jennypenny
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 11, 2000
Whew, 2 weeks is a long vacation. We've never taken one that long (anywhere) and I'm really having trouble adjusting to the real world. But I'll try and recap the trip. Now that we've visited SSR, we've stayed at every DVC except Vero, so I can judge a little. But I have to say we like what we like, and you like what you like, so TO EACH HIS OWN. Take what I say with a shaker of salt because everyone is different.
SSR: I didn't want to stay here, but my family wanted to try it so I was overruled. It was much more charming than I expected. The rooms weren't as stuffy as they looked in photos, and the main street and pool area were very nice. We stayed in a 1 bd in Congress with a view of DTD. Check in was smooth and we got our room at 10am. She said that they were trying to give people available rooms now instead of pre-assigning them. I found this to be the case at BCV also (got in our room at 11am). Manager told me the resort was at 50% capacity (he seemed disappointed by this) the week we were there (aug 6-12) and said they expected that number to drop for the following week. He said occupancy was down for those two weeks (aug 6-20) because many people were waiting for the free dining plan. When I questioned him on this because DVC members wouldn't use the dining plan because they already had accomodations he had no answer. I had a similar conversation at the BCV because they were also "light" the week we stayed there (aug 12-20).
Some positive notes: The rooms were not as stuffy as I thought, and the main street/pool area was charming. Community hall was fun, staff very nice, pool very nice, and the food at Artists Palette was tasty (and we like the non-fried food disney is trying to incorporate).
OK, now the other: Almost once a day we waited over an hour for a bus. I realize they were only at 50%, but that's no reason to make us stand for an hour in very hot weather. We saw other families having fits about the busses also. One poor family waited 1 1/2 hours for a bus to Blizzard Beach at lunch time. Definitely a problem, and my hubby says (even though he liked the resort) we won't be going back until we hear that they have fixed the bus problem. The only other problem was Artists Palette. The food was great, but it takes too long to get your food. I think the problem here is that they are trying to make restaurant quality food at a counter service place. I like the food, but it's not worth the wait--especially when you're standing there in a wet bathing suit for 30 minutes waiting for two flatbreads. One morning I ordered breakfast and waited 25 minutes even though I was the ONLY ONE THERE. Too long. We liked the food but it got to be too much of a pain.
BCV: This is our home resort and we have a lot of experience here. I have had some issues with this resort in the past (front desk in particular) but no problems this trip. They were obviously not near capacity, so that may have something to do with it. We spent Friday Aug 19 at Stormalong Bay, and I have never seen it so empty. All afternoon there were maybe 10 families in the whole place. Never a line for the slide. It was very nice. The room was fine (although it faced the carport) and everything went smoothly at checkin. Again we were told that they were trying to get people into available rooms, and we got ours at 11am--unheard of at BCV.
Positives: SAB is all open now (was closed when we went in Feb) and it's very nice. I wish it was open later at night though. They are definitely checking for room keys and handing out wrist bands, but no towel patrol because there was no need last week.
Negatives: Well, a view of the driveway isn't high on my list, but I guess you can't always get a great view. No front desk problems this time, and bus service was unusually reliable this time (but I still don't like sharing the bus with YC, BW, Dol, Swan--too many stops).
General Observations:
* It was really empty for summer time. We've gone in August twice now and I really recommend it. It's a nice compromise between weather and crowds and school vacations (depending where you live).
* The first week was fine, but last week was hot ( 4 our of 5 record high temps for Orlando--wow). But we still managed to do a few things in the morning, then swam and hung out at epcot many nights. Not much rain, but lighting most nights.
* Did the water parks. Crush and Gusher was fun, although there is no amount of sunscreen for a 98 degree day at a waterpark in August. We reapplied every two hours and still fried. There were no afternoon storms or clowds to help with the sun. I'm still sore.
* Loved Soarin, Lights Motor Action, and my boys were thrilled to see the power rangers pull up in their vehicle and sign autographs at MGM. Made robots in innoventions and the kids had a blast. Seemed like there were quite a few new things to do--and we were just there in Feb!
* BCV Marketplace is great now. Love the gelato--ask to sample flavors before you buy, you might be surprised by what you like. Salads and sandwiches were very good. Nice to have another option for lunch (took everything poolside most days). The mugs have not changed since Feb. Actually, they haven't changed in years.
* Make PS's for your meals--I think the dining plans are clogging up the restaurants a little. I saw many uphappy people. More than once I heard "but the park isn't even busy, why don't you have a table?" I'll post a dining review on that board and include more info if you're interested.
OK, that's enough. I'm sure I'll think of more but I need more coffee first. If you have any questions, just ask. We did almost everything (parks, DTD, waterparks, DQ) so ask away.
Jenny
SSR: I didn't want to stay here, but my family wanted to try it so I was overruled. It was much more charming than I expected. The rooms weren't as stuffy as they looked in photos, and the main street and pool area were very nice. We stayed in a 1 bd in Congress with a view of DTD. Check in was smooth and we got our room at 10am. She said that they were trying to give people available rooms now instead of pre-assigning them. I found this to be the case at BCV also (got in our room at 11am). Manager told me the resort was at 50% capacity (he seemed disappointed by this) the week we were there (aug 6-12) and said they expected that number to drop for the following week. He said occupancy was down for those two weeks (aug 6-20) because many people were waiting for the free dining plan. When I questioned him on this because DVC members wouldn't use the dining plan because they already had accomodations he had no answer. I had a similar conversation at the BCV because they were also "light" the week we stayed there (aug 12-20).
Some positive notes: The rooms were not as stuffy as I thought, and the main street/pool area was charming. Community hall was fun, staff very nice, pool very nice, and the food at Artists Palette was tasty (and we like the non-fried food disney is trying to incorporate).
OK, now the other: Almost once a day we waited over an hour for a bus. I realize they were only at 50%, but that's no reason to make us stand for an hour in very hot weather. We saw other families having fits about the busses also. One poor family waited 1 1/2 hours for a bus to Blizzard Beach at lunch time. Definitely a problem, and my hubby says (even though he liked the resort) we won't be going back until we hear that they have fixed the bus problem. The only other problem was Artists Palette. The food was great, but it takes too long to get your food. I think the problem here is that they are trying to make restaurant quality food at a counter service place. I like the food, but it's not worth the wait--especially when you're standing there in a wet bathing suit for 30 minutes waiting for two flatbreads. One morning I ordered breakfast and waited 25 minutes even though I was the ONLY ONE THERE. Too long. We liked the food but it got to be too much of a pain.
BCV: This is our home resort and we have a lot of experience here. I have had some issues with this resort in the past (front desk in particular) but no problems this trip. They were obviously not near capacity, so that may have something to do with it. We spent Friday Aug 19 at Stormalong Bay, and I have never seen it so empty. All afternoon there were maybe 10 families in the whole place. Never a line for the slide. It was very nice. The room was fine (although it faced the carport) and everything went smoothly at checkin. Again we were told that they were trying to get people into available rooms, and we got ours at 11am--unheard of at BCV.
Positives: SAB is all open now (was closed when we went in Feb) and it's very nice. I wish it was open later at night though. They are definitely checking for room keys and handing out wrist bands, but no towel patrol because there was no need last week.
Negatives: Well, a view of the driveway isn't high on my list, but I guess you can't always get a great view. No front desk problems this time, and bus service was unusually reliable this time (but I still don't like sharing the bus with YC, BW, Dol, Swan--too many stops).
General Observations:
* It was really empty for summer time. We've gone in August twice now and I really recommend it. It's a nice compromise between weather and crowds and school vacations (depending where you live).
* The first week was fine, but last week was hot ( 4 our of 5 record high temps for Orlando--wow). But we still managed to do a few things in the morning, then swam and hung out at epcot many nights. Not much rain, but lighting most nights.
* Did the water parks. Crush and Gusher was fun, although there is no amount of sunscreen for a 98 degree day at a waterpark in August. We reapplied every two hours and still fried. There were no afternoon storms or clowds to help with the sun. I'm still sore.
* Loved Soarin, Lights Motor Action, and my boys were thrilled to see the power rangers pull up in their vehicle and sign autographs at MGM. Made robots in innoventions and the kids had a blast. Seemed like there were quite a few new things to do--and we were just there in Feb!
* BCV Marketplace is great now. Love the gelato--ask to sample flavors before you buy, you might be surprised by what you like. Salads and sandwiches were very good. Nice to have another option for lunch (took everything poolside most days). The mugs have not changed since Feb. Actually, they haven't changed in years.
* Make PS's for your meals--I think the dining plans are clogging up the restaurants a little. I saw many uphappy people. More than once I heard "but the park isn't even busy, why don't you have a table?" I'll post a dining review on that board and include more info if you're interested.
OK, that's enough. I'm sure I'll think of more but I need more coffee first. If you have any questions, just ask. We did almost everything (parks, DTD, waterparks, DQ) so ask away.
Jenny
thanks for the great report...do you remember your room number..have a great day 
...amy
So how many stops to or back from, say, MK?[/QUOTE]
