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

[Jitzy]

We have stayed at SSR several times. My sister traded into it last summer and we stayed with her in a 2 bedroom condo. We bought AKL that trip because we enjoyed the experience so much. We have stayed since using our developer points. We like the resort very much. As a gym rat, I believe that they have the best gym on property. I will stay there just for that reason. I can't say enough good things about it!

 

[arthur06]

I don't "hate" any of the DVC resorts. It's just that some are my favorites and others aren't. SSR falls into the latter category. It's a nice resort, just not one of my favorites.

It's not really tough to tell which are your favorites. You own every where except OKW and SSR on property.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I assume you are counting the Boardwalk and Beach Club Villas as separate hotels. They share a lobby with their hotels. Swan and Dolphin share one stop. So there are only three stops on the Friendship Boats. I certainly wish it were only one, located between the Yacht Club and Boardwalk, or where the Swan's currently is, but the boats operate pretty efficiently.

I always take the Swan/Dolphin boat when going to DHS as it is the quickest.

I've gotten plenty of express buses, but many that weren't. During the first few routes of the morning you will likely get an express bus, but otherwise not. On leaving the parks, there are often separate buses for Yacht and Beach, Boardwalk and Swan/Dolphin. I just take the first available bus since all the stops are right together.

If we count separate check in desks, then there are 5. Yacht, Beach, BWI/BWV, Swan and Dolphin. That's still alot of people and alot of stops and adds to transportation times. It is far from zero.

It's ok to have a preference, but why are multiple bus/boat stops at SSR an ordeal and not at the Epcot locations? I would never use ordeal and Disney in the same sentence, but that is just me. The only time I was truly frustrated on a bus was at BCV due to all the stops. OKW was a close 2nd

The only reason I post on these threads is to share with those that are new and have not stayed at any of the DVC resorts. It's not accurate to malign SSR for the same shortcomings the other resorts have because of preference.

I took girlfriends to WDW (not Disney lovers) and they did not appreciate the walking involved to get thru Epcot from BWV. They preferred SSR and the short walk to the bus stop and being dropped off at the park front door.

I just think when we discuss the resorts, we cant assume that those reading have visited the others and can assess and compare the resorts amenities.

Im not against additional food service at SSR, just saying that AP is approximately 1/3 the size of Pop's food court which is reasonable. They are trying to fix their "flow" issues and are well aware of the issues. I would love for them to add a Hurricane Hanna style grill to the SSR pool.

 

[DVC Mike]

It's not really tough to tell which are your favorites. You own every where except OKW and SSR on property.

That shows how I feel about SSR and OKW, doesn't it?

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

As for SSR,

I love the decor and the feel of it.

I think the layout is a bit confusing, and the boat dock is unwelcoming.

SSR IS a lot like OKW, but with smaller rooms and higher point charts.

The 11 month window essentially has no value. I would be willing to own at SSR, but only for a bargain price.

 

[crisi]

I took girlfriends to WDW (not Disney lovers) and they did not appreciate the walking involved to get thru Epcot from BWV. They preferred SSR and the short walk to the bus stop and being dropped off at the park front door.

Though even that is a matter of perception and luck. Those bus stops are not right at the gates. One year we stayed at the far end of the Wilderness Lodge (not the Villas) - the walk from the room to the bus stop and then from the bus stop to the turnstyles in Epcot was not any shorter than the next trip when we were right off the lobby at BWVs - and BCVs is even closer.

We've had plenty of rooms at Disney where the walk to the nearest bus stop itself was a hike. Or where we felt we should pack a lunch to get to the theme pool (Caribbean Beach Resort, anyone?). Sometimes this is bothersome, sometimes it isn't - depends on the trip and the company.

 

[dcfromva]

We own at SSR. I would say we neither love it nor hate it.

We initially bought SSR for an occasional visit to SSR and access to Pleasure Island, but mainly to cover our annual trips to Disneyland with lower point costs than using our BCV points.

A lot has changed since we purchased. Pleasure Island has closed and VGC has been built. I considered selling the SSR contract because our VGC purchase will cover our DL visits now. But selling SSR right now would be silly because the prices have dipped down. I have no idea if they will recover, but in the meantime I discovered that the SSR contract works quite well for reservations made at 7 months or less--especially if it turns out SSR is the only resort available. I don't know how popular the THV will be with my family. I hope to try them out at some point.

I do like the decor of the SSR rooms. I enjoy the opportunities to walk around the lovely resort, but only in the winter time. I also like the close proximity to DTD.

There are times when SSR would not be convenient for our plans. That would be when we are primarily planning to visit EPCOT. For example, EPCOT on NYE or for the F&W fesitval or the Flower and Garden show or for The Candlelight Processional/Holidays Around the World. But, if our visit is not focused on one of those events we generally drive to other parks, anyway. SSR parking is pretty convenient if we are going to drive to the parks.

 

[movie77]

I wonder if you will have food issues at Animal Kindom as well. So far there is no mention of any type of "quick service" restaurant or food court in the Kidani Village building. The hike from that building to Jambo house for food will rival the distances traveled at SSR. Sanaa at Kidani Village will undoubtedly be a great place to eat, but not everyone will want a sit down meal, or exotic food.

You could be right. We'll be at Kidani in November and see. Until you experience its hard to tell. In our stay at SSRwe were the farthest possible away from the main area as well and closest to walking to DD. I think some food by the pool at Kidani makes sense.

 

[Chuck S]

You could be right. We'll be at Kidani in November and see. Until you experience its hard to tell. In our stay at SSRwe were the farthest possible away from the main area as well and closest to walking to DD. I think some food by the pool at Kidani makes sense.

Another possibility would be, assuming Kidani will have a general store, that the store will sell pre-made sandwiches and salads, plus the usual individual microwavable items that are normally available in the other DVC stores.

 

[HGD24]

I'm on the fence but leaning more towards the "don't like it" side when it comes to SSR.

Cons:
- I grew up near Saratog in upstate NY so me, I don't have that "I'm on vacation" feel when I'm there. It feels like I'm at a luxury condo or apartment complex back home. I'm in Florida - I want palm trees
- It's too close to the roads outside of WDW and you can hear the busy traffic if you're located near those roads
- I think it's too spread out

Pros:
- I love the decor in the rooms
- I like separate buildings as opposed to one large, enclosed building

 

[Mississippian]

It's ok to have a preference, but why are multiple bus/boat stops at SSR an ordeal and not at the Epcot locations?

My post about the boats was because one could infer from your statement at there were six boat stops serving six resorts. There are only three boat stops, even if there are 100 resorts using them.

I join you in finding the multiple stops frustrating; however the EPCOT resorts have access to two parks with no stops. They can just walk to EPCOT, or they can use the Swan/Dolphin boat stop to go to DHS. (They can walk to DHS too, but it's a hike.)

As I said, it's irritating to have all the stops. I wish they one have one bus stop and one boat stop between the Swan and Dolphin, since all the resorts are so close together. But in the mornings we can usually catch an express bus. On our return we just get off at the first bus stop and walk the 100 or so feet to our resort.

I should add that everyone has different needs. We visit the parks twice a day, once for two or three hours in the morning and again at night. We usually eat at EPCOT or at one of the MK resorts. For someone who only visits the parks once a day, the lost time in transportation is a lot less important.

 

[jade1]

My post about the boats was because one could infer from your statement at there were six boat stops serving six resorts. There are only three boat stops, even if there are 100 resorts using them.

I join you in finding the multiple stops frustrating; however the EPCOT resorts have access to two parks with no stops. They can just walk to EPCOT, or they can use the Swan/Dolphin boat stop to go to DHS. (They can walk to DHS too, but it's a hike.)


I should add that everyone has different needs. We visit the parks twice a day, once for two or three hours in the morning and again at night. We usually eat at EPCOT or at one of the MK resorts. For someone who only visits the parks once a day, the lost time in transportation is a lot less important.

Thats us as well. We usually visit in busier times, but the MK bus picks up at BWV and goes directly to MK. On the way back it stops at S/D so we get off and walk over the bridge-again no extra stops.

We also walk back to EPCOT for an ADR after an earlier park visit so knowing we can leave our room exactly 15 minutes before is nice to know. We would leave our room at SSR at least an hour before an ADR at Japan for example. Not a bad thing (I wish I had that problem right now), but 45 minutes we prefer to use swimming/sleeping or whatever.

 

[Doc CW]

We stayed on developer points. I thought that SSR was decent. It was much to big, I liked its convienience to DTD and Earl of Sandwich, the rooms and the view we had were pretty good, the bus service wasnt bad, so overall its a decent resort, but I wouldnt stay there if I didnt have developer points.

 

[crisi]

I should add that everyone has different needs. We visit the parks twice a day, once for two or three hours in the morning and again at night. We usually eat at EPCOT or at one of the MK resorts. For someone who only visits the parks once a day, the lost time in transportation is a lot less important.

I agree. We have a very similar pattern. If we are spending our evening in Epcot (which is pretty normal for us), the ease of staying at the Epcot resorts can't be beat. (I love VWL, its my favorite resort in terms of resort, but it isn't convenient.) I can see where SSR would be really appealing if you tended to end your nights at DTD.

 

[rutgers1]

I see the problem as twofold:
1) This might sound mean, but I think that part of the dislike of SSR comes from people who are either lazy or have a physical limitation that makes staying in a condo style resort difficult. The resort could be right on top of a theme park, but there will always be a significant and vocal group of people who will not like it unless it is hotel-style. One time dodging rain drops is enough to make some people HATE a particular resort.
2) There are people who don't care what the hotel looks like or what it offers as long as they can say that they are right near a park. Considering the parks are what most people come to Disney for, I can understand that, especially if you are not getting a discount for being further away from the park.

Then you have the group - that includes me - that is less vocal but still sizable that much prefers the openness of a condo style resort.

One issue that Disney probably didn't foresee is that the people who would be most attracted to being a bit away from the parks, close to shopping (DTD) and golf (generally older folks, perhaps without kids) are often the same people who hate to walk anywhere and prefer a hotel style facility. The people with kids (generally younger) who prefer to be near a park and on top of the action probably care less about the size or layout of the resort. My thought is that a hotel style facility right near DTD and golf would have been WILDLY popular with the older Disney fans.

In the end, I think it is a niche resort, and I think it will do fine since it is SO different from most of what Disney is offering. As many of the people who bought into DVC when their kids were younger age a bit, I think they'll appreciate what SSR has to offer much more. I think their teenage and college age kids will, too, as they'll love going to the spa, playing golf, and hanging out at DTD.

 

[gkrykewy]

1) This might sound mean, but I think that part of the dislike of SSR comes from people who are either lazy or have a physical limitation that makes staying in a condo style resort difficult.

LAZY?!? How about not being excited about a place whose site plan looks like a suburban office park or Korman Suites garden apartment complex. All that parking! Come on. Lazy is driving everywhere.

 

[crisi]

I see the problem as twofold:
1) This might sound mean, but I think that part of the dislike of SSR comes from people who are either lazy or have a physical limitation that makes staying in a condo style resort difficult. The resort could be right on top of a theme park, but there will always be a significant and vocal group of people who will not like it unless it is hotel-style. One time dodging rain drops is enough to make some people HATE a particular resort.

I'm not sure I'd call that lazy - but there is a certain comfort I enjoy in air conditioned covered hallways. Although one issue with even the the 'hotel style' DVC resorts is that only BCV has completely interior access to food (you can get to the bar at BWVs). So those that will hate a resort if they might end up dodging raindrops had better buy BCVs. I mean, you aren't 'lazy' because you aren't pitching a tent out at Fort Wilderness, right? You are just interested in a different level of comfort than a tent provides.

2) There are people who don't care what the hotel looks like or what it offers as long as they can say that they are right near a park. Considering the parks are what most people come to Disney for, I can understand that, especially if you are not getting a discount for being further away from the park.

Agree, although I happen to think SSR rooms are ugly as well (personal taste only, personal taste is subjective, if other people think the rooms are lovely, just be glad I'm not your decorator). So decor isn't driving me to stay at SSR. I like VWL decor, but we own and stay at BWV because of the Epcot access.

In the end, I think it is a niche resort, and I think it will do fine since it is SO different from most of what Disney is offering. As many of the people who bought into DVC when their kids were younger age a bit, I think they'll appreciate what SSR has to offer much more. I think their teenage and college age kids will, too, as they'll love going to the spa, playing golf, and hanging out at DTD.

Had they built it niche resort size, it could be a niche resort. Its too big to be positioned as a niche.

 

[edk35]

and we enjoy staying there. We have stayed there 3 times in the 2 years we have owned. However we do enjoy the other resorts too. We like the closeness to DTD, I like staying at SSR in the fall/winter months. In the summer I like OKW or BCV. If I could only stay at SSR because the other are all booked at the 7 month window....I would be perfectly happy.

 

[kikiq]

LAZY?!? How about not being excited about a place whose site plan looks like a suburban office park or Korman Suites garden apartment complex. All that parking!

This goes back to the original PP's question, why do people LOVE to take potshots at SSR? And it's not just about the size which btw is nothing compared to some of the Colorado complexes we've stayed at. It's how the decor is ugly, it's overbuilt, it's got nothing, it's...yada, yada, yada. OK, fine IF you don't like it, don't stay there, state your valid reasons for not liking it and leave the snarky remarks out of it.

Now my DH asked me about Whispering Canyon Cafe and why we haven't eaten there. I reminded him that it's in the WL and his response was, "Oh that place, logs, rustic, animal heads, that's why we didn't buy VWL". Now I'm not into VWL's decor and it's a little too wilderness for my city boy DH, but I'm not taking potshots at the resort. Snarky remarks, repeated comments about how SSR is overbuilt, no one wants to stay there because it's so big, let's did I leave anything out?

I believe people if they can, look at each resort in person or online, see if it fits your vibe. The marvelous thing about DVC, there's something for everyone.

 

[Dean]

I think there are two issues. These are a comparison of the resort itself and the affect of the points on the system. Neither an issue to me other than I enjoy discussing the nuances therein. SSR is a nice resort but it certainly isn't of the same feel and deluxe nature as some of the other resorts. I'd classify it as an almost deluxe resort in a moderate location as I would OKW which is my favorite. These issues don't bother me at all but it does some and that is their view to which I have no problems with. The more choices I have to use or trade in, the better I like it.

The other issue is the affect on the system of all those points. The relative demand for SSR is not to the same level as some of the others thus the percent of total points vying at the 7 month window is far more than the number of points wanting to trade to SSR for any given time. The end affect is that members of other resorts are more likely to reserve earlier, pushing many all the way back to the 11 month window. Also, it means there is less general availability at places other than SSR at 7 months out. Some will point out that this is no different than for VB or HH and I would agree, actually the percentages are worse for VB/HH, the difference is that SSR is so large with so many points and that those points are additive to the points that were already in the system in this capacity. OKW is not in the same boat most likely due to the points differential. Thus you might ask if I think DVC over priced SSR from a points standpoint and the answer would be affirmative.