I don't know the DVC resorts, so need opinion about waitlisting

[disney-super-mom]

I have a big surprise Christmas gift planned for my DH. It's a trip for just he and I (no kids! ) for four nights (January 21 - 24), making our first trip to WDW, and we're staying at SSR.

Now, since we almost purchased DVC last January and did much research, I know a lot about the resorts from you all here on the DVC boards, and from pictures and virtual tours, ect...but I really don't "know" the resorts like someone who's been there in person.

This is a special trip for DH and I, and so my question is:

Should I be happy and excited about SSR and all it has to offer, or would waitlisting for another resort be something we should consider?

I mean, if you were taking your sweetie to WDW for the first time, and staying in a DVC resort for the first time, and of course knowing what you now know since you're DVC experts, would you be happy with SSR as a first special stay, or would you waitlist for another DVC resort?

Maybe it's the condo resort vs. hotel resort that has me wondering which direction would be the best to go in this case? Or, maybe it makes no difference at all? I just don't know...

Hmmmmm, in not sure if I'm making any sense, but try to answer if you can figure out what I'm asking.

 

[Sammie]

We love SSR and I would take it over wait list anyday. You mentioned Wait List, are you a member.

but then you said you almost purchased so I am confused.

 

[disney-super-mom]

We rented a reservation from a DVC member who is a veteran on these boards.

 

[Slakk]

I have a big surprise Christmas gift planned for my DH. It's a trip for just he and I (no kids! ) for four nights (January 21 - 24), making our first trip to WDW, and we're staying at SSR.

Now, since we almost purchased DVC last January and did much research, I know a lot about the resorts from you all here on the DVC boards, and from pictures and virtual tours, ect...but I really don't "know" the resorts like someone who's been there in person.

This is a special trip for DH and I, and so my question is:

Should I be happy and excited about SSR and all it has to offer, or would waitlisting for another resort be something we should consider?

I mean, if you were taking your sweetie to WDW for the first time, and staying in a DVC resort for the first time, and of course knowing what you now know since you're DVC experts, would you be happy with SSR as a first special stay, or would you waitlist for another DVC resort?

Maybe it's the condo resort vs. hotel resort that has me wondering which direction would be the best to go in this case? Or, maybe it makes no difference at all? I just don't know...

Hmmmmm, in not sure if I'm making any sense, but try to answer if you can figure out what I'm asking.

I love SSR. I own at BCV and VWL as well and was dissapointed we are at VWL instead of SSR this trip. It is my favorite.

To be honest I am at the point that I am numb to all the SSR bashing - the fact that people feel the need to be convinced it is not a Motel 6. It has a world class spa, it is a beautiful resort and it a short walk to DTD but yet people need to be convinced it does not suck....

I guess I can look forward to AKV and it's inherant suckiness....

To answer the question I think it wold be wonderful for an adult only trip.

 

[disney-super-mom]

I love SSR. I own at BCV and VWL as well and was dissapointed we are at VWL instead of SSR this trip. It is my favorite.

To be honest I am at the point that I am numb to all the SSR bashing - the fact that people feel the need to be convinced it is not a Motel 6. It has a world class spa, it is a beautiful resort and it a short walk to DTD but yet people need to be convinced it does not suck....

I guess I can look forward to AKV and it's inherant suckiness....

To answer the question I think it wold be wonderful for an adult only trip.

Nah, I don't need to be convinced it's not a Motel 6. I just want to make sure it's not a Super 8 Motel. (kidding of course) I think it's a beautiful resort! I love the pictures of the landscaping and the decor in the rooms.

I just want this trip to be perfect in every way for us as it's our first trip to WDW and our first trip away from our kids. Maybe I'm just looking for reasurrance. But not convincing...no one needs to convince me to stay at SSR or any of the DVC resorts. I think they all look beautiful in pictures.

It's not the resort bashing that makes it hard to decide on a resort. It's all the great reports that make it hard. Someone will say, "I love such and such at this resort," and I think, "Oh, that sounds wonderful. I'd love that too." Then someone else says, "I love such and such at this other resort." and I think, "Well, that sounds awesome too. Maybe we should stay there." And it goes on and on with each and every DVC resort.

Now, if this was a trip to DL for just DH and I, I'd know exactly where to stay, where to eat, what to do, etc...

...but when it comes to DVC resorts and WDW, I'm a complete novice. It's all virgin territory for me.

 

[pbharris4]

Each resort has it's own pluses and minuses and everyone's opinion is different as well. What and why some people love a certain resort could also be the reasons others dislike about it. Since you know your DH's likes and dislikes you should go with your "gut" feeling. SSR is a nice resort. I love the Spa (you should book a couples massage!). I also love the decor. Sometimes tastes change from year to year. It's probably why Disney has made different themed resorts. I am sure you and DH will have one magical trip!!!

 

[disney-super-mom]

Each resort has it's own pluses and minuses and everyone's opinion is different as well. Since you know your DH's likes and dislikes you should go with your "gut" feeling.

My "gut" tells me that DH would love SSR, BCV, or VWL.

I guess thats a good thing since we have a confirmed reservation at SSR.

Of course, sand between the toes at SAB sure sounds nice. And listening to the wonderful music and the gurgling brook in the grand lobby of the WL sounds wonderful. But those views at SSR, whether it's DTD, a beautiful fountain in the middle of a small lake, or some lush landscaping, sure sounds romantic and appealing while sipping a glass of champagne...

There I go again. I think I'm just driving myself nuts thinking about all this. It's crazy really. I know he and I will love SSR. It's such a waste of time to keep second guessing it all. Just give me a good kick in the behind/slap on the back/knock on the head, so I can move on.

 

[Sammie]

ok that gives me more info. If you are waitlisted for something other than SSR, but have SSR already confirmed, then no reason not to wait list if you want to try for something else.

I don't think you will be disappointed with SSR if the waitlist did not come through.

I will say that we have stayed at all the resorts and by far we find SSR to be the quietest and most peaceful, new furnishings that are very high end and wonderful beds.

 

[crisi]

I would think it would have to be a pretty flexible owner to waitlist for a renter. The thing is that SSR takes a different amount of points than any of the other resorts. The owner would need to have those points set aside for you when the waitlist comes through. That means they can't use them themselves, can't bank them into next year if their banking deadline comes up, can't rent them to someone else.

Waitlisting with your own points when you are "like for like" (BWV preferred, VWL or BCV) can be sort of harrowing, waitlisting for your own points when they are different structures (OKW/SSR/BWV standard) makes planning difficult. Waitlist for a renter puts you into uncertainty I wouldn't deal with.

 

[disney-super-mom]

I would think it would have to be a pretty flexible owner to waitlist for a renter. The thing is that SSR takes a different amount of points than any of the other resorts. The owner would need to have those points set aside for you when the waitlist comes through. That means they can't use them themselves, can't bank them into next year if their banking deadline comes up, can't rent them to someone else.

Waitlisting with your own points when you are "like for like" (BWV preferred, VWL or BCV) can be sort of harrowing, waitlisting for your own points when they are different structures (OKW/SSR/BWV standard) makes planning difficult. Waitlist for a renter puts you into uncertainty I wouldn't deal with.

I wouldn't expect the owner to set aside additional points for us. If the waitlist came through, and she happened to have the additional points available at the time for us to use, then that would be wonderful. I am just assuming that she does have the available points since she was willing to make a reservation for us at any resort we wanted.

It's not a big deal though. I've decided NOT to waitlist. I'm EXCITED about SSR - and I'm driving myself nuts. Why waitlist for something and make things more complicated. Besides, I know what would happen if the waitlist came through and I took it. I'd start second guessing again and then I'd be wondering, "Maybe we should've stayed with SSR?" And round-n-round-n-round I'd go...all over again. Talk about a Carousel!