Why is SSR a "love it" or "hate it" DVC

[arthur06]

It just seems to me that SSR is either loved or hated here? Could somebody tell me why? Is it somewhat that its kind of a "no frills" DVC home. BWV has the Boardwalk, AKL has the savanna, BLT has MK. Or is there more to it then that?

 

[kelly4me]

We enjoyed it when we were there. My husband in particular really enjoyed it because he's a golfer and he liked the more subdued theming. I think a lot of people think that it's not "themed enough" for Disney. It's also very large, so some of the rooms are not very convenient to the main building where the restaurants and main pool area are.

We didn't use the bus system, as we had a rental car, but I've heard complaints about it taking a long time to get to any of the parks.

We bought at AKL because it's my first love, but I wouldn't have any issues staying at SSR in the future if we couldn't plan enough ahead and that's what was available.

 

[littlestar]

SSR has Downtown Disney and I like the decor - light and kind of Victorian. I especially like the kitchen cabinet colors - white with the painted cabinets and the granite color. We actually sold our BWV and VWL points and changed our points to SSR for the extra years mainly. I'd be happy staying in a 1 bedroom at SSR every trip.

We actually have kind of changed over the years on what we like. When we first joined DVC in early 2002, I liked being close to a park. Now I want peace and quiet after I leave the parks - laughter. I also like extensive grounds where I can take walks.

 

[CMOORE185]

Even though I own at SSR it is not usually my 1st choice to stay,(although I want to try the THV) because it is so spread out and not close to any parks. It is close to Downtown Disney though. I just bought more their through resale because it seemed like the best bargin and I can book THV 11 months out, though I would have bought their anyway because the 7 month booking window has always been fine for us. Since the 7 month booking window works for us purchasing the best deal was the way to go for us.

 

[allison k]

This is an interesting question. Prior to our staying there last summer, I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not based on what I saw here on the boards. Within minutes of arrival, I was in love. The grounds were so peaceful. Maybe that's why we loved it. Who knows?

We're staying at OKW for the lower point total this summer. There was definitely a part of me that was crying, "But I want to stay at Saratoga!"

 

[dwelty]

We own at both SSR and AKL. We have taken our last two trips to AKL and this last trip stayed in an AKL Grand Villa. We have enjoyed our AKL stays, but both my wife and I agree that we like SSR a little better. It feels high class and relaxed. It "feels" far away from the crazyness of the parks but is actually really close to EPCOT (we can see the fireworks from the Grandstand area) it feels like a country club. But you have Downtown Disney just a walk or boat ride away.

 

[Chuck S]

I think some people like the room service options, interior hallways and being in a single building with the restaurants that the hotel style DVCs offer. Others, myself included, prefer the condo style, true vacation home feel with nearby parking that SSR and OKW offer. It's just a matter of personal taste.

 

[5forDiz]

I don't get it either, and if you read through threads about liking/disliking SSR many dislikers have never even stayed there - they don't like it just because it is condo-style, spread out or other reasons not related to actually having stayed there.

It is definitely not a no-frills resort. jmho, but I find it to have more of an upscale feel to it than some of the other DVCs with being situated by golf course and its spa and it has a great club like atmosphere in sitting room (pool table, furnishings, etc) Lots of community hall activities, evening movies poolside, Turf Club, & Artist Palette counter serve is one of the nicest of any resort & interesting menu items too, love the boat to DTD & to our home OKW too. It may not be what you and your family are looking for but if you can, give it a try before ruling it out completely.

 

[hakepb]

SSR is not an "over the top, traditional Disney Deluxe".
For years, Disney advertised Deluxe resorts as having "premium transportation" (monorail or boat) to park(s), full table service restaurant(s) for all 3 meals a day, and incredible design themeing you may not experience elsewhere..

Then, a bunch of people started taking SSR vacations while the resort was still being constructed, (Turf Club opened after I bought in '06 and SSR had opened a few years earlier) with the exact same schedule/activities as they were used to elsewhere, expecting the same senses to be stimulated, but SSR did not fit that pattern ideally.

I guess the other issue may be that most people would be very happy in a certain SSR location (for view, proximity, amenities..), but there are no categories or guaranteed requests.

SSR is ideal for walking to DTD, a round of golf, long quiet strolls around the resort, enjoying the best spa at WDW, condo-style parking for really easy day trips away from WDW...

SSR just happened to be "imagineered" for a different vacation flow than any other resort, not a bad idea, but perhaps caught too many guests by "suprise"

My first SSR trip was nice and pleasant, but last year I was somewhat "stunned" by the beauty of the landscaping around Grandstand, so now I'm certainly a happy SSR owner!

 

[hakepb]

I think some people like the room service options,

Personally I think getting a wonderful Giordano's pizza delivered to my SSR door is better in every way than any traditional, overpriced room service


but, I will respect the opinions of others that have thought/researched SSR and made their own opinions.

 

[Chuck S]

Personally I think getting a wonderful Giordano's pizza delivered to my SSR door is better in every way than any traditional, overpriced room service


but, I will respect the opinions of others that have thought/researched SSR and made their own opinions.

I agree, room service isn't my thing. But for some people, no room service is their idea of "roughing it."

 

[jade1]

SSR is not an "over the top, traditional Disney Deluxe".
For years, Disney advertised Deluxe resorts as having "premium transportation" (monorail or boat) to park(s), full table service restaurant(s) for all 3 meals a day, and incredible design themeing you may not experience elsewhere..

This is what we prefer-perfect description except add "walk" to parks for some.

 

[bobbiwoz]

SSR isn't discounted enough in points for me to want to stay there more than as a last minute booking possibility. I own at the resorts that I want to stay at and usually book 11 months out. I stayed there one night, by choice to try it, and I've treated DSis to a night, a very last minute trip and only 1 night was available, she could have used 2. I was in Congress Hall, and DSis was in Springs, and we both had excellent experiences. I think that if there were booking categories, it would be a plus. Now that there's ME and we tend not to have a car except for a 1 night rental for church on Sundays I would feel lost at SSR, especially if I were at Carousel, and maybe even at the treehouses. All of the bus stops in the resorts also make it a less than ideal place for me to stay. I say that because of the possibility of having to stand in the bus to get to the parks. At some resorts, if that would happen, I can just let the bus pass and be first in line, but at SSR, its not just the people at your stop, it's everyone in the sections before you.

Sometimes I think I would like to stay at SSR solo on a trip that was more about relaxing, walking around and non park things. Then I think to myself, that's a time that VWL would also fill the bill for me and truthfully, VWL would win out.

I do love the view of SSR from Fulton's. I think it's a lovely looking resort.

Bobbi

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Some of my reasons (although we'll be staying there on Developer Points) I dislike SSR:

1. Looks and feels like a condo or apartment complex.
2. No valet parking.
3. VERY spread out and too large and because of its size, I think it does bring down the value of DVC because of their point cost to point needs.
4. Not a big fan of the Grand Floridian decor (we stayed there 2 years ago) and SSR carries some of the similar style.

Now things I like about it:

1. Proximity to Downtown Disney.
2. Good selection of food options.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

With me, at least, it's neither love nor hate. I'm sorta in the middle as far as SSR is concerned.

Granted, we're basically new (1 year) members and we've only stayed at SSR because we were using our DPs, I was pretty happy there while expecting to not really like it.

There are a lot of DVC resorts on-property and we plan to try to visit most of them over the years. I've been to SSR and I've done that and aside from our last DP stay coming up in Sept, I probably won't call trying to book SSR again soon.

If push comes to shove and I have to stay there in the future (short notice, it's a big resort with general availability), I can tell you this, we certainly won't be disappointed. It's a lovely resort and it certainly fits a need within DVC.

BTW, we always have a car at WDW whether it be a rental or our own. I do think that makes a world of difference at SSR.

 

[Brian Noble]

SSR's furnishings are a bit more upscale, the atmosphere is a little more adult, and it's extremely convenient to DTD. But it's not high on my personal list because, to me, those features aren't really that important. They are very valuable to others, though, and that's why Baskin Robbins has 31 flavors.

I do like the condo-style, though, and really enjoy OKW, so maybe I'd really enjoy SSR too. But, the larger rooms at OKW seem to push it up a notch for me relatively speaking.

 

[Disney_Villain]

Two words: Satellite pools. For those of us without kids, this is a blessing. (Satellite pools are always quieter than the family pools.)

 

[jodifla]

We've only stayed once, but we liked it. Nice furnishings, and we had a great view of DT disney

The only thing I really DIDN'T like was the concrete walkways. VERY nonplush, institutional. Everything else is done so nicely, that the concrete walkways outside the rooms stick out like a sore thumb and detract from the whole place.

 

[arthur06]

If buying resale, how much sense does SSR really make. Wouldn't you be better of buying at a smaller DVC to better utilize the 11 month window? I understand that THV are at SSR, but if you just want a room, the 11th month window doesn't really help as much as say other DVC locations.

 

[crisi]

I don't get it either, and if you read through threads about liking/disliking SSR many dislikers have never even stayed there - they don't like it just because it is condo-style, spread out or other reasons not related to actually having stayed there.

I don't have to stay there to know I dislike it. I don't like key lime - is it any surprise I didn't like key lime creme brulee? I'm done trying things where my preferences really point to "I won't like it" - there are enough things I do like to spend my time/money on.

I like interior hallways. I like resorts that are condensed in one building. I like being centrally located. I LOVE walking from Epcot to our resort.

I don't like SSRs decor - its just a matter of taste, but SSRs is not to my taste. I'm not fond of Downtown Disney.

There isn't much about SSR that I find appealing. I like the pool - but it isn't like SAB - something that would drive me to stay there. The treehouse villas are cool, but not something we'd use - our own family is too small and when we bring guests, we prefer to have them in their own room. I LOVE the decor of the public areas at SSR, but that isn't an attribute that drives a stay for me - particularly in a resort that is so spread out that we might never spend time in the public areas.

I don't "hate it" - that would be an emotional investment in SSR I don't feel. But I can't imagine booking a stay there. And I certainly wouldn't own it because I believe in "buy where you wouldn't be disappointed to end up" - we'd be disappointed to end up at SSR.