Firstly, I am (was) one of the SSR owners who panned SSR for being too industrial feeling and large. Admittedly, I was a supporter and contributor to the infamous "800 room apartment complex thread." I have just returned from a week at SSR with my BIL/SIL and their family and I'm happy to report I was very wrong. I'd caution anyone to first stay at SSR and let it "sink in" before criticizing it; a rushed tour through won't do it justice
I "get" SSR now. SSR was designed to be, and will be, it's own town. The town common area (theatre, spa, fitness center, pool, town common, faux church, arcade and so forth,) is large and can easily support the resort size. This will someday be a bustling downtown in itself. The theme grew on me quite a bit while I was there. One night my wife and I were sitting at the High Rock Springs pool after hours watching the kids swim while having a glass of wine and taking it all in and it hit us that this was "home." Once the landscaping matures, I agree with others who have said this will be the nicest landscaping of any DVC resort. The details are amazing, no corners were cut. The theme of SSR is "elegance," which may not be for everybody.
The "quiet pool" area in Congress park is absolutely beautiful, with elaborate fountains in all corners of the pool spraying water into the pool, beautiful landscaping, and of course an unmatched view of Downtown Disney. "Quiet" doesn't mean "small"- this pool is huge for a secondary pool. It abuts a play area and viewing area for DTD that has yet another beautiful fountain (there are quite a few fountains at SSR). Having stayed at and toured all other on property DVC resorts except for the Boardwalk, this is the nicest quiet pool area by far IMO. If they build another quiet pool area like this I'd think the Springs pool guest volume may not be too much of a problem.
The room was very richly appointed, the nicest (or again, most elegant) of any DVC room appointments I have seen yet. We had no problems with the room or CM's on-site at all. We liked having easy access to our car and had no problem with the outdoor hallways. It doesn't feel cheap at all, the building architecture and detail is first-rate, right down to the elaborate victorian elevators. The view of Downtown Disney was simply amazing.
I know there is another spa/fitness center thread ongoing, so I'll keep it short: The best on-site I've encountered, period. As for golf, I think the clubhouse for Lake Buena Vista Golf Club is right on site behind the main buildings, which I never knew. Nice feature.
Nits: 1. The Artists Palette is fine, but the resort needs a sit-down eatery. $12 for a six-pack of Mich Ultra, ouch! 2. The walkway to DTD was longer and less well-marked than I'd hoped, largely because the bridge over the channel is in the wrong spot. The walkway also had a dark area that surpirsed me. 3. Once done, some buildings without DTD views and a good distance from the town common might be a tough location to live with. 4. It is located off the beaten path...
Heard: 1. I took my daughter on a carriage ride at Port Orleans and the buggy driver (who I recognized from the stables at FW) said they are contemplating both finding a way to board some horses at SSR or at least minimally have a grazing pasture on-site. Once it's done he said they will also investigate carriage rides. 2. CM said SSR has been near 100% capacity since opening, in fact we tried a room upgrade this week from 1/2-1/7 for my BIL/SIL and they didn't have a single one bedroom available. He told me there were one bedrooms at other DVC resorts though if needed. I am going to be real angry if other DVC resort owners clamoring to get into SSR make it tough to book a room at my home resort.
In sum, we were surprised and impressed. If you want a large "happening" elegant resort this will be it. For a small cozy quiet getaway with folksy theming you should look elsewhere. My wife and BIL/SIL never stopped with the superlatives while we were there. They had no interest staying elsewhere in the future. Aside from the occasional VWL stay to get the very different theming and location I'd have to say this will be our home.
Take Care,
Bryan
I "get" SSR now. SSR was designed to be, and will be, it's own town. The town common area (theatre, spa, fitness center, pool, town common, faux church, arcade and so forth,) is large and can easily support the resort size. This will someday be a bustling downtown in itself. The theme grew on me quite a bit while I was there. One night my wife and I were sitting at the High Rock Springs pool after hours watching the kids swim while having a glass of wine and taking it all in and it hit us that this was "home." Once the landscaping matures, I agree with others who have said this will be the nicest landscaping of any DVC resort. The details are amazing, no corners were cut. The theme of SSR is "elegance," which may not be for everybody.
The "quiet pool" area in Congress park is absolutely beautiful, with elaborate fountains in all corners of the pool spraying water into the pool, beautiful landscaping, and of course an unmatched view of Downtown Disney. "Quiet" doesn't mean "small"- this pool is huge for a secondary pool. It abuts a play area and viewing area for DTD that has yet another beautiful fountain (there are quite a few fountains at SSR). Having stayed at and toured all other on property DVC resorts except for the Boardwalk, this is the nicest quiet pool area by far IMO. If they build another quiet pool area like this I'd think the Springs pool guest volume may not be too much of a problem.
The room was very richly appointed, the nicest (or again, most elegant) of any DVC room appointments I have seen yet. We had no problems with the room or CM's on-site at all. We liked having easy access to our car and had no problem with the outdoor hallways. It doesn't feel cheap at all, the building architecture and detail is first-rate, right down to the elaborate victorian elevators. The view of Downtown Disney was simply amazing.
I know there is another spa/fitness center thread ongoing, so I'll keep it short: The best on-site I've encountered, period. As for golf, I think the clubhouse for Lake Buena Vista Golf Club is right on site behind the main buildings, which I never knew. Nice feature.
Nits: 1. The Artists Palette is fine, but the resort needs a sit-down eatery. $12 for a six-pack of Mich Ultra, ouch! 2. The walkway to DTD was longer and less well-marked than I'd hoped, largely because the bridge over the channel is in the wrong spot. The walkway also had a dark area that surpirsed me. 3. Once done, some buildings without DTD views and a good distance from the town common might be a tough location to live with. 4. It is located off the beaten path...
Heard: 1. I took my daughter on a carriage ride at Port Orleans and the buggy driver (who I recognized from the stables at FW) said they are contemplating both finding a way to board some horses at SSR or at least minimally have a grazing pasture on-site. Once it's done he said they will also investigate carriage rides. 2. CM said SSR has been near 100% capacity since opening, in fact we tried a room upgrade this week from 1/2-1/7 for my BIL/SIL and they didn't have a single one bedroom available. He told me there were one bedrooms at other DVC resorts though if needed. I am going to be real angry if other DVC resort owners clamoring to get into SSR make it tough to book a room at my home resort.
In sum, we were surprised and impressed. If you want a large "happening" elegant resort this will be it. For a small cozy quiet getaway with folksy theming you should look elsewhere. My wife and BIL/SIL never stopped with the superlatives while we were there. They had no interest staying elsewhere in the future. Aside from the occasional VWL stay to get the very different theming and location I'd have to say this will be our home.
Take Care,
Bryan
I'm glad you feel that way about SSR. The horses and carriage rides would make an extra special touch... 
). Thanks so much for the report! I tooi think it is going to be mind blowing when it is finished since I love it so much now 
)
