How to Improve SSR

[Jimbo]

DW and I stayed at SSR the week after Xmas. We had an excellent time, and are planning to repeat the trip this December. We really liked SSR a lot, and had very few complaints. We were even pleased with the bus service, which I guess puts us in the minority.

Anyway... There were just a couple very fixable things I'd like to see improved:

1. Make traffic slow down on internal roads! We did a lot of walking, and had to be pretty attentive for vehicles. I swear people were doing 40 MPH through the resort, and DVC vans were the worst offenders. Sprinkle a few speed bumps around to fix this.

2. Have a dedicated checkout line for Artist's Palate. I stood in line for many minutes behind people doing complicated gift shop transactions, picking up delivered packages, spa employees ordering food, etc. Meanwhile my food was getting cold.

That's it! It's a small list, and they've got 11 months to take care of it, so I've got my fingers crossed.

 

[athenna]

I didn't experience a lot of #1 but I would certainly agree from experience on your #2 point

 

[vince971]

I agree a seperate checkout is needed! I also am looking forward to a full service resturaunt. I know Downtown is close but I think something on SSR property is a must.

 

[lisaviolet]

DW and I stayed at SSR the week after Xmas. We had an excellent time, and are planning to repeat the trip this December. We really liked SSR a lot, and had very few complaints. We were even pleased with the bus service, which I guess puts us in the minority.

Anyway... There were just a couple very fixable things I'd like to see improved:

1. Make traffic slow down on internal roads! We did a lot of walking, and had to be pretty attentive for vehicles. I swear people were doing 40 MPH through the resort, and DVC vans were the worst offenders. Sprinkle a few speed bumps around to fix this.

2. Have a dedicated checkout line for Artist's Palate. I stood in line for many minutes behind people doing complicated gift shop transactions, picking up delivered packages, spa employees ordering food, etc. Meanwhile my food was getting cold.

That's it! It's a small list, and they've got 11 months to take care of it, so I've got my fingers crossed.

You can pay for your meal right after you order it with the slip that they give you. So no cold food.

 

[Jimbo]

You can pay for your meal right after you order it with the slip that they give you. So no cold food.

But my food was ready immediately (a good thing).

 

[LIFERBABE]

And we were there the first week in January and there is always room for improvement.

I have to say, I agree with both your improvements. I noticed the vans going a little too fast also. We normally used the rear exit/entrance as it was more convenient to Congress Park when we used our car.

I was there during an DVC executive visit and I know for sure that they were assessing the traffic flow at AP. I look for more registers to be added and a dedicated line for hot food would be great. I believe they commented on the size and flow of the area.

My improvement would be, instead of Internal Busses, they should have Trolleys that make the internal loop. Would that be in keeping with the theme? I think a nice train car-style trolley would fit so well and it would not be confused with the park busses. What a nice ride to the pool that would be!

Also, the turf club should be open later or at least have the flexibility to stay open late, if there are popular sporting events that attract guests. We were there for the Rose Bowl (well actually it was DH, I watched it in the laundry room with the kids after a swim) and because AP and the Turf Club share that entire area, they have to lock up the entire area. They couldnt just leave the Turf club open, because that would leave AP open too. The restaurant wont have this problem but it would be nice to have a common area open 24/7 that has a TV, beside the laundry rooms. Some nice gentlemen joined us in the main Laundry room to watch the end of the game, because the TC closed. Dh went back to the room. This was their 3 rd move of the night, as they started in the Community Hall

Also, the DTD views should be guaranteed at time of booking, to give the members that advantage.


With the addition of the last phase, many changes are being made to the original plans of SSR. So far, from what I have seen, they have all been really positive and look for more positive things to come. DVC really cares about all of its resorts and especially SSR because it is actively selling.

 

[shantay1008]

I love your idea of the trolley! We leave in 15 days for our first visit home to SSR. I've been so happy to read all the great reviews about the resort; it makes me feel a lot more confident about our decision to buy into SSR.

Our kids are 1, 3, 5 and 7, and I have a feeling that they're going to want to spend their free time at the rock-slide pool. Do you think it would make the most sense to stay at the Springs? I know the view is good from Congress Park, but I think a quick and easy walk to the pool and food rates higher than good views for us just now. Any thoughts?

 

[DISNEYMOM11]

We are staying for the 1st time at SSR in April and have looked at both Congress and Springs. We have almost the same age children and I think the convience of the pool, than the Downtown Disney View, is going to sway us towards requesting the Springs...I heard they have lovely views as well.....It will be warm any where they put us will be great

 

[lisaviolet]

But my food was ready immediately (a good thing).

Yep, that is a good thing. And I agree with your separate line suggestion at the cash.

 

[athenna]

I love your idea of the trolley! We leave in 15 days for our first visit home to SSR. I've been so happy to read all the great reviews about the resort; it makes me feel a lot more confident about our decision to buy into SSR.

Our kids are 1, 3, 5 and 7, and I have a feeling that they're going to want to spend their free time at the rock-slide pool. Do you think it would make the most sense to stay at the Springs? I know the view is good from Congress Park, but I think a quick and easy walk to the pool and food rates higher than good views for us just now. Any thoughts?

If they want to spend a lot of free time at the main pool, then yes request The Springs to minimize the walking time to get there.

 

[shantay1008]

I hope I'm not getting off the subject too much, but do any of you have suggestions about good places at Downtown Disney to eat with small children? We're planning to eat breakfast in our room and carry snacks/nibble a bit at the parks for lunch, but I am on strike during our vacation as far as cooking dinner goes. The kids might fall asleep at the restaurants after a full day of rides and swimming, but I'm willing to take that chance!

I would really like to check out Old Key West, too, since we've never seen it and might like to stay there some day. I thought of taking the boat over and having dinner at Olivia's. Is that fairly manageable at dinner-time?

Thanks!

 

[Jimbo]

I hope I'm not getting off the subject too much, but do any of you have suggestions about good places at Downtown Disney to eat with small children? We're planning to eat breakfast in our room and carry snacks/nibble a bit at the parks for lunch, but I am on strike during our vacation as far as cooking dinner goes. The kids might fall asleep at the restaurants after a full day of rides and swimming, but I'm willing to take that chance!

I would really like to check out Old Key West, too, since we've never seen it and might like to stay there some day. I thought of taking the boat over and having dinner at Olivia's. Is that fairly manageable at dinner-time?

Thanks!

Earl of Sandwich is a good choice for a fast meal in Downtown Disney. Very, very good sandwiches. Plus it's a really well run restaurant, so even when there's a long line things still happen quickly.

For a sitdown meal, Rainforest Cafe would be fun for your kids. The boat drops you off right in front of RFC, and close to EofS too.

Olivia's doesn't ever get too crowded, as far as I know.

 

[shantay1008]

Thanks for the great advice. I see you're from Wisconsin, too, Jimbo. Sometimes I laugh a little at the "pickiness" I read on the boards. I'm sooo excited about getting to just run out the door without having to put snowsuits and jackets and hats and mittens and boots on kids. And I don't even care if we have to wait for a bus, because we'll be standing on grass (not snow and ice), soaking up the sun. Not that I don't love the snow and ice, but it's good to have a mid-winter thaw.

 

[Jimbo]

This winter has been pretty easy to take, even for an ice-and-snow hater like me.

One of the really great things about being a DVC member is that you don't have to sweat the small stuff. If you're making a once in a lifetime trip, I could see how someone could get upset if a ride is closed, or if they can't get into Chef Mickey's, or whatever.

But you'll be going for the next 50 years! You can always just get 'em next time.

 

[cobbler]

I definatly can see both of your points. While we didn't see any speeding vehicles I can see how this would be a problem.

One thing I hope they do is put a mini themed pool in the new phase

 

[uicbear]

One suggestion for SSR and the main pool area, we were there last Oct and the main pool bar closed pretty early. I don't know if the hours are longer in the summer, but to be open atleast until sunset would be nice in the fall as well.

The other suggestion would be for both the poolbar and the Turf Club would be to have some of the fun frozen (or even non-frozen) drinks on the menu. Both bars had an extensive hard alcohol selection, and great wine list, but I'm not a heavy duty drinker, but I wouldn't turn down a beverage with an umbrella while lounging by the pool (afterall we are on vacation ).

I completely agree with the fast traffic on internal roads. I couldn't count how many times saws cars and vans flying down the main road by the big pool.

 

[chloe]

I’d like Disney to bring the theming of SSR up a notch. The strong points of SSR are the horses and the sense of community – both of which can be expanded on. Here’s my wish list:


1) Have horses grazing. Wouldn’t it be cool if when you drove into to SSR you saw real horses in a paddock?

2) A working carousel.

3) Working cinema (free, of course) that shows Disney movies

4) Ice Cream. Something along the lines of Beaches and Cream. Okay, maybe this doesn’t fall under “theming” but it adds to the overall ambience. And ice cream = happiness.

In the evening families could grab an ice cream cone and take a whirl on the carousel, visit the horses, or taking in a classic Disney movie.

 

[cobbler]

I like the carousel idea. They do have that one carousel horse in the lobby.

I wonder what they are doing with that cinema area that is just shut down right now, they could really expand on that.

Something Great Wolf Lodge did was offer free movie night each night and played a free movie. We happened to se 101 dalmations - ha ha. They could do this there and kind of do it like they do at Fort Wilderness. Obviously they would have to limit seating.

Horses around the Paddock would be cool, but I can see why they don't because of the mess and potential smell in the summer.

Although I wonder, if they are doing the carriage rides, where are those horses being kept? (or are they not using horses?) If they are keeping that at FW, that is a long way to go to bring them down everyday.

Anyone know about this?

 

[Rozzie]

I like the carousel idea. They do have that one carousel horse in the lobby.

I wonder what they are doing with that cinema area that is just shut down right now, they could really expand on that.


Horses around the Paddock would be cool, but I can see why they don't because of the mess and potential smell in the summer.

Although I wonder, if they are doing the carriage rides, where are those horses being kept? (or are they not using horses?) If they are keeping that at FW, that is a long way to go to bring them down everyday.

Anyone know about this?

cobbler, from the way I understood it from my guide, the cinema house is not owned by DVC ???? Some long story of which I quit paying attention as I was gazing at the fountain...LOL. So he said the chances are "0" for it to be allowed for movies. Such a shame, IMHO.

Also, I believe all the horses are Kept at the FW barn and equine area. My favorite non park activity! I see a lot of goosenecks taking horses here and there. Too bad about not being able to keep them at SSR. I think I am the only person on the planet that loves the smell of horses. LOL!

 

[conciergekelly]

I noticed in the lobby there was a carousel picture that said circa 2003 or something to that effect. There were other pictures of parts of the resort like that. Has anyone else noticed that? I don't know what it means but I just thought I'd throw it out there.