Let's change SSR? OR Let's keep it?

[dtheboys]

Ok......... I own at SSR... we did a membership at SSR for the extra years on the deed. ( my wife wants it for our kids down the road).

The poll is ...would you change SSR or No, I like it...leave it alone!!

If you would change the theme at SSR, what theme would you like to see??

 

[jlx2]

I remember there was a thread a while ago and it mentioned possibly maybe a Mary Popppins theme (remember the horses on the carosel in the movie?) I thought this would be a great idea. I love the decor of the rooms, and the resort itself, but I think it could do with a little more of a "Disney" touch to the themeing. I also own there and I couldn't be happier, but I just love that idea about Mary Poppins.

 

[spiceycat]

the only WDW resorts that are Disney are the value resorts.

Mickey is very much there at any of them!

especially the All Star Movie and Pop Century.

but I found hidden Mickeys (in obvious places) all over the place in all the value resorts.

DVC resorts are deluxe resorts.

the Polyn or the GF certainly are not Disney hotels - they don't scream Disney - but they are the most popular of the WDW hotels.

SSR reminds me very much of GF. It is a high quality resort. Now I also think DVC is too much in the North-Eastern states and really needs to branch out in other areas....

BWV, BCV, SSR - (even some parts of VB) - are the Atlantic Seaboard and the surrounding areas....

VWL is the one exception. North-western.

OKW is Floridian.

I would like something similar to POR or POFQ but better of course. DVC definites does the better.....

but since there were parts of the DI that DVC did not own and won't ever own. they didn't have a lot of choice.

It would look very strange to have a Floridian resort but in the middle of the town New England building.....

the movie theater and other parts don't belong to DVC.

I won't change any of the structures - I would put up more bus stops....maybe. how about more quiet pools? It seems like the bus stops and quiet pools were like DI - not to many and definitely far between than OKW - lots of bus stops and quiet pools.

SSR is a beautiful resort.

Is it too big - I don't think so.

Some people think OKW is too big - but if you stay there you learn it is a community. I think SSR will be in time....

the time part is the problem - be patience - this is a Grand resort and it will live up to its expectation just give it time.

If you like small resorts - then only stay at VWL and BCV - because the others are much bigger....

Now SSR is available on short notice more often - because it is the newest - DVC is putting more SSR on the table still...

when this place is sold out I think it will be just as hard to make a reservation here as the others places...I could be wrong. but I just don't think so.

Oh what else does it need - a main pool - even better and bigger than SALB - but that is not going to happen - that pool requires alot of money to kept it in top shape not to mention personally - count the lifeguards - WDW has to pay them even no one is swimming.....I doubt Disney will ever built another SALB at their resorts - now their water parks - different story.

 

[dvc_john]

I wouldn't actually change the theme at all.

But I do think the one thing lacking at SSR is some feature that no other DVC resort has, that would make SSR owners want to stay there all the time, and would attract owners of other DVC resorts to want to stay there more.
BCV and BWV have location. BCV has SAB, VWL again has location. OKW has large rooms and low point schedule. I don't think the slightly lower point schedule or DTD location of SSR match up to those features.
When they announced the additional 6 buildings, I think they should have included a lazy river pool. These pools are becoming more and more popular. At least 2 Hyatt timeshares I know of have them. It would be like the lazy river at TL, only not as big. Make pool hopping to this pool disallowed, and I think the demand for SSR would go up dramatically.

 

[Mrs Potato Head]

I wouldn't actually change the theme at all.

But I do think the one thing lacking at SSR is some feature that no other DVC resort has, that would make SSR owners want to stay there all the time, and would attract owners of other DVC resorts to want to stay there more.
BCV and BWV have location. BCV has SAB, VWL again has location. OKW has large rooms and low point schedule. I don't think the slightly lower point schedule or DTD location of SSR match up to those features.
When they announced the additional 6 buildings, I think they should have included a lazy river pool. These pools are becoming more and more popular. At least 2 Hyatt timeshares I know of have them. It would be like the lazy river at TL, only not as big. Make pool hopping to this pool disallowed, and I think the demand for SSR would go up dramatically.

Ok, LOVE The lazy river idea! Wouldn't that be great? We stayed at Beaches in Jamaica and they had one of those, and we all loved it. Of course, it would be a huge life guard issue... and might break up the solitude of the resort....

AS for the decor of the SSR -...I LOVE the more grown up decor of the SSR. If more families with little kids want the character experiences everywhere, they can stay elsewhere. The thing I love about Disney is that they offer so many choices - and the new SSR does give a more grown up perspective. We have teenagers now, and they love Disney, but don't need a Mouse greeting them around every corner!

Just my .02

 

[cobbler]

I wouldn't change it at all.

The only thing I would add is another mini-themed High Rock Springs pool for the paddock and phase 3 that they are building.

This will help ease the congestion of the main pool and also put a pool closer to those areas.

 

[mathmagic]

But I do think the one thing lacking at SSR is some feature that no other DVC resort has, that would make SSR owners want to stay there all the time, and would attract owners of other DVC resorts to want to stay there more.

To me, this unique feature is already there - being within walking distance of DTD. We love this feature. When the parks close early, there is still plenty of shopping, action, and fun to be had with tons of food choices and a pretty cool view when all the lights come on. We love SSR just the way it is. Different people have different tastes, and I'm sure there are other DVC resrtos that fit other people better. But please leave my SSR alone!

 

[Deb & Bill]

SSR is a beautiful resort. We don't own there (we're done with adding on). But we have stayed there two times. It's a spacious resort like OKW. You can play golf at this resort. You can walk to DTD. You can take advantage of the wonderful spa. And you say it has nothing????

 

[Sammie]

I wouldn't actually change the theme at all.

But I do think the one thing lacking at SSR is some feature that no other DVC resort has, that would make SSR owners want to stay there all the time, and would attract owners of other DVC resorts to want to stay there more.
BCV and BWV have location. BCV has SAB, VWL again has location. OKW has large rooms and low point schedule. I don't think the slightly lower point schedule or DTD location of SSR match up to those features.
When they announced the additional 6 buildings, I think they should have included a lazy river pool. These pools are becoming more and more popular. At least 2 Hyatt timeshares I know of have them. It would be like the lazy river at TL, only not as big. Make pool hopping to this pool disallowed, and I think the demand for SSR would go up dramatically.

Again I think it is all in what appeals to someone. Being close to Epcot and MGM over taking a bus there has no appeal to us. VWL, if I am going to be close to the MK I want to be close enough to monorail and see it. Not be in the neighborhood.

SAB is highly over-rated in my opinion especially when you can not even find a chair to sit in. The pool situation during the summer at VWL is even worse.

As to having a feature that attracts, SSR has it for us, the Spa and Downtown Disney.

I really do not understand the need to want to change anything about any of the resorts. They are all special in their own way. If you don't like one then don't buy there, or book a stay there. Buy and stay where you like.

I am sure the majority of SSR owners are very pleased with thier purchase. Anyone else, well in my opinion, that is alot of money not to do your homework before you purchase. Sell it and buy what you like.

 

[littlestar]

I think it would be a terrific idea to have some Mary Poppins touches at Saratoga. Neat. Bring a little more Disney to it.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Now SSR is available on short notice more often - because it is the newest - DVC is putting more SSR on the table still...

when this place is sold out I think it will be just as hard to make a reservation here as the others places...I could be wrong. but I just don't think so.

Excellent post Spicey!! I agree wholeheartedly.

I really dont understand the logic of people being upset that SSR is currently the only Resort with availability at short notice. SSR is still releasing rooms to inventory and will have short notice availability (same day even) until it is completed and all units are available to be booked at 11 months.

Would they rather there be no availability at all? Even before SSR, anyone on this board would tell you to plan and book early or you are not a good candidate for DVC.
I like the fact that we can book a short notice trip if airfare pops up cheap or we get a whim. It will definitely not always be like this, but im enjoying while we can. SSR availability allowed us to add at the lastminute, 13 nights last summer to our BCV 12 night stay when I received some unexpected time off.

I know many were not here on the DIS in 2003, but remember when DVC announced the Grand Opening of SSR Member Homecoming May 2004? Many people wanted to go but they only gave us a few months notice and all of DVC was booked solid. WDWSTAR wanted to go so badly, she pieced together a ressie and moved 3 times in 5 days. SSR only opened one section and all that was not completed. We dont like to move that often, who does?

Everyone needs to remember, that SSR is not finished yet and rooms are being released as completed. The number of rooms available today will only increase tomorrow because it is new construction. DVC cant book rooms that are not on their inventory.

As for the OP, changes are a coming. We really enjoy SSR and its location and its amenities. At least management can make changes to SSR because it is not finished. The pool in the Phase III area will be themed, there will be a TS restaurant and AP will be expanded. SSR is continually improving and the top dogs are all over it.

Of the 4 DVC's we own, SSR is our favorite with BCV a close second. OKW is in a class all its own and then BWV for Standard points. Cant say a bad thing about VWL, except we did not feel strongly enough about any of its offerings to purchase there.

 

[Deb & Bill]

So what character touches are there at the other DVC resorts?

Let's see -

OKW - none
BWV - none
BCV - none
VWL - none
VB - none
HH - none

So why does SSR need Disney touches?? Keep Mary Poppins at GF. She's not even a Disney character. Has anyone ever read the book? She's not that pretty, can't imagine her in a white, frilly dress, etc.

 

[sajetto]

So why does SSR need Disney touches?? Keep Mary Poppins at GF. She's not even a Disney character. Has anyone ever read the book? She's not that pretty, can't imagine her in a white, frilly dress, etc.

I completely agree. Adding that sort of stuff would cheapen SSR to me and make it look like the theme of an All Stars Resort. I think SSR is very classy and needs to stay that way

 

[JimC]

It is a great theme and well executed if you know the real Saratoga Springs.

 

[tjhsr]

We joined DVC because we knew the look of SSR was just what we wanted.We were able to walk around CP when the CM's were trying it out in May 04. We joined that day. No need for changes. Now adding the table service restaurant and the new pool at the golf course section those are great changes.

 

[LIFERBABE]

So what character touches are there at the other DVC resorts?

Let's see -

OKW - none
BWV - none
BCV - none
VWL - none
VB - none
HH - none

So why does SSR need Disney touches?? Keep Mary Poppins at GF. She's not even a Disney character. Has anyone ever read the book? She's not that pretty, can't imagine her in a white, frilly dress, etc.

Wasnt the scary clown in Fantasia?

 

[deide71]

I've never been to the real Saratoga Springs, however I think the general look of the resort is lovely. I also think the decor of the rooms is the loveliest in all of the DVC resorts. JMHO.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Wasnt the scary clown in Fantasia?

Nope. Stephen King's It.

 

[kritter]

Love SSR and it really makes you feel as if you are in the real SSR I say if the CM are reading any of this LEAVE IT ALONE GREAT RESORT!!!!!!

 

[Sammie]

It is a great theme and well executed if you know the real Saratoga Springs.

I agree JimC, do you think some of the complaints about theme are due to lack of knowing about the area and what it is like. I mean for example the AKL is very recognizeable to most, as is the Wilderness Lodge theme.

I must say that I don't find the Boardwalk and the Beach Club anymore inspiring than SSR even though are very attractive visually. To me a resort themed after Saratoga Springs NY is just as appealing as the Eastern Seaboard.

Actually the BCV has Ariel in the courtyard and HHI has Disney topiaries but I can't think of any other ones. SSR has the Disney horses in the lobby which is a cute touch and fits in when with the theme.