We purchased direct points at SSR in 2008. We have stayed there a few times over the years...
We booked a 3 BR grand Villa in January 2009, we had a studio in June 2014 and we had a two bedroom in January 2019. We've gone to Disney on average about once a year since buying
DVC in 2008 and we usually stay at AK or BW. '
We have never had any issues at SSR. We really liked our room this past January. It was clean and in great order. I do feel like it just lacks something....maybe it is charm or uniqueness....Im not sure. But, it is still VERY nice and we had no complaints.
We like the quick service in the main building and the quick service at the Paddock pool was good.
Also, SSR has 2 [or maybe 3] VERY NICE pools!
We like that you can walk to Disney Springs or take the boat. They have really upgraded Disney Springs, so it is more interesting to us than it used to be. We like the dining and shopping and places to stop for a nice drink {Jock Lindseys, the Edison and the MoriMoto Asia bar}. Our kids are old enough to go on their own to do things now so that helps with all the bar hopping my hubby and I like to do...
We had a two bedroom in the Paddock section in the 5500 series of buildings. We were close to the bus and it always had seats available [even in the busy time of January 1-5] and we were close to a nice pool that had a quick service spot. I will request this section again. We had a standard category room - not a preferred category.
What I AM SUPER DUPER EXCITED about at SSR, is the upcoming renovations that start in 2019. They should start around May. If the updates to BC, BW and OKW are any indication of how SSR will look, I am thrilled! I hope we see some concept art SOON!!! I am on the look out! I am hoping this makeover will give SSR that "sparkle / shine / pixie dust" I personally miss from it. Please dont get me wrong. I like SSR and would NEVER hesitate to book it, but I get ***SUPER*** excited about AK and BW and just feel happy about SSR. I have heard the renovation may feature some new kind of pull out beds / Murphy style beds [or similar] so maybe this will increase room occupancy or just make beds more comfy.
Another thing I like about SSR is the
point charts. We can stay there and not use up millions of points. I like the newer resorts [GF, PLY, BLT] but their
points charts are much higher per night. And I'd rather go more often or stay longer or have a bigger room...and SSR allows me to do that... (if you get a standard category....the preferred category is more but still not a ridiculous amount of points)
Also, lots of people complain about SSR buses. We have never had any issue with buses there to a greater degree than we have in other places. In our last visit on Jan 1 - 5 in the super busy time frame right after New years Eve when the parks were really crowded, we had one time where we had to wait 40 minutes. But that has happened at plenty of resorts in the past. To me the Disney buses are just slow and packed these days no matter what resort you are traveling to and from. We've had bad transportation experiences at every resort on various trips. When I am in a bind to get some place, I just drive or call Uber or Lyft. Once we booked Poly to be on the monorail and the &^#%$@< thing was BROKEN the WHOLE time! So I am learning not to get overly focused on what transportation I will use --- nothing is guaranteed...
Also, as a long term DVC member I am learning that just b/c I didnt get to book a certain resort, that is ok. I can stay there next time or the next time or the next time....
Hope this helps.....I will be anxiously awaiting news on the refurb!!!!!!!!
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