I promised a report, so here it is!

dianeschlicht

<font color=blue>DVC-Trivia Contest, Apr-2006: Hon
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We stayed at SSR for a couple of nights this trip, and then headed over to an OKW, Grand Villa. I promised to report on my thoughts of the new resort, so here goes!

First of all, our first impression was very favorable. When we drove in, the small town street atmosphere was charming and we loved it. Also loved the decor and friendliness of the staff at check-in. It reminded me of my OKW experiences there!

Unfortunately, we were hungry, and went to check out the food court before our room was assigned. BIG DISSAPOINTMENT there! I would not call it a food court at all! It hardly qualifies as a counter service place! the decor was lovely, but the food selection....not so. We waited until we got to the park to eat.

We were in 1747 and had a nice view of DTD and the neighborhood pool. This pool was very formal looking, and seemed to be a good draw for adults, while the themed pool was more of a kids spot. I went to go down to the hot tub the first night, but when I got there, I found a mother with her diapered infant in it!:earseek: I decided to pass.

We had a view of the DTD fireworks, and found the room to be very quiet. The first night, we fell asleep and missed the fireworks, but we did see them the second night. They don't last long.

We heard virtually NO NOISE in the unit at all. That was a plus.

We found the decor of the rooms to be a bit formal in a quirky sort of way. I didn't care for the sofa and thought it didn't match the decor of the room much. LOVED the real granite counters, but the dressing/sink/closet/bathroom area was not efficient or to our liking at all! First of all, there are too many doors! By the time you get the sink sandwiched between the closet doors and the bathroom door, you might as well forget about two people being able to use these areas at the same time! The little kitchen area was fine, but I also found the two other doors (entrance and connecting) to make this whole area seem like a maze of doors!

Loved the coat hooks in the entry though.

We found the parking lot and outdoor halls to be not to our likeing though. We love the down and out feel of OKW where you park so close to your unit. This took that concept and tried to combine it with the hotel concept of the other DVC resorts, and to our thinking, it emphasized the worst features of both. LONG hallways that happen to be open air, and a parking lot that can be a LONG ways from your unit!

Transportation was okey, but it was confusing to get around the resort. I suspect part of this was due to construction and some walkways being closed. It was not at all easy to get to DTD, and that is what we wanted to do.

Our overall impression? We might stay there again for a couple of nights, but I wouldn't want to stay there for a week.
 
Thanks for the report. Why was a baby in the hot tub?!? That doesn't seem safe at all, does it?

Were you in a studio?

We did walk thru SSR awhile back. I thought the area your room was in was lovely looking, but I agree about the parking situation. I don't like that feeling at all. At least at OKW it has more of a condo feel, SSR is almost set up like a Holiday Inn.

I do agree, too that the "food court" needs work. I really don't see the point in it at all. I think they'd do much better if they went to just some basic foods like at the other food courts. JMO

I think they still have plenty of time to work on SSR's kinks and it does have good potential, though.
 
Thanks for the good review of SSR.

I would not be happy to a see a diapered child in the hot tub!! Ugh!!:mad:

Can you give us a quick report of your GV experience? Thanks
 
We are heading home(our real home) today after a 13 night stay at VWL. We will be back in Jan. and staying at SSR for the 1st time so thanks for the heads up on the goods/not so goods on SSR.

Can you use valet service there? We used it at VWL and loved it. Just a perk for being DVC and a good one at that.

Have Fun!!
 

Hmmm Food for thought on SSR. I actually have no desire to stay there anyway - but interesting in hearing that view.

Diaper issues aside - should an infant even be in a hot tub? Isn't it a little hot for such a little human? And I'm thinking infant means less than 8 months or so old - not sure where "toddler" might come into play?
 
I'm trying to remember, but I don't think it's wise to have even toddlers in a hot tub. A diapered infant is wrong on so many levels! :eek:

Thanks for the report!

Chris
 
We stayed for a couple nights also, our expereince was very much like yours. The rooms were new and clean, and I liked the decorating but so many doors. The bathroom didn't have much counter space. The front enterance seemed like a waste of space. The walk to the room in the pouring, wind driven rain was not pleasant. The walk to the town center was worst. The view of DD was great and the pool area itself very nice. I thing BWV have better location a layout, even though similar. Would I stay again, yes if nothing else was available. It is fine, but I like bwv and OKW better. That is also why I like DVC - Something for everyones taste. I much rather be at SSR than a non DVC resort, just have other likes with what is offered to us.
 
/
Umm...yeah, the baby in the hot tub is kind of scary!!! I usually don't get into other people's business....but, that is SOO dangerous to the baby!!!! They cannot disperse body heat...and, hot tubs can kill them LONG before an adult would even notice!! Plus...you just have to wonder...why??!!! I probably would've HAD to say something (much to DH's dismay)...but, maybe the mom didn't know!!

And, I haven't EVEN gotten to the "sanitary issue". People SOO amaze me!!!

:wave:

Beca
 
I'm guessing that the selection of foods at Artist Palette will steadily grow as more and more buildings open to the public.
 
Thanks for your review of SSR. I had the same feelings regarding SSR after our stay there in July. I was not impressed with the food choices, so we went off site a for quite a few of our meals. I also didn't like the outdoor corridors with the *painted to look like a rug* floors. To me that just looked tacky. I also found the checkin area "vast" and not very user friendly.

SSR did suit our needs for our stay. We were in town for a DCI show and did not even step into the parks. When we are going to use the parks, we will stay at our home resort, BCVs or OKW. If nothing else would be available, SSR would be just "ok".

We had considered an add on at SSR, but after staying there, we will hold out for a resale at BCVs.

pinnie
 
Hi jimmytammy,
no valet service at SSR. You drive up to your building and find a parking space.
 
Thanks for the report Diane. I really don't have much of an interest in staying at SSR yet. WE only recently left our 'home' of OKW to venture out........we do enjoy BWV but I truly feel 'home' and comfortable at OKW

a baby in a hot tub!!! Those aren't good for children under 12. That is why is is posted!!!

Reminds me of the time the mom had her 2 kids, oozing with chicken pox, in the pool at Port Orleans!!! I was pregnant and low and behold, 2 weeks later, both my DD's got chicken pox. I was quite angry but greatful my DD's nor my unborn DD had any complications due to that irresponsible parent!! Makes you wonder what some people are thinking...........or not thinking!!!

BTW, HOw is the house???? We are now tinkering with the thougth of building again!!!! Give me strength!!
 
BTW, HOw is the house????
We are planning to move in sometime in the next 2 weeks!:Pinkbounc :bounce: Our GV guests from this week are helping. We still have lots of flooring to do, but it will be so much easier to work while we are there and not having to run back and forth all the time. Hope we are somewhat settled before our December trip!
 
Thanks Diane for your review of SSR. It's good to hear all the perspectives that different people have. I also don't think SSR would suit me, but I would like to check it out once.

As to the hot tub issue. The parent should have read the following thread. Apparently children's body temp's do not regulate like an adults and they have a greater chance of becoming easily overheated. The following thread also discusses other issues that parent's need to be aware of:
Hot Tub Thread

If you have children, please read. About 9 replies down is a very disturbing article about Hot Tub dangers for children.:(
 
Thank you for the review.

I'm adventurous so will definitely have to try out SSR some time. I find that things that bother some people don't bother me and vice versa. But we will have to try out VWL first -- we haven't stayed there yet.

And we have to go back to OKW at least once, too. I'm thinking Xmas 2005!!!
 
Diane,

Thanks for the report, I think our thoughts about SSR would match yours. We visited there on the last trip, and basically decided we would stay there as a "last resort". I did not like the feel of the resort, and much prefer the layout/feel at OKW. The rooms are the same the same cookie cutter layout as the other onsite DVCs we own...so there's nothing really new there. DTD is not a draw for us now, maybe down the road it will be.
 
I agree about the door situation in the Master Bedroom bath area. But considering they are the same at the Beach Club Villas I don't see that ever changing.

As to Artist's Palette, sorry that some don't like as we liked it alot and would hate to see them change it. We found it a refreshing change from the usual fried fare served at others.

The infant in the hot tub would have caused me to called security, that infant was being put at risk. Some people are not smart enough to have children.

As to walking to DD, you simply go to the end of the parking lot at Congress park, hang a left along the water way and follow the path right over to DD.
 
Was really looking forward to that valet service again:D
 
Originally posted by dianeschlicht
Unfortunately, we were hungry, and went to check out the food court before our room was assigned. BIG DISSAPOINTMENT there! I would not call it a food court at all! It hardly qualifies as a counter service place! the decor was lovely, but the food selection....not so. ............We might stay there again for a couple of nights, but I wouldn't want to stay there for a week. [/B]
Interesting. Thanks for the report.
 
Originally posted by Sammie
I agree about the door situation in the Master Bedroom bath area. But considering they are the same at the Beach Club Villas I don't see that ever changing.

As to Artist's Palette, sorry that some don't like as we liked it alot and would hate to see them change it. We found it a refreshing change from the usual fried fare served at others.

The infant in the hot tub would have caused me to called security, that infant was being put at risk. Some people are not smart enough to have children.

As to walking to DD, you simply go to the end of the parking lot at Congress park, hang a left along the water way and follow the path right over to DD.

We have never stayed at BCV, so didn't know about the door situation. I guress that means I don't want to stay there either. As for the food....We don't usually do food courts, but this didn't qualify as either a food court OR a restaurant. We ended up taking the boat to OKW to Olivias!
 



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