but really how bad can any Disney resort be when we are fortunate enough to BE at DISNEY! I see so many families that I know will never get the chance to experience Disney and count myself and my children lucky that we will have that magical vacation for the next 40-something years!!

I won't let opinions cloud my judgement and will be happy to let you know what I think when we return in October - can't see me complaining about anything though b/c we will BE in DISNEY.

 

[Galahad]

Didn't really have an opinion before we stayed there. After we stayed there we were definitely disappointed. Just not a good addition to DVC, IMO.