Question for those who just purchased SSR

[Anthony1971]

We bought SSR becuase we like it. We also plan at trying all the resorts. people in my family bought back when they got free park passes and none of them ever had a problem booking at any resort at a Normal less then 7 months before you go on vacation. It seems for most people it is hard to know if a vacation 7 months from now is doable much less 11 (I am open to advice) but if I try to give notice of vacation more than 2 months out I get a look, I do plan longer in advance though. We looked at BWV when it first opened we decided not to buy for many reasons and the main was the limited amount of resorts to stay at. Up to now we stayed at "Cash resorts" becuse we enjoy them. All of the resorts are nice and have diffrences which allow all of us to enjoy a change of atmosphere and scenery and I do not think one is better then another, they all offer diffrent amenties which is why we decided to buy now, so we are not stuck at the same resort year after year. --for those who feel one resort is better then another-- SSR has one thing to offer none of the other resorts have (in our defense) come February 01 2042 all the previous owners of the other resorts can wave to us SSR owners as they pay cash for thier next visit.

 

[mark&sue]

I voted all DVC resorts because I think over 49 years we would want to try everything.

I really want to stay at SSR but my first points are going on DLP and the next ones at DL in California as it is just the way it has turned out as we already had an offsite holiday booked in May on International Drive before we bought into DVC and other plans for 2006. The first time we go back to WDW in 2007 we will definately stay at SSR.

I also hope to use the exchanges too in the future.



Susan

 

[jade1]

"GREAT POLL! The results here speak for themselves and I notice the BCV whiners are noticeably absent. "

Please explain.

 

[goofyhunter]

Curious why the "reasons" are included on this poll only and how you came up with them (ex BWV for location but not BVC). The others just say "Mostly at OKW or BWV" etc. Then when we get to SSR each one has a different reason. Voted BCV because of LOCATION AND SAB (but the deal was better at SSR) not because "thats where I wanted to buy". If I really wanted to buy there I could have gotten a resale for less years and more money.

 

[tjhsr]

We will stay at SSR for now.Thats why we joined. Will try VB sometime but thats about it.Love the quiet pool and DTD. Its great to hear that someone is enjoying The Springs.We will be there may 8th.for our 3rd trip home in 8 months.

 

[Beca]

"GREAT POLL! The results here speak for themselves and I notice the BCV whiners are noticeably absent. "

Please explain.

I am sure I am going to get "flamed" for this one...because, I am an self-admitted BCV lover Now, whether I am a "whiner" or not...well, that would be up to you to decide.

But, it seems to me from reading these polls (which I think are WONDERFUL btw...I hope you do a "compilation" thread of all the results), that more SSR owners voted that they wanted to "stay at all the resorts" than any other ownership. OKW has some, too. But, BCV and BWV owners say they want to stay where they own, and for some reason, a substansial number of VWL owners seem to want the BWV.

I wonder if anyone cares to "speculate" why SSR owners tend to want to stay other places more than other owners (by the percentages).

I think maybe because it is a new resort, owners have not yet had the chance to "fall in love" with their resort and feel loyalty to it. But, it also appears that if the percentages of this survey hold true for many members, the numbers of people who own at SSR and choose to "try all DVC resorts" could have a significant effect on the availability of other resorts (esp. BCV and BWV where most owners say they want to stay).

I would love to hear other opinions on this. And, please be friendly!!! I have tried really hard not to "offend" or "put down" SSR. I don't own there....I bought "where I planned to stay" (actually...I sold my other memberships and bought at BCV to get the home advantage). I just find this poll very interesting.

TIA,


Beca

 

[gjw007]

I am sure I am going to get "flamed" for this one...because, I am an self-admitted BCV lover Now, whether I am a "whiner" or not...well, that would be up to you to decide.

Beca

Beca;

A problem with the poll is the way it was worded. Do people really only stay at OKW to save points? Apparently if choose this answer in the poll, by the wording of the poll, this is the only reason to stay there. I suggest that there are other reasons as well. The same is true for most of the answers as well. The poll questions are leading to a conclusion about why you are staying at a resort. I think people stay at these resorts for a multiple number of reasons and they probably aren't listed on the polls. I understand that the author of this poll did this for each of the resorts. A better approach and one that is less leading would have been to do a poll of each resort owners with the same choices but leave the personal notes off.

I wouldn't get too worked up about these polls. If you like BCV, SSR, or others and it works for you, Great! As far as speculation, I choose to try all DVC locations but that is not true, I really don't intend to try HH or Vero but that wasn't a choice. I suggest that maybe why many people choose this option had to do with the fact that like me this might have been their first purchase and would like to try all the resorts while those from other resorts have already sampled most of the other resorts. It has to do with how long they have been DVC owners rather than which specific resort is their home resort.

Mostly use at SSR
plan to use at ALL DVC locations
mostly at OKW to save points
mostly at BCV because that's where I wanted to buy
mostly at BWV for location
mostly at VWL for all of the above

 

[MarylandPirate]

Just a thought.....when all the other DVC memberships expire, will people from SSR still be able to stay at the other DVC resorts or will they become regular cash resorts? The Springs is awesome....no complaints here about construction! To me it's no different than parts of WDW being remodeled from time to time. Off now to celebrate St. Paddy's day at EPCOT.

 

[Anthony1971]

Becca,

I am use to staying at cash resorts and my reson for not buying earlier is I like to go to different resorts. yes I have my favorites but that does not mean I will stay at that resort every year. I like Poly the most and have stayed there 3 times I have also stayed at the contemporary 3 times, I stayed at port orleans which is another really nice resort with an amazing bakery and I like over the Contemporary, Coronado springs I did not like because of the size(over 1 1/4 mile around the lake- but the food was great, All star -most likely never againbe cause of the crowds- I even stayed at a Downtown Disney resort which I though was very nice. I think everyone has a favorite or will at some point, but I would not stay there every vacation as the resort would no longer be special to me and evey vacation would be the same. I also feel we are all lucky enough to own time share on Disney property and staying at any hotel on Disney property is a much much better then staying at an outside resort, the experiences can not be compared. I never look at on resort as being better then another as every resort has something to like that you will not find at any other resort Ie. I do like the super size theming only found at the All Stars/Pop century.
So maybe a lot of the people buying into SSR feel the same and the flexability out weights everything else. Disney has become a lot more popular in recent years which can be seen by the large increase in the number of resorts on Disney property. I always felt that one of the nicest features of staying on Disney proprtey was the large choice of resorts which are all themed differently. Where else can you go and have so many diffrent choices while essentially doing the same thing year after year making it feel completly different.
And maybe for all that bought and will only stay at one resort, you should try something different as there is a lot of flexability and maybe the resort you thought was your favorite really is not-especially as lifestyles and ages change.

 

[Beca]

gjw007 - got it!! That does make sense. The "reasons" could definitely lead the results askew.

MarylandPirate - it is my understanding that once 2042 comes, SSR owners can only stay at SSR (and, any other DVC resorts in existence). However, I am sure that if DVC "repackages" the other DVC resorts and re-sells them...SSR owners will still have access to them. I think whether or not SSR owners will get to stay at other DVC resorts past their expiration depends entirely on what DVC does with those resorts.



Beca

 

[crisi]

I also think it might be a "new owner" thing. OKW owners mostly bought when there was one choice, they never had the expectation of switching....and habits formed. BWV owners are nearly the same. And while I had intentions of trying all the resorts, I've come to realize I'm too lazy to switch at seven months when I am comfortable with where I own - there has to be an overriding reason to bother. So if the question would have been asked when I initially purchased, it would be different than it is now, when we will "mostly" stay where we bought.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Curious why the "reasons" are included on this poll only and how you came up with them (ex BWV for location but not BVC). The others just say "Mostly at OKW or BWV" etc. Then when we get to SSR each one has a different reason. Voted BCV because of LOCATION AND SAB (but the deal was better at SSR) not because "thats where I wanted to buy". If I really wanted to buy there I could have gotten a resale for less years and more money.

Actually, I did the SSR first and never intended to do the others. I put the "reasons" in because those are the things I have read on this board. I wanted to see if it was backed up by owners, or was just rumor. It IS interesting that more SSR owners are interested in MOSTLY doing all DVCs rather than mostly their own resort.

 

[dianeschlicht]

BTW, I do think the reasons might have been a mistake now that I have posted the other polls. Unfortunately, it does no good to do another one, because folks will think they have already voted on it. Perhaps I should leave the polls to the professionals.

 

[MarylandPirate]

gjw007 - got it!! That does make sense. The "reasons" could definitely lead the results askew.

MarylandPirate - it is my understanding that once 2042 comes, SSR owners can only stay at SSR (and, any other DVC resorts in existence). However, I am sure that if DVC "repackages" the other DVC resorts and re-sells them...SSR owners will still have access to them. I think whether or not SSR owners will get to stay at other DVC resorts past their expiration depends entirely on what DVC does with those resorts.



Beca

Thanks Beca.....I was just curious. I'm 43 now so if I'm still here then I'll be happy to just be alive and not worry about it!

 

[MarylandPirate]

BTW, I do think the reasons might have been a mistake now that I have posted the other polls. Unfortunately, it does no good to do another one, because folks will think they have already voted on it. Perhaps I should leave the polls to the professionals.

It's a free world...post as many polls as you want! Me, personally....I'll probaly only stay at SSR. Our resort has the greatest restaurant and shopping selection in all of Disney! I could have bought at BCV, but waited for SSR. My DS 18YO, followed my purchase with one of his own. My whole family loves this resort. My DS 3YO pratically lives at the Carriage House when were not at the parks, and my wife loves the Spa. I think it's wrong to assume that most SSR owners hate their Home and only use this as a stepping stone to stay at other DVC resorts, however everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Okay, Okay...I'll admit it -- we bought at OKW because it was the lowest priced onsite DVC resort. We really didn't know if we would be fully able to utilize our membership due to our west coast location and didn't want to plop down more of an investment than we had to.

I have every intention of trying out all the different resorts but also realize OWK is the cream of the crop right along with all the DVC properties. So, for anyone worried that all the new SSR owners will snap up ressies at the precious Epcot and MK resorts, too late -- there's already a bunch of us "evil-doers" out here!

What it boils down to is "variety is the spice of life". I would bet there's a very small percentage of people that stay at their home resort exclusively. Careful planning is going to be even more important as new members come on board because there's going to be a lot more competition for the smaller resorts at the seven-month window. And if I don't follow through correctly and miss the opportunity to stay at my resort of choice...oh well, at least I know I've got my tropical paradise @ OKW ready and waiting!

 

[lllovell]

I think you are seeing a different kinda sales pitch to those of us that have bought in at SSR as well (which might be leading to the "try all resorts" answers). Part of the appeal was that I have such a selection before me. I know I won't get primo rooms during peak times at other resorts at 7 months (maybe occasionally - but not usually) and I am fine with that, but I wanted us to be able to use our points for all sorts of different vacation experiences over the years and that selling point was a BIG one for me.

Also, we are MOSTLY new owners (until this recent add-on deal which I am still fighting with myself about lol) and would love to try other resorts and see all that WDW and DVC has to offer. The issues of loyalty seem weird to me at this point, but don't take the fact that I want to try other resorts to mean that I am no in LOVE with SSR. Its wonderful. Formal enough to really feel like a pampered vacation, friendly enough that my kids are super excited about the pool and being so close to LEGOLAND (said in a loud announcer voice )

What most people are really interest in is discovering if us SSR owners are buying to simply get our foot in the door and this poll might be misleading and make you think that. I don't see it that way because I know MY intent when I answered the question and it is that I want to see them all and enjoy them all, but without a doubt, SSR will be my home base. To me, the few answers of people that bought in just to get into smaller resorts should show that most of us DIDN'T buy into SSR just to slip our foot in the door as so many think.

Time will prove my family's favorite (which might end up being OKW as we are a bunch of parrot heads), but SSR owners would not be the first, nor the last, to have to sift through and find where they feel the most at home.

 

[spiceycat]

this is just my opinion - doesn't mean anything - but SSR is just too new.

SSR owners don't have the loyal to THEIR resort that the others DVC resorts have.

let them stay at their resort for a few visits then go stay elsewhere - bet they will come back to SSR before going to other resorts too.

 

[DrTomorrow]

I suspect that time and experience will make a difference - not sure if it's spicycat's "loyalty" or crisi's "laziness" . But I see our pattern trending this way: Our first stays were at SSR - home sweet home. Soon we'll want to check out the other resorts, just to get a feel for them. Once that period is over, though, we'll probably be at SSR most of the time - another resort will be the occaisional exception.

I guess the "possible" behaviour that has prompted rumors, speculation and this poll is that most SSR owners stay at SSR only 20% (or less) of their trips, spreading the remaining percentage over the other four on-site DVC resorts. IMHO, I don't see this happening; regarding SSR, familiarity will breed not the current contempt, but contentment.

YMMV

 

[sbrotherton]

We are brand new DVC members...our first trip is scheduled for the end of May and we are staying at BWV instead of SSR. We have been to WDW about a dozen times...am frankly at a loss that we did not join sooner. Anyway...we chose the BWV for this trip for location. DH prefers the BW area to YC/BC since it is closer to activities at the BW (and the bakery, by the way). We just like the boat transportations to the two parks, preferring that to the buses at the other resorts. However, the rooms at SSR look gorgeous. We are thinking about staying there later this fall, but we shall see with availability.

We have stayed at both the BWI and the YC and hope that we will have as positive experience for our May trip as we have on our other trips in the past. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!