Potentially insulting ( I hope not) question about SSR

[Maddysdaddy]

Hi all.

Looking at taking a trip before Easter, and there is only sketchy availability in a studio at all of the WDW DVC resorts except SSR, where I can get 12 nights in a row.

Is it simply a matter that SSR has a much larger number of studios than any other DVC property, or is there some other reason that is not obvious to someone who has not stayed there before?

Thanks.

 

[DougEMG]

Three reasons I would say:

(1) SSR is the largest resort by far with 432 potential studios, OKW is 2nd with 296 potential studios.

(2) SSR is not next to a park, although I do like being able to walk to DTD.

(3) Lots of members think the point costs are too high as compared to the other resorts. I bet that if SSR rooms cost the same as OKW rooms that a lot more people would want to book there.

 

[chalee94]

i'd agree with all of that.

if you are going to book only 4 months or so in advance (very "last minute" in timeshare terms), you will need to learn to love SSR...

 

[bobbiwoz]

And yet, there are people who book SSR every time because they like it a lot. I would take a 14 night stay at SSR over a stay where I have to move every 3-4 days or so.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Thanks for the replies.

The only DVC resort we have stayed at is VGC (even though our home resort is AKV) so that is our baseline for resort and room quality (high threshold).

I just wanted to check to make sure that the availability of SSR is not indicative of issues with quality or cleanliness.

 

[disneynutz]

Many SSR owners bought and either intended not to stay there very often if at all and/or they have now found out that they like other resorts better.

Bill

 

[chalee94]

I just wanted to check to make sure that the availability of SSR is not indicative of issues with quality or cleanliness.

i haven't stayed at SSR for several years, but i thought it was really nice at the time. i loved the furnishings and subtle theming - nice pool, too.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We stay there about every 18 months or so, and have never had a bad villa!

 

[dvcterry]

Never had a bad villa, nor had a bad experience at SSR and i found the CMs were very nice. It is not out home resort but we've been waiting to go back there just because it is so relaxing and had pleasant experience the last stay.

 

[kermiebudge]

We stayed in a studio at SSR 2 years ago (2 kids/ 2 adults) and were nervous too for the same reasons... BUT absolutely LOVED it!!! It was super-clean and bright.... For me that can make or break the trip. Got to have a sparkling clean room!!!!

The Springs area was great, but they have since opened another large, themed pool area. After spending the days in the hustle & bustle of the parks, the relative quiet of SSR was sooooo welcome! It was also very kid-friendly, so no worries there. Stayed at BWV last year and actually much preferred SSR, with the exception of being able to walk to Epcot from BWV

 

[drusba]

Quality and cleanliness is not the issue you should be concerned about. SSR is what you can get for the time you want and the real issue you should be focusing on is where in SSR you might want to stay and thus make a request with your reservation because, depending on your preferences, where you stay in SSR can have a significant impact on whether you will like the stay or not. Thus, you should go to the "Search" tab above and do an SSR search because there have been numerous threads discussing the varying locations that members prefer, e.g., if you want fantastic view go for Congress Park area but if you want close to main pool go for Springs. You will find a lot information in that regard in other threads.

 

[butsy113]

Have you thought of doing a split stay. With 12 nights you could try to get another resort for 6 and SSR for 6. Then you would get to experience 2 resorts. After about 5 or 6 days I'm usually ready for a change

 

[Deb & Bill]

Have you thought of doing a split stay. With 12 nights you could try to get another resort for 6 and SSR for 6. Then you would get to experience 2 resorts. After about 5 or 6 days I'm usually ready for a change

Split stays are a pain in the patooty. You are homeless for most of the day, especially when I like to head back from the parks around noon. Odds are usually against you to get your villa by noon. Move in, unpack and settle in for the entire stay. You'll have plenty of time to try other resorts in the future.

 

[Dean]

Three reasons I would say:

(1) SSR is the largest resort by far with 432 potential studios, OKW is 2nd with 296 potential studios.

(2) SSR is not next to a park, although I do like being able to walk to DTD.

(3) Lots of members think the point costs are too high as compared to the other resorts. I bet that if SSR rooms cost the same as OKW rooms that a lot more people would want to book there.

Exactly, it's large and it has a lower comparative demand.

Hi all.

Looking at taking a trip before Easter, and there is only sketchy availability in a studio at all of the WDW DVC resorts except SSR, where I can get 12 nights in a row.

Is it simply a matter that SSR has a much larger number of studios than any other DVC property, or is there some other reason that is not obvious to someone who has not stayed there before?

Thanks.

For 12 nights I'd try to do a split stay. reserve the 12 nights at SSR, it's a very nice resort, and then look to see what else you can get for the start or end. If you can get 2-4 days together at a resort you'd like to try, take those then wait list a couple of extra days to add to it. Try to get to the situation where you have roughly 6 days at SSR and 6 days somewhere else (or whatever your preference is). Then if it's still your preference to stay elsewhere and avoid SSR altogether, you could start working on that. I'd suggest you put the SSR trip in one name and the alternative in another so they don't cancel your entire trip if you match a shorter wait list. Once you're done with that, you can still go back to the wait list to try to get an even better option or even more preferred resort. Remember you can only have 2 active wait lists at one time. For example, a WL for a savannah view studio at Jambo and the same at Kidani is actually your 2 wait lists.

 

[Sammie]

We love SSR, and I think it is strictly a numbers situation. The new pool is fantastic and I like the new room decor.

 

[butsy113]

If you plan a full park day for the day you switch resorts, then it won't matter if you don't have a room. It all depends on the way you vacation. I can't drag my kids out of the park once we get there. So on a switch day we plan to get to a park around 9 or 10 and stick around the park until around 6 or 7. Switching doesn't have to be a problem. Many people enjoy it, but you have to know if it would work for you.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Many SSR owners bought and either intended not to stay there very often if at all and/or they have now found out that they like other resorts better.

Bill

We are actually one of those owners. We own at BLT and SSR (BLT was our first purchase) and when we went to add on points there, we didn't want to pay the amount that Disney wanted for it. Since SSR's price per point was much lower, we decided to add on at that resort and use those points for our stays at other resorts and for our BLT stays.

On the flip side, we did stay there this past January for 3 nights and we were really impressed with the whole resort. The only thing that we did not care for was all the bus stops within the resorts...we stayed in Congress park which was great for walking to DTD and back, plus we had an awesome view of DTD Westside from our villa, however it wasn't so great if we had to take the buses to the parks. We do plan on going back there for another stay, however we decided that when we do, we will make sure we have a car there...whether it is our personal car or we rent a car.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

First, let me start by saying that no DVC resort is bad. They're all deluxe resorts. We've stayed at every WDW DVC, and I've never had an unenjoyable vacation at any of them. That doesn't mean that I don't favor some over others, though.

SSR is my favorite resort. We do at least a week there every year. We love our other home resorts too, but don't stay there as often. It's funny how different resorts appeal to different people. We've stayed at OKW and AKV one time each, and have no desires to stay at either again. Others love these resorts.

Until you've tried every resort, there's no way to tell if it will be the right fit for your family or not. SSR is a fantastic resort that you may or may not enjoy. My suggestion is that you give it a shot. Book your trip at SSR, and if there's another resort you want to go for, wait list it. Best case, you get your wait list. Worst case, you get to stay at SSR and determine where it fits on your like/don't like continuum. You'll have a great WDW vacation in either case.

 

[kimszath]

SSR is my home resort, but since I have a LOT of points, we like to stay at other resorts just for a change of scenery every now and then. We've stayed at all WDW resorts so far except for VWL and BLT, and I personally think that SSR is the cleanest resort of the bunch, at least in my experience. The decor is lovely and well-maintained, and the pool areas are great. It is a very large resort, though, so as other posters have mentioned, picking the area that suits your "wants" is important. Even though I'm somewhat local and we always have a car with us, I still try to stay in the Springs area so that we can walk to the main pool and resort building instead of loading up the car. The bus stops are fairly centralized. Being able to take the Ferry over to Downtown Disney is great--my kiddo loves the Lego store and eating at Rainforest Cafe. You can also take the ferry back to Old Key West and eat in their restaurant (or pool hop for a change!) I do hear from many that they wish it was closer to the parks, but then, it's only a bus ride away. Once you're there, you're there!

Have a wonderful trip!!!
Kim

 

[tfc3rid]

SSR was my third Add-On, bought it because I got a great deal there but turns out my wife and I love staying there!