If you are planning to tour the models at SSR, get there early

[Towncrier]

On our recent visit to WDW, I finally managed to convice my wife and kids to accompany me over to see the models at Saratoga Springs. We left Old Key West at about 6:40PM in our car. I knew that we were cutting it close, but I figured that the models would be open since DVC advertises hours of 5PM to 7PM. We got to SSR and saw the signs pointing toward the models. We parked our car and, by the time we walked to the models, we saw someone in a golf cart removing the signs. We walked into the building where we assumed the models were, but could not manage to find them. It was 6:45PM on a Saturday and I guess the DVC sales reps wanted to get home early.

I was rather upset as we walked back to the car. We decided to head over to Downtown Disney for dinner at the Earl of Sandwich. I managed to find a parking place and, as I walked to the restaurant, I dropped by the DVC kiosk to ask them why the models closed early. The CM there seemed genuinely upset and made a note about our experience.

Needless to say, my family wasn't the least bit interested in attempting to see the SSR models for the remainder of our trip. To be quite honest, I was afraid to even ask them.

So if you are planning a trip to see the model rooms at SSR, I suggest that you arrange a tour through one of the DVC kiosks in order to guarantee that someone will be there to show you around.

 

[lllovell]

Was the sales area closed as well? I know the "show" villas are in Congress Park and the sales center back "across the water", but I am the type that would have marched across there or chased the guy down in the golf cart and said, "Do you have the time?" ever so sweetly. When he said 6:45 - I would say, "GREAT - show me the way!"

I am sorry your family didn't want to tour. You missed some very nice rooms and seeing the view from Congress Park across to DTD is amazing!

 

[Towncrier]

The sales area (where we parked) was locked up tighter than a drum. And the person collecting signs was moving too fast for me to catch up. Or should I say the golfcart that she was in was moving too fast.

I've seen the rooms at SSR (thanks to a DISer that was staying there last December whom I visited) and agree that the view of DTD from SSR is awesome. I just wanted to share that experience with my family.

 

[lllovell]

Disappointing! Also, I would let someone at DVC know (besides the booth person). They are constantly pushing for add-ons with current members, but if they are going to do things like that, why would anyone bother? Send them a letter or an email or something! Letting us know here is helpful to us, but not to the tons of other people that don't post/read here.

 

[Towncrier]

Trust me. I got the impression that the CM at the kiosk in Downtown Disney to whom I complained was a manager and he asked me if it was OK to take down the information about the early closing so that he could get the problem corrected. I have no reason to doubt that he will do so. But I will go ahead and fire off an email to DVC just to make certain that they are aware of the situation.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Towncrier not to discount your experience and that really should not have happened and Im sure DVC is not advertising and announcing those hours for CM's to cut them short and possibly losing sales because of it. So you were right to be upset and report it.

That said, the models have moved to The Springs. They are in the first building behind the Spring bus stop and on the second floor, up the stairwell closest to the bus stop, first 3 units on the left.

My sister and I toured the models (while staying there) and it was approx. 6:45pm (I remember rushing to make it by 7pm). This was during the week on a Tuesday evening. These units face the water and fountain.

It is possible the CM manning the models was still present in the models, but they should leave the signs up until the advertised time so everyone can find it. I dont think early closings are the norm and a few reports of this occurrence will surely be corrected since this is the only DVC actively selling.

 

[tjkraz]

So if you are planning a trip to see the model rooms at SSR, I suggest that you arrange a tour through one of the DVC kiosks in order to guarantee that someone will be there to show you around.

One should ABSOLUTELY do that. I know for a fact that they would prefer non-members not simply show-up at the models for a personal self-tour.

If you schedule in advance, they will send a van to pick you up at your hotel, theme park or any other destination on Disney property. They will drive you over to SSR, introduce you to a Guide who will give a personal tour of the model rooms and answer any questions that you may have.

At the end of the tour they'll probably give you some fastpasses or meal vouchers and transport you to wherever you want to go on-property.

In short, they want to help you receive the best treatment possible as a potential customer. By just showing up unscheduled, you really didn't give them that opportunity.

This is purely speculative, but perhaps they closed up early because all scheduled appointments for the day were complete. If so, obviously it was not a particularly wise decision.

 

[lllovell]

Didn't realize the models had moved See what happens when I give advice lol

 

[Towncrier]

That said, the models have moved to The Springs. They are in the first building behind the Spring bus stop and on the second floor, up the stairwell closest to the bus stop, first 3 units on the left.

We were probably in the correct building, but there were no signs (or people) directing us to the second floor. I just didn't feel right walking upstairs to see if we were in the right place.

Next time (if there is a next time) we'll make an appointment.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Yes DVC will schedule for members to tour, but they also offer "walk up" tour hours of 5 to 7 pm daily for existing members, and it is in all our literature and posted on the member website.

What they don't want are existing members showing up in the middle of the day unscheduled, touring the units when active selling is going on, complaining about how much smaller the closets are than at OKW! LOL! Or that the granite is fake or faux or whatever That is why the offer they walk up hours. If you show up earlier, they will tell you to return during that time. That and with all the guides showing the units, it is very busy in the daytime.

Im sure the guides enjoy giving members tours, but if all members took the tour just to see the new units, they wouldnt have slots for new sales. Im sure between the walk up hours and members making appt's there's enough time to meet their goals.

There is no excuse for closing early without notification and DVC should be notified.

 

[tjkraz]

Yes DVC will schedule for members to tour, but they also offer "walk up" tour hours of 5 to 7 pm daily for existing members, and it is in all our literature and posted on the member website.

Someone said they were only doing that on Wednesday's now after the member meetings at 4pm.

 

[DebbieB]

When the models were at BWV, I took tours of the VWL, BCV and SSR when they first opened. It struck me that they didn't really try to sell add-ons to current members. They basically showed us to the model, opened the door and said "here it is". There was usually a cm there but they only spoke if you asked a direct question. I wasn't really interested in an add-on, I just wanted to see it but they didn't know that. One time I was there with 3 or 4 friends on a "ladies weekend", all members, and they didn't try to sell it. I didn't expect a "hard sell" but I thought they would make some effort. I just wondered if it was because there were no husbands present, they thought we weren't serious about an add-on right then. Don't they know who really makes the decisions?