What would increase the popularity of SSR

[Chuck S]

I agree. I don't think there's any way that they would ever offer transportation to other theme parks, but I can see them offering a couple of excursions each week to attractions that cater to older guests.

They could build a dinner theater, and change out the show occasionally to keep it fresh. That would be nice for SSR as well as those staying at OKW. I kind of miss the old Broadway at the Top dinner show from the contemporary. They need a more "grown up" dinner show.

 

[starbox]

I would agree with this, if the word "some" was in front of Disney-fanatics on this board. I think the SSR Lover's Thread proves that SSR has a very large appeal to many on this forum, just not with everyone and not with some very vocal participants.

I am not old and I like SSR alot. When you have been going to the parks since you were 2 years old, they do not hold the appeal they do for some.

We really enjoy Downtown Disney and playing golf and we are only a bus ride away from any park. SSR is very centrally located to all parks and while bus transportation is the only offering, it is efficient and gets you there. No resort is close to all parks, therefore being close to a park to me is a moot point, unless you are guest that only visits a particular park. If that was the case then BCV, BWV or VWL would appeal to that member.

I don't think I am old either, and I SSR for these very reasons. I just think that making SSR "more Disney" is not the answer - it will never be as theme-park themed as the resorts next to the parks, and for people looking for that total feeling of 24/7 park immersion, there's no way to make SSR more attractive than the other resorts.

I do think that what sets SSR apart is that it is the one resort that you could realistically spend a week at and never once have to use a park ticket - and I think expanding that option is a great direction, especially for older guests that enjoy golf and nightlife. SSR will still be great for young families who plan on park-hopping, but I think there's a great deal of potential to develop it as a resort location that can offer an experience other than the typical Disney park vacation. After all, the property was formerly the Disney Institute - which was a sort of alternative to the theme park experience.

It would also be great for multi-generational grand gatherings - as it has more plentiful GV units and with a little bit of programming, it could easily offer a variety of experiences for all ages of the spectrum. I don't think it would take much at all to make SSR the most (or even the only) really family-reunion/grand-gathering friendly location on property - and that's a feature that all DVC owners would likely appreciate at some point in their ownership of DVC.

 

[tomandrobin]

I think Character Dinning would definatly be a plus...
Points should be lowered for stays....Would be major improvement....
Boat rentals are a must.....
Fireworks from DTD would be nice....
Horses would tie in some theme.....
Give itTime for the landscape to take affect..

Now my 19 year old would not change a thing(she don't care how many points it is)....she loves the pool and the ability to walk to DTD....matter of fact I gave her the option to pick a resort for spring break for her and friends and sure enough it was SSR....She also thinks the rooms are more classy....

Too late to lower points, can redistribute them.
Can't do boat rentals, can't complete with Captain Jacks at DTD
Fireworks gone form the bubget....maybe they can come back in the future
Real horses would be a maintenance factor, no room to roam, and I would think miserable in the summer
Landscaping is doing well, and will continue to look better each year.

Ours kids are older too...13, 15 and 21. Hands down the love DTD and being able to over to it from SSR!

 

[starbox]

They could build a dinner theater, and change out the show occasionally to keep it fresh. That would be nice for SSR as well as those staying at OKW. I kind of miss the old Broadway at the Top dinner show from the contemporary. They need a more "grown up" dinner show.

Yes! See, this is just what I am talking about. There's a ton of potential and space to make some minor adjustments that would turn SSR into a resort with a very unique and appealing niche.

 

[Sammie]

I would agree with a Dinner show. Something similar to what is offered on the cruise lines would be nice and I would love having a minature golf course.

 

[FRANKTSJR]

I know everyone thinks its far fetched but why not a new monorail link?
Will the monorail never be expanded? I know it would be expensive but the monrail is part of the base that WDW was built on.

 

[Sammie]

I know everyone thinks its far fetched but why not a new monorail link?
Will the monorail never be expanded? I know it would be expensive but the monrail is part of the base that WDW was built on.

Never and believe me SSR members do not want that cost added to their dues.

 

[utahkennedys]

We are frugal, so for me, I would be more likely to stay at SSR if had a point structure similar to OKW. The points are too high to me, considering the standard points at BWV are lower.

 

[jodifla]

We are frugal, so for me, I would be more likely to stay at SSR if had a point structure similar to OKW. The points are too high to me, considering the standard points at BWV are lower.

Me, too. When I compare the point values, why stay at SSR? I get MORE ROOM for LESS POINTS at OKW.

We won't stay at SSR unless we want to spend lots of time at DTD or there's no room at OKW or the other resorts.

 

[mamatojon]

I would agree with a Dinner show. Something similar to what is offered on the cruise lines would be nice and I would love having a minature golf course.

I *love* the mini-golf suggestion. That would really be a hit with my kids, and I think I'd even enjoy it a lot.

 

[BroganMc]

What about a kid pirate cruise or Huck Finn thing up those rivers to OKW and PO? Like they do at Grand Floridian around Bay Lake.

From the satellite imagery it seems like all those locations are scenic enough for an exploration. Then the adults can enjoy a spa visit while their kiddies are at play.

Or maybe lead an excursion day for kids to Bibbidi Boppidy Boutique, Lego Land and lunch at McD's. Go on a Hidden Mickey treasure hunt.

I do think the DTD area needs a minigolf course. That's the one thing the Boardwalk area has that I like. It could tie-in nicely with the adult golf course.

As for views, didn't they add a separate booking category for Boardwalk after BWV opened? Same point count as preferred but you could book. I doubt we'd see a point redistribution, but you could argue for some slight rebalancing between Carousel and Congress Park. The trouble is, from what I was told, the Springs is the most requested area. If that's true, it doesn't seem that demand is making a statement here.

Breakfast offerings at Turf Club would be nice. So far we only have lunch and dinner there. AP breakfast is good, but it gets far too crowded in there. I had my table stolen my first day at the resort.Ideally, I'd like to see Turf Club give us the same kind of offerings as Olivia's and PO restuarant. I especially like those pancakes with fruit toppings and sides. Or even some fancy omelette creations.

 

[OneMoreTry]

I would agree with a Dinner show. Something similar to what is offered on the cruise lines would be nice and I would love having a minature golf course.

I think these are great ideas!! A couple of different shows. Mini golf themed for SS. They would be self-funding -- and would also be an enhancement for DD.

 

[littlestar]

I like the rocking chairs up by the restaurant at SSR. We're staying at SSR in two weeks for the first time (we're VWL and BWV owners) and I'm really looking forward to it.

I vote for more rockers and a themed miniature golf course. And possibly some theming at a second feature pool. Why not some type of mini slide for the little kids - how about a little carousel slide they could climb on and slide down? Sprinkle in some Mary Poppins theming and you'll know you're at a Disney resort.

 

[disneymom8589]

I like the other posters' ideas of having carousel horses and tying it into a Mary Poppins theme. Also the idea of having an ice cream parlor is very appealing!

 

[tgj]

I don't think I am old either, and I SSR for these very reasons. I just think that making SSR "more Disney" is not the answer - it will never be as theme-park themed as the resorts next to the parks, and for people looking for that total feeling of 24/7 park immersion, there's no way to make SSR more attractive than the other resorts.

I do think that what sets SSR apart is that it is the one resort that you could realistically spend a week at and never once have to use a park ticket - and I think expanding that option is a great direction, especially for older guests that enjoy golf and nightlife. SSR will still be great for young families who plan on park-hopping, but I think there's a great deal of potential to develop it as a resort location that can offer an experience other than the typical Disney park vacation. After all, the property was formerly the Disney Institute - which was a sort of alternative to the theme park experience.

It would also be great for multi-generational grand gatherings - as it has more plentiful GV units and with a little bit of programming, it could easily offer a variety of experiences for all ages of the spectrum. I don't think it would take much at all to make SSR the most (or even the only) really family-reunion/grand-gathering friendly location on property - and that's a feature that all DVC owners would likely appreciate at some point in their ownership of DVC.

I think Starbox and Sammie make a very important point, one that is often overlooked by folks looking at buying in to DVC.

Too many people look at their vacation patterns as they exist today, without considering how they will change over the next 46 years.... A boat ride from MK or animals off your balcony or SAB or Boardwalk jugglers might be the greatest thing in the world when your kids are younger. And while they're not right out your doorstep at SSR, these sort of things are all very accessible.

HOWEVER, my wife and I plan on going to SSR for many many years and we know our vacations will be A LOT different when we're in our 50's and beyond versus how they are now with a 10 year old boy.

This, IMO, is one of the biggest advantages to SSR. The golf, the spa, the health club facilities, DTD and the "remoteness" are things that will appeal long after commando park hopping wears off. This is the unique aspect of SSR that I think they need to emphasize and build upon. SSR is, IMO, a resort you can grow with....

Just my 2 cents...

 

[BroganMc]

Too many people look at their vacation patterns as they exist today, without considering how they will change over the next 46 years.... A boat ride from MK or animals off your balcony or SAB or Boardwalk jugglers might be the greatest thing in the world when your kids are younger. And while they're not right out your doorstep at SSR, these sort of things are all very accessible.

HOWEVER, my wife and I plan on going to SSR for many many years and we know our vacations will be A LOT different when we're in our 50's and beyond versus how they are now with a 10 year old boy.

The one reason I hesitate to support a character meal or dining theater is because those things will bring more non-resort guest traffic to SSR. There's already plenty of things to do at DTD. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, LegoLand, pin trading, free concerts, the comedy clubs and street entertainment at PI, boats at Cap'n Jacks, AMC movies, La Nouba, McDonald's, DisneyQuest, the under $10 store, and all those restaurants. At Christmas time they have a big Santa Claus area (better than at MK I thought) and New Year's they have fireworks.

I don't really want a bunch of folks invading SSR for entertainment. That would take away the peace and quiet.

Let's face it. The ones who want the resort to be popular are the ones who don't like it. Let them have their bustling Boardwalk, crowded pool and ferry to MK and let us have the quiet refuge.

 

[Chuck S]

The one reason I hesitate to support a character meal or dining theater is because those things will bring more non-resort guest traffic to SSR. There's already plenty of things to do at DTD. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, LegoLand, pin trading, free concerts, the comedy clubs and street entertainment at PI, boats at Cap'n Jacks, AMC movies, La Nouba, McDonald's, DisneyQuest, the under $10 store, and all those restaurants. At Christmas time they have a big Santa Claus area (better than at MK I thought) and New Year's they have fireworks.

I don't really want a bunch of folks invading SSR for entertainment. That would take away the peace and quiet.

Let's face it. The ones who want the resort to be popular are the ones who don't like it. Let them have their bustling Boardwalk, crowded pool and ferry to MK and let us have the quiet refuge.

I understand your point, but OKW used to have a character breakfast twice a week. It really didn't draw all that much traffic. A dinner show may draw non-SSR traffic, but it would only be for a few hours...and would probably have its own parking area...the only major impact may be bus transportation for folks that don't have a car or are connected by boat.

 

[LisaS]

Too many people look at their vacation patterns as they exist today, without considering how they will change over the next 46 years.... A boat ride from MK or animals off your balcony or SAB or Boardwalk jugglers might be the greatest thing in the world when your kids are younger. And while they're not right out your doorstep at SSR, these sort of things are all very accessible.

HOWEVER, my wife and I plan on going to SSR for many many years and we know our vacations will be A LOT different when we're in our 50's and beyond versus how they are now with a 10 year old boy.

DH and I are in our 50s and we love being a boat ride from MK, animals off our balcony and Boardwalk jugglers!

 

[UConnJack]

Let's face it. The ones who want the resort to be popular are the ones who don't like it.

So you're admitting SSR isn't popular......

 

[UConnJack]

The one reason I hesitate to support a character meal or dining theater is because those things will bring more non-resort guest traffic to SSR. There's already plenty of things to do at DTD. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, LegoLand, pin trading, free concerts, the comedy clubs and street entertainment at PI, boats at Cap'n Jacks, AMC movies, La Nouba, McDonald's, DisneyQuest, the under $10 store, and all those restaurants. At Christmas time they have a big Santa Claus area (better than at MK I thought) and New Year's they have fireworks.

I don't really want a bunch of folks invading SSR for entertainment. That would take away the peace and quiet.

Let's face it. The ones who want the resort to be popular are the ones who don't like it. Let them have their bustling Boardwalk, crowded pool and ferry to MK and let us have the quiet refuge.

It's not that we want it to be "popular" so that it gets overrun with visitors. Seriously, adding additional attractions such as a carousel, character meals, a k-a pool and slide, etc. isn't going to turn SSR into a significant outside (esp. non-DVC) visitor destination. What it would do is make the resort more popular with the owners of the other DVC resorts, and hopefully balancing out availability. More importantly, to me at least, is that I want to like SSR and not be bummed out that I have to stay there because everything else is booked. I've occasionally been slightly disappointed when I couldn't get the resort I wanted and was left with OKW, but I was never bummed because there was much about OKW I liked. Unfortunately, with what SSR currently is, I consider not going at all if its all that’s available. I do think that there are things SSR could do to change this, or at least change it to just slight disappointment.