SSR trip report 5/30-6/2

[drise]

Just back from SSR, I think we had record setting heat the 4 days we were there, it was 95 to 98 everyday. Only 1 building is open, Congress Park and I believe they said it was booked at 70 rooms. The main pool and Artist Palette were very nice and quite empty we felt we had the resort to ourselves. But I can't imagine what it will be like when all bldgs. are complete. There will be quiet pools but I'm sure the main area will be swamped. It was a little bit of a walk to the main pool, but seemed more so in the heat. One snafu at check-in, we were the only ones there but of course someone was being trained and took a little longer, but we finished and went to our 1 bedroom unit #2725 and I looked around and felt things were laid out differently then the pictures I had seen. Well it was a handicapped room. We called front desk and he asked if I had requested a king bed, I said all 1B have Kings, he said oh no, when you request a king you get a handi. room. I just hung up and called back, I finally got someone who said there was a smoking optional room available, we wanted to see it first and make sure you couldn't smell smoke, since it's brand new I figured it would be ok. It took 10 minutes to come over and show us that room which was fine and did not smell. Then she had to go back and make our keys and come back to take us over. The whole calling, changing room process took about 1 hour. I told her I was annoyed we were not informed or asked about the handi room at check-in. She just apologized and said they were still training. The grounds are lovely but obviously alot! of construction still going on. I had a massage at the spa, which was hard to locate, the entrance is not marked well. I was not real impressed with the layout or the staff, not the "ambience" I expected. I'm glad we tried it and the newness of a resort is always fun to experience but we like the feel of OKW better. The store did have alot of DVC/SSR resort wear available that I haven't seen at the other DVC resorts.

 

[jbwolffiv]

Thanks for the great report, still cant get enough info!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Great report. I suspect each new DVC resort always has the most DVC wear for purchase. I always find the selection lacking at OKW. Since when do not ALL DVC resorts have a King bed in the master???

 

[Granny]

Thanks for the candid report.

I told her I was annoyed we were not informed or asked about the handi room at check-in.

I think that most DVC vacationers do not have near the kind of knowledge and expertise that we have here with our people who read and post on this board.

Therefore, probably 90%+ of the people who check in to a HA room wouldn't say anything and just accept it. When resorts are full, someone has to get these rooms. My guess is that they don't mention it at check in because it's not a really big deal to most people.

I'm glad to hear that they worked with you and were able to find a room more to your liking.

And I have a feeling that you're right about the main pool not being enough to handle a resort of the size that SSR will be. Hopefully, they'll build another main pool, though they've never done that before. I wouldn't be surprised if they kill pool hopping privileges to SSR once more units have been built and are in use.

Thanks for taking the time to share your impressions.

 

[MJTinNH]

Thanks for the report!

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Thanks for sharing!!!

Allison an associate

 

[jaysue]

Thanks for the report

I too assume that all 1BR+ units have King bed in the master bedroom

thakns
jaysue

 

[JudithM]

Originally posted by drise
I had a massage at the spa, which was hard to locate, the entrance is not marked well. I was not real impressed with the layout or the staff, not the "ambience" I expected.

I had looked into a massage at OKW on our last two trips & am sorry now I didn't do it then. I talked to an OKW CM & learned the cost of a massage at OKW jumped considerably. I figured it out to be about a 60% increase. My pocketbook snapped closed. No way way was I paying more - just on principle. We stopped into the spa at SSR on our tour day. You are right ... not well marked about taking the elevator upstairs.

Thanks for your SSR report. We left the day you arrived & yes it was HOT!