How to Improve SSR

[LIFERBABE]

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.

Yes, the horses are being brought in daily from FW. FW really is not that far from SSR but I still think it is pretty expensive to load a horse and carriage up everyday/night for 6 carriage rides per evening. I thought $35 for a family of 5 was a real bargain for the experience.


Even the member updates have moved from the theater (now held in the Performance Hall, which is lovely btw) so I think DVC is hands off on that one.

I like the ice cream idea too! Not novelty's but real hand dipped ice cream.

 

[lisaviolet]

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!

I ate at Olivia's for the first time last trip. I loved it. It's very homey with all the family (OKW owners) pictures on the wall. Relaxing. I had great service as well. I did an early dinner (5pm) and it was almost empty. And it's nice to take a relaxing boat ride over.

Earl of Sandwich is terrific. They have a children's menu. I know peanut butter and jelly is one selection.

Have fun.

 

[mrsminniemouse]

I too think ice cream would be great. I like the Mickey bars and ice cream sandwiches that you get from the freezer but ice cream cones would be great. Or even the frozen yogurt machines that I have seen in food courts at CBR and GF and other WDW resorts. They switch flavours each day, we used to love it, Snickers flavour or cookies and cream, yummy.

We were very disappointed by the pool bar. We thought there was little choice and nothing very interesting. Some of the other WDW resorts offer fun drinks and snacks. It might be better now than when we were last there. I had a strawberry smoothie and it was horrid. Really sickly and syrupy and totally artificial. We did like the self service mug refill, that was great.

Mandy

 

[spiceycat]

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!

I am probably the only one hears who goes to MacDonalds - yes there is a MacDonalds in DD. I have food allergies and Earl of Sandwich could not help... neither can most of the restuarants in DD - I am allergic to pepper plus some other things - but pepper is the one that restuarants have a problem with.

now SSR - more ice machines. charge the same amount of money for cokes not matter where you are: at the gift shop, machine at the bus stop, machine in your building....

the cokes had a different price in each place.

I like the idea of a carousel - but they didn't do one for BW - and it would definitely fit that theme.

Horses (love 'em) have waste - that I don't think SSR wants to deal with or have their guest smell. FW has the people who are trained.... In case you don't know what I am talking about - go visit FW kennel some time with the air is blowing in that direction... from the stables to the kennel....

the movies can't be shown. something about WDW contract with AMC movie in DD. the place belongs to WDW not DVC. If you want to see movies for free just go to FW. they show free movies outside.

I would appreciate another place to do the refillable mugs...
something closer to the buses....

this is a beautiful resort!!!

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

These are great suggestions! We were there the first week in January and I agree with most of what's been said. I love the idea of a carousel (so would DD3!) and the ice cream place. When we did our tour of SSR last year, they left us in an ice cream parlour type place and we could get real ice cream while we waited for our resort van to pick us up. I wonder if they could convert that into a real ice cream shop once SSR selling is done! That would be great.

My DH took my DD3 on a carriage ride at SSR while we were there. They loved it. However, I know it was the first week they offered it but IMO they need to put it somewhere more obvious! It was near the boat to DTD, but you really had to look for them!

Here's hoping the DVC management is reading these threads!!!

 

[DrTomorrow]

I agree with the need for better food (AP, TC, ice cream) and drink (pool bar) options - they did close kind of early. I do wonder, though, why they haven't improved these things already. While I don't think Disney / DVC is perfect, it seems that things like these are obvious. The only reasons I can think of are 1) That the demand for these kinds of things just isn't there among the SSR guest population or 2) that they are waiting until SSR is done to see what is needed.

Be well!

 

[LIFERBABE]

I agree with the need for better food (AP, TC, ice cream) and drink (pool bar) options - they did close kind of early. I do wonder, though, why they haven't improved these things already. While I don't think Disney / DVC is perfect, it seems that things like these are obvious. The only reasons I can think of are 1) That the demand for these kinds of things just isn't there among the SSR guest population or 2) that they are waiting until SSR is done to see what is needed.

Be well!

Hi Doc!!

Many departments are making changes on the fly based on feedback from executives and members. I think the one department where resistance has been met is SSR's Food and Beverage department. It's like they are not willing to change from the resorts original plan before the additional bldgs were added. I feel it is a mismanagement issue and with better leadership SSR's F&B could be greatly improved. Yes they are building a restaurant, but that was a mandate, not a decision.
SSR is still our favorite resort and we really enjoy the offerings at AP and TC (I think Dh ate a whole pot of their SSR Chili ) but some of the decisions of the F&B mgmt are questionable and defies the obvious. (Like the burger at TC only served on Foccacia Bread. Why can't there be a plain roll for those that dont like Foc. Bread?)

The recreation department, is the polar opposite. They are constantly improving the resort offerings and equipment. Throwing member parties at the pools, excellent job on NYE party at CP etc. I think the FB team just wants to rest.

It's great that we can discuss ways to improve our homes and DVC actually listens and is interested. I know they are continuously improving our DVC homes and that is why I chose DVC over its competitors.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

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.

I agree with this one...we've experienced the same thing.

When we stayed at SSR during opening week in May 2004 they actually had two separate registers in Artist's Palette. But when we stayed there again last January, we had the exact trouble you've mentioned.

We've only stayed 2 nights at the most so I do not have any other improvement suggestions. Perhaps after our extended stay this May I will have something to add.

 

[nezy]

In response to previous posts:
Love Olivia's-ferry to OKW is a nice idea. also bring bathing suits for the kids if they want to go for a dip if you do have to wait or else play shuffleboard

Improvements to SSR: This suggestion is not just for SSR, but my 2 sons would love an open area to play a little baseball or soccer. We have stayed at other resorts that provide this type of space.
Perhaps instead of movie night they can have a "night at the Races" once or twice a week. You can "bet" w/ fake money or chips and win prizes like ice cream or something just for fun like a free bike rental.

THat is odd about the movie theater. What is actually IN there?

Now according to John who works at SSR Saratoga is famous for 4 things-DVC has incorporated 2-perhaps they could incorporate the other 2-Moonshine smuggling thru Canada-Have a bar called "Moonshine"
and the first battle the Americans won during Rev. War-Battle of Saratoga-I don't know how to incorporate that!

 

[momsgoofy]

Well, I'll just throw my quarter in the pot and maybe we will have enough to get these changes at our home...

I agree that AP needs to have a dedicated check out for food only...it gets a bit hectic sometimes...even though you can pay right after you order, like Jimbo said, sometimes the food is ready right away and you don't want to wait.

I love the idea of a carousel...actually on our last day at SSR, DH, DS and I were discussing this plan. Here's what we think...it should be located on the small lake, enclosed with glass windows....that way you can still see the outside, but still ride if the weather is rainy or cold. We were thinking along the lines of Mary Poppins...

I agree with the idea of other locations to use the refillable mugs. (We were discussing this on the last day as well.) It'd be nice if they could make a mini-concierge room in each building, with a soft drink machine. If you buy the refillable mug deal, then it could be encoded on the room key, which would be the key to get you in the concierge room...okay, I know there are some logistical problems with this...more maintainence, cleaning, etc., but hey, it's a thought.

I love the idea of the internal resort trolley! It would go with the theme of the resort so well...and would be a nice convience!

I agree about the TC...it needs to be open more...we never got a chance to try it on our trip since it was closed when we'd head there. Maybe once there is a full table service, it could go back to a more limited operational schedule.

DH was curious about the theater...if they ever had any kind of productions there. We did see the sign on the marque that mentioned Magic Music Days, but that was all we learned about performances. We would love to see things happen in the Performance Hall...it is really nice! DH just wanted to ask if he could go play the baby grand when no one was in there, but didn't...figured they tell him no.

Well, like everyone else I hope some DVC big wigs are reading the boards and seeing our ideas.