ESPN Weekend = No Grandstand rooms

[Mickeysduck]

We reserved a SSR Grandstand 1 bedroom 11 months out for the first week of March. When we arrived we were told that that whole section was reserved for ESPN people for the whole week.

We ended up in the Paddock which was nice, but we were really looking forward to trying out the brand new Grandstand section.

We met other unhappy members that ended up where they really didn't want to be for up to 12 days. Why weren't we notified ahead of time that those rooms would not be available?

Our guide suggested that we register a complaint on the DVC member site. It kind of made us feel second rate as DVC members.

"Welcome Home" ESPN !!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the Grandstand at SSR just a request? I know many SSR members have been calling for dedicated reservation categories like we have at the BWV. But it still isn't and as long as it's only a request and not a guarantee, then this could happen at any time, not just for ESPN the weekend. I think you should get behind the owners who are pushing for dedicated reservations at SSR and approach DVC in that way.

HBC

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Yeah, requesting a certain section at SSR is just that...a request.

I am sorry that Grandstand was full. Maybe you will get to stay there on your next visit.

 

[La2kw]

Currently you cannot reserve a section of the SSR. You can request a section, but you are just reserving a room which could be located anywhere. I think it would be silly to complain about it. I think that's pretty cool that they put the VIP's at SSR.

 

[CarolMN]

I agree with HBC cat. There are no dedicated booking categories at SSR - all are just requests.

FWIW, Disney (Developer) still owns a good portion of SSR (it's not sold out), so they do have the right to block out sections for large groups with the points they own. Really, it's no different than blocking out a specific building at the GF or the Poly for a large group.

Still, as a member, I don't like it when they do it. If it impacted you, I think the suggestion to write or email the Member Satisfction Team is a good one. If no one objects, Disney will think no one cares if they continue to do this.

 

[eporter66]

It is a bummer, but understandable, and I don't really see an issue worth complaining about.

The building was reserved for ESPN the weekend. It's not like they sent you to another resort. And, you are saying members were unhappy about not being where they wanted to stay for a week? Perspective people - you are at WDW, and you were staying in an upscale, beautiful, and mostly brand new resort. Sorry - I dont get it.

 

[Disneyhappy]

I can understand the OP's frustration. I agree that sections are not guaranteed and only a request. That said, however, it stinks that they gave one of the top two sections of the resort to non-DVC members. I agree an email to Member Services is warranted so they may possibly take it into consideration next time.

 

[CarolA]

We reserved a SSR Grandstand 1 bedroom 11 months out for the first week of March. When we arrived we were told that that whole section was reserved for ESPN people for the whole week.

We ended up in the Paddock which was nice, but we were really looking forward to trying out the brand new Grandstand section.

We met other unhappy members that ended up where they really didn't want to be for up to 12 days. Why weren't we notified ahead of time that those rooms would not be available?

Our guide suggested that we register a complaint on the DVC member site. It kind of made us feel second rate as DVC members.

"Welcome Home" ESPN !!

Why are you going to complain? Your request was not met. It's just that a request.

And had you gotten it I can pretty much gurantee this thread would be titled..

THE ESPN PEOPLE PARTIED ALL WEEKEND AND RUINED MY STAY.

In most cases you don't want to be with the "convention" It's better to "segregate" them LOL!

 

[Mickeysduck]

I think you are missing the point.

It's not that the request wasn't met, it was the reason it wasn't met. Because, if it had been filled with other DVC members, who are paying dues and have an ownership at SSR, we would have no problem with that.

But to shut down a whole section, which happens to be the newest and most up-to-date section for the benefit of ESPN, or any other non-owners just doesn't seem right.

When we reserved WLV last year, the pool was going through reconstruction and we received a letter letting us know that this was going to be the case, so we could book elsewhere, or live with it. The same should be done if a request is made for a section of SSR. I'm talking a section which consists of 400 rooms, in which no members, even with the 11 month window, could not stay.

I agree, that we did not want to be with the "convention" It's better to "segregate" them, but why not the Swan, Dolphin, Yacht Club, or Boardwalk Inn or any other place that is not part of an ownership program?

Again, we met other members who were equally disappointed, and even our guide agreed with us that this should not have happened and highly recommended that we and any other member that was affected send a complaint on the DVC member website.

 

[dvc_bwv]

ESPN happens to be owned by Disney so it isn't a surprise that they would put them up in a DVC resort.

As noted at SSR your room request is just that... a request... and not a guarantee that you get the Grandstand. Just like OKW you can request a certain building, but there is no guarantee that you will get it and there is no advance notice if the particular building you requested is not available.

You are at WDW, relax and enjoy it.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We reserved a SSR Grandstand 1 bedroom 11 months out for the first week of March. When we arrived we were told that that whole section was reserved for ESPN people for the whole week.

We ended up in the Paddock which was nice, but we were really looking forward to trying out the brand new Grandstand section.

We met other unhappy members that ended up where they really didn't want to be for up to 12 days. Why weren't we notified ahead of time that those rooms would not be available?

Our guide suggested that we register a complaint on the DVC member site. It kind of made us feel second rate as DVC members.

"Welcome Home" ESPN !!

This would piss me off too..... Only because some group was able to secure a block of preferable units.... At least it seems that way.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I think you are missing the point.

It's not that the request wasn't met, it was the reason it wasn't met. Because, if it had been filled with other DVC members, who are paying dues and have an ownership at SSR, we would have no problem with that.

But to shut down a whole section, which happens to be the newest and most up-to-date section for the benefit of ESPN, or any other non-owners just doesn't seem right.

FWIW, Disney (Developer) still owns a good portion of SSR (it's not sold out), so they do have the right to block out sections for large groups with the points they own. Really, it's no different than blocking out a specific building at the GF or the Poly for a large group.

ESPN happens to be owned by Disney so it isn't a surprise that they would put them up in a DVC resort.

I'm sorry but it does all make sense when you go point by point. I can understand being frustrated at not getting my request but how they could do it does makes sense.

HBC

 

[Mickeysduck]

One last thing...
Don't get me wrong, we settled in and had a great and relaxing time. It is still one of our favorite resorts. It was just the idea of ownership not being able to stay at a requested area, kind of like reserving a boardwalk view at BWV 11 months out, then arriving and having all of that view all booked up by non-owner Celebs.

The more I think about it, it all makes sense, the Grandstand is located off to one side with 1 road getting in, right next to the security entrance, a short walk to the Golf Club and the West End downtown, great views, and its own very nice pool with a bar. So I gather that this was built to be the Celebrity section, even though it is being sold as part of a vacation ownership program.

If it had been know up front, that this section would be kind of like the Boardwalk Inn which we know is not part of the BWV ownership program. The difference being the Grandstand is available only if no celebrities are in the area, then it would not have been such a let down. As I understand it though, the Boardwalk Inn is not available for ownership and is not maintained with our dues, but the Grandstand is.

Enough said...

 

[granmanh603]

This would piss me off too..... Only because some group was able to secure a block of preferable units.... At least it seems that way.

I agree with you both.....it is the idea of them putting ESPN people in a DVC resort.....why were they not put in a regular Disney paying resort.....Yacht club beach club..even BW inn.... to take any rooms away from owners for their purposes stinks(and the developer points idea? they have been giving developer points away for months now too as and incentive for purchasing, they have that many developer point?...I think not just an excuse or term they use to gloss over doing what they want) and all those other resorts are closer to DHS where the event was taking place....and has nice convention facilities . I wonder where they all ate? In the Turf club Last year when I was late in making reservations for Oct (this was May) I could not get a block of 3 weeks at SSR had to wait list blocks of days(did eventually get them) and MS told me it was golf tourney there bet it was the same thing happening there...You can always get rooms at SSR.

 

[Starr W.]

Colin Cowherd who is on ESPN Radio was staying over at AKL. I almost drove off the road when he was talking about staying at the "Baboon/Giraffe hotel".

 

[tjhsr]

Hi there Mickeysduck. We also stayed at SSR durng ESPN the weekend. I did get my 1st request but when we check-in we tried to get The Grandstand. I was surprised it was full until they told me why because it wasn't that busy.Now i know it's only a request but not to have access to a whole section as an owner is a bit disappointing to say the least. Now I was there for ESPN and had a great time

Terry

 

[La2kw]

One last thing...
Don't get me wrong, we settled in and had a great and relaxing time. It is still one of our favorite resorts. It was just the idea of ownership not being able to stay at a requested area, kind of like reserving a boardwalk view at BWV 11 months out, then arriving and having all of that view all booked up by non-owner Celebs.

That is not a valid comparison. Boardwalk view rooms are an actual category you can reserve. SSR does not have categories you can reserve. You did not reserve a Grandstand room, you reserved a room which could be located anywhere at the resort.

 

[kerickson]

I think what got me confused/concerned was that they said it was 'reserved' for ESPN guests. Not sure if the front desk used that terminology, but if they did, then that's wrong. If members can't 'reserve' a section, then how can ESPN? I know ESPN and Disney are affilitated and they can 'do whatever they want', but can they if the resort is member owned? I wouldn't think twice about it at a non DVC resort. I think it would be good to research further, just so we all understand what our rights really are. Can we 'reserve' a block of rooms when we check in if the rest of our party isn't there yet?

 

[eporter66]

I agree with you both.....it is the idea of them putting ESPN people in a DVC resort.....why were they not put in a regular Disney paying resort.....Yacht club beach club..even BW inn.... to take any rooms away from owners for their purposes stinks

Again - Perspective please

1. No rooms were taken away, the reservation was for SSR, and they got a room in SSR
2. Request, not a guarentee. I have always found that the staff at Check-In are very accomodating. But - the building was booked for a specific group
3. ESPN / ABC / DISNEY - I am sure ESPN the weekend is a nice boost for WDW - and I am sure with Camera, production crews, Atheletes etc... they need a big space to put them. If the rooms were available at SSR - it is a nice resort, and I am sure they want to put them up in a decent place
4. I think it was actually considerate to the guests that they put them in an area where they could be to themselves, and would not bother other resort guests.

I would have been frustrated had I been moved to a different resort because of this, but not because I could not get a specific building. I think people are being pretty unreasonable if they are upset about this. I own at SSR and could have cared less if this happened to me.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I know ESPN and Disney are affilitated and they can 'do whatever they want', but can they if the resort is member owned? I wouldn't think twice about it at a non DVC resort.

Disney still owns a ton of the points at that resort so therefore is the largest single member.

Support booking categories at SSR. That's the best way to make sure members get what they want in the future.

HBC