SSR Trip Report 4/21-4/29

[Parkhopper13]

Just back from our third trip home to SSR. Just a few observations you all might be interested in.

We own at SSR and I absolutely love it, but this will not be a love fest for SSR. THere were some good and some not so good.

First, the good:

The property continues to look better everytime we go. The landscaping is beautiful and the rooms are well kept. We were very happy with our Congress Park room, DTD view and ammenities.

Thr main pool is really great. My daughter, now 2 1/2, loves the zero entry, the kids water slide, and the Donald Duck play area. Really great place for kids.

Artist palate food is as good as ever. Very likely the best quick service food on property. We loved it.

The not-so-good:

The bus service is becoming a problem. We personally had no bus issues. We always seemed to get a bus within 10-15 minutes and usually quicker, but those staying in the Springs really had a tough time. Many times we stopped at the Springs we were full and many were complaining of a 45 minute wait for a non-full bus at the Springs. One couple told me they were staying in the Springs and walked to another bus stop every morning to get on a bus.

My brother-in-law went to pick up tickets to Hoop-dee-do at the concierge and waited 1 1/2 hours in line. There were 14 people in line and one at the desk. He was not happy. They did make up for it with some fastpasses. That calmed him down.

Although the food at A.P. and pool were great, they were both crowded. Always lots of people putting down towels and leaving for hours. I hate that!!

Basically, my concern is that SSR has become so big that the ammenities are not enough to handle the crowds. Anyone else noticing this. They need more busses, employees, and dare I say, food services. I know this would incease our M.F., but probably worth it.

I love SSR and would recommend it to anyone. We had a fantastic trip, the kids had a blast. I am bummed to be back in the real world. We don't even have our next trip planned yet. A problem I will remedy ASAP!!

 

[Starr W.]

The conceirge desk always seems like it has a conga line in front of it when we go at Thanksgiving. I've never used it.

I think that SSR needs to take some lessons from VB about using towels to "save chairs". VB leaves a message every night about the towels and they will be removed. I did see them go around at VB at Easter and take towels off of chairs.

At Thanksgiving last year, we did blow by the Springs stop a couple of times as the bus was packed. Do you think that maybe people stop for breakfast at AP then head over to the Grandstand or just walk over there in the morning(or one of the earlier stops). There never was a big crowd there when we went by.

I wouldn't be surprised if some savvy DVC'ers staying at the Springs walk over to the Grandkstand in the morning to get on the bus.

So that leaves the "uninformed" waiting.

We did wait a bit longer for buses Turkey Trip 07 than 06.

 

[jjbescher]

Having stayed at the Springs Twice, I have always had to wait for buses especially early in the morning. I did not realize the Grandstand bus stop was that close. Next time, I will walk over to there to make sure to get on the bus.

jon

 

[TenThousandVolts]

My brother-in-law went to pick up tickets to Hoop-dee-do at the concierge and waited 1 1/2 hours in line. There were 14 people in line and one at the desk. He was not happy. They did make up for it with some fastpasses. That calmed him down.

That is crazy- when I used the concierge at SSR to buy park passes (I was upgrading 1 day passes to 10 day and paying with a combination of Disney rewards and cash) I was the only one there but it took a LONG time for the CM to complete the transaction (guessing 20-25 minutes) They need to step up the level of service there.

 

[Starr W.]

That is crazy- when I used the concierge at SSR to buy park passes (I was upgrading 1 day passes to 10 day and paying with a combination of Disney rewards and cash) I was the only one there but it took a LONG time for the CM to complete the transaction (guessing 20-25 minutes) They need to step up the level of service there.

I've notice at any of the DVC resorts it takes a long time to do anything at the front desks. I stopped off on night to apply my Disney rewards card to our room charges. That took 15 minutes!

 

[DaveH]

I wonder if they are having trouble keeping front desk people at some of the DVC resorts. When we first joined we tended to see the same staff all the time. Now it seems to be different folks all the time. I have noticed there seems to be more of us demanding things that maybe we should back off from. I agree my experience with allot of the folks don't seem to have the knowledge to get things done. I know I don't need many things from the front desk area much. When I do ask about things that I get quick answers at like value resorts I get blank stares at DVC resorts.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

When I do ask about things that I get quick answers at like value resorts I get blank stares at DVC resorts.

Yes- my experiences with concierge at POP was better than at SSR- however I had a good experience with the concierge at OKW- they were efficient and knew what they were doing.