SSR Villas ?

[Callalily6]

Has anyone been recently? I'm poking around looking for the official SSR thread too. Going blind finding it. Help!

And I would love to hear impressions of the villas at SS vs BWV. We are planning our trip in Dec 2007.

 

[mprewitt]

The thread you are looking for is :

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=16481625#post16481625

 

[spiceycat]

ssr is more upscale than BWV - it was designed that way.

no beat up stuff - no pretending to be in another time.

It is close enough to walk to DD from certain areas. (really most).

have you seem the pictures

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/547

 

[Callalily6]

Thank you! We really liked the BW. All the places to eat and stuff to do outside the parks. Add in that you can walk to Epcot - and I totally loved it.

How's the food situation over at SSR? I've just started looking into it. I can't decide where to stay! Help me out.

I have 2 kids (one preschooler and one 2nd grader). Hubby loves ESPN and pizza over at the BW. Basically, I'm on vacation with 3 people that eat like children...with an exception of my toddler that eats lobster soup with me. lol! I love the Coral Reef!

Will the SSR area meet our diverse dining needs?

And with it being near DD should we do the DDP or no? What do you think?

 

[grumpy.uncle]

SSR villas are brand new. I toured SSR when I purchased my DVC. The rooms there are really beautiful. The Villa is just stunning. I own DVC at BWV. The rooms at BW are starting to look a little ragged around the edges. They really need to go in and do a total rehab there. I'm thinking that it's coming in the next few years. Have been 3 times to BWV and thru the years, have noticed the rooms looking a little shabbier each time. They have added some new artwork and new hide-a-bed couches, but the physical rooms need some repair work and paint. I have never stayed in the villa at BWV, only 2-br, so not sure if villa rooms are kept up nicer or not. The room I was in this January had a hole punched in the wall next to the wall safe ( as if someone had lost their key and gotten frustrated trying to get in the safe). SSR is a beautiful resort and brand new. I stay at BWV for the location. I love the central location and being within walking or boating distance to 2 parks. I'm also not that into DD, so normally don't go there. Which location is more convenient for you? Do you plan on spending alot of time in your room? If you look around here, I just read a post a couple days ago from someone who had planned a family reunion at SSR for 40+ relatives. She rented a grandvilla and I believe 10 studios. Her post was great. She would be a great source for info on the GV there. If you are planning for this December, you might have more luck getting reservations at SSR than at BWV. It seems that SSR always has openings when all others are filled. Good luck w/ your planning! Ed

 

[Callalily6]

Thanks! I hadn't seen that thread yet. I'll have to go looking for it.

I REALLY like the location of the BW - Epcot is our 2nd fav park and we can all find food we like in the BW area and Epcot.

The park we are at the most is MK.

The BWV are a little run down. I get nervous staying some place new - in case its not what I was hoping for. This trip is going to be longer, slower paced. Lots of hanging out at the resort, by the pool. And was checking into the play clubs for my kids. So far I haven't found much about them. SSR has one, right? I need to go read the FAQs thread...

 

[jcanary]

I have also heard that ESPN will be moving from the BW area to DTD or the West side, can't rememeber which. With the ability to walk to DTD you have even more choices to eat at than at the BW.

 

[spiceycat]

.

How's the food situation over at SSR? I've just started looking into it. I can't decide where to stay! Help me out.

Will the SSR area meet our diverse dining needs?

And with it being near DD should we do the DDP or no? What do you think?

you can eat at DD - and yes it has a bunch of different stuff. Hey it has a macdonalds - that dvc member get a discount at.

it has a restuarant (not a big one) plus a semi-food court.

the food court does not have alot of selections. It is trying to make you eat healthier. the problem with that is I allergic badly to pepper. Guess what it the food doesn't have pepper (most do) it has either oats or rye (two other allergies).

they have done away with the foods you can be prepared in front of you.

over at DD, there is a sandwich shop - that you will probably love. has a bunch of different foods in their stuff. Again though pepper is definitely an ingredient.

so I eat alot at MacDonalds - okay not great food - but at least I don't have to worry about being sick.

if you get Congress park you can walk over to DD quicker than you walk to the restuarants at SSR.

So I would try for it.

 

[grumpy.uncle]

Have you used the recreation center at BW down by the quiet pool? My niece and I had a blast there. Went down a couple times during the afternoon when we heaed back to our resort for rest time. The girls that operate it were so excited to have someone that wanted to do the craft projects. Apparently, they get very few kids that take advantage of it. They charge just a nominal fee for the crafts and they have a huge library of DVD's that you can borrow. One of the best finds for us. Ed

 

[Callalily6]

Have you used the recreation center at BW down by the quiet pool?

No, but I saw it on one of our last trips and was wondering what they did in there. No one was using that space the entire time we were there. I really wanted them to have some time to play where me and hubby could relax or grab dinner without whining. Thanks for the tip.

 

[jwfla422]

over at DD, there is a sandwich shop - that you will probably love. has a bunch of different foods in their stuff. Again though pepper is definitely an ingredient.

Earl of Sandwich-great place for sandwiches and wraps!!

if you get Congress park you can walk over to DD quicker than you walk to the restuarants at SSR.

I agree, we stayed at CP last summer and it is very convenient to DTD...about a 10 min walk, plus if you would like to eat at any of the other resorts you can just hop on that resort's bus at the DTD bus depot and go straight there..Artist Palette was ok when we ate there. Would rather eat at some of the other resort restaurants.

Just keep in mind that SSR is a bus ride to all of the parks and BWV is a boat ride to both MGM and EPCOT (or even a walk away). So, if that's important to you give it some thought. We do love SSR and plan to return there for our next visit in late Sept.

 

[Callalily6]

lol! Maybe I should split my trip to 1/2 at SSR and 1/2 at BWV? Is that a really dumb idea?

 

[spiceycat]

lol! Maybe I should split my trip to 1/2 at SSR and 1/2 at BWV? Is that a really dumb idea?

depends upon how long your trip is. - longer than 5 days - I might consider it.

 

[Callalily6]

Trip is 10 days in early Dec.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Are you using DVC points? You may be out of luck if you are looking for Dec 07. Things could be all booked up already.

 

[MissSha]

We are DVC members, staying at our home SSR the first week of December. We tried, however, to book a villa at BW because of it's location for the same time...all sold out!! If I were you, unless you're not trying for a villa, I'd decide soon!!

Saratoga, by the way, is absolutely beautiful and very classy! Can't believe you'd be unhappy in such a place!

Good luck, and hurry up!

 

[Callalily6]

I'm renting points from a DVC member. They were calling today to see what's available. I'm hoping there is still something left! I've heard this week is hard to come by...

 

[Tink-n-Peter]

I LOVE SSR. We bought in Sept. 2005 and stayed there last summer. The pool is amazing! There is a great waterslide and a smaller one for your little one too! The food is good in the food court area. They have brick oven pizza, sandwiches, salads, and my kids loved their menu. There is also a fine dining restaurant, but we didn't try it.
We were in one of the villas farthest from the main pool, but it was still only a 5 min walk over the bridge. We had a quiet pool and playgroud nearby. The buses came often. Like I said, we love SSR...have fun!
I bet you'll want to become a DVC Member once you stay! It was a great decision for our family!

 

[MissMet]

lol! Maybe I should split my trip to 1/2 at SSR and 1/2 at BWV? Is that a really dumb idea?

This is not a bad idea at all! The first time I stayed at SSR I did this. We stayed at BWV then moved to SSR.

Personally, we were very disappointed with the move. We actually went back to BWV to see if we could move back. We love the atmosphere & location of BWV, so to go from there to SSR for us was a shock. Don't get me wrong SSR is beautiful, but for us, it wasn't as nice as BWV's atmosphere & location. Some say most of the rooms are walking distance to DTD, but anywhere on property is walking distance, it's just how much is to much for you to walk. I was in the Springs building, the building closest to the lobby, & IMO DTD was too much of a walk. From most of the rooms DTD is a long walk. Certainly doable, but not for everyone, especially after a long day in the parks & the trip back I always have LOADS of bags. You're right DTD has great food options, but IMO you can't beat BW & Epcot's food options. At BWV you feel like you're in the middle of everything where as at SSR you feel like you're on a relaxed vacation & could spend a day just at your resort. It's got a great pool & an amazing spa. I love the zero entry pool. For me though I love to feel in the middle of the action. If I want to have a more relaxed vacation, where I could just spend a day at the pool & spa, I don't go to WDW. I can do that anywhere. Others though love the idea of that, so really no ones knows how you'll like a resort but you.

It really just comes down to each individuals taste & how they like to do things on their vacation.

I say try it. SSR is gorgeous & it's a Dinsey resort, so even if it was your least favorite (which I doubt) it's still way better than off property. You'll never know for yourself unless you try. If you can though I would start at SSR & end at BWV.

But I would hurry up & decide. You'll probably have to go on the waitlist to get it.