ErinC
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2000
- Messages
- 2,622
We(me, DH, DD8, DD5, DD1, My Mom, My Dad, SIL) just returned from SSR on Sunday. We were in rooms 1501 (studio), & 1503 (1 bed). They had an awesome view of DD, and were just steps away from the quiet pool. They were on the 1st floor, non-smoking units. They were in pretty good shape, a little wear and tear on the carpets, especially around the bathroom entrance in the 1 bed. There was already a large hole that was starting from the carpet pulling away and fraying from the door area. But overall, the units looked great. I wasn't sure how I'd like SSR in comparison to the "hotel" type DVC units we have stayed in, but I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed being on the ground floor and not having to deal with the elevator (and DD's arguing over who's turn to push the buttons). Having the car close by was better than I thought, and less money for valet tips and bell man was a plus too. Overall we really liked SSR. The biggest issue for us was the bus service. Several times we waited for a bus for over 25 minutes, a couple of times around 40 min. At Epcot during late EMH we arrived at the bus stop around 11:30. The OKW bus arrived, and was packed, he told us that an SSR bus should be coming shortly. We continued to wait for another 25 minutes until the next OKW bus arrived. I asked if she would go also be going to SSR, she replied "no". I told her that 2 OKW busses had come and no SSR bus, so she made a phone call and told us she would drop us at SSR after her OKW stops. So we finally arrived back at the room at 12:45, ridiculous IMHO. We had to ride the OKW bus back from AK one evening at close. Having to go through all of OKW before SSR makes for a really long trip. Hopefully as SSR grows, the bus service will improve (nothing that ruined our trip, just aggravating at times). We did notice several people in the evening's trying to get to DD, riding the SSR busses. The bus drivers are telling them that this is the fastest way to get to DD. My DH and I mentioned this to our guide while visiting the sales office. Hopefully he will have it checked in to as he said he will. I for one, would not be happy paying dues for SSR busses, only to have to stand on the bus on the way home because there are people wanting to hitch a ride to DD, and filling up the busses.
New stuff we did this trip, Keys to the Kingdom tour (just me and DH, my parents kept the kids), awesome! We loved it and want to do more tours in the future if we can. We ate at Teppanyaki, Brown Derby, Lotus Blossom, and Earl of Sandwich, all new to us this trip. Teppanyaki, was probably our favorite of the new stuff, and Ohana, was the best meal of all. We got seated at 6:55 right at the window with an awesome view of Wishes at 7:00. My parents and SIL kept asking how I scored the view? It was really just luck, as the lobby was swarming with people watching the Superbowl, on the TV's in the bar area and upstairs lobby.
And the best part of the whole trip!!!! DH and I attended the member meeting on Wed. and then went over to meet our guide for the 1st time. We have never actually met, just spoken over the phone. He wasn't available at that time, so we made an appointment for Sat. At our meeting we put ourselves on the waitlist for 150 more points at VWL. Our guide thinks that we should have them within the next couple of weeks. He said that they are buying backs "tons" on contracts right now, and should have some Feb. points very shortly. We decided to stick with VWL as it is our favorite, and it's so much smaller than SSR. Don't get me wrong, I would happily stay at SSR in the future, but VWL is just "home" for us. This will bring our total to 320 points, so it will work out better for us in the future. Our guide did say that the current buy back of $5 and $10 at SSR incentive will be gone at the end of the month. Can't wait to actually get those points in my account! DH says that I have "ruined" him and made it where all he wants to do is go to WDW! He says that like it's a problem!!
Anyway, it was the best Valentines gift I have ever gotten! 
If anyone is still reading and has any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.
And last but not least, I have to mention the number of rude, ridiculous people we encountered on this trip. I could list several examples, but the worst was Sat. morning. We had a PS for the Princess Storybook Breakfast at Epcot in the Norway pavilion. We arrived to find that the Breakfast had to be cancelled because they had no power in the kitchen due to a blown transformer. They still did a meet and greet with the princesses in the restaurant, and then gave us a complimentary meal at the electric umbrella. Of course a dissapointment to my girls, but life goes on. I felt so sorry for the restaurant manager out in front of Akershus. This one particular lady was just going on and on about how the only reason they had come to Epcot that day was for the breakfast for her 4 year olds birthday. She wanted to be compansated for her Tickets to the park that day, and how "they didn't eat the type of food that was served at the OTHER restaurant!" Her 4 year old's life would just be ruined, and everyone was aware that she was coming to the breakfast that day, and what was she going to tell them? The manager was so kind and just kept taking it from this ridiculous woman. I knew at that moment I could never work in that position because I would not have handled her the way that he did. He should get an award for dealing with this awful person. Sure we were disappointed, but ruining our childrens' lives, thats just insane! Anyway, off my soapbox!
All, in all we had an awesome trip,great weather, limited crowds, and no one in our family got sick this trip, which has not happened in a long time! Any questions, just ask, I'm sure I'll think of more later. Erin
New stuff we did this trip, Keys to the Kingdom tour (just me and DH, my parents kept the kids), awesome! We loved it and want to do more tours in the future if we can. We ate at Teppanyaki, Brown Derby, Lotus Blossom, and Earl of Sandwich, all new to us this trip. Teppanyaki, was probably our favorite of the new stuff, and Ohana, was the best meal of all. We got seated at 6:55 right at the window with an awesome view of Wishes at 7:00. My parents and SIL kept asking how I scored the view? It was really just luck, as the lobby was swarming with people watching the Superbowl, on the TV's in the bar area and upstairs lobby.
And the best part of the whole trip!!!! DH and I attended the member meeting on Wed. and then went over to meet our guide for the 1st time. We have never actually met, just spoken over the phone. He wasn't available at that time, so we made an appointment for Sat. At our meeting we put ourselves on the waitlist for 150 more points at VWL. Our guide thinks that we should have them within the next couple of weeks. He said that they are buying backs "tons" on contracts right now, and should have some Feb. points very shortly. We decided to stick with VWL as it is our favorite, and it's so much smaller than SSR. Don't get me wrong, I would happily stay at SSR in the future, but VWL is just "home" for us. This will bring our total to 320 points, so it will work out better for us in the future. Our guide did say that the current buy back of $5 and $10 at SSR incentive will be gone at the end of the month. Can't wait to actually get those points in my account! DH says that I have "ruined" him and made it where all he wants to do is go to WDW! He says that like it's a problem!!
Anyway, it was the best Valentines gift I have ever gotten! If anyone is still reading and has any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.And last but not least, I have to mention the number of rude, ridiculous people we encountered on this trip. I could list several examples, but the worst was Sat. morning. We had a PS for the Princess Storybook Breakfast at Epcot in the Norway pavilion. We arrived to find that the Breakfast had to be cancelled because they had no power in the kitchen due to a blown transformer. They still did a meet and greet with the princesses in the restaurant, and then gave us a complimentary meal at the electric umbrella. Of course a dissapointment to my girls, but life goes on. I felt so sorry for the restaurant manager out in front of Akershus. This one particular lady was just going on and on about how the only reason they had come to Epcot that day was for the breakfast for her 4 year olds birthday. She wanted to be compansated for her Tickets to the park that day, and how "they didn't eat the type of food that was served at the OTHER restaurant!" Her 4 year old's life would just be ruined, and everyone was aware that she was coming to the breakfast that day, and what was she going to tell them? The manager was so kind and just kept taking it from this ridiculous woman. I knew at that moment I could never work in that position because I would not have handled her the way that he did. He should get an award for dealing with this awful person. Sure we were disappointed, but ruining our childrens' lives, thats just insane! Anyway, off my soapbox!
All, in all we had an awesome trip,great weather, limited crowds, and no one in our family got sick this trip, which has not happened in a long time! Any questions, just ask, I'm sure I'll think of more later. Erin
Like I said, none of this ruined our trip. I was just really feeling poorly for my Dad. He is having circulation problems, and the standing and waiting was really difficult for him. Of course since we invited them, I feel responsible for everything that happens on the trip. My mother refers to me as tour guide Barbie. I scored big points for the room view, and the Ohana dinner, but lost some because of the long bus waits!! 
Trust me, it was worse than I can even put into words for this poor manager. I just felt so badly for him.
I think my friends were a little PO'd at me, but I said hey...since we have 2 cars, why not let me do what I like and you do what you like? I like the water trans and the monorail, but buses leave me pretty cold...oh well, just my opinion.
