How do we improve SSR?

[MrShiny]

I think a Kids' Club would be great. There really isn't one in the DTD area - like the otherr clubs, it could be open to other resort guests. The location would be ideal - right by DTD, so it would make perfect sense for parents wanting to do PI.

A teens area would be good too. A place supervised where teens too young for PI alone could hang out.

Why not make the theatre just a big kids/teens complex (the two age groups seperated of course!)?

 

[lovetoseemickey]

Here are some of my ideas-- pony rides, golf carts, Stormalong Bay type pool area, child care center, and more restaurant options.

 

[bpmorley]

Has anyone read anything about Phase III. On another post they're talking about 2 more quiet pools, a couple of snack bars at those pools and another small themed pool. anyone heard any of these rumors?

 

[pb4ugo]

since the theme of ssr is 'health, history and horses' [i think], i sorta feel that anything to be added to the resort should be in keeping with same...ergo, no stormalong bay type theme pool in my design...but i could be convinced to go along with a lazy river concept for the additional theme pool...and could stretch the concept to include a whitewater area and/or an area for kayaking...that's part of the water sports around saratoga, n.y.

might also consider adding a rock climbing area on property since that is an activity to be found in the real saratoga springs area, too.

i do not want ssr to become a mini theme park...nor do i want it to take on the activity of a boardwalk area...i do want it to keep the attitude of sophistication of the old saratoga springs community that hosted the railroad magnates and philanthropists at the turn of the century.

a gazebo with evening concerts and a 'sundae' social with ice cream and tea cakes and a rousing game of croquet would be the kind of activities i'd like to enjoy there.

and maybe for the kids we could use the theatre to host karoke contests and a game show on the order of 'so you want to be a cast member' - encouraging the kids to assume the roles of the entertainers in the parks and shows like the hoop dee doo review or disney characters. or maybe it could be turned into a mini planetarium where we could all go to the 'wish upon a star' program in the evening.

that's my .02 for tonite.

 

[CarolA]

I happen to like it the way it is.

 

[bom_noite]

I did not want to post as I have posted the same info 3 times before - but - since people may look at this post to get ideas - I will add them here as well:

My wife and I went to check out SSR the 2nd week it was open. We loved the pool area - we loved some of the detail within the resort as well.

We took a walk from the pool area in to the "square" area adjacent to the pool and were dissapointed when we found - it was empty! What a fantastic space!

We immediately said: "This area is screaming for a restaurant, bar, ice cream shop, pool hall, barber shop, etc., etc., etc." We envisioned an area like Main Street USA - call it "Uptown Saratoga". If they did this I think it would immediately become a main gathering place for folks!

I think the issue is that DVC felt that since SSR was so close to DD that thes type of services would not be required.

Dean suggested on another post that a "Members Only" restaurant would work - and I felt that a Fantastic idea! A slightly stripped down Victoria and Alberts that becomes a "Must" for all DVC folks. I would go on to suggest that those staying at SSR would get first shot at reservations. (NOTE: This might be impractical for Disney Dining - but - you could integrate this in to the DVC web page).

For those that enjoy the Epcot festival - why not use this restaurant for Wine tastings and bring in celebrity chef's? That might help establish SSR as the "in place" during this event!

I personally do not think the Theme is the issue at SSR! That, they got right! I personally think that they just now need to add some things so that SSR will reach it's full potential!

 

[bom_noite]

So, is this thread going to be passed on to SSR?

This is a very productive thread - and I agree that the folks at DVC may be interested in this information.

I would suggest that after a week that specific ideas gathered on this thread be used to create a second poll. Then, all of this information be collected and sent to them.

I would be happy to take on such a task - but - I think it would be more appropriate that an SSR owner do this (as I am not).

 

[bpmorley]

Who has been to SSR lately? We haven't been there since June. I remember when we bought we were given a questionaire about what we would like to see. It asked if we would like a full restaurant at SSR, being we were so close to DTD we answered no. Well during a 10 day stay, we wished there was one. DTD was great, but we just wanted to hang out at the pool and not have to walk or take the boat to DTD. When we were leaving we mentioned this to the lady at the counter and she said they would mail us another questionaire. Well now they are building a new restaurant, so I guess they will take members suggestions.

 

[DrTomorrow]

First, ITA with the comment that every DVC resort would benefit from "all of the above" - can't have too much of those kinds of amenities.

Second, with regard to pools - has anyone every actually been to SSR and found that the theme pool (HRS) was too crowded to use? Not the "well, I'm certain that when the entire resort is complete that the planned pools won't be enough" crowd, but someone who has actually been unable to use the pool.

Finally, regarding the restaurant: bpmorley, it would have made no sense at all to open a full service sit-down restaurant at SSR when there was only one (or only a few) buildings open. It also strains credulity to believe that DVC never planned on a full service restaurant at a resort of SSR's size, regardless of the proximity to DTD. IMHO, a FS restaurant was always in the plans, simply waiting for the customer base to reach sufficient size.

IMHO - YMMV

 

[tjhsr]

We have stayed 1x in may 2x in oct and 2x in feb. but not during the summer months. We have never had a problem with the being unable to use any of the pools.I still think the pools planned will be enough for everyone.Also part of why we bought into SSR was it would give us a break from everything Disney.We love WDW but its nice to just relax and enjoy and not have a theme park at the resort.

 

[Forever a Princess]

Like others have said it would be great if
1. A signature upscale restaurant opened on SSR property.
2. A huge themed pool with a pool bar that would rival that of say the pool bar at AKL.

Another ideas would be
More frequent boat pick up/drop off times to Downtown Disney. Especially needed during the day. Maybe make it like every 15 minutes starting later in the morning like the Riverside does (I forget what time the boats start running from POR and POFQ to downtown disney but it works so well).

 

[bpmorley]

Finally, regarding the restaurant: bpmorley, it would have made no sense at all to open a full service sit-down restaurant at SSR when there was only one (or only a few) buildings open. It also strains credulity to believe that DVC never planned on a full service restaurant at a resort of SSR's size, regardless of the proximity to DTD. IMHO, a FS restaurant was always in the plans, simply waiting for the customer base to reach sufficient size.

IMHO - YMMV

I remember when we were touring the place in 04 before we bought. We were told that there would be no full service restaurant. That's what make me think that enough owners brought this point up and they did something about it.

 

[RCM]

First, ITA with the comment that every DVC resort would benefit from "all of the above" - can't have too much of those kinds of amenities.

Second, with regard to pools - has anyone every actually been to SSR and found that the theme pool (HRS) was too crowded to use? Not the "well, I'm certain that when the entire resort is complete that the planned pools won't be enough" crowd, but someone who has actually been unable to use the pool.

IMHO - YMMV

Yes...I was there last Easter and when we were checking in there was not one place to sit or move. We just stayed at the quiet pool because we didn't have anyone under the age of 15 yrs. old but this year we will have 6 children 5 yrs. and under so we will try it very early or very late.

Pool may be large enough its just seating is a big problem.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Yes...I was there last Easter and when we were checking in there was not one place to sit or move. We just stayed at the quiet pool because we didn't have anyone under the age of 15 yrs. old but this year we will have 6 children 5 yrs. and under so we will try it very early or very late.

Pool may be large enough its just seating is a big problem.

We spent a lot of time at the SSR last July and never had a problem finding 2 lounge chairs but maybe we just got lucky everyday or they added chairs. Due to the heat during July I only went to a park several times because it is a lot more relaxing for me to be at the pool reading and swimming. I hope they add more chairs as necessary and also some more umbrellas.

 

[PinkTink63]

Oooh an ice cream shop would be great too. Even if it is a mini one.

Now you're talkin! You can never have too many ice cream places, in my opinion!
That is right up there with "You can never have too many shoes!" IMA!

 

[mydogdrew]

Have they announced a second themed pool? My understanding is that was not in the original plan. Perhaps they need this to sell out the resort but I can't see why they would add this at the end of the development?

The new restaurant will be a good location but does not sound like fine dining to me. Just casual, right?

Surely you don't think they are going to invest DVC capital in these improvements after the resort is sold out?

 

[bpmorley]

Have they announced a second themed pool? My understanding is that was not in the original plan. Perhaps they need this to sell out the resort but I can't see why they would add this at the end of the development?

The new restaurant will be a good location but does not sound like fine dining to me. Just casual, right?

Surely you don't think they are going to invest DVC capital in these improvements after the resort is sold out?[/QUO
The restaurant will be casual. I can't see them shelling out a ton of dough after it's sold either. But then again OKW didn't not have a theme pool til 2 years ago

 

[DrTomorrow]

Have they announced a second themed pool? My understanding is that was not in the original plan. Perhaps they need this to sell out the resort but I can't see why they would add this at the end of the development?

The new restaurant will be a good location but does not sound like fine dining to me. Just casual, right?

Surely you don't think they are going to invest DVC capital in these improvements after the resort is sold out?[/QUO
The restaurant will be casual. I can't see them shelling out a ton of dough after it's sold either. But then again OKW didn't not have a theme pool til 2 years ago

To answer mydogdrew, there is an entire phase of SSR that was not in the original plan; rumors have it that the pool for that section will be somewhere inbetween a std leisure pool and a full-blown theme pool.

bpmorley: When we bought in to SSR (Fall 2003) they told us that there wasn't a full service restaurant; I don't think that "Well, there will/might be one in 3 or 4 years" is the way to sell. If Disney thinks that a full-service signature restaurant at SSR would make money, then they will certainly build one, before or after SSR is sold out; if they don't, they won't. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if they contracted it out to a restaurant company, like they do for Pleasure Island.

I guess that I just don't see that many DVCers eating at a high-end restaurant on-resort-site; not enough to keep it busy enough to make money....

 

[bpmorley]

To answer mydogdrew, there is an entire phase of SSR that was not in the original plan; rumors have it that the pool for that section will be somewhere inbetween a std leisure pool and a full-blown theme pool.

bpmorley: When we bought in to SSR (Fall 2003) they told us that there wasn't a full service restaurant; I don't think that "Well, there will/might be one in 3 or 4 years" is the way to sell. If Disney thinks that a full-service signature restaurant at SSR would make money, then they will certainly build one, before or after SSR is sold out; if they don't, they won't. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if they contracted it out to a restaurant company, like they do for Pleasure Island.

I guess that I just don't see that many DVCers eating at a high-end restaurant on-resort-site; not enough to keep it busy enough to make money....

Did I say something about a high-end signature restaurant? Personally I don't eat at those places. But SSR does need another dining option besides Artist's Pallette. Not all DTD & PI restaurants are contracted out.

We were told the same thing about no full service restaurant at SSR, but did you notice that they are building 1. for now

 

[spereira]

I love SSR...but I too do agree that they need a restaurant and another large pool, especially when the resort is finished..I think Disney has more plans for SSR then we know about...give it time and let's see....