SSR buildings open?

[megrod74]

Does anyone know if they've been opening the SSR buildings on time? I looked at my notes and 2 of The Springs bldgs were supposed to open in Sept and Oct.
Just curious,
Thanks.

 

[tjkraz]

Those September / October openings were just a rumor--never confirmed by DVC. When I spoke to my Guide about 2 months ago he said the next openings were scheduled for March, April and May.

 

[ErinC]

I may be completely wrong, but when I drove through SSR a few weeks ago, I thought at least one of the Springs buildings were open. It appeared that there were folks waiting at the Springs bus stop area too. In fact, I was amazed by how many SSR buildings were already under construction. They look to me like they are moving right along.

 

[kweaver]

I thought the fall openings were just a rumor as well. It would be great if they were open! People may have been standing at the bus stop if they were coming from HRS, Community Hall, etc.

The last schedule I heard was for the Springs buildings to start opening in January.

Gosh, I can't wait to get back down there!

 

[jbwolffiv]

You are all hearing the same thing I heard, sometime after the new year. I even had a guide tell me March too. I cant wait to get there next summer to see it all open.

 

[Divamomto3]

I have requested the Springs buildings for August '05. I'm hoping they'll be a few months old by then!

 

[pumpkinboy]

Yeha, from a location standpoint, my maily is gonna rank the SSR sections: the Springs, Congress Park and the Paddock, in that order. Unless they have horses in the Paddock, or offer those buildings for fewer points, I expect folks will do whatever possible to get into the other two sections (I know we will).

 

[DrTomorrow]

Originally posted by pumpkinboy
[...] I expect folks will do whatever possible to get into the other two sections (I know we will).

Just out of curiosity, why? IIRC, there's going to be a nice bridge over the lake/pond, there should be a nice view, and the Paddock shouldn't be more than a 5-10 min walk to the main area.

I confess, however, that I've never quite understood the fascination with building choice. Port Orleans, the old Dixie Landings, even the Polynesian - every building is no more than a few minutes from the next, and the benefits are no more than transitory. We had a Lagoon View at the Polynesian last fall, and the first night we saw the fireworks and watched the castle change colors from our balcony - beautiful. However, by the third night, the novelty had worn off; I can just imagine what it will feel like at SSR after, say 20 years....

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by DrTomorrow
Just out of curiosity, why? IIRC, there's going to be a nice bridge over the lake/pond, there should be a nice view, and the Paddock shouldn't be more than a 5-10 min walk to the main area.

At risk of playing armchair psychologist, I think it's mostly a psychological thing. Take getting a good view, for example. Speaking solely for myself, upon receiveing a good view at a hotel room, I usually walk out onto the balcony, marvel at the view for a few minutes, pat myself on the back for my good fortune, and then never set foot out there again.

I'm sure there are quite a few members who use their balconies, but at risk of speaking in generalities, I bet there are many more who don't spend 10 minutes on the balcony during an entire stay.

Regarding location--this one kinda baffles me too. Particularly when we're discussing Disney. Probably every person on these boards has made more than a few seemingly senseless trips all the way across a theme park--perhaps to purchase an item, grab a FastPass or check on a show time. Yet walking 10 minutes to a pool is somehow stigmatized when compared to the 6-8 minutes it takes from most rooms at BWV or BCV.

If I were forced to rank, I'd probably go Congress Park, The Springs then The Paddock. Given a choice, I'd probably take the view over the location in this particular debate. CP is also closer to Downtown Disney--a frequent destination during our trips.

But none of this is to say that The Paddock would represent an undesirable location, it just doesn't top the list.

 

[kab407]

Dumb Question.....

I know that Congress Park is the section of SSR that is opposite DTD. Are The Springs, the section opposite High Rock Pool and the Spa? Would the Paddock be the area in the blue dotted line if you are looking at the brown SSR book from DVC?

Thanks!

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by kab407
Dumb Question.....

I know that Congress Park is the section of SSR that is opposite DTD. Are The Springs, the section opposite High Rock Pool and the Spa? Would the Paddock be the area in the blue dotted line if you are looking at the brown SSR book from DVC?

Thanks!

Yes that would be correct.

 

[kweaver]

I think the Paddock will have more road noise than the other areas (from DVC Way or whatever they are calling it these days).
If they were smart, they would add another feature pool over there.

 

[kab407]

Thanks Sammie.

 

[gracelrm]

Where could one find the layout of SS? I don't have any frame of reference to the layout of the resort to even know where I might like to be located

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by DrTomorrow
Just out of curiosity, why? IIRC, there's going to be a nice bridge over the lake/pond, there should be a nice view, and the Paddock shouldn't be more than a 5-10 min walk to the main area...

Katie pretty much covered it: Road Noise. Maybe with the windows closed we won't get it but out on the balcony or in those exterior corridors you would Also, I want to be someplace interesting, like DTD or the feature pool. Another feature pool and/ or real horses would likely add to the appeal of a room in the Paddock.

I'll take (and I enjoy) Standard View at BWV bcs it is fewer points; otherwise, I'd want something interesting nearby, not a road or a parking lot. Even knocking 1 pt off the nightly rate might be enough to get folks to request the Paddock, but if it's the same price as a nice view or proximity to the feature pool, I'll be sure to try for the better location.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by pumpkinboy
Katie pretty much covered it: Road Noise. Maybe with the windows closed we won't get it but out on the balcony or in those exterior corridors you would.

I don't think road noise will be much of a factor at all. All of the buildings are constructed to face inward--toward the pond at the center of the resort. Only a few end units may face otherwise. But the vast majority of the balconies will face in toward the water.

On the entry side of the building, you'll still have the parking lot, resort access road (Union Avenue) and landscaping that separates the units from the main road.

In this sense, it's about the same as the configuration at Old Key West. I don't recall hearing any noise from the parking lot or road when using my balcony at OKW.

 

[kweaver]

Originally posted by tjkraz
I don't think road noise will be much of a factor at all. All of the buildings are constructed to face inward--toward the pond at the center of the resort. Only a few end units may face otherwise. But the vast majority of the balconies will face in toward the water.

They were very smart to design the buildings this way. Most Paddock villas have views of the pond. Even most those facing outward from the ends have views of the other (beautiful!)buildings rather than the parking lot. These end facing units have the most potential for road noise. Honestly, I don't think the road there gets all that much traffic...but we all know how loud those buses can be! What about the possible "dumpster" view from the far right building in the Paddock (if you are looking at the SSR layout map)?

I will say that during our stay in June, the units seemed very well constructed with heavy duty windows and sliding doors that kept out.

I think the problem with the Paddock is that it doesn't have anything *special* to offer. Congress Park has incredible Downtown Disney views. The Springs has great access to HRS, AP, and the SPA. The Paddock has...?

 

[megrod74]

I personally don't care about the view, since I am one who checks it out for 1 minute on arrival and then doesn't look at it again the rest of the stay.
I was more curious if Phases 1 & 2 would be finished by our trip next year (Sept). We are bringing my dad and I would really hate for there to be a lot of construction. I'm not counting on that now.