Isn't it interesting!

[dianeschlicht]

When SSR came online, the only excitement was that there was SOMETHING DVC to buy into again.

With AKV, there is real excitement over the location and resort itself! That says DVC/Disney is definitely making a good choice here!

 

[crisi]

I thought SSR was disappointing. I've never been a DTD fan - and I really expected them to do something to create a draw to that area. A lot of the rumors we heard flying around - bigger rooms for instance, or even the opening of a really good restaurant - were intriguing. But in the end they didn't add anything to the resort that I found to be a draw.

I haven't really been following the rumors for AKL - because I'll wait and see until its built. I remember the disappointment the first time I looked at the decor of an SSR room. But, they have created draw - which is a good thing in my mind. I'm sure some people will be as ho-hum about the animals as I am about DTD - but the occupancy rates of AKL seem to bear out that its a draw - disspite what I think is a disadvantagous location.

I always doubted they'd take the risk of the construction around the animals, but they seem to have found a good plan for it and I'm glad its being built. It certainly was always a popular choice here in our polling. Before SSR existed, few people ever wanted that location for a resort, but we've been asking for AKL (probably only the Poly has been more popular) for years.

We aren't buying - I have plenty of points for my purposes and if I want a week at AKL we will just book the resort.

 

[dvcjim]

That is the rub.

The largest resort, and it's the least popular.

Obvioulsy that will strain the system.

DVC needs to come up with something on site at SSR that makes it stand out. DD simply doesn't do it.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We were just buying into DVC in '03, and we weren't interested in SSR's location. It's a beautiful resort and we have since stayed at other large timeshares, and I think that for me, SSR is much more appealing than those were. I would be happy to stay there but am not interested in owning there.

However, I AM excited about AKV, and I've just left a message with our guide to please call on Monday because we would like to add on there. She called yesterday and answered my questions, but we weren't willing to commit then.
It was my job to find the money...and I did.

Bobbi

 

[mattsdragon]

Actually, now that the Turf Grill is open, it's a very good restuarant. In talking with the bartender at On the Rocks, I learned that the staff is eagerly anticipating the completion of construction and the departure of the DVC sales staff. I was told that many other things are in the works, but because the units are still being sold, they really can't gear everything up with DVC in the way. They're looking forward to the start of the new DVC resort by Osprey Ridge so they can take ownership of SSR.

I'm biased because I own at SSR, but I like the location by DTD, the wife loves the fact that the Spa is there, and I also like the fact that there is a Golf Course on site. We have no complaints at all, we love our "home".

 

[disnutt]

I was excited by SSR and still am. I also want some of the AKL action.

I guess that SSR is still going to be as my grandmother used to say, "The redheaded stepchild" of DVC in some people's opinions. I'm glad because it's more for me! (No flames because my brother has red hair and I love him! )

 

[simzac]

That is the rub.

The largest resort, and it's the least popular.

Obvioulsy that will strain the system.

DVC needs to come up with something on site at SSR that makes it stand out. DD simply doesn't do it.

Least popular based on whose opinion, yours DW and I visited SSR twice during our recent stay at OKW, and if SSR is our only choice besides OKW for future trips, that's fine with us. We loved SSR. The smaller resorts are ok, but not a "have to" stay at on future visits, this is of course JMO

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

When SSR came online, the only excitement was that there was SOMETHING DVC to buy into again.

With AKV, there is real excitement over the location and resort itself! That says DVC/Disney is definitely making a good choice here!

I agree and was thinking the same thing. The last "buzz" like this was when the BCV went on sale and I'm not even sure it was as big. The sheer number of threads and excitement displayed in them is quite amazing.

The next "buzz" will be when the Contemporary DVC goes on sale.

HBC

 

[dwelty]

That is the rub.

The largest resort, and it's the least popular.

Obvioulsy that will strain the system.

DVC needs to come up with something on site at SSR that makes it stand out. DD simply doesn't do it.

According to my guide SSR far exceeded sales projections, (and sales projections were based on BCV and WLV Sales). So technically it outpaced sales at both of these previous resorts, obviously it is larger so there are more units overall to sell...

 

[dvcjim]

According to my guide SSR far exceeded sales projections, (and sales projections were based on BCV and WLV Sales). So technically it outpaced sales at both of these previous resorts, obviously it is larger so there are more units overall to sell...

I agree WDW has gotten very very good at selling DVC.

IMO that says nothing about AKV or SSR, but speaks volumes about WDW's marketing team.

They are very good at what they do.

 

[Fatalbie]

Diane,
You are obviously far more informed re DVC than many, inclusive. I have read many of your posts dating back to around 1999-2000 and find your posts to be quite good. You may be right about the "buzz" factor, but SSR has quite a bit to offer, JMO, depending on what your looking for. DTD is practically on site and offers a wide array of alternatives to the "parks" during a stay, including for dining. I think you are short changing the appeal of SSR to many, inclusive, and I'd be willing to bet that the #'s bear that out to a certain degree. I'm sure Disney is not trying to ruin a good thing by opening resorts that are not appealing. On my recent stay there I did not see many people walking around, head down, kicking the ground because the resort was a disappointment and ruining their vacation. I think to each their own. I have not stayed at any of the other DVC's, and I intend to. The only stay I have had, SSR, was fantastic. I decided to buy there in part due to the F&F price and my budget. Now that I have staryed there I know I made a good decision. My$.02.
Jim

 

[barlitz]

We liked SSR better than BC and BW, BC was just way to crowded for us last time we stayed. We like the relaxing atmosphere with the Spa and golf course,and along with the many dining options a short walk away it was an easy decision for us.

 

[dvcjim]

We liked SSR better than BC and BW, BC was just way to crowded for us last time we stayed. We like the relaxing atmosphere with the Spa and golf course,and along with the many dining options a short walk away it was an easy decision for us.

I agree, they are crowded. Many people stay there.

 

[Dean]

According to my guide SSR far exceeded sales projections, (and sales projections were based on BCV and WLV Sales). So technically it outpaced sales at both of these previous resorts, obviously it is larger so there are more units overall to sell...

Sales being based on those is not the same as expecting the same pace. SSR was the first resort in forever, really since OKW was the only one, that was selling as the only resort offered. You have to be careful taking this type of info from a person who's job is to sell that item. It's like asking purchase advice of a Toyota Salesperson. BCV & VWL each sold about 18 months in active sales and overlapped each other significantly along with the extra BWV & OKW points that came on board and both HH and VB still in sales with incentives. Had either came on alone with no competition they would likely have sold out in 3-4 months or less pre-construction and possibly without offering any points to the public at all. It's been in sales about 3 years now and in spite of some DVC and board hype to the contrary, has quite a ways to go. Of course the new ending date helped dramatically.

SSR is a great resort overall but if you look at the general demand for DVC, it is lower in demand than all of the other on property resorts by enough to make a real and significant difference. Rest assured it will continue to be the most available on property resort year in and year out unless there are major changes at the resort or another lower demand resort the comes in below it. I'm sure someone will post from time to time they couldn't get SSR and could get X, such is the nature of the beach, but overall it will continue to be the easiest to reserve. IF the points were the same as OKW, OKW would be the lowest and it's my personal favorite.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

The largest resort, and it's the least popular.

From some of the trip reports I have read here, people seem pretty pleased with SSR. I think as more people stay there, it will gain in popularity. JMO

 

[JodyTG]

Even though I haven't stayed there yet (outvoted the last two years since buying in) I LOVE the idea of SSR. Once I get my add-on at BWV, I see us switching between one year at SSR and another at BWV. It'll be the best of both worlds...the "in your face" action of the BWV and the nice, calm, relaxing SSR (with lots of shopping nearby of course) with an onsite golf course to boot.

 

[dvcjim]

From some of the trip reports I have read here, people seem pretty pleased with SSR. I think as more people stay there, it will gain in popularity. JMO

That would be great if it worked out that way. I hope you are right.

But IMO just the opposite will happen.

Being able to walk to a park, or take a 5 min boat ride is something that the vast majority of DVC owners want.

I think once SSR owners get a taste of being in the heart of WDW rather then the edge, they will place even more demand on the "little 3".

I don't anticipate many owners of BCV/BWV/VWL booking multiple stays at SSR by choice.

But I have been wrong before.

 

[Granny]

Diane,
You are obviously far more informed re DVC than many, inclusive. I have read many of your posts dating back to around 1999-2000 and find your posts to be quite good. You may be right about the "buzz" factor, but SSR has quite a bit to offer, JMO, depending on what your looking for. DTD is practically on site and offers a wide array of alternatives to the "parks" during a stay, including for dining. I think you are short changing the appeal of SSR to many, inclusive, and I'd be willing to bet that the #'s bear that out to a certain degree.

Jim...Diane can speak for herself but I'll toss in my thoughts. I've also been a reader of Diane's posts over the years and I don't think her intention was to "bash" SSR. Her comments are directed to the "buzz" surrounding the opening of a new resort, and her perception of the excitement level of the posters on this board.

I know that people get defensive about their home resorts, but I think taking Diane's comments to be a bash on SSR is a misinterpretation.

Some of the subsequent comments went in the direction of questioning the appeal of SSR, but if you read the original post again I think you'll see that the thread has gone in a different direction than her comments.

 

[barlitz]

I dont understand what you mean by low demand? If SSR only had 282 rooms like the BC or 378 like the BW has it wouldn't have already sold out? SSR has over 800+ rooms!

Another thing to consider as DVC continues to expand which it will, the need for additional parks will be necessary. How do you know your new favorite park won't be right next to SSR

 

[SaratogaShan]

That is the rub.

The largest resort, and it's the least popular.

Obvioulsy that will strain the system.

DVC needs to come up with something on site at SSR that makes it stand out. DD simply doesn't do it.

How can you say with certainty that it is the least popular? It is not even finished/sold out yet!

I think it will take a little time to see how things unfold. Keep in mind that SSR could be wildly popular and still easier to book than the smaller resorts because of sheer size and number of rooms.

I bought SSR preconstruction, I very much love this resort, and I thought we could STOP complaining about it by now!

By most accounts, sales are ahead of schedule right now, so I suppose there are plenty of folks who like this resort just fine!

ETA: About a year and a half ago I started a thread entitled "Has your opinion of SSR changed now that you have stayed there?" Unfortunately the thread way hijacked by two of our more infamous posters, but there were some who posted that they had changed their minds after actually staying there!

Hmmmmm......I may try that thread again!