Baited and switched? re: SSR

[Disney Doll]

Additionally, nothing was mentioned about 11 month windows, etc. Only after receving the written material was this discovered. Guide insisted that it wasn't a problem, you could almost always get into the resort you wanted to visit.

I am not sure why the for this statement.

I have been a member since 1997. In that time I have booked many months in advance, and as little as 3 weeks in advance. We go to WDW at least 2x/year, if not more. In all those years, there is only one time when I have not been able to book at all...it was when I called 2 weeks before Spring Break week in an effort to get my nephew a studio during Spring Break week.

Other than that, I have always gotten exactly what I wanted.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I am not sure why the for this statement.

I have been a member since 1997. In that time I have booked many months in advance, and as little as 3 weeks in advance. We go to WDW at least 2x/year, if not more. In all those years, there is only one time when I have not been able to book at all...it was when I called 2 weeks before Spring Break week in an effort to get my nephew a studio during Spring Break week.

Other than that, I have always gotten exactly what I wanted.

You know, I have to agree with Disney Doll. We have speculated non availability to death and now speculation has become the truth on these boards. Very few of us are not getting what we want, when we want it. That is the truth.
And the main reason we cannot get it, is because of what is discussed here, which makes everyone rush out to book peak times even earlier. I don't think the guides are misrepresenting here, we are basing our assumptions on much speculation and hyperbole. One person posts they can't get a ressie and the run is on!

 

[drakethib]

You know, after reading all of the SSR bashing around here lately (I must admit while I have visited SSR there seems to be a little something missing) I think I am about to plan a trip to stay at SSR for myself to see how it is.

I mean how bad could it be, I always said a bad day at Disney is better then a good day at work.


Most people love BCV and I really don't care for it.

Many do not like OKW and I love the place.

That is why DVC is so great, they have something for everyone.

 

[Tinky]

That is why DVC is so great, they have something for everyone.

True... so so true....

 

[bpmorley]

You know, after reading all of the SSR bashing around here lately (I must admit while I have visited SSR there seems to be a little something missing) I think I am about to plan a trip to stay at SSR for myself to see how it is.

I mean how bad could it be, I always said a bad day at Disney is better then a good day at work.


Most people love BCV and I really don't care for it.

Many do not like OKW and I love the place.

That is why DVC is so great, they have something for everyone.

If you like OKW you should like SSR. I like both. Then again I've liked every Disney resort I've stayed in. Each one, DVC & non-DVC have something to offer. All have pro's and con's. I write on here all the time about people bashing places that they haven't stayed in.

 

[mom2rb]

When I bought SSR my guide tried to get me to buy at BCV. They had points at both. I wanted SSR. I wanted the 12 extra years and I wanted to be close to Downtown Disney. We go in the off season, when the parks close early. So no bait and switch here. I am very happy with where I bought.

 

[keishashadow]

To paraphrase the Stones "...you can't always get what you want..." my rather limited experience has been far different from yours.

Unable to get ANY studio a little less than 11 months out for 1st week in Dec. last year. Had to change plans to 2nd week of Dec. to book anywhere & waitlisted for our home resort (didn't get it until a few months before the actual date).

Have tried to book BCV studios on day-by-day basis for Dec., June & Oct. @ 7 months out w/o success.

I've been offered 1 BR's but, studios seem to disappear quickly.

I am not sure why the for this statement.

I have been a member since 1997. In that time I have booked many months in advance, and as little as 3 weeks in advance. We go to WDW at least 2x/year, if not more. In all those years, there is only one time when I have not been able to book at all...it was when I called 2 weeks before Spring Break week in an effort to get my nephew a studio during Spring Break week.

Other than that, I have always gotten exactly what I wanted.

 

[bpmorley]

To paraphrase the Stones "...you can't always get what you want..." my rather limited experience has been far different from yours.

Unable to get ANY studio a little less than 11 months out for 1st week in Dec. last year. Had to change plans to 2nd week of Dec. to book anywhere & waitlisted for our home resort (didn't get it until a few months before the actual date).

Have tried to book BCV studios on day-by-day basis for Dec., June & Oct. @ 7 months out w/o success.

I've been offered 1 BR's but, studios seem to disappear quickly.

I keep hearing these stories. We booked BCV studio for the last week of nov/first week of dec in late september. no problem getting a room.

 

[funhouse8]

I bought SSR for SSR. I have never stayed here yet but I don't think I will dissappointed. I got 12 more years and we are so close to DTD. My kids are older and we thought this is where they would want to be. We aren't going till august 2007 but until then I will not form any opinion from what people say, In life I found out there are people who find fault in everything they do. As for me I am counting the days till I can go home!

 

[keishashadow]

JMO - but, think you benefited from other members already locking in their plans earlier, freeing up some relatively last-minute availability (2 months prior).

Assume that there's quite a bit of shuffling around @ 7 month mark too.

We need to request vacation dates from employer in the fall prior to year we travel; so we're somewhat limited & have resigned ourselves to booking 11 months out to get the best chance of securing our res .

I keep hearing these stories. We booked BCV studio for the last week of nov/first week of dec in late september. no problem getting a room.

 

[jpolak]

After going back and forth on the decision to purchase we decided to rent points and experience DVC firsthand. After staying at BCV we decided that DVC was for us. We almost purchased a resale from the timeshare store. We changed our mind when the friends and family promo came out. This Aug. we are staying at VWL and plan to try and stay at every resort. If the worst thing that happens is a I have to stay at SSR, I'll take it.

 

[Groucho]

It doesn't seem fair to either attack or defend SSR in particular. The 11-month thing applies to all resorts, remember... if a room at BWV is tough to get for an SSR owner at 7 months, it will be exactly as difficult as it would be for an owner of OKW, BCV, VWL, HHI, VB, etc... ditto for any other rooms. The only resorts that are "mostly" exempt from this are OKW and SSR due to their larger size. They would always be the last ones to have rooms available, whether they were hated by most or loved by most. (Unless people really, really hated one of the small resorts!)

In my case, I did our tour with no plans to buy (was planning on paying off cars first) and had already done some research, so I knew most of the basics. The guide did not attempt to sell the other resorts in any way and I don't feel that he misled us at all. We didn't find out about the F&F promo until I mentioned that I had a coworker with a sister who was a member, and I was a little suspicious when he said that it was the best deal they'd ever done... but some research here and there showed that that was probably the truth (at least, the best one in many years), so I bit the bullet and bought in.

Having not stayed at any of them yet, I don't have a particular favorite yet, but I would assume most trips will be to SSR. I may try the others, but it seems that each one has its advantages and disadvantages, but I don't think I'd be unhappy at any of them. (Especially since I've been quite content with my stays at Pop Century and All-Stars!)

 

[Sammie]

Having not stayed at any of them yet, I don't have a particular favorite yet, but I would assume most trips will be to SSR. I may try the others, but it seems that each one has its advantages and disadvantages, but I don't think I'd be unhappy at any of them. (Especially since I've been quite content with my stays at Pop Century and All-Stars!)

Groucho with a attitude like this, you will be happy anywhere you stay. We agree with your approach.

We like all the locations for different reasons, none are perfect and none are horrible regardless of what some try to lead one to believe.

Also our needs for what we want changes and therefore having different options is nice.

Enjoy your stay.

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

Tho SSR is not the best location to the parks, we decided to go with it mostly for the extra years. Don't get me wrong i love the resort and could be happy if it were the only place i could stay.

 

[tomspixie]

Growing up SSR used to be the Vacation Villas at Lake Buena Vista. That is where my family stayed almost every year. Then it became The Disney Institute...to please Mrs. Eisner. Well, when I looked across the lake from Downtown Disney and saw my childhood simply leveled, I ached. There was no way I was going to like the new resort. It had been "perfect." Well, shortly after the first few buildings opened, we stayed on a fluke. It was so much better than the origional resort. There is a very laid back feel, yet a bit upscale. Watching the lights from Pleasure Island dance on the waterway behind the resort is so soothing.

As to bait and switch, we bought into OKW, when it was called Disney Vacation Club. It was all they had. Once Vero and Boardwalk came along, add ons became a push. And we were told way back then that you could use your points at any of the DVC resorts. So it has always been a part of their marketing. Not something new to sneak a sale in. SSR is an outstanding resort and there is much to be said about being a bit away from the parks. The walk over to DD or the boats over to PI are very refreshing.


tomspixie

 

[crazywig]

we called in october 2003 to buy SSR (sight unseen) and were actually offered BWV! (these were the freed up points from the office move).

we thought about it for a few days and decided to take the BWV points instead. i'm glad we did as we absolutely love it there. we stayed at SSR last may and i liked everything about it except for location. i especially like the zero entry pool. however, right now, with two small children in strollers, i like being able to walk to two parks.

 

[mgray9654]

In February I booked a 7-night stay at BWV mid August At a price $3200 for the week room only.
My travel agent turned me on to the vacation clubrooms because I wanted a larger room and the wife wanted to stay on property, my son just wanted to go to Disney for his Birthday will be turning 5.
After much lurking and reading and number crunching I contacted DVC for more info. The day after the package arrived I call my Guide Andy and told him it was a go. He went over the material, which I all ready had researched on my own, In fact I was rushing him through it to get to the down payment.

My only concern was being able to book the week I had planed for, Airline tickets were already punched. Randy put me on hold and reserved a 1-bedroom at BWV, the deal was done, and the only thing I changed was I switched the res to SSR for the week, we figured to see our home resort.

This will be our 5th trip to Disney in 9 years, This will be my son’s second trip and to here him talk about it melts your heart. The only other he talks about with such glee is peeing on the trees out side the cabin during our week camping in the Mountains, the wife hates this one. The only complains I see are from buyers who did not do their own due diligence.
This is all about owing a little piece of the magic, hearing your children giggle with anticipation and they are juiced and ready to go 4 months before the trip. Good luck to all and enjoy the magic, oh the only thing I felt bad about was canceling the trip I booked with my travel agent, she did turn me onto DVC.

 

[bpmorley]

we called in october 2003 to buy SSR (sight unseen) and were actually offered BWV! (these were the freed up points from the office move).

we thought about it for a few days and decided to take the BWV points instead. i'm glad we did as we absolutely love it there. we stayed at SSR last may and i liked everything about it except for location. i especially like the zero entry pool. however, right now, with two small children in strollers, i like being able to walk to two parks.

That's why they say each resort has it's pro's and cons.

 

[mello]

We actually wanted to buy at SSR as our first choice for three reasons:

#1. The extra 12 years - that to us is huge

#2. It feels quite laid back and peaceful compared to other resorts (except OKW) - a nice place to retreat to to get away from the hustle & bustle

#3. We like the proximity to DTD for certain purposes - such as this June dh and I are going with no intention of visiting the theme parks

Our second choice would likely be either BWV or BCV, and we'll likely do an add-on at one of those one day, because we love Epcot, and can see going there just for F&W or the Garden fest in the future.

We also like the looks of VWL, and its proximity to MK, but being from the Northwest, it doesn't seem as "vacationy" to us, kwim?

At any rate, we'll buy where we want to stay, not buy to stay elsewhere.