Just changed from OKW to SSR

[mommym]

Just picture this in your mind if you will. Saratoga Springs to me is like a Six Flags park amongst the WDW parks. The design?: If I have a hotdog sandwich with mustard, ketchup, and relish....Saratoga Springs is like a peunut butter mixed in that sandwich. My tastebuds may be sensitive to the taste of that peunit butter but some may like peanut butter with their hotdog sanwich.

Not to be rude but what are you talking about?

 

[bpmorley]

It is not rodent infested and neither does it stink.
In my opinion, Saratoga Springs did not meet my expectations. Yes, the rooms and furnishings are nice because they are new. But it is the whole design of that place that bothered me. It just did not have that magical feeling. Just picture this in your mind if you will. Saratoga Springs to me is like a Six Flags park amongst the WDW parks. The design?: If I have a hotdog sandwich with mustard, ketchup, and relish....Saratoga Springs is like a peunut butter mixed in that sandwich. My tastebuds may be sensitive to the taste of that peunit butter but some may like peanut butter with their hotdog sanwich. To each their own.

I'm kind of lost on this one too.

 

[Ms. WDW]

It is not rodent infested and neither does it stink.
In my opinion, Saratoga Springs did not meet my expectations. Yes, the rooms and furnishings are nice because they are new. But it is the whole design of that place that bothered me. It just did not have that magical feeling. Just picture this in your mind if you will. Saratoga Springs to me is like a Six Flags park amongst the WDW parks. The design?: If I have a hotdog sandwich with mustard, ketchup, and relish....Saratoga Springs is like a peunut butter mixed in that sandwich. My tastebuds may be sensitive to the taste of that peunit butter but some may like peanut butter with their hotdog sanwich. To each their own.

I think I understand what you're trying to say. We purchased at this location for the "contrast" and to have a choice. Since we also own at the BW, we've experienced the "hussle and bussle" that location has to offer and absolutely love it!! But now that the trips are happening more often and more often than not without our 17 yr old son, DH and I have the option of a "remote" location or a location "right in the middle of it all". However....I don't really think I'll find SSR Remote as it's right across from DTD. But regardless of where we stay, it's still WDW and I'm sure I'll find "magic" where ever I stay.

 

[cobbler]

One of the reasons I like SSR is because I like to be in the magic but not on top of the magic.

I like to be at the parks but I don't want be on top of them for my stay either. It's nice to go back and have some peace and quiet, know that I am just a short bus ride away from the parks and everything and still on Disney property with all the perks that go along with it

 

[starbox]

I The design?: If I have a hotdog sandwich with mustard, ketchup, and relish....Saratoga Springs is like a peunut butter mixed in that sandwich. My tastebuds may be sensitive to the taste of that peunit butter but some may like peanut butter with their hotdog sanwich. To each their own.

Some people like their hotdogs on a bun instead of a sandwich! And Elvis ate bananas with peanut butter!

It is true that SSR is different, and some people may feel like that means a lack of Disney magic. It seems obvious though that Disney was trying to create a different experience with SSR than the properties attached to hotels - a place more toned down/understated in its theme and presentation to appeal to different types of guests (or stages of life). I think it was a smart move - because while there is a percentage of people who use DVC every year for themselves and continue to enjoy the parks/etc, I think there is a larger percentage that reach a stage in life where they'd like not do other things than theme parks. They've always had the option to go somewhere else with their points, but I think Disney was hoping SSR might encourage them to stay at a DVC resort a bit more. It is next to golfing, has an award-winning full spa (ranked higher than the one at GF in national media), has a spread out, resort town feel with lots of walking ways/jogging trails, it's the only DVC resort I can find that offers appointments with a personal trainer and it has a full, state-of-the-art fitness center. It's close to shopping, entertainment and more dining options than anywhere (other than EPCOT).

I have a feeling that there will be many families that will ONLY stay at SSR because they have a member that "does not like theme parks". With its DTD access, SSR is the one DVC resort where a couple could shop, eat, see some shows, golf, swim, take evening walks, go to the spa, use the fitness center and personal training, and feel like they had a nice, restful, resort vacation without ever going into one of the parks.

 

[JerJan]

DVC GUIDES are telling potential buyers: "Sure, buy at SSR, but you don't have to stay there--stay at Beach Club, Boardwalk, wherever you want..." and are thus clogging up the works for "older" members.

YES, as an owner it is my perogative to stay "WHERE EVER" I choose to stay. So what's wrong with them disclosing this to potential buyers??? I didn't think that it was supposed to be a big secret!? I usually will choose SSR over the others but it's my "RIGHT" as an owner to stay at any DVC resort that has availability, the same as it is for ALL DVC owners!

 

[3DisneyKids]

YES, as an owner it is my perogative to stay "WHERE EVER" I choose to stay. So what's wrong with them disclosing this to potential buyers??? I didn't think that it was supposed to be a big secret!? I usually will choose SSR over the others but it's my "RIGHT" as an owner to stay at any DVC resort that has availability, the same as it is for ALL DVC owners!

There is nothing wrong with guides telling prospects this. Of course, as you say, it is part of the ownership deal. My point in saying this was to repeat why many on these boards are furstrated with SSR. Also, there may come a time when it is your home resort only (again, this is just based on discussions on these boards).

Have a magical day~~

 

[Chuck S]

Owners at other resorts could simply avoid the "I can't book my home resort" scenario by booking within their priority window. Between 11 and 7 months out they are only competing with other folks that own at that resort. DVC has always worked best for those that book early, and the continuing growth of DVC, be it SSR or any other resort in the futute, will continue to make that window an important part of DVC membership.

 

[m4travel]

Nicely said, and I agree. ... [W]e did our research and this is what we wanted; some people did not research and found themselves in a home they did not like. I have decided to ignore all negative reports from now on and just enjoy my home and WDW and the very nice people on the DIS.

Nicely put; it is important to know the viewpoint from which a poster writes. There was a time when we had a couple of posters on the disBoards who referred to SSR as being 'off-property'. They were very unhappy with the resort. But there are so many who are happy with the location, that one realizes it has much to offer.

Although we have yet to stay at all of our home resorts, we are booked into SSR in October following the Members' Cruise and are looking forward to our stay.

 

[rigsby25]

Rigsby25 I know you did not mean to bash but I think its the way you word your thoughts on SSR.

Lackluster Goofy lacks winning features of the other resorts
just sounds mean rather than objective. have a nice day

I see what you mean! My favorite hotel is OKW. I think that main pool is lackluster also. BCV has the best pool I've heard. I just think horses are goofy. I think the BWV is goofy too. Especially with that clown mouth pool. A winning feature to me is what brings people to a resort. The winning feature for me at the OKW is the biggest rooms. Its something that the resort does better than any other resort. I didn't want to sound mean. When it comes to DVC, I don't have a mean bone in my body!

 

[rigsby25]

I completely forgot about the extra 12 years! It didn't mean much to us entering our 50's, but it will mean a lot to the younger people, or people who are sure their children will love Disney as much as they do. That would be a winning feature.

 

[HUFF590]

I didn't want to sound mean. When it comes to DVC, I don't have a mean bone in my body!

Oh I know, I just lost it yesterday with all the bashing going on. I truly love SSR, its the first place my wife and kids started making DVC memories. By the way how big are those rooms at OKW?

 

[JerJan]

To me the OKW room are really not that much bigger to have an impact on where I stay. SSR is cleaner in my experience and that over rules size any day!

 

[seabright1]

Not to be rude but what are you talking about?

Saratoga Springs is poorly designed. There is this strong sense of dis-harmony within the complex and within the DVC WDW resorts

 

[HUFF590]

See Im ignoring.

 

[bpmorley]

Saratoga Springs is poorly designed. There is this strong sense of dis-harmony within the complex and within the DVC WDW resorts

Are you kidding me?

 

[seabright1]

Are you kidding me?

No. I'm not kidding you. It is my opinion,
If anyone says that it is the most beautiful resort, I don't go about jumping: "Are you kiding me?" It is his or her honest opinion.

 

[Chuck S]

This is not an SSR bashing thread. The OP commented about her changing her ressie to SSR...the subject is not whether in anyones opinion SSR is poorly designed or has a nice Feng Shui

 

[rigsby25]

To me the OKW room are really not that much bigger to have an impact on where I stay. SSR is cleaner in my experience and that over rules size any day!

So far I've never walked into an OKW room with a huge noticeable stain right in the middle of the carpet like I did at SSR. And don't forget the broken tv. And the resort is how old? I think its the luck of the draw. Who stayed in the room before you, how well housekeeping did their job preparing the room, etc. The studios at OKW aren't much bigger, but they do have two real beds. The sofa pull out at SSR is comfortable though. The 1BR's at OKW are huge compared to a SSR 1BR. I'm glad you like SSR that much. You will have a great time! When I stayed there, there was a problem with availability at OKW, so I kind of got stuck with SSR. And the whole trip I missed the open airy sunny rooms at OKW. But I just made up my mind not to let it spoil our vacation. And I bet you missed SSR when you were at OKW. I am glad SSR is there mostly because I believe we will never have a problem with availability.

 

[russct]

Never Thought I Would Get Into This. I Have Been Ssr Owner Since Ssr Went On Sale 2003. I Bought To Be Part 0f Disney. I Have Stayed At Bwv And Ssr Only! Been 5 Times, 1 Time Bwv And 4 Times Ssr, Bwv, Great Location, But Love The Feel Of Ssr. The Spa. Fitness Center (the Best, No Arguement Here!) And You Can Catch A Bus From Downtown Disney To Any Resort. Just To Make Everyone Happy, When I Get Ssr 11 Months Out For Prime Time, Enjoy Where You Get A Reservation. I Would Hate To Have Small (very Nice Resort) I Know Ssr Is Big, So I Have Better Chance Of Getting My Reservation. I Am Booking Ssr, Because I Love It! Thanks, And Have A Great One!