All of these post lately like the titled "Why no love for SSR" and others have really gotten me going. Why do we have to fish for nice coments about a resort? Let people call it the way they see it.
I'll start this from the beginning so it might get long. This post isn't an attempt to bash SSR. Everything in here is the truth or at least my opinion. I orginally bought into OKW way back in 1992. I was a young guy with no confidence in my decison making skills. I took the tour, paid the money and went home. I recieved my documents and ended up canceling within the 10 day grace period. A girl I was dating, her father, had sold timeshares in the early part of his career. His advice was to bail why I still could and that ALL timeshares were a scam. Foolishly I listened to that advice, doubting what I knew about OKW and DVC. DVC refunded my money, no questions asked and never tried to convince me otherwise. This showed me a lot about DVC and the confidence they had that the product would sell.
Fast forward to 2002, I now had a family and wanted to purchase DVC. From 1992 - 2002 I also toured BWV at some point when they were selling. I "toured SSR" at BWV. I was shown plans and got to see some model rooms that were set up there. The majority of the tour focused on BWV and other existing DVC Resorts. Really I was told time and again about my ability to book elsewhere at 7 months. Did my guide tell me this because I happened to be staying at BWV at the time? You decide for yourselves. A few of the things that stand out that the guide said about SSR were these quotes: " DVC is really raising the bar with this resort. It will be the finest DVC Resort to date." "We've really listened to the members wants here and the food offerings will rival anything seen at other DVC Resorts." "Gourmet carry out offerings will be available as well as the ususal choices." This is what the members wanted and we've listened." "Think AS Sports food court but much more upscale and much more choices." "You'll get to see fireworks nightly from a waterside viewing area." Obviously he said more than this but this is what I clearly remember. I had full confidence in what I was being told and I knew the program well and had stayed at BWV, BCV and OKW on cash. I expected a resort at least equal to those.
I still love the program but lets look at the shortcomings of SSR only from my perspective. Most of the things I list are fact but some are personal opinions. Theme is the biggest let down for our family. We don't even feel like we are at WDW when at SSR. It is a generic, vanilla resort that really could be anywhere. I live in Saratoga Springs and I can tell you, this town of 26,000 is not worthy of a WDW theme. Nice place to live and grow up ,great summer gambling spot, but not a broad enough appeal to warrant a theme at WDW. They fell short of even doing our town justice as well. A few horse pictures and a bugel playing doesn't constitute a theme. Now, lets forget the lack of ties to a theme park for a second. That in itself was a big mistake and part of the reason that SSR sales have lagged behind. OKW has no direct ties to a park and is isolated. Guess what, I love that tropical, quiet resort. The theme and the peacefull atmosphere help me overlook the other things. I really feel like I'm on vacation there. SSR does nothing for me, period. Better theming, which they blew, would have helper ease the lack of theme park ties. DTD, alone, is not a big enough of a draw to warrant a resort.
Upon returning home from our first SSR trip my wife and mother in law procede to tell me how much they hated the place. HATE was a word they actually used. They said they didn't even feel like they were at WDW. Lets move to my guides promise of the food rivaling anything seen at DVC Resorts. Come on, AP rivals nothing! I would rather have As Sports food court. At least there is some variety. AP is limited, the store is limited for food items, it just stinks as the only option. It would have sufficed if there was poolside dining but guess what there isn't. There is no food poolside. You must go into AP to get food. If you want to eat poolside, good luck becase I believe there is only 3 or 4 sit down tables around the pool. Did DVC envision wet people going inside to eat? What about slippery floors or how inconvenient that is. Should we go back to our rooms and make lunch? I thought resorts encourage people to spend money.
You would think, like I did, that DVC would have learned from each resort they built. They have clealry taken a step backwards here. They should go check out Marriott Grande Vists for an idea on what to do. That resort has a good store with plkenty of food choices. In there you can get really anything you need. They also have a selection of sandwiches that you can grab as well as stuff to order that they will make for you. At the pool they have a huge bar with seating for maybe 30 people. They have maybe 30 tables in front of this, poolside, where you can sit down and eat lunch. Wait people come over and take your order. Why can't DVC get the fact that this is what people want? I can actually get something decent there and not just the Disney fried junk. It gives guests the option to be waited on poolside or grab and take it poolside. We deserve options at any DVC Resort. Also the bar is lively and fun with people mingling. I expected something similiar to this but I was let down. Room service is another area where DVC has dropped the ball. Why not offer it? If food can be deliverd at BCV it can be done anyhwere. The food you order there comes all the way from YC. Room service is something we as a family order maybe once or twice per week long stay. There are just times when eating out is a hassle. It is so nice after a long day to just dial that phone, get in your jammies and wait for the food to be delivered. Kids love this as they can eat in front of the TV or get up and play. How is it fun for a kid to sit in a restaurant? It is a FAMILY vacation right?
When the sit down restaurant is added at SSR they will not offer room service, I've been told. This is ridiculous. Where there is a will, there is a way. I could work it out why can't they? They deliver me food at home from miles away. So much for my guides predictions about the food at SSR. How about his fireworks ploy. Are 5 minutes of fireworks worthy of being a selling point? They really only last that long and aren't that good anyway. SSR loses again. Building a viewing are for that?????
Now lets get to the expanded size of the resort. DVC's greed is showing here. They expand the resort but don't expand the pool area with it? I don't want to hear about quiet pools either because they get litle use in the big scheme of things. If you want to double or triple the size of the resort then add another theme pool in an out area or expand the original plans. DVC did neither. They are also risking creating a booking nightmare at the smaller DVC Resorts. It is playing out as we speak.
SSR is being sold as a means of getting into the program. The resort isn't good enough on its own to warrant guests staying there consistently. This will put a strain on 7 month bookings. If Dean is correct we might be forced into booking day by day at 7 months. Hey we could always get SSR, right? Wrong because I don't even put it on my list. I'll stay off site first and rent my points to cover it. This project is filled with greed and that is really my biggest gripe. The resort is subpar and will make booking the smaller resorts tough for members. 11 months might be a necessity when SSR is sold out. I book elsewhere at 7 months so I am an offender here. This wouldn't have happened if the resort lived up to my guides billing or even been at the level of the other existing DVC Resorts.
I hope this doesn't make SSR fans or new owners feel bad. That is not my intention at all. As long as you like it that is all that matters. Do some research and start looking at the postings with positive SSR reviews. They come primarily from new owners with little experience with the older DVC Resorts. Is it a nice place? SURE, but it doesn't even hold a candle to the other themes and other DVC Resorts. Those of us that have tried them all seem to be the ones who question this SSR project. DVC as taken a step back with this resort.
Put me in charge and I'll gaurantee you a good resort next time. DVC needs to get out of the office and start looking at resorts from a guest perspective. Start copying good points from Marriott and other timeshares. DVC is too much money to expect anything less. SSR is a big loser in my book.
Thanks for letting me vent and rant here. Sorry I cannot give the resort a smiling face and glowing review. The place stinks and if I can't get 7 month bookings without calling day by day I'll be out of the program.
Here the zipping? That is the flame suit going on.
I shouldn't be flamed because lets face it what can you dispute with this? Most of it is fact with some opinion. Even the Daitcher is entitled to an opinion and this is a public forum.
Special thanks to those who provided me with the inspiration for this thread.
DAVE
I'll start this from the beginning so it might get long. This post isn't an attempt to bash SSR. Everything in here is the truth or at least my opinion. I orginally bought into OKW way back in 1992. I was a young guy with no confidence in my decison making skills. I took the tour, paid the money and went home. I recieved my documents and ended up canceling within the 10 day grace period. A girl I was dating, her father, had sold timeshares in the early part of his career. His advice was to bail why I still could and that ALL timeshares were a scam. Foolishly I listened to that advice, doubting what I knew about OKW and DVC. DVC refunded my money, no questions asked and never tried to convince me otherwise. This showed me a lot about DVC and the confidence they had that the product would sell.
Fast forward to 2002, I now had a family and wanted to purchase DVC. From 1992 - 2002 I also toured BWV at some point when they were selling. I "toured SSR" at BWV. I was shown plans and got to see some model rooms that were set up there. The majority of the tour focused on BWV and other existing DVC Resorts. Really I was told time and again about my ability to book elsewhere at 7 months. Did my guide tell me this because I happened to be staying at BWV at the time? You decide for yourselves. A few of the things that stand out that the guide said about SSR were these quotes: " DVC is really raising the bar with this resort. It will be the finest DVC Resort to date." "We've really listened to the members wants here and the food offerings will rival anything seen at other DVC Resorts." "Gourmet carry out offerings will be available as well as the ususal choices." This is what the members wanted and we've listened." "Think AS Sports food court but much more upscale and much more choices." "You'll get to see fireworks nightly from a waterside viewing area." Obviously he said more than this but this is what I clearly remember. I had full confidence in what I was being told and I knew the program well and had stayed at BWV, BCV and OKW on cash. I expected a resort at least equal to those.
I still love the program but lets look at the shortcomings of SSR only from my perspective. Most of the things I list are fact but some are personal opinions. Theme is the biggest let down for our family. We don't even feel like we are at WDW when at SSR. It is a generic, vanilla resort that really could be anywhere. I live in Saratoga Springs and I can tell you, this town of 26,000 is not worthy of a WDW theme. Nice place to live and grow up ,great summer gambling spot, but not a broad enough appeal to warrant a theme at WDW. They fell short of even doing our town justice as well. A few horse pictures and a bugel playing doesn't constitute a theme. Now, lets forget the lack of ties to a theme park for a second. That in itself was a big mistake and part of the reason that SSR sales have lagged behind. OKW has no direct ties to a park and is isolated. Guess what, I love that tropical, quiet resort. The theme and the peacefull atmosphere help me overlook the other things. I really feel like I'm on vacation there. SSR does nothing for me, period. Better theming, which they blew, would have helper ease the lack of theme park ties. DTD, alone, is not a big enough of a draw to warrant a resort.
Upon returning home from our first SSR trip my wife and mother in law procede to tell me how much they hated the place. HATE was a word they actually used. They said they didn't even feel like they were at WDW. Lets move to my guides promise of the food rivaling anything seen at DVC Resorts. Come on, AP rivals nothing! I would rather have As Sports food court. At least there is some variety. AP is limited, the store is limited for food items, it just stinks as the only option. It would have sufficed if there was poolside dining but guess what there isn't. There is no food poolside. You must go into AP to get food. If you want to eat poolside, good luck becase I believe there is only 3 or 4 sit down tables around the pool. Did DVC envision wet people going inside to eat? What about slippery floors or how inconvenient that is. Should we go back to our rooms and make lunch? I thought resorts encourage people to spend money.
You would think, like I did, that DVC would have learned from each resort they built. They have clealry taken a step backwards here. They should go check out Marriott Grande Vists for an idea on what to do. That resort has a good store with plkenty of food choices. In there you can get really anything you need. They also have a selection of sandwiches that you can grab as well as stuff to order that they will make for you. At the pool they have a huge bar with seating for maybe 30 people. They have maybe 30 tables in front of this, poolside, where you can sit down and eat lunch. Wait people come over and take your order. Why can't DVC get the fact that this is what people want? I can actually get something decent there and not just the Disney fried junk. It gives guests the option to be waited on poolside or grab and take it poolside. We deserve options at any DVC Resort. Also the bar is lively and fun with people mingling. I expected something similiar to this but I was let down. Room service is another area where DVC has dropped the ball. Why not offer it? If food can be deliverd at BCV it can be done anyhwere. The food you order there comes all the way from YC. Room service is something we as a family order maybe once or twice per week long stay. There are just times when eating out is a hassle. It is so nice after a long day to just dial that phone, get in your jammies and wait for the food to be delivered. Kids love this as they can eat in front of the TV or get up and play. How is it fun for a kid to sit in a restaurant? It is a FAMILY vacation right?
When the sit down restaurant is added at SSR they will not offer room service, I've been told. This is ridiculous. Where there is a will, there is a way. I could work it out why can't they? They deliver me food at home from miles away. So much for my guides predictions about the food at SSR. How about his fireworks ploy. Are 5 minutes of fireworks worthy of being a selling point? They really only last that long and aren't that good anyway. SSR loses again. Building a viewing are for that?????
Now lets get to the expanded size of the resort. DVC's greed is showing here. They expand the resort but don't expand the pool area with it? I don't want to hear about quiet pools either because they get litle use in the big scheme of things. If you want to double or triple the size of the resort then add another theme pool in an out area or expand the original plans. DVC did neither. They are also risking creating a booking nightmare at the smaller DVC Resorts. It is playing out as we speak.
SSR is being sold as a means of getting into the program. The resort isn't good enough on its own to warrant guests staying there consistently. This will put a strain on 7 month bookings. If Dean is correct we might be forced into booking day by day at 7 months. Hey we could always get SSR, right? Wrong because I don't even put it on my list. I'll stay off site first and rent my points to cover it. This project is filled with greed and that is really my biggest gripe. The resort is subpar and will make booking the smaller resorts tough for members. 11 months might be a necessity when SSR is sold out. I book elsewhere at 7 months so I am an offender here. This wouldn't have happened if the resort lived up to my guides billing or even been at the level of the other existing DVC Resorts.
I hope this doesn't make SSR fans or new owners feel bad. That is not my intention at all. As long as you like it that is all that matters. Do some research and start looking at the postings with positive SSR reviews. They come primarily from new owners with little experience with the older DVC Resorts. Is it a nice place? SURE, but it doesn't even hold a candle to the other themes and other DVC Resorts. Those of us that have tried them all seem to be the ones who question this SSR project. DVC as taken a step back with this resort.
Put me in charge and I'll gaurantee you a good resort next time. DVC needs to get out of the office and start looking at resorts from a guest perspective. Start copying good points from Marriott and other timeshares. DVC is too much money to expect anything less. SSR is a big loser in my book.
Thanks for letting me vent and rant here. Sorry I cannot give the resort a smiling face and glowing review. The place stinks and if I can't get 7 month bookings without calling day by day I'll be out of the program.
Here the zipping? That is the flame suit going on.
I shouldn't be flamed because lets face it what can you dispute with this? Most of it is fact with some opinion. Even the Daitcher is entitled to an opinion and this is a public forum. Special thanks to those who provided me with the inspiration for this thread.
DAVE
" Nope, the moment one of those resorts opens I'm bailing on my 2 SSR contracts and become a convert to one of those 2 resorts. If I don't, I'll never get to try either of them b/c they will be full of all sorts of DVC owners and if I ever need to rent my points for any reason it will be a hard sell b/c those renters will be looking for the folks that own those CR and AKL points. Thats just my 2 cents.
