SSR Renovations

May I ask which areas you each stayed?
Just want to see if it is a general consensus that they are keeping everything up. We are staying hopefully in Paddock this summer, even knowing that it will not be refurbished; my kids just love that area.
It always seems to me that when I have seen complaints of wear, they are generally in the Springs or the Congress Park area--I think they just get more requests/higher traffic so probably a good idea that the refurb started there first.
Congress park, so the room we stayed in around thanksgiving is probably renovated now! At the time the construction was all around us. Have a great trip.
 
Thanks for the information in this thread. I just modified my August reservation to switch to SSR and I booked preferred, in the hopes that I will get a renovated room. I'm also planning on renting a car and visiting Universal :poop: for the first time, and Saratoga has the best WDW DVC location for that!

I haven't stayed at SSR yet, although I have walked around a bit on the grounds when I visited the DVC sales center. Also, I stayed there in 1996, when it was the Disney Institute.

By August...I'd guess you have close to 100% chance of getting one in a preferred location. Congress Park is on pace to take 7 months...7 more months puts you into august, so hopefully the springs is completed by that time.
 
By August...I'd guess you have close to 100% chance of getting one in a preferred location. Congress Park is on pace to take 7 months...7 more months puts you into august, so hopefully the springs is completed by that time.
Congress Park has 4 buildings and the Springs only has 3 buildings, so they should finish that section in about 5-5.5months or so.
 
May I ask which areas you each stayed?
Just want to see if it is a general consensus that they are keeping everything up. We are staying hopefully in Paddock this summer, even knowing that it will not be refurbished; my kids just love that area.
It always seems to me that when I have seen complaints of wear, they are generally in the Springs or the Congress Park area--I think they just get more requests/higher traffic so probably a good idea that the refurb started there first.

I was in Paddock 6101-6436 and The Grandstand 8501-8836.

Both rooms were spotless. The Grandstand room's closet door was off its track, but not affecting its usage (I actually found it easier to manoeuvre). And the safe was a bit finicky. Neither were remotely big issues and I reported them the night before leaving.

Given all the talk on here I was pleasantly surprised that both rooms were exceptional.

I do wonder if a lot of the issues are in larger size units, where there are more possibilities with decline.

-----------

And that Grandstand room, so incredibly peaceful.
 


I’m doing an exchange through RCI so does that mean it’s a standard 1 bedroom? We are going in May so I’m wondering if there’s any possibility we will get a renovated room.
 
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I’m doing an exchange through RCI so does that mean it’s a standard 1 bedroom?
It could be either, but most seem to be drawn from Standard. About 10 days after you confirm the exchange, call DVC at the 800 # in your confirmation; they will give you the Disney reservation # (you need this for MDE), take the names of the guests, and can tell you which section at that time.
 


I’m doing an exchange through RCI so does that mean it’s a standard 1 bedroom? We are going in May so I’m wondering if there’s any possibility we will get a renovated room.

If it's standard, you will not have a renovated room...if it's preferred...you would have a good chance of getting one by May.
 
We always have breakfast in the room before hitting the parks. Do the renovated studio rooms have a small table and 2 chairs like other DVC studios? And from the pictures I've seen it looks like only paper cups, is that correct?
 
I was in Paddock 6101-6436 and The Grandstand 8501-8836.

And that Grandstand room, so incredibly peaceful.

Off track a bit from the thread, but we have always stayed at the Paddock, but I have been thinking about the Grandstand area. My kids love the bridge crossing from the Paddock to the Springs area; they love checking out the turtles and fish. Is there any special nature features over in the Grandstand area? What makes you love that area so? The Grandstand pool reminds me of Turtle Pond's pond at OKW--am I correct?
 
I was fortunate to get a lot of pixie dust this week. I had booked a studio at SSR. When I checked in, she gave me a 2-bedroom in Congress Park. The refab was lovely. Too bad I was traveling solo because I didn’t need that much space.
 
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Off track a bit from the thread, but we have always stayed at the Paddock, but I have been thinking about the Grandstand area. My kids love the bridge crossing from the Paddock to the Springs area; they love checking out the turtles and fish. Is there any special nature features over in the Grandstand area? What makes you love that area so? The Grandstand pool reminds me of Turtle Pond's pond at OKW--am I correct?

I love The Grandstand because ---

Wait! I got the first building 8501-8836, a big part of my affection. I have never stayed in any of the three other buildings. Unsure if I would feel as positive not getting that specific building. I think I would, but just a heads up while reading.

*If you look at the SSR map The Grandstand buildings mean you will not see any outside world (big deal to me).

*I had a very peaceful view of the golf course and Port Orleans/Treehouse boats going by.

*seemed like two seconds to the Carriage House - bizarre that it is Standard for that one fact.

*so close to the Downtown Disney boat as well. Again Standard get? And that boat dock is right at two fabulous restaurants - The Boathouse and Wine Bar George.

*even walking to the House of Blues end of Downtown Disney is close to that section.

*I was literally about 15 or 20 steps to The Grandstand pool. That part was just luck but nice nonetheless.

*the buses - except the Downtown Disney bus - are first on and first off at The Grandstand.

Your nature feature question -

*There is a large pond at the back of one of The Grandstand buildings but I didn't take a walk back there

But even with all that since your family loves The Paddock -I too love that bridge - I would still choose it for them.

Some distinctions- The Paddock pool definitely has more energy to it. And its snack bar is more extensive and is open all year round.

Have a wonderful holiday.
 
We always have breakfast in the room before hitting the parks. Do the renovated studio rooms have a small table and 2 chairs like other DVC studios? And from the pictures I've seen it looks like only paper cups, is that correct?

No the renovated studios do not have the table and chairs.

My response - DRAT! I use the table and chairs each and every day.

They have a coffee table pull up.
 
DVC Fan is reporting all Congress Park rooms are done. That means it took them 7 months to refurbish 184 units (280 guest rooms) given that they started Mid-June 2019. This represents approximately 20% of the total units in SSR.

In any case it sounds like at least another 2 years to completion, maybe even 3 years at the current pace (26 units per month). They've still got 704 units to go if you count the treehouses in the resort total of 888 units.

That would spell trouble for the rest of the resorts' refurbishment cycles if they wait until SSR is complete before beginning BRV's refurb. That was set to begin sometime in 2020. Hopefully they'll begin on BRV later this year as planned regardless of SSR's progress.
 
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I love The Grandstand because ---

Wait! I got the first building 8501-8836, a big part of my affection. I have never stayed in any of the three other buildings. Unsure if I would feel as positive not getting that specific building. I think I would, but just a heads up while reading.

*If you look at the SSR map The Grandstand buildings mean you will not see any outside world (big deal to me).

*I had a very peaceful view of the golf course and Port Orleans/Treehouse boats going by.

*seemed like two seconds to the Carriage House - bizarre that it is Standard for that one fact.

*so close to the Downtown Disney boat as well. Again Standard get? And that boat dock is right at two fabulous restaurants - The Boathouse and Wine Bar George.

*even walking to the House of Blues end of Downtown Disney is close to that section.

*I was literally about 15 or 20 steps to The Grandstand pool. That part was just luck but nice nonetheless.

*the buses - except the Downtown Disney bus - are first on and first off at The Grandstand.

Your nature feature question -

*There is a large pond at the back of one of The Grandstand buildings but I didn't take a walk back there

But even with all that since your family loves The Paddock -I too love that bridge - I would still choose it for them.

Some distinctions- The Paddock pool definitely has more energy to it. And its snack bar is more extensive and is open all year round.

Have a wonderful holiday.

Thank you for your wonderful feedback! It does sound like there are many perks to staying in the Grandstand area. My kids are older now since our last stay at SSR so I will show them your list and see what they think. But it sounds delightful to me! I also love the time away from the parks--enjoying the quiet and the view. Thanks again!
 
I’ve been staking the dvc site in an effort to book something last minute. This morning I hopped on to find all of February open for a one bedroom preferred! Quickly booked five nights at the end of that month! Now of course I’m hoping for a renovated room.

I guess dvc released a block of rooms that were just completed? What are my chances of a renovated room? I put that as our only request.

Very excited to get back to SSR. It’s been five years.
 
I’ve been staking the dvc site in an effort to book something last minute. This morning I hopped on to find all of February open for a one bedroom preferred! Quickly booked five nights at the end of that month! Now of course I’m hoping for a renovated room.

I guess dvc released a block of rooms that were just completed? What are my chances of a renovated room? I put that as our only request.

Very excited to get back to SSR. It’s been five years.

I would add Congress Park to give even better chance, since those are the ones being done, The only thing we don’t know is if the room assignees now what rooms have been done, but it sounds like feom many reports a good deal of CP is done!
 
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! It does sound like there are many perks to staying in the Grandstand area. My kids are older now since our last stay at SSR so I will show them your list and see what they think. But it sounds delightful to me! I also love the time away from the parks--enjoying the quiet and the view. Thanks again!

You're welcome. If you guys decide on it, well I would suggest putting The Grandstand 8501-8836 as your request. There simply can't be a poor view in that building, looking at the map.

And I have felt over the years that the room assignment CMs at SSR are wonderfully focused on requests.

I know it is easier at a larger resort but BWV has been infamous for the opposite sentiment! . :laughing: :drinking1

Enjoy your trip.
 
I’ve been staking the dvc site in an effort to book something last minute. This morning I hopped on to find all of February open for a one bedroom preferred! Quickly booked five nights at the end of that month! Now of course I’m hoping for a renovated room.

I guess dvc released a block of rooms that were just completed? What are my chances of a renovated room? I put that as our only request.

Very excited to get back to SSR. It’s been five years.
Odds are in your favor. They have completed the Congress Park buildings and have moved to the Springs buildings. CP has 4 buildings and Springs has 3. They generally remove one out of the system while they refurb it.cant wait to get a refurb room there. Right now our next stay is at AKV in the spring.
 
I would add Congress Park to give even better chance, since those are the ones being done, The only thing we don’t know is if the room assignees now what rooms have been done, but it sounds like feom many reports a good deal of CP is done!
Odds are in your favor. They have completed the Congress Park buildings and have moved to the Springs buildings. CP has 4 buildings and Springs has 3. They generally remove one out of the system while they refurb it.cant wait to get a refurb room there. Right now our next stay is at AKV in the spring.
Thanks for the info. I added Congress park to my request of a renovated room. Looking forward to it.
 

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