New Feature for SSR Grand Villa

[Cris]

I also thought the bathroom location off of the kitchen was strange, anyone have any photos?

 

[kweaver]

Here's a picture of the shower/toilet. Aurora3's post about the convenience factor makes sense...but having a bunch of kids traipsing through the kitchen to use the bathroom sounds like a pain to me. Then again...they can just go upstairs!

I will admit that I first thought they should have switched the closet/laundry area with the bathroom! I'm also disappointed that the toilet in the Master Bath doesn't have a door of it's own. Not a good plan with open area/shutters to bedroom, if you know what I mean!

 

[jmminarik]

Katie (or anyone), do you happen to have any photos that take in the kitchen and the 'off the kitchen bath'? It looks like it would be a difficult photo to take due to the layout of the room.

The kitchen does look useable for one person, but its size just reminds me too much of home, not Home.

As to a bath off the kitchen, given the compact size of the non-OKW villas, it's probably the most logical place to put it. The closet area would have worked for just a toilet and sink, but if you also require a big shower, I can't see how it would go anywhere but there given the size of the unit. We're thinking about a "powder room" (where we won't keep our powder...who keeps powder near plumbing where it can get wet?), and the only place we can put it without destroying the integrity of the other rooms is just off the kitchen.

Given that we'll probably never spend the points on a non-OKW GV (assuming we could even get one if we wanted) I never looked closely at the differences until this thread. A non-OKW GV certainly doesn't look like it would be comfortable for 12 people to gather together in a central location. Living in a house with huge rooms (other than the bath (yes, just one) and kitchen), the "new" layouts just remind me of apartments, not homes.

-Joe

 

[PamOKW]

I'm still unclear about the second entrance.

My understanding is that the buildings at SSR are set up similar to OKW. You enter your unit from a semi-enclosed balcony/hallway (rather than a regular indoor hotel type set-up). SSR will have elevators like a few of the OKW buildings.

Please let me know if my understanding is correct.

You take an elevator to whatever floor your unit is on. In the case of a GV, you could get off on either of two floors and have an entrance door to your unit. Is this how SSR is set-up? Also, is this a possibility for some/one unit at OKW? It does make a lot of sense for a handicap person or anyone who has difficulty with stairs. (On the other hand, I could see where it might be a problem for small children alone or teen-agers who want to "sneak out". But, the children problems are unavoidable -- we don't lock them in at home either.)

 

[kweaver]

jmminarik - sorry, that's the only picture I found. From the layout, it looks like there is a nice size vanity. You're right about the shower...it wouldn't fit in the closet/laundry area along with a powder room. For us, even if we had our kids on the sofa bed due to the upstairs bedrooms being full, I can't really see them using the guest shower. Every situation is different! I can't wait to try out the snazzy new sofa beds to see if they are actually comfortable for an adult.

Quote: "You take an elevator to whatever floor your unit is on. In the case of a GV, you could get off on either of two floors and have an entrance door to your unit. Is this how SSR is set-up?"

Pam, looking at the layout, this sounds correct to me. No idea about the OKW situation, but I think Diane said she was just comparing "outside entrances" when it comes to similarities to SSR...so I would guess no "upstairs" entrance on an OKW Grand Villa.

 

[Cris]

I think they could have made the entrance to the bathroom under the staircase.

 

[LodgeMan]

Everyone leave Richyams alone....it's ok if he loves the apartment complex/condo/retirement home feel that OKW offers...

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by jmminarik
A non-OKW GV certainly doesn't look like it would be comfortable for 12 people to gather together in a central location.

I was able to find an old Member's Guide with the layouts of the different villas, so I have to amend this to only 'SSR GVs'. The BWV GV layout in the guide had some obvious mistakes, but certainly does seem to have a nice open central gathering area.

-Joe

 

[goofy4dvc]

I toured the SSR Resort on the open house on May 7. The bathroom off the kitchen is not as close as it appears on the diagram. I think the door is right next to the end of the cabinets, but it did not seem like it was "in" the kitchen. I thought it made alot of sense. I don't like the shower in the tub combination (as in studio and 2nd BR), because I much prefer glass doors to a shower curtain. But, hey, is there some way they could put in a little ledge in the stall showers so women could use it to prop their legs for shaving???? These were obviously designed by men.

Regarding the GV second floor entrance/exit. I've not stayed at OKW, so I can't compare. But the resort buildings feel a little more like a hotel. I think the railings were metal and I think each floor was concrete or maybe tile. All the SSR buildings seemed to me to be more steel and concrete than other resorts. And I didn't think they had any more landscaping than the others, altough I got that impression from the write-ups.

The elevators are across or down the hallway from the villas. You step out of the elevator onto what I remembered as a concrete (or maybe tile) floor, then walk across or down the hall to your villa, either to the first floor entrance or the second floor entrance. My first concern was that it would be easy for kids or teens to sneak out. I don't know if there is any way to ensure that the room stays locked, maybe from the outside. Of course, one other advantage to having the second floor door (besides HC access) is that it would be better if you need to escape in case of fire.

Hope this eases your concerns about the bathroom off the kitchen. It is not "in" the kitchen.

 

[Sabor]

S far as "most" Dvcers do not cook. That is not the case I know of a dozen personally who all usae the kitchen quite often.
To me it is one of the biggest benefits of DVC ownership not having to eat at the overpriced Disney Restaurants.
I think this is maginfied even more when it comes to the Grand Villas. When you have a party of 10 ,11 or 12 it is alot easier to make big meals in the room than get a restaurant to fit you at one table. Well at least at OKW . Rich is right the kitchen for all the non OKW resorts are less than adequate but the BWV GVs and apparently SSR GV are ridiculous.

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by Sabor
S far as "most" Dvcers do not cook. That is not the case I know of a dozen personally who all usae the kitchen quite often.
To me it is one of the biggest benefits of DVC ownership not having to eat at the overpriced Disney Restaurants.
I think this is maginfied even more when it comes to the Grand Villas. When you have a party of 10 ,11 or 12 it is alot easier to make big meals in the room than get a restaurant to fit you at one table. Well at least at OKW . Rich is right the kitchen for all the non OKW resorts are less than adequate but the BWV GVs and apparently SSR GV are ridiculous.

There have been several polls on this board at various times over the years and the vast majority of people that have answered do NOT use the kitchen for cooking. This is how the funny term "stove decoration" came about.
BTW, the kitchen is the same size in a 1 br as a GV so the the BWV and SSR kitchen can not be anymore ridiculous than any of the other kitchens.
Personally I could not care less if all the DVC resorts had nothing more than a refrigerator, sink, coffee maker and microwave in the kitchens. I am not in the least bit interested in cooking nor is my family the least bit interested in eating in while on vacation. To us eating out at restaurants is a very big part of vacation. We cook enough at home, when we are on vacation we want to be waited on and pampered. To us it goes hand in hand with the whole VACATION concept.

 

[jaysue]

None.

I wonder if the kitchen is the same small useless one as a BWV GV or is it grand and glorious like the OKW GV?

Another priceless gem

Enjoy

Rich, to you

Your kind will not be seen on these boards again

cheers
jaysue

 

[SyrCinderella]

This is starting to make me nervous. I was going to reserve a GV at SSR for our daughters wedding, because I wanted to have a small cocktail party (20-25 ppl) as a welcome for our guests. We had heard of ppl having a party of 60 at an OKW GV without a problem, and although I know SSR is much smaller we have a lot fewer ppl attending. Is this not going to work well? All the discussion about the small kitchen has me second-guessing my decision. The kitchen itself isnt so much of a concern as the LR/DR areas - will they accomodate our guests?

 

[jaysue]

This is starting to make me nervous. I was going to reserve a GV at SSR for our daughters wedding, because I wanted to have a small cocktail party (20-25 ppl) as a welcome for our guests. We had heard of ppl having a party of 60 at an OKW GV without a problem, and although I know SSR is much smaller we have a lot fewer ppl attending. Is this not going to work well? All the discussion about the small kitchen has me second-guessing my decision. The kitchen itself isnt so much of a concern as the LR/DR areas - will they accomodate our guests?

Are you preparing food for the party in the GV or is it being brought in?

cheers
jaysue

 

[SyrCinderella]

Not much food - probably just cheese and crackers type, hors d'oevers, maybe a dessert tray...probably bringing them in but my mother in law is our very own Martha so she might make some things as well. Should I be concerned? Anything we wanted to make could be easily done in the kitchen of a BCV 1 BR.

 

[La2kw]

And the second paragraph of your post is related, HOW????????
However since you brought it up........the vast majority of people that stay at BWVs and the other DVC resorts located on prime WDW real estate; do not cook or use a kitchen for anything other than the refrig, and maybe the microwave/toaster and the coffee maker. These "small and useless" kitchens supply a lot more "kitchen" and related kitchen items, than we need or even remotely desire. The WDW guests that prefer a resort with a superior and super convenient location to the parks, numerous dining options, nighttime entertainment, nighttime park shows, etc.; also value the various dining experiences to be had as a very important part of their trip and they tend to eat out at the many fine WDW dining establishments that are conveniently located within walking distance of their villa. For many very satisfied guests at the resorts with the "same small and useless kitchens at BWV, etc", the 10 feet of counter and cabinet space in an OKW kitchen is totally a non issue. Many very gladly prefer a superior location to fine dining, parks, nighttime park fireworks, etc., ANYDAY to 10 ft of kitchen counter space or kitchen cabinets that would never be used. Super convenient location to parks, restaurants, etc., --we use all the time; extra kitchen counter space or kitchen cabinets are something we only use or think about when we are at home, not when we are on vacation--anywhere!
Nope, give me superior location, convenience and full resort guest services and amenities anyday over more kitchen counter space or kitchen cabinets!!!!!

Wow, I'm not sure why you feel the need to defend BWV so much, but I do not consider it a superior location.

 

[RobDoc]

DVC hosts a member's welcome party each week in the GV at SSR. There are always far more than 25 in attendance and the living room/dining area are used buffet style to serve finger foods. The GV is minimally smaller than at OKW (and I don't see where 60 would fit in GV at OKW for a party either).

Enjoy the SSR GV- it should be fine for a party like you describe.

 

[jaysue]

Not much food - probably just cheese and crackers type, hors d'oevers, maybe a dessert tray...probably bringing them in but my mother in law is our very own Martha so she might make some things as well. Should I be concerned? Anything we wanted to make could be easily done in the kitchen of a BCV 1 BR.

Like Doc above, no worries - you should be good to go with a 20-25 party size

You may have some bathroom management issues though unless you are ok with people using the upstairs facilities

You may also want to consider paying for a full cleaning to get the unit back into shape for the rest of your stay

cheers
jaysue

 

[senecabeach]

So...if I'm understanding this right....
A mobility challenged person can get to the upper bedroom by going out the 1st level door and take the elevator up to thier bedroom and vise versa??

Wouldn't it be better to just plan better.. and give that person the master bedroom..or..if child..the pullout couch on the 1st floor??

Guess they don't hang out downstairs in thier pj's...right?? What if they forget something they need either up or downstairs?? Sounds like more trouble than its worth. Think I would just get attached units instead.

 

[RobDoc]

...
Wouldn't it be better to just plan better.. and give that person the master bedroom..or..if child..the pullout couch on the 1st floor??

The unique thing about these villas is that they are the only GVs that even allow that as an option. GVs at all other DVC resorts have no access to the 2nd floor except by the interior staircase. SSR at least has the additional option with this access.

At OKW, there is one ground level GV (for the first floor) and 2 with elevator access to the first floor. VB has no access in any of the Beach Houses. All must negotiate steps to get into the villa, all BRs are on the first floor, but the living room/dining room is on the 2nd floor with no elevator access. At HH, there are no elevators for the GVs and all have the first floor entry on the 2nd floor of the building. BWV does have at least one GV that is all on one level, but the 2 story GVs there have no access to the 2nd floor of the GV. For all GV's EXCEPT at SSR, the only option is to use the master BR or pull out on the first floor for anyone unable to use stairs to the second floor of the villa.