Wasn't SSR supposed to have...

[slappy magoo]

...a movie theater? Eventually?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I vaguely remember, during the tour my wife & I took, that eventually (when the SSR is all or mostly sold), the Community Hall area would house a theater that would/could show Disney movies or maybe even open up to house live events? Am I hallucinating? Feel free to say yes.

I was thinking about this while writing up a review (admittedly delayed) of our stay there in August of 05. We took the tour in the Spring, and I just vaguely remember being told that. And if I'm wrong...well, maybe SSR SHOULD have a small movie theater. It has some nice amenities and all, but to me, the ultimate communal experience is watching a movie...naturally, with people who WANT to watch the movie, as opposed to people in their local googolplex because it's the weekend and where else you gonna go, you know?

One of my favorite "hidden" areas in MK is the little theater behind the Kodak Emporium that plays old cartoons in a tiny theater that seats about 40. And the outdoor movies at FW is a fun experience but you're dealing with the weather. I wouldn't make "watching old movies" a top priority on my vacation list, but it would be a nice respite, one afternoon or two. Maybe when Wifey needs a nap but I'm still a little hyped up on sugar, if I'm staying at SSR, I could take in a flick. Or a night when we're done with crowds, watch a Disney classic before heading to bed. After all, it's the movies that we generally fall in love with first, and having a proper showcase at WDW to see the classics would be a nice way to recapture the magic when the heat or the crowds or exhaustion in general does you in.

What say you all? Or, if you prefer, y'all?

 

[mprewitt]

Isn't the SSR theater being used to house the DVC model rooms for AKV?

 

[DisneyPhD]

Isn't the SSR theater being used to house the DVC model rooms for AKV?

I think that's correct. But I do think that they show movies at the main pool sometimes.

 

[disbest]

We were told the same thing before we bought at SSR a few years back. I was told recently by the DVC rep at SSR that they were not planning on doing much more with SSR.

 

[slappy magoo]

We were told the same thing before we bought at SSR a few years back. I was told recently by the DVC rep at SSR that they were not planning on doing much more with SSR.

That's kind of unfortunate. I almost feel like they're "writing off" the idea of doing anything fun with SSR. Apparently, being close to things to do is "fun" enough. For a resort that big, there's so much space to make it a more inclusive experience.

Hey, you know what it needs? Mini-classes! You know, for culinary arts, and TV production, yoga, crafts, stuff like that!




OK, just kidding, I just think if there was more to do there, it wouldn't be the big hulking antisocial misfit stepchild of the DVC resorts. People would start to seek it out, plan a stay around it.

 

[disbest]

That's kind of unfortunate. I almost feel like they're "writing off" the idea of doing anything fun with SSR. Apparently, being close to things to do is "fun" enough. For a resort that big, there's so much space to make it a more inclusive experience.

Hey, you know what it needs? Mini-classes! You know, for culinary arts, and TV production, yoga, crafts, stuff like that!




OK, just kidding, I just think if there was more to do there, it wouldn't be the big hulking antisocial misfit stepchild of the DVC resorts. People would start to seek it out, plan a stay around it.

I agree. The resort has so much potential, but I think they prefer to keep it a quiet resort. I think DVC's thoughts are that people should travel to DTD for events and entertainment.

When we stay at SSR is when we plan on visiting places outside Disney such as Universal or the Kennedy Space Center, which I highly recommend.

 

[DABIGCHEEZ]

We own at Saratoga Springs and last year was the first time we stayed there... the wife says it doesn't "feel" the same as the othe DVC resorts at which we have stayed. We have stayed at WLV and OKW and have loved it there. We are staying at BCV this year.

 

[disbest]

We own at Saratoga Springs and last year was the first time we stayed there... the wife says it doesn't "feel" the same as the othe DVC resorts at which we have stayed. We have stayed at WLV and OKW and have loved it there. We are staying at BCV this year.

We feel the same way. I think you will love BCV. We stayed at the BW and loved the location. It is great to be able to watch the epcot fireworks from the balconey. When we first purchased at SSR we were able the watch the fireworks at DDT. But Disney has since canceled the fireworks.Unlike SSR there is a lot to do at that location without traveling far.

Although SSR doesn't feel much like a Disney resort, there is a plus side. I view SSR as an opportunity to take advantage of other great enterainment that the surrounding Orlando has to offer. As I mentioned above there is Universal, Sea World and the Kennedy Space Center. Within a 5 minute drive, from SSR, outside the Disney resort, there are many fine resteraunts. So I view SSR as an opportunity, not only to visit the Disney Resorts, but to take advantage of other resorts and enterainment within the Orlando area. There are also many outlets in the area as well where you can purchase Disney Shirts and pins at a fraction of what they charge at DTD.

This is what makes SSR so great.

 

[figmentmom]

Apropos of nothing, I live 15 minutes from Saratoga Springs, New York, and SSR is not at all reminiscent of the real place. :ROFLOL:

 

[dukehoopsfan]

Apropos of nothing, I live 15 minutes from Saratoga Springs, New York, and SSR is not at all reminiscent of the real place. :ROFLOL:

Funny that you would say that! We live in Saratoga Springs, NY. Last week when we were at WDW people would ask us where we were from and we would tell them Saratoga Springs and the first thing they asked was does the Saratoga Springs Resort look like Saratoga Springs? After a pause, we would then answer no not really! lol We went for a tour of the resort, and one cm giving a tour in one of the rooms picked us out as being from Saratoga. In amazement, we asked him how he did that and he said everyone from Saratoga who visits doesn't really look at the room - they look at the photos and prints on the walls in the rooms! (Guilty - we were looking at old post cards!) The cms working at the sales office and the resort wanted to know what we thought of the resort. We told them it is beautiful - but there is very little that "really" looks like Saratoga Springs. But I do think the resort did capture certains aspects of the "Victorian" days and grandeur of old Saratoga - which isn't seen by people today. We did buy and are looking forward to spending time at our home away from home!

 

[Tiggerish]

Of course, there is a movie theater on site--back in the day of the Disney Institute, during a Flower & Garden Festival (I think) I attended a gardening lecture in the movie theater. I just don't know what they are using it for these days.

It's a shame, I think it would be great if they offered movies in the actual theater. Yes, they do show movies on the side of a building at the pool area, but wouldn't it be so much cooler to gather with other DVC members in the theater to watch a movie??

I was very interested to read that SSR doesn't really resemble the actual place. We have a couple of cousins who decided to join us on our Oct. trip at SSR, and they vacationed at Saratoga Springs two weeks ago--I told them to pay close attention so that they could tell us in Oct. how accurately the resort is themed.

 

[dukehoopsfan]

Tiggerish -

The movie theater (as it was titled and appeared to look like one) is where we went at the beginning of our DVC tour, and I didn't see any movie theater there at the time.

I'll be interested to hear what your cousins think about the theme of the SSR vs. Saratoga Springs, the city! I hope they had a great time while visiting the area though...it is beautiful this time of the year.

 

[TedsMom]

OK, just kidding, I just think if there was more to do there, it wouldn't be the big hulking antisocial misfit stepchild of the DVC resorts. People would start to seek it out, plan a stay around it.

I've never thought of SSR that way.

I think it's a lovely place to stay, but with DTD and a huge movie theater not too far away, I don't see why you would need another one there.

Last time we were in WDW (late April/early May) it looked pretty full to me.

 

[TedsMom]

I don't think the resorts are supposed to be little replicas of the places they are named for. I think they are supposed to catch the "flavor" or "feel" of an area.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Next thing you'll tell me is that the Grand Floridian is actually modeled after a hotel in San Diego...and not Florida estates of a bygone era...:lookaroun

 

[dukehoopsfan]

I don't think the resorts are supposed to be little replicas of the places they are named for. I think they are supposed to catch the "flavor" or "feel" of an area.

I understand what you are saying - but I have lived in Saratoga now going on 25 years - the SSR doesn't really catch the flavor or feel of the Saratoga area - except the horse theming. Buildings in the city do not look like the buildings at the resort either. Not even from Victorian times....

 

[CSUFSteve]

Interesting. I am perfectly happy with SSR and don't have any complaints about it, stayed there twice now. Also interesting that it doesn't "feel" like other DVC resorts. I am staying at BCV for Epcot's 25th so I'll be looking for what a "real" DVC resort is supposed to feel like. This trip is basically all about Epcot so the walking distance is nice. We've also always wanted to walk to MGM so are looking forward to a sunset walk over there and around Boardwalk. Should be nice.

But I like SSR probably for the reasons others do not. It IS a quieter resort and I do like that. The fact that it's gigantic sort of gives it a more tranquil, park-like setting. And I do like that if I want a little more oomph in my after-park activities, DD is right there within easy walking distance. I also love that lake view across to DD.

So yeah, I'm looking forward to staying at BCV (have stayed at BC before and LOVE Stormalong Bay), but I'll be surprised if I don't still prefer my home resort of SSR. But to each his own, right?