SSR Theme Pool

[kjkelley]

Now I know there has been a lot of controversy on these boards about how big High Rock Springs pool is compared to other theme pools for on-site DVC's. It seems that this theme pool is very nice and good size when compared to all the others except SAB.

Who out there thinks SSR should be building another theme pool and/or at least a nice lazy river instead of just 3 more "big" quiet pools when you consider the massive size of SSR. Remember the total size of SSR is going to be bigger than all other DVC's combined. I for one do not think that one theme pool is big enough for SSR.

A couple of years ago DW and I were at CBR with another family. I do not know for sure but I think CBR is probably similar in size to the eventual SSR. They had a theme pool at CBR that is probably not quite as big as High Rock Springs but it was so packed with people, you could hardly swim. I would really hate for that to be the case at SSR. I think they need to add another theme pool, not just 3 more quite pools! Let me know what you guys think.

 

[RobDoc]

... Remember the total size of SSR is going to be bigger than all other DVC's combined. I for one do not think that one theme pool is big enough for SSR. ...

... I do not know for sure but I think CBR is probably similar in size to the eventual SSR.

The first two phases of SSR (those already open or under construction - to be completed this year) will total 552 rooms (maximum possible of 840 counting separated lock-offs) - slightly larger than OKW.

OKW has 531/761, BWV has 383/532, BCV has 208/282 and VWL has 136/181.

Current total of onsite DVC resort rooms (not including SSR) is 1258 with a maximum of 1756. Proposed eventual size of SSR once Phase 3 opens in 2007 will be 828 (1260 counting separated lock-offs). No where near the total of all other DVC resort onsite - let alone including HH and VB (120/123 and 172/208). With HH and VB, the non-SSR total of DVC rooms is 1550 with a maximum of 2087.

CBR has a total of 2112 rooms - 852 rooms more than the proposed eventual maximum size of SSR.

If, as you suggest, the CBR pool is smaller than High Rock Springs, SSR (with it's three large leisure pools in addition to HRS) will have adequate capacity for those wanting to enjoy a swim.

Hope this helps to put the actual number of DVC rooms in better perspective.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I also want to add that whereas with SAB, DVC shares the cost of its operation with Yacht and Beach Club, SSR pool operations are totally paid for by member dues.

Maybe the dues to support a lazy river or other pool features was cost prohibitive.

I totally agree about SSR's pool not serving any more guests than the other DVC pools and are definitely on par in size and capacity.
VWL shares with WL, BWV shares with BWI and BCV shares with 2 other resorts.

With the exception of SAB, SSR's Theme Pool is equal if not bigger and will offer more quiet pools than any other DVC.

 

[JodyTG]

The cost to add a lazy river would be quite high for the SSR members. The upkeep alone would make the dues go up quite a bit. There's already two water parks with lazy rivers and don't really see the need for one at SSR.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

When we were at SSR in early January I spoke with one of the lifeguards at the High Rock Springs pool. I noted that the occupancy limit for the pool wasn't posted anywhere and asked if he knew what it would be. He estimated the occupancy to be about 250-300 people and told me that is a standard size for a Disney resort pool.

 

[CarolAnnC]

As long as the pool bar has enough barstools...LOL!!!

Will report back on my experience in June..

 

[conciergekelly]

Also BWV, WLV, BCV, each share the theme pools with another very large resorts. The totals should be included in the totals given above. I don't know how many people that is but I'm sure that it adds up. None of those resorts have as many other quiet pools to offset the crowds. I think that they each have one or two quiet pools. I think it will be the same as the other resorts when it is done.

 

[jbwolffiv]

I agree that HRS is going to be too small once all three phases are completed. When we were there in Aug the pool was pretty crowded, not to insane levels, but it was crowded. That was with only 4 buildings open. We even went to the quiet pool one day. I hope the other quiet pools are bigger since in my opinion it was only a little larger than a typical backyard inground pool. I guess only time will tell with this one!

 

[Halle]

Please don't shoot me dead.....I was there in November and in my uneducated nonengineering experience...ain't no way that pool would accomadate 250 - 300 people...maybe 25 in the water but not even the higher number poolside. I am a die hard DVC member but felt I had to jump in here. Any experts out there, please help me. Halle

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Please don't shoot me dead.....I was there in November and in my uneducated nonengineering experience...ain't no way that pool would accomadate 250 - 300 people...maybe 25 in the water but not even the higher number poolside.

I've put the watergun down -- but you aren't actually sugggesting that the capacity of HRS pool is around 25 swimmers, are you? I've worked with a children's summer camp for several years, and our tiny pool (about 1/3 the size of one of the SSR leisure pools) has a capacity of 50 swimmers.

I was unable to find a posted capacity at the HRS pool, that's why I asked one of the lifeguard CMs. He estimated the size of the pool and compared it to other pools he has guarded at WDW -- hence the estimate of 250-300 swimmers. He also noted that it was no fun guarding a pool with that number of swimmers in it.

 

[tjkraz]

Take a look at this photo from Barry Bedford's site:

http://www.barrybedford.com/dvc/ssrpics/target76.html

I count about 30 people in the pool, and I think we can safely concluded there is PLEANTY of room for more.

I don't think you'd find me in the pool with 249 other guests, but I think the entire pool / children's spring / hot tub / sundeck complex could accommodate that many on a busy day. I also happen to think that the capacity on the pools will equalize itself on a busy day--if the main pool is too busy, people will go to other pools in the resort. According to the plans I've seen, SSR will ultimately have 5 pools.

IMO, the size of the main pool is no different than OKW or BWV. The sundeck may be smaller--I didn't do a chair count, so I'm just guessing on this point. If anything, that may prove to be a problem in time. But I suspect those wishing to soak up a few rays will stick to the quiet pools anyway.

 

[kjkelley]

I think we all can agree that when HRS was in the planning stages, it was designed for a capacity no where near the number of buildings SSR is going to ulitmately have. In fact SSR may be double in size what was originally planned?

I have not yet been to SSR and I have read a lot of nice things about SSR on these boards. But as SSR is my home resort, I have always been concerned that HRS theme pool is way to small for the eventual monstrous size of SSR. I keep thinking back to my stay at CBR thinking this is uterly crazy with all these people at the theme pool. I think if enough people start voicing this concern now, maybe we can get something changed for a future quiet pool to be more elaborate (i.e. another theme pool). If we do not say anything now, it will never be changed after it is built!!!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I think that once the entire resort is complete, that the combination of quiet pools plus the theme pool will be sufficient. Honestly, I can see my family spending more time at the closest quiet pool more than the theme pool.

 

[kjkelley]

You do say family in your post. How old are your kids? I know my kids DD5 & DS1 are going to want to spend a lot more time near the water slides and Donald area. I do not want to be repeatedly telling them, no we can not go over there because SSR's HRS is way too crowded. HRS was not designed to accomodate the number of guests for SSR's eventual size and I for one would like to see it improved by making a second theme pool.

I would propose that because the Paddock area may be the least desirable location to stay @ SSR (i.e. Congress Park has DTD convenience/view & Springs has close proximity to HRS/central hub) that DVC should build another theme pool at the Paddock area.

I also would be in favor of a lazy river @ SSR, they certainly have the ground space. A poster above mentions the two water parks already in place. I need to ask, when was the last time you went to one of those water parks during a busy time at WDW? Those two water parks are so crowded, you had to wait serious time just for a tube to get on the lazy river; let alone long waits for any of the water slides + plus cost of admission to the park.

I am just looking for ways to make SSR one of the best DVC resorts available and helping DVC to sellout SSR even faster than they already expected. Why do think BCV is much more poplular than any other DVC resort including BWV. I give you one word "SAB"!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

You do say family in your post. How old are your kids? I know my kids DD5 & DS1 are going to want to spend a lot more time near the water slides and Donald area. I do not want to be repeatedly telling them, no we can not go over there because SSR's HRS is way too crowded. HRS was not designed to accomodate the number of guests for SSR's eventual size and I for one would like to see it improved by making a second theme pool.

If you meant me, we have our first child on the way. Up until now, it has been me and hubby and occasionally my friend, her husband and DS3 and DD5. We enjoyed SAB very much last time we stayed at BCV. But we also enjoyed the quiet pool.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I am just looking for ways to make SSR one of the best DVC resorts available and helping DVC to sellout SSR even faster than they already expected. Why do think BCV is much more poplular than any other DVC resort including BWV. I give you one word "SAB"!

I would have to agree about SAB being a huge interest for BCV, but I also think the location to two major parks is a huge selling point.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I visited SSR in January and have just returned from BWV. It appeared to me that the pools were of comparable size. I don't think High Rock Springs will be any worse than the theme pools at other Disney resorts and with so many quiet pools it might actually be better.

Bear in mind that anything like a lazy river will come out of SSR owner dues only. Disney wouldn't absorb that cost. Agitating for theming at a quiet pool without a slide or lazy river...but with a (snack) bar might be a workable way to remove some of the people from HRS.

 

[kjkelley]

Given that BCV & BWV are pretty much the exact same relation to Epcot/MGM, their difference in popularity (i.e. resale price) can most directly be linked to SAB!

Also, HRS should not be comparable in size to other DVC theme pools, it needs to dwarf other theme pools in size, because SSR dwarfs other resorts in size. I just want SSR to be my first destination of choice rather than trying to get in the other resorts at 7 mo. window! Personally, I like the idea of being closer to DTD than a major park for one simple reason (DTD is free to get into while a major park cost >$50/day and will surely be increasing over the next 50 years). When I go to Disney for week, we typically spend at least 3d in the parks but that still leaves 4d out of the parks and I like the fact DTD is convenient for those 4d.

I would not have a problem with dues going up to support more sufficient accomodations for what is the most desirable areas of SSR!

 

[tjkraz]

I am just looking for ways to make SSR one of the best DVC resorts available and helping DVC to sellout SSR even faster than they already expected. Why do think BCV is much more poplular than any other DVC resort including BWV. I give you one word "SAB"!

The original resort design was based upon about 500 rooms. It has since been expanded to a little over 800, and two more Quiet Pools added to the construction plan (for a total of 5 pools.)

I made a comment similar to this about 8-9 months ago: SSR is the home of the sales center and one of the first things that potential members will see is the main pool complex. If DVD/DVC thought it would be an overcrowded nightmare in another year or two, then they would have added another feature pool. The last thing they want to do is alienate potential customers before they can even give their sales pitch.

DVC had a chance to add more of a feature pool in the "Phase 3" design, but chose not to go down that road. So they must be satisfied with the projected main pool occupancy levels.

For what it's worth, a couple months ago I dug up statistics on the Luna Park pool and determined that the BWV and SSR main pools are basically the same size. BWV has over 700 Villa and Inn rooms (with about 20-30 more Villas opening later this year) serviced by its pool. That's only a handful less than the number of rooms projected at SSR. And, I believe SSR has more Quiet Pools.

If you think that SSR will have problems or just want to see it enhanced, then you should absolutely contact DVC to discuss those issues. I am by no means stating that "I am right and you are wrong." But the above illustrates why I personally think SSR will be fine, and am not troubled by the current construction plan.

Now if you want to talk about relocating the boat dock or adding another dining alternative...

 

[mydogdrew]

I would guess that DVC owners would be more likely to use the pool facilities than the Inn guests at BWV/VWL on any given day. We visit parks less frequently and take a slower pace with our trips now. Total resort size is the most important consideration but not the only one when evaluating pool capacity.