What would increase the popularity of SSR

[OneMoreTry]

I know the SSR people love their SSR. But many others are ho-hum. To me it's just not worth the extra points versus my OKW. (Actually for the most part none of the others are either.)

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

 

[sajetto]

Since SSR is supposed to be about HORSES, I think it would be a darn good idea if they actually put some there! That doesn't mean they need to be giving the kiddies free rides on them or anything, but to have them there to actually carry out the theme.

I realize that it takes time for trees to grow, but I really think more flowers and tall growing greenery would help.

I've heard that they are building another themed pool, I hope that it is as large as their main pool with another waterslide because it NEEDS it.



This is coming from a 300 point SSR owner. My husband and I are seriously considering selling our 2 contracts, but have been waiting to see if they propose any more improvements.

 

[loribell]

I don't know of anything they could do nor do I want them to. I think it has a great location being there by DTD.

It has one of the best pools, second only to SAB IMHO and that is only for bigger kids, for those with smaller children the pool at SSR is better.

I personally like the slower pace at SSR, which is just like OKW in that aspect. I prefer the newer rooms and the decor of SSR over that of OKW.

VWL has something special about it that the others don't have in that it makes you feel like you are getting transproted away from Florida & Disney every time you arrive back at your resort from a day in the parks. I think VAKL will have a similar feel to it.

Of course not everyone will agree with me & that is okay. Personally as long as I am at Disney & not in a value resort I am happy. The room is no big deal to me.

One thing I have noticed though is that SSR does not seem to be having trouble filling up its rooms and there are a lot of them. Fortunately they did a great job of designing this resort because even when we were there the week after Christmas and there were no empty rooms it did not seem crowded at all.

 

[3DisneyKids]

I love the resort and don't really need any changes there. We have never experienced crowds at the pool, though I imagine in the summer it might get crowded there, so the new pool will be welcome. I hope it is big and exciting. The new splash area sounds awesome.

While I love AP, they could offer a wider selection.

 

[sajetto]

Let me just say, that I'm not dim. I recognize a consistent SSR "basher" pretty easily. However, I felt compelled to respond to this post because I truly feel that there is room for improvement. I really can't see where anyone would argue with me on that. I think if every owner considered their resort they could think of at least one thing they would like to add or take away.

In this case, I feel that SSR needs something really great and I'm holding out for a little while longer to see if it comes along. Isn't there anyone here who would actually like to see them incorperate REAL horses?

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Expanding/improving DTD would be the only thing that I can think of off the top of my head. I love the idea of horses at the resort.

 

[Dean]

I think much of the opportunities were on the front end. Under building parking and guaranteed location requests. Actual homes around the golf course or duplexes would have been a great draw as well, possibly 4 BR options as two 2 BR lockoff's. A community hall should have been an obvious. A larger pool though hopefully the second feature pool will help. I agree on the horses, maybe even trail rides. And even though the restaurant helps, they still have a ways to go in that area as well. While I don't think it would change demand, they do need a little more BBQ facilities given the size an potential demand.

But short of a specific item that would have affected demand directly, the location is the issue. Some like it, others don't and many are ambivalent.

 

[corinnak]

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?

 

[tomandrobin]

They already have the horse drawn carriage rides. Not sure how you can expand this, maybe offer riding lessons, but where?

They do have the best gym and spa facilities of all the resorts.

They will have FOUR pools at SSR, not shared pools like the other resorts.

IMO, the best counter service restaruant vs the other DVC's.

Since this is also a golf resort, why not more offerings that tie into the golf course.

I do wish they had boat rentals there, but I'm guessing they can't cause of the rentals at DTD.

 

[sajetto]

They already have the horse drawn carriage rides.
.

That's nothing special at all. VWL does the same thing so does POR.




corinnak, I LOVE your ideas. If they would add just a few of those I would be all over it!

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Definitely a character breakfast would be niced. There were rumors of horses. That would be nice but with horses comes the smell of horses, could you imagine the bashers with that ammo?

The spa is awesome and so is the gym.

I personally love artists pallette but my inlaws did not so maybe more generic selections for those who aren't into the selections at Ap.

I think there needs to be more SSR merchandise. I did not feel there was enough stuff in the store that was resort specific.

Someone mentioned a kids club that would be cool.

I definitely think boat rentals from SSR is a GREAT idea! I don't think it would impact the DTD rentals.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Oh also I wish there would be Disney Shows in the theater that is being used as something else right now. Maybe similar to shows from the cruise ship that could be shorter or scaled down depending on they woud like to offer ticketing.

 

[mackey_931]

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.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Originally Posted by tomandrobin >
They already have the horse drawn carriage rides.

Posted by sajetto > That's nothing special at all. VWL does the same thing so does POR.

I don't think tomandrobin was saying the carriage rides are unique or special- I read it as a comment about having live horses at the resort, which many had mentioned.

 

[disneymom8589]

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?

I absolutely love your ideas!!

 

[eeyoresmom]

SSR has a GREAT community hall also

 

[TenThousandVolts]

I always though the addition of a theatre at DTD to run rotating Disney broadway productions would be great (Mary Poppins, Lion King...) and also have various touring shows and entertainers, etc...

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

On another thread (I could have sworn I posted it on this thread - I'm losing it)...

I suggested a nightly water show (ala Electric Water Pageant or something similar).

Also, how about "A Night at the Races" which could be a family barbecue with "races" (sack races, egg rolls, pony sticks, etc.) - perhaps even some character interaction.

Or, even a real rodeo (similar to the one done near Saratoga, NY - to keep with the theming).

The possibilities are endless...however, I'd like to see them first put all their effort into completing the resort with the necessary amenitites and infrastructure (pools, dining, lush landscaping, etc.) and then continue to enhance the resort so that it is an ever-changing place to visit.

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

I always though the addition of a theatre at DTD to run rotating Disney broadway productions would be great (Mary Poppins, Lion King...) and also have various touring shows and entertainers, etc...

They did something like that at "Top of the World" where the California Grill is now. I went when about 17 years ago - it was more of a review of different Broadway songs, if I remember correctly. I do remember that the food and entertainment were fabulous! Great idea!!!

Perhaps they could tie it into the "New York" aspect of Saratoga - maybe do a walkway that is the "NYS Thruway" heading down to NYC with "exit signs", historic landmarks, miniature bridges (would be fun to walk across the Tappan Zee Bridge) and mile markers along the way until you hit the Big Apple, Times Square and Broadway!! Now, that would be COOL!!

 

[disney-super-mom]

Reading some of the responses here, I keep reading about a second feature pool. However, when we were there a couple of weeks ago, the new pool and the area around it being built at the Grandstands is cute and all, but what exactly makes it a feature pool? It didn't look very big, and I didn't see a slide anywhere. Are they planning on adding a slide? I hope so!