What does "not themed enough" mean?

[BroganMc]

When driving through SSR, my wife remarked that we could be driving through an upscale condo or apartment complex anywhere. It just doesn't have that Disney "feel" to her (and everyone will have a different definition of what that is to them).

I'm not sure SSR's theme is really conveyed through the main streets of the resort other than their names. It is a "get out and walk around" sort of resort, which is why I applauded the placement of the walkways (away from the roads) and termed it a "health spa".

I believe you get a few glimpses of the fountain in one of the Paddocks lakes and a glimpse of golf course, but the majority of street view is of parking lots and exterior hallways. That is very generic apartment complex type.

It's not like driving up to AKV or VWL where you're suddenly confronted with a giant lodge building. (And by virtue of their small number of floors it seems like an intimate building vs giant hotel complex.) That's in your face. To the same extent BWV and BCV are not really impressive from the parking lots either. You need to actually walk around to get their theme.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Disney's most successful theming is when those stereotypical details take you to a time and place. The Poly really doesn't take me to Hawaii, but the theming is intense enough and out of place in Florida enough that I feel like I've stepped out of Florida and into some persons imagination of what a Polynesian island might be like (if it were a hotel filled with tourists). The WL takes me out of Florida and does make me feel like I'm somewhere else, if not out at Yosemite, in someone's big Yosemite set on a huge stage. AKL is the same, I can actually pretend I'm in Africa. And it doesn't take much - a change in folliage, a color palate, a few architectural details and a little tiki god on the signs and - look! the South Seas.

I can get that, to a lesser extent and frankly sort of barely, at the Boardwalk - I'm in someone set piece about the Boardwalk at the turn of the century. A clean tidy turn of the century Boardwalk that - like most of Disney's themes - never really existed anymore than Main Street did. I don't get it over at the Beach Club because it doesn't really remove me in time from Florida, it doesn't feel like New Jersey at any point in time to me. The Boardwalk pool is themed appropriately for the resort (and frighteningly for Stephan King fans), the Y&BC pool is impressive and themed, but doesn't do much for me in setting the place.

SSR is really pretty (as is the Y&BC), but I'm not inspired to pretend I'm anywhere other than Disney while I'm there. Perhaps its just that Saratoga isn't an inspiring place to pretend you are. And OKW is themed like Florida - not a lot of "scope for the imagination" there - though it is a well themed resort - just it doesn't remove you from Florida.

Its like Vegas. Paris and New York New York do a wonderful job with their theme. The Luxor, Excalibre and Mirage don't inspire me to pretend. And the Stardust, well, it does a wonderful job if the theme is Vegas.

As a final point, to some people (including myself) theme is a really important thing. I think going to Florida and "being" at Yosemite is cool. Its a disappointment to me that home is BWV where I'm less inspired. To other people, why would you want to pretend you are somewhere you aren't?

Sometimes your postings blow me away. I think this is quite insightful.

 

[Deb & Bill]

"Not themed enough" == "Doesn't look like Pop Century"

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Some people just don't "get" the theme.

Exactly what I was thinking. Like Walt threw up all over the place.

 

[DVC Mike]

I'm not sure SSR's theme is really conveyed through the main streets of the resort other than their names. It is a "get out and walk around" sort of resort, which is why I applauded the placement of the walkways (away from the roads) and termed it a "health spa".

That brings up another topic with SSR -- it seems like there are roads everywhere. I can walk around VWL/WL and not have to cross a road. At BCV/BC/YC and BWV/BWI there is Crescent Lake to walk around. At SSR, while there are some pretty walkways, it seems I have to keep "looking both ways" so I don't get run over by a bus, car or golf cart.

That kind of detracts from the overall appeal, at least to me.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I attended Member Homecoming which celebrated the Grand Opening of SSR.

I was not familiar with Saratoga NY either, but I really loved the feel of the resort.

During the Grand Opening Ceremony, DVC put on a full fledged Victorian Era Show around the pool area. They had a full cast of grand characters walking around in tails and dresses and hats and riding the bikes with the big tire, and poodles.

The mayor from the real Saratoga was there and he brought water from the spring with him and poured it into the pool.

They talked of the theme being health and when you walk around SSR, I feel transported to a healthy retreat and everything is really beautiful. I love the theme the subtlety, taking my friends "that dont get disney" and them seeing how beautiful it is and why we continue to return, even if they dont like the parks.

SSR is the only resort we stay that I am always noticing the subdued theme. Like the buildings, some would say apartment complex, but the front of those buildings look just like the Victorian doll house we had growing up. I just noticed that last trip.

I always wanted to live in a real Victorian house and now I do! We had lots of old Victorian homes in Michigan and I always wanted one.

So I like it, I quit trying to convince others long ago. My family prefers it to all the others we own, including our recent purchase at AKV. Im the disney nut in the fam, so I insist on owning all of them but if we only owned SSR, dh and the boys would not miss the others.

 

[DVCSAMNH]

I like the condo complex feel of SSR at the end of a long day. It's like going home to relax. It's never crowded and there's not a constant source of over stimulation but it's not far when you're ready for it. Disney can be so overdone, SSR is a nice change.

 

[Starr W.]

That brings up another topic with SSR -- it seems like there are roads everywhere. I can walk around VWL/WL and not have to cross a road. At BCV/BC/YC and BWV/BWI there is Crescent Lake to walk around. At SSR, while there are some pretty walkways, it seems I have to keep "looking both ways" so I don't get run over by a bus, car or golf cart.

That kind of detracts from the overall appeal, at least to me.

I found it scarier at Crescent Lake with those surrey bikes! They come over from the Espn side of the BW over that hill at a pretty good clip.

 

[ead79]

I think crisi really explained it well--the whole idea of being transported to a place outside of Florida while you're at WDW is really a unique concept that several of Disney's resorts really do in spades.

For my family, we tend to like the very elaborately themed resorts that transport you somewhere by virtue of their "exotic" theme--resorts like the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Polynesian, etc. So when DVC opened up AKV, we knew that's where we wanted to have our home resort.

However, when riding on the boat to Downtown Disney, both DH and I commented on how pretty SSR is. It's so elegant, yet laid back at the same time. The room decor really appeals to me as well.

So while we love AKV and it's unique theme, we would love to try SSR as well. I think what resort we're in the mood for changes from trip to trip.

 

[tjcj]

Disney's most successful theming is when those stereotypical details take you to a time and place. The Poly really doesn't take me to Hawaii, but the theming is intense enough and out of place in Florida enough that I feel like I've stepped out of Florida and into some persons imagination of what a Polynesian island might be like (if it were a hotel filled with tourists). The WL takes me out of Florida and does make me feel like I'm somewhere else, if not out at Yosemite, in someone's big Yosemite set on a huge stage. AKL is the same, I can actually pretend I'm in Africa. And it doesn't take much - a change in folliage, a color palate, a few architectural details and a little tiki god on the signs and - look! the South Seas.

I can get that, to a lesser extent and frankly sort of barely, at the Boardwalk - I'm in someone set piece about the Boardwalk at the turn of the century. A clean tidy turn of the century Boardwalk that - like most of Disney's themes - never really existed anymore than Main Street did. I don't get it over at the Beach Club because it doesn't really remove me in time from Florida, it doesn't feel like New Jersey at any point in time to me. The Boardwalk pool is themed appropriately for the resort (and frighteningly for Stephan King fans), the Y&BC pool is impressive and themed, but doesn't do much for me in setting the place.

SSR is really pretty (as is the Y&BC), but I'm not inspired to pretend I'm anywhere other than Disney while I'm there. Perhaps its just that Saratoga isn't an inspiring place to pretend you are. And OKW is themed like Florida - not a lot of "scope for the imagination" there - though it is a well themed resort - just it doesn't remove you from Florida.

Its like Vegas. Paris and New York New York do a wonderful job with their theme. The Luxor, Excalibre and Mirage don't inspire me to pretend. And the Stardust, well, it does a wonderful job if the theme is Vegas.

As a final point, to some people (including myself) theme is a really important thing. I think going to Florida and "being" at Yosemite is cool. Its a disappointment to me that home is BWV where I'm less inspired. To other people, why would you want to pretend you are somewhere you aren't?

I think you hit the nail right on the head. I love all the different parts of "the world" that you can get lost in. One thing I hate about SSR is that you can see the outside world from your hotel room. It ruins my whole disney vibe

 

[Starr W.]

[/B]

Now you must explain!

I don't think the lobby isn't big enough for the hotel for one(compared to WL) and I don't care what time of day there are always people running out to catch a bus, a boat, or we're late for an ADR at Epcot. Kind of reminds me of people running to catch the train to some NYC suburb, that's why the reference to Grand Central.

Or people sitting around with bags and stuff, I guess waiting for ME or a room to be ready.

It was a relief to get over to the villa side most times.

This was MLK weekend, I can't imagine Crisi's "I got impregnated by a stranger on Main Street" busy times(MAJOR Holidays) at BC.

 

[Liljam]

BroganMc - I ALWAYS enjoy your posts and your knowledge about SSR!!! Just had to get that out there first and foremost!

To those from MD/DE area - I grew up spending my summers at Treasure Beach in Fenwick Island, DE! although I haven't stayed at BWV yet, the reason it appeals to me is because it is the cookie cutter but cleaned up version of a place that I loved so dearly as a child. Now when I go to those same boardwalks, I don't see them as they were back then... The only thing missing is Tony's Pizza and last year we drove four hours just to get lunch there !

Sorry to get off the topic of theming at SSR...

Anyway, I picked SSR because of it's subtle decor and the fact that it's not so overwhelming. Maybe at first I felt that it wasn't as themed as the other resorts either, but there was some sort of appeal there... the luxe feel of everything might have won me over. I can't wait to stay there in 29 days! After buying there, I looked at pics of the real SS and it seems that Disney did a great job of incorporating the main aspects of SS. I'm only saying this based on photos of both places and the tour I took of the rooms.

 

[casper]

Disney's most successful theming is when those stereotypical details take you to a time and place. The Poly really doesn't take me to Hawaii, but the theming is intense enough and out of place in Florida enough that I feel like I've stepped out of Florida and into some persons imagination of what a Polynesian island might be like (if it were a hotel filled with tourists). The WL takes me out of Florida and does make me feel like I'm somewhere else, if not out at Yosemite, in someone's big Yosemite set on a huge stage. AKL is the same, I can actually pretend I'm in Africa. And it doesn't take much - a change in folliage, a color palate, a few architectural details and a little tiki god on the signs and - look! the South Seas.
QUOTE]


Good points! And that is exactly why I prefer SSR (I guess my vacation desire is a little opposite of Crisi). When I'm at Disney, I want to be at Disney. Not at a National Park (I have been to Yellowstone and Yosemite), or Hawaii (been there too), or Africa (haven't been there yet). The theme at SSR is understated and not "majestic" or "out there" or "obvious." However, it is open and airy, easy to let the eyes relax, and with Downtown Disney next door, I feel like I'm at Disney. So while I think the other resorts are absolutely BEAUTIFUL my favorite place is SSR.

I also like how big and open it is. It is like a large community of people, and you are not walking on top of each other. I enjoy walking (sometimes go to the parks just to walk around) so the large resort is just the ticket for me. Some complain about it being too big. For me, it is just right.


Someone else above mentioned about the "real world" creeping in. That would be my only complaint. The Paddock and Carousel areas are right next to a main road. But I haven't stayed in those sections yet, so it probably isn't as bad as all that. I have only stayed in the Grandstand area. It seems to keep the "real world" at bay.

 

[BroganMc]

That brings up another topic with SSR -- it seems like there are roads everywhere. I can walk around VWL/WL and not have to cross a road. At BCV/BC/YC and BWV/BWI there is Crescent Lake to walk around. At SSR, while there are some pretty walkways, it seems I have to keep "looking both ways" so I don't get run over by a bus, car or golf cart.

That kind of detracts from the overall appeal, at least to me.

Your post makes me wonder exactly how much time you've spent at SSR.

I've walked all over it (taking all those paths in my map). The places I crossed the street were: Springs to HRS pool/AP, Congress Park to Springs (around the circle), Carousel bus stop (Paddocks side) to Carousel, and Carousel to Grandstand (you actually cross twice since the walkway crisscrosses Broadway and Avenue of Pines).

As for traffic, the only one that I'd say is the busiest is that main walkway from Springs to HRS Pool/AP.

The circle by CP is wide enough that pedestrians and vehicles rarely meet. You're only apt to be run over by busses crossing from the Carousel bus stop to Carousel.

But if you're walking around the areas (such as a walk down CP to view DTD, a walk around Springs to Paddocks, or Grandstand to HRS Pool/AP) you are on sidewalks far from vehicles. One reason Grandstand is such a nice place to stay is that you don't have to cross any streets to get to AP.

Compare that to OKW where you are constantly walking alongside the road and parking lots. (That really unimpressed me.)

 

[DisFlan]

I've always thought Disney "theme-ing" meant "fun". I never expected BW to look like the actual Boardwalk. Or the Poly to look exactly like South Pacific islands. I've just always expected a well-executed, interesting and/or amusing approximation. Or an interesting environment.

One of the places we used to love to stay were the villas, townhouses, suites and TREE HOUSES in what later became the (dull) Disney Institute. That resort wasn't originally themed as anything "Disney" or a specific place or time, but it was great! We loved staying there, and we were never, ever in doubt that we were at a Disney Resort.

A Tree House at Disney World was SO COOL. How could anyone say it wasn't "adequately themed"? And they're coming back!

DisFlan

 

[doconeill]

That brings up another topic with SSR -- it seems like there are roads everywhere. I can walk around VWL/WL and not have to cross a road. At BCV/BC/YC and BWV/BWI there is Crescent Lake to walk around. At SSR, while there are some pretty walkways, it seems I have to keep "looking both ways" so I don't get run over by a bus, car or golf cart.

That kind of detracts from the overall appeal, at least to me.

Well, you have to understand that SSR is a completely different type of resort from the other ones you mention. SSR is a condo-style resort. OKW also fits in this category. All the others so far a hotel-style resorts. There are bound to be more roads in this setup - but I had very little issue with them. From the Paddock to the Carriage House I crossed Broadway. That's it. Carousel would involve one more road. Although I'm mot terribly familiar with the Grandstand layout yet, to my knowledge that's the most number of active roads you'd need to cross, and they aren't exactly busy roads.

We actually enjoyed our stay at SSR and I am very glad we bought there. Doesn't mean we don't want to stay/own at the others. We like BCV as well, for different reasons.

 

[toocherie]

Its like Vegas. Paris and New York New York do a wonderful job with their theme. The Luxor, Excalibre and Mirage don't inspire me to pretend. And the Stardust, well, it does a wonderful job if the theme is Vegas.

QUOTE]

Crisi: fyi--the Stardust doesn't do it anymore--it was imploded last year to make way for a new hotel/resort. (Another piece of "old" Las Vegas gone . . . )

 

[crisi]

Its like Vegas. Paris and New York New York do a wonderful job with their theme. The Luxor, Excalibre and Mirage don't inspire me to pretend. And the Stardust, well, it does a wonderful job if the theme is Vegas.

QUOTE]

Crisi: fyi--the Stardust doesn't do it anymore--it was imploded last year to make way for a new hotel/resort. (Another piece of "old" Las Vegas gone . . . )

Well, there is still the Four Queens downtown, right?

 

[4Pluto]

I know I fall into that category of people whose gut reaction is that SSR has less "theming" to it. For me, its not so much the outside and buildings but the interior furnishings. When I'm in AKV, the furniture and decor is African. When I'm in VWL, the furniture and decor feel like a national parks lodge. And those are both places I really enjoyed being. OKW rooms really look like a beach house villa.

SSR is really nice inside and the furniture is very elegant, but to me it feels like someone's real home, not a pretend exotic home.

This can probably be diagnosed as Peter Pan disease (the refusal to grow up) and says more about me than about anyone who loves the thoughtful design of SSR.

 

[toocherie]

Well, there is still the Four Queens downtown, right?

Yep--and Binion's!

and the Strip still has the Riviera and the Sahara . . . .

 

[tomandrobin]

Usually when you hear "It doesn't have enough themeing" comments, its usually coming from a pre-SSR DVC owner, who owns at BCV, BWV or VWL. They had their negative opinions about SSR from the day the sales started, some even before they broke ground. SSR is a very elegent resort, with subdued vistorian themeing............What is there not to get? Everyone who says it looks like just another condo complex, where are these complexes? With thier pools, water features, landscaping, community center, AP and Turf Club, the gym and health spa, extensive walking trails, golf course...........

I could go on and on, but there is no point. Its like trying to make someone quit smoking. No matter what you do or say it will not change the person, until they are willing to change themselves. I do need to convince them how much I Love SSR, so I don't understand why need to convince everyone else that SSR is so bad.