What would increase the popularity of SSR

[Starr W.]

They are adding another model in the theater, probably to help in sales of AKV.

Geez I thought AKV was going to sell itself and set a world record for quickest sell out of a DVC resort.

 

[Starr W.]

You evil SSR owner! Don't you know you're supposed to stay in your pen? Now some VWL family will have to sleep on some cold sidewalk instead.
.

Well with all this "the SSR hoards are ruining booking at VWL/BCV/BWV" running amuck all of a sudden, all I can is you snooze you lose! I did the waitlist inside the 7month window.


DH is a model stay in his pen SSR owner . He would be more than happy to stay there at every trip, though I think we will probably need to do an add on in a couple of years, so I would like to try out some of the other resorts.

 

[barlitz]

When I toured my guide told me they were going to have Movies and kareoke at the theatre, I toured last April during Easter break, I thought I read on an earlier post that DVC was moving out of SSR once SSR sells out.

 

[tomandrobin]

When I toured my guide told me they were going to have Movies and kareoke at the theatre, I toured last April during Easter break, I thought I read on an earlier post that DVC was moving out of SSR once SSR sells out.

Not for at least the next couple years. The AKV first new setion won't be ready until 2009. But even then I don't seen them moving the DVC sales team to a new location.

 

[sajetto]

Not for at least the next couple years. The AKV first new setion won't be ready until 2009. But even then I don't seen them moving the DVC sales team to a new location.

This is something that really bothers me. It seems as if DVC has decided to set up house at SSR. I can't stand that because it really takes away from the "members only" feel. Anyone can just drive on in once they say they are there to here the sales pitch. Its totally understandable when its the newest resort for sale, but not for a permanent location.

 

[barlitz]

It doesn't make sense that they would stage SSR for AKV, they would have to shuttle people back and forth to the resort if they wanted to actually tour the property.

I am going to SSR in less than 3 weeks, I am going to talk with my guide and see what info I can squeeze out of him

 

[tomandrobin]

This is something that really bothers me. It seems as if DVC has decided to set up house at SSR. I can't stand that because it really takes away from the "members only" feel. Anyone can just drive on in once they say they are there to here the sales pitch. Its totally understandable when its the newest resort for sale, but not for a permanent location.

The center originally was over at OKW for years, until they built SSR. Time will tell, but the location and having all that extra office space works to DVC's favor. I don't where they can put it at AKV or CRV if/when it goes on sale. Now if they ever build Eagle Pines, I could see them moving the sales center there. But even that would be 10 years out, maybe.

 

[starbox]

I think that as DTD continues to get money poured into it, SSR will be in a primo location.

I also think that Disney has two areas they are currently working on improving/expanding: DTD and AK, and it's no surprise that they've put their newest DVCs in those locations. I would not be at all surprised to see fireworks return to DTD once the renovation of PI is complete.

I also think it is just flat wrong that they are doing so much to DTD and AK right now and totally ignoring EPCOT's 25th anniversary. Still, I do think AK and DTD are going to be where you see the most expansion and imagination in the next 5 years.

 

[LisaS]

The one thing I wish they had done differently is something they cannot fix now and that is, to make the villas larger. To me, it seems like the theme of SSR is relaxation and luxury but the room sizes don't bear that out. Villa sizes on a par with OKW (or at least halfway between BWV and OKW) with large balconies, plus the spa and fitness center would have put SSR near the top of my list of places to stay when I wanted a relaxing vacation.

Unfortunately, when we toured there I was struck by how much smaller the villas were than those at the other resorts we had visited. It seems that with each new resort, DVC trimmed a few more square feet from each part of the villa and by the time they built SSR, the size reduction had a noticeable affect on me and I felt claustrophic. (This was probably magnified by the fact that there were two other couples touring the 1BR villa at the same time we were and we couldn't seem to get out of each others' way -- it was like that cruise stateroom scene from one of the Marx Brothers' movies.)

So my dreams of a spa vacation at WDW were dashed the day we took that tour.

 

[tomandrobin]

I think that as DTD continues to get money poured into it, SSR will be in a primo location.

I also think that Disney has two areas they are currently working on improving/expanding: DTD and AK, and it's no surprise that they've put their newest DVCs in those locations. I would not be at all surprised to see fireworks return to DTD once the renovation of PI is complete.

I also think it is just flat wrong that they are doing so much to DTD and AK right now and totally ignoring EPCOT's 25th anniversary. Still, I do think AK and DTD are going to be where you see the most expansion and imagination in the next 5 years.

On Allears website, Deb has an interview with one of the heads of EPCOT and they talk about them "quietly" celebrating its 25th year. I wish they would do something publicly also.

 

[starbox]

On Allears website, Deb has an interview with one of the heads of EPCOT and they talk about them "quietly" celebrating its 25th year. I wish they would do something publicly also.

Like, maybe, bring back the original Journey Into Imagination and the parade. I remember visiting EPCOT in the early 80's and being so amazed and inspired. Wish Disney would do something to bring back the wonder/vision.

This site is trying to raise awareness of EPCOT's 25th:
http://2719hyperion.blogspot.com/2007/02/acknowledge-legacy-restore-dream.html

 

[LIFERBABE]

I would like to see a Marina and an Ice Cream Shoppe!

We love SSR, and Dh and the boys actually prefer it over the others we own. I keep booking the others thinking they will like it once they get there, but this last trip, they said they never wanted to stay at BCV again and they want to spend all our trips at SSR.

They really enjoy the Community Hall, AP, the refillable mug locations, the proximity to DTD and the boat ride.

 

[BroganMc]

Now an Ice Cream Shop sounds like a good idea to me. Perhaps over by that DTD viewing area, or even on Broadway.

Of course maybe I'm influenced by my many trips to the Preview Center. I drop in on my Guide and get free ice cream every time. No wait, once I turned it down and he gave me an IOU. My dad wants to go back and see if we can collect on it next trip.

 

[tomandrobin]

I would like to see a Marina and an Ice Cream Shoppe!

We love SSR, and Dh and the boys actually prefer it over the others we own. I keep booking the others thinking they will like it once they get there, but this last trip, they said they never wanted to stay at BCV again and they want to spend all our trips at SSR.

They really enjoy the Community Hall, AP, the refillable mug locations, the proximity to DTD and the boat ride.

I wonder how many of the things we want are limited by DTD agreements?

 

[LIFERBABE]

I wonder how many of the things we want are limited by DTD agreements?

I think that is a big part of it. I know I was told that the movie issue was doomed because of the AMC theatres at DTD. I dont understand that, because DTD is served by all of WDW not just SSR, but maybe they feel that these amenities at SSR would not only take away the SSR guests but other resort guests as well

A little soft serve never hurt anybody!

 

[corinnak]

A little soft serve never hurt anybody!

LIFERBABE has found the missing ingredient at SSR - Soft Serve! Now, I must say, I don't think it matters how it gets there, whether it be an ice cream shop or a character buffet (of which there are NONE in the DTD area unless you count that one over at that non-Disney resort, harumph!) or even the AP or On the Rocks - but why, oh why can you not buy soft serve ice cream at SSR? It seems a woeful oversight to me! Which other resorts don't have soft serve available somewhere at some time of day? I bet it is precious few. I remember buying soft serve at OKW in October! (OK....did I miss the SSR softserve?)

 

[mello]

What could DVC do to increase the attractiveness of SSR for those that own at other resorts?

I don't know if such a thing is even possible... Most people are partial to their home resort(s) for personal reasons, and part of the fun of DVC is that each resort has its own feel, its own pros & cons.

People seem to either love or hate either hotel-style or condo-style resorts, and they seem to love or hate being either in the middle of the action or away from the action. And of course you can't change that, nor would you want to, since each appeals to different groups of people. (We like both as you can tell by my siggy, but I think we're in the minority there).

Personally, I think SSR's location is fantastic, and I wouldn't change it. I think the decor and the landscaping are lovely and I wouldn't change them either. The pool is great (though admittedly if they had built another Stormalong Bay there it might have won over some of the BCV folks), and I might even go so far as to say it's the second-best themed pool after SAB. They're adding another pool, and they added a very nice sit-down restaurant.

The only thing I would have changed from the get-go is the Carousel section. I either wouldn't have built it at all (thus reducing the size of SSR and the only really valid complaint against it) or I would certainly have a lower point-structure for rooms in that section. The location of that section is akin to the standard-view villas at BWV, and deserves to be charged as such. The rest of the resort is prime-location, most with gorgeous views.

There are things I'd love to see done at SSR, like making the boat-launch & tennis court area more aesthetically pleasing like the rest of the resort, adding a gazebo with band concerts, a giant chess board or hedge maze, an ice-cream parlor, movies or a dinner-show in the theater, etc... but I don't think those things would win over people who love other resorts for other reasons. And that's OK with us!!! It just means less competition for the beautiful views in our beloved Congress Park!

 

[loribell]

The center originally was over at OKW for years, until they built SSR. Time will tell, but the location and having all that extra office space works to DVC's favor. I don't where they can put it at AKV or CRV if/when it goes on sale. Now if they ever build Eagle Pines, I could see them moving the sales center there. But even that would be 10 years out, maybe.

Actually the preview & sales center was at OKW, then BWV (which is where it was when we bought at VWL) and then moved to SSR. When we toured and bought in to VWL we saw mock rooms at BWV and then drove over to VWL to actually tour the resort itself. I would imagine that they will keep the preview & sales center at SSR and then people can drive over to VAKL to tour that resort if they want to.

I also wanted to add that although I could think of nothing to change when
I posted earlier after reading others I agree that there needs to be more of a selection and better way to order and pay at AP. I also think that there should be more of a gift shop there. It is probably one of the worst I have been to and I love to go to the resort gift shops.

 

[Tigger031266]

A more direct bridge over to downtown would help as well.

David

That is really the ticket. It does not need dinner shows or new restaurants, it needs a bridge. It is way to far of a walk. take 5-7 minutes off the walk and the place will be golden.

Serriously though, the place is beautiful. The color theme, pool community hall, location to DTD is great. I was really worried about that place but now I think it is a great place.

 

[corinnak]

It would be a long one, but it would be cool to have a bridge that started near the last CP building and crossed over to the back of the rainforest cafe (approximately). The boats don't tend to go that far back, so maybe it could work!

If we are wishing wishes, it would be nice to have a clearer, maybe even scenic route laid out for getting to the boat dock from anywhere but CP - we always found ourselves cutting accross parking lots. Talk about Themus Interruptus!