SSR Looking to possibly buy

[KellyN1017]

My husband and I have been researching our options to buy into DVC. We think we really like SSR. We haven’t stayed there, but we are planning a trip there in late Aug/early sept. Is this a good place to have DVC points? We have always stayed offsite or at value resorts. We really prefer the deluxe style accommodations. How many points is a good starting point? It is just the two of us, but we do have extended family that we go with at times.

 

[princesscinderella]

It really depends on how long you plan to stay but I think 200 points is a great place to start as it gives you flexibility to book at busy times which require more points and/or larger accommodations. You can usually get a bigger contract for a bit cheaper on resale too as compared to smaller ones.

 

[Sunnyore]

I'm glad you're going to have a chance to stay there in Aug/Sept. SSR is one of my home resorts, and I actually bought it before trying it out since it's has a lower price point and decent length of contract left. I ended up loving it and it was my favorite resort out of the 3 I tried that trip. The refurbished rooms are amazing. I also love how I can walk over to Disney Springs every night and can park just right in front of my building. But you might feel differently so it's great you're going to try it out. The recommendation is to buy where you like to stay. I also added on BLT and now BWV because location is a big plus for me. You may value different things more like theme or onsite amenities, etc. I agree 200 points is a good starting point if you plan to go annually or if you go every other year you can get 100-125 and bank and borrow for your trips. This will give you plenty for studios or if you want, a couple days in 1 bedrooms. If Riviera isn't a bit deal for you, then you can consider resale to get more points for your money.

 

[KellyN1017]

I'm glad you're going to have a chance to stay there in Aug/Sept. SSR is one of my home resorts, and I actually bought it before trying it out since it's has a lower price point and decent length of contract left. I ended up loving it and it was my favorite resort out of the 3 I tried that trip. The refurbished rooms are amazing. I also love how I can walk over to Disney Springs every night and can park just right in front of my building. But you might feel differently so it's great you're going to try it out. The recommendation is to buy where you like to stay. I also added on BLT and now BWV because location is a big plus for me. You may value different things more like theme or onsite amenities, etc. I agree 200 points is a good starting point if you plan to go annually or if you go every other year you can get 100-125 and bank and borrow for your trips. This will give you plenty for studios or if you want, a couple days in 1 bedrooms. If Riviera isn't a bit deal for you, then you can consider resale to get more points for your money.

I am considering resale. I am on the fence right now as to if I should just buy or do you think I should rent first and then go through the buying process?

 

[Sunnyore]

I am considering resale. I am on the fence right now as to if I should just buy or do you think I should rent first and then go through the buying process?

If you're going resale, I would just buy if you see a great deal with your # of points preferred use year. It's a seller's market right now so you might just continue to see the price getting higher if you wait. The things to consider is if you think there's a chance you might not like SSR and not want to stay there in future, then you may want to try it out first. Do you have an idea what your must haves are or are you guys pretty easy going. And you can use your points at the other 14 resorts but 7 month booking can be tough at some of the other smaller resorts. SSR is huge so it's usually pretty easy to book at 7 months.

 

[Bobb_o]

Is this a good place to have DVC points?

I believe SSR is the most bought and sold resort for a reason. Now, you'll want really get an 11 month booking advantage but SSR is cheaper and has tons of availability. If you are happy with the resort and would be glad to stay there every time then it's a good place to have points. Do not expect to stay anywhere else, while you can book other resorts it's never guaranteed. The buy where you want to stay advice is the real deal.

I would 100% recommend staying there and experiencing it first hand before committing tens of thousands of dollars.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I believe SSR is the most bought and sold resort for a reason. Now, you'll want really get an 11 month booking advantage but SSR is cheaper and has tons of availability. If you are happy with the resort and would be glad to stay there every time then it's a good place to have points. Do not expect to stay anywhere else, while you can book other resorts it's never guaranteed. The buy where you want to stay advice is the real deal.

I would 100% recommend staying there and experiencing it first hand before committing tens of thousands of dollars.

I agree with this.

A lot of people love SSR and the proximity to Disney Springs, but it's not my favorite resort. The main thing I dislike about it is how sprawling it is, especially when it's hot or storming.
A lot of people love SSR for the cost of buy-in and annual fees, but the trade-off is that it's usually available at 7 months, so you don't get much of a home resort advantage.

@KellyN1017, you say you like the deluxe accommodations, and SSR is DVC, but it also has the exterior corridors, which some people dislike. Others like that format because you can park very close to your villa. The renovations are quite nice and there are multiple pools, including TWO with water slides!

As for the number of points you'll want/need, you're going to want to take a look at the points charts for various resorts. Look at the different times of year you think you'll travel as well as the villa size you think you want, then buy that number + some for a cushion. Keep in mind the peak seasons for DVC (and being able to swap at the 7-month mark) and peak travel seasons do not always align. Fall through mid-January is overall the toughest to book for DVC- you'll almost certainly need to stay at your home resort at that time of year. Spend some time in this sub-forum and you'll learn a lot.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Bobb_o]

Another option (and probably the better value since you don't have to shell out thousands of dollars to start) is to just stay at the Swan/Dolphin. You'll pay Disney moderate prices most of the time and have the option to use credit card/hotel points as well. You get deluxe level accommodations and great locations. You're getting most of the on site benefits as well and with the end of Magical Express there's one less benefit to a Disney owned hotel.

You have to pay a premium for DVC and Disney resorts, if that is not worth it to you take a look at your other options.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I believe SSR is the most bought and sold resort for a reason.

Because it's the largest resort, right? And AKV and OKW are also very large so have a large number of contracts on the resale market.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

How many points is a good starting point? It is just the two of us, but we do have extended family that we go with at times.

I'd suggest really reading up on DVC if you haven't already to determine if it's a good fit. Also look at the point charts to see what the requirement would be for the length of stay and size of room that you normally would be booking.

 

[Bobb_o]

Because it's the largest resort, right? And AKV and OKW are also very large so have a large number of contracts on the resale market.

Size + price.

 

[justadreamaway77]

Because it's the largest resort, right? And AKV and OKW are also very large so have a large number of contracts on the resale market.

I think SSR is beautiful and low key. With the bridge connecting Paddock and The Springs, I do not think it is that big of a deal to get around. I love the pool variety as well!

 

[davidl81]

I own two contracts at SSR for 350 total points. I also own two AKV contracts with a total of 220 points. We honestly do not stay at SSR very often and generally have luck booking a different resort at 7 months. Maybe not always our 1st choice at 7 months, but 80% of the time we find something open. I am not a huge fan of SSR because of the internal bus system and just how big and spread out the resort is. The resort is very nice, but overall it's not our favorite. We have bought there specifically because the points were cheap and the fees were low. With some of the recent dues increases and resale price increases some find that Poly has a better value (when you look at length of contract etc). Overall we do not regret at all buying into DVC or buying into SSR as we have been able to get great value out of the program.

 

[KellyN1017]

I have been reading a lot that there are incentives to buy SSR direct. So I was think maybe I should buy a resale first from another resort and then buy some point direct for SSR. I have been looking at AKV, but the prices are skyrocketing on the new listings. Any preference on brokers?

 

[dvc lover 1970]

We love SSR! its location to Disney Springs is great. Also, you have the option of preferred or standard view points too. Cannot go wrong with SSR

 

[dvc lover 1970]

I have been reading a lot that there are incentives to buy SSR direct. So I was think maybe I should buy a resale first from another resort and then buy some point direct for SSR. I have been looking at AKV, but the prices are skyrocketing on the new listings. Any preference on brokers?

choose the broker with the best price, but also question their fees and take that into account with the price

 

[DVCanadian]

I have been reading a lot that there are incentives to buy SSR direct. So I was think maybe I should buy a resale first from another resort and then buy some point direct for SSR. I have been looking at AKV, but the prices are skyrocketing on the new listings. Any preference on brokers?

owned at SSR since 2011.
Can’t recommend you buy direct unless you have too much money!
Not sure exactly but resale is $100 per point or so and direct is around $165.
You can save money or get a ton more points. The “incentives” probably won’t change that you will save thousands via resale.

SSR is a great resort to own but experiences a lot of backlash from all of of the jealous owners who think their resort is special until I’m booking in there at 7 months with my SSR points LOL

 

[starfrenzy]

I have been looking at AKV, but the prices are skyrocketing on the new listings. Any preference on brokers?

Check out this new website made by a genius DVC member. You can filter and sort: ***************************

Hmm. Not sure why that one would be banned.

 

[KellyN1017]

Check out this new website made by a genius DVC member. You can filter and sort: ***************************

Hmm. Not sure why that one would be banned.

Can you send it to me in a message?

 

[starfrenzy]

Can you send it to me in a message?

Probably not. I'm sorry.

There are lots of good brokers out there. Pick one that deals specifically in DVC. If you're not sure, do a search here on the forum for the name of the one you're considering and see if there have been reports of any negative experiences.