SSR and Bummed

[El&Asmom]

I think the reason many people who have not stayed at SSR are "worried" about staying there is simply b/c of the bad wrap a few people on the Dis give it.
We bought into DVC at HH and SSR sight unseen. We love both and have never looked back.
Everyone has there preferences, but don't worry about not enjoying your stay until you try it. If you go and don't like it, then try to avoid it next time.

Enjoy your holiday trip. We'll be home in freezing Chicago wishing we were at SSR, or any DVC for that matter.

 

[Candy Orlando]

I love SSR because it reminds me of a real home. I live in a town that has three golf courses and a lake for boating. SSR is perfect for a family holiday like Thanksgiving. Walt Disney would be very proud of it because he was a great polo player and loved horses. It's decor is very elegant like the Grand Floridian. I think you are going to love it.

 

[maciec]

Second, it is forcing us to stay at a different resort. I may be happy when our "first choice" doesn't always work out (as long it does sometimes). Otherwise we'd never stay anywhere else.

I feel the same exact way. We bought at SSR not knowing any better (meaning buy where you want to stay). We have owned there since 2004 and have never stayed there. I really like the hotel feel instead of the condo feel. However, since there was nothing available and I didn't want to do the waitlist for fear that only 1 of the 2 rooms I needed would come through, I decided that we were going to once and for all stay at SSR. I am actually excited to stay there for a change of pace. We have friends that own there and love it. I think that we are going to be really happy being so close to DTD. We like going down there.

We are staying at SSR this Thanksgiving and excited to take the whole family to WDW for a week. We booked SSR but were hoping that our wait-list would come through for BWV or VWL. After speaking with member services, it sounds like both of those are fat chances to come through. I'm not really "fired up" about staying at SSR. We've never stayed there (only Jambo AKV and BLT) and I don't really know what to expect. I could use a little encouragement.

With that being said I think that maybe once you get use to the idea and start looking at more and more pictures that you too will get excited.

 

[adminjedi]

I think the reason many people who have not stayed at SSR are "worried" about staying there is simply b/c of the bad wrap a few people on the Dis give it.

We owned SSR, we stayed SSR, and it just wasn't our cup of tea. I am happy others enjoy it there!

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

SSR is our home resort. It is really pretty...it has a classic and elegant feel. if possible take advantage of the spa....and the golf course there at the resort....And the landscaping is really lush and elegant...also, it is so close to DTD...It will be a GREAT place for your and your family---

 

[Tara]

SSR never appealed to me from what I'd seen in pictures or read. However, we had a lot of incentive points to use there, so we ended up staying twice. (Well, I stayed 3 times as I had a solo night there by myself.) I was prepared to just tolerate it and figured I'd hate it. I was wrong! It's a lovely resort with a lot of positives. I've stayed in a studio in Paddock and a 1br and 2br in Springs. All were terrific rooms. In fact, when I think about it compared to a recent stay in a 2br at AKV Kidani, I'd say I enjoyed it just as much...maybe more (except for the bathrooms - I don't like the bathroom set-up at SSR and you just can't beat having an extra bathroom at Kidani).

Here's the view from my studio in Paddock, early in the morning the first day they were testing Characters in Flight.


IMG_3451 by onepinktee, on Flickr

(I will say that I live about 25 minutes away from Saratoga Springs and I don't think SSR looks at all like the real thing, though!)

 

[buzz5985]

We stayed at SSR for the first time this past June and loved it. This trip it was all about just getting away, and not so much going to the parks. We went to MK one day and to a water park for a day. Loved being so close to DTD. We had requested Congress Park, but when we arrived at 11 am and a room was ready in the Paddock Section - we jumped for it. We were right next to the pool and bus stop.

Someone asked about Christmas Decorations?? We were there last November 6 - our first night at BLT. We went into MK on November 7 - DS birthday. Some Christmas Decorations were up. On November 10?? Was the first night of Osbourne Festival of Lights.

 

[Cee]

We've been staying there ever since it was the Disney Villas, then Disney Institute, and now the lovely Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Even though we will stay elsewhere from time to time, SSR is "home". I can never stray too far from it for long.

 

[emlutz23]

We love, love, love our home resort SSR! We've stayed at BWV and BCV (AKV in 4 days!) and have really enjoyed them, but I am always glad to return home to SSR!!

Also, regardless of what DVC resort you stay at for your trip, remember, you're staying in DVC accomodations and you're in Disney!!!! What could be better than that?!

 

[wdwaholic2]

SSR is my home resort. I stay there if I am not traveling alone because of the "not in crazy disney" feel. I love the idea of not having to walk down what seems like miles of hallways to get to my room. My children are grown and they love SSR because they can head over to DTD at night.

Have fun. I walk the resorts all the time just to check things out. They all have their benefits. I hope you will come back and post how much fun you had on your vacation.

 

[LSchrow]

we've stayed at almost all DVCs, and SSR is 2nd only to the BWV.
it is a beautiful, peaceful oasis.....the room are nicely appointed, the landscaping lush, views ranging from incredible to stunning, and you will probably encounter some sort of wildlife in your travels. do take the time to walk around the resort - i felt we were in a norman rockwell painting

btw, turf club is one of our favorite restaurants on property

 

[mouseclick1]

Though our homes are BWV and AKV, our last 3 trips have been at SSR due to availabililty. While I am eager to get back to our home resorts, we very much enjoyed each of our stays at SSR and it was a nice little change of pace. We stayed in a GV in the Paddock section, and a studio and a 2 BR, both in the Grandstand section.

Here are some of the things we really liked:
GV was very spacious and comfortably held 2 adults and 8 teenage boys.

LOVED the Grandstand pool - it was never crowded (even during Easter week) and the bar was a nice bonus!

The Turf club is excellent - definitely have a meal there!

Community hall was nice for all ages. Things to do for little kids as well as ping pong, foosball and such for older kids. The boys also really appreciated the basketball court.

The grounds are very pretty and peaceful.

The nice thing about DVC is you know that you can always go back to BWV or VWL on another trip, so just look at this as a way to try something new and have a wonderful time!

 

[Polarone]

We just stayed there a couple of months ago and loved it (in fact we added on a small 50 point contract there at the same time). DS (7) loved the main pool, we didn't find the transportation system to be slower than when we stayed at AKL and the room was very nice. Both the kids enjoyed being able to do a little artwork in the CS restaurant and had fun taking a launch to Downtown Disney.

I'm sure you'll have fun - after all it is Disney, and it was one of the founding DVC resorts, so you know they would have made it to put their best foot forward.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I'm not really "fired up" about staying at SSR.

1st and foremost did you request a specific area of SSR? If not, do so now!

Like you, I had been forced to stay at SSR and not knowing the resort, made no requests. We ended up both times in Carousel with a view of the parking lot and guard gate! (Sorry, not too encouraging a this point, but the good part is coming!)

I always book well in advance and the last 3 stays I altered my res. for extra days and extra people so at the 4 month mark all that was left was SSR. I looked at the SSR threads and thought that if I requested Congress Park, DTD Disney view I might enjoy the resort more! What a difference, what a beautiful view, a short 10 minute walk to the main pool, restaurants ( Turf Club, excellent prime rib) & boat dock. We all had the best time, we went by boat to DTD and walked back, we loved the main pool as well as the quiet pool and the villa was spot on clean. Our June trip changed my whole perception of SSR!

In fact, having booked OKW for Thanksgiving a year ago, and just now having to add a studio for extra family that is coming, rather than be separated, I moved us all to SSR, so we'll be there too!

Cheer up! The resort is great and though you may still have other favorites, mine are OKW and BWV, SSR will still make for a wonderful Thanksgiving Vacation!

 

[Coach81]

You will love it.. very beautiful, laid back.. comforting... enjoy!

 

[Luv4Disney]

DH and I own at SSR but had never stayed there until Dec. 08. Since it was early December, we knew the chances of switching resorts 7 months out was slim to none. So, with a heavy heart we resigned ourselves to stay at SSR. Guess what? We LOVED it! It was beautiful, we had a great location, and we loved being able to walk to DTD. We were concerned it would be like OKW (which we did not like at all) and it wasn't. People had Christmas lights on their balconies, it was just lovely. Nice and quiet, a 5 minute walk to the main house and a 2 minute walk to the bus stop. We'd stay there again in a heartbeat. Granted our favorite is still BWV, but we'd have no qualms about staying there again!

 

[a742246]

SSR is a fabulous resort. Don't worry! You WILL have a great time.

 

[BamaEd1]

I'm shocked at the volume and speed of the overwhelmingly positive responses. After looking at some pictures and reading your replies, I feel much better! Thanks, neighbors!!!!

 

[BeesKnees]

Who wants to wager that sometime in early December we see a thread from the OP about selling their other contracts and buying at SSR?

I don't know why anyone would be bummed out if you have never been there. We have never stayed but we have visited the property and it is a beautiful resort. I wouldn't really be bummed to stay any of the DVC properties. I have been to AKL and so I would prefer not to stay at AKV but if that is all that was available I am sure I would still enjoy my trip.

 

[Mtnman44]

Attitude is 90% of everything, right? I think you'll love the resort...great location. laid back, nice pool, fun DTD area. Boat transportation, restaurants, a world class spa, newer buildings...It is my wife's favorite resort (so far).

Don't form an opinion before you stay, but you MIGHT find it more enjoyable at SSR if you have a car.