Planning first trip as dvc owners.What's your opinion on this?

[eeyoresmom]

We are new owners at SSR and planning our first trip this AUG.We are spending 5 nights at POR(kids and I love this place)with free dining,then 4 nights at SSR(purchased dining plan)How does SSR compare to the moderates?My teens and preteens are not looking forward to the SSR part of the trip.I'd like to have something to tell them.I think when they hear "Deluxe" they think booooring Mom is also interested to know if you think room quality etc is noticeably better? TIA

 

[Machta]

Interesting thought--to think that "deluxe" is the same as "boring!" I don't really think there's much comparison in the rooms. As I understand it, the POR rooms are similar to hotel rooms. With the villas at SSR and elsewhere, you get what amounts to a condominium. I would think that teens and preteens, with their need for privacy, would love the idea of separate rooms. With my family, we just don't travel well unless we have at least one separate bedroom where the crabby-person-du-jour can be alone for a while. Maybe the best way to approach this would be to tell them, sure, it's going to be boring, but make the best of it. Then they'll have the fun of discovering all of the treasures at a DVC resort, and telling *you* about them!

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[DVCLiz]

I think once you get there, your teens and preteens will see the advantages of SSR. Especially if you will let them go over to DTD on their own!!! If I had responsible kids, I'd let them venture out for a meal and some shopping, and SSR/DTD is the perfect place for it (in the daytime, that is!) I'd plan a lunch over there on one of your SSR days, and let them go ahead for an hour or so to shop and sightsee, then meet them at the restaurant. Once they get the "lay of the land", so to speak, I'd be willing to bet they'll be thrilled with your choice!!!

 

[elijahpep]

It's hard when they, the kids, have prior ideas that like that. IMO, I think once they see it and wonder about they will be pleasantly surprised! Our kids kept begging to leave the parks and go back "home" to SSR. We thought it was funny at first, but they were dead serious! They actually loved SSR and tell all their friends about how cool it is to stay there. I've had several of their friends' mothers ask what DVC is. The pool, the arcade,
the community hall that has the PS2 stations, activites, carriage rides, free DVD rental, walks to DTD disney, they'll find plenty to enjoy. As the above poster stated,"they wil tell you what they've discovered" more than likely with a smile on their faces. And then it will be all worth it!


Sending you Mickey Magical Wishes for you and yours first trip home!
SAFE Journey~


~DW

 

[DebbieB]

What size room at SSR?

 

[TinkGirl]

We, too, have had some great trips staying at POR. After our first trip home to SSR as DVC members, we're not looking back! I guess it all depends on your room size. We stayed in a 1 BR, which is about double the space of the POR hotel rooms--not to mention with two tv's, a whirlpool tub, laundry, and a kitchen. There's just no comparison in that regard. As the previous posters have stated, there is just as much to do on-site as POR. If you count DD, there's lots more within walking distance. It was hard to get my kids out of the pool/slide even though it was January and (I thought) too cold to swim. We let them walk around to the gift shop and arcade themselves. We all walked to DD together.

 

[LSchrow]

the crabby-person-du-jour

in answer to OP:
the kids will LOVE SSR (i'm assuming you're staying in at least a 1-bdrm).
we've stayed mods & deluxes, & NOTHING compares to the villas (YC concierge was close, but STILL not as good as a studio at BWV ). let the kids know DVC rooms are not deluxes, but villas (you can show them some pics at http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_ss.htm ). don't forget about the jacuzzi!!

if they have cel phones, consider allowing them to "hop" over to DTD by themselves (at least 2 of them together).
SSR is huge.....they can go for a walk, swim, etc. i give my kids more freedom at DVC, because there is so much more for them to do!

 

[disneymagic316]

We love POFQ and LIke POR. We went to WDW in April and spent 1 night at POFQ and moved to SSR. My teens loved SSR. They felt there was a lot to do (basketball courts, tennis courts, pool table, community halll with video games , foosball, pingpong table, big screen tv, golf, spa, etc.) and they loved the proximiity to DTD. I think your teens will like it.

The rooms are much larger. We were in a 2 bedroom with a balcony as compared to one standard moderate hotel room.

 

[Ksp]

I'm chiming in with a hearty "me, too!" when I say that my kids (currently 15 and 20. . .they started DCV at ages 12 and 17) love staying at DVC resorts, especially SSR: the community hall, biking, walking, swimming--there's lots to do. The pool table in the Turf Club is always popular, I do wish that they had more than one.
DTD is a nice stop for them to try out their wings a bit, and the resort itself is large enough that you can be at the pool/hot tub without being right on top of the kids, yet still keep track of what's going on with them. My daughter and I have enjoyed the spa, too!! You will also have access to the fitness center, in case anyone in the family likes to work out.
Have fun!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree the size unit will have a LOT to do with how they and you feel. We stayed one night at POR in March....Nope, I just don't see the intrigue there. Food court ehhhhh...not so much. SMALL rooms with only double size beds. No closet, no kitchen, no laundry room, no Jacuzzi. Of course, that's assuming you are in a 1 or 2 bedroom. If you are in a studio, they will not see the advantage, because they'll end up on a pull out sofa!

 

[Coloradomom]

We'd always stayed at POR and DD (age 16) was actually pretty upset went we became DVC members in October. (and she even went on the tour with us). All it took was our first trip in March to change her mind. For one thing she loves the hot tub and at POR you can never get into it. (always crowded with adults who stay a long time in there.) SSR has two hot tubs at the main pool and also with the quiet pool. They do activities around the pool as well as the Community Hall. Refilling mugs at the pool was another treat. She cannot wait to go back...October is too far away!

 

[Cruelladeville]

I agree with Dianne--POR is ho-hum compared to a DVC! My kids were born, almost, at WDW, and have stayed in all the on-site hotels over the years. We bought DVC in their teens, and now they are nearing 30, and they stick to us like glue!! I thought they would hate coming with us to Florida, but they love DTD, BW, etc. It's just so much nicer than POR, and I do love POR! You will be surprised how your kids will love it, especially if you give them some freedom to go places without your supervision.

 

[Ksp]

Here's a thought (although a little controversial, granted): when you are staying at a DVC resort, you may have the option of pool hopping, depending on the season and occupancy rate, etc.
If the kids really miss POL that week, take them for a visit--maybe have lunch at the food court and swim (if POL is not at capacity, and you are in the right time window for our pool hopping perk); they can have the best of both worlds. I bet that they will decide that SSR is even nicer than POL. . . there really is more to do.
I'm trying to remember if the SSR launch will take them to POL, or not. . . one of those resorts does have a dock on the same waterway--anyone remember??

 

[Cinderella]

IMHO there is no comparison. The DVC resorts are much nicer, and if you are in at least a one bedroom, you will notice a huge difference.

The pool at SSR is great and the slide is fun (even for adults!) My kids also love the Community Hall.

 

[Judique]

We are new owners at SSR and planning our first trip this AUG.We are spending 5 nights at POR(kids and I love this place)with free dining,then 4 nights at SSR(purchased dining plan)How does SSR compare to the moderates?My teens and preteens are not looking forward to the SSR part of the trip.I'd like to have something to tell them.I think when they hear "Deluxe" they think booooring Mom is also interested to know if you think room quality etc is noticeably better? TIA

Everything will be better. Have fun planning!