Just back and my feelings on Saratoga Springs

[Muushka]

Again, I ask:

If one were to stay at the Carousel section and had a car, would it be so terrible? We always have a car and we don't mind driving.

This is a real question, I am not being antagonistic!

(I asked this question about 300 posts ago, but I guess this thread might be just for debating!)

 

[tjkraz]

Again, I ask:

If one were to stay at the Carousel section and had a car, would it be so terrible? We always have a car and we don't mind driving.

That's perhaps the BEST place to stay with a car. The Carousel buildings are just past the guard post. If driving, you could be parked and out of your car about 20 seconds after passing thru the entrance gate.

I believe it is also site of the first bus stop so you'll be the first dropped off if you ever ride the busses. You would also be the first to be picked-up, almost guaranteeing an empty bus every time.

 

[littlestar]

Again, I ask:

If one were to stay at the Carousel section and had a car, would it be so terrible? We always have a car and we don't mind driving.

This is a real question, I am not being antagonistic!

(I asked this question about 300 posts ago, but I guess this thread might be just for debating!)

This is the only section of Saratoga that I wondered if I would like it. I thought it was too bad that it didn't have a small quiet pool, but the more I think about it and in looking at my resort map, it might be worth walking to the Grandstand pool instead of the Paddocks quiet pool if you are staying at the Carousel section. The Grandstand pool had a refillable mug station and the staffed bar.

We ended up adding on a small SSR points package after our stay at the Grandstand section. The Grandstand section reminded me of the views at Old Key West - pretty golf course views with some awesome views of the canal/water. I wanted to add on at OKW, but the extra years and Grandstand section at SSR convinced us to take the points at SSR.

 

[BroganMc]

Again, I ask:

If one were to stay at the Carousel section and had a car, would it be so terrible? We always have a car and we don't mind driving.

I don't think any place to stay at SSR would hurt from having your own car. Perhaps it would seem a bit of a waste to use the car just to head over to AP and buy groceries, since you can only park in the Springs parking lot across the street. But with your own car you aren't limited to bus schedules and Carousel is closest to the gate. You'd be first in/first out of the resort every morning/night.

 

[BroganMc]

I assume the main reason DVC has not done this is cost. With so many booking categories, waitlist requests could go thru the roof. "Oh, you only have The Carousel available? OK, I'll take that but put me on the waitlist for Congress Park and The Springs." Instead of a single confirmed reservation at "Saratoga Springs", that servicing that member could be expanded to several follow-up phone calls and mailings as each waitlist request was fulfilled.

But cost is the only realistic hurdle. If you want DVC to go this direction, let them know!!!

That's a fair point. I never thought of the hassle for member Services. But then for me it would most likely come down to a choice of blocking out a room in Grandstand, Springs or Congress Park. And I'd take Paddock or Carousel based on what was available (I presume my choices if I booked late trips).

Maybe the way to do both is to allow booking categories but no Wait Lists. I'm all for it. I'll bring it up next time I talk to MS. I know I've bandied the idea around before the the CM staff. Usually in the form of "what's the most requested section".

What chafes me is the morning I was transferring from an offsite stay for my first trip home. I had stopped over around midnight to drop off an ECV for my dad and asked the Front Desk about when I should arrive the next day and what my chances were of getting my request of Congress Park. (I thought I needed that area to impress my party.) I was told they were real busy so as early as possible. 10am, I asked? Try an hour or two sooner, they said. So I had everyone hustling out the door of one resort the next morning just so I could check into SSR and hopefully snag my beloved room request. Made it at 9:01am and found they had blocked off a Paddock room for me. After a bit of gentle pleading, puppy dog eyes and caressing the computers and they found me a room in the Springs directly across the street from AP.

Fortunately I found the area much more to my liking. But I didn't jump for joy over my enforced early morning dash just for a resort area.

I haven't even bothered with room requests this May trip. I want to see what happens when I don't try so hard.

 

[Muushka]

Thank you all who answered. We will be there this October and looking forward to it!

 

[tjkraz]

Maybe the way to do both is to allow booking categories but no Wait Lists.

That could be even worse. Cancellations will inevitably occur in each category over the 11-month period leading up to check-in. If you take away the ability for one to be automatically moved into a different category, the only other alternative is for people to call on a regular basis to inquire about cancellations.

I assume the intent of the waitlist is to eliminate (potentially) dozens of inquiries as desperate members try to secure alternate accommodations. It does accomplish that goal, but there still is a cost associated with it.

 

[Madi100]

Well, it depends on what you like. Do you like to be near (within walking distance) EPCOT, MGM, two mini-golf courses, clubs, restaurants, shops, etc. right at your doorstep? If so, BWV or BCV would be the place for you. Unfortunately they are sold out. SSR is close to DTD which is a plus. Not much in the way of a close restaurant, shop, etc. It is all way in the front. A long haul depending on where you are. Bottom line, there is not much there, nor much to choose from without hopping on a bus and leaving. The theme is good. Contemporary will be opening some villas in the future. I would wait for that.

I have to disagree with you on this and not to argue, but to offer my view to potential buyers. The opinions stated on here really affect people wanting to buy or not buy, I believe. I am definitely not putting any of the resorts down. They all have their great points. I love the Boardwalk area. I think it's beautiful with lots of action. However, we went to play miniature golf by the Boardwalk and got off at the Swan/Dolphin. That was our only reason for going there. We took a boat. It was not an easy walk. In fact, I was ready to not play by the time we got there. We had to cross a street with no traffic lights at night. While the Boardwalk might be right one top of those restaurants, it sounds a bit deceiving that you walk out your door and boom, boom, boom, all of your activities are there. While Saratoga Springs might not have much to offer on the actual property for shopping/variety of restaurants, it was a very short walk to Downtown Disney. Short enough that we did it several times a day. It was wonderful to walk there and catch a bus to wherever we wanted to go or enjoy the area there.

Our local schools here (we have 8 elementary) just rezoned and people had to move. The people who left our school and went to a new one are talking their school up like it's the best in the world. That's great . I'm glad they love it. But, in doing that, they also compare and put ours down to make theirs look better. They just don't need to do that. Theirs can be good without ours being bad. And, that is the exact same thing about the DVC resorts. They are all different and wonderful in their own way. You don't have to put them down to build yours up. I feel very fortunate that we are lucky enough to own in DVC

 

[beachblanket]

Don't most people usually plan their WDW/DVC trips at least 7 months out?

Logic would dictate they should.

However, the sense I have from reading these boards recently is that there are more and more posts appearing with titles like "last minute ressie" (links to some examples are below). People who are looking for Epcot area resort ressies during F&WF at 7 months or less, or mid December, etc.

In addition, we are sadly seeming threads where recent DVC buyers (a.k.a. SSR owners) are walking in with the appearance of assuming they can readily get tough II trades (for popular Caribbean of Hawaiian resorts) for near term stays (6-9 months away).

I see all of this as symptomatic of the DVC sales staff "overpromoting" the flexibility of the program in order to meet SSR sales quotas. Many purchasers of the latter are unfortunately buying based on a literal translation of the promotional propaganda ("stay wherever you want whenever you want.")

http:///www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1394313

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1393935

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1391465

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1387137

 

[Starr W.]

Our local schools here (we have 8 elementary) just rezoned and people had to move. The people who left our school and went to a new one are talking their school up like it's the best in the world. That's great . I'm glad they love it. But, in doing that, they also compare and put ours down to make theirs look better. They just don't need to do that. Theirs can be good without ours being bad. And, that is the exact same thing about the DVC resorts. They are all different and wonderful in their own way. You don't have to put them down to build yours up. I feel very fortunate that we are lucky enough to own in DVC

Hey Madi, we rezoned our 4 elementaries for this school year and I know exactly where you are coming from. The meetings from last year sound just like some of the threads on here.(No wonder our super. took a new job at a multi-county education service center) Only difference is we don't have people calling the local newschannels to add that "dramatic local news" touch to why they don't like SSR!

 

[BroganMc]

I see all of this as symptomatic of the DVC sales staff "overpromoting" the flexibility of the program in order to meet SSR sales quotas. Many purchasers of the latter are unfortunately buying based on a literal translation of the promotional propaganda ("stay wherever you want whenever you want.")

Hold on here. Aren't you jumping wildly to conclusions here. Let's look at your evidence:

http:///www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1394313

Man's wife asks if they can take a quick trip to Disney since the kids have off for Spring Break next week. He says he's gonna call MS on the morrow and see if he's lucky. No mention where he owns.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1393935

Poster asks if anyone has had luck trading into II and poses the possibility of the Caribbean in late June. Doesn't say whether that means this June, next June or a June sometime in the future. No mention where poster owns.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1391465

Poster asks if it's any easier getting into BWV or BCV at the end of Food & Wine. Mentions the 7 month window so we can presume, poster doesn't own there. That leaves HH, VB, OKW, SSR and VWL ownership (AKV if they have yet to buy but are intending to).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1387137

A potential renter asks about availability for BWV in May this year. Not an owner anywhere.

If the argument is that new owners and non-owners misunderstand the practical functionality of membership, then yeah I gotta agree. Same goes for every timeshare system I've been a part of. And it's gonna continue as long as DVC sells a new resort. I just can't wait for the neophyte AKV owners to flood this board in a year's time.

 

[cobbler]

I for one will speak for the guides that not all of them give the spiel "stay wherever you want whenever you want". My guide did a bit but not in those regards and he certainly didn't promote "buy SSR and stay at the little 3".

Yes he did talk about flexibility and the ability to trade, but did say that it was only at the 7 month window and was dependant upon availibility. The only time he really suggested trading out was for a GV at OKW. He said if you want a GV, go to OKW, 20% larger room and fewer points. And to not use our points for a stay at the YC. He would say go to the BCV because they share the same pool, amenities and it will be fewer points.

So, while I am sure some guides do such things, just know that all of them don't.

 

[Chuck S]

Logic would dictate they should.

However, the sense I have from reading these boards recently is that there are more and more posts appearing with titles like "last minute ressie" (links to some examples are below). People who are looking for Epcot area resort ressies during F&WF at 7 months or less, or mid December, etc.

In addition, we are sadly seeming threads where recent DVC buyers (a.k.a. SSR owners) are walking in with the appearance of assuming they can readily get tough II trades (for popular Caribbean of Hawaiian resorts) for near term stays (6-9 months away).

I see all of this as symptomatic of the DVC sales staff "overpromoting" the flexibility of the program in order to meet SSR sales quotas. Many purchasers of the latter are unfortunately buying based on a literal translation of the promotional propaganda ("stay wherever you want whenever you want.")

There is no indication in any of the links you provide that the OPs of those threads are recent purchasers or even SSR owners. In fact, one was a non-owner looking at renting. I've asked questions about II trades before, just last year when we were thinking of going to Paris, and I've owned since 1992. Asking a question does not equate to having a preconceived expectation of availability, nor is it any indication of dishonesty on the part of a sales staff. In fact, if you were making 11 month ressies at your home resort, as the DVC system is designed, no matter how many members are eventually added, it has no effect on your ability to book. It seems perhaps some BWV/BCV owners are the ones with false expectations of being able to book at their home resort at 7 months or less.

 

[jakenjess]

I see all of this as symptomatic of the DVC sales staff "overpromoting" the flexibility of the program in order to meet SSR sales quotas. Many purchasers of the latter are unfortunately buying based on a literal translation of the promotional propaganda ("stay wherever you want whenever you want.")

My guide didn't "overpromote" the flexibility of the program at all, and I'm one of those "problem" SSR owners (as stated by another poster ). He explained the booking rules and we fully understood them. Based on our vacation habits, he did say we had a good chance of staying where we wanted, and he was right about that, but we know that as the kids get older and we vacation more around school vacations that there won't be as many choices and that's perfectly fine. We'll be just as happy at SSR but might as well try out the other resorts while we can vacation during the slower times.

 

[mwmuntz]

I think that a lot of people put down other resorts to make themselves feel better about their own. SSR owners need to be careful not to repeat this process 10 years from now when SSR is showing some wear and tear, your MF's are high and it is getting increasingly harder to book outside your priority window. It will be so tempting to take potshots at that shiny new resort down the block too. Hopefully history will not repeat itself.

 

[littlestar]

In addition, we are sadly seeming threads where recent DVC buyers (a.k.a. SSR owners) are walking in with the appearance of assuming they can readily get tough II trades (for popular Caribbean of Hawaiian resorts) for near term stays (6-9 months away).
/I].")


I had to laugh a little about this - when my sister bought at Sands of Kahana on Maui, the salesman really played up the ability to stay in the DVC resorts. Buy your Hawaii timeshare and stay in the DVC, too. So it works both ways. People just have to remember when they want to trade through II that somebody has to give up that Hawaii week and put it in the exchange pool. Same way for DVC resorts. A lot of people who buy at top resort/locations, buy to use it. So inventory is not just "sitting" there like hotel inventory is.

 

[Beca]

In addition, we are sadly seeming threads where recent DVC buyers (a.k.a. SSR owners) are walking in with the appearance of assuming they can readily get tough II trades (for popular Caribbean of Hawaiian resorts) for near term stays (6-9 months away).
/I].")


I had to laugh a little about this - when my sister bought at Sands of Kahana on Maui, the salesman really played up the ability to stay in the DVC resorts. Buy your Hawaii timeshare and stay in the DVC, too. So it works both ways. People just have to remember when they want to trade through II that somebody has to give up that Hawaii week and put it in the exchange pool. Same way for DVC resorts. A lot of people who buy at top resort/locations, buy to use it. So inventory is not just "sitting" there like hotel inventory is.

I actually think trading into DVC is going to become MUCH easier with the addition of new resorts. Dean has posted how easy it is to get OKW or SSR thru trades, and I have another good friend (who does not post here) who "trades" to get DVC (although he rarely sees BWV in the trades, and has yet to get VWL or BCV in one).

This actually concerns me a bit. I HOPE that DVC does not have so many offers of owners wanting to trade out, that it gets "devalued" in the trading system. I might never trade my DVC points for something else (I don't think it is such a great "deal"), but I would certainly not want my trading ability to be limited to "iffy" properties because DVC is so large that it does not trade well (too many people wanting to trade out, making a "glut" in the timeshare trading inventory).

 

[loribell]

Again, I ask:

If one were to stay at the Carousel section and had a car, would it be so terrible? We always have a car and we don't mind driving.

This is a real question, I am not being antagonistic!

(I asked this question about 300 posts ago, but I guess this thread might be just for debating!)

Mushka, sorry I thought I had answered you earlier. This past December after swithcing from VWl we were put in the Carousel section. I had the option of taking that room which was available or waiting for a room later in the day, I chose to take the room that was available. We did not have a rental car while we were there.

We really enjoyed our stay there. We walked to the pool and back every night. It was very cool outside and even with that and being wet we enjoyed our walk. We also walked to AP several times and not once did it bother us. Sure a shorter walk would have been great but the walk was not bad at all. I know that it never took us more than 5 minutes to make that walk. It is also one of the most beautiful walks there is at any of the resorts IMHO.

So with or without a car even the Carousel is not that bad. It takes almost as long to get from a room in the BCV's to Beaches & Cream (and that section of SAB which is where we always ended up), at least it has taken us that long.

Logic would dictate they should.

However, the sense I have from reading these boards recently is that there are more and more posts appearing with titles like "last minute ressie" (links to some examples are below). People who are looking for Epcot area resort ressies during F&WF at 7 months or less, or mid December, etc.

In addition, we are sadly seeming threads where recent DVC buyers (a.k.a. SSR owners) are walking in with the appearance of assuming they can readily get tough II trades (for popular Caribbean of Hawaiian resorts) for near term stays (6-9 months away).

I see all of this as symptomatic of the DVC sales staff "overpromoting" the flexibility of the program in order to meet SSR sales quotas. Many purchasers of the latter are unfortunately buying based on a literal translation of the promotional propaganda ("stay wherever you want whenever you want.")

http:///www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1394313

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1393935

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1391465

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1387137

I understand what you are saying here but that is there own fault. They know when they can book their rooms. If they do not book at that time then they should not complain about what their choices are.

I rarely book a room, even within the 7 month mark, with the exception of this past December when I wanted to be at VWL, yet I have always been able to get a room where I want it. Now I know that is probably not going to continue but it will be no ones fault but my own if I am not able to get in where I want to stay.

I will tell you now that I will be happy with any resort I have the privildge of staying at as long as it is not one of the value resorts. Did one night there and never again.

If I am lucky enough to have a last minute trip pop up I will be thrilled that we are once again getting to go to our favorite place no matter which resort we get "Stuck" at.

Those people that have problems with it need to accept responsiblity for not booking when they first can or accept the room they get. Period!

 

[loribell]

I for one will speak for the guides that not all of them give the spiel "stay wherever you want whenever you want". My guide did a bit but not in those regards and he certainly didn't promote "buy SSR and stay at the little 3".

Yes he did talk about flexibility and the ability to trade, but did say that it was only at the 7 month window and was dependant upon availibility. The only time he really suggested trading out was for a GV at OKW. He said if you want a GV, go to OKW, 20% larger room and fewer points. And to not use our points for a stay at the YC. He would say go to the BCV because they share the same pool, amenities and it will be fewer points.

So, while I am sure some guides do such things, just know that all of them don't.

Same here. My guide mentioned that it was a possiblity but that it is all dependent on availability. He also really hit on being ready to make reservations at the 11 month mark if at all possible. He said that we could trade out to II but that even that was not that great of a use for our points. Never once did he lead us to believe that we could book where ever we wanted when ever we wanted.

 

[beachblanket]

Hold on here. Aren't you jumping wildly to conclusions here. Let's look at your evidence:

http:///www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1394313

Man's wife asks if they can take a quick trip to Disney since the kids have off for Spring Break next week. He says he's gonna call MS on the morrow and see if he's lucky. No mention where he owns.

Granted, but given that was only his third post on the DIS, most betters would probably be willing to put money down that it's yet another new SSR owner.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1393935

Poster asks if anyone has had luck trading into II and poses the possibility of the Caribbean in late June. Doesn't say whether that means this June, next June or a June sometime in the future. No mention where poster owns.

Yes, but let's consider history. The overwhelming majority of posts here where people ask questions about far off potenial II ressies state that right up front ("I'm thinking about a trade in June of 2009", etc.) So yes, while the poster didn't specifically state late June of 2007, the fact they didn't state a future year offers more support for my theory than any one trying to argue "well, they probably meant years from now."

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1391465

Poster asks if it's any easier getting into BWV or BCV at the end of Food & Wine. Mentions the 7 month window so we can presume, poster doesn't own there. That leaves HH, VB, OKW, SSR and VWL ownership (AKV if they have yet to buy but are intending to).

Yes, the poster didn't state where they own, but an existing "seasoned" owner of an older resort is much less likely to ask such a "neophyte" question. Anyone who is even barely up the learning curve on DVC resort availabilty would generally know 7 months at the Epcot resorts duing F&WF is tough. But then again, old dogs can ocassionally learn new tricks, so this indeed may or may have not been an SSR owner (the fact it's a long term DIS member proves nothing -- not all people discussing DVC on the DIS joined it as members).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1387137

A potential renter asks about availability for BWV in May this year. Not an owner anywhere.

Correct, I missed the fact they were a renter.

[If the argument is that new owners and non-owners misunderstand the practical functionality of membership, then yeah I gotta agree. Same goes for every timeshare system I've been a part of. And it's gonna continue as long as DVC sells a new resort. I just can't wait for the neophyte AKV owners to flood this board in a year's time.

In general, we're on the same page here, albeit I do suspect AVK will be more attractive to existing DVC members than SSR, which may result in more sales to the existing client base. If that happens, we'll see less "neophtye impact."