Looking at SSR with a critical eye.

[connorlevismom]

We bought SSR in February and I have to say....we were not sold on this concept at all! I think Dave is just torked because he was sold that way. Hence the bitterness and broad statements. Our guide mentioned it for a minute but he SOLD SSR.

 

[Sarnia]

You call it glass half full, I call it glass with a hole in the bottom. I am going to build a resort that is subpar, charge top dollar right in the middle of nowhere.

How can you say SSR is in the middle of nowhere? It's in Disney World, a 5 minute walk to Downtown Disney (which is also the main Disney transport hub).

On one hand you say that you are trying to provide constructive critisism to get things improved, then on the other hand you go way overboard and talk a load of rubbish.

I spent quite some time trying to show in my post how those of us that like SSR might feel about the things that you dislike. It was a complete waste of time me thinks...

 

[boatboatboat]

connorlevismom he may have "sold" SSR, but scan the boards "we just bought at SSR last year, so far we have stayed at BCV and BWL and have a trip to VWL planned, we just love SSR" Sad but true....... do some reading.

cobbler, i hear you and understand. But do keep in mind, while I knew if i wanted my #1 choice i had to book 11-7 mths, I always assumed what i would get left with if i didn't book that far in advance would also be a GREAT resort. It's Disney afterall.....

I can't imagine if i we paying cash to EVER call and book a stay at SSR. Why would I? What stands out about it?

Now why would DVC build a resort that the majority of it's members would NEVER stay at with a cash reservation?

 

[jarestel]

A well stated case detailing why SSR doesn't work for you and your family, Dave. In my situation, my wife and I are empty nesters and though we frequently travel to WDW with our grandchildren, many trips it is just the 2 of us. So our requirements are probably quite different from the members who travel with children. As such, we find our "adult" stays at SSR, with it's convenient location near DTD, to be quite nice. But when the wee ones are with us we tend to stay at VWL or BCV. I concede that we don't use the main pool at SSR and usually eat away from the resort, so 2 of your main concerns don't affect us at all. But as you say, a resort needs to take the requirements of all of it's guests into account so whether of not I personally care what food offerings are available at AP or whether they offer room service is not relevent. Some members do care about these things and deserve to have their voices heard.

I guess the bottom line is that DVC seems to have a variety of resorts tailored to different requirements. As long as the 7-month window functions effectively, it probably doesn't matter where one actually owns. It is my opinion though that one day that window will probably not open as wide and then the spit will hit the fan. But in the meantime, best wishes for many great Disney vacations!

 

[boatboatboat]

How can you say SSR is in the middle of nowhere?


why did dvc build other places prior to SSR?

the swan has a better location..........

 

[Sarnia]

why did dvc build other places prior to SSR?

the swan has a better location..........

That doesn't make any sense. They built other places prior to SSR because they hadn't built SSR yet...

The Swan was built years ago, long before they even started to plan SSR.

BBB at least you bought where you wanted to stay. Dave bought SSR knowing full well where it was, yet he complains constantly about it

 

[SimplyMagical]

Seems to me there is an easy solution to it all. If you don't like SSR, don't stay there! I don't understand all this bashing of SSR at all. If it does not give you the options that you want or is not up to par (in your words) then stay somewhere that is. To keep posting your reasons for disliking SSR over and over is getting very tired.

Kristine

We have to agree - if you are that unhappy with your SSR purchase, you should be spending more time researching selling your points and purchasing a resale at a resort you are happy with. Every resort has its pros and cons.

 

[cobbler]

cobbler, i hear you and understand. But do keep in mind, while I knew if i wanted my #1 choice i had to book 11-7 mths, I always assumed what i would get left with if i didn't book that far in advance would also be a GREAT resort. It's Disney afterall.....

Oh I figured you understand, just that sometimes people need it pounded into their head to finally get the point across It happens to me sometimes too.

But again, this goes back into doing things by voicing our opinions in a nice, constructive way to make changes for the better. Not just lash out and say how sub-par the resort is (and this is speaking in general).

As we can see they are making changes for the better and if we tell them what we like then it could come to play.

Now me personally I like the way it is. I would just add another theme pool because of the number of bldgs (which is a lot I know) to take the burden off the main one. But if others don't like it then we can speak with our wallets, our points, and our voices (or pen and paper) and let them know something better is wanted.

 

[boatboatboat]

Sarnia my point is that DVC built up other locations FIRST because they were in BETTER locations.

To deny that SSR isn't in as good of a location is silly. Heck if the location were so good, DVC would have been built there prior to the other resorts.

As a result of being in a location that is not as desirable, DVC needs to make SSR better in other ways. They haven't.....

SimplyMagical what are SSR's pro's?

 

[Twingle]

Sarnia, thank you for your well thought out, positive response. I really appreciated hearing it. My family and I purchased into SSR for many of the same reasons you stated, and it was very refreshing to hear something so nice about SSR.

Dean, thank you for replying to my post. It is nice to know that other DVC resorts had some growing pains at the beginning, and that in reality SSR is not that different in having some type of problem in the beginning that it appears DVC is attempting to fix (I'm talking about the TS here).

Dave, the nicest thing I can say is that your comments really make me think. From what I can gather from your posts, you want SSR to offer the following things: pool side food service, room service, additional theme pools, and more TS and CS resturants. I won't mention the location, as SSR can't move. I doubt highly there will be another park built close to SSR, and I believe I heard they won't add additional monorail lines.

I know from other posts you've made on other threads that you don't seem to be a negative type of a guy, it seems like SSR is just really chapping your buns. I have to wonder, even if SSR built the things YOU require in a DVC resort, wouldn't you still find things to complain about? I just don't see you being happy here at all.

 

[conciergekelly]

I feel like I am in philosophy 101. What time is lunch? Yawn.. It is a timeshare! Just like any other hotel some like it some don't. You guys wear me out.

 

[cobbler]

Ok I know I am not simplymagical but SSR has pros in my book. And honestly aren't all pros and cons when regarding to DVC hotels opinion based anyway?

My pros are that it is close to DTD. I am sorry but it grates my nerves hardcore to want to return to my hotel after going to DTD and having to stop at PI and TL before getting to the resort. I must be unlucky but darn it all if everytime I get on that darn bus there is a shift change or the driver waits 10 minutes at each spot for those who may linger out.

2 - We like the condo feel. I like walking outside and being outside, to smell the fresh air and see the sunshine. Yes I know the other have balconies but this is what I like.

3 - I like being able to park close to my room, we just may want to venture out to the outlets and being close is nice.

4 - We like not being right on top of a park. Those fireworks from Illum can be very noisy at BC/ BW! Not that it is bad but it can be. I have a friend who's aunt owns at BC and during her stay there one year every night the fireworks shook her bed. I don't think we would like that.

5 - We like the more upscale decor

6 - We like the Spa.

So see, while some of those may not be pros to some, they are to others.

 

[bavaria]

These replies have been a good give and take and for the most part very constructive. Not much name calling as of yet but one poster here deserves the flames. I've gotten a few laughs here as well.

To all of the posters who state they don't eat poolside, don't drink poolside, don't order room service, etc. I don't get how that is relevant at all? Many do use those services so why not offer them? I don't use the spa, should they do away with that?

DAVE

that would be me - I admit that I said that. But I meant it in the context for ME during MY STAYS. It's not important to me, but I know that it is important to others, and I agree with you that those items hsould be available at a 'deluxe' resort.

I think that I also acknoledged that SSR in it's current state won't meet the needs of some of the poeple I travel with, so I stay at SSR alone. And I was also one of the ones who moaned about the outdoor corridors and doubted that I would stay. But I did enjoy my stay...

I think that you arre definitely within your rights to lobby for more at SSR ie better FandB etc, but I wonder if it will happen. I'd like to see an Olivia's type restaurant there (it's coming, we are told) but look at the change in takeawyay options at OKW lately. Whether or not they were driven by the dining plan, I see that as a negative change.

While I don't use the theme pool at OKW, I see it as a positive change for the resort where I own points.

So yes, I don't use some facilities/outlets, but don't think that they are not required. A deluxe resort should have those facilities/outlets (except for valet parking - I don't think it's a 'must have' at OKW and SSR)

So if you ever need a supporter in that battle, here I am.... (hope that was clear, I'm sitting in an airport waiting for my flight to board so not much time to think clearly)

 

[jarestel]

I feel like I am in philosophy 101. What time is lunch? Yawn.. It is a timeshare! Just like any other hotel some like it some don't. You guys wear me out.

So you read 7 pages just to tell us you're bored and sleepy? Nighty Nite!

 

[boatboatboat]

I have a friend who's aunt owns at BC and during her stay there one year every night the fireworks shook her bed.

do you happen to know the room # for furture request?


I don't think we would like that.

oh live alittle......

 

[tomandrobin]

The things you mention would help a ton and that is exactly what I'm trying to do. VB, as small as it is, has all of these features. It has 2 sit downs, and poolside dining as well as room service. All resorts should have this.

DAVE

You forget that at VB if you eat off-site, you're really off-site. At Disney, if you eat at EPCOT or DTD, you're still eating at a Disney Restuarant.

 

[Daitcher]

Wow!! To me that sounds like something somebody just made up and not something that can be verified in any way! What is your source for that statement? A link would be great so we can all evaluate the comment in context.

Well I alraedy let the cat out of the bag on another thread so here goes. One of my best friends was a former DVC guide. He left about a year and a half ago when he relocated to northern Florida (Jacksonville). He is still in contact with his friends that still work there. They have told him how hard it has been to move SSR. Sales are not going great like DVC has led us to believe. These guides have been using the other resorts to help ease any concerns a buyer would have with SSR. As for a link, I'm not going to give the guys phone number if that is what you want.


DAVE

 

[Daitcher]

how can he provide a link to a conversation between a guide and a potential buyer?

Thanks B3 but we need to be carefull here with this one. I'll pm you with more.


DAVE

 

[cobbler]

I have a friend who's aunt owns at BC and during her stay there one year every night the fireworks shook her bed.

do you happen to know the room # for furture request?


I don't think we would like that.

oh live alittle......

No I don't know what number, sorry, it was back in 2004. Although last year she was at the end of the longest hallway on earth. Room x72 You might like that one.

Live a little? - well, um, my bed doesn't need extra shaking

 

[sajetto]

Ok I know I am not simplymagical but SSR has pros in my book. And honestly aren't all pros and cons when regarding to DVC hotels opinion based anyway?

My pros are that it is close to DTD. I am sorry but it grates my nerves hardcore to want to return to my hotel after going to DTD and having to stop at PI and TL before getting to the resort. I must be unlucky but darn it all if everytime I get on that darn bus there is a shift change or the driver waits 10 minutes at each spot for those who may linger out.

2 - We like the condo feel. I like walking outside and being outside, to smell the fresh air and see the sunshine. Yes I know the other have balconies but this is what I like.

3 - I like being able to park close to my room, we just may want to venture out to the outlets and being close is nice.

4 - We like not being right on top of a park. Those fireworks from Illum can be very noisy at BC/ BW! Not that it is bad but it can be. I have a friend who's aunt owns at BC and during her stay there one year every night the fireworks shook her bed. I don't think we would like that.

5 - We like the more upscale decor

6 - We like the Spa.

So see, while some of those may not be pros to some, they are to others.

Cobbler you have the same pros I do. SSR covers what it is I actually "need" but I have to admit I'm really an OKW fan if SSR didn't exist I would own there. It just depressed me to think that my contract would expire by the time I was 57 if I owned at OKW. That is just way too young!

I've said it once and I will say it again, once CRV is built I'm outta SSR, that is unless they make SSR something amazing. OKW may not catch a lot of grief b/c it was the first DVC. As you know I love it and the reason I like it more than SSR is b/c it has a very noticable and distinct theme, I just don't see any pizzaz out of SSR. The size of the rooms at OKW doesn't hurt either

I will be so happy with my purchase if DVC brings some more spark to SSR, but for now I will look longingly at OKW