What would increase the popularity of SSR

[doubletrouble_vb]

The example of Stormalong Bay definitely wasn't a good one because SAB services something along the size of 1400 rooms...remember the Yacht Club and Beach Club also use that pool not just lil ole BCV.

A draw and size are two differing factors. You don't balance size with draw you balance it with transit management. If a person can get where they want to be in five or ten minutes size doesn't matter. That's the whole argument for staying on site isn't it? Disney World is huge! Some offsite hotels are closer to the main parks than some on site hotels. How is that balanced? By transit.

A draw is a special reason for staying in a given location. SSR's draw is DTD and the golf course. Tying it closer to its draw cards via on site entertainment and easier transit would make a difference...if you are able to get a room in that resort.

 

[OneMoreTry]

A dinner show, kids club, character buffet meal (with Jockey Micky, I guess?), an ice cream parlor, a return of DTD fireworks (maybe just once or twice a week would even do it!), a PROPER SSR mug (not Fall 2006! or Epcot!), and now the big one:

Improvements to the queueing area at Artist's Palette - I am not even harping on the separate cash registers for food and gift shop - I just want some line guidance there! OK - good check-out lines aren't really a draw, are they? But it would be nice, wouldn't it?

A good fireworks display at night would be a definite draw for me. However, I think the best draw would be the horses. Actually, not just horses but a more prevalent horse/racing theme. I would like to feel like I AM IMMERSED in Saratoga Springs,New York. I would want to feel what it feels like to stroll around in a place with all that history.

I also think the pool would be a plus.

A DD/SSR MONORAIL to Epcot or MK would be a WOW! In absence of that I think dedicted buses would be a HUGE draw.

Someone remarked that DVC wouldn't have any incentive to increase the draw. But I think member satisfaction means something to them because of what they did at the OKW pool. (My intent is not to debate the OKW pool slide again.)

And if DVC doesn't care, maybe the owners can "pony up" ( ) and contribute in terms of a few cents a year pp for dues.

 

[spiceycat]

SSR big problem is DVC build it too late.

if it was the 2nd DVC resort right after OKW - then it would be loved and cherished just like OKW.

but DVC was not selling that great in those days - so they went with BWV to pick up sales.

 

[BroganMc]

SSR big problem is DVC build it too late.

if it was the 2nd DVC resort right after OKW - then it would be loved and cherished just like OKW.

but DVC was not selling that great in those days - so they went with BWV to pick up sales.

Another way to look at it is SSR helped popularize the idea of DVC to the unwashed masses. In presenting itself as a timeshare, doing all the things local timeshares do best, and adding the signature Disney things (proximity to an attraction, free transportation, etc.), people jumped into the ownership pool. Whereas with VWL/BWV/BCV potential owners wondered what the big deal was about buying interest in a location they could rent with fewer annual obligations and equal or cheaper rates (with various discounts).

Every resort can be made better. My only concern is making SSR so big a draw to non-resort guests. For instance, if you build a bridge to make traveling to DTD quickier then you're also making it easier for DTD to travel to SSR. I'd really hate for SSR to become as highly trafficked as the Boardwalk/Beach Club areas.

 

[spiceycat]

Every resort can be made better. My only concern is making SSR so big a draw to non-resort guests. For instance, if you build a bridge to make traveling to DTD quickier then you're also making it easier for DTD to travel to SSR. I'd really hate for SSR to become as highly trafficked as the Boardwalk/Beach Club areas.

you can walk to SSR now pretty quickly from Congress Park section. it is not a far walk at all. no need for a bridge.

it is already a drawn for non-resort guests with the bus drivers telling peoples to come to DD on it. then not explaining the walking part and leaving them to wait for the DD bus.

 

[PlainJane]

I actually liked SSR more than all the other DVC's I've stayed at on property(I've stayed in them all except BCV), except if we're talking about a one bedroom or bigger I'd be tempted to stay at OKW. I really enjoy DTD, and being able to leave property easily to go grab a meal at Subway. I don't know what it was about the place, but SSR just feels like home.

On the horse issue, I'd rather they didn't add them, but I'm biased because I'm allergic. Horses also smell, I wouldn't want to be the building next to the stable.

 

[Questforthemouse]

How to improve SSR...

1) Add a really big downtown like shopping area where you can shop and dine
2) Add some new villas that look like mountain lodges
3) Add a cool boardwalk like area
4) Add a beach front and a huge pool almost like a bay
5) Add some more villas that are more Floridian like in style
6) Create this like Savannah area where you can watch all kinds of animals
7) Build a couple of really cool themed water parks
8) Build this kingdom that is like magic with a whole bunch of rides and shows
9) Build another park where you can like go see the whole world in a day
10) Build a park based on the theme of a movie studio
11) Build an animal park where you can go on rides, see shows and see animals
12) Add a free transportation system that connects all of the above

Awe, forget it. That's just too much work. Just leave it as it is...Maybe add soft-serve ice cream and all you can drink milkshakes

 

[goldilocks_63]

1. Movies in theater w/popcorn
2. Daycare
3. Fireworks (good ones - not just 60 seconds). Maybe just Fri / Saturday / SUndays....

4. Segways and / or golf carts to toot around on.

5. Indoor Pool (for Feb./March)
6. ANd I do love the horses. Something like the budweiser horses... and pony rides (put cinderella's little white fluffies to work

Goldi

 

[4Pluto]

Here's some ideas for more draw at SSR (not to say that anything is needed, but it is fun to think of "improvements" to just about anywhere):

1. A carousel in the carousel section. Make it horses on the carousel (no smell, no allergies), just like the carousel out of Mary Poppins.

2. In the evening, run a stretch limo for SSR guests from the resort to DTD and back. Play up the conceirge services for dining or entertainment at DTD (offer tie ins between food, entertainment and shopping at DTD for SSR guests).

3. Rent golf carts to drive back and forth to DTD.

Just some thoughts.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

A bulldozer.

No, but really, my big issue with SSR is its sheer size and layout, which I don't know what they can do about. Too many big, multi floor buildings spread out far from the central resort area and pool. IMHO they took the (what some would consider) negatives of all the other DVC resorts and rolled them into SSR. It has the spread out and remote layout of OKW, but without the larger rooms or significant point savings. And although OKW is pretty spread out, it still retains some of the charm and intimacy that SSR just does not because of the sheer size of the buildings and barren landscaping. The hotel-based DVCs have location and amenities (if that is what's important to you) to off-set their higher points and smaller rooms. The SSR rooms are standard DVC quality (I didn't care for the themeing, but that's a personal thing), but basically, I just don't see what positives SSR has that sets it apart from any of the other DVC resorts. SSR does have the spa and gym, one of the better CS restaurants at WDW, nearby DTD (if you care for it) and the LBV golf course right there, all positives if the resort wasn't so massive and potentially far from these amenities.

That said, DVC is doing one of the most important things they could do to improve the resort right now, building another themed pool to act as another resort center so that the outlying buildings don't feel so remote. Once the trees and landscaping fill out more, that will help as well. The other things recommended in this thread such as character meal, horses, a watersport center, kids club/community hall, movies in the theatre every night, ice cream shop, etc. would all go a long way in making this resort feel like a community rather than a big apartment complex. Unfortunately, I agree with Dean that much of what would have made SSR better were on the front end and can't be addressed now very easily.

Can I take it that you don't like it?

 

[mello]

Here's some ideas for more draw at SSR (not to say that anything is needed, but it is fun to think of "improvements" to just about anywhere):

1. A carousel in the carousel section. Make it horses on the carousel (no smell, no allergies), just like the carousel out of Mary Poppins.

2. In the evening, run a stretch limo for SSR guests from the resort to DTD and back. Play up the conceirge services for dining or entertainment at DTD (offer tie ins between food, entertainment and shopping at DTD for SSR guests).

3. Rent golf carts to drive back and forth to DTD.

Just some thoughts.

A Carousel in the Carousel section!

 

[rigsby25]

Just what ever brings people to the other resorts. A spectacular pool. A great restaurant. Bigger rooms. Less points per room. Easy access to one of the parks.

 

[BroganMc]

I've seen rented golf carts mentioned a few times.

Personally, I'd campaign hard against that! Distances are not nearly far enough to warrant the things and parking would be a nightmare. I can just see the handicap hatchmark spots and sidewalks littered with them. (Note: anyone who's ever driven a ramped minivan and fought for space to unload only to find the idiotic housekeeping golf cart parked in the hatchmarks understands this one.)

Saratoga isn't like Fort Wilderness where you have individual cabins and parking for personal vehicles. These are shared residential buildings.

And anyone who doesn't want to walk to DTD already has two forms of mass transit: the busses and the ferry. What more do you want? Pixie dust and wings?

 

[rigsby25]

Maybe not a golf cart, but how about a tram like vehicle with one car holding say 20 people that just goes around SSR so it would be a hop on, hop off kind of thing to get around the complex - to and from main pool, etc. I know they have busses, but I would like to see an SSR tram go by every 15 minutes. Just keep circling.

 

[Treacle44]

I haven't stayed at SSR yet, our 1st trip is November. We did do the tour twice though and I thought it was a beautiful resort, tranquil and upscale. I don't understand why people moan about it being too big and spread out, surely it's nice to have a walk around in a beautiful setting, that's what we do all day in the parks??

The only thing I would change is it doesn't seem very Disney orientated. Another restaurant would be great, character themed with Mickey, Donald etc in racing silks would be great and may attract visitors from other resort hotels.

DTD fireworks sound a great idea too!

That's just my opinion from a Brit's point of view.

T
x

 

[loribell]

I've seen rented golf carts mentioned a few times.

Personally, I'd campaign hard against that! Distances are not nearly far enough to warrant the things and parking would be a nightmare. I can just see the handicap hatchmark spots and sidewalks littered with them. (Note: anyone who's ever driven a ramped minivan and fought for space to unload only to find the idiotic housekeeping golf cart parked in the hatchmarks understands this one.)

Saratoga isn't like Fort Wilderness where you have individual cabins and parking for personal vehicles. These are shared residential buildings.

And anyone who doesn't want to walk to DTD already has two forms of mass transit: the busses and the ferry. What more do you want? Pixie dust and wings?

I would campaign hard against it too. How many of you have actually tried to walk through Ft. Wilderness to get to the HDDR or MBBQ. We have and the kids playing around on those things is a real nuisance! The first time we saw them my kids wanted to stay there just for the golf carts and I let them know right then that even if we did they would not be driving them. I'm not sure hold old they are supposed to be but there were 9 & 10 yo's driving them with no parental supervision. What a nightmare that would be.

 

[Starr W.]

I would campaign hard against it too. How many of you have actually tried to walk through Ft. Wilderness to get to the HDDR or MBBQ. We have and the kids playing around on those things is a real nuisance! The first time we saw them my kids wanted to stay there just for the golf carts and I let them know right then that even if we did they would not be driving them. I'm not sure hold old they are supposed to be but there were 9 & 10 yo's driving them with no parental supervision. What a nightmare that would be.

We did twice in one trip(dinner one night at Trails End and HDDR another) so I know what you mean. I will never hear the end of it if we see some of those carts up at VWL(he read somewhere they like to come over and use the pools there).

 

[BroganMc]

I would campaign hard against it too. How many of you have actually tried to walk through Ft. Wilderness to get to the HDDR or MBBQ. We have and the kids playing around on those things is a real nuisance! The first time we saw them my kids wanted to stay there just for the golf carts and I let them know right then that even if we did they would not be driving them. I'm not sure hold old they are supposed to be but there were 9 & 10 yo's driving them with no parental supervision. What a nightmare that would be.

I live on a fairly rural street (.5 mile to the end with only about a dozen homes with a few acres land each) and I'll go out for a "st"roll when it gets warm.

About a year ago new neighbors moved in next to me. Their parents decided it would be "fun" to buy a golf cart so the kids could go visit their friends on the street. Their friends are about 2 houses down and maybe 1/10th a mile away.

Sure enough I caught them running the golf cart across my yard and playing "catch me if you can" games with it. i.e. someone drives, another kid hangs on the back and the rest run around on foot. I yelled aplenty that day.

Honestly, people already moan about ECV/power wheelchair users. But give someone keys to a golf cart and madness will ensue. There's a reason they are licensed only on golf courses and have clearly marked paths of their own. People frequently lose a few brain cells when they start using them to save a few feet.

As to a regular tram, why don't we just go all out and ask for a horse-drawn trolley cart. Then we can have a contest to name our signature horses and you can hop on/hop off as the horses make a regular circle around the resort. Of course, you'll only have yourself to blame if you end up driving the car that gets stuck behind the trolley.

 

[BroganMc]

As to a regular tram, why don't we just go all out and ask for a horse-drawn trolley cart. Then we can have a contest to name our signature horses and you can hop on/hop off as the horses make a regular circle around the resort. Of course, you'll only have yourself to blame if you end up driving the car that gets stuck behind the trolley.

Or we can go all out and have an ice cream seller off the back. Then when you hear the ding ding ding, you're kids will race you down the steps for some soft serve.

 

[loribell]

Wow what ever happened to bicycles? WE live in the country, on a dead end road, about 1/2 mile of the main road and there are only 4 houses down it total. My kids either walk up to the neighbors house or ride a bicycle. You know, exercise is a GOOD thing! I'm not saying the kids wouldn't love to have a golf cart to ride up there in but it isn't happeing!

Now for that tram, when we were there in December I saw a Inter-resort bus a couple of times, but personally I would rather walk the 5 minutes it takes to get to HRS & AP than wait for 15 minutes for a bus or tram or whatever to come around and pick me up. We were in the Carousel and it was very cold outside a couple of those nights but we still went to the warm pool and walked back to our room. It didn't hurt us one little bit. In fact, it helped us walk off some of the calories from all that food we had on the dining plan!