slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
I can't speak for MMlvr but I feel like SSR has an unwarranted red-headed stepchild reputation amongst the Disney resorts. I know the theme isn't as wow-ish as a place like WL, Poly or AKL. I know that it's not convenient for people who want to his the parks from dawn till dusk. And of course, the size and layout often disappoint people who are housed on the outskirts. But it's got its charms. I never had a dirty room or a bad stay. I preferred it more when a: we didn't have kids and b: Pleasure Island was still a thing, but anyone in your party who might prefer shopping and/or golf to E-tickets will be in Heaven (especially after current construction at DtD is done). Plus the spa, and all the dining options a short walk or boat ride away. Certainly makes it easier to do a night at Cirque without worrying about missing the opening. Off-day where you're not planning to go to a park? You've got 2 main pools and a couple of quiet pools, you can easily go catch a flick or fry your brains on olde video games at Disney Quest, and the aforementioned spa. I've loved just soaking in the quiet pool or hot tub at Congress Park watching the lights and people across the lake. The bike rentals are nice, and you're not going to run out of bike path any tie soon. I don't know if it's my favorite place to stay but it's got way more going for it then people seem to think it does.
For all the places I have stayed, I think my favorites would be AKL & BLT. AKL for the sheer magnificence of the lobby and savannahs, and BLT for the views and convenience (and I always dreamed of staying at Contemporary when I was a kid). I couldn't work up enough disdain for any place to stay to call it "the worst" (Aside from AKL & BLT, that includes POR (including when it was Dixie Landings), SSR, VWL and BWV. Also stayed once at Vero beach and 3 times at Hilton Head but I assume those don't count. I spent one afternoon at the Doubletree Suites in DtD, getting an afternoon nap after checking out of BLT but before we wanted to start our drive home (we also had one credit left on our Dining Plan and made reservations for The Wave for dinner that night). Wasn't too keen on that one, room was too warm and for all the talk of it being a "suite" it didn't even have a proper door separating the living area fro the bedroom just a sliding divider that kept no kids' noise out so it wasn't much of a nap. But I didn't really get a chance to explore the rest of the hotel or grounds.
I can say, I have no desire to stay in a Value room beyond a night or two as an add-on to an existing vacation, the rooms too small and the amenities too not-there. And out of all the resorts, the ones I have the least desire to stay are All star Sports and Caribbean Beach.
