A Glorified 800 Unit Apartment Complex?

[rinkwide]

That's the first impression the wife and I got when we stopped by to see Saratoga Springs on Saturday. Now maybe that is a little too strong but man, when we were heading up those exposed walkways to check out the models it was hard to get that thought out of my head.

Of course, once you're inside a grand villa the Thomasville appointments are nice and the DD view is very cool. But my mind kept coming back to this idea that after the novelty of the new resort wears off, I just can't imagine it becoming anything other than the most readily available and least desireable DVC property.

Sure, my assesment may be way off. There may be a ton of people who are really into the convenient shopping, dining and partying that the Downtown Disney location provides. And I suppose there's golf and the spa too but I'm just thinking that those are not the unique attractions that draw people to WDW.

Now I would like to try and find a bright side to SSR and look for the positives in this behemoth of an addition to the DVC family (it's going to be 60% bigger than OKW). An extra 800 units means increased on-property booking opportunities for all DVC members, right? But the more I think about that aspect the more I begin to believe this resorts huge member base is going to make the 7 month window quite competitive and harder to get what you want if it's not SSR. The potential loss of variety in resorts available later in the 7 month window would be dissapointing for those of us who occasionally like to book last minute trips.

Anyway, I'd really like to find more positive aspects to this new resort but I'm having a tough time. Maybe some of you DISers out there can help me see the light.

 

[spiceycat]

this is a beautiful resort. No question about it.

DVC will do it best to make it a pretty wonderful place.

however if you want to do the food/wine festavial at Epcot and stay at BCV or BWV - that is already a problem unless you own there.

Is that going to be more of a problem - probably. especially off season stays.

On season - summer, spring break - I don't see a problem now and it would take me not getting what I want in May for a July trip for me to see that is a problem. Of course this is also more expensive time to go.

otherwise I can't see Sept being that popular - the other months yes - but if I can't stay where I want in May or Nov - I generally can in Sept.

you can always buy your main points at SSR and do an add on at BWV, BCV or VWL.

 

[Beca]

Wow, Rinkwide!! Are you cruisin' for a bruisin', or what??!!!

Not that I don't agree with you...because I do. My personal opinion was that the individual buildings were too big to be cozy, and too small to have their own amenities (like a hotel).

I thought I was extreme...but, DH's response was that he would rather not come to WDW than to stay at SSR. I gave him this look like, "Are you serious?". To which, he replied, "This is not up for debate. I don't like it, and don't ever plan on staying here." I was shocked!!! I would stay there before I would not go to WDW...we'll just have to see if his "adamant refusal" holds when he really is faced with the "SSR or not at all" choice...which I am sure will happen at some point.

Anyway, I voiced the same concerns a while back...not about SSR per se, but about ANY resort being almost 8 times the size of any other...it just doesn't seem like a fair thing for Disney to do. I think a lot of people who own at SSR REALLY like SSR (tjkraz comes to mind), but I think a lot of people bought at SSR as a way into DVC. I know this happened with a lot of resorts...but, with this one being so big...it just concerns me.

I, too would love to hear positives on a resort being so big (especially one that DH "promises" we will never stay at)...but, I suspect we might just want to don our flame retardant suits about now!!!



Beca

 

[elfbo]

We bought at SSR just to get in. It is not our first choice to stay at. We did an add on at BWV just so we could use the 11 month booking window for variety. SSR is ok, but it doesnt have the draw for us the other locations have. I mean OKW has lower points for stays. BWV, BCV and WLV are very convenient to theme parks.

While SSR is convenient to DTD, thats not a *destination* for us.

So if a fair number of the new SSR owners feel like I do, there will be alot of competition for resorts at the 7 month window.

 

[spiceycat]

it is more cost efficieny - so your dues will be less - than DVC building 8 different resorts.

I had not heard it was 8 times bigger than the other resorts.

People like different things at different resorts. OKW the bigger rooms, BCV - SALB plus Epcot, BWV MGM Studios - just depends upon what you like.

nothing on WDW property is far away.

Hey on your next trip stay off-site - on International Boulevard - there are several Marriotts, HGVC and Sheratons - in that area - and then sees how he feels....

I am still surprised at how many new DVC members don't even look at resale before buying.

 

[elfbo]

I am still surprised at how many new DVC members don't even look at resale before buying.

We looked at resales before buying, but decided to go though disney for the easy financing and SSR for the extra years.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

I am still surprised at how many new DVC members don't even look at resale before buying.

I don't about other people, but I was unaware of the resale market for DVC resorts when I took the tour. I don't recall my guide mentioning it, either. I don't think it would have made a difference in my decision, though. I like the 12 extra years that SSR provides.

 

[russct]

Just got back from SSR for 6 night stay in 2 Bedroom unit. Had party of 6 with two children (9 and 5). Thought space was more then adequate and loved SSR. Spa, Fitness Center and pool were great. Only thing I was disappointed with was the selection of food at Artiste Palette. I have stayed at BWV and SSR as new member and like SSR better. The only thing BWV has going for it is location. But personally I like the open hallways, views and location to DTD/Pleasure Island.

I'm sure all DVC Resorts will give me a positive experience and wouldn't mind staying at any of them! Better then off site.

 

[jctwizzer]

"Anyway, I'd really like to find more positive aspects to this new resort but I'm having a tough time. Maybe some of you DISers out there can help me see the light.[/QUOTE]

In reading your thread, I noticed you had one negative comment, and then a paragraph citing all the positives...

I can only ask, "how much time do you plan to spend outside looking at the bldgs.?"

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip).....But the more I think about that aspect the more I begin to believe this resorts huge member base is going to make the 7 month window quite competitive and harder to get what you want if it's not SSR. .................

I agree - it's all the more reason to buy where you want to stay the most.

As a BWV owner who only wants to stay at BWV (at least so far) when I'm at WDW, I would like to see the home resort booking advantage be even longer than the 4 months it is right now.

Best wishes -

 

[russct]

During my six days I spent two days outside the buildings which was near the pool and taking in the scenery around the resort. The units inside are also great, which I would agree that I don't spend alot of time inside.

Once completed they will have nice bike and walking trails around all 18 buildings. Like I said, they are all great in there own way and everyone has a different opinion. I think the only thing everyone will agree about on this discussion board is very few people regret buying into DVC.

 

[bobbiwoz]

The WDW DVC's that we own points at are BWV and VWL, but I know we'll be happy if we HAD to stay at SSR on some of the trips that are spur of the moment. We're staying there this weekend, on a Saturday night no less, because we want to try it out. We loved the way the villas looked when we took the tour in October. Usually we do plan our trips 11 months out, so I'm not worried about not being able to get into BWV.

Bobbi

 

[lllovell]

We have yet to go home for our first visit to SSR. My first reservation is actually at Old Key West, but I see us staying at SSR quite a bit. I love the views. I like the location (we are not die hard on property eaters and can scoot off property easily from there). We are drivers not bus takers so the location doesn't bother me. I have small children, so walking from a resort to a park is not really an option right now. We actually bought at SSR hoping to enjoy stays when our children are older and it is just hubby and I. I do like going to DTD to stroll around in the evenings. I enjoy the restaurants there at times, but I mostly like the atmosphere.

It doesn't seem fair in some ways to have one resort being so big, but that is the point of owning where you want to stay. The 11 month window will actually come into play soon I am sure.

You guys have such a strong reaction to SSR (negatively), but I have noticed that almost everyone here loves their home more than the other places. Works for me, but I am looking forward to trying them all and having different kinds of experiences - viva la difference!!!

 

[Greg K.]

...I prefer the location and charm of BWV or BCV.

Having said that -- and having never stayed at SSR -- I have to think that a pretty big drawback, for such a huge resort, is the lack of dining options.

I visited SSR during our trip this past Thanksgiving, just to look around, and was flabbergasted at how big and busy the place looks. But I was also surprised that it doesn't have a real sit-down restaurant (by design, I understand, so as not to compete with DD.) Still, I'd think for the investment people are making in vacation ownership, a lot of people will begin to demand a quality restaurant on property.

Thoughts?

 

[lllovell]

Honestly, I think that the sit down restaurant thing is a give or take for me...doesn't matter. If it was there, we might use it some. If they dont build one, no biggie. However, if I was used to having one in the past (as most older DVCers are) then I could see how I might miss it.

Basically, for us newbies, cannot miss what you have never had.

 

[rinkwide]

...SSR for the extra years.

I suppose that is the fall-back argument for this resort and if you really like Saratoga I think it's great to have the longer term.

However, once all 800 units are built SSR will comprise over 40% of all DVC accomodations at WDW. The impact of this huge increase in rooms and membership is hard to quantify at this point but if you're like elfbo, and I'm sure many are, it could be a long 47 years owning a resort that isn't really your first choice to actually stay at.

 

[spiceycat]

in 47 years - the children and others who can only be there at certain times will hopefully be on their own....

if you plans are flexibility - then I would think you can stay anyplace you want - just depends upon how flexibility you can be.

47 years is a long time!!!

everytime a new resort is added this question comes up.

everyone has different taste. A young couple or single would love being able to walk over to SSR after being at PI until it closed. Some others will love being able to walk over to DD. Just try to get to DD from some of the other resorts - very, very long unless you are lucky. the DD bus in most resorts is also the internal bus - so it does double duty most of the time.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

We are staying there in February - 3 nights, first two nights at the Swan,then over to SSR, I booked late, couldn't get anything but OKW or SSR, picked SSr because we had never stayed there. I like the fact that we will eat over at DTD, isn't it just a boat crossing over, kind of like going from VWL to CR? Seems pretty easy and not a big deal. I will report back in Feb, who knows maybe my view of it will change?

 

[mjtm610]

We have points at BWV and recently bought at SSR. We plan on using up our SSR points first, as this is the least favorite place to stay. We have 4 kids, sometimes they come with, sometimes one or the other, sometimes its just us. When we toured SSR NONE of us liked it. I thought the kids would as they are all over 18 and DD is a draw. No one in my family thought it was "Disney". The only possitive we found was the view. We thought the food and merchandise was more expensive at SSR than at other properties. Is that what others have found?

 

[Deemarch]

First of all, you are all assuming that SSR will sell out...In it's entirety...Very soon. I don't think that that is happening.

We had a 7 night ressie for SSR for the first week in May 2005 and switched at 7 months to BWV - BW view with no problem. Now, there is a catch. DH & I will be staying in studios. Maybe we will have less issues with the smaller room. We bought at SSR because of the 50 year contract (to leave our kids) and the fact that we could stay at other places, if we get lucky. So far, so good.