Raise Your Voice: Guaranteed Booking Categories at SSR

[BroganMc]

Since I just started reading the thread and didn't go back to the beginning, is the debate just "categories yes or no?" or have some ideas as to what the categories would be been suggested.

General consensus of this thread has concerned (1) how to get in touch with proper people at MS and (2) whether to get neighborhood booking categories (i.e. Congress Park, Paddocks, Carousel, Springs). The debate has been what the impact of those booking categories would be on room availability.

From informal talks with the Front Desk at SSR, I'm told the number one booking request has been Springs.

The last thing we want to do is lock ourselves into a have to switch resort sections mid-stay because you couldn't get X section the entire time. It's a lot harder to switch from Congress Park to the Carousel than a standard view BWV room to boardwalk view.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Different people have different ideas of what the categories should be. I would be happy with it as simple as OKW- "close to carriage house" and "not close to carriage house".
I also would really like to see a guar DTD view. After all, my home resort has rooms with some of the best views in all of the DVC- yet I have no better chance than anyone else, including cash guests, of staying there. Compared to BWV, where their prime view is not only categorized for a guarantee booking- but you can't even stay there unless you are booking with points. What a contrast.

 

[SyrCinderella]

I agree with this idea - I would not mind reallocating the points structure if we could guarantee our favorite area at SSR, it would be worth it to me to pay a few extra points if necessary.

 

[Mischa]

I don't agree with paying more points just for a view. I love SSR and we've been lucky the last three times we've stayed at Congress Park (where we requested, even on a last minute trip). But I would not spend extra points just because a view - heck I don't plan on staying in the room looking out the view 24 hours a day.

But that's just us!

 

[Dean]

I don't agree with paying more points just for a view. I love SSR and we've been lucky the last three times we've stayed at Congress Park (where we requested, even on a last minute trip). But I would not spend extra points just because a view - heck I don't plan on staying in the room looking out the view 24 hours a day.

But that's just us!

They could easilly do this without a change in the points and like OKW near HH and BWV preferred, it's unlikely such a change would involve a change in points.

 

[Saratoga Souris]

Interesting discussion....

This shows me just how different we all are and consequently how different things appeal to us. For example, I am surprised that "The Springs" is the #1 request at SSR as it is the last place that I would want to be.
As for OKW, I like the quiet, home away from home atmosphere so I would NEVER want to be near HH.
Since we all have such varied tastes it doens't seem like there should be a problem with booking requests. In my experience, if I have requested soething, someplace special, I have always been accomodated.
Why pay more points when I am likely to get it anyway???

 

[Dean]

Interesting discussion....

This shows me just how different we all are and consequently how different things appeal to us. For example, I am surprised that "The Springs" is the #1 request at SSR as it is the last place that I would want to be.
As for OKW, I like the quiet, home away from home atmosphere so I would NEVER want to be near HH.
Since we all have such varied tastes it doens't seem like there should be a problem with booking requests. In my experience, if I have requested soething, someplace special, I have always been accomodated.
Why pay more points when I am likely to get it anyway???

One gets faulty info not uncommonly from MS and other CM so I wouldn't take that statement as fact. I actually doubt it's true. I"d be willing to bet that CP and the Grandstand are currently more requested than the Springs though they're likely not that different. The other 2 are likely also rans.

 

[tomandrobin]

One gets faulty info not uncommonly from MS and other CM so I wouldn't take that statement as fact. I actually doubt it's true. I"d be willing to bet that CP and the Grandstand are currently more requested than the Springs though they're likely not that different. The other 2 are likely also rans.

I agree, I think early in the development of SSR The Springs section was popular for its location to AP and main pool. Now that the resort is finished, the Springs has really fallen to third in requests. Being last in the bus lope hurts and the Grandstand gives you close proximity to both main pools, and the Artisit Pallette.

 

[DVCKennyD]

Hello all,


Fellow SSR owner checking in on this issue... I have to say it was awfully disconcerting to have MS tell me last week that the reservation I was making for Thanksgiving 08' would have my Grandstand area preference noted as a "request" only!! I understand how the DVC "game" is played, but, as I asked the CM at the time... Exactly what advantage do I as an owner at SSR possess over anybody else??

It appears to me that my 11 month out ressie stands no better a chance of landing my choice as does the ressie some other schmuck makes who happens to be a little quicker to the front desk on check in day!!

DVC must have the capability to rectify this situation. After all, if the CM on the other end of the line can tell me definitively at the time that my accomadations are indeed available... "yes Mr. DeMatteo I'm showing availability etc..." could it be that much more difficult to verify where those openings are



Ken

 

[Dean]

Hello all,


Fellow SSR owner checking in on this issue... I have to say it was awfully disconcerting to have MS tell me last week that the reservation I was making for Thanksgiving 08' would have my Grandstand area preference noted as a "request" only!! I understand how the DVC "game" is played, but, as I asked the CM at the time... Exactly what advantage do I as an owner at SSR possess over anybody else??

It appears to me that my 11 month out ressie stands no better a chance of landing my choice as does the ressie some other schmuck makes who happens to be a little quicker to the front desk on check in day!!

DVC must have the capability to rectify this situation. After all, if the CM on the other end of the line can tell me definitively at the time that my accomadations are indeed available... "yes Mr. DeMatteo I'm showing availability etc..." could it be that much more difficult to verify where those openings are



Ken

Unfortunately that's true. In the past they did give priority to the booking date but simply gave up on any real attempt to satisfy requests. Now it's simply up the the individual whims of a given CM who's assigning your unit. So it's much worse than it was previously in this area. At BWV, they rectified that by making BW view a separate booking category, recently they did the same at OKW for HH requests. Frankly, it's the right thing to do for the protection and benefit of the owners there and I don't own there.

 

[mwehttam]

I agree, I think early in the development of SSR The Springs section was popular for its location to AP and main pool. Now that the resort is finished, the Springs has really fallen to third in requests. Being last in the bus lope hurts and the Grandstand gives you close proximity to both main pools, and the Artisit Pallette.

Agree 100%. When DW and I, along with DS, were there in July I had at first requested a Springs section figuring with the baby it will be helpful. However, we were about to get the Springs when checking when in it was taken from under us and we were offered the Grandstand. So glad we said yes! There were many times where we just passed he Springs stop because the bus was full.

-Matt

 

[Michael-DVC]

I don't agree with paying more points just for a view. I love SSR and we've been lucky the last three times we've stayed at Congress Park (where we requested, even on a last minute trip). But I would not spend extra points just because a view - heck I don't plan on staying in the room looking out the view 24 hours a day.

But that's just us!

Agreed! Which is why we will never use points for a room with a view.

 

[Dean]

Agreed! Which is why we will never use points for a room with a view.

For resorts where there is a true difference I would. The only situation that applies to currently at DVC is VB for the OVIR and possibly for some for BWV BW view. Expect to see several categories with higher points for HI. While specifics will derermine reasonableness, I suspect most will be vying for OV or hopefully even OF.

 

[BroganMc]

the Springs has really fallen to third in requests. Being last in the bus lope hurts and the Grandstand gives you close proximity to both main pools, and the Artisit Pallette.

Or being last can help. You do get the shortest route to the theme parks at the Springs. The only time you encounter full busses is at park openings and then they run extra busses to keep up.

I've been assigned Springs 3 times so far and Grandstand once. I've gotten the bus at 4 of the 5 stops. And since my dad and I need both wheelchair spots on the bus, you'd think we'd have more problems with crowded busses. In actuality, the only time we had space problems was the one time two other scooter users arrived wanting to go to the same park. That can happen at any of the stops. All other trips, included the crowded NYE trip, we never encountered space problems at the Springs. The stop would be crowded with people and yet no one got left behind.

I think if you consider all those SSR newbies or those wanting the shortest route to the resort center, the Springs maintains its top billing status. It's probably mostly SSR veterans and insiders who know to request Grandstand or Paddocks.

Congress Park probably gets requests among the adult travelers looking for a DTD vacation.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Congress Park probably gets requests among the adult travelers looking for a DTD vacation.

I think for the most part this is true. For me though it is still the gorgeous view. Especially at night. We don't spend a whole lot of time at DTD but it still is nice being able to walk over there. I personally did not feel the walk up to the restaurants and main pool was that long. And if I'm not pushing DGS's stroller I use a cane. I do have a tendency to get lost in the pretty landscapes around me though so maybe I'm not realizing how far it really is.

 

[abk96]

I think they should have separate booking categories at SSR too.

When we went last July we stayed at BWV first with a BW view. Fabulous!! Wouldn't mind using the extra points again for that view if we have the points.

Then we transferred over to SSR with a request for Congress Park section. Well we didn't get it. We were first put in a room with a parking lot view. Not great especially after BWV's view. So we kindly asked if we could be moved and they put us in the Grandstand with a view of the pool. Not bad, but would have used the extra points to be guaranteed a view of DTD at CP.

JMHO!

 

[RLRDA]

bump

 

[kerickson]

Thanks for the bump!

Just got onto this thread and as a new SSR owner, I completely agree that we should have an owner advantage for priority locations (Grandstand, Congress Park). I plan on staying at SSR next Jan, but may try to switch at the 7th month mark to another resort for fear that I might be 're-located' out to the Carousel with a 2 and 4yr old. Walking distance to ammenities will be a key factor to a 'stress free' trip home for us...
We are flying out from the West Coast and I'm already planning on arriving the night before so we can be first in line the next morning for a priority room request. As a member of the resort, it shouldn't be this hard for me, right?

Anyone 'on the inside' have an update on this?

 

[RLRDA]

I don't have an update but a bunch of recent threads asking about the different sections of SSR made me start thinking about this topic again. We would love to be able to guarantee a Grandstand villa. Others would love to guarantee the Springs, Congress Park, etc. With such a large resort it would be nice to know where you're staying when you make your reservation. Then if you don't get your first choice....waitlist for it. Beats rolling the dice at check-in.

Someone else may have more knowledge about the time that you check in and whether or not it helps with getting your requests met. We never get to the resorts before 2pm. Last time we requested the Springs but got the Grandstand.

Check earlier posts in this thread. I think there's a link to the 'Member Satisfaction' e-mail so you can tell them you want Guaranteed Bookings to be put into action at SSR.

 

[tomandrobin]

Funny thing, I seem to recall that The Springs section was the "hot" section a few years back. Seems that since the Grand Stand section opened, I don't see to many requests for the Springs anymore.