Just returned from a wonderful week at SSR. I am continually impressed with this resort. It truly is maturing well. It was completely sold out and you would never known it. Pool was not crowded even though it was in the 80's. Food was great at the Artist Pallet. Very quiet and peaceful. I also liked the advantage of downtown Disney PLUS the direct transportation to any other WDW resort (no bus changes).
Ok, now on to the interesting stuff. Got the chance to catch up with my "friend". She has been very reliable (but not 100%) in the past. What I was able to gather from her:
o DVC at the Contemporary is definately dead. She reiterated to me what she said last month...financials didn't come through plus the Resorts side of the house just isn't interested in giving up the space. I asked her about the picture we all saw on the internet. Again, she said it was just one of over 30 designs DVC has commissioned for various sites. She also indicated that the structure was too big for the soil to handle (could sink) unless there were substantial shoring up the land ($$$). As a side observation, I noticed that they were bringing in truck loads of what appeared to be dry wall. So maybe they are finished with the removal of asbestos and getting ready to completed the refurbishment? I am not much of a construction expert, so couldn't confirm.
o AKL...nothing new to add what you all have already known about. Yes, it will be a separate standing set of buildings not connected to the lodge. It will have its own pool, restaurants, etc. They don't want to overload the lodge facilities. Not sure about pool hopping yet (if it will be allowed). Points will be higher. Maintenance will be higher.
o STOL...now this one was interesting. She clammed up on me. If you looked at the activities at the STOL it is clearly much more than simple ground prep for construction trailers. They are laying in basic utilities. She and I "speculated" together. Disney is seeing growth in attendance (faster than projected). Deluxe resorts are filling. Resorts would like to see an EPCOT monorail resort. DVC would love a Monorail resort....speculation...next resort is a combined resort (main lodge) and DVC (Condo style) resort.
Well, that is basically all I got out of her. So, is she right? Time will tell
Ok, now on to the interesting stuff. Got the chance to catch up with my "friend". She has been very reliable (but not 100%) in the past. What I was able to gather from her:
o DVC at the Contemporary is definately dead. She reiterated to me what she said last month...financials didn't come through plus the Resorts side of the house just isn't interested in giving up the space. I asked her about the picture we all saw on the internet. Again, she said it was just one of over 30 designs DVC has commissioned for various sites. She also indicated that the structure was too big for the soil to handle (could sink) unless there were substantial shoring up the land ($$$). As a side observation, I noticed that they were bringing in truck loads of what appeared to be dry wall. So maybe they are finished with the removal of asbestos and getting ready to completed the refurbishment? I am not much of a construction expert, so couldn't confirm.
o AKL...nothing new to add what you all have already known about. Yes, it will be a separate standing set of buildings not connected to the lodge. It will have its own pool, restaurants, etc. They don't want to overload the lodge facilities. Not sure about pool hopping yet (if it will be allowed). Points will be higher. Maintenance will be higher.
o STOL...now this one was interesting. She clammed up on me. If you looked at the activities at the STOL it is clearly much more than simple ground prep for construction trailers. They are laying in basic utilities. She and I "speculated" together. Disney is seeing growth in attendance (faster than projected). Deluxe resorts are filling. Resorts would like to see an EPCOT monorail resort. DVC would love a Monorail resort....speculation...next resort is a combined resort (main lodge) and DVC (Condo style) resort.
Well, that is basically all I got out of her. So, is she right? Time will tell
