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

[patsal]

How about bring back the original selling points? Remember when marketing touted the fireworks at DTD and the hop and skip to the nightlife. Neither are there, and for me it would take both!

 

[DVCAmy]

For me if they changed the booking dates I'd be sad but not because I'd be "stuck" at SSR but because we like to use all of the WDW DVC locations. Each one is different and we like it for a different reason. SSR is not my favorite or least favorite and I still love it.

Amy

 

[PiperMickey]

I figured I'd upset some SSR people just as I submitted my original post. That wasn't my intent. However, I'd bet every penny that I own that SSR has the lowest owner satisfaction rating of all of the DVC resorts. I've been reading this board long enough, and I know enough owners personally, to jump to that conclusion.

Part of the problem seems fixable -- such as adding the second feature pool and perhaps offering a bit more in terms of recreation. However, the other part - proximity to parks - isn't.

The proximity to parks thing, in my opinion, is the strongest factor. Think about it -- Although a lot of people love AKV, can you imagine how popular it would be if you could walk to a park from there? You'd NEVER be able to get a reservation if you didn't own there.

As a SSR owner I think that while it is walking distance to a park, it is fairly centrally located between all the parks. Since we visit all the parks during our visits I view this as a postive.
I think the new themed pool addresses the one shortcoming I felt was there and that was that the existing main pool was too small for the size of the resort. Add me to those who doesn't have to be 'over-Disneyed' by the theming as I find it comfortable and relaxing.
And since my kids don't need a signature meal every night, being close to the kid friendly restaurants at DTD is still attractive.

Maybe I am lucky because I have had positive results with reservations, check-in, room requests etc., but after 4 years(3 stays at SSP, 2 elseware) I am happy with buying lower cost pts with lower maintenance.

Just my $.02

 

[nuts]

All I can say is that my teenagers won't let me book anywhere else!

 

[bwvBound]

How about screened-in porches? Might improve the options of sitting out at night in the summer months or allow us to keep the slider open in the winter? (This request comes off a recent return from BWV where we really wished we could leave the slider open at night. We were sweltering inside.)

 

[kdzgon]

Since I'm new here and missed that, can you tell me what that looked like on the forums? Just curious.

Still happens, really. There have been numerous threads that promote the idea that no matter where you want to stay, purchasing SSR resale is the only smart choice, considering the lower cost and relatively cheap MFs. There are many posts, claiming you can stay essentially "anywhere, anytime" on cehap SSR points. However, for many (especially if there are school-aged children), it is not quite that easy to book the high-demand dates in certain locations (BLT for MNSSHP, Christmas, etc; BCV for F&W or summer, etc). Thus, some owners become disillusioned more from the reality they purchased something that doesn't really suit their needs (ie, "fulfill their dreams") quite like they expected.

Buying based in large part on price can be a viable methodology, but for many more the best advice truly is "buy where you want to stay".

 

[princessfionasmom]

I don't own at SSR but our first DVC stay was renting points at SSR and my kids loved it. We loved walking to DTD and my kids really liked the main pool. We own at BLT and love staying there but I wouldn't mind staying at SSR again at all. Right now we are trying to stay at all the resorts and then we'll revisit out favs. So as of right now I wouldn't change anything at SSR.

 

[Sammie]

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

There is absolutely no proof on those statements, other than comments here which definitely does not reflect the rest of DVC members.

 

[Sammie]

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.

How could rentals possibly reflect the true situation there, all that reflects is that more SSR members are renting at the last minute which could be due to many reasons including not wise use of points, financial reasons, etc.

I can most assure if VWL was moved to DD, many would be upset about that.

As to the orginial topic, I think a more accurate question would be: If you are not sold on SSR, why did you buy it.

 

[rutgers1]

I love the addition of the second pool.

Here is my updated list of ideas for improving it, some borrowed from others:
1) Playing up the golf aspect would be huge:
a) mini golf
b) driving range
c) letting you rent carts,like they do at Fort Wilderness (This would be game changing for me and probably make it among my favorite resorts.)

2) Playing up the horse theme
a) as someone else suggested, having a small pasture area somewhere -- the kids would love it
b) having a small night-life type area near the main building that would have a Saratoga/racing theme...perhaps with some boardwalk type games for the kids (shooting water into a target and making horses race)
c) building a large race horse themed playground

3) Playing up the spa/resort theme
a) making it the only Disney resort with group classes (even 2 a day would be great...yoga...cardio)
b) hair/nails/etc. (Not so sure about this..I am a guy with not much hair to speak of!!!)

4) It could use some type of "only at SSR" nighttime activity. If they can't come up with anything else, perhaps a giant outdoor movie/campfire like Fort Wilderness would be good.

At this point, I still think that the resort was what a person said a few posts ago -- a quick attempt to turn a money loser (Disney Institute) into at least a break even affair. There are some raw materials there --- DTD and golf --- but those items appeal to a minority of Disney's guests. If SSR were a small resort, the proximity to DTD and golf would be an INCREDIBLE niche, and I bet it would be very hard to book it if it wasn't your home resort. However, given the humongous size of the resort, it just doesn't fit the needs for the majority of Disney guests.

As to why I bought it --- someone asked why anyone bought it if they don't like it --- I was naive, wanted to buy into DVC, and was told that SSR was my only choice.

 

[LIFERBABE]

By reading some of these "enhancements", it is obvious that many posting to this thread have not stayed at SSR long enough to know what is missing.

It's evident what the true purpose of this thread is, and these postings are not going to replace poor judgement.

 

[Sammie]

Rutgers, are you not having any luck trading out to other DVC resorts, we love SSR, but we have stayed at all of them several times at 7 months.

 

[Mississippian]

How could rentals possibly reflect the true situation there, all that reflects is that more SSR members are renting at the last minute which could be due to many reasons including not wise use of points, financial reasons, etc.

I can most assure if VWL was moved to DD, many would be upset about that.

As to the orginial topic, I think a more accurate question would be: If you are not sold on SSR, why did you buy it.

Sammie,

No, it is supply and demand and I think you know it even if you won't admit it.

I agree with you that if VWL was moved to DD many would be upset as it is a terrible location. VWL is in a pretty good location, an extremely short bus ride to the MK, and you can take a boat over to the Contemporary.

 

[kikiq]

There is absolutely no proof on those statements, other than comments here which definitely does not reflect the rest of DVC members.

I can accept that there are people who don't like SSR as my DH doesn't like VWL. But notice it's the same folks that show up and put out the same "facts" about "MOST SSR owners" who "hate" SSR. And truthfully, I was interested in what people would consider positive changes. I don't know that some people can post possible changes without getting a few negative "digs". Then it becomes a "Let's bash SSR" thread with the same old "facts"; why you wouldn't want to stay there or why it shouldn't even exist. EVEN though there were villas/treehouses that people actually did stay in long before the other DVCs. So FOLKS, let's do stay OT, what positive changes would you suggest?

 

[mike9950]

As a owner at SSR since 2005, I've only stayed at the resort twice. I think the resort is a bit too large, lacks location and theming for most people.

However, some people want to be close to downtown Disney and do not want too much of a Disney theme.

It is a gorgeous resort if you take it as it is and dont "wish" that it was closer to a theme park.

 

[kikiq]

By reading some of these "enhancements", it is obvious that many posting to this thread have not stayed at SSR long enough to know what is missing.

I agree

Then I don't know about those guys with the golf clubs that were lost looking for their villas. Or the folks unloading their golf clubs at the clubhouse saying that they wanted to stay at SSR next time. Or walked early in the morning looking at the golfers walking from their villas to the clubhouse.

AND I have to correct myself, there IS a driving range, now why would I want to add another. Lake Buena Vista golf course clubhouse is located on SSR grounds, has a driving range and putting green and then most of the course snakes through OKW.

 

[Sammie]

Sammie,

No, it is supply and demand and I think you know it even if you won't admit it.

I agree with you that if VWL was moved to DD many would be upset as it is a terrible location. VWL is in a pretty good location, an extremely short bus ride to the MK, and you can take a boat over to the Contemporary.

Actually I have friends that work DVC management, I am very aware of occupany levels there, which is why I say whoey to the arguement they do not stay booked.

Their occupancy percentage is on level with other DVC resorts, they are simply larger.

Simply because some on here don't care for SSR does not prove anything other than their opinion.

It does not bother me at all that some don't care for SSR, I don't care for BWV or AKV, I am glad others do.

But I do find it annoying when some try to make opinions seem like facts.

And Honestly I guess I find it annoying that someone that did not do their homework on where to buy, wants to change something that others did do their homework on and wanted to buy as is.

 

[Sammie]

It is a gorgeous resort if you take it as it is and dont "wish" that it was closer to a theme park.

Thanks Mike, that is exactly why we love it. And the nice thing about DVC is you can buy where you want to stay and at 7 months all of them are open to everyone regardless of where they own.

 

[nuts]

Thanks Mike, that is exactly why we love it. And the nice thing about DVC is you can buy where you want to stay and at 7 months all of them are open to everyone regardless of where they own.

AMEN!

BTW, people forget that it was the fastest selling DVC (rate of points sold per month). Must be something toit (what's a toit?).

 

[LIFERBABE]

Actually I have friends that work DVC management, I am very aware of occupany levels there, which is why I say hoey to the arguement they do not stay booked.

Their occupancy percentage is on level with other DVC resorts, they are simply larger.

Simply because some on here don't care for SSR does not prove anything other than their opinion.

It does not bother me at all that some don't care for SSR, I don't care for BWV or AKV, I am glad others do.

But I do find it annoying when some try to make opinions seem like facts.

And Honestly I guess I find it annoying that someone that did not do their homework on where to buy, wants to change something that others did do their homework on and wanted to buy as is.

Exactly! If I knew this was a pity party, I would have bought a gift! Many of the things cited as missing are already there!

• Movies are shown nightly on a big screen at the main pool.
• Sundee worked at Fort Wilderness for many many years, before being transferred to SSR Community Hall. SSR is not lacking activities or games or interactive cast members.
• Portable Perks is always touting the SSR Spa with generous discounts for members. I have had multiple pedi/mani's there.
• The real horse thing did not go over well. Real horses come with real poop and the carriage rides cost more to operate than they were bringing in. (I know, we were the first family to ride at SSR).
• I dont see how anyone can say SSR needs more walking/jogging trails, when it is paved and connected to DTD, OKW and all of SSR and now THV. Go to SSR Marathon weekend and see who stays there. AP offers special menu pasta dinners the nights before the marathon because so many runners stay at SSR.
• SSR has multiple themed playgrounds and a water splash area at Grandstand that is horse themed, complete with horse heads that shoot water and a starting gate fountain.
• I cant drive a golf cart, but my last stay, Manny from bell services dropped us off at our villa and picked us up when it was time to leave. If a CM saw us walking, they always offered a ride on the cart.
• Kikiq covered the putting green and driving range.
• Even with the loss of the clubs, DTD offers more night time entertainment than any resort on WDW property and it is a boat ride or walk away from SSR.
  

There are 7 (count them!) DVC resorts on WDW Resort. I own 6 of them because they all offer something different that we enjoy. If you want to talk money-grab, let's talk currently under re-construction BLT, which I own. The NGW was not a money machine for CRO either. They let SOG have it for 2 years before they tore it down. They are charging $130-$140 a point for what? After seeing the reinforcements to the skywalk, Im surprised the Fire Marshall cleared that thing to open. It was like a rope bridge when BLT opened!
Yeah, I normally dont even play along, but let's get it right if we want to see real improvement at any DVC resort.