Harder to get a room?

[boatboatboat]

It seems to me, who is very new to these boards and a very new DVC member, that you're very unhappy with how the DVC concept has evolved. Frankly, listening to you go on and on is a bit disheartening. I'm thrilled with my purchase, but if the day comes where I'm unhappy with DVC's direction, I'll sell my points. With all due respect, why don't you just sell your points and get out if it hasn't evolved the way you hoped?

So i should just shrug my shoulders, and say "oh well" and sell?

nawwwwww

that isn't the answer.

 

[Dean]

Now tell me what you would add to get the resort up to YOUR standards? And these are serious things that could be done, nothing like move its location type changes.

I can't speak for BBB. IMO, there is nothing that could be done to bring SSR to the level I think it could be and should be. But there are things that can and should be done to improve the resort. The new restaurant should help, that has always been one of my recommendations. It remains to be seen if they'll do it well enough though, we'll see. Better still would be a dual restaurant similar to VB with a more upscale component. A second MAJOR feature pool is a must, IMO. And to make the points more inline with OKW. And the size should have bee limited to phase 2 at most OR taken a different concept out into the golf course, maybe more OKW like or even like small individual units or duplexes. I'd like to have seen under building parking which would have raised the units about 5-6 feet for each floor improving views. But sadly, I think most of the possibilities are past. Sadly, IMO, the main draw is the extra 12 years, and that will be diminished if they announce another new resort.

 

[Dennyha]

Do you have any idea of what you're starting here?
Here we go again...

Told ya.

 

[cobbler]

Because those things are a little bit of a stretch.

If you want to make it comparable to the others (aside from location) the pool thing I can see but doing a mini theme park?

That would open up a whole other world of problems. Why bother spending $$ to go into the parks to ride anything for the kids, or see the characters. The place would be a mad-house. And how would you restrict it to those at that resort? Or even those on property? You think there is a problem with those wanting to park at the Cont to avoid paying Disney parking fees, look at what this would do.

And who takes a helocopter to their resort anyhow? NORMALLY.

 

[bom_noite]

But sadly, I think most of the possibilities are past. Sadly, IMO, the main draw is the extra 12 years.QUOTE]

The first time my family and I ventured in to SSR (the week after the opening / 2004 homecoming) we walked from the pool in to the little "square" area adjacent to the pool (sorry - it has a name - cant remember what it is).

My wife and I immediately said - "nothing is here! This area is crying for some shops: A Ice Cream Parlor, a Pizza Joint, a Barber, small movie house, maybe an upscale restaurant, a pub, etc., etc., etc."

Do not get me wrong - I like SSR very much - and plan to stay there in the future. But, what I miss at SSR is the hub-bub.

I think that is a perfect space that is currently being wasted! And, the concept we envisioned would have fit in perfectly with the overall theme.

One of the places I love at OKW is the area from Olivia's down to Hanks. It is a mini main street that brings everyone together. I think SSR needs this - at times - to me it feels like a ghost town.

 

[Dean]

yes ssr is "suitable".

While I'm not a big fan of SSR, I'm reminded of the saying "a bad day on vacation is better than a good day at work".

you don't think, it was fair to assume future projects would be like past ones?

Actually no, I don't think that was a fair expectation or assumption. But in many ways SSR IS like past projects, OKW, VB and HH all come to mind one way or another.

we don't share the same view. We go to HH for golf/shelter cove at night. But i agree, MOST see HH as a beach vacation. But to be fair, the HH resort is a 10 min walk to the beach (3 min by bus), and SSR is a 2 hour walk to the parks, and a 20 min bus ride, so using your logic SSR is 5 times worse then HH.

And that's fine. But MOST people who go to HH do look at the beach and if not, Sea Pines. IMO there are some 25 resorts on HH that are in a much better location and 3 of the ones that aren't are at Shelter Cove. I don't think a reasonable person could walk to the beach in 10 minutes, but assuming that's true, 10 minutes from the beach is like 30 from WDW to most people. And while it might be 10 minutes by bus to the beach, that assumes it's running when you want to go or you can talk them into going when you're the only one at a slow time. We drive most places at WDW. Now if DVC build a resort directly in the parks we could have a different discussion.

you already stated it didn't go as you envisioned it would. Were you being unreasonable?

Actually, I didn't make any assumptions at all when I bought which was prior to any other resorts being online and I don't think any other were announced, but that was before 1996. But I did buy in the situation I tell people not to, I didn't understand the industry as much as I should have. I did read the legal paperwork prior though and feel I understood it.

 

[stinkerbell2009]

Once SSR owners take a trip "home", and hear their kids say "but dad, they get to ride a boat to the park, oh mom can we swim in the sab pool, daddy those people get to do stuff on the board walk, why can't we stay were the parks are". You will see a MASS movement by a majority of the SSR owners to book stays at the small, great location resorts. I would love 2 years from now to see the stats on % of ssr owners, looking to book away from home vs the other resorts. I bet it will be 3/1. WDW/DVC are no fools, they built SSR last for a reason.

This is all a matter of opinion. We own at OKW and have for 8 years. My kids could care less that someone else is taking a boat to the parks. My kids don't complain about staying at OKW because that is our "home" and we have taught them to be thankful for what they have. My boys have been to WDW more times than they have had birthdays. (they are 9 and 11)

We also get to do all the stuff on the Boardwalk we want. It is all free and anyone can enjoy it. If fact, we have even danced together as a family outside the Atlantic Dance Hall. There is lots of free entertainment for us OKW and SSR owners to see.

At OKW we do get to stay where the parks are. They are a bus ride away. No big deal. If fact our DD is bringing a friends with us to WDW next week and the girls plan on going off by themselves. I feel more comfortable knowing they are getting on a bus than walking back to the resort by themselves in the dark.

As for SAB, it's great, but there are plenty of other pools that are fun to hop to. Not a big deal.

Your SSR and OKW bashing is getting old. Get over it.

BYW, just figured out DD is logged in. I'm WDWMom posting.

 

[bicker]

In essence, every new contract means increased competition for certain resorts. Obviously BCV and BWV are more attractive to the average person or their resale contracts would not be selling for $10 to $20 more per point then other resorts!

Good point, and there is nothing surprising about that. I had the chance to buy-in at OKW, to add-on at HH, to add-on at VB (at a substantially low price), to add-on at SSR, and I turned down every offer. Why? Why did I wait for VWL to add-on??? Did I have some special inside information? Of course not! I learned about what I was buying and made the right decision for my family, based on the explicit promises that were being offered to me. I didn't make any decisions based on what I hoped would be true; my decisions were only based on what was actually true.

no, I was to stupid.

I just don't know what to say to you then. A multi-thousand dollar purchase is just too important not to do some basic research about what you're purchasing. If you didn't even know that there were already substantial non-WDW DVC resorts, then you dropped the ball. I suppose all I can say is that I'm sorry that you regret your purchase now.

The simple solution is what it has always been for EVERY DVC member. Plan early, or take what you can get.

What Chuck said!

 

[tink&cinderella]

Enough already - OMG- I just bought into SSR - the paperwork just arrived last night.

I have not stayed at any DVC resorts but have toured SSR and the site they had i think it was at Beach Club??

I personally thought the resort was nice. I did rent points from a OKW person before I bought that happened to be the first part of December and I am still keeping to my agreement and using those rented points. I am also looking forward to my reservation at SSR over new years in a one bedroom.

Why can't people just accept that everyone has a different view on things, that there are some differences between resorts some are good and not so good depending on who you are and what is important to you.

I see this thing like I see religion. Who cares what one person likes and what another one doesn't. It's up to individual choice. If you don't like it, don't buy it, if you don't like it because you believe the addition of SSR has somehow damaged your ability to get into your own resort and it bothers you that much, sell your membership and be done with it.

The constant whining and complaining of non SSR owners and some SSR owners is making me think that those at resorts other then SSR are stuck up and elitists (and I am sure that is not the case).

Quiet your whining and complaining - look at DVC like a salad bowl - many opitons, different flavours for everyone and that is what makes it unique and special. If you don't like it -get out!!! (Sort of the way us Canadians look at Canada). WE get along here! Can't we do this at WDW??? I think it's ridiculous.

Alternatively, complain to Disney in writing - the negative image you are portraying is putting off those of us who are either thinking about joining or in our case are in the midst of it. I am not saying you should not point out things that need improvement but there are ways to go about it rather then insulting, offending and berating SSR owners- (as evidenced on other threads) believe it or not, not everything including not getting a room at another resort 11 months out is the fault of SSR members - as the time is not even available to them that far out.

In my book complaining without solutions gets you nowhere!! Find a way to address this with solutions and tact otherwise get over yourselves.

Denise

 

[DisFlan]

And to make the points more inline with OKW.

I wondered about the higher SSR point structure, too. Even at build-out, it won't offer substantially more than OKW. Well, other than size. My guess is it's setting a higher point structure for future Phase II resorts.


DisFlan

 

[paults]

dvc has stuck it to us pretty good.......

I don't understand this. What did DVC stick to us?


If you mean you can't get in at other DVC's at times because you don't own there, then people should buy where they won't mind staying.

I know we bought at BWV to have home field booking. If we bought somewhere else and couldn't get in at BWV, well that would be our fault not DVC.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've gotta admit I didn't read all 5 pages of bickering, so perhaps this was adressed already. For December, at least, did you consider the waitlist? There are lots of BWV owners holding reservations there "just in case", maybe hoping to change at the 7 month window. Here's what happened to me a few years ago: I called at 10 months and 3 weeks out and booked ressies at my home resort, hoping to change at 7 months out. The CM at MS was nice enough to check and tell me that BWV was already booked for studios (gee, wasn't 2003 before SSR?) Yet when I called back at 7 months, fully expecting to have to go on the waitlist, BWV was available. Lots of changes and cancellations. So lots could happen between now and December.

 

[DisFlan]

If you don't like it -get out!!! (Sort of the way us Canadians look at Canada). WE get along here!

I'll take a wild guess that you don't live in Quebec.



DisFlan

 

[Dean]

I wondered about the higher SSR point structure, too. Even at build-out, it won't offer substantially more than OKW. Well, other than size. My guess is it's setting a higher point structure for future Phase II resorts.


DisFlan

Or more likely that they decided OKW was too cheap in terms of the number of points, esp for weekdays.

 

[jarestel]

From day one of the existence of DVC, reservations have always been "subject to availability". DVC doesn't sell specific weeks at specific resorts and for most of us, the flexibility DVC offers is one of the positive aspects of the program. It does come with a certain price though in that reservation space isn't guaranteed to be available during the time period that a member desires.

The problem lies in the fact that in years past, reservations have been relatively easy to come by and so that's what many have come to expect will always be the case. But it should come as no real surprise that as the membership numbers increase and more people are travelling again that it might become a bit more difficult to obtain reservations at certain resorts during certain time periods.

For the members who don't necessarily feel they have to stay at a particular DVC property in order to maximize their vacation experience, a relatively last-minute reservation will still usually net something. But for those who feel they wouldn't be comfortable staying at certain resorts, then early booking will become more and more important. Barring economic downturns or some other event that discourages vacation travel, this situation will only get worse, not better. Whether this is good or bad isn't relevant, it's just the way it is.

 

[halld6479]

We just purchased in at SSR and I must admit it seems several owners from other DVC properties would like to label us as second class citzens, we pay our dues and money just like you do and like any new store that opens people may chose to check out other properties to see what they are like that is the right of any one purchasing into DVC, who knows once they check out your resport they will decide that SSR is where they feel comfortable. For us we spend some time at the parks but we also enjoy laying around pool and just relaxing and SSR seemed to provide that for us that. when you get a new store in your town don't you go check out what it offers and what it has to offer then after newness wears off you are back to the stores your orginal purchased from in the first place, give SSR people a chance to see what your "home" has to offer and to please stop trying to label us or make our "home" from SSR less then your property.We all purchased into this great DVC can't we all enjoy it and stop degrading certain peoples "homes" go ahead and blastme at less it will be one less negective posted about my new "home"

 

[tink&cinderella]

I'll take a wild guess that you don't live in Quebec.



DisFlan

- you are right - Quebec, although beautiful is hole different salad bowl - more like a squishy macaroni

 

[waltfan1957]

So might I suggest at that point you rent your points and stay somewhere else? BLAH BLAH BLAH.......................... it's really getting old talk about beating a "dead horse"................

finally someone talking sense

 

[waltfan1957]

We just purchased in at SSR and I must admit it seems several owners from other DVC properties would like to label us as second class citzens, we pay our dues and money just like you do and like any new store that opens people may chose to check out other properties to see what they are like that is the right of any one purchasing into DVC, who knows once they check out your resport they will decide that SSR is where they feel comfortable. For us we spend some time at the parks but we also enjoy laying around pool and just relaxing and SSR seemed to provide that for us that. when you get a new store in your town don't you go check out what it offers and what it has to offer then after newness wears off you are back to the stores your orginal purchased from in the first place, give SSR people a chance to see what your "home" has to offer and to please stop trying to label us or make our "home" from SSR less then your property.We all purchased into this great DVC can't we all enjoy it and stop degrading certain peoples "homes" go ahead and blastme at less it will be one less negective posted about my new "home"

no blasting here totally agree with you

 

[keishashadow]

Glad I took the sage advice I received on this board & bought where we do want to stay. Now, I just hope to able to do that in the future.

IMO, WDW's on-site occupancy rates are up, period. Tourism has rebounded and desireable rooms are becoming more difficult to obtain.

FYI, stand rooms @ the deluxes are not available for our dates in June & Oct. & I started looking in January. Even AAA rates @ AS's are sold out for some of the days I need.

I've been lucky, so far, relying on the wait list system to get into my home resort(s) even after the 7 month window. Will say we're hoping to get into the BCV in Oct. Decided we'd actually like to stay @ the next resort before we buy into it.

My personal hesitation to stay @ SSR is the longer commute to the parks, the prime point requirements & what I perceive to be a less Disney themed environment. Especially, if the point requirementst were lower, ala OKW or even BW standard; I'd be more inclined to stay there.

Not even sure if it's permitted blush: even though I have a RE license, I didn't read the whole contract - hey, Disney's not going to screw us over LOL) but, perhaps reducing the point requirements @ SSR would make it more popular.