If you are not sold on SSR, what changes WILL sell you on it?

[gkrykewy]

SSR is a great resort, as are all DVC resorts. However, comparatively, it has less appeal for less people than do any of the other WDW resorts. The main reason is location and while OKW shares a similar location, SSR is significantly more in points than OKW in addition to OKW also being lower in demand than the rest. IMO, the only way to overcome the location issue would have been to either make the resort over the top and/or to have lower the points at least to those of OKW. Don't let anyone tell you that SSR and OKW are more available simply due to size, that is only a very minor component of the equation.

I would agree with this. I haven't stayed at OKW or SSR yet, but they both look great. However, when I'm callling MS for a shorter-notice trip and only OKW or SSR are available, I'm going to choose OKW every time because the accomodations and amenities are similar, but OKW gives me larger rooms for fewer points.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

Speaking to the "human quotient" of SSR...

Our kids swear it has the best Community Hall. As teenagers they still head back there just to see in Sundee is working. It really makes them feel at home.

On our part, we have found the staff at the quiet pools, the friendliest as well. We have stayed at most of the resorts and SSR is the only one where even the interactions with the pool staff were a big plus.

I do somewhat agree with the point prices. If location is what you're after, SSR points are somewhat high. This makes sense when comparing to OKW's points. However, I think that SSR provides more as far as variety of areas in which to stay. A congress park vacation, to me, is very different from a grandstand one and even further from a treehouse villa one.

 

[Dean]

Speaking to the "human quotient" of SSR...

Our kids swear it has the best Community Hall. As teenagers they still head back there just to see in Sundee is working. It really makes them feel at home.

On our part, we have found the staff at the quiet pools, the friendliest as well. We have stayed at most of the resorts and SSR is the only one where even the interactions with the pool staff were a big plus.

I do somewhat agree with the point prices. If location is what you're after, SSR points are somewhat high. This makes sense when comparing to OKW's points. However, I think that SSR provides more as far as variety of areas in which to stay. A congress park vacation, to me, is very different from a grandstand one and even further from a treehouse villa one.

I think it's difficult to include the CM components for a given resort because it's so variable and could change tomorrow and again the next day.

 

[Sammie]

I think it's difficult to include the CM components for a given resort because it's so variable and could change tomorrow and again the next day.

possibly except that many of the staff at SSR have been there since opening day and have not moved. They have one of the highest rates for retention of staff.

 

[Dean]

possibly except that many of the staff at SSR have been there since opening day and have not moved. They have one of the highest rates for retention of staff.

Still, it could change tomorrow. Those staff could move to one of the other resorts or less than top notch CM could move to SSR. I doubt that the majority of the staff are the same as the first few months. It's a very risky, variable and non reproducible criteria for judging a resort or comparing resorts.

 

[Jitzy]

Why?
the gym!!!

the food court ~ really a must for our family. Our boys want Mickey waffles and eggs with bacon in the morning.

that I can use my TIW discount card at the food court. Is that the only deluxe resort where it can be used?

We are staying at BW this summer, not sure the DH and DSs will like it. Plus, I know it is a weird reason, but this is my list so I'm going to come right out and say it. The Diet Coke from the bakery tastes funny! (Addicted to it, I don't return to any restaurant that screws up the taste of my drink) And even though our boys are 18 and 15, MK is still their favorite park, so not sure that walking to Epcot or DHS really makes that much difference to them.

PS. I know I can bring my own soda. I like the bubbles from the fountain.

 

[Sammie]

Still, it could change tomorrow. Those staff could move to one of the other resorts or less than top notch CM could move to SSR. I doubt that the majority of the staff are the same as the first few months. It's a very risky, variable and non reproducible criteria for judging a resort or comparing resorts.

The GM is not going anywhere and the management staff is the same as when it opened.

 

[Dean]

The GM is not going anywhere and the management staff is the same as when it opened.

While I understand that the attitudes tend to flow from management, it's still a far too fleeting and variable issue to use in any objective comparison of the resorts. It also varies from guest to guest, my experience has been somewhat different, not bad, just not as good as a couple of other resorts.

 

[Mississippian]

Don't let anyone tell you that SSR and OKW are more available simply due to size, that is only a very minor component of the equation.

Thank you Dean! It drives me nuts when I have to hear this drivel. In Las Vegas, the biggest hotels, such as the Mirage and MGM, are far more likely to be booked up than say the El Cortez, which is quite small. Supply and demand determines availability, not size.

The demand for BCV is so high that if you could somehow shoehorn 700 more of them in they would still be booked up (assuming the extra crowd didn't spoil the pool and other experiences). You could cut SSR in half and there would still be an oversupply, although I certainly respect the fact that many people love it.

 

[Bellecruiser]

We own at both BCV and SSR, and love them both. . We vacation differently at the resorts. I do think SSR has less Disney theming, and when we go there we frequently do not go to the parks at all. We enjoy the resort, eat out, and unplug from our busy lives. When we go to BCV we are busy, busy, busy. We go to the parks, go around the boardwalk, ride the boats...

We like the improvements that have been made to SSR...THV, new pool, etc. I like that Disney is committed to the resort, and believe as many have said, that the best thing about DVC is the diversity of experiences the owners can have.

 

[metzger01]

How about the upcoming Hyperion Wharf taking over the Pleasure Island location. Hopefully that will allay some concerns about the closing of Pleasure Island.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...perion-wharf-among-plans-for-downtown-disney/

 

[metzger01]

I've seen where several people have complained about only being able to take the bus. Excuse me, but I think that is the only option at OKW and AKV also. But at least at OKW and SSR, you can park near your unit and drive if you want to. When we stayed at Jambo last year, we felt like we had parked 1/4 mile away from the lobby, and then when we got our room, it was several floors up and down a very very very long hallway (felt like another 1/4 mile), and if my experience is what is to be expected for a Savanah view, well I'll take SSR over that any day of the week.

 

[kaytieedid]

I used to think I would dislike SSR. I stayed at OKW in January and took the boat to DTD passing by SSR. It looks beautiful and I can't wait to try it out. I own at BWV but we don't have enough points to visit Disney as often as we like, so we end up renting quite often. We decided in February to book a May 2011 trip and SSR was in the running for our property choice. We wanted to keep the cost down (since it wasn't planned way in advance) and OKW won due to the number of points needed for our stay. I really want to try SSR but I always lean towards AKV or OKW if I'm bussing it due to the point values. If I consider SSR, I always second quess myself and think "why don't I just do BCV for ___ points if I'm going to be spending ___ points on SSR?" We have little kids so that always comes into play.....