New Feature for SSR Grand Villa

[lat]

I was chatting with a CM from MS this morning and he told me that one of the nice features that they added to SSR's GV is to add a door from the outside for the upper floor in the grand villa. This way, if you have someone who cannot climb the stairs, he/she can take the elevator up to that floor.

I would love to stay at SSR one of these days, looks like a BEAUTIFUL resort!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Sounds like it makes the GVs a bit more like OKW!

 

[lat]

OKW GV has outside entrance from the upper level with elevator access? I have never stayed in one at OKW. Just thought that you could only enter from the lower level and most of them don't have elevator in the building. Just wondering.

 

[kweaver]

I noticed the upstairs entrance on the room layout. That's a nice touch.

Looking at the pictures, I noticed there is only one small balcony (off the side from the dining room) at the Grand Villa.

 

[PamOKW]

We'll have to wait for Diane to come back and confirm but I assume she's talking about the new buildings at OKW with GVs. It's something I hadn't thought about before and is a very good idea to set it up that way at SSR.

 

[NCRedding]

We stayed in one of the newer GV at OKW-bldg 63 or 65 (HC) and there was not a door on the upper level of the GV.

 

[SSRex]

I certainly can see where a second floor door to the outside from 2 story Grand Villa would be helpful to elderly &/or handicapped, but I also thought of situations where you would not want this setup. What about times where you have only children upstairs.

I intentionally chose a dedicated 2 bedroom so that there would not be a door to the outside from the kid's bedroom. It's safer.
Both to keep others out and to keep the kids inside if needed.

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
Sounds like it makes the GVs a bit more like OKW!

Which OKW GV's have a second entry door with an elevator??

 

[Richyams]

Which OKW GV's have a second entry door with an elevator??

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?

 

[jaysue]

Appears to be the same awesome kitchen that the BWV and other non-OKW resorts have

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by lat
OKW GV has outside entrance from the upper level with elevator access? I have never stayed in one at OKW. Just thought that you could only enter from the lower level and most of them don't have elevator in the building. Just wondering.

I meant having an outside access without going through hallways, but the GVs in building 63 do have elevator access too.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The bathroom access through the kitchen seems wierd! Not sure I would like that! LOL, Awsome kitchen???

 

[jaysue]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
The bathroom access through the kitchen seems wierd! Not sure I would like that! LOL, Awsome kitchen???

I thought the bathroom access via the Kitchen was weird as well



Awesome Kitchen - sorry. meant Grand and Glorious

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by Richyams
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?

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!!!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

PMS? I thought we were talking about SSR!

 

[Richyams]

BWVdee, I understand completely.

Some people feel that BWV location makes up for the tiny units, useless kitchens, high point schedules and expensive dues.

Some don't.

 

[Aurora3]

Refrring back to the BWV villa design.... that 3/4 bath off the kitchen is really a smart idea. You could put your loudest/earliest risers on the sleeper sofa. They would then have access to shower, get dressed and make themselves breakfast without disturbing anyone else. They don't have to tromp through anyone elses sleep space. Even if no one uses the sleeper sofa your early risers have access to a bathroom without going back through a bedroom and disturbing late risers. Also a nice feature if you throw a party in the villa because you have a bathroom guests can use without going through a bedroom. I actually knew someone who had a house arranged this way and it really made sense to keep that noise in the early mornings centered around the kitchen.

 

[BWVDee]

Richyams,
As always you grossly exaggerate the differences in pts, dues, etc. You completely ignore such factors as various pt seasons, the lower standard pt rooms at BWV, etc. I especially would not be tooting about lower OKW dues; first dues are anything but a constant--they fluctuate from yr to yr; secondly, OKW has had the highest % of dues increase out of all the WDW DVC resorts for the past several years; and with the new addition of a pool slide, main pool refurbishment, additional costs for life guards, etc. at OKW---it is most likely this trend will continue for awhile.
But I do agree with you, that to many the superior location to parks, numerous dining options, entertainment, etc is well worth the higher cost and the loss of a bigger and unwanted kitchen, a larger dining table and a slightly larger lr that an OKW villa gives. The vast majority of the size difference in a 1 br or larger OKW villa, including the GV is in the larger kitchen/dining area and the laundry room. Hey, whatever floats your boat, if cooking meals and doing laundry is your thing on vacation--go for it!!!!! Many vacationers like to be pampered and waited on during vacation and cooking meals or a large kitchen is not high on the priority list.
WDW resorts are like resorts anywhere else, the closer you are to the main hub, the better the convenience to major attractions, dining options etc.--- the more expensive and highly rated/desired the resort is. Just think about any vacation destination--the further you get from the main hub and the greatly decreased ease of convenience, the fewer resort guest services/amenities, etc.---the cheaper the price of the resort is. A resort located just 10 - 15 mins from the main hub not only has lower prices but also many times, provides larger accommondations. What you lose in location and convenience you trade off for lower costs and larger rooms.
Yes, I would say to many travelers all over, the lack of a larger kitchen or a villa with less sq footage is well worth the superior location and convenience. Just price out non WDW resorts sometime, for the heck of it.

 

[Richyams]

You forgot to mention the health related benefits.....

The ability to do 1/3 of a marathon at the begining and end of each day trekking to the room. The kitchen being so small it doesn't hold enough food to over eat. To say nothing of the flexing exercises you can do by cleaning an entire BWV one bedroom unit standing in one place.

I'm on your side, just trying to help point out the benefits of BWV.

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by Richyams
You forgot to mention the health related benefits.....

The ability to do 1/3 of a marathon at the begining and end of each day trekking to the room. The kitchen being so small it doesn't hold enough food to over eat. To say nothing of the flexing exercises you can do by cleaning an entire BWV one bedroom unit standing in one place.

I'm on your side, just trying to help point out the benefits of BWV.

Actually the cardiovascular exertion from walking up flights of stairs in the very hot sun and FL humidity is much greater and can also be more health hazardous than walking on a flat surface in an air conditioned hallway.
Using the kitchen or cleaning the unit??? Give me a break--this is vacation!! Not in our vocabulary!
You are absolutely right, the benefits at BWV can not be beat!