Allure going, going, gone...

[tomandrobin]

So I'm changing my tactic to the only true statistic I think matters: More BCV owners dislike SSR than any other resort.

LOL....I love the "thinking outside the box" approach!

I too was just sitting on the sidelines this time, but I think that may be the best statement yet.

Off Topic.....Why do the Hilton Hean and Vero Beach owners get a pass when it comes to booking at the "on-site" resorts? I don't know for a fact, but I would bet, that as a percentage of ownership, those owners would trade out the most. But only Disney knows those numbers.

 

[Starr W.]

So I'm changing my tactic to the only true statistic I think matters: More BCV owners dislike SSR than any other resort.

I love your observations on BCV owners BroganMc! Was it your last trip that you had to listen to some kvetch about SSR?

Well, were going to BCV for MLK weekend(end of semester teacher work day falls on the Friday before ). I'll start the research on how many SSR owners like BCV.

 

[BroganMc]

Off Topic.....Why do the Hilton Hean and Vero Beach owners get a pass when it comes to booking at the "on-site" resorts? I don't know for a fact, but I would bet, that as a percentage of ownership, those owners would trade out the most. But only Disney knows those numbers.

That is the $60,000 Question. Way back when I was just debating buying into DVC the first owners I met onsite where HHI and staying at BWV. They advocated I buy a cheaper offsite DVC (this was before their MF rate hike) and just book stays onsite. In their words, "we always book onsite and never have a problem". The only time they went to HHI is in the summer when the grandkids wanted to do the beach thing.

Now the boringly logical response is that "owners who want to stay onsite aren't going to be bumped to HHI or VB as a second or fourth choice". If an owner isn't bumped then it is a non-issue. Instead it's just said that DVC was solidly booked. However I bet there are plenty of rooms at HHI & VB for Christmas long after the onsite resorts are booked solid.

 

[BroganMc]

I love your observations on BCV owners BroganMc! Was it your last trip that you had to listen to some kvetch about SSR?

I confess I shared a very long ferry ride from MGM to EPCOT with a dyed-in-the-wool BCV owner. She listened to me happily chit chat about all the good things of SSR with another new SSR guest (a renter if memory serves). As soon as that guest departed, she jst had to jump in and tell me how much she hated SSR. She was so distraught that after one night at SSR she called up MS and begged them to transfer her anywhere else. I felt sorry for the poor woman. Nothing I could say would make it any better for her.

Meanwhile I wondered just how long this supposedly "short & convenient" ferry ride could take. It was my "4 Park in a Day" marathon. By bus, monorail and ferry, by far the longest leg was that ferry ride.

 

[Starr W.]

I confess I shared a very long ferry ride from MGM to EPCOT with a dyed-in-the-wool BCV owner. She listened to me happily chit chat about all the good things of SSR with another new SSR guest (a renter if memory serves). As soon as that guest departed, she jst had to jump in and tell me how much she hated SSR. She was so distraught that after one night at SSR she called up MS and begged them to transfer her anywhere else. I felt sorry for the poor woman. Nothing I could say would make it any better for her.

Meanwhile I wondered just how long this supposedly "short & convenient" ferry ride could take. It was my "4 Park in a Day" marathon. By bus, monorail and ferry, by far the longest leg was that ferry ride.

After hearing your's and others stories of the "slow boat" from MGM, we've already decided to hoof it. Though my youngest has to ride the boat since he saw Samantha Brown do it on the Great Hotel show. .

If anyone is going to be in the BC/BW area MLK weekend and you hear screaming about "We have to ride the boat" that will be my 6 yr old. He's rather pigheaded and has a big mouth.

Back on topic. Why do people buy SSR if they don't like it or want to stay there. Isn't that one of the 10 rules of buying a timeshare, don't buy someplace you don't want to stay in because your trade might not come through? We actually stayed at SSR on a cash reservation and really enjoyed it, if we hadn't we wouldn't have bought. Seems like common sense to me.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Well, this OKW/BCV/VWL owner will probably be staying at SSR next June just because we like it. Right now, it's the only resort that we don't own at that we like. Don't like BWV, I'm waiting for AKV to be completed, VB is okay, not sure about HHI.

 

[castleri]

LOL....I love the "thinking outside the box" approach!

I too was just sitting on the sidelines this time, but I think that may be the best statement yet.

Off Topic.....Why do the Hilton Hean and Vero Beach owners get a pass when it comes to booking at the "on-site" resorts? I don't know for a fact, but I would bet, that as a percentage of ownership, those owners would trade out the most. But only Disney knows those numbers.

I had totally forgotten about all the HH and VB owners- I know one who has owned at HH for a number of years and has never stayed there. He has however used all his points every year- at WDW resorts- mostly OKW but once at BCV. The funny thing about that was when he came back his comment was that when they walked into the villa at BCV he was amazed at how small it seemed after having stayed at OKW. The following visit was in a GV at OKW that he booked at 6 months out for a week in April. It is not always SSR that has the availability.

 

[wildernessDad]

Don't get apopleptic just yet, Granny! LOL! I think the point was that VWL and BCV were too small. In a way, I agree with that sentiment. They were added to the system quickly to have something to sell, and they really are small. It seems to be extra important to have home resort priveleges at those two smaller resorts. Not a slam of the resorts, but at DVC for making them too small. Yep, even though some think SSR and OKW are too big.

Home resort advantage is very important for VWL and BCV, especially as membership grows.

 

[zoomsharedisney]

I agree that my argument is based on the assumption that nobody stays at SSR willingly, I am sure that there are many that will argue otherwise (and correctly so). But, as I have reiterated before, this is based on my particular circumstance; that being a parent with 3 children. Being that Disney is primarily a family destination, then the argument, statistically has legs to stand on.

Andrew Medina

Your arguement is based on the fact that SSR doesn't have any features that appeal to a family??? Could you define family for me? My family consists of my DH and myself. Yes Disney is a FAMILY destination - but family means much more than just having kids. Your arguement is based on a family with children. Perhaps you need to open your eyes and realize that not all DVC resorts need to have marquees that are kid friendly. Many families (adults only or adults with children) stay at SSR. I still don't see your point.

A few things that I've learned from the DIS Boards...
1.) Read before you post - something that I believe the OP hasn't done, and even basically admitted to.

2.) Don't ever state something about 'the majority' - you WILL lose almost EVERY time!

3.) Don't start a bashing thread - no good will ever really come from it.

4.) Don't ASSUME - because it just makes an A** out of U, but not ME.

 

[elijahpep]

To be honest, isn't it getting a little old and tiresome arguing these same points over and over about SSR. The OP doesn't like the resort, fine, don't stay there. Problem solved. But please don't come on here and whine about not getting your home resort at the one month window. Three things to remember:
1. Buy where you want to stay.
2. Book inside of your home priority window.
3. At the 7th month mark points are points.

If a person buys points thinking he/she can call on a whim and get a reservation at his/her home resort (especially the small ones) inside the 7th month mark, I feel sorry for him/her and all the money he/she wasted on DVC. All I can say is he/she should have investigated before shelling out thousands of dollars.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Give it up, guys. This has been debated several times in huge long threads by dogmatic heavy hitters.

dogmatic heavy hitters....? Are they still posting here? Frankly, this thread is as heavy hitting as any thread I've seen on the "DVC" boards. Don't give it up guys (and gals) I am following your words. An amazing thread. Very entertaining, and informational.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

About 65, though my accuracy (ok, my spelling) means I edit them afterwards trying to make the words make sense.

Professional hazard. I'm a (and this will surprise no one) Data Analyst/IT guy...specializing mostly in medical and clinical research.

You are too humble.... 65 wpm.... which hand do you do that with

 

[MrsNick]

 

[3DisneyKids]

Of course, having recently stayed at Saratoga Springs, I don't want to stay there again and I think this feeling is shared by most who own there and they are flocking to the other resorts filling them up even in the periods of low vacancy.

Really??? Are we actually back here again???

Please get over it. MANY of us love SSR dearly. And those who have been keeping up with these boards know full well that SSR has become a desired destination by many.

ANd FWIW, I called earlier today to change a res that I have for August....only 7 weeks away...

and there was availability EVERYWHERE except BCV and the new AKV (where there are only 22 units open until Sept.) I could even get a BW view! I could get tiny (but beautiful) VWL! And I could get both OKW and SSR.

My family just stayed at BWV-PV in May...dh and I with our 3 kids...and all of us, the kids included, decided that while we enjoyed our stay at BWV, we all prefer SSR.

Can't we finally stop the SSR bashing? Sheesh....

 

[3DisneyKids]

(Now this is the slowwww period of JULY

deerh

Not sure where you are getting your stats that July is slow?!?! On the 10-point scale used by some of the popular touring plan sites, almost the entire month of July is a 9!

And of course, all DVC resorts are designed to be always be at or near capacity.

 

[3DisneyKids]

I think that some readers have read more into the posts than what I wrote; the jist of the argument here is that if you build such a huge resort, give it some marquee amenity that will draw the owners there instead of having them book in the other resorts.

So here is a real life example; I am a parent with 3 kids, I have bought at SSR, I am planning my yearly trip to Disney. Where do you think I am going to try to reserve at? SSR? If you agree, then you are deluding yourself, the majority will try to book at the resort with the best marquee amenity. How many of these ‘swaps’ need to occur before the ‘small’ resorts are sold out?
Maybe now the argument of the missing marquee amenity at SSR is clear.


Andrew Medina

Hi Andrew--

The marquee amenity of which you speak is the world-class SPA...which was recently ranked one of the top FIVE spas in....can't remember if it was all of North America? World? just U.S.? But you get the point. It truly is a world-class spa.

Now, I understand that as a parent of 3 kids, the spa is not a draw for you. Look at my screen name. I have three young kids. So I am in the same boat as you are in that regard. We have not yet stayed at all DVC properties (missing VWL). But right now, my kids like SSR over BWV! No. We are not deluding ourselves. We have stayed both places and the KIDS as well as the adults like SSR better. Guess what? They like SSR better than OKW, too! And you know what? SSR ties for first with BCV in their eyes! I guess we are majorly deluded.

Now, when we stay at AKV, things may change a bit. But we have stayed at AKL...and yes, they like SSR over AKL.

Not sure why it is so hard for you to accept the families with young children love SSR?!?!

 

[3DisneyKids]

I agree 100%!

I'm a SSR owner who dislikes staying there. I've only stayed there 4 days. I'm not bashing SSR, it's just not my taste. I like the hotel feel, where every day you walk through the lobby & are indoors the whole time. SSR has the motel feel, where you have to make a special trip to see the lobby. I like being in the middle of the action, not secluded & quiet. Some like to be away from the action. That's the great part of DVC, there's a resort for everyone.

So I'm the exact DVC member the OP is talking about & my parents own at SSR as well & they never stay there either. So there's two DVC families that are "guilty" of exactly what the OP is talking about right there.

I don't feel she's bashing SSR. It's not about SSR, it's about the SIZE of SSR & it's not so great location compared to most of the DVC resorts.

At least that's how I read it.

I certainly have no problem with you preferring other resorts over SSR. After all, that is the beauty of the DVC system...different strokes and all that.

However, if you KNOW that you like hotel feel instead of condo-style...and if you KNOW that you like the hustle and bustle as opposed to peace and quiet...

why on Earth did you buy at SSR?

 

[MissMet]

I certainly have no problem with you preferring other resorts over SSR. After all, that is the beauty of the DVC system...different strokes and all that.

However, if you KNOW that you like hotel feel instead of condo-style...and if you KNOW that you like the hustle and bustle as opposed to peace and quiet...

why on Earth did you buy at SSR?

Because I wanted to go through Disney & not a resale company. SSR was the only resort DVC was selling at the time. Add on top of it how heavily they push that you never have to stay there if you don't want to.

I really had no choice.

 

[tomandrobin]

Because I wanted to go through Disney & not a resale company. SSR was the only resort DVC was selling at the time. Add on top of it how heavily they push that you never have to stay there if you don't want to.

I really had no choice.

Ah, feel for the "Only Saratoga is available for sale" line. They always say the other resorts are sold out and fail to mention that they can sell you the other resorts that DVC has excercised the ROFR.

 

[tomandrobin]

You go 3DisneyKids! We'll back you all the way!!