Just back and my feelings on Saratoga Springs

[wdw4life]

Sorry op you did not enjoy SSR. I have not stayed in the Carousel section, as of yet, so can't really say with certainty how I would like it. I do think it would not be a problem for me based on the fact that when I am on vacation I want to experience peace and quiet when in my room. So being far removed would not bother me. I also loved walking to the main pool and AP on my last visit. It was so relaxing to just stroll along and observe the beautiful grounds.

Everybody has different tastes and while I love SSR, I realize that there are others who do not. No biggie. Just a fact of life.

 

[UConnJack]

I read this argument somewhat differently, and don't always see it being presented in a confrontational manner.

Specifically, the "SSR as problem" viewpoint does touch on the imbalance you descibe, but more on the level of SSR bringing in a large universe of new members who are not as interested in primarily staying at their home resort.

It is inarguable that the level of discussion on 7 month window availability here has grown dramatically since SSR opened, with a majority of the questions coming from SSR members.

Put another way, you have a large universe of new bodies coming into DVC, many who bought in not so much out of deep love for their home property, but rather interest at immediately leveraging that ownership to stay in the "good" places (in particular the Epcot area resorts, where resale values have jumped amd 7 month availabilty has been getting tighter by the month since SSR opened).

That is the imbalance - when I purchased at BWV in 1999, I wasn't frothing at the mouth to iimmediately stay at OKW, HH or VB - but a huge percentage of the SSR owners are now immediately looking to crash my home.

So what?

Well, I used to view my 11 month home resort ressie advantage as a privelege.

Now I view it as a critical defensive necessity!!

I agree, but I'm just trying not to turn this into a full blown argument on this point again, as we recently debated this ad nauseum in a recent thread.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

I am glad I amused you, trust me it did not amuse me when I booked it and she acted like she was being sent to Sing Sing, Her impression was not my impression however thats the way it is,

However if I only had CSR as an option I would prefer offsite.

 

[DTrippie]

I see a lot of people as not wanting to stay in the "Boonies" at SSR. One bit of advice I picked up a few years ago on helping to stay where you want at a resort is to fax a very nice one page letter no more then 2 weeks in advance of your arrival to the resort asking for your preference. I've done that 3 times so far. At the all star movies we got into the toy story building with view of Woody that was great, at the AKL we got the closest room to the elevator per our request, and at BWV we got a 5th floor room so we would have great fireworks views.
Now I'm not saying that just a normal request through MS wouldn't have gotten us these rooms, but I do feel that the personal touch of a fax to your resort directly with a small story can't do anything but help
. I can't remember, but I think the two weeks had something to do with when your reservation was downloaded into the resorts system and they could effect changes and reserve special rooms.

 

[Chuck S]

DVC resorts have requested that you not fax room requests, but that you list them on your reservation with MS only.

 

[beachblanket]

DVC resorts have requested that you not fax room requests, but that you list them on your reservation with MS only.

This is correct - the "fax your villa/room requests to the resort" thing is outdated, old information. Because guests are now being specificaly asked not to do it, if anything it will draw negative attention from the room assignment staff!

The bottom line on villa requests is:

- limit them to no more than two (not including "non-smoking;" since most resort room assignment staff count that one as almost a given, they don't count it against your "reasonable quota").

- if you haven't previously stayed at the property, study it and prior visitor expereinces there carefully before deciding what those two requests should be. In some cases, the "obvious suspect' requests you initially think of may not be the best ones to use.

 

[DTrippie]

My bad. It's been awhile since I saw that tip. Contacting resot directly = bad..... Now sending them thank yous for a nice stay on the other hand...........

 

[mickeymarcor]

I do think it would not be a problem for me based on the fact that when I am on vacation I want to experience peace and quiet when in my room. So being far removed would not bother me. I also loved walking to the main pool and AP on my last visit. It was so relaxing to just stroll along and observe the beautiful grounds.

That goes double for me!

 

[jemiaule]

SSR is certainly themed for Saratoga NY right down to the upscale furniture and Horsey set.

Innocent question here, those looking to start a war cool your biscuits please!

A couple of times now on DIS I have seen people refer to the furnishings at SSR as "upscale". I stayed there last year in a two bedroom and found the furnishings to be equivalent to all the other DVCs I have stayed at...standard hotel furnishings. No better or worse as far as looks, quality or comfort than any other DVC.

Anyway, I was just wondering why some call the furnishings there upscale.

 

[Chuck S]

Innocent question here, those looking to start a war cool your biscuits please!

A couple of times now on DIS I have seen people refer to the furnishings at SSR as "upscale". I stayed there last year in a two bedroom and found the furnishings to be equivalent to all the other DVCs I have stayed at...standard hotel furnishings. No better or worse as far as looks, quality or comfort than any other DVC.

Anyway, I was just wondering why some call the furnishings there upscale.

Whle I haven't stayed at SSR, I think they are probably referring to the styling, not necessarily the quality, of the furnishings compared to other resorts. A more "elegant" styling goes along with the overall theme of SSR.

 

[rinkwide]

...I can smell the horses all the way at the Artist's Pallette...

Yes you can smell horse - and closer than you think. Try the chili (it's got a nice little kick).

 

[JerJan]

rinkwide wrote: Yes you can smell horse - and closer than you think. Try the chili (it's got a nice little kick).

ROFLMAO!!!!

 

[Jillpie]

Sorry op you did not enjoy SSR. . I do think it would not be a problem for me based on the fact that when I am on vacation I want to experience peace and quiet when in my room. So being far removed would not bother me. .

Thanks for your comment (Op here). I do need to restate the reason that I didn't like being so far away though. I absolutely love the peace and quiet of all of Disney resorts, including SSR. That is what I really did like about this particular resort. What I did not like is the distance of the main bldg for supplies. Thats it. I really enjoy walking the grounds of BCV/BWV and SSR, especially after a full day at the parks. Now, if they could only put perhaps a quiet pool and satellite small grocery store way out at Carousel I would consider going again. But until then, the risk of being that far away again is not worth it.

Interesting discussion going on here everyone.

 

[mickeymarcor]

What I did not like is the distance of the main bldg for supplies. Thats it.

It seems you can't have both sometimes. I've stayed at the values resorts. Yes, everything was close to my room. The good news was that the pool, restaurant, and shop were close by. The bad news was that the pool, restaurant, and shop were close by, and the congestion and noise that went with them. That's way I finally bought into DVC - to get away from the congestion and noise. Parties were being held poolside till late at night.

 

[jemiaule]

Whle I haven't stayed at SSR, I think they are probably referring to the styling, not necessarily the quality, of the furnishings compared to other resorts. A more "elegant" styling goes along with the overall theme of SSR.

Thanks Chuck, I was thinking that perhaps that may be it. Which, I hate to say, still brings my question around. I swear, not trying to be nitpicky

I do not see the styling to be elegant either just your average hotel furniture. For example, I stayed at the Hilton Austin last week and the furnishings there were about the same as SSR.

Maybe it is just me and a personal definition of what I consider to be elegant or upscale. Probably time to drop it before I irritate someone

 

[UConnJack]

Thanks Chuck, I was thinking that perhaps that may be it. Which, I hate to say, still brings my question around. I swear, not trying to be nitpicky

I do not see the styling to be elegant either just your average hotel furniture. For example, I stayed at the Hilton Austin last week and the furnishings there were about the same as SSR.

Maybe it is just me and a personal definition of what I consider to be elegant or upscale. Probably time to drop it before I irritate someone

I agree, which is one of the reasons many feel that SSR lacks theming. Some may think it's "elegant" or "upscale". It see it as "ordinary".

 

[Sammie]

Innocent question here, those looking to start a war cool your biscuits please!

A couple of times now on DIS I have seen people refer to the furnishings at SSR as "upscale". I stayed there last year in a two bedroom and found the furnishings to be equivalent to all the other DVCs I have stayed at...standard hotel furnishings. No better or worse as far as looks, quality or comfort than any other DVC.

Anyway, I was just wondering why some call the furnishings there upscale.

Because they are made by Thomasville and DVC has never purchased expensive name brand furniture before for any of the units.

 

[Sammie]

Like it or not - and I don't - it's the negatives that keep folk reading (and yes, I'm reading too of course ). How many of the gushing trip reports get so many hits?

What I can't understand is why the OP has had so much criticism for her quite reasonable and balanced personal views. Some of the later posts are deserving of the 'resort bashing' label, but I really don't think hers was.

A few years ago I posted about a less than stellar experience at Disney in an equally (I thought) mild and balanced way and boy did the responses make me think twice about ever doing so again. So to OP, ignore the posts which try to tell you that you shouldn't mind a long trek to buy stuff - you minded on your vacation and that's ok.

The only comment I think the OP made that was not reasonable was

and the trip to the main bldg. was basically the next state over.

However even with that exaggeration,, most of the following comments were not really even directed at her orginial comments but more to those that follow.

Any time someone goes to SSR and has a less than desirable trip, you have a certain group of that love to just comment for the sake of getting responses from those that like SSR. Eventually it just gets old.

I guess think about like this, if every single time someone posted a comment about BCV, I jumped in with my comment about my room on the street, it would get old, but that is the first time I have ever even shared that we got that room.

I would completely agree that Carousel is the most distant location at SSR and not a prime one for someone without a car. However not all of SSR is that far from the main building and that was the point some were trying to make. Not everyone room at BCV or VWL or definitely BWV is close to the lobby either. So many times it is more perception than actual distance which was the point Brogan was making.

And as to theme, it is all what appeals to someone.

 

[Jillpie]

It seems you can't have both sometimes. . .

Oh, but you can have both and I have for the past 7 years of trips. With a simple call or request made to POR (pre DVC) or one made with member services, I have had both. At BCV, its as easy as "going downstairs" and you're right at the gift shop for groceries. Same with BWV. This is the first trip where distance was a major issue with me. Again, to each his own. Unfortunately, my luck ran out with requests at this resort. Thats okay, and expected. Here's hoping they are met next time (at BCV of course ).

 

[Sammie]

I will agree that without a car, the Carousel section is a hike with groceries in hand. Same with South Pointe at OKW. And the last building of the Paddocks.

I truly do not see why they can't run one or two (during peak occupany) multi seat golf carts internally. Something just to get around the interior of the resort for those without a car.

Being large and spread out can have its appeal, quiet and beautifully landscaped, but they do need to consider walking back to the units in the heat, or rain, or with packages and provide internal transportation.

As stated by the OP, the buses are fine unless you want to return to your room.