Did I Make a Huge Mistake?

[edk35]

Thanks, everyone, for your feedback. It was all appreciated. To those (Jean and abeyst) that recommended OKW - that is what finally came through. We're still wait listed at BLT.

I really didn't have an issue with SSR as a resort and was thinking that the ability to walk over to to downtown Disney was going to be a great perk, I was truly concerned with the space for toddlers, infants and pack and plays.

So now they have switched us to OKW and I'm feeling better about it. I'm still disappointed that my daughter won't get to experience BLT prior to buying but it will all work.

This has all been an educational experience for me! I thought I understood how it all worked but you never really get it until you have to try and change something. I am sure I read it, but I didn't know that you are taken off the wait list 31 days prior to your vacation - which means we were on the wait list for like a week? It was my daughter (not the one who is buying) that figured that out and helped me get us switched over to OKW.

So we'll see what the experience is like at OKW and have to save the Saratoga Springs experience for another trip when we don't have twin 5 month olds, a 1 year old, and a two year old along. The two that generally go down each trip (a nine year old and the one year old) are fine no matter where we stay.

Thanks again.

Now I saw this post. WE LOVE OKW. We have stayed there 3 times. LOVE IT!!! Just stayed there in Jan. Like I said before... being at any DVC resort will make for a wonderful trip. ENJOY~~~

 

[eporter66]

Everyone is different and has different tastes.

When we bought into DVC, Saratoga was what was for sale. We knew we loved WDW, and at that time we had stayed off-site, Carribean Beach, and finally Wilderness Lodge, which is what convinced us DVC was something we wanted.

First of all - if you bought into DVC you obviously enjoy your time at Disney and planned on spending years taking trips there. At the very least, look at this as an opportunity to experience a new resort.

Personally - I love SSR. The location may not be as desireable for some, but for me it is just fine. It is a beautiful resort to walk around, being a golfer it is perfect for me. I like my down time when I am at WDW, with all the hustle and bustle in the parks, SSR provides a peaceful setting to return to. And even with all the walking we do, I love getting up in the morning and going for a run or walk. I also like being able to walk over to Downtown Disney and grab a meal, or a drink somewhere. One thing I will say is that we rent a car, so I cannot comment on transportation issues.

Each resort we have stayed at has been great. There will always be some you like more than others, but c'mon, you are staying in deluxe accomodations on Disney Property.

If the worst thing we all have to worry about is what resort we are staying at, I say we all have it pretty damn good.

I get the buy where you want to stay, but give the other resorts a try. Honestly, we have stayed at SSR, OKW, AKV, and VWL, and the Boardwalk. All have the upsides, and not one has ever disappointed my family.

 

[nocruisecontrol]

Everyone is different and has different tastes.

When we bought into DVC, Saratoga was what was for sale. We knew we loved WDW, and at that time we had stayed off-site, Carribean Beach, and finally Wilderness Lodge, which is what convinced us DVC was something we wanted.

First of all - if you bought into DVC you obviously enjoy your time at Disney and planned on spending years taking trips there. At the very least, look at this as an opportunity to experience a new resort.

Personally - I love SSR. The location may not be as desireable for some, but for me it is just fine. It is a beautiful resort to walk around, being a golfer it is perfect for me. I like my down time when I am at WDW, with all the hustle and bustle in the parks, SSR provides a peaceful setting to return to. And even with all the walking we do, I love getting up in the morning and going for a run or walk. I also like being able to walk over to Downtown Disney and grab a meal, or a drink somewhere. One thing I will say is that we rent a car, so I cannot comment on transportation issues.

Each resort we have stayed at has been great. There will always be some you like more than others, but c'mon, you are staying in deluxe accomodations on Disney Property.

If the worst thing we all have to worry about is what resort we are staying at, I say we all have it pretty damn good.

I get the buy where you want to stay, but give the other resorts a try. Honestly, we have stayed at SSR, OKW, AKV, and VWL, and the Boardwalk. All have the upsides, and not one has ever disappointed my family.

I think I've gone back and said this a couple of times, but the issue was not that I didn't think I would like the resort. It was that unexpectedly my daughter and son in law with their 2 year old and twin infants decided to join us. We had a one bedroom at Bay Lake, which wouldn't have worked. Our only option was SSR - at the time - and after I looked at the size of the living area, where I think we have to put several pack and plays, I just didn't think this was to be big enough. THAT was my concern. The living area of the SSR - while absolutely fine for a normal vacation for us, just didn't look like it was very spacious.

Several posters recommended we wait list at OKW - which is bigger and that is what we did and what we finally got. So we're happy.

I get it that we're at a deluxe resort at Disney - which is my favorite place in the world but I wanted everyone to be happy and comfortable. I think we will be.

Thanks for you input! That's what is nice about his community - you can get advice, feedback, tips and opinions and they're all meaningful.

 

[Halle]

You will love OKW. We own at BWV and OKW(since 1993), we contemplated selling OKW and our grown kids 31/29/29/28 asked us to keep it. The villas are huge and the resort is lovely, I think your family will fall in love with it. I would request the Turtle Pond area, great pool/playground/snackbar and an easy walk to the villa.

 

[RDP]

Stayed at SSR last year in October and really enjoyed it. Turf Club had great food, the Spa is very nice and the park like setting is very relaxing.

 

[eporter66]

I think I've gone back and said this a couple of times, but the issue was not that I didn't think I would like the resort.

Sorry - I hope I didnt offend you. I was responding to your first post and had not read through the entire thread. Glad you got OKW, the room sizes are definitely a plus staying there. It also has a nice laid back feel - enjoy your stay and let us know how everything was!

 

[nocruisecontrol]

Sorry - I hope I didnt offend you. I was responding to your first post and had not read through the entire thread. Glad you got OKW, the room sizes are definitely a plus staying there. It also has a nice laid back feel - enjoy your stay and let us know how everything was!

You did not offend! I'm so in Disney mode right now, they could put us all in a studio and I'd make it work. But I'm happy we've got a little more space now in OKW for the little ones. My daughter and son in law will most likely buy during this trip and I'm so excited to think about spending more Disney trips with them in the future.

 

[Natterjack9]

Don't worry at all! First of all your going to be in Disney with family, you can't get much better than that ! Second, we have been owners at SSR, have stayed there our last three trips and LOVE the resort. As one other poster said, be prepared that it is spread out compared to many of the other places, but that is one of the things we love about it. Quiet, peaceful, even full it didn't seem as crowded. Plus you have the added advantage of Downtown Disney being a short walk / ride right across the water.

The only thing you may want to check into is to see if there are any treehouse villas available. They usually fill up pretty fast, but it may give you a bit more room with 9 people. Either way you are going to have a blast!!

 

[nocruisecontrol]

I realized that I had never come back and responded to how our trip went. When I first posted, I had cancelled our 1 bedroom at BLT because our older daughter was joining us on spring break and the 1 bedroom wouldn't work. At that time the only resort with rooms with Saratoga Springs. After booking that, I started to panic about having enough room - there were 6 of us plus 4 infants/toddlers that needed pack and plays.

What finally happened is that we got a 2 bedroom at OKW. It was perfect! We were given a building next to the check-in/pool area. We loved everything about our room and location. Couldn't have asked for a nicer trip.

My daughter is buying now - unfortunately she waited too long to get BLT so they are buying at SSR. Guess we'll eventually stay there!

A very belated thank you to everyone who calmed me down pre-trip.

 

[disneynutz]

I realized that I had never come back and responded to how our trip went. When I first posted, I had cancelled our 1 bedroom at BLT because our older daughter was joining us on spring break and the 1 bedroom wouldn't work. At that time the only resort with rooms with Saratoga Springs. After booking that, I started to panic about having enough room - there were 6 of us plus 4 infants/toddlers that needed pack and plays.

What finally happened is that we got a 2 bedroom at OKW. It was perfect! We were given a building next to the check-in/pool area. We loved everything about our room and location. Couldn't have asked for a nicer trip.

My daughter is buying now - unfortunately she waited too long to get BLT so they are buying at SSR. Guess we'll eventually stay there!

A very belated thank you to everyone who calmed me down pre-trip.

If she wants BLT I am sure that DVD has or will have points available. You might also suggest that she consider resale.

Bill

 

[nocruisecontrol]

If she wants BLT I am sure that DVD has or will have points available. You might also suggest that she consider resale.

Bill

Yes, she can buy at BLT through Disney - but the new price is $150.00/pt with no incentives. Although that would have been her first choice - given the cost difference between SSR and BLT now, and the fact that they rarely plan anything more than 7 months in advance, it's hard to justify the difference in cost. Yes, resale is an option although it appears that Disney is exercising it's ROFR on BLT now.

 

[dis-happy]

If she wants BLT I am sure that DVD has or will have points available. You might also suggest that she consider resale.

Bill

+1

Unless she already toured SSR and likes it she should wait and get what she really wants. It's almost always possible to get a reservation at SSR when everything else is unavailable.

Remember the DIS-board mantra: Buy Where You Want To Stay.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Glad to hear it all turned out well.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

The resale market is great right now. Granted not BLT, but things are passing ROFR that were unheard of say a year ago. If they can't book before 7 months, then home resort isn't a big deal. The resale market at BWV are a steal right now.

 

[bblanch]

My goal is stay at every DVC resort then decide for myself which resorts I like best/least. We haven't been members for very long but have made 4 DVC trips with the 5th one booked for May 2012. Luckily these have been at 5 different DVC resorts... BWV, WLV, BLT, HHI, and BCV(Home Resort) in May 2012. So 5 trips in and we're finally trying out our home resort!

Opinions are so varied on here that I wouldn't base where I stay on other peoples opinions. For example... you love BLT... it's at the bottom of my list of resorts we've stayed at so far. I don't think I'd stay there again. I understand why people love it, but those things they love aren't as important to me I guess.

Glad you enjoyed OKW. Our 2013 trip we will be low on points so we're thinking either OKW or SSR.

 

[chainkid]

We all have such different tastes that it is very difficult to buy your home resort sight unseen. I got caught up in the hype about AKL and sold my HH points at a loss to buy there. I took one trip and realized there was nothing i liked about that resort yet alot of members rave about it. My main points are BWV and i bought those after staying at the resort on cash basis. It was love at first sight for me and I never tire of staying there. I have stayed at all the other resorts once or twice and none appeal to me like BWV. I enjoy other resorts as a change of pace . So buy where you feel a tug at your heart and you won't regret your decision down the road

 

[castleri]

I will be at BLT in 3 weeks and it is just because I want to give it a chance. I have done the presentation and tour and like the rooms but did not care for the general feeling of the lobby and hallway on the first floor - too much like a hospital or office. Before I make a final judgment we will stay there and then decide if we ever want to go back and if we missed the boat not buying a few points there when they first started selling. That is the great thing about the DVC resorts = although the basic room structure is the same for several of them there are so many options that everyone should be able to find something that they really like. So glad your trip worked out and that you got to stay at my all time favorite OKW.

 

[disneynutz]

We all have such different tastes that it is very difficult to buy your home resort sight unseen. I got caught up in the hype about AKL and sold my HH points at a loss to buy there. I took one trip and realized there was nothing i liked about that resort yet alot of members rave about it. My main points are BWV and i bought those after staying at the resort on cash basis. It was love at first sight for me and I never tire of staying there. I have stayed at all the other resorts once or twice and none appeal to me like BWV. I enjoy other resorts as a change of pace . So buy where you feel a tug at your heart and you won't regret your decision down the road

Exact same story for us but change AKV to BLT. BWV is also our favorite resort, we stay there at least once a year in December.

Bill

 

[sgtpet]

I will say that SSR is my least favorite DVC resort. In saying that though it is a great resort. The pools are nice, the restaurants are good, the bus service is good as well. I just didn't care for the size considering OKW is so much bigger in a similar area. I prefer OKW over SSR. In fact SSR is close in my mind to AKV. If not for the Savannah views I think I would put SSR over AKV.

Don't worry in the end SSR is a solid resort. Have fun you made the right decision.

 

[wdwfan1]

Thanks, everyone, for your feedback. It was all appreciated. To those (Jean and abeyst) that recommended OKW - that is what finally came through. We're still wait listed at BLT.

I really didn't have an issue with SSR as a resort and was thinking that the ability to walk over to to downtown Disney was going to be a great perk, I was truly concerned with the space for toddlers, infants and pack and plays.

So now they have switched us to OKW and I'm feeling better about it. I'm still disappointed that my daughter won't get to experience BLT prior to buying but it will all work.

This has all been an educational experience for me! I thought I understood how it all worked but you never really get it until you have to try and change something. I am sure I read it, but I didn't know that you are taken off the wait list 31 days prior to your vacation - which means we were on the wait list for like a week? It was my daughter (not the one who is buying) that figured that out and helped me get us switched over to OKW.

So we'll see what the experience is like at OKW and have to save the Saratoga Springs experience for another trip when we don't have twin 5 month olds, a 1 year old, and a two year old along. The two that generally go down each trip (a nine year old and the one year old) are fine no matter where we stay.

Thanks again.

Congrats on your waitlist coming through. I am very jealous!!!! We have been waitlisted for both BWV and OKW for the beginning of our upcoming trip. We couldnt get all our nights at BWV even though we own there and OKW did not have all nights available. We have SSR booked for the first 3 nights before moving to BWV. We have never stayed at SSR, but we do love OKW for all the extra room--so we prefer to stay there. I have to admit I am also a little nervous about staying at SSR--but hopefully we will be happy there.

Enjoy your vacation.