Please sell me on SSR!

[MBELSANTI]

HI there!

Now that I have decided to take the $ incentive over Developer points, please tell me about SSR. I honestly don't like the fact that it is so spread out ( I stayed at CBR and hated it because of that) but yet I love the themeing and the location near DTD. As for AKL, I honestly am not into that themeing at all or the location, yet I do like the fact that it is smaller. With monthly payment and dues, SSR comes to about $7 cheaper, so really price isn't that much of a factor. Help sell me on SSR.

 

[figment97]

i think it's all up to the individual (or individual family). we just (as in yesterday) bought into SSR mainly due to the location (love downtown disney). throw that into the "laid back-iness" SSR seems to have... and that was good enough for us.

i'm not saying that we won't go to or enjoy AKL... SSR just gave us the right "feeling".

i asked the same questions as you (and others)... and although i took people's points of views... we basically went with our gut.

good luck...

 

[Jillpie]

If you don't like a spread out feeling, you will NOT like SSR. We were stuck way out in Carousel, and hated it. So I wouldn't make such a huge purchase like that if you weren't "in love" with it. Its wise that you aren't jumping into it, very smart.

 

[HUFF590]

If you don't like a spread out feeling, you will NOT like SSR. We were stuck way out in Carousel, and hated it. So I wouldn't make such a huge purchase like that if you weren't "in love" with it. Its wise that you aren't jumping into it, very smart.

Off the OPs subject a little, is there anyone who likes the Carousel ? I love SSR but would never stay there. I would give up my points and move to POP first. But anyway just wondering.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hi,
I think you know that you can buy one of the other resorts. I wouldn't buy a resort that I would have to be talked into.
Bobbi

 

[Jillpie]

Off the OPs subject a little, is there anyone who likes the Carousel ? I love SSR but would never stay there. I would give up my points and move to POP first. But anyway just wondering.

The only way to like Carousel is if you have a car. If you entirely dependent on the buses, it is just awful. It is also okay, if you don't have any desire to get to the main building (gift shop, check in bldg) or the main pool ever in your whole stay. If you are just there to be in your room and get to the parks, it would be okay. But to get anywhere else on property, forget about it, its just the most frustrating experience ever if you are placed way out there.

 

[BroganMc]

Off the OPs subject a little, is there anyone who likes the Carousel ? I love SSR but would never stay there. I would give up my points and move to POP first. But anyway just wondering.

I haven't stayed there myself yet, but walking by one morning I can't say I would mind much. There's a very nice BBQ area overlooking a little pond just for those two buildings.

It's nearest the exit so if you're driving you are the closest in and out of the resort (along Vacation Club Way... the back way to the parks avoiding the traffic and lights at DTD). If you're taking the bus, you'll see the busses enter and still have about 3-5 minutes to catch it at your bus stop.

The only area I can't say I was really impressed with was Congress Park. Surprising, I know, but I found CP farthest from the Carriage House and busier with all the daytime lake traffic.

 

[BroganMc]

HI there!

Now that I have decided to take the $ incentive over Developer points, please tell me about SSR. I honestly don't like the fact that it is so spread out ( I stayed at CBR and hated it because of that) but yet I love the themeing and the location near DTD. As for AKL, I honestly am not into that themeing at all or the location, yet I do like the fact that it is smaller. With monthly payment and dues, SSR comes to about $7 cheaper, so really price isn't that much of a factor. Help sell me on SSR.

Some of the top advantages to SSR are:

- Proximity to DTD. DTD gives you shopping. after-park hour entertainment (DQ for the kids, Pleasure Island for adults, La Nouba for shows, AMC movie theatre for the family), and restaurants.

*AKV just gives you the Savannah, and 3 restaurants all with similar African cuisine. You need to take a bus to do/see anything else.

- A non-shared bus. SSR busses are only for SSR guests. AKV will share with AKL guests.

- Access to DTD means you can catch a resort bus direct from there. Good for meal reservations and/or resort hopping.

- SSR is on a ferry line to OKW and has a walkway there. That means you can resort hop there easily. Or take the ferry to DTD and hop another to Port Orleans.

- Cheaper maintenance fees, now and projected.

- The onsite spa and fitness center.

- Onsite golf courses.

- Miles of beautiful landscaped walkways for a pleasant daily stroll. You can do a loop around within 1 mile or a longer loop through DTD at 3 miles, with stops along the way (benches with spectacular views).

- All the wildlife that surrounds the resort: swans & ducks in the lakes, rabbits in Congress Park, mocking birds and eagles in the trees, etc.

- Lastly, SSR is just close enough to things that you never feel isolated and yet separated enough that you never feel closed in.

 

[casper]

Go ahead and take some time to look at all the DVC resorts (if you have not already). It is a purchase that you should be completely happy with. SSR is a spread out resort and it will not get any smaller. If that is a BIG factor for you, then look at some of the others and maybe purchase resale. Home resort and the 11 month booking window can be important.

That said, I own at SSR and I really like it. I have not stayed at the Carousel. When I stayed I was in the 8000 # building of the Grandstand. It was an easy walk from there to the "main" building and swim area (not to mention right next to its own pool which I found to be fantastic). The Spring area is also close to the main building. Much of the Paddock area is close but some of the buildings are a distance too. My point: Regardless of the size of the resort, if you get in a building that is close to the main area, what does the rest of the resort size matter? However, as of yet, no building request is guaranteed. Keep that in mind too.

 

[tomandrobin]

Don't base your purchase solely on the price difference. I you are buying 200 points, its only a difference of $1400! Buy where you want to stay.

How do you prefer to vacation? What kind of accomadations and amenities do you like? You need visit each resort, spend some time at each resort.

We love SSR and AKV. But most importantly, we love our DVC membership.

 

[tomandrobin]

Hi,
I think you know that you can buy one of the other resorts. I wouldn't buy a resort that I would have to be talked into.
Bobbi

I agree! But I will sell you on DVC in general and I can tell you what "I" like and dislike each resort.

 

[Flyerfan]

The only way to like Carousel is if you have a car. If you entirely dependent on the buses, it is just awful. It is also okay, if you don't have any desire to get to the main building (gift shop, check in bldg) or the main pool ever in your whole stay. If you are just there to be in your room and get to the parks, it would be okay. But to get anywhere else on property, forget about it, its just the most frustrating experience ever if you are placed way out there.

Is Carousel REALLY that bad? We'll be going home for the first time in January and have requested CP or Grandstand (hoping for either one). But if I know DH, he would probably love Carousel (if we had no choice) because it seems far removed. We don't do the pool scene, enjoy feeling secluded and love walking everywhere. Would it be that bad for us? Why is it awful using the buses in this section? Is it the last stop, are they too full?

 

[tjkraz]

The resort may be large but at least the common-area amenities are all grouped together. It's not like you need to walk in one direction to reach the pool, another direction for restaurant "A", another direction for restaurant "B", another direction for the Community Hall, etc. They are all in the same place.

We eat most of our meals in the room or out at the parks so our use for that area is limited. We might hit the main pool once per trip (although there may be others closer to our room) and we might have one meal there (The Turf Club is gooooooooood!)

All of the areas have bus stops so you're only 2 minutes away from transportation no matter where you stay.

As for The Carousel, there are 18 buildings in the resort and only 2 are in the Carousel. That puts my odds at roughly 11% of getting such a room. I think I could deal with it about once every 9 years. And, if DVC introduces different room booking categories at SSR as they recently did at OKW, it's a non issue.

We've stayed there three times--twice in a Congress Park room overlooking Downtown Disney and once in The Springs right across the road from the main pool. All 3 were wonderful stays and we have zero regrets about buying there.

 

[tinkerbell102]

We are proud new dvc owners at saratoga springs and had our first visit home
this August. We had a 2 bedroom villa in the Springs section. We had a wonderful time, and loved Saratoga Springs. The resort is beautiful to say the least. It is very large and spread out, but that never was a problem with us. We were close to the main blds, pool and bus stop. We also enjoyed walking around the resort, and to dtd. We are Beach Club fanatics, but have to admit that we really enjoyed our stay at Saratoga Springs and look forward to many more visits.

 

[Jillpie]

Is Carousel REALLY that bad? We'll be going home for the first time in January and have requested CP or Grandstand (hoping for either one). But if I know DH, he would probably love Carousel (if we had no choice) because it seems far removed. We don't do the pool scene, enjoy feeling secluded and love walking everywhere. Would it be that bad for us? Why is it awful using the buses in this section? Is it the last stop, are they too full?

Well, it was really that bad for me, others may not be bothered by the HUGE distance to the main bldg to get some milk, oj etc, or just use the main pool. And then the kicker was, on the night before going home I called bell services to pick up my luggage in the morning and they told me they're already too busy, I'll have to bring my own luggage up to the main bldg!! I had them come get it at midnight . But, I can't emphasize enough, if you have a car, this entire story would change. Its being bus dependent way out there is how difficult everything is. As far as what you are looking for, it sounds like you would not mind it. The buses, they were terrific from this section because we were the first ones to be picked up. They are excellent going to the parks. Its getting around that resort, especially to the main pool and main bldg. is the BIG problem. Now let me clarify, you can hop any bus at Carousel to get to the main bldg to use the big pool or get to their restaurants, it is the getting back to your room that was the huge problem and the TIME it took to get back. You have to wait for yet another bus just to get back to your room. I ended up getting a "free ride" from one of the pool men on a golf cart (Freddie, what a doll he was), but boy, it was a real big pain. Anyway, I think it will help tremendously to have the new options to book at this resort. I feel so sorry though for the poor people that don't know they can do that and they book too late and get one of those rooms.

 

[MBELSANTI]

I should add that I will never be renting my own car when I am on vacation. I would be going to the main area a lot to use the pool, shop and dine. About how far would you say these Carousel building are?

 

[Mississippian]

HI there!

Now that I have decided to take the $ incentive over Developer points, please tell me about SSR. I honestly don't like the fact that it is so spread out ( I stayed at CBR and hated it because of that) but yet I love the themeing and the location near DTD. As for AKL, I honestly am not into that themeing at all or the location, yet I do like the fact that it is smaller. With monthly payment and dues, SSR comes to about $7 cheaper, so really price isn't that much of a factor. Help sell me on SSR.

Just be aware that you can buy from Disney at ANY of the resorts, except for Beach Club, and you might even get in there with a wait. You will pay a slightly higher price and won't get a developer's discount, but you will get the ability to buy where you want to stay.

For example, if you buy BWV you can book standard view rooms, which is essentially a members-only perk and a real money saver.

Just be aware of this. I personally can't stand the though of having to stay at a "spread out" resort. When making your choice, be aware that the "12 extra years" that SSR offers are virtually worthless when you do a present value financial analysis. They literally are worth about three dollars a point at the absolute most. On the other hand, the maintanance fees at SSR are about 25 percent lower than at other resorts, and THAT is a real factor to consider (although it wouldn't change my mind, just trying to be fair).

If you like the place, fine, but you sound like you are very iffy. Just want you to know you can buy anywhere and finance your purchase through Disney. You guide may tell you otherwise. If so, he or she is lying and you should immediately demand another guide.

 

[SFLTIGGER]

We are owners at SSR resort since May 2006 and are soooo... looking forward to staying there for the first time in October! Search this site there are several posts of many, many, many people who absolutely LOVE SSR.

Yes I said for the First time! But, it has not been our first DVC stay as members. We have stayed at VWL, VB, OKW/VB, and VB again. Have ressies for SSR, VWL, BWV/VB pending thru April 2008.

I know a lot of people profess "Buy where you want to stay", but IMHO, "Buy where you won't mind staying" is a better motto for DVC purchase. DVC is all about choices and yes there is an advantage to 11 month window (and more so if you vacation at peak DVC times), but that does not mean you can't get ressies at other resorts. Each resort has it's own style and advantages (and maybe some disadvantages). What we have found most wonderfull is the fantastic 'family' we meet everywhere we stay!

 

[BroganMc]

I should add that I will never be renting my own car when I am on vacation. I would be going to the main area a lot to use the pool, shop and dine. About how far would you say these Carousel building are?

::sigh:: Here we go again with the distance report. Forgive me if I find this debate a tad tiresome. I just spent 10 days in London where the average walking for us was 4-6 miles a day.

Just for the record, these are the relative distances at SSR:

From the farthest point in Carousel building to the main pool = .46 miles
"" to nearest pool (Paddock) = .29 miles
"" to Artist Palette = .49 miles
"" to the ferry dock = .57 miles
"" to DTD Disney Store = 1.27 miles

From the farthest room in the farthest Springs building to main pool = .20 miles
"" to the ferry dock = .27 miles
"" to DTD Disney Store = .71 miles
From the closest Springs building to main pool = .05 miles


From the closest Grandstand building to main pool = .17 miles
"" to nearest pool = .01 miles
From the farthest Grandstand building to main pool = .36 miles
"" to nearest pool = .19 miles
"" to the ferry dock = .34 miles
"" to DTD Disney Store = 1.23 miles

From the closest Paddocks building to main pool = .24 miles
"" to nearest pool = .05 miles
From farthest Paddocks building to main pool = .36 miles
"" to nearest pool = .17 miles
"" to the ferry dock = .43 miles
"" to DTD Disney Store = .73 miles

From the closest Congress Park building to main pool = .26 miles
"" to nearest pool = .07 miles
From the farthest Congress Park building to main pool = .41 miles
"" to nearest pool = .15 miles
"" to the ferry dock = .51 miles
"" to DTD Disney Store = .34 miles

The average walking speed is 3 mph. It would take someone around 5-7 minutes to walk 1/4 mile. It would take 10-14 minutes to walk 1/2 mile. And it would take 20-30 minutes to walk 1 mile.

Granted if it's cold or pouring rain, any distance outside can seem 2-3x what it actually is. And any distance the first time around automatically seems 2x as long. But when I went exploring those distances for myself (with my 75 year old Dad along for the ride), we were surprised how short the pathways were. I think the scenic nature of how they're laid out occupies your mind and turns it into a peaceful, quiet-time stroll. My favorite activity was the early morning stroll from Grandstand, to AP for hot drink refills, then around Carousel and back for breakfast in the room.

SSR is more spread out than BCV, BWV and VWL in that the entrance is not the same for the entire resort. Rather you have neighborhoods with a downtown community area. There are 5 bus stops servicing all the neighborhoods and pools in 4 of the neighborhoods (Carousel does lack a pool). Distances, as you can see above, from any one neighborhood to the downtown community area is between 5-15 minutes walk.

 

[kikiq]

The average walking speed is 3 mph. It would take someone around 5-7 minutes to walk 1/4 mile. It would take 10-14 minutes to walk 1/2 mile. And it would take 20-30 minutes to walk 1 mile.

Granted if it's cold or pouring rain, any distance outside can seem 2-3x what it actually is. And any distance the first time around automatically seems 2x as long. But when I went exploring those distances for myself (with my 75 year old Dad along for the ride), we were surprised how short the pathways were. I think the scenic nature of how they're laid out occupies your mind and turns it into a peaceful, quiet-time stroll. My favorite activity was the early morning stroll from Grandstand, to AP for hot drink refills, then around Carousel and back for breakfast in the room.

SSR is more spread out than BCV, BWV and VWL in that the entrance is not the same for the entire resort. Rather you have neighborhoods with a downtown community area. There are 5 bus stops servicing all the neighborhoods and pools in 4 of the neighborhoods (Carousel does lack a pool). Distances, as you can see above, from any one neighborhood to the downtown community area is between 5-15 minutes walk.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that info. My sil wanted to know how far the farthest building would be from the main pool/community hall.

We made a resort visit in August during some of the hottest days ever. We spent one afternoon each at AKL and SSR trying to decide which to buy. It was a no brainer for OUR family after we walked the grounds of SSR. We loved our stroll after dinner at Artist's Palette. Not sure where we walked or how far, but it wasn't far to any of the buildings. In fact, my DH said that he and my dad would love the morning walk to AP and then a stroll around the lake while the rest of the family wakes up. My 6 yr old niece is so excited that she can ride bicycles with her mom. My marathon runner brother is happy for the non roadway trails, even in the heat<G> We'll be the party of 10 walking/riding/running around the lake<G>