Just got back from WDW a few days ago. It was great! We were there for almost 2 weeks and the last 4 days of the trip were spent in the villas at SSR (first part was BWV & BCV).
The ongoing construction didn't bother us and yes the next phase will include 6 more building and 2 pools.
The pictures of SSR seem to be a little misleading as far as the coziness of the resort goes, which I think is lacking. Our general feel of the resort was "it's an apartment complex". Just in the way that the buildings are arranged and the fact that you enter your villa from the outside of the building.
When I checked in, I was not welcomed as warmly as I had been at BWV and BCV. Part of this may have something to do with the fact that much of the staff is new and still learning their jobs. Lucky for us, there were many rooms available upon checkin (at 11am) and I was able to choose the building that we wanted to be in. Thankfully, I had read the boards, so I knew to pick something that was close to the feature pool and central services. The location worked out wonderful for us, but I wonder how hard that will be to get as the resort begins to sell out.
We had villa 4121, a dedicated 2 bedroom located in The Springs. The decor in the villas is beautiful. Thomasville furniture. Very relaxing. We only had one patio which exited from the living room. I really like having more than one patio or balcony. Maybe it is the way that all dedicated 2 bedrooms are designed, but the closet in the master suite was much smaller than the 2 closests available in the 2nd bedroom. I am not sure that I understand that logic.
The couch was much shorter than in the other villas so it only fits 2 comfortably. The beds are tall (floor to top of matress), which was ok, but if I was any shorter, I would need a step stool. A lower bed might have been a better choice for the designers to make.
All in all, we were pretty pleased with the room. The last couple of days we did have a problem with the AC not working properly and making the room hotter rather than colder, but called it in and figured that not all of the bugs had been worked out yet, so I am sure that will be fixed.
The feature pool is nice, they have a small slide for the little kids. The pool is open until 10pm, they say, but actually you can stay past that, there just isn't a lifeguard. I do believe the larger slide is closed at 8pm, but I don't know why.
The Artist's Palette is an okay set up, but we didn't have a chance to try the food. The menus change daily and it looks like there is a small variety. It was disappointing to see that it is the only restaurant available and it does not look like there are plans to add another (but I could be wrong). We didn't find any SSR trading pins, guess they were out. Also, there weren't any SSR mugs available, they were using Spring Break mugs that we saw at some of the other resorts. Some of the cashiers were very new and didn't bother to help you get checked out. Probably in the future, these things will get worked out.
There is a dedicated bus to MK and one to Epcot, so we didn't have additional stops, but the ride was longer than staying at the Epcot resorts. We took the launch to DD which drops you off at the Marketplace. Once we had walked over to the West End, we decided that the walk back to SSR would take just as long as getting back to the launch at the Marketplace. The walk back was nice and quiet, but the bridge across to SSR is not in a convenient place and it would be nice if they put one up a little closer to DD. Also, after crossing the bridge (at night) we realized that we were sharing the walkway next to SSR with golf carts. It seems that this could be dangerous in the long run. Also there isn't a direct path to get to the launch at SSR (villas are on one side of central services and the launch on the other).
Since SSR is further out than we would like, we found ourselves driving our vehicle more than using transportation because it was quicker.
I do have to say that the spa services were wonderful. However, I can stay elsewhere on property and still go use the spa anytime.
It wasn't a bad stay and I am sure that once all the trees grow up, it will be more beautiful. But we would rather stay where there are more amenities, less of an apartment complex feel, and where transportation is more conveniently located.
Just my opinion and experience. Not bad, but not for us.
The ongoing construction didn't bother us and yes the next phase will include 6 more building and 2 pools.
The pictures of SSR seem to be a little misleading as far as the coziness of the resort goes, which I think is lacking. Our general feel of the resort was "it's an apartment complex". Just in the way that the buildings are arranged and the fact that you enter your villa from the outside of the building.
When I checked in, I was not welcomed as warmly as I had been at BWV and BCV. Part of this may have something to do with the fact that much of the staff is new and still learning their jobs. Lucky for us, there were many rooms available upon checkin (at 11am) and I was able to choose the building that we wanted to be in. Thankfully, I had read the boards, so I knew to pick something that was close to the feature pool and central services. The location worked out wonderful for us, but I wonder how hard that will be to get as the resort begins to sell out.
We had villa 4121, a dedicated 2 bedroom located in The Springs. The decor in the villas is beautiful. Thomasville furniture. Very relaxing. We only had one patio which exited from the living room. I really like having more than one patio or balcony. Maybe it is the way that all dedicated 2 bedrooms are designed, but the closet in the master suite was much smaller than the 2 closests available in the 2nd bedroom. I am not sure that I understand that logic.
The couch was much shorter than in the other villas so it only fits 2 comfortably. The beds are tall (floor to top of matress), which was ok, but if I was any shorter, I would need a step stool. A lower bed might have been a better choice for the designers to make.
All in all, we were pretty pleased with the room. The last couple of days we did have a problem with the AC not working properly and making the room hotter rather than colder, but called it in and figured that not all of the bugs had been worked out yet, so I am sure that will be fixed.
The feature pool is nice, they have a small slide for the little kids. The pool is open until 10pm, they say, but actually you can stay past that, there just isn't a lifeguard. I do believe the larger slide is closed at 8pm, but I don't know why.
The Artist's Palette is an okay set up, but we didn't have a chance to try the food. The menus change daily and it looks like there is a small variety. It was disappointing to see that it is the only restaurant available and it does not look like there are plans to add another (but I could be wrong). We didn't find any SSR trading pins, guess they were out. Also, there weren't any SSR mugs available, they were using Spring Break mugs that we saw at some of the other resorts. Some of the cashiers were very new and didn't bother to help you get checked out. Probably in the future, these things will get worked out.
There is a dedicated bus to MK and one to Epcot, so we didn't have additional stops, but the ride was longer than staying at the Epcot resorts. We took the launch to DD which drops you off at the Marketplace. Once we had walked over to the West End, we decided that the walk back to SSR would take just as long as getting back to the launch at the Marketplace. The walk back was nice and quiet, but the bridge across to SSR is not in a convenient place and it would be nice if they put one up a little closer to DD. Also, after crossing the bridge (at night) we realized that we were sharing the walkway next to SSR with golf carts. It seems that this could be dangerous in the long run. Also there isn't a direct path to get to the launch at SSR (villas are on one side of central services and the launch on the other).
Since SSR is further out than we would like, we found ourselves driving our vehicle more than using transportation because it was quicker.
I do have to say that the spa services were wonderful. However, I can stay elsewhere on property and still go use the spa anytime.
It wasn't a bad stay and I am sure that once all the trees grow up, it will be more beautiful. But we would rather stay where there are more amenities, less of an apartment complex feel, and where transportation is more conveniently located.
Just my opinion and experience. Not bad, but not for us.
I have yet to stay at BW!!(and I own there).
The food court area was lovely as was the pool area. I did like the GV double entrance if we travel w/another family or in-laws. However, the resort doesn't feel finished yet, so I will wait until I stay. For now I can visit! 
The "under construction" aspect and set up the streets definately give it a feel of an apartment complex-albeit a beautiful one! 
We also love VWL. So until I feel the need to be closer to DD, I have other choices. When I am ready for SSR, I am certain it will seem like a beautiful new resort to me! 
