SSR has great potential...any ideas?

[wingkng]

I bought SSR as my initial purchase, not only because it was a great bargain with the recent offer, but also because it was a great fit for my vacation needs. I like the Downtown Disney area, especially a visit to the Comedy club and Adventurers Club on PI, and I really enjoy the shops and restaurants there. I also like the access to the spa there, for some time to relax and unwind.

I would love to see SSR mature into a more "high-end" resort, perhaps with some nice sit-down restaurant, or make use of the theater there for some special live events and concerts. Also, they could build some kind of strip shopping center with high-end boutique stores (similar to the real Saratoga Springs) to fit with the spa. I think that Disney can make it into a great destination that people would want to visit.

Any other ideas to make SSR into "THE" place to be?

 

[sean-1966]

Our guide promised us a higher end restaurant was on the drawing board. The place is severly lacking in that department.

 

[Thumper's Tara]

I know the restaurant is on the way, but I can't wait. SSR definitely needs a higher end restuarant.

The landscaping needs some help as well. I am sure that as the grounds mature it will be lusher, but currently it is a little barren.

I like the idea of the shops as well.

I can't wait to hear the other ideas out there!!

 

[holcomb-mania]

A dedicated monorail line?



I CAN DREAM!!!!

 

[KLEONARD]

Would it be possible to construct a boardwalk along the lake from Congress Park to DTD? I know the path runs into the sidewalk along the road and comes in near the bus stops. Could they build a boardwalk that would connect to the boat launch dock on the other side of Rainforest Cafe?
It seems like boyscout troops have accomplished larger projects than that.

 

[DVC Sadie]

I also would love to see a higher end restaurant. Your idea for a higher end shopping area would be very welcome. I do think the grounds are beautiful and do need several years for all the landscaping to mature in order to get the full affect. I would like to see world class dining available onsite. I can only dream.

 

[Lawrence Cooper]

As I've posted before, although I love SSR, I DO NOT think that a sit down restaurant is all that necessary. One of the things I most love about SSR is the proximity to Downtown D. Personally, I don't think that a high-end sit down would get that much use when faced with all of the other options available at Downtown. I just feel like it would go mostly unused. I'd really rather them expand on the Artist Pallette offerings, which I find tasty, but very limited in scope. Unless of course they make the sit down a "destination type" sit down (e.g., a charachter meal or Boma-like) and I really don't see that happening. Otherwise, it will only be people from the resort eating there, and I picture it being pretty empty. Just my opinion, but I think you really need to factor in the Downtown restaurants when discussing dining at SSR.

 

[BobCosta]

a sit down place like Olivia's from OKW would be a welcome addition to SSR
Although DTD is close by, I would like a more neighborhood feeling place. nothing to over the top.But in the FRIDAYS,APPLEBEES,CRACKER BARRELL type.

 

[Twingle]

I'm all for better food choices - whether they expand the Artists Pallette or have a sit down restaurant, they will need to have more food available for purchase with all the rooms that are being built.

I thought the grounds were beautiful, and can only improve as time goes on.

When we were there the bus wait was insane, but I've learned since then that that is not the norm. Otherwise, I'd say they need to improve the bus schedule.

Also, we dealt with several CM's that need to go through their "happy" training again! Also something that I've learned has been fixed.

Great idea about the shopping though!

 

[shantay1008]

I totally agree with the OP that SSR has tons of potential. Great idea about the shopping. How about a trolley or two that moves between the different areas, not just to get people from here to there, but also to tie all the areas in together more. I'd love a Jellyrolls II, but we're into that dorky sing-along stuff . I wish they would use the theater in ways that would bring Disney more into the resort. Vaudeville-type acts, or whatever would have been popular during Saratoga's heyday (sorry, I'm not exactly sure when that was). Maybe something Mary Poppins'-related, since that movie had the whole horse-race scene.

I've been thinking about this very concept since our stay there a week ago. It's like the place needs a good injection of magic, and needs to somehow come together as a resort, rather than a bunch of different neighborhoods. Olivia's at OKW has the walls covered in member photos, which adds a homey touch. I maybe would make it a wall of memorable moments for any vacationers, not just members, since I don't like exclusivity very much.

I think the Vivaldi being piped into the lobby was an elegant touch and helped to set the tone during check-in. Loved being close to Downtown Disney...when we stayed at BCV the second half of our trip, I was bummed that so much of the World Showcase closed by 9pm.

We were totally fine with the bus situation. We never waited long at all, and the short waits were occupied with admiring the fountain and watching for birds.

Is there a good forum for sharing our ideas with DVC? I'm sure they'd love the help.

 

[cobbler]

Sit-down restaurant would be good and I know it's coming. Yes there are a lot of options at DTD but it would be nice to do if you were just coming back from a park, get dropped off at the Springs area, go eat and head back to the room.

 

[rascalmom]

Room Service!!!!

I know SSR & OKW get a lot of flack on these boards for being "condo" styled resorts, but honestly - the only thing my family misses is the occasional room service splurge. I've seen the way the CM's zip around in those little golf carts - I'm sure they could get our food to us while it's still hot!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I like the Downtown Disney area, especially a visit to the Comedy club and Adventurers Club on PI, and I really enjoy the shops and restaurants there. I also like the access to the spa there, for some time to relax and unwind.

wingkng,

There's no guarantee that the Comedy Warehouse and Adventurers' Club will always be there. The Internet rumor is that the Raglan Road Irish Pub, which replaced the Pleasure Island Jazz Company, marks the beginning of what will be a transformation of Pleasure Island from unique, Disney-operated clubs to leased restaurants operated by outside companies.

I would love to see SSR mature into a more "high-end" resort, perhaps with some nice sit-down restaurant, or make use of the theater there for some special live events and concerts. Also, they could build some kind of strip shopping center with high-end boutique stores (similar to the real Saratoga Springs) to fit with the spa.

wingkng,

When Disney sees the opportunity to make money with a table-service restaurant at SSR (either by operating such a restaurant or by collecting rent), there will be a table-service restaurant. Keep in mind that restaurants and shops at DVC resorts are not part of the "condominium," but are operations through which Disney makes a profit or takes a loss.

The theater at SSR is similar matter. The theater is also not part of the "condominium." So the question is, what kind of live events and concerts could Disney profitably run for a limited audience within the gated resort (even by opening the events to non-SSR guests)? Or are you suggesting that the events should be paid for by the SSR members' operating budget — in other words, by an increase in your annual dues?

Retail space falls in the same category as restaurants. Disney resorts each have some sort of combination souvenir and convenience store, but the main shopping for Disney guests is in the parks and at Downtown Disney. I wouldn't expect that to be any different at SSR.

Enjoy SSR. It's a lovely place. But don't count on seeing "SSR mature into a more 'high-end' resort," as you define it.

 

[jlx2]

I just love the Mary Poppins theme idea and definetly room service and a sit down restaurant would be fantastic.

 

[NYMomof4]

Maybe a racetrack? LOL The wagers could be in DVC points.

 

[chloe]

Add a working carousel.

Add real horses in a real paddock. Think Kentucky: white fences with horses gathered under a tree. And somehow position the horses at the entrance ---do they still have the land– or is that all condos now? Horses would give SSR some WOW impact. Personally, I would love seeing the horses from my window – I know some people worry about the smell. Seems silly to me – I’d pay extra money for a horse view.

The theater doesn’t necessarily need live acts – just a continual roll of Disney movies.

Ice cream stand.

Disguise the parking lots. While visiting, I’m always struck by all the parking lots – I rather not see cars when on vacation.

 

[ttfn3]

Ohhh - the shopping idea is a great idea. I remember when (okay this will age me) the shopping area that is now known as Downtown Disney was much, much smaller and had some cute non-Disney shops that were really nice. It would be a great fit for Saratoga Springs. Maybe add a Starbucks! Or at least a place that had good coffee that people could hang out in - with a small bookstore attached.

 

[Jen D]

I visited last week and I would agree that the main thing it needs is a good sitdown restaurant-- just a necessity. I love Artists Palatte, thought it was some of the best counter service I've ever had at WDW (I usually really hate the resort food courts) and I loved the setting and the easels for the kids.

Other than that I wouldn't change much!

 

[Glorydaz]

alright, so I'm just abit curious...what is the Turf Club? according to my guide ( whom I spoke to this AM when I added more points ) he stated that a full service restaurant is on the grounds and open as we spoke....and it is called the Turf Club.

any confirmation on this ?

 

[Tigger031266]

I don't think it needs any more restaurants, what it needs is a bridge to get to the fine DTD restaurants. The place is just a little to far from DTD. The boats are slow!!!

By the way, the place is the greatest! DTD is definately the place to be.