Resort Decor, Layout, & Landscaping

[Mickey'sApprentice]

While viewing a thread concerning a high number of resales at a particular resort (SSR), it occurred to me that perhaps we don't spend a lot of time discussing some of the more positive aspects of that resort and inadvertently give prospective buyers a negative opinion.

So it seems that a good discussion of resort layout, decor, & landscaping may give potential buyers a more balanced view of the resorts, and help them make a more informed decision. Plus, it will give better perspective for those of us who have not ventured away from "home" yet.

I would really like to see more info about SSR, but really want to see a discussion about all of the resorts.

If you have pictures of the particular things...by all means include the pictires.

Since I've only stayed at BWV and HHI, I'll describe what I like and dislike at both resorts.

I'm really thinking this could be a great thread so please respond.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Dh and I love BWV. We bought in January 2006 and have spent 2 trips at BWV, and hung out there in 2002, and fell in love with the place. So what do I love?....What do I hate? Here goes!

I'm mainly going to mention the things you don't see listed on the DIS.

I love...

Strolling the Boardwalk, or actually going all the way around Crescent Lake if I am still fresh and haven't been walking for days.

Walking Distance to Putt Putt at S&D

The beautiful wood floors in the lobby.

The village green

The Croquet Lawn

the quietness of the Bellevue Lounge



However, I'm not crazy about...

the fabric on the couch in the living room (Did my grandmother pick that out?)

the long hallways

the Clown face

the need for more elevators

the long walk (up hill) from the busses after a long, long day at MK.

sharing busses with 5 other resorts!!

poor access to self-parking or constant tipping. (We were in and out a lot on one of our trips.)

lack of a good, regular counter service place like the BC Marketplace.

Wicker furniture

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

In Hilton Head, I loved...

Calm and peaceful marsh views
Beautiful "Natural" beach
Shadow & B'lou Crabbe
Staff
Huge Accommodations & Balcony
Country feel to resort
Warm Cider in the Registration Area
Pool Table in Big Murgie's Den
Dolphin Tour
Going to Savannah
BBQ Grills
B'Lou Crabbe's storytelling


I disliked:

Paper thin ceilings
not being able to find things like Putt Putt courses on the island
Poor Signage (Hilton Head Zoning Laws)
the whole golf-tennis-playground for the rich mystique to HH
Bedspread in the studio (Again, Grandma--stay out of the design business)
Getting there (There is not a lot of interstate between home and HH)
Campfire (Seemed a little hokey for a thirtysomething couple w/no kids)

Overall: I can't wait to try my 1 bedroom in November!

 

[Liljam]

I stayed in SSR for my first trip home in May. I have no other DVC experience to compare it but here goes:

Loved:

-The relaxing layout of the rooms in our GV and the decor - not so overwhelming that I felt over stimulated.
-The location and walking distance to DTD was awesome - I walked there every night!
-The staff - the bell service men and women were so fun - they would offer us cart rides all the time! Mufasa or whatever his name is was totally awesome and friendly!
-The food at AP - I could have eaten there every day!
-Walking through the resort for a little evening stroll and having the feeling of being in a really high class condo style neighborhood. (For us, this is nice because we're used to an 80 acre "fun not for profit" farm that my family owns and more of a rural setting in our area!)

Disliked:
-The view from our balcony was of the golf course which was fine, but there was a pine tree growing right up - the placement seemed off a bit!
-The landscaping is still young. I could honestly look at it all though and imagine where it will be in time. I think once it has grown in more, less parking lot and road will be noticed.

There wasn't really anything for us to dislike. We really enjoyed the place and my family came home telling our friends that it was the most relaxing vacation they've ever had! And that's coming from parents who vacationed 2 times a year and had a summer place in OC, MD!

Sorry for the blur but it was a quick shot as I was walking. This is the movie night at HRSP!

This is the quiet pool at Grandstand area

Here is the bus stop at Grandstand. We were in the yellow building behind it in room 8214 (I think!)

There are other pics of the interior of our Villa in my signature link! These were just ones I liked!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Thanks Liljam!

I liked your other pictures as well.

I can't wait to see what other people have as likes and dislikes that aren't always talked about on the DIS!

 

[JenSop]

We're new DVC members. (Bought last year.) We stayed at our home resort, AKV, for the first time just last month.

LOVED:
-The animals!!!!!
-beautiful lobby
-fabulous dining (Boma & Jiko's)
-top notch room decor - love the dark wood
-brand new appliances
-flat panel TV's
-roomy balconies
-very nice pool area
-several animal viewing areas all around lodge (not just from our room)

Did not like:
-the non-ability to walk to one of the parks. You take the bus for everything.
(I really can't think of any other negatives.)

Here are some pics:

looking out our balcony over to the main lobby area:

pretty outdoor water area near Jiko:

our balcony - nice and roomy for all the animal viewing:

the pool:

the lobby - taken from the 5th floor bridge:

looking the other way (still on the 5th floor bridge) to the giant window:

And I have so many animal pictures that we took from our room, that's it's just too much for one post!

WE LOVE AKV!!!!!

 

[JenSop]

Also wanted to post some inside-the-room pictures to show the lovely decor:

 

[hakepb]

I've concluded that SSR is a partial departure from "traditional Disney imagineering" in an attempt to appeal more to "boomers." SSR has lovely design,(Always admired it when visiting DTD) and a uniquwe combination of several outstanding mature ammenities (strolling paths, Golf, SPA, DTD), SSR just does not go "all the way" in being more young family friendly (Where the theming stimulates a kids imagination, typical kid friendly food, and everything would be a little closer together for parents pushing strollers...)

I did notice that the buildings near the Grandstand pool seems to be the most convienent SSR location (near a pool, close as Springs to AP, first bus-stop), and....

as I noticed last month, the more mature the landscaping gets (in "older" sections) the better it looks.
I was in one of the far (from the pool) Grandstand buildings, and I thought the view from my room was stunning! The elements of SSR landscaping, golf course fairway, river with boats going to OKW / POR, mature trees in the background, WOW, WOW, WOW!

(I do share the previous view concern, though. There were several young pines near SSR, that when mature, will filter out some of that stunning view.)

 

[White_Sox_Fan]

In Hilton Head, I loved...

I disliked:

Paper thin ceilings
not being able to find things like Putt Putt courses on the island
Poor Signage (Hilton Head Zoning Laws)
the whole golf-tennis-playground for the rich mystique to HH
Bedspread in the studio (Again, Grandma--stay out of the design business)
Getting there (There is not a lot of interstate between home and HH)
Campfire (Seemed a little hokey for a thirtysomething couple w/no kids)

Overall: I can't wait to try my 1 bedroom in November!

????

There are like three different miniature golf courses on Hilton Head.

We are new members and stayed at SSR a month ago in Congress Park. Liked having a short walk to DTD and the main check-in building. Also the quiet pool right behind the building was nice.

 

[spiceycat]

well okw was alot better before the hurricanes - since Disney is letting natural put back the trees - it will be a few more years before OKW is back to normal.

OKW - loves
you are in the middle of WDW - but it feels like a million miles away.
the quiet pools!
laundry mat at each quiet pool so they are never a long walk from your studio.
the water views - OKW has a bunch of water views and they are pretty wonderful.
landscaping - like the flowers and bushes at the pools and along the sidewalks (plus the trees) some of these trees were flowering and never knew that until I stayed in March.
walking to DTD W
walking around OKW - it is lovely early in the morning when the sun is rising.
being able to fix a meal in your studio or villa and do it legal...
sometimes in certain villa you can see the higher fireworks

okw dislikes
no room service - okay got spoiled.

 

[LIFERBABE]

We like to spend alot of time at the resort and we have found that SSR has a more inclusive feeling and that we enjoy our longer stays there because there is so much to do.

I also like the fact that the theming is nature and health. The landscaping and paths really invite you outside to enjoy them. Whenever we are at DTD you really see how gorgeous SSR looks across the water. I will take a DTD view any day over any view offered at WDW.

I think alot of thought went into the views of SSR. The way the buildings are positioned maximize the views. I would say 80% of the resort is facing DTD, Water, Golf Course or manicured courtyards.

I love that the front of the buildings look like Victorian Homes or a Victorian Dollhouse.

I like the picture frame cutouts in the stairwells. They are different shapes and as you walk up or down the stairs, they frame the landscaping outside.

The staff is great! They remember you, your likes, activities etc. I love all the pool parties and movie nights. I like that you can watch the movie from the pool or the hot tub.

I like the pool and quiet pools and the fact that there are so many hot tubs on property, they are never crowded or even occupied.

Love AP. I like the food offerings. The complete homecooked meals for dinner.

The Spa is excellent and relaxed. Staff there is wonderful and they give the best pedicures on Earth! I have not found a better one in all my young years!

I could on and on, but SSR is really our favorite because we really enjoy what they offer.

We are not baby boomers, but I could see where they would enjoy it too. Our kids just prefer to hang out at the resort more than the parks. Alot of families are not at that point yet. Dh and I look forward to hanging out at SSR as empty nesters.

 

[mearshon]

Our home resort is SSR and this is the only DVC that I have currently stayed at. I think that the best thing about the resort is the landscaping. It is great to just stroll around the property and to see all of the plants and flowers. SSR is very quiet and nothing like a normal hotel where there are a large number of people in one spot.
Another thing that I liked about SSR was the multiple bus stops. That way there wasn't 100 people at one bus stop waiting to get on the bus.
The boat to DTD was great! Hop on the boat and take a very scenic ride to DTD.
There was really nothing bad about our stay, the CM were very nice, the food was excellent, the other people staying at the resort were pleasant, the pools were fun. We will stay at other DVC properties in the future just to see each one, but if it ever happens that we could only stay at SSR, it wouldn't affect me one bit.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

????

There are like three different miniature golf courses on Hilton Head.

We are new members and stayed at SSR a month ago in Congress Park. Liked having a short walk to DTD and the main check-in building. Also the quiet pool right behind the building was nice.

No Really. On our last trip we spent most of our time in Savannah and except for the things offered on property or at the beach house, in Shelter Cove, and on US 278, we didn't know where anything was. We saw one putt putt place, but it seemed reallly small.

I guess I had seen postings about fees to get into other plantations, and a lot of private areas, and did see the really subdued signage, and just didn't venture out much. We don't golf or play tennis.

Please let me know where all of the cool stuff is in Hilton Head. We are returning in November.

 

[dbprimeaux]

We love SSR. I like the set up of the resort. It is very peaceful - after a long day at the parks.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Have stayed at OKW, SSR and BWV in 1 or 2-BR units. Loved each one and would stay there again, depending on the experience I wanted.

OKW:
Likes
* Love the lush landscaping and decor
* Privacy and "condo-like" feel (enjoy staying here when I want to relax)
* LOTS OF SPACE!!! First choice when we bring my in-laws with us.
Dislikes
* Wished there were more food choices
* Some rooms need refurbished

SSR:
Likes
* Love the upscale feel (landscaping will come with time - not mature yet)
* Privacy and "condo-like" feel (enjoy staying here when I want to relax)
* Location (love DTD)
* Being able to hop a bus to anywhere in WDW (park or hotel via SSR/DTD)
* Turf Club is one of the best restaurants at WDW - AP is pretty good
Dislikes
* Resort is large - would only want to stay in the Springs/CP/Grandstand
* Feel that Dis should have added another quiet pool
* Main pool is "okay" - nice for those with young children (zero entry)

BWV:
Likes
* Love the Boardwalk (lots to do - less relaxing, more running around)
* Pool is fun and has a nice slide
* Lots of food choices (pizza, ESPN Zone, Spoodles, etc.)
* Room views can be amazing
Dislikes
* Sharing busses with other resorts
* Hotel-like feel (just not my personal preference)
* Decor not my favorite