That’s exactly what some of us love about it, and what some disparage it for. Coming from the U.K. you made me realise I like the US community feel about it.SSR is a really nice resort especially if you like to go walking in the morning or evening. It's like a very nice community, similar to OKW.
Yep, you nailed it. No Disney resort - however well done - is going to thrill everybody. I guess I'm just shocked that no outspoken fans of SSR post rave reviews of this amazing resort in the way that folks who love Poly, GF, BCV... post. I've seen plenty of chatter from people who hate SSR. Ok. But where are the comments from people who love it? THe most positive posts run something like "it's not my favorite but it is nice." Hardly a glowing review! And this place IS fantastic to the right people. My fam was shocked to come and find our own little piece of paradise here! This is where I'd buy if I could talk my DH into it - my DD is sold! Ah well, we are saving $ so we can at least rent points and come again. BTW, I so relate to each of your points! As much as I like AKL - the food, the CMs from Africa, the animals, the art, the architecture - I felt very penned in when we stayed for a week. I kept wishing for "that path" that would allow me to walk around the animal enclosures instead of just standing in overlooks. I would do AKL for a couple of days, but not for a week again for that reason. I was saddened to read that the trail between WL and FW has been closed due to construction. The ability to walk and bike to FW by the lake and through the woods was huge to me. Oh, and thanks for the canal path suggestion. A few other folks have mentioned it. We will definitely bring our bikes next time we come to SSR to ride the canal path to OKW -- and I'll walk the canal path also!Wow great post, I think you nicely describe why I love SSR also. It will be doubly fantastic when refurbed. One man’s meat is another man’s poison as they say:
Quiet and relaxed a big tick for me- Not in your face Disney enough for some.
Lots of walking, it’s what I love on vacation as I’m sat behind a desk all day- “The size of the resort and walking is ridiculous” to some.
Yoga, my wife loves it- “ I’ve no interest in exercise, least on vacation” many will think (Yoga also at Boardwalk, BLT, Beach Club and I think Grand Floridian though).
Spread out and pretty gardens is what I like for the reasons you say- “ Like a condo village” to others and “ Like a value with no internal corridors”.
Nature, like you I love seeing this stuff, particularly as I’m from the U.K.: We don’t have any remotely exotic wildlife and anything that could injure you was hunted out of existence hundreds of years ago- “ I want to only be in a highly Disneyfied environment, that’s why I come to Disney” to many.
Funny but many U.K. citizens seem to like SSR as we insist on being able to walk to restaurants and bars on an evening so we can have a drink and people don’t like driving if they can help it.
Not saying the other folks are wrong, I am not a big fan of Animal Kingdom as I cannot walk or run anywhere, but I can see why others think it’s fantastic.
By the way did you walk up the canal path to Old Key West? If not you’d enjoy that.