SSR owners, did you buy there just to stay at other places instead?

[Jillpie]

I'm very curious, I see so many SSR owners saying this, that they never stay at their home resort, but wait till the 7 month window to book somewhere else. I'm wondering, if that is the case, why didn't you purchase at the resort that you loved in the first place? Just a totally curious question.

 

[Meggysmum]

I have owned at BLT for a couple of years but last year we stayed at SSR due to a late booking and not finding much else available. I wasn't looking forward to it as SSR seems to get such a bad press on forums.

Fast forward 6 months and I am now the proud owner of a contract at SSR too. I thought it was a lovely resort, so spacious and relaxing and just what I needed as a contrast to the hectic time in the theme parks.

I am sure I will use my points to stay at other resorts as I like to have a variety of breaks and I have already used my BLT points in several resorts but I am more than happy to book SSR.

I think the main gripe is that Disney sell free DDP offers at SSR and OKW at such a discount that owners feel that they are penalised for staying at their home resorts when cash payers are getting better deals so they chose to stay elsewhere.

 

[mom of princessx2]

I am a SSR owner and have stayed there as well as other DVC resorts. We love SSR but are in the process of checking off our list to stay at all the DVC locations. We bought there because the resale price was reasonable as well as the maintence fees. We are okay to only stay at SSR if that is the case but the beauty of DVC is getting to try other resorts when possible.

Currently we have tried VWL, BLT, BWV, BCV, AKV, VB and, of course, SSR. We love each for different reasons and seem to adjust our vacation depending on where we are staying. SSR visits seem to be our most relaxing trips and DH and DD 8 are golfers so that will work out well in long term.

Not sure why SSR gets such negative remarks. I would assume most of those come from folks that have never stayed there.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Nope. SSR was our first home resort, and continues to be our favorite resort. We spend about three weeks a year at Disney, and try to make at least one of those weeks at SSR. We love the look of the resort, the relaxed feeling, the pools, the restaurants, and the location.

 

[BestDadEver]

I bought sat cause it was the cheapest price pp and one of the lowest MF . I am not one to just stay at one resort everytime I go I'd likely stay somewhere new. I just used my first stay at AKV . I figure I won't be able to book else where and ill stay there . I am thinking of going there next cause they have that nice new kids pool in paddock area . I think I'd really like the resort when I get there . I think being able to get the THV could be real nice too . I am also one to think I won't have an issue getting rooms at 7 months , based on friends that have been dvc for a long time .

 

[wdwdano@yahoo.com]

I bought because it was what was selling at the time. I had a choice between akv and ssr. I chose ssr because it was next to downtown disney, golf, and shopping.

 

[Doug7856]

We purchased SSR pre-construction in the fall of 2003. We love our stays at SSR and book our stay there probably 70% of the time. We also love AKV and have booked a few stays there. Last year we had a one night stay at BCV. Our second stay at OKW is coming in November. Our third stay at the THV at SSR is coming up later this year.

So, no we didn't buy to not stay at SSR. It was the perfect resort for us. We had looked several times at DVC and SSR was the first that felt right for us.

 

[TEK224]

I also bought SSR because that's what was being sold at the time. I added on there 2 years later. I like the resort. I switch up my stays depending on what I plan on doing each trip.
I've stayed at OKW, SSR, BWV and BCV.

 

[Chuck S]

...
I think the main gripe is that Disney sell free DDP offers at SSR and OKW at such a discount that owners feel that they are penalised for staying at their home resorts when cash payers are getting better deals so they chose to stay elsewhere.

Except that those discounts with free DDP are only available in the UK market. There are no discounts to USA travelers at SSR, except the normal free DDP with full rack rate room. I don't think the offers you refer to truly add to anyone's dissatisfaction with SSR or OKW for any US based owners.

 

[edith76]

We bought into DVC early in 1994. We added on at each resort as they were built until SSR came along. I can remember telling my guide I wasn't interested it. Well ended up adding on there because I needed more points and that was what they were selling. It turned out to be our favorite resort. I love the decor, the location and the fact that I can park my car near my room. The fact that it is usually available on short notice is an added plus.

In our case it works the other way. I have over 1000pts spread out over most of the resorts but use them frequently to stay at SSR - LOL.

 

[granmanh603]

Bought at SSR when opened as needed more points and would stay there when that was all there was left to book. Ten years later have grown to love and booked there. Just had to take our first stay at AKL for 3days and really did not like and was glad to check into SSR today for rest of stay.

 

[Chuck S]

Bought at SSR when opened as needed more points and would stay there when that was all there was left to book. Ten years later have grown to love and booked there. Just had to take our first stay at AKL for 3days and really did not like and was glad to check into SSR today for rest of stay.

I'm curious what you did not care for at AKL?

I have only stayed at OKW since 1992, with the occasional day or two extension at POP. AKL is on my list as wanting to stay there sometime, but I haven't been able to tear myself away from the large rooms at OKW.

 

[holula]

Bought at SSR when opened as needed more points and would stay there when that was all there was left to book. Ten years later have grown to love and booked there. Just had to take our first stay at AKL for 3days and really did not like and was glad to check into SSR today for rest of stay.

We ended up not buying SSR as its the easiest resort to get into when booking after the 7 month mark. I like the look and feel of SSR and we get to stay there for the first time in 4 days! We own OKW but want to try all of the resorts... If there is availability at 7 months somewhere else we will switch our booking from OKW because we will always be able to get OKW.

I don't hate AKL. I find it SO inconvenient though. The only way I will stay there is with a Savanna view... My BF loves it though. Wants to stay there every time.

 

[deebits]

We bought at SSR in 2007 and are only staying there for the first time this June because we got developer points to use there. We booked at SSR many times, but at 7 month mark there was always another resort we could stay.

 

[nolanboys]

We bought SSR because of the length of contract, price, and MFs. We also bought there for the THV. We also cannot book vacations at the 11 month window, so paying the premium for that is not worth it for us. Unfortunately, they changed the points for the THV, so now OKW is our go to. When we add on, I would love to get some more at OKW as it is our favorite. When are kids are older and we are empty nesters, I would like some at BCV just for F&W. We are more than happy staying at SSR, and are willing to take our chances when we want a different resort. When you don't have your heart set on one resort and can't plan trips that far out, SSR makes the most sense.

 

[Micca]

SSR was our first home resort, we like it a lot. We enjoyed staying at the hotel before DVC too. Not sure what the gripe with SSR is among others. It isn't themed to the hilt like AKL, but it's still very nice & comfortable.

 

[granmanh603]

I'm curious what you did not care for at AKL?

I have only stayed at OKW since 1992, with the occasional day or two extension at POP. AKL is on my list as wanting to stay there sometime, but I haven't been able to tear myself away from the large rooms at OKW.

Well AK it is beautiful looking, nice view of "Savannah" and a few animals now and again. Long walks to everything,maybe room location long bus rides to everything, always waited for our bus except AK bus. Parking garage, felt like savannah in the city. Long walk to pool also hard to find and smallish. Only had a studio and kitchen area had no room to do anything maybe because it had a 4 slice toaster? Bathroom nice 2sinks and separate toilet area decor nice but dark I wanted to like but just did not feel right. Again would only stay again if nothing else, to each their own just not for us.

 

[bwvBound]

SSR owners, did you buy there just to stay at other places instead?

I'm very curious, I see so many SSR owners saying this, that they never stay at their home resort, but wait till the 7 month window to book somewhere else. I'm wondering, if that is the case, why didn't you purchase at the resort that you loved in the first place? Just a totally curious question.

Yes, we did. As others have noted, it was what DVC was selling when we bought in early 2004.

Before buying, we had traded into BWV a few times through II. We used BWV for an annual Business Conference and it fit our needs. When it came time to buy DVC we did our research and "knew" exactly what we wanted: BWV, 200 pts, Dec UY. We tracked resales and made offers. After multiple rejections, "just missed," "contract wasn't as advertised" and two "seller changed their mind" experiences we threw in the towel and handed our credit card to a DVC guide to go on the waitlist: BWV, 200pts, Dec UY.

Four months later the DVC guide called, "Our contract was in!" We were thrilled ... until we received the paperwork and started going through it. Saratoga Springs? Oct UY? What the heck? We phoned the guide who apologized for the mistake and resent the paperwork.

Again, SSR, Oct UY.

The next call to the guide was different. He didn't apologize but instead started to strong arm us. He "sold" us on the reasons to buy SSR over BWV:

• Longer contract (SSR was the only resort, at that time, to offer a full 50 year contract)
• Lower dues
• Use the points at any DVC resort in the system (the "points are points" pitch)
• A verbal promise, "You won't have any problems booking BWV for your conference dates w/in the 7 month window."

Don't you know -- the guide was right! As much as we went into the deal worried and angry about being pushed into both resort and UY against our wishes ... our experience has been satisfactory. SSR points work at all the DVC locations. The Oct UY been 'ok' (although Dec would have been better).

In our nine years of ownership we've stayed at SSR twice - the first time being in Dec 2009 to visit the new Treehouse units.

"... why didn't you purchase at the resort that you loved in the first place?"
Because it didn't exist at that time? Maybe still doesn't exist? Because there is no one DVC location that we'd want to own?

Frankly, we don't vacation in Florida very often. At the time we purchased (2004) there were no DVC locations in CA/HI. Our usage pattern, except for the annual business conference, remains very scattered. In the past 12 months we've enjoyed Vero, BWV, and Grand Cal (2x). Looking ahead, we plan to hit BWV (January), AKV (May) and possibly a Concierge Collection location. It is important to us that DVC points work easily across a network of locations.

 

[vandy]

I firmly believe and advise to buy where you want to stay. All of our contracts are at SSR and if that is the only place we could stay, we would be very happy to do so. That said, we do try to stay in as many other DVC resorts as possible because that is what attracted us to DVC: the opportunity to experience a variety of places and themes.

 

[kkolbusz1]

We've been to Disney many times & decided to buy unto DVC before prices went up. We are brand new owners, our 1st DVC trip will be late Oct. We've never stayed at any DVC Resorts, but chose SSR because of low maintenance fees & point cost, but we intend to stay at every resort.