SSR Lovers and/or Owners Thread!

[bpmorley]

well, you Do have to wait for all the children to move out first ( we seem to be having a slight problem with that one)! even though we ask them on a daily basis......but I'm optimistic - they do have to leave eventually, don't they??!!

Michelle

Maybe

 

[BroganMc]

Maybe

OT but I can't help myself... when I was buying Marriott weeks and chitchatting with the sales guy, he said he had just completed a sale with a retiree who sold his house and proceeded to purchase 40 vacation weeks. He figured he'd spend the equivelant of 12 weeks a year traveling in an RV and the rest going from vacation home to vacation home. And if you own in Florida you get that free income tax benefit. (Assuming you own 6 months and a day's worth.)

Now that's the way to spend a retirement, eh?

Oh, and one DVC guide I talked to said he had a client who bought enough points to book a studio for his dad for the entire winter (12 weeks worth I believe). They'd bring in a hospital bed for him and he had comfortable accommodations through the cold months of the year.

I'm up to about 6 weeks vacation time a year. More if I just do studios or lock-off my Marriot weeks.

 

[bpmorley]

I'm up to about 6 weeks vacation time a year. More if I just do studios or lock-off my Marriot weeks.

That's pretty good, 6 weeks. WE have enough points for maybe 3 weeks in a studio every year.

 

[Mischa]

Can I ask some questions for the SSr experts please?

1. What location is best to request. We have 2 two children, who will be 5 and nearly 3 when we go. We don't mind walking to the pool etc, but would like to be near DTD if possible.

2. Do all the studios have balconies?

3. What's Artist Pallette like?

4. Does SSR share the bus service with any other resort hotels?

5. What's the LBV golf club like (dh asked this one!!!)

Thanks!

T
x

Hi there - thought I'd drop my 2 cents in...

1. We stayed at Congress Park and we really liked it. Very close to DTD - we actually had a view of it from our studio balcony.

2. I do think all the studios have balconies, but I'm not sure (since we are still relatively new members).

3. Artiste Pallette is nice - I really wasn't crazy about the food, but they did have stuff you could purchase to eat in the room (like bread, peanut butter, sandwich stuff...etc.)

4. SSR has an in-resort bus plus you can be picked up to go to the parks, but to go to another resort your best bet would be to go to DTD (or one of the parks and transfer).

5. Sorry can't help with the golf thing - my DH & I don't golf.

Here's a picture of our balcony at SSR taken this past December (we were on the 2nd floor):

 

[mamaprincess]

OT but I can't help myself... when I was buying Marriott weeks and chitchatting with the sales guy, he said he had just completed a sale with a retiree who sold his house and proceeded to purchase 40 vacation weeks. He figured he'd spend the equivelant of 12 weeks a year traveling in an RV and the rest going from vacation home to vacation home. And if you own in Florida you get that free income tax benefit. (Assuming you own 6 months and a day's worth.)

Now that's the way to spend a retirement, eh?

Wonder if DH would go for something like that?

 

[happyj]

Include us we also love and own at SSR although we do spend a few days at other resorts we always spend the longest at SSR .We believe it is the most beautiful and relaxing.thankyou Disney for our home.

 

[Fatalbie]

Ok here is my confession bear with me!
I wanted to surprise my DW and DD2 with a trip so I set out to plan since I have not been there in 20+years. I stumble on the rent/trade thinggie and post a ressie wanted. Get a few very nice replies-making sure to reply to all so as to not be rude- and end up renting points for a studio. Very smooth transaction, very nice DVC owner, and I am very excited. Then it happens- I find the the rest of the DISboards and there goes every free minute I have. Next thing you know I have a three ring binder with enough information to write my own unofficial guide. I spring it on my wife and daughter at Xmas, the ball is rolling. Now I start to read into DVC ownership-long story short I put a deposit on a F&F 150 pt contract before I even set foot on property. We are mailing the paper work back and will be official very soon!!!!
So I figured here are a few photos from my trip. I am going to attempt to write a trip report and a dining review. I guess now I need a sig. Oh well I'll figure that out later, lol! Here is a shot at a few photos, thanks to all for the help.
Jim

 

[Fatalbie]

Sorry forgot to add we were in the Springs 3323, very close to everything. Tried for CP but could not get a room there. Our view and location were VERY NICE. Once I get my thoughts togethere I will post some more info and pics.
Jim

 

[Glorydaz]

okay, just joined photobucket...am going to attempt to post some of my SSR photos....

[

gosh, I hope this works!!

Michelle

 

[disneymom8589]

Ok here is my confession bear with me!
I wanted to surprise my DW and DD2 with a trip so I set out to plan since I have not been there in 20+years. I stumble on the rent/trade thinggie and post a ressie wanted. Get a few very nice replies-making sure to reply to all so as to not be rude- and end up renting points for a studio. Very smooth transaction, very nice DVC owner, and I am very excited. Then it happens- I find the the rest of the DISboards and there goes every free minute I have. Next thing you know I have a three ring binder with enough information to write my own unofficial guide. I spring it on my wife and daughter at Xmas, the ball is rolling. Now I start to read into DVC ownership-long story short I put a deposit on a F&F 150 pt contract before I even set foot on property. We are mailing the paper work back and will be official very soon!!!!
So I figured here are a few photos from my trip. I am going to attempt to write a trip report and a dining review. I guess now I need a sig. Oh well I'll figure that out later, lol! Here is a shot at a few photos, thanks to all for the help.
Jim

Welcome aboard, neighbor!!
P.S. Love your pictures!

 

[disneymom8589]

okay, just joined photobucket...am going to attempt to post some of my SSR photos....

[

gosh, I hope this works!!

Michelle

Gorgeous pictures! Thanks!

 

[BroganMc]

That's pretty good, 6 weeks. WE have enough points for maybe 3 weeks in a studio every year.

Crazy me, I worked up how many max nights we could get in each season, each room in a year. Then projected how many weeks we'd have in Marriott and II for years to come. Pretty soon we'll be in the position of taking longer vacations, losing weeks/points, or renting/gifting.

This craziness started because my folks and I started building a family vacation portfolio a few years ago. At the time my mom had just been diagnosed with cancer and we adopted the idea of an adventure lifestyle combined with family gatherings. Her idea was to have enough Marriott weeks for each of her 4 grown kids. (My mom passed away in '04, but her last request was that we continue to travel and enjoy family.) My dad and I added DVC to the portfolio with the idea it was a gift to us and the entire family. DVC gives us things Marriott doesn't and vice versa.

I'm the family's designated travel agent so I'm forever trying to coordinate schedules, suggest ideas, and make the arrangements. My brothers have a few weeks of their own as well, while my sister's group is comfortable sharing with us.

In '05, the family gathering was in Orlando in March. In '06 it was a summer week in Williamsburg. This year, it'll just be my sis' group and us in SSR for Halloween. (My sis is gaga for Halloween and DTD.) As the families grow the harder it becomes to arrange grand gatherings. We're settling for one or two vacations a year with one other family in hopes more will join us. My nieces and nephews adore each other and the grownups are close.

The rest of the time my dad and I adventure as my mom requested. He's 75 and I have rheumatoid arthritis: we're traveling for as long as our bodies allow.

 

[mamaprincess]

Crazy me, I worked up how many max nights we could get in each season, each room in a year. Then projected how many weeks we'd have in Marriott and II for years to come. Pretty soon we'll be in the position of taking longer vacations, losing weeks/points, or renting/gifting.

This craziness started because my folks and I started building a family vacation portfolio a few years ago. At the time my mom had just been diagnosed with cancer and we adopted the idea of an adventure lifestyle combined with family gatherings. Her idea was to have enough Marriott weeks for each of her 4 grown kids. (My mom passed away in '04, but her last request was that we continue to travel and enjoy family.) My dad and I added DVC to the portfolio with the idea it was a gift to us and the entire family. DVC gives us things Marriott doesn't and vice versa.

I'm the family's designated travel agent so I'm forever trying to coordinate schedules, suggest ideas, and make the arrangements. My brothers have a few weeks of their own as well, while my sister's group is comfortable sharing with us.

In '05, the family gathering was in Orlando in March. In '06 it was a summer week in Williamsburg. This year, it'll just be my sis' group and us in SSR for Halloween. (My sis is gaga for Halloween and DTD.) As the families grow the harder it becomes to arrange grand gatherings. We're settling for one or two vacations a year with one other family in hopes more will join us. My nieces and nephews adore each other and the grownups are close.

The rest of the time my dad and I adventure as my mom requested. He's 75 and I have rheumatoid arthritis: we're traveling for as long as our bodies allow.

Your family sounds so beautiful. Your mother must have been so special.

My Mil has advanced RA and had to stop working as an RN. She also had brain surgery about a year ago. We just sent her to Ghana West Africa for a month and a half over the holidays to see her mother whom she has not seen in 11 years. Grandma came here in her 20's got her bachelors and masters and worked as an RN until she retired at 62 and went back home to Ghana. We sent MIL with a scooter, a walker and all different kinds of mobility and entertainment so that she could enjoy her trip in comfort. KLM Royal Dutch's (Northwest Airlines affiliate) medical desk was extremely helpful in making sure MIL was as comfortable as can be and that her medical supplies reached their destination. MIL said she was treated like a queen. We want to send her back at least every other year so that she always has that to look forward to.

We were so concerned about her traveling with severe RA and other serious medical conditions but because we alerted the medical desk at the airlines she was traveling with, she was attended to 1,000%. She will be coming back on the 31st of this month and she has had a complete ball.

It's not over until it's over. When we first decided to send her, I went to the disAbilities board to ask some questions and I was so amazed at the conditions that some folks traveled with. Even on dialysis, even on Chemo and all types of other conditions. I knew then that MIL would be fine. More than fine.

DH has also been recently diagnosed with RA. When I read posts like yours, I know that we can be who we are until we just can't. We may eventually be in the parks getting on peoples nerves because DH is running into people on his scooter and then again he may never need one, but we will be in the parks and anywhere else our hearts take us come what may.

 

[mamaprincess]

Yaaay, new pics, new pics, rah rah rah!

Fatalbie, if you want your pics to show up here as pics instead of links to pics, when you go to photobucket copy the third line under the pic that you want to post and paste that line into your post. Those pictures are so beautiful by the way!!!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Great thread! We bought in September 2003 and have already stayed here three times. We love the beauty of SSR and are very proud owners!

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Hey Fatalbie- WELCOME HOME!!! I am glad you had a great trip, your photos are great. I loved your story!

 

[BroganMc]

Cool! I'm two for two today. Called to book tickets to La Nouba for our upcoming May trip. Got my pick of seats for Tuesday May 15. Then I called to see what was available at Cindy's. Got my choice of seatings. I chose Monday at 9am.

So my May trip is shaping up. Resort hop to Saratoga on Sunday (we're at Marriott the week before). Spend the day loafing at the resort and/or DTD. Do MK on Monday. Another pool day and La Nouba Tuesday. Wednesday I leave unplanned. I'm thinking about taking that ferry for a ride to OKW and POR. We haven't seen those resorts yet.

My dad's in a conference Th-Sat (reason we booked a SSR stay rather than offsite), so I'll be footloose and fancy free those days. What to do, what to do.

Your family sounds so beautiful. Your mother must have been so special.

She was much loved and still missed. The matriarch to so many we lost count. Her greatest achievement was building a family that loved each other and actually wanted to be together. My parents had that fairy tale type of marriage. Disney was definitely up their alley. My dad is a bit of nutty professor/eccentric. He goes to the barber shop on Main Street twice a year just to get a mohawk haircut. People definitely notice him.

When we first decided to send her, I went to the disAbilities board to ask some questions and I was so amazed at the conditions that some folks traveled with.

Disability is not something to be shelved in a closet anymore. It can be daunting traveling, but if you know what you need and talk to the right people, you can get pretty much anywhere. I'm planning a London trip for my dad and I this Summer. Me, my powerchair and a hotel on the Thames right across from Big Ben. (Thank you Marriott rewards points.)

DH has also been recently diagnosed with RA. We may eventually be in the parks getting on peoples nerves because DH is running into people on his scooter and then again he may never need one, but we will be in the parks and anywhere else our hearts take us come what may.

I talked my dad into renting a scooter for our last family Orlando trip. We had the adapted van to carry it and frankly with my 4.5 mph powerchair I found his "Old Man" walking speed painfully slooooooow. He gets one every trip now. Touring the world in a scooter is an E-ticket ride itself. (And it helps since 2 months after that trip he wound up with triple bypass surgery.) Dad says he loves best always having a seat for the parades and fireworks or just people watching.

Oh, and a little secret. There are some fun places to drag race. When no pedestrians are around, mind you. I just love the winding entrance queue to the new Nemo ride. On a slow day, from bright sun to darkness, around all those curves. It's like the Indy 500. Yeah, I'm bad. Promise I haven't taken any pedestrians out... unless they were kids in Heelys, but that's a public service.

 

[mamaprincess]

Cool! I'm two for two today. Called to book tickets to La Nouba for our upcoming May trip. Got my pick of seats for Tuesday May 15. Then I called to see what was available at Cindy's. Got my choice of seatings. I chose Monday at 9am.

So my May trip is shaping up. Resort hop to Saratoga on Sunday (we're at Marriott the week before). Spend the day loafing at the resort and/or DTD. Do MK on Monday. Another pool day and La Nouba Tuesday. Wednesday I leave unplanned. I'm thinking about taking that ferry for a ride to OKW and POR. We haven't seen those resorts yet.

My dad's in a conference Th-Sat (reason we booked a SSR stay rather than offsite), so I'll be footloose and fancy free those days. What to do, what to do.




She was much loved and still missed. The matriarch to so many we lost count. Her greatest achievement was building a family that loved each other and actually wanted to be together. My parents had that fairy tale type of marriage. Disney was definitely up their alley. My dad is a bit of nutty professor/eccentric. He goes to the barber shop on Main Street twice a year just to get a mohawk haircut. People definitely notice him.



Disability is not something to be shelved in a closet anymore. It can be daunting traveling, but if you know what you need and talk to the right people, you can get pretty much anywhere. I'm planning a London trip for my dad and I this Summer. Me, my powerchair and a hotel on the Thames right across from Big Ben. (Thank you Marriott rewards points.)



I talked my dad into renting a scooter for our last family Orlando trip. We had the adapted van to carry it and frankly with my 4.5 mph powerchair I found his "Old Man" walking speed painfully slooooooow. He gets one every trip now. Touring the world in a scooter is an E-ticket ride itself. (And it helps since 2 months after that trip he wound up with triple bypass surgery.) Dad says he loves best always having a seat for the parades and fireworks or just people watching.

Oh, and a little secret. There are some fun places to drag race. When no pedestrians are around, mind you. I just love the winding entrance queue to the new Nemo ride. On a slow day, from bright sun to darkness, around all those curves. It's like the Indy 500. Yeah, I'm bad. Promise I haven't taken any pedestrians out... unless they were kids in Heelys, but that's a public service.

My mom is literally a retired nutty professor with dreadlocks down her back so I think we are about neck and neck with the eccentric parents.I can't get her to WDW no matter how many points I add-on or how hard I beg. We'll keep trying.

The visual I get of you taking those curves in your power chair has me in convulsions!

I think it is great that you talked your dad into renting a scooter for touring WDW. He should not have to suffer to enjoy his happy place. I can't believe that some people would rather suffer and tour with severe conditions than to rent a scooter for fear of being criticized. When ever I see a thread that reads I just broke my leg and have 4 herniated discs and severe asthma, should I rent a scooter, I just know that they have read to many scooter rant threads and are affraid of the judgement. I always encourage people to rent one if you need one. Your condition may not cause you to look visibly ill, but conditions that cause chronic pain or severe shortness of breath are not always descernible to onlookers. There are many conditions that are invisible to others that would neccesitate the need for a scooter when touring a resort as large as WDW.

Have an absolutely incredible time in London with your awesomely eccentric dad. Your description gave me goosebumps.

Your up coming SSR trips sound like it's going to be great! We've never done La Nouba. I can't wait to do it. Dh is really excited about it as are the twins.

 

[wisbucky]

Hello neighbors!! We bought into SSR when it first opened and added on once to SSR since then. We have our third trip to SSR coming up
Mar 20-27th, 2007. I wish I knew how to post pics on here as I have some of views from our room last year.

 

[mamaprincess]

Hello neighbors!! We bought into SSR when it first opened and added on once to SSR since then. We have our third trip to SSR coming up
Mar 20-27th, 2007. I wish I knew how to post pics on here as I have some of views from our room last year.

Go to http://photobucket.com/ and set up an account.

Once you are logged into your photobucket account, under upload photos, click on browse.

Your pictures will show up. select the picture(s) you want then click on upload and wait.

Scroll down and you will see your picture with three lines beneath it. Right click and copy the bottom line.

When you click on post reply in the thread where you want your pics to appear, paste the line you copied into your reply and post.

If you have any problems just post and I'll help you.