Report of my very brief SSR visit today

[disneyberry]

<font face="times" size="+0">I just got back home tonight from a short weekend WDW trip. On our way out, DBF and I decided to stop by SSR to look around since it opened today. We were running late, so didn't get to see that much.

It looks like Doc has already posted about the Preview Center (haven't read that thread yet). We only walked in the door, and spoke briefly to the receptionists... didn't actually go into the center, but the outside + lobby were definitely nice.

The landscaping is gorgeous around the resort, and is the one thing that impressed me the most. High Rock Spring is a pretty well themed pool. It was deserted today when we visited at 12pm, the lifeguards were looking pretty bored.

After walking around the pool area, we got back in our car + drove over to the Congress Hall building and saw a DVC salesperson driving out there with a couple in a golf cart... probably for a sales tour.

We were running really late, but I couldn't resist parking and getting out just to snap a few pics. Plus, I really wanted to actually walk up to a building, and go inside to see what the hallways looked like.

Well, here's the big surprise for me: I'd always thought that SSR would be set up like a hybrid between the condo-style OKW and the hotel-style BWV/BCV/VWL. I thought there were going to be separate individual buildings in a large complex, each w/ their own parking lots (this part'd be similar to OKW), but then once you got to each building, you walk inside to indoor corridors w/ A/C in order to get to your villa (hotel-style). All the artist renderings and descriptions and our group speculation sounded like that.

Anyway, it turns out that SSR is NOT indoor corridors after all! There's basically a kind of enclosed balcony semi-outdoor hallway. It seemed very dark and slightly claustrophobic to me, and I actually find the OKW "corridors" much nicer since the OKW landings and walkways/stairs are bright and sunny. This is a slight disappointment for me since DBF and I prefer the nice air-conditioned indoor hallways for a more hotel-feel. It probably won't stop us from trying out SSR at some point in the future, but it is a drawback for us.

Definitely incredibly impressed w/ the landscaping though... it's beautiful. Kind of reminds me of a cross between VWL and POFQ, if that makes any sense. I did note that normally I think parking lots are ugly, but the SSR parking lots have such beautiful greenery and blooming flowers, that it's actually very pleasant. Heh.

Well, I'm rambling... exhausted from travel today, and was so sad to leave WDW earlier. Time for bed now.</font>

 

[Poohs Pal]

disneyberry: I thought for sure that pool would be full today. Thanks for the report. Susan

 

[disneycrazed139]

Thanks for the report. I was also surprised to learn about the outdoor hallways. Not a major drawback to me, but I was expecting more of a hotel feel, for which I think the indoor corridors are necessary. In nice weather, I don't mind the outdoor corridors, but when it is raining, they're not really preferable.

Anyway, thanks for posting the description despite your exhaustion from travel. Hope you had a nice trip.

 

[bounceytigger]

Thanks for the SSR report, disneyberry. Did you happen to notice if there were decent hallway lights?

I'm just hoping that since the hallways are outdoors, perhaps they''ll have a similar feel as PO-Riverside... (Although SSR's hallways seem a bit more enclosed.)

 

[jbwolffiv]

Thanks for the report. There was some question as the the available parking, since you parked there, what do you think?

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thanks for the report disneyberry. SSR sounds very nice and we look forward to checking it out in November. The landscaping/grounds sound so pretty from what I've heard. Wonder why the pool was empty---I'd figure that would be one of the first things people would want to check out ? I'm sure it was hot enough.
As for the hallway issue......I don't feel it would bother me at all. A/C hallways are a non-issue with us where OKW is concerned. We park right outside our villa and we're inside the room in seconds. I could understand if you had a long walk around hallways and corridors, like with the other DVC resorts. But if SSR is anything like OKW I don't see the downside of no air conditioned interior hallways in the least. I was never imagining that SSR would be a hotel set-up like BCV, BWV or VWL, so I suppose it's why I'm not suprised/disappointed. Do all of the SSR buildings have elevators ?
I understand you were running late, but did you get a second to check out the food court or gift shop ? Did there seem to be a good amount of people checking in when you were in the lobby ?
Thanks again for your report

 

[Ksp]

Could you tell us what the parking was like? Thanks for posting all this, it's great to get some pre-visit ideas of the new site.

 

[disneyberry]

<font face="times" size="+0">Yeah, it was kind of weird that the pool was empty, but since it was 12pm, maybe not that many people had checked in yet. All the CMs I encountered made it a point to greet us and say "Hi", so I got the impression that not too many people had showed up at the resort yet.

As for the corridors, since they are slightly enclosed, I don't think it will be too bad when it's raining out, unless the wind is really strong and the rain blows in. But, like I was saying, the corridors have a very closed in and dark/claustrophic feel for me personally. If any of you have ever stayed in the Casitas buildings at CSR, I was reminded a bit of those corridors for some reason.. maybe 'cause of the thick walls. I didn't see if there was good lighting in the hallways... maybe the lights weren't turned on and that's why I didn't see them?

DBF and I were saying that we felt like because the hallways were partially enclosed, it seemed less safe than the hallway-style that you see in the moderates like POFQ or even at OKW where it's a nice and open area. There are basically sections where there is a solid wall on both sides of you... and that contributes to the dark feel.

There is a very new/shiny set of elevators though, so that's a plus. I'm pretty sure all buildings are supposed to have elevators, though I didn't look at another building to confirm that.

As for parking, Congress Hall's lot seemed pretty full when we got there. Now that I think about it, it's pretty strange since we hardly saw anyone walking around the resort, or at the pool.. and yet the parking lot seemed full.

Oh, I did want to add that the main area (High Rock Springs + Lobby, etc) seemed to be quite a walk away from the buildings that are open. Also, I did feel like the presence of construction was very noticeable due to the half completed buildings and cranes towering in the sky around the resort. The other thing was that the signage wasn't very clear or something because when we first drove in, we were really confused about where to go and where the parking for the lobby was.

We didn't get a chance to peek into the food court or gift shop. Basically, it was like we drove up, parked, ran around the pool area, snapped some pics, drove to Congress Hall, ran in and reacted with surprise at the hallways, snapped a pic or two, and then we left figuring that we'll be back in the future anyway. Just couldn't resist stopping by on opening day though.

 

[wisbucky]

Thanks for taking time to post the info on SSR. We actually prefer the outdoor hallways compared to the hotel style ones. Glad to hear that the elevators will be on all the buildings.

 

[Bexx]

As for parking, Congress Hall's lot seemed pretty full when we got there. Now that I think about it, it's pretty strange since we hardly saw anyone walking around the resort, or at the pool.. and yet the parking lot seemed full.

Ooooh, spooky!! And have you noticed that nobody else has posted any new information about SSR?! I keep checking but still there's nothing - makes you wonder!

 

[DISNEYWORLDBORN2SHOP]

And have you noticed that nobody else has posted any new information about SSR?!

Things that make you go hmmmm!

 

[disneyberry]

Originally posted by Bexx
Ooooh, spooky!! And have you noticed that nobody else has posted any new information about SSR?! I keep checking but still there's nothing - makes you wonder!

<font face="times" size="+0">Heh! Thanks for the laugh. It really was very strange though... </font>

 

[jbwolffiv]

Thanks again for the info, great to hear first hand stuff!

 

[MinnieGi]

Thanks Disneyberry! The landscaping does look beautiful that I have seen in the pictures and you just confirmed that. Looking forward to seeing it myself.

Just to clarify the parking situation. Does SSR have parking lots at each building like OKW? Or are there just a few central lots?

Thanks again for the sneak peak into SSR for us!

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by MinnieGi
Thanks Disneyberry! The landscaping does look beautiful that I have seen in the pictures and you just confirmed that. Looking forward to seeing it myself.

Just to clarify the parking situation. Does SSR have parking lots at each building like OKW? Or are there just a few central lots?

Thanks again for the sneak peak into SSR for us!

According to the maps of the property the lots are just central to the 4 buildings. Kinda like Coronado and the Cabanas area.

 

[bounceytigger]

quote:
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As for parking, Congress Hall's lot seemed pretty full when we got there. Now that I think about it, it's pretty strange since we hardly saw anyone walking around the resort, or at the pool.. and yet the parking lot seemed full.
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quote:
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Originally posted by Bexx
Ooooh, spooky!! And have you noticed that nobody else has posted any new information about SSR?! I keep checking but still there's nothing - makes you wonder!
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Oh how funny! I was thinking the same thing! Maybe the "draw" to this DVC resort, will be that it's the haunted resort! Kinda like our own Haunted Mansion...... heck, it'd make ME want to visit each year!

 

[MinnieGi]

Thanks Sammie for the parking information. I was hoping for more of an OKW set-up as far as parking was concerned. Oh well, we'll still visit!

 

[Ksp]

Originally posted by MinnieGi
Thanks Sammie for the parking information. I was hoping for more of an OKW set-up as far as parking was concerned. Oh well, we'll still visit!

So was I...parking at OKW is so nice....more like parking at my home than a central parking lot is.
Just hope I won't need a to get from the car to the room!