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

[stopher1]

SSR, AKV, BLT, BCV, etc... spell VARIETY. I love that each of the resorts have been built/themed somewhat differently, and that each stay can give us variety in our overall vacations. My DW originally did not like SSR very much, preferring AKV... and I was the opposite, preferring SSR more - however she likes it now almost as much as I do, and I like AKV almost as much as she does. No resort is perfect. No theme is perfect - but all have something nice about them that can make our vacations special, even if we aren't supersold on the overall theme. Neither DW nor I like the modern theming at BLT - but yeah, we do want to stay there sometime to try it out, and we may even find we like by staying there, even though we knew we didn't want to own there.

Regarding SSR and Disney transportation (and AKV for that matter too) - it's never our favorite part of our vacations - but we do enjoy being "away" from it all and thus we really like our two WDW based home resorts: AKV & SSR. Staying "in the thick of it all" and being able to walk to a park can be great - we've done that and enjoyed it, but didn't really see the need for it at WDW, though we get that many people like that. We do however enjoy that fact about our west coast home VGC - that and the Craftsman style theming (of course it IS the only DVC resort at DLR, but we would have purchased there even if there was another option anyway). We enjoy the resorts for what they are, not necessarily what they are close to.

As far as SSR itself goes, if there were one thing about SSR that I would change if it were possible, it would actually be the Artist's Palette... it's too small IMO both on the food side and the shop side. And I don't like the shared cash register configuration. Ok - make it two things... I don't like the back side of the Turf Club / Artist Palette building - the part you see from the boats returning to the launch. It wasn't updated to match the overall Saratoga theme when they converted it from the old Disney Institute... or perhaps if those buildings are left over from the even older resort prior to the Institute. But I wouldn't want them to do so now, since it would take MF's to do it.

But the resort itself - I really like.

 

[twinklebug]

I don't care for SSR, but my 17yo daughter adores it as, I believe, does my 24 yo son. I'm willing to bet both would jump at the chance to own points there. There's nothing that can be done to make SSR more attractive to me. It's beautiful and unique in it's own way, it's just doesn't strike that chord that I'm looking for with me.

 

[Deb & Bill]

There could just as easily be a thread posted "If you are not sold on BWV, what changes will sell you on it?" Or put any of the other resorts in place of BWV.

Just an attempt to stir it up again.

 

[FindingFigment]

There could just as easily be a thread posted "If you are not sold on BWV, what changes will sell you on it?" Or put any of the other resorts in place of BWV.

Just an attempt to stir it up again.

I am loving this thread. I secretly love every thread like this because I love seeing the SSR lovers speak up. I am already missing the resort so maybe that's why I get excited.

 

[Jonell]

I bought my home resorts for the deal, and not being concerned over which was my home resort. We bought AKV and OKW at great prices, and we have never stayed at either resort. I'm sure one day we will. We fell in love with BWV and since I don't have any issues booking at the 7 month window we stay there. As far as I know BLT is the only resort that is difficult at the 7 month window and after a while I'm sure that won't be a problems anymore. My point is I think if any SSR owners are dissatisfied with the resort there are plenty of other resorts to stay at. If you are flexible with your room views then you can book anywhere. Although SSR doesn't appeal to me personally, for the right price I would add on there for more points.

 

[SnowWhite2]

My family loves SSR. We never saw the resort prior to purchase as we purchased on DCL. Love at first sight, though.

We just returned from 5 nights AKV-Club level. It was OK. We all thought it was very dark. DH and I had stayed there before so we knew what to expect, but it was still dark. It didn't help that it was cold and rained several days.

Our flight home was cancelled due to weather at home so we were "stuck" at WDW for another day. We spent the last night at SSR in a dedicated 2 bd and we all were very happy we were "home". For some reason, our family loves SSR. It is home to us. We have stayed at most of the resorts and really prefer SSR to all of them.

I admit I loved it better when the nightlife was available at DTD. That is what I was really looking for when I purchased SSR. I really wish Disney would replace some of the clubs. I loved Adventurer's Club and the Comedy CLub. Just when my kids get old enough to stay in the room themselves, the places close.

The new pool and quick service will be nice and I'm looking forward to it.

 

[bwvBound]

2) The resort needs more. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it needs something. Perhaps it is because the theming isn't so strong, as the resort doesn't quite feel as "Disney" as some of the others. If they want that spa/resort feel, then I think they need to play that up more. More walking trails, running trails, driving range, mini golf.

I'd really love to see more walking/running trails! Nothing wrong with the ideas of driving range or mini-golf. I love all these suggestions! Bring 'em on!

 

[rutgers1]

While I do feel bad that I am bringing up some bad memories in this thread, I do think it has some merit.

Whether people want to admit it or not, there are more SSR complaints on this forum than any other. Also, historically, one of the consistent complaints was about the crowding at the main pool, as well as the extreme walk from the outskirts of the property to it. Well, what did Disney do --- they made plans to build another feature pool.

Disney listens to their constituents. They read this board. I have probably posted 300 times on this board spanning months and months since my last comment about SSR. I just think that the place has a lot of untapped potential and, if the people speak, some great changes can come to it. I don't see anything wrong with hoping for improvements.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I can't believe you guys don't remember the infamous "BUY SSR OR ELSE!!!!" thread of 2009 or the SSR Mafia website. That Paddock pool expansion? It's just a ruse to disguise the truth.......Jimmy Hoffa was buried there.
Kungaloosh!

Oh yes! I remember now! My old-timers is acting up again! Lol!

And as a walker, I find SSR to have the most extensive network of paths of all the DVC resorts. And they are not in the road.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Oh yes! I remember now! My old-timers is acting up again! Lol!

And as a walker, I find SSR to have the most extensive network of paths of all the DVC resorts. And they are not in the road.

It's a wonderful place to go for a walk. I like it early in the morning when you can see the various birds, small mammals and the snakes aren't out yet. You'll see lots of runners out in the morning, too. My husband loves to run from OKW when we stay there over to SSR to get in his longer runs. Running at the BW/BC/YC/etc can be boring and dangerous, but SSR and OKW are great.

 

[FindingFigment]

While I do feel bad that I am bringing up some bad memories in this thread, I do think it has some merit.

Whether people want to admit it or not, there are more SSR complaints on this forum than any other. Also, historically, one of the consistent complaints was about the crowding at the main pool, as well as the extreme walk from the outskirts of the property to it. Well, what did Disney do --- they made plans to build another feature pool.

Disney listens to their constituents. They read this board. I have probably posted 300 times on this board spanning months and months since my last comment about SSR. I just think that the place has a lot of untapped potential and, if the people speak, some great changes can come to it. I don't see anything wrong with hoping for improvements.

I, for one, didn't have any problems with your OP and noticed that most people who responded (myself included) did not actually fall into the target audience for the question you asked. You were asking for people who are NOT sold out on SSR and wondering what would make the difference. I definitely appreciate that perspective and I support any effort you make to stimulate conversation on this topic. But I think there were some things you mentioned not liking that many of us do like and if those things were changed, then you might be happy but we wouldn't. I think there are logistical elements to any resort and then there is an overall essence. Adding another themed pool and counter service solves a logistical concern, but making changes to the theme is more of an aesthetic issue and affects the emotional attachment we have. To me, trying to change that part is like trying to change chocolate into vanilla to appeal more to the the vanilla lovers.

I did, however, think of something that I really wish they would change. The shower curtain rod. I stayed at Pop last Fall and had the curtain rod that curves out and gives the appearance/feel of a larger tub/shower area, I hope they change this at SSR someday. But SSR is the only DVC unit I've stayed in and they might all be like that, I don't know. But it was the only thing I could come up with that I really disliked about my stay.

 

[stopher1]

I did, however, think of something that I really wish they would change. The shower curtain rod. I stayed at Pop last Fall and had the curtain rod that curves out and gives the appearance/feel of a larger tub/shower area, I hope they change this at SSR someday.

Ok - I agree with this one. I was in a studio just a couple of weeks ago in Congress Park, and yeah, I thought this exact thing when I was there. But it's not a major thing that ruins the resort for me in any way shape or form - it falls more in to the "nice to have" column vs. anything else. I travel so much for business that I don't keep track anymore of which places I've stayed have those vs. the ones that don't. They sure are nice, but definitely not a make or break deal for me.

 

[TisBit]

I agree with the others, while there were and are things that could be improved at SSR, most of the ones that you hit on don't quite make my list. Being next to a park is not all that great to me, usually the resorts next to a park have a big downside of poor transportation to other parks (I did say usually ).

SSR has more walking/jogging trails than you can shake a stick at....just maybe you don't recognize them as such. With it being one of the larger resorts and being adjacent to the golf course/DTD the pathways are extensive and you can go on very long walks/jogs (start at your room go over to DTD marketplace, through DTD, PI, Westside, back over to THV's and back into SSR...not many places would have a trail that long!).

The biggest issues that SSR had IMHO was the lack of on site CS options and it could have used another theme'd pool. Those items are being addressed at Paddocks expansion. I think the bus issue has also been a big issue in the past and it seems to have gotten considerably better, although with all the bus service at WDW, there is still some issues there.

While there are some downsides to it, I can see where some people have made a case for having more assigned book categories at SSR (maybe by section) and I have seen both sides of this case. It might result in more split stays for people having to move, but also could help people get the rooms they want in the more preferred sections.

 

[sean-1966]

We own at SSR and love it. The one thing I always thought might be kind of cool would be some stables with a few horses. Kind of like mascots for the place. Maybe retired horses from the campground?? I don't know, I just thought it might lend an air of realism to the whole Saratoga theme.

 

[drusba]

SSR came about as a reaction to the economic slump that followed 9/11. That area was previously the Villas at Disney Instutute, which had different names before that, was not one of Disney's higher demand resorts, and Disney had tried to increase interest with the spa and activities seemingly geared toward grooups like convention groups. Before 9/11, Disney had announced the Bonnet Creek area villas where the Osprey Ridge and Eagle Pines golf courses were (Eagle Pines is now gone and the area will become a Four Season's resort with hotel and timeshares).

The economy crashed with 9/11 (it had already been heading into recession but 9/11 accelerated everything) particularly for WDW. Some months thereafter the Bonnet Creek villas were just gone, never to be mentioned again by Disney and with no mention of cancellation, and SSR was born. For Disney, it was something that got rid of a resort that was a money loser -- in fact the Disney Institute was even closed after 9/11 -- and replaced with SSR, which would give it something to sell and the ability to add a lot of units while other DVC resorts at WDW were quickly headed to sell out.

The location is not good; that was true both before and after SSR was announced. More than any other resort, it was sold by DVC salesmen with heavy emphasis on the ability to reserve elsewhere at 7 months. Many professed buying there to do just that (How many ever profess buying at BLT just so they can stay elsewhere). It still has occupancy issues, although much less with DVC than as Disney Institute, indicated by how easy it is even for DVC members to get rooms there as late as 3 months out when nothing is available anywhere else.

In essence, though loved by many owners (particularly with the additon of THVs, another money loser for Disney before DVC for which DVC was the ideal solution), it is still the weak sibling in the group and the one that produces the largest group of those seeking to go elsewhere at 7 months. Personally, I have doubts they can do anything that would up its popularity. (Adding the second main pool was literally a necessity because of the size of the resort). It is what it is, a nice resort close to only DD, which charges more points than OKW which has a like location issue (but which has much larger rooms). It will always be the one that produces the greatest percentage of owners trying to get somewhere else at 7 months out, and the one that has made it so important now to call exactly 7 months out if you want any real chance at the resorts close to a park many times of year.

There are perhaps some things that could up popularity a little and a number have been mentioned. I would add: (a) turn the theater into a real movie theater and show Disney and Pixar full lengh cartoons, and not just one or two, but all of them, possibly cycled as one each day; (b) add a golf theme in the sense that it becomes the preferred resort for the LBV course in that those that stay there get discounts not available to any others and possibly preference to tee times and free bag storage while staying there; (c) up certain views to guaranteed status such as ones near the central area and pool and Congress Park overlooking lake; (d) be the resort that puts in a Starbucks;

 

[Mousewerks]

There are perhaps some things that could up popularity a little and a number have been mentioned. I would add: (a) turn the theater into a real movie theater and show Disney and Pixar full lengh cartoons, and not just one or two, but all of them, possibly cycled as one each day; (b) add a golf theme in the sense that it becomes the preferred resort for the LBV course in that those that stay there get discounts not available to any others and possibly preference to tee times and free bag storage while staying there; (c) up certain views to guaranteed status such as ones near the central area and pool and Congress Park overlooking lake; (d) be the resort that puts in a Starbucks;

Count me in for these ideas. I'd personally take advantage of all of them except Starbucks (not a coffee person).

 

[CMOORE185]

it is still the weak sibling in the group and the one that produces the largest group of those seeking to go elsewhere at 7 months. Personally, I have doubts they can do anything that would up its popularity. It will always be the one that produces the greatest percentage of owners trying to get somewhere else at 7 months out

Is there any proof that these statements are true, other than people like to throw them out there once in awhile?

 

[theww228]

Is there any proof that these statements are true, other than people like to throw them out there once in awhile?

For one, every time David's Point Rental has last minute points for rent he states that they are for SSR only. This means that it is only resort that has open rooms. Below is copied from his last email.

Studio February 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,28
1 Bedroom February 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,22,23,25,26,27,28
2 Bedroom February 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,25,26,27,28

The reply will be, "But, SSR is the largest resort of course it will have open rooms". Simply not true. If SSR provided free room service, free spa services and was only 6 pts a night for a studio there would not be any open rooms last minute, no matter the size!
The OP's point/question is what would members who do not wish to stay there like to see. If there was a thread that asked the same about VWL, I would not be upset if someone said they should move the resort to the DTD area. Let's return to the original topic.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I wasn't sold on SSR until they build the treehouses. We bought SSR points thinking they will be used for other resorts at the 7 month time. Now, I'm saving those points for treehouse stays with our Boston branch of the family.

I like it that the TIW card can be used at AP. How nice is that!

We've had a last minute SSR stay. We were in Paddock, right across from CP's bus stop. SSR may not be my first choice, but we have had great CMs there, and wonderful times.

 

[Mississippian]

My personal opinion is that SSR never really "sold out." The addition of the treehouses and extra pool and so forth are an effort to give the resort some added value. I'd love to know how much inventory Disney is sitting on there.

While many people clearly love and will rush to defend SSR, many DVC members dread being forced to stay in a bad location served only by buses, with a point cost that is about as high as BWV or BCV.

I think the addition of a Wedway Peoplemover and a monorail line would solve SSR's problems. People could use the Peoplemover to get around the resort and the monorail to get to the TTC. Another option might be to make a multi-seat golf cart available to all guests to help them get around. Disney could also permanently take some unsold units off the market and reduce the point cost to put SSR in line with OKW. None of this is likely to happen. Short of that, I don't think there is anything Disney can do to make it as popular as the other resorts.

Suppose DVC were to announce tomorrow that the 11-7 month window was going to change to a 11-2 month window, thus locking more people into their home resort. Which resort do you think would have the highest percentage of people seriously upset by the change? My guess, based on posts I've seen on this board, is SSR.