Just for fun... how to drive demand for SSR

[DVCMomBLT]

I do like the idea of equestrian related activities.....but I am afraid the smell would be horrible during the hot summer months

We did take a horse drawn carriage ride around the grounds when the resort first opened...it was beautiful!

I would like to have a substantial spa discount when staying at SSR.

Horse rides + summer heat = cruelty to horses

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

How about bringing back fireworks to DTD? Or just having fireworks at SSR? Seems like when people stay at the resorts that are next to parks they always want to be able to see fireworks from their rooms.

Horse rides + summer heat = cruelty to horses

Nah - Pulling a carriage isn't that strenuous over the flats.

 

[CMOORE185]

I do like the idea of equestrian related activities.....but I am afraid the smell would be horrible during the hot summer months

We did take a horse drawn carriage ride around the grounds when the resort first opened...it was beautiful!

I would like to have a substantial spa discount when staying at SSR.

I do not like the idea of anything that increases the dues. That is one if the advantages of ownership that keeps the resale value of SSR from tanking. I see no need to try to entice people to book there. I have no trouble booking the other resorts at seven months so the system must be working. Leave it be I say.

 

[PetePanMan]

how about a world of color type water / laser show like at Disney California Adventure?

 

[jennypenny]

how about a world of color type water / laser show like at Disney California Adventure?

Ahh, now that touches on a point that Tim made. People are [within reason] entitled to the resort as it was presented when they purchased. When we bought points at SSR before it opened, IIRC there were nightly fireworks at DTD, and several fun bars themed for adults. Then no fireworks. Then no fun bars except IMO Raglan Road. I realize that the changes weren't to SSR but DTD, but it removed any incentive to stay there. We've sold the points. (What I've seen of Disney Springs doesn't appeal to us.)

I also agree with Tim that I have no interest in staying in a 'themed' room. I could see a DVC hotel attached to HS that included themes like Star Wars, but not at SSR.

I do think they could have done a better job with the recent rehab. Grand Floridian managed to add more subtle Disney themes with slightly brighter colors without making it look cheesy. They should have done the same for SSR.

Honestly, the biggest reasons we don't stay there unless we have to are the (sometimes horrible) transportation issues and CS set up. Both could easily be addressed. All Star hotels have faster service on both counts.

 

[Noelle]

Ahh, now that touches on a point that Tim made. People are [within reason] entitled to the resort as it was presented when they purchased. When we bought points at SSR before it opened, IIRC there were nightly fireworks at DTD, and several fun bars themed for adults. Then no fireworks. Then no fun bars except IMO Raglan Road. I realize that the changes weren't to SSR but DTD, but it removed any incentive to stay there. We've sold the points.

We bought sight unseen as a direct add-on when sales started to existing members. We mainly bought because we wanted more points and truthfully we didn't know you could buy other sold out resorts. When we finally got to seeing the resort, we validated our purchase with the thought that we could be so convenient to the Adventurer's Club for the trips when our kids got older. Don't get me wrong...it's a pretty resort, but just not our cup of tea. Then the Treehouse Villas opened and they were the same points for a 2 Bedroom. We convinced ourselves that was a reason for keeping them. The parking at the THV & now higher points have left us with no incentive to stay there either.
Now that we can book 7 to 11 months in advance and we fully understand our purchase, I am in the 'buy where you want to stay camp'. We just bought OKW (for GV) & BWV resale to add to our original BCV points and bought 150 VGF points because those are the resorts we 'need' to stay at. Now, we plan to sell our 130 SSR points next month. VGF was really the tipping point. I would have kept my lower MF SSR points for use, but VGF is so small that I don't want to be shut out.

 

[CMOORE185]

We bought sight unseen as a direct add-on when sales started to existing members. We mainly bought because we wanted more points and truthfully we didn't know you could buy other sold out resorts. When we finally got to seeing the resort, we validated our purchase with the thought that we could be so convenient to the Adventurer's Club for the trips when our kids got older. Don't get me wrong...it's a pretty resort, but just not our cup of tea. Then the Treehouse Villas opened and they were the same points for a 2 Bedroom. We convinced ourselves that was a reason for keeping them. The parking at the THV & now higher points have left us with no incentive to stay there either.
Now that we can book 7 to 11 months in advance and we fully understand our purchase, I am in the 'buy where you want to stay camp'. We just bought OKW (for GV) & BWV resale to add to our original BCV points and bought 150 VGF points because those are the resorts we 'need' to stay at. Now, we plan to sell our 130 SSR points next month. VGF was really the tipping point. I would have kept my lower MF SSR points for use, but VGF is so small that I don't want to be shut out.

I am all for buying where you love to stay, and GF is my favorite resort, but not for $150 per point, that is beyond ridiculous (in my opinion only of course). We bought at $65 per point and I hesitated at that price.

 

[tjkraz]

how about a world of color type water / laser show like at Disney California Adventure?

World of Color draws about 4000 people per show to a dedicated viewing area. In addition to the costs of putting-on the show, there are also dozens of Cast Members working crowd control and security.

I don't see WDW bringing that to a free venue. They don't have any problem drawing crowds to DTD / Disney Springs today and there's little reason to absorb the cost of building, maintaining and regularly performing the show.

And I don't think SSR guests want to be caught in the middle of the crowds it would draw to the resort.

The fireworks at DTD are a relic of a long-abandoned concept for Pleasure Island. Really, they were nothing too spectacular. I watched the fireworks from our balcony at SSR in 2004. Didn't last for very long--45 seconds sticks in my mind but it may have been a bit longer. I have an old video where I grabbed my camcorder just as the fireworks started, missing the beginning. All together, my video lasts 12 seconds before the show is over.

 

[Noelle]

I am all for buying where you love to stay, and GF is my favorite resort, but not for $150 per point, that is beyond ridiculous (in my opinion only of course). We bought at $65 per point and I hesitated at that price.

It is very high, but it's where we want to stay. But we're selling out SSR points to help offset the additional cost.

 

[js]

I like SSR. We don't own there but have stayed there a few times. I think a destination dining would help, but honestly think it's proximity to DTD doesn't make that likely. But also it is the proximity to DTD that has me choosing it as a resort too.

This is a main reason why I love SSR, which is my home resort.
Kids get older and you are not always trapped in a room at night.
We purchased 5 years ago and my kids, which are in HS and college, are old enough to walk there at night or during the day if they wish or can go if they bring friends for something to do on their own in the evenings. Movies, Quest, Bowling, restaurants and shops all in a boat or walking distance.

Us, too. There is so much variety at DTD. My dd will be 21 soon and we can all go, have a few drinks and not have to wait for busses or think about driving.

I do prefer to keep SSR my little secret so don't try to push the resort please

 

[jennypenny]

The fireworks at DTD are a relic of a long-abandoned concept for Pleasure Island.

That was really my point. DTD was going to have a large area geared for adults. SSR's more mature theming and spa fit right in with that IMO. We thought it would make a nice place to stay for adult trips that revolved around golf and nightlife. I think that's been the whole problem with that area (SSR and DTD)--who's the target audience? They seem to be swinging back to a more family-oriented theme, but honestly ... how many times has Disney changed it's mind wrt that area?

To get back to the OP's question--SSR could use a dinner show or maybe make the main street more of a Main Street and add music and buskers like on the Boardwalk.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

SSR is my absolutely favorite resort, and I love it just the way it is. Our dues haven't sky-rocketed and Disney doesn't seem to be in a panic over any issues with unsold room nights. I'm not sure there's a problem.

Every resort isn't for every person. I get that. Many think SSR is too laid back, not Disney enough, too big to walk around, too far away, and that 5 bus stops is unreasonable. I don't have an issue with any of those aspects of the resort.

Some things that would make it more enjoyable?

Some type of length-of-stay transportation option, maybe? You can rent bikes and surreys by the hour, but it would be nice to be able to have them for the week. Also, it would be nice if bikes and surreys were allowed across the bridge into DTD at certain hours of the day. It gets too crowded over there later in the day, but it would at least be a nice option for breakfast. How about golf carts, like at Fort Wilderness? (Ok, golf carts driven by guests would probably be insane and out of control. Never mind!)

Along those same lines, perhaps a better method of transportation within the resort. An extra bus that makes a constant circle, maybe? Or one of the trams from the parking lots? Transportation costs are paid out of dues, so I'm not sure what the impact would be on cost.

Change the lots at DTD to be validated paid parking (4 hours free with a qualified purchase amount or restaurant receipt), which would allow Disney to offer direct bus service between DTD and the theme parks. This would eliminate all the traffic on SSR buses of people trying to get between DTD and a park.

Add meet & greet characters to Turf Club. Maybe it would make the restaurant popular enough to open for lunch again.

Another enhanced pool, perhaps with a lazy river.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Some type of length-of-stay transportation option, maybe? You can rent bikes and surreys by the hour, but it would be nice to be able to have them for the week. .

I'd really like if they would bring that back at all resorts for DVC owners. We'd very likely do a length of stay rental whereas now we rarely do.

 

[aje10]

There are things to love about SSR - the beautiful grounds, proximity to golfcourse and DTD, ease of parking near your unit. However, I agree that a few changes could make it more attractive to people. The idea of fireworks or even a laser show/boat parade (likely less costly than nightly fireworks) might be interesting. I also agree about the dining options, but with the proximity to DTD, I can see why they won't add additional restaurants.

We own at BWV and VWL, but as others have said, stay occasionally at SSR when we make trips with less advance planning. I'm finding it more and more difficult to get reservations less than 10-11 months in advance without going on a wait list - so it's nice to know you can get rooms somewhere! SSR is also a nice resort if you want to use a mix of cash and points, as the cash price for villas is usually less than all of the other DVC properties.

The biggest issue for me is the transportation. That being said, if you've ever been on the bus ride from DTD to the BWV that stops at the Swan, Dolphin, YC and BC...it can be just as long. We've learned to hop off at the Swan/Dolphin and walk over the bridge.

Overall, nicely maintained rooms and grounds (including pools), and friendly service goes a long way with me. I've learned to be patient getting around WDW, with the realization that I'll be back again before too long, and these aren't "once in a lifetime" trips for us.

 

[Tinkerbell58]

wine & cheese tastings
midnight snacks or light meals while cruising on a riverboat
mini golf with an equestrian theme
ice cream social

 

[disneynutz]

I know that this is just for fun, but we do realize that the owners pay for all parities, mixers, extras, and baseball hats and Disney only pays if they are actively selling to you.

Bill

 

[Tinkerbell58]

I know that this is just for fun, but we do realize that the owners pay for all parities, mixers, extras, and baseball hats and Disney only pays if they are actively selling to you.

Bill

I realize we don't want our dues to go up. However, why couldn't there be a fee for all the extras? Disney is very good at advertising and selling the extras for $$. For example, mini golf is not free at other locations; neither are some other activities offered throughout WDW

 

[disneynutz]

I realize we don't want our dues to go up. However, why couldn't there be a fee for all the extras? Disney is very good at advertising and selling the extras for $$. For example, mini golf is not free at other locations; neither are some other activities offered throughout WDW

They are doing that now, it's called Membership Magic. They are offering extra events for a fee and the fees seem to have a nice profit built in for Disney.

People need to realize that Disney is a for profit business and nothing is really free but Disney is great at putting on the PR spin.

I wish that they would really offer some exclusive events or tours available only to members at a fair price.

Bill

 

[JeanfromBNA]

You want to drive demand for Saratoga Springs? Add two pedestrian bridges to DTD so it becomes a directly connected amenity. I know that you can walk to DTD from the resort, but the walk is too long and too concealed.

 

[disneynutz]

You want to drive demand for Saratoga Springs? Add two pedestrian bridges to DTD so it becomes a directly connected amenity. I know that you can walk to DTD from the resort, but the walk is too long and too concealed.

As we speak a new bridge is being built between Congress Park and the old Market Place.

Bill