SSR Gripes!

[RoyalCanadian]

Porches...or at least "GV" porches at VWL and BCV have A/C and Heat?? See..ya learn something NEW everyday!! Something else I had NO idea about.

You need not be embarrassed that you haven't heard about the preferred view GVs at VWL and BCV. They are generally available only to DVC members using their points to book Category 13 Deluxe Oceanview Inside Staterooms with verandah on DCL cruises. I hear it's about the only kind of cruise ship room that is worth the DVC point trade.

 

[tjkraz]

Porches...or at least "GV" porches at VWL and BCV have A/C and Heat?? See..ya learn something NEW everyday!! Something else I had NO idea about.

Poor, poor Roxanne.

RC, I think you need to let her off the hook now.

 

[Granny]

I know the feedback has been positive for this resort but I for one don't like the place. Here are some of my gripes. Beat me up, agree, whatever.

Dave,

I think it's safe to say that with the wide variety of styles, layouts and theming just in the five on-site DVC resorts that each one will find its people who love it and those who don't care for it.

The good news in what I read in your post, is that you just don't like the set-up at SSR. That's a lot better than not liking the CM's, the attitudes, the service, the cleanliness, the bus service, etc.

From what you've described, I think you would like BWV, BCV or even VWL much better. If you own at SSR, hopefully you'll be fortunate in booking at those other resorts during the 7 month window.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Thank you for posting,

Personally, I can't think of one DVC resort that would be a quick trip from the Theme Pool back to the room. I have stayed at BCV, BWV, VWL and SSR and the walk times out about the same from the main pool with kids in tow.

Bell services was excellent and worked for me!! Next time ask for Ray!

 

[barryb]

We love the resort too! Can't wait to get home again!

One thing we really enjoy is being so close to DTD, being able to walk over to the DTD bus stops and get to any of the other resorts. We always enjoy eating out and having a glass of wine (or 3!!!!!) in a different resort each night.

BarryB.

 

[NMW]

Why are the elevators not air conditioned? In the summer wouldn't they feel like sweat boxes?
I seriously want to know. Is it a FL thing? Is there some kind of law? The only unairconditioned elevators I can remember being in were the ones in my freshman dorm building at college. My mother complained about it the entire time they were moving me in my freshman year!
My parents also went to St John this Dec and I had to hear for about 10 mins how the airport in St Thomas was not air conditioned and how horrible it was until they got to the Westin area at the airport. The were staying at the Westin in St John and as soon as she went through those doors it was nice an airconditioned for her.
I think I will tell DH that we will not ever be bringing my parents to SSR! For me, this falls into the definatly not worth it category.

As to the op, it seems most of the things you don't like about SSR are also true about OKW. It seems like the DVC's that are attached to hotels (BWV,BCV,VWL) would be better for your family. I know they have room service anyway! Maybe when your kids are older you'll like being so close to DTD!

 

[Melrosgirl]

Def. needs AC in the elevators. That was brutal last June.

Bell services does indeed exist. I hopped in a golf cart, was taken to my building with my luggage. (Called them when I was checking out also.)

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I know the feedback has been positive for this resort but I for one don't like the place. Here are some of my gripes. Beat me up, agree, whatever.

3) Lack of a sit down restaurant. This means no room service. They probably won't do room service even if the rumor is true that a sit down restaurant will be added. Again, too spread out to cart food around. Nothing like in room dining with the little ones after a long day. NOT HAPPENING HERE!DAVE

I agree 100% here about the sit down restauraunt. DTD is excellent and close, but to not have a sit down restraunt is sort of crazy. Not everyone who stays at SSR will want to go DTD for dinner. Its like saying they shouldnt have restraunts at YC/BC because the bw is just a short walk away. They dont have to go crazy and add huge restauraunts throughout the place but one nice decent sized one couldnt hurt at all.

However, I am not so sure about the room service part, I think if there was a sit down it would be very simple to provide room service

6) No bell carts or shopping carts to help haul your luggage/and/or groceries to the room. Come on DVC, all condos I've stayed at offer this. Bellman non existant here.DAVE

again I agree, I know some have said bellman were present or you could call for them. They were not present what-so-ever when we pulled up and I do not think we should ever have to call for them when arriving. When we pulled up, I swear, we both wondered if we even were in the right place-there wasnt a soul around. It looked almost like the place was closed.

as for the rest though I dont know, overall I really liked the place.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

I know the feedback has been positive for this resort but I for one don't like the place. Here are some of my gripes. Beat me up, agree, whatever.

1) How spread ot the resort is. Traveling from Congress Park to main pool is a chore with small kids in tow. Wait, what if you forgot something in the room! ugh!

That is whyb you have the option for The Springs. It is right across the street. I can see why they did this. If you want view of DTD is one option and if you would like to be close to the theme pool that is another. I see no problem with this set up. Also the bus stop is right there you could hop on any bus and get off at the next stop.

2) Small Bar area. Very few seats here. Wait until this place is complete, you'll wait forever, elbowing in for drinks.

They were having staffing problems when we were there. The bar never opened. We are not poolside drinkers but a few people were complaining. So I cannot comment on the size.

3) Lack of a sit down restaurant. This means no room service. They probably won't do room service even if the rumor is true that a sit down restaurant will be added. Again, too spread out to cart food around. Nothing like in room dining with the little ones after a long day. NOT HAPPENING HERE!

I agree on most of this. According to the DVC CM I spoke with while down there in FEB this is just the preliminary design of the resort. They want SSR to be the flagship so they are probably opening 2 restaurants. Also I see why they don't have room service. The villas have full kitchens and studios have kitchenettes. We stayed in a studio and we found that great for our needs. I would never use room service. I think DVC expects people to have food already in their roomm. Even in a studio there are alot of things to whip up quick.

4) Dining poolside, forget it. It isn't offered here and there are few tables to eat anyway. You must trudge in your wet bathing suit inside to Artists Pallette and order from that limited menu. Poor planning here once again. Most Resorts, yes even some of DVC Resorts offer food service by the pool. Why not SSR?

We wrapped ourselves in towels dried off a bit and had coverups and shoes with us. We were dry enough after 10 minutes to dine inside so I never saw this as a problem.

5) Positioning of the boat transfer. You need a GPS system to find it. Poorly labeled and a hike from many rooms.

Completely agree with this. Had we not taken the walkway from the westside and stumbled on the boat launch we would have never thought to look for it. It is much easier to walk to DTD (5 minutes for us we timed it) especially from Congress park.

6) No bell carts or shopping carts to help haul your luggage/and/or groceries to the room. Come on DVC, all condos I've stayed at offer this. Bellman non existant here.

Not true they have bell service at the carriage house and just press the button on the phone and they will help.

7) Limited menu at Artists Pallette. Bad enough that this is all there is but to have a menu this limited? In all fairness what we had was good but open it up a little.


There are some positives but for us the negatives far out weigh the positives. We liked the Congress Park quiet pool a lot with the views of DTD. The resort is pretty. The gym and spa are great. Golf close by.

Lets here some fedback. Am I alone with these views?

DAVE

I LOVED the menu at Artist Pallette I think it matches the spa atmosphere of the resort so I wouldn't recommend any changes. The kids meal was a little small for my son (4) maybe add a couple of items but if they are too generic then they change the theme of the food. My opinion was different on this when we travelled in Nov.,I suggested more options but after returning in Feb I feel AP is just right.

 

[Deesknee]

To the OP,

We purchased at SSR. We have not stayed there yet. Thank you for posting your opinions.

 

[crisi]

I've never stayed at SSR or OKW, but have similar concerns - I'm just more of an interior hallways, hotel type of girl instead of a condo girl (and yes, lack of room service is one of my issues with OKW - the kitchen is wonderful - if you planned on cooking and have groceries). But the beauty of DVC is that people who value access to their car more than I value my air conditioned interior hallways have those choices.

 

[rmontgo892]

Poor, poor Roxanne.

RC, I think you need to let her off the hook now.

Listen, I am relatively new to DIS. I joined DIS in like 2001 and I have been a DVC member since 1994. I am posting more now here.

I have been there done that with other type of discussion forums for years.

First the facts, I never read over the contract except once...maybe what...11 yrs ago????

I am not gonna tell someone they are full of bologna when I am "new." I'd tell ya something else in person. I am a Jersey girl!!

Don't worry...I "got it!" I was actually being sarcastic back in a very nice manner. Thanks for looking out for me though!

Posting can be tricky at times. I am curious why a general question from a relatively newbie on DIS was met with sarcasm by 2 posters with one being a moderator. Since I am "new" I can't "read" if it was "humorus" or just condescending for condescending sake.

 

[Daitcher]

Dave,

I think it's safe to say that with the wide variety of styles, layouts and theming just in the five on-site DVC resorts that each one will find its people who love it and those who don't care for it.

The good news in what I read in your post, is that you just don't like the set-up at SSR. That's a lot better than not liking the CM's, the attitudes, the service, the cleanliness, the bus service, etc.

From what you've described, I think you would like BWV, BCV or even VWL much better. If you own at SSR, hopefully you'll be fortunate in booking at those other resorts during the 7 month window.

Granny,

Your post is right on the money. So funny how people assumed my trip was bad when I stayed at SSR. It wasn't bad it just wasn't what my ideal vacation place is. BWV and BCV continue to be favorites. Others have asked and yes my points are at SSR. We have had no problem booking elsewhere at the seven month window. We are doing BCV in May and VB in a beach cottage in October. DVC is a fine program and we love Disney. How can you have a bad time there, really. SSR is just not my cup of tea. OKW isn't my cup of tea either but I do love those big rooms.

DAVE

 

[Daitcher]

I agree 100% here about the sit down restauraunt. DTD is excellent and close, but to not have a sit down restraunt is sort of crazy. Not everyone who stays at SSR will want to go DTD for dinner. Its like saying they shouldnt have restraunts at YC/BC because the bw is just a short walk away. They dont have to go crazy and add huge restauraunts throughout the place but one nice decent sized one couldnt hurt at all.

However, I am not so sure about the room service part, I think if there was a sit down it would be very simple to provide room service





again I agree, I know some have said bellman were present or you could call for them. They were not present what-so-ever when we pulled up and I do not think we should ever have to call for them when arriving. When we pulled up, I swear, we both wondered if we even were in the right place-there wasnt a soul around. It looked almost like the place was closed.

as for the rest though I dont know, overall I really liked the place.

Thanks for the post. People really miss the point when they state bellman are available. I found things just like you, no one there. My main point is that they need bell carts by the elevators. How people can dispute this is beyond me. You go grocery shopping and have tons of bags, wine, beer, etc. What are you supposed to do? Make ten trips up and down those stiffeling elevators. Forget the effort involved, this is a waste of time. A few bell carts would make this transport easy. I know many cook on vacation but we don't. I can cook at home, we like a little more in the way of pampering. Vacation to me means relaxing. Getting ready and walking over to DTD is not something we as a family want to do. Room service is a must for us. This resort is a do it yourself condo type place. The price of a DVC membership or the cash rate to stay here would lead one to believe their was some level of service. Thanks again for your post.

DAVE

 

[Daitcher]

I've never stayed at SSR or OKW, but have similar concerns - I'm just more of an interior hallways, hotel type of girl instead of a condo girl (and yes, lack of room service is one of my issues with OKW - the kitchen is wonderful - if you planned on cooking and have groceries). But the beauty of DVC is that people who value access to their car more than I value my air conditioned interior hallways have those choices.

Couldn't agree more. I guess I just expect and am willing to pay for a little more service. To the one poster who states there are kitchens available for cooking: sure there are but offer room service and poolside meals. I know, here it comes, this is a home away from home resort, a timeshare property, those things would raise annual dues. Well, I say Marriott Vacation Clubs manage to have these basic services. There annual dues are less than we pay at Disney. Any cost associated with offering these services would be offset by sales. Most Marriott properties have room service and poolside dining. It really isn't too much to ask. I'm with you, I'll stick to the properties with more conveniences. After all, I'm on vacation.

DAVE

 

[Daitcher]

the kitchen is wonderful - if you planned on cooking and have groceries).


Exactly. We use the fridge for beer and wine, leftovers, milk, juice, and maybe some breakfast foods. We also buy foods for our 3 year old son. The rest of the time we like to eat luch poolside and then order room service or eat out once or twice.

DAVE

 

[disneycrazed139]

Answers regarding the comments....

1) How spread ot the resort is. Traveling from Congress Park to main pool is a chore with small kids in tow. Wait, what if you forgot something in the room! ugh!

answer: not really different than CBR, Coronado Springs, OKW, and from down the long hallways of some of the other resorts. Timing the walk from Congress Park, it took us 6 minutes to get to the pool area.

2) Small Bar area. Very few seats here. Wait until this place is complete, you'll wait forever, elbowing in for drinks.

answer: I didn't think so. But I did like the fact that the pina coladas were NOT from a frozen mix machine!

3) Lack of a sit down restaurant. This means no room service. They probably won't do room service even if the rumor is true that a sit down restaurant will be added. Again, too spread out to cart food around. Nothing like in room dining with the little ones after a long day. NOT HAPPENING HERE!

answer: agreed that room service would be a nice extra, but we personally enjoyed our kitchen and used that more than anything else. Again, this resort is unique in its proximity to the DTD restaurants.

4) Dining poolside, forget it. It isn't offered here and there are few tables to eat anyway. You must trudge in your wet bathing suit inside to Artists Pallette and order from that limited menu. Poor planning here once again. Most Resorts, yes even some of DVC Resorts offer food service by the pool. Why not SSR?

answer: agree it would be nice if they had a snack bar by the pool. I hope they add this. Again, I think the menu at Artist Palette will have to expand.

5) Positioning of the boat transfer. You need a GPS system to find it. Poorly labeled and a hike from many rooms.

answer: A convenient way to get to the boat transfer is to go through the lobby and past Artist Palette, make a right (through The Turf Club), and out the back door.

6) No bell carts or shopping carts to help haul your luggage/and/or groceries to the room. Come on DVC, all condos I've stayed at offer this. Bellman non existant here.

answer: We were personally helped with all our luggage via a golf cart. I don't think that was unusual.

7) Limited menu at Artists Pallette. Bad enough that this is all there is but to have a menu this limited? In all fairness what we had was good but open it up a little.

answer: I have to agree on this. Again, look to DTD until this improves. I'm sure it will. I also have to say that all the sundries and any non-food items in Artist Palette were ridiculously overpriced. I entirely boycotted the place (with the exception of my purchase of SSR merchandise!)

 

[MiaSRN62]

I do wish they had some sort of room service even if it was just pizza.

When we stay at OKW, in addition to sit down meals at Olivia's, we order food from here when we don't want to leave our villa : http://www.giordanos.com/
They have pizza, pasta, salads, soups, appetizers etc. And they deliver right to our villa door. I also pay alot less than standard WDW room service would charge ! So, I'm sure anyone staying at SSR could order from here also. Their food is very good.
As far as the bell service----I just assumed SSR had a bell stand outside the check-in area like OKW does ? Because despite having our car, sometimes we like to use them especially if we have a 3rd floor villa.
To address the walk to the pool. I agree with a couple other people who experienced long walks from other DVC resorts also. We had a long walk to the main pool when we stayed at BWV in 2003. I just felt this could potentially be a problem at any DVC resort, not just single out SSR ?

 

[RobDoc]

...
Posting can be tricky at times. I am curious why a general question from a relatively newbie on DIS was met with sarcasm by 2 posters with one being a moderator. Since I am "new" I can't "read" if it was "humorus" or just condescending for condescending sake.

Sorry you felt so offended by the responses to your question. Since you chose to use a sarcastic "rolleyes" smiley in your question about airconditioning in elevators, the response about spending 12 seconds seemed very appropriate ... and also included a similar smiley .

Since the elevators at SSR (and OKW ... and HH ... and VB) all load and unload exposed to the external environment (remember, there are no interior hallways) and there are only 4 floors maximum (3 at OKW), it would seem a little energy foolish to heat or cool a small area that opens to the outside every few seconds. The trip from the ground floor at SSR to the 4th floor does take about 12 seconds - it would hardly seem that air conditioning would make much difference at all for that length of time in the elevator.

As someone who claims to have owned at OKW since 1994 (and a DIS member since 2001), even if you have not used one of the elevators, it would seem that you'd be aware of the exterior nature of all the villa access areas at OKW that would make air conditioning an impractical and unneccessary expense.

Sorry you were offended by my attempt at humor.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Forget the effort involved, this is a waste of time. A few bell carts would make this transport easy. I know many cook on vacation but we don't. I can cook at home, we like a little more in the way of pampering. Vacation to me means relaxing. Getting ready and walking over to DTD is not something we as a family want to do. Room service is a must for us. This resort is a do it yourself condo type place. The price of a DVC membership or the cash rate to stay here would lead one to believe their was some level of service.

Dave,
With all due respect, what made you choose to spend your vacation at SSR ? Were you not aware of the resort layout and no room service ? Sounds like you were totally suprised by most of what the resort had to offer ? I have never actually seen SSR in person but have learned alot about it from people here on these boards. I hope to stay there one of these days. Were you unable to get BCV or BWV for your week ? Sounds like that type of resort is more for you as you have stated. It's a shame you didn't purchase points there---on the resale market. My concern, for you, is that you might have trouble securing reservations at the BWV/BCV during peak times of the year and have to stay at SSR or OKW where you obviously would not be as happy. Hoping your next DVC trip is a better one