Opinions on SSR? Pro & Con?

[teacher1]

I've been noticing a lot of "disgruntled or disappointed with SSR" posts and I plan to read all of them, but could someone narrow down the pros & cons of this new DVC offering? We're pretty sure we don't want to purchase at SSR (BWV being #1 choice) but don't want to discount it altogether. Anyone care to give an opinion (inside, outside, size, noise, whatever)?
Thanks!

 

[Pam&Joe]

I've been noticing a lot of "disgruntled or disappointed with SSR" posts and I plan to read all of them, but could someone narrow down the pros & cons of this new DVC offering? We're pretty sure we don't want to purchase at SSR (BWV being #1 choice) but don't want to discount it altogether. Anyone care to give an opinion (inside, outside, size, noise, whatever)?
Thanks!

I'd love to tell you that SSR is the best Vacation Club resort that Disney has, and that the rooms are great, that the food court is ok, not great just ok and that the pools are great and the SPA is one of the best on Disney property but if I did all that would be would be my opinion and nothing more. The only way to find out the pro’s & con’s is for you to stay there and see.

 

[conciergekelly]

SSR is a beautiful resort. It isn't near the parks but that is what I liked about it. We had 3 very relaxing trips. We don't do commando park visiting anymore. It is a peaceful retreat from the hectic "world". My kids have stayed all over WDW and they liked SSR the best so far. The main pool is very beautiful, food court nice and upscale, loved the Turf Club bar, busses good, DTD close (by the way you can get to all resorts via DTD busses), view of DTD the best I've every had at WDW, the grounds are wonderful,work out room is state of the art, and the quiet pool by DTD is stunning (at night). It is a top notch resort, as they all are.

I have a trip planned for July at BCV. I am really looking forward to it but am going to miss SSR. I have to say though I haven't yet met a Disney resort I haven't loved. SSR is quickly becoming my favorite!

 

[crisi]

A lot of things are very subjective:

Inarguable Pros:

12 Extra Years
Lower point structure than BCV/VWL/BWV(preferred)
Currently fairly low dues

Something we've argued about, but which I think is an inarguable con:

Will be easiest to book without owning there. Non-owners probably won't have problems using SSR (but won't be able to take advantage of the extra 12 years).

Things that can be pro or cons:

Decor
Location
Exterior hallways
Resort is spread out
Not part of a Disney "regular" resort
Access to DTD restaurants, but currently very limited options on site.

Things other resorts have that SSR doesn't (weight as you will):

Room service
Valet parking

Things SSR has that other resorts don't:

On site spa.
Grand Villas are only at SSR/OKW and BWV (where they are pricey points wise).

 

[teacher1]

Thanks for all your comments and advice, people, but CRISI, you hit it right on the head for me: I do need room service & valet parking due to limited mobility (back problems & arthritis), and walking to DTD is totally out of the question. I rent an ECV at the parks because of pain, so proximity is a MUST. (I would love to see the fireworks every night from the New Year's celebration, though.) The pros all sounded good & the cons not so bad, but this may all be academic now because I read somewhere that Disney itself still sells the other DVCs? I didn't know that so SSR is not the only option. My other question was whether it would be easy to buy at SSR but use the points at other locations like BW or WV, but I'll ask on the phone.
P.S. You're all welcome to add your two cents about that too!

 

[childsplay]

My other question was whether it would be easy to buy at SSR but use the points at other locations like BW or WV, but I'll ask on the phone. /QUOTE]
The answer to this question is ..."It depnds". There are times of the year when I'm sure it wouldn't be much of a problem, there are other times of the year when I would say it would be next to impossible..my advice would be not to buy at SSR if you really don't want to stay at SSR

 

[crisi]

We just spent pages on "how easy will it be to buy SSR and stay somewhere else." Its a matter of some debate. If you book right at the seven month window, probably not too difficult. Wait a few weeks or a month to make the phone call and you may be able to switch only to OKW (which wouldn't be good for your needs).

 

[MiaSRN62]

Wait a few weeks or a month to make the phone call and you may be able to switch only to OKW (which wouldn't be good for your needs).

And to be honest, I haven't even had good luck with waiting last minute (60 days out and less) at OKW. Tried twice. Once tried for December in 2003 about 75 days out---no luck at OKW with waitlist. And then again tried at OKW for early November last year with no luck. I was on the waitlist for 60 days. I had requested a 1 or 2 BR and was told there was nothing both times---not even studios were available.
I think with timeshares one really needs to plan well in advance and DVC is no different.

I do need room service & valet parking due to limited mobility (back problems & arthritis), and walking to DTD is totally out of the question. I rent an ECV at the parks because of pain

Well, room service is not available per say at OKW (or SSR ?) but there are restaurants and pizza places that will deliver there.
http://www.goodings.com/ (only delivers from 9 am to 6 pm but they have roasted chicken and subs/sandwiches etc)
http://www.giordanos.com/ (delivers right to your villa)
http://www.sonnysbbq.com/pages/menu.php (the one on John Young Pkwy delivers right to the villa)
And there are others......so we don't really miss "room service" when we're at OKW.

As for limited mobility---I can totally understand how you couldn't walk to DTD but can one take an ECV there on the path ? Just curious if anyone knows. Also, I've seen people at OKW with ECV's. You don't really need valet at OKW because you park your car right outside your front door of your villa. People seem to get around fine at OKW from what I've seen with ECV's. You would need either a ground floor or an elevator building and I'm sure OKW would oblige considering your needs. Just a little food for thought when considering your options. Take care

 

[NMW]

If you think BWV would be better for your needs, why don't you buy a resale there? You can click on the Timeshare store link to look at some (top of this page). You can also get on the waiting list to buy through Disney at the resort of your choice (this may take months though). If you are thinking SSR is not the "perfect" resort for you, than I would find one that is! Good luck!

 

[teacher1]

Oohh, guys! Now you've confused me!
I had almost decided to buy at SSR because I would save closing costs & it can be deducted from income tax (it's not a personal loan). I need to pay more interests (go figure) b/c I don't have enough deductions. I also liked the fact that I could go to say, VWL in October (first trip planned for this year) using the SSR points and still have some left over. I don't mind spending this vacation at SSR, but I want to have a choice in the future.
I was planning to use the 100 points from the Disney vacation offered by Disney, but the DVC agent told me that if we buy a unit with a December 2004 use year we can get the 150 points coming from 2004 before next December (2005) and the 150 allotment when we want thereafter or bank the rest. Does that make sense to anybody? Was she right?
Now you're scaring me into looking at resellers again, but they're always missing something I need (no closing costs, ability to deduct, etc.) Someone wrote "points are points" before & it made sense, and we do plan way ahead b/c of school vacations (I'm a teacher - just look at my name) but I listen to advice & follow it, so please...send me some!!!

 

[quentina]

Oh...I have stayed at them all except for the BCV. Now, I will never stay there because I heard it is similar to the BWV and I was not impressed there.

SSR is by far my favorite (at WDW...HH is my favorite resort). The things I like are the things other people seem to dislike. Examples: the outside hallways (I love the no lobby thing), the secluded areas (love parking the car in front of the room) etc. I do not think that you will be disappointed. Remember, even if you buy SSR, you can still satay elsewhere. Yes, you may need to waitlist, however, I think you will find most of us are successful with that. I own HH and VB and have never not gotten my choice at the 7 month window.

You can also buy the sold out resorts direct from Disney for $89 per point. I did an add on a few months ago for HH, no waiting, they had it available.

Any decision will be a great one....You will never regret being part of the "family"!!

Kim

 

[teacher1]

Thanks, Quentina. I also like the idea of parking my car directly in front of my unit (or whatever they call them). If that's the case, I'd only need valet parking to help unload luggage, but if I'm not traipsing across a lobby (b/c they don't have one!) I won't need one of those either! Hey, you've just restored my faith in SSR!
I asked DVC about buying at other properties, say BW, and they said inventory was very low. If they have it $89 a point sounds like a lot, but no closing cost saves somewhat & it would be a real estate deal w/ the tax break I need. I'll wait to get the paperwork & then ask them to put me on a list or something. Meanwhile, is the spa at SSR free for owners there? Is it completed? I like the idea of a massage for my aching back (rationalizing)... You're right - as long as we're in the family it's OK!

 

[teacher1]

I'd love to tell you that SSR is the best Vacation Club resort that Disney has, and that the rooms are great, that the food court is ok, not great just ok and that the pools are great and the SPA is one of the best on Disney property but if I did all that would be would be my opinion and nothing more. The only way to find out the pro’s & con’s is for you to stay there and see.

Pam&Joe,
I'll try it on for size and see if I agree. Took me a while to figure out what you were hinting at, but then I saw the wink. You answered my question about the spa before I even asked it! Do you know anything about that strange point juggling I was given by DVC? DVC said "why don't you buy at SSR w/ a Dec. use year (my choice) but one that has 2004 points already alloted that can be used right away instead of the 100 pts. vacation they offer." Then you'll get the next 150 coming this December. Sounds like they're cheating me out of 100 pts. Can I bank Dec. 2004 points after October of this year? I don't understand if they're trying to help me or trying to dump a 2004 purchase that went wrong, but I'm CONFUSED.

 

[abeyst]

I owned at BWV since 2000 and never stayed there. I've had good luck booking everywhere (except VWL at Christmas) with waitlists coming through for December stays booked in October. I'll be buying at SSR with intentions of never staying there. My luck has been that as long as you don't want Spring Break or Christmas week, you should be OK within your 7 month window.

I'd definitely buy the 2004 use year if they let you bank your points to 2005. DVC allows a 1 time banking of points if you miss your deadline. I'd say for 150 points I'd be willing to use it. Are they still allowing you to purchase discounted points at $87 instead of $95?

 

[sandieb]

I almost drove myself batty listening to other's opinions about the Beach Club Villas when it opened. We had bought quite a few points on the presale - I was thrilled at first, and then wondered if we had done the right thing after reading the reasons others did not care for the resort.

Well, several long trips later, I can say with certainty that I love the resort and that I am very glad we purchased there. You really need to listen to your own heart. That said, all the DVC resorts are well done, and I probably would be happy in any of them. SSR is beautiful and I really liked it when I took the tour there. Sandie

 

[bobbiwoz]

I just want to comment on buying the December Use Year. IF you buy those points, you are getting 150 points without any maintenance fees, and these could be banked (100%) until May 31st, (50%) until August 31st, (25%) until September 30th.

The spas are not free to DVCers.

We own most of our points at BWV, we love the lower costs of the standard rooms. We have stayed at SSR and thought it was a wonderful resort and we'll stay there again.

Good luck in making your decision.

Bobbi

 

[shelleyz]

I would assume the spa is finished at SSR, as they have some prices in the April, May, June perks pages. DVC members get 20% off select spa treatments.

For The Spa @ SSR
DVC Members package- 4 hours- $372. designed exclusively for DVC members, includes a hydro-massage theraay, mystical forest masque & bofy wrap, mystical forest therapies, and an aromatherapy facial.

Swedish massage- 50 minutes- $88.

Mystical forest therapies(combination of reflexology & swedish massage)-50-minutes- $100.

Aromatherapy facial-50 minutes- $92.

Mystical forest body masque & wrap -50 minutes- $96

Hydro-massage therapies-45 minutes- $85.

Spa Manicure-50 minutes- $40

Spa Pedicure-50 minutes- $52.

Prices indicated reflect 20% discount on retail value of service.

Also members receive special savings on a swedish massage at the Muscles & Bustles Fitness Center @ Disneys boardwalk Resort, or at the Sturdy Branches Massage and Fitness Center @ the Villas @ Disneys Wilderness Lodge.
50 minutes $60
75 minutes $98

We just sent in our papers 2 days ago for 200 points @ SSR. Cant wait to book a vacation there. A pedicure sounds good after a long day in the parks.

 

[teacher1]

I'd definitely buy the 2004 use year if they let you bank your points to 2005. DVC allows a 1 time banking of points if you miss your deadline. I'd say for 150 points I'd be willing to use it. Are they still allowing you to purchase discounted points at $87 instead of $95?

I didn't know about the $87 discounted points. What is that for? The 2004 unit? DVC said I could USE the 150 from 2004 now in october of 2005 and then do whatever (bank, etc.) with the 150 coming in Dec.'05.

 

[CHOPR]

$87.- per pt. with the $8.00 discount & no '05 dues at SSR. We were just there last sat. and yes the spa is open

 

[crisi]

All DVCers get spa discounts (currently), its just that the spa is more convienient for those staying at SSR than those staying at other DVC resorts.

(If the spa were free for SSR members, I'd be all over SSR points).