SSR....honestly answer this for me

[CarolA]

You know when BCV opened there were tons of threads on "it's too small", "the rooms are too small", "the furnitures ugly" "i got a bad view" ETC. Now it's the hardest resort to buy.....The newest resort is always the target of the latest wave of "I don't like it" posts.

I actually did not think I would really like SSR. I have stayed at OKW, BCV, BWV, HHI before. I was pleasntly surprised. I really liked SSR. (My least fav on site is BWV... just didn't do it for me)

 

[Deb & Bill]

We have stayed at SSR twice, both times in Congress Park. We think its a very lovely resort. Once all the construction is done, it will be absolutely beautiful. We especially like the community feel of the resort vs the hotel-single-building feel of some of the others. It's what we love about OKW.

But there is something we love at BCV and VWL, too, since we also own at both of them.

We've also stayed at Coronado Springs, POFQ and Caribbean Beach and thought these were also great.

The only one I really don't care to stay at again is BWV. I just am not comfortable at this resort. Others love it, but not me.

 

[BWVPam]

I didn't think SSR had been open that long. Didn't they open May '04? That would put SSR still under the 2 yr. mark.

Or, am I getting my dates wrong?



Beca

We were there year they opened, in the month of June. Not sure on the year, too many trips to keep the years straight. Whenever it was, we still had a great time.

 

[tjhsr]

We have stayed 4xCP 1XSprings by choice to be near the main pool. And its been great everytime.What I really enjoy is that each section is like its own little vaction spot.When we have stayed at CP we just go to the quiet pool and you don't even know that all of the rest of the resort is even there.So its hard to tell SSR is as large as it is except when you drive thru or walk around.And its only 62 more days and we are back again

 

[Sammie]

The restaurant situation truly does not bother me. Do those that complain about it, eat all their meals at their resort?

I can not imagine eating often at either Artist Pointe or Whispering Canyon? At the Beach Club, Yachtsman is too expensive to eat there often and I can only do the buffet at Cape May once per trip. The Galley is ok, but it gets old quickly too. Spoodles and Flying Fish are not high on our list and as far as the rest of what the BW offers, I much prefer what Downtown Disney offers.

So I guess since we eat all our main meals all over the Disney World we never even consider the restaurant situation at SSR a consideration.

It opened in 2004.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

We just returned from SSR, and DH and I really enjoyed it.
The grounds are beautiful, and will get more so as the landscape matures.
Most of the rooms have really great views, and it is sooo nice to have a car steps away from your room.
DH and I vowed to return soon, and this comes from BWV spoiled people.
I would think that as long as you like the location of the resort, you cannot help but fall in love with SSR.

 

[shantay1008]

You know what surprised me the most about SSR, though? I was really amazed at how close it is to Downtown Disney. I mean, from the pictures I've seen and from maps and other people's descriptions, I thought it would be out in the middle of a cow field (which I should know about because I'm from Wisconsin...do they have cows in Florida?).

Anyway, Congress Park might still be a little ways from the Marketplace, but it honestly looks like it's a stone's throw away. So that was a happy surprise for us, because the adults in my family tend to be hyper and are always looking for things to do. I was really surprised that my DS7 loved DTD and fell head over heels for Disney Quest. He kept asking to go back and design another rollercoaster, and of course his doting grandfather was happy to comply.

Here's an interesting development: all this criticism of SSR is actually making me feel very protective of the resort and, while I bought into DVC because of the BCV, I'm thinking that I can't wait to go back to SSR and give it another go. So there.

 

[jade1]

The point is you joined DVC! It is the best thing we have ever done and believe you will think that also (if you enjoy WDW). You will likely stay at all the DVC resorts and sure you may like some better than others and may need some creative planning at certain times of the year but its a great club and you will enjoy it. Welcome home.

 

[Sammie]

I'm from Wisconsin...do they have cows in Florida?).

Actually Walt Disney's father, Elias, bought some land in Kissimmee shortly after getting married, to raise, cows. Unfortunatley he was not use to the aspect of hot weather farming and was not successful and ended up putting the farm for sale.

Just a little Disney trivia.

 

[Disney Doll]

I have seen, although never stayed in, SSR. It is a lovely resort, beautifully decorated. I thought the pool area was very nice. The food court area seemed nice as well. They had a decent gift shop. The grounds were nice.

You will get a million different opinions about every resort. Each person is going to have pros and cons about each resort.

The bottom line is you will be in a deluxe level resort in WDW. How bad can it be?????? And the nice thing is, you can use your points to try all the resorts, and decide for yourself which one you like the best!!!!!!!!

 

[DVCAmy]

We have used our points at SSR, BCV and VWL, even rented at BCV before we bought into DVC. I truely liked all of them, each was different but I would gladly stay at any of them anytime. As for SSR specifically- My family doesn't eat much at the hotel we stay at we like to go all over so the no sit down restaurant wasn't an issue for us, we didn't mind the walk to DTD even with 2 kids (ages 6 and 1) and we were in one of the buildings furthest away. The pool was great, the kids play area in the pool really great, rooms nice, staff very nice, all in all it was a wonderful resort. We were 3 families there and all gave it a thumbs up.

Enjoy your vacations!!!

Amy

 

[La2kw]

MY DF and I just bought into SSR sight unseen. For all of you who actually like the resort had you ever been to another DVC resort before? It seems like all of the folks who have something postive to say, are also the ones who have had their first DVC trip. The negatives seem to come from those who have been to VWL, BCV, BWV, OKW at least a few times before.

We've seen the other DVCs and really liked them, but we never saw SSR. I truly hope we won't be disappointed when we go home. Should we buy a different resort before the ink dries on our contract?

We have been members at OKW for a while and have stayed at all the DVC resorts more than once. We were forced to stay at SSR last summer when nothing else was available at the last minute. We weren't happy about it, and had never been interested in the resort. We loved the resort after staying there. In fact, we bought our first ever add-on this fall since we loved the resort so well.

 

[RCM]

We bought at SSR sight unseen and love it. I prefer no outside walls because it feels like a condo not a hotel. I would like a sitdown midpriced restaurant or something like the Pop century service. The food is actually fun there. We are taking our second trip to SSR and can't wait it is just right for fun and sun! Walking to DTD is a great break from the parks. We had absolutely no problems with buses last Easter so I assume things will be good this year too.

RCM

 

[kab407]

I also bought SSR sight unseen in Oct. 2004 while on a DVC cruise. Stopped and took a tour on the way back to the airport. I knew that I made the right decision. I love the decor of the rooms and would love to do my own home in that style and colors. (Hidden Mickeys included!) I also love the serene feeling of the resort.

I had my first stay at SSR last Oct with the family. It was a blast. Liked it so much, I did an add-on!

 

[CarolA]

My one thought after all the complaining about the sit down resturant is when they finally open it, I expect it to be PACKED at all times..... (which it won't be, it's one of those "We have to have it, but then we won't use it much" things)

 

[Jynohn]

We bought at SSR sight unseen too and I have to be honest, I prefer the other resorts. So far we've only stayed at VWL and HH, but we've visited all the others (except Vero) and SSR is my least favorite. There's no particular reason why, maybe just because I'm from New England and the theming didn't feel all that different from home. I guess it just didn't feel "vacation-y" enough for me. I may feel differently once construction is complete and the landscaping develops, but that's just my thought for now. Also, the cement corridors were a big turn off for me. It felt more like condominium or nice apartment than a hotel.

That said, I haven't had any problems yet reserving at the other resorts, including BCV which I just booked at the 7 month window for September. I think if you go during off season like we do, you will probably be able to try all the resorts regardless. Just my two cents, but I'm sure you'll be happy wherever you buy. DVC was the best purchase I ever made!

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

MY DF and I just bought into SSR sight unseen. For all of you who actually like the resort had you ever been to another DVC resort before? It seems like all of the folks who have something postive to say, are also the ones who have had their first DVC trip. The negatives seem to come from those who have been to VWL, BCV, BWV, OKW at least a few times before.

We've seen the other DVCs and really liked them, but we never saw SSR. I truly hope we won't be disappointed when we go home. Should we buy a different resort before the ink dries on our contract?

I have stayed at BWV HHI SSR and by far I loved SSR and HHI. I absolutely disliked BWV and we won't stay there again.

I would definitely not recommend buying elsewhere. SSR is our favorite. We are heading back in May.

 

[Saratoga Souris]

My home is SSR. I have stayed at OKW, VWL and BWV. Each resort has a different 'feel' but they are all very "disney". I LOVE SSR for a number of reasons but the #1 has to be the location. I can comfortably walk to DTD and the view is great.

After 30 years of Disney... I am very glad that I joined the DVC and that my home is SSR.

 

[sajetto]

Wow, thanks for all the responses everyone

You know how buyers get when they make a big purchase. I got paranoid like this when we bought our first house, car, etc. You have all made me feel a lot better and I guess in the worst case senario we can always try booking at another resort if we don't like SSR. Thanks again

 

[rascalmom]

We had stayed at OKW 3 times before buying into SSR. I am very picky about hotels & I think Disney's "Deluxes" fall short in many areas. They are dated & the decor & quality falls short if compared to "Deluxe" hotels in other locations. (Not just DVC - CR & the Poly come to mind also & the GF rooms are too "cute" for me - not into that Victorian knock-off look.) That was one of the reasons we waited so long to buy into DVC - the properties just seemed a little tired & cheap looking. BWV is beautiful from the outside, but the furnishings, cabinetry, etc. never impressed us. We have stayed at WL, but never VWL. I love the look, but not when I'm in Florida. If I want the rustic National Park lodge look, I'll go to El Tovar or Yellowstone.

SSR changed all that for us - I loved our room at SSR. Nicely elegant, with little Disney touches. Our only stay there was as renters - we visited our guide & put our deposit down during that trip. We had toured before back when VWL & BCV were available, but they just weren't what we wanted.

It is a very individual thing. For some, room size is important. For others, its being in the Boardwalk area with walking access into two parks. (My stamina is limited, so walking to Epcot & MGM from the Boardwalk area would use up a good bit of my energy. I prefer to reserve that for the parks. The boats drive DH nuts, much too slow for him.) Others insist on room service. Young families rave about Stormalong Bay. It's too crowded for me. I'm sure we will try BCV & BWV someday, but it is just not a priority.

For us, we wanted a beautiful room & the ability to park near our villa (we prefer to drive to the parks, because I sometimes use an ECV). I also have two teen daughters - they will be 18 and 14 on our next visit. They prefer the proximity to DTD. I like the onsite spa. We like to go to lots of Signature restaurants, both in the parks and at the resorts, but not having one at SSR is not an issue for us. The construction views are not ideal at the moment, but in 2 or 3 years when that is all complete & the landscaping has time to mature I think SSR will be stunning.