Why not SSR?

[CrazyDuck]

Have only owned DVC for less than a year and I'm already planning on adding on points for somewhere in WDW. I have been looking at resales and am baffled by the prices. Why is SSR so cheap? SSR has:
- a contract end date of 2054 (longer than most)
- some of the lowest MF's
- tree house villas
- walking distance to DTD
- it's reselling in the mid $60's

Resale rates seem like a great deal... Not trying to start a flame war... I just haven't been to WDW since 1999 so I'm not too familiar with the World, and It seems like I'm missing something!

 

[robert@dvcstore]

For all of the reasons you mentioned, Saratoga Springs is the best value in the resale market. Other resorts have higher dues, shorter memberships and are priced higher than Saratoga. You should consider adding on points SS.

Robert

 

[spiceycat]

it is not walking or boating distance to a theme park.

location, location, location

now it is a beautifully resort. DVC went upscale on this resort and it shows.

 

[pmcpmc]

Have only owned DVC for less than a year and I'm already planning on adding on points for somewhere in WDW. I have been looking at resales and am baffled by the prices. Why is SSR so cheap? SSR has:
- a contract end date of 2054 (longer than most)
- some of the lowest MF's
- tree house villas
- walking distance to DTD
- it's reselling in the mid $60's

Resale rates seem like a great deal... Not trying to start a flame war... I just haven't been to WDW since 1999 so I'm not too familiar with the World, and It seems like I'm missing something!

SSR - 0 Dedicated Studios - 0 Dedicated 1Bdrm - 360 Dedicated 2Bdrm - 432 Lockoffs - 60 THV - 36 Grand Villas = 888 Units / 1320 Max. Available Rooms

Disney does not have as high a demand for it and does not need to enact right of first refusal
SSR - 0 Dedicated Studios - 0 Dedicated 1Bdrm - 360 Dedicated 2Bdrm - 432 Lockoffs - 60 THV - 36 Grand Villas = 888 Units / 1320 Max. Available Rooms

 

[El&Asmom]

I think another big reason is home resort booking advantage. You just don't need it for this resort unless booking a THV. Some may choose a more expensive resale option if they have their heart set on staying at some of the more difficult to get into resorts at the 7m window.

We love owning at SSR, and just booked our first THV for next Oct. Can't wait to stay there.

 

[Sammie]

Personally I think the resale prices right now for SSR are due more to who is selling than the value of the actual property.

I think many bought into SSR right before the economy bottomed out and are now trying their best to simply get out of owning a timeshare.

 

[cvjw]

We recently added on thru resale and SSR, and are very happy with our purchase. All of our other contracts have a shorter expiration date and higher maintenance fees than SSR. While SSR isn't my first choice for a Disney resort, we don't mind staying there - it really is a beautiful resort. My kids do want to stay at SSR again once the new pool is finished.

 

[disneynutz]

Supply and demand. If it were a smaller resort and harder to book, the price would be higher. Also as PP, it appears that SSR owners are selling which is also driving prices down.

Lets hope that the DVC recovers from all of this but as long as Disney keeps building resorts and using their marketing magic on buyers, I'm afraid that buyers during that last few years are going to take a hit when they sell.

Bill

 

[disneygal55]

Some people love SSR and some love other DVC resorts. We bought SSR when it first opened...sight unseen. Unfortunately when we arrived for our first visit, we just didn't care for the design of the resort. Since then we have purchased AKV points, sold SSR points and then purchased BCV points. My advice would be to see the DVC resort first, walk around the grounds, check the meal amenities, the pool...the entire set up before purchasing. If you like SSR after checking it out then you can purchase without reservations. The resale point prices for SSR have been low for awhile.

 

[mlayton14]

Have you ever actually been to SSR? If so and you like it, as other people said its about the best deal going. Im not in the camp of "the more years the better" so I dont particularly see having the longer contract as necessarily a plus depending on your age,

However being on the lower end of maintenance fees, a pretty darn nice place if you are open to the condo style, and cheap points (and relatively low point charts) makes SSR a good value .. but make sure you actually visit before you drop a whole lot of money there.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

I believe you are seeing the glut of SSR resales on the market because it was at this point that DVC <really> started the in park marketing...kiosks, handouts, buses, etc. Not to say that there wasn't marketing before but SSR is when it really kicked up.
We love SSR. We bought sight unseen after touring BCV -- we just liked the SSR theming and layout more. Does it mean we'll never use our points at another DVC, no. But right now, with a 10 year-old DD, we love coming home to the peace and serenity of SSR.

 

[BrentR]

We love, SSR. It's nice to come back to a quiet place after a busy day in the Parks. We always rent a car so the proximity to the parks is not an issue. Besides after a long day in the parks, and everything disney, its nice to be at a resort that is on property but not so much theme.

 

[PurpleTurtle]

Besides after a long day in the parks, and everything disney, its nice to be at a resort that is on property but not so much theme.

This is what we loved about it when we stayed there in 2008. I know that we will be back there sometime soon. Looking forward to the new pool, too!

 

[CMOORE185]

Some people love SSR and some love other DVC resorts. We bought SSR when it first opened...sight unseen. Unfortunately when we arrived for our first visit, we just didn't care for the design of the resort. Since then we have purchased AKV points, sold SSR points and then purchased BCV points. My advice would be to see the DVC resort first, walk around the grounds, check the meal amenities, the pool...the entire set up before purchasing. If you like SSR after checking it out then you can purchase without reservations. The resale point prices for SSR have been low for awhile.

The beauty of DVC is you do not have to own at a specific resort to enjoy them all. They are always building a new resort you may like better than your home resort. The only advantage of owning at a specific resort is the 11 month booking window and for some lower dues. For the most part you can find what you want at the 7 month mark, and the lower dues at SSR IMO make it a great value. I will be staying at AKL and BLT June 2011 and I own at SSR and HHI.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Have you ever actually been to SSR?

No... The last time I was there was 1999 and SSR was not even on the map... I'd love to see all the resorts before I decide on a resale, but I'm 5,000 miles and 12 hours away (by plane). WDW will not be an annual destination for us. That's what we have Disneyland and VGC for. Now that the kiddos are old enough for the long haul plane rides we plan on going to WDW every 3rd year. So we plan on banking and borrowing to stay in a 2br (or tree house) for 10 or 11 days during the Christmas breaks. The contract termination dates do matter to me because I do plan on out living them, but even if I don't, my kiddos will.

Thanks all for your insights... I think my mind is made up!

 

[Sammie]

No... The last time I was there was 1999 and SSR was not even on the map... I'd love to see all the resorts before I decide on a resale, but I'm 5,000 miles and 12 hours away (by plane). WDW will not be an annual destination for us. That's what we have Disneyland and VGC for. Now that the kiddos are old enough for the long haul plane rides we plan on going to WDW every 3rd year. So we plan on banking and borrowing to stay in a 2br (or tree house) for 10 or 11 days during the Christmas breaks. The contract termination dates do matter to me because I do plan on out living them, but even if I don't, my kiddos will.

Thanks all for your insights... I think my mind is made up!

If you want a treehouse, I would definitely buy SSR.

 

[toniosmom]

When I first toured DVC and visited SSR to see the models, I wasn't impressed, so I bought AKV. However, after staying there on developer points, I was highly impressed by the peace and serenity of the resort. I love the condo-style buildings, having my own outdoor entrance. I think after the new pool is completed, we will see SSR's popularity increase.

One of the complaints I have heard is that the resort is too spread out, so if you are in the outskirts, you are far away from everything (food, theme pool). With the new pool in the Paddock section, those complaints will lessen. I know that I would love to stay there again.

 

[tomandrobin]

No... The last time I was there was 1999 and SSR was not even on the map... I'd love to see all the resorts before I decide on a resale, but I'm 5,000 miles and 12 hours away (by plane). WDW will not be an annual destination for us. That's what we have Disneyland and VGC for. Now that the kiddos are old enough for the long haul plane rides we plan on going to WDW every 3rd year.

I feel your pain on that 5000 mile trip. Three years ago we finally made it to Hawaii. We loved it!!! We went again this past summer and had a blast again. But the travel and airfare is such a killer. We are planning on going back again and visit DVC Alunai, but in a few more years. Not ready for another 12.5 hour flight anytime soon!

So we plan on banking and borrowing to stay in a 2br (or tree house) for 10 or 11 days during the Christmas breaks. The contract termination dates do matter to me because I do plan on out living them, but even if I don't, my kiddos will.

IMO, booking THV for 10-11 days in December will almost certainly require you to own SSR to reserve at the home resort booking period. On a side note, I bet you could "exchange" reservations or points with a DVC member wanting VGC or Alunai.

 

[tomandrobin]

When I first toured DVC and visited SSR to see the models, I wasn't impressed, so I bought AKV. However, after staying there on developer points, I was highly impressed by the peace and serenity of the resort. I love the condo-style buildings, having my own outdoor entrance. I think after the new pool is completed, we will see SSR's popularity increase.

One of the complaints I have heard is that the resort is too spread out, so if you are in the outskirts, you are far away from everything (food, theme pool). With the new pool in the Paddock section, those complaints will lessen. I know that I would love to stay there again.

I agree....SSR continues to get better every year. The one exception is the two buildings near the guard shack in the Carousel section. Other then that, SSR is still our overall #1 DVC resort. Each resort does offer a perk/view/amenity that is exclusive to that resort, that makes it unique. Which is why we own at four resorts now for different reasons.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

See in your situation, I would buy more at VGC, as you will probably use points there more often. I own at VWL, and when I plan last minute, I can ALWAYS get into SSR (never tried THV). How difficult is it to transfer into VGC with SSR points? I do enjoy SSR, we like to walk, and have walked to downtown, OKW, THV and around the golf course, very pleasant.