Raise Your Voice - No changes to SSR booking categories

[DaveH]

To me THV will be like studio, 1br, 2br and GV. To me these are room size categories.

 

[dudelydude]

For those of us that don't know what you are talking about, what are you talking about?

 

[TenThousandVolts]

For those of us that don't know what you are talking about, what are you talking about?

Booking categories at Saratoga Springs, so people could book a guranteed location, similar to the OKW booking categories. At OKW they recently implemented 2 booking categories. One category is near the Hospitality House, the other category is everything else. This allows those who book early and would like to be close to the main resort ammenities to guarantee a location near them. Saratoga Springs is even more spread out than Old Key West, so it would be nice if they extended the same courtesy to those of us who book SSR.

I would like to be able to book a DTD view room, or book a room close to the Carriage House. Most in favor are NOT advocating for a change in points charts.

 

[dudelydude]

Booking categories at Saratoga Springs, so people could book a guranteed location, similar to the OKW booking categories. At OKW they recently implemented 2 booking categories. One category is near the Hospitality House, the other category is everything else. This allows those who book early and would like to be close to the main resort ammenities to guarantee a location near them. Saratoga Springs is even more spread out than Old Key West, so it would be nice if they extended the same courtesy to those of us who book SSR.

I would like to be able to book a DTD view room, or book a room close to the Carriage House. Most in favor are NOT advocating for a change in points charts.

Ohhhhhh...I see. So they would draw a line and tell everyone that if you want this side of the line (closer to amenities), it will cost you more points than those on the further side of the line. Of course, there could be two or three lines, costing less points the further you get away from civilization. I get it now....thanks for the explanation. Now for my opinion. If I owned at SSR, I wouldn't mind this, BUT only if the current point chart represented the best category, while they actually deducted from the current point total for categories further away. I know...I live in a dreamworld. DVC would more likely make 3 categories with the middle category being represented by current point chart and raising the points for the category closer to amenities.

 

[MichiganMouse1967]

I would prefer no categories at SSR, except for THVs of course.

I would hate to have to keep changing rooms because a certain category is only available for specific nights. Yes, I have made last minute DVC reservations, where SSR was the only resort available and I gladly took it. I did not have to worry that one night was such and such a view or location, just that I was able to get the same size accomodations each night. I agree with others in that I am against anything that divides up the resort for booking purposes.

I also quite like that on all but 2 of my trips to SSR (9 stays now), I have been able to get into a room when I have checked in. Almost all of these have been before the standard check-in time, including a couple of 7am check-ins. I have taken wherever I can get, as well as asking for specific locations. All that needed to be available was my room size and that makes it much easier to find at least one room available upon check-in, instead of having to see if a 1 bedroom is available in the Grandstand section or so on.

I have also stayed in every section of the resort, except for Congress Park (which was mainly by choice because my family members don't want a DTD view- go figure). I guess I am just not picky, because I do not ABSOLUTELY have to have a room in a certain location. I do make requests when I make my reservations, and I do sometimes ask at check-in if they have rooms in a certain location. At least 75% of the time they have been able to accomodate me. One of the times when we checked in at 7am, we took the only open 1 bedroom in the resort, which happened to be a lovely room in the Paddock. We had a great stay. Even while staying in the Carousel, we found that it was maybe a 5-7 minute walk for us to the CH. I have had longer walks down the hallways of other resorts. I actually didn't even mind this location because I could look out my balcony to see the busses entering the resort and going to the Grandstand and then make my way over to the bus stop just when we needed to. I guess I can find value in any location.

I just think that having room categories complicates it too much. You are not going to be able to please everyone. Eventually I think the complaint will not be "I wasn't able to get my requested location at SSR" to "I wasn't able to get a room in one location for all nights of my stay and I have to move several times" with room categories.

Just my 2 cents.

I totally agree with you. SSR is a large resort, but I'm happy that I can get the accommodations I need without having to switch rooms during my stay. Although I prefer some sections over others, I'm not picky. I think the only category should be the THVs

 

[DaveH]

I believe the THV's will be like booking a 1BR, 2BR, GV and a Studio. I see THV's as a room size category than a location category.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

I believe the THV's will be like booking a 1BR, 2BR, GV and a Studio. I see THV's as a room size category than a location category.

That is right, their unique room type will require the creation of a new unit category. Now, I pose a hypothetical question. If they removed one wall from the THVs- they would be 2 bedroom units. Would they need their own category?

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Yes, because not everyone prefers to stay in the THV location. The location, as well as the size determine the booking category in my opinion.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Yes, because not everyone prefers to stay in the THV location.

We have a winner! That is right- and some of the treehouses are actually closer to the Carriage House than parts of the Carousel.

 

[hakepb]

I would prefer no categories at SSR, except for THVs of course.

I would hate to have to keep changing rooms because a certain category is only available for specific nights. Yes, I have made last minute DVC reservations, where SSR was the only resort available and I gladly took it. I did not have to worry that one night was such and such a view or location, just that I was able to get the same size accomodations each night. I agree with others in that I am against anything that divides up the resort for booking purposes.

I appreciate your concerns, and it is a valid point that categories may create some reservation movement, and that is not really a good thing.

My problem with your statement is that it sounds like you are against any improvement that makes SSR more desirable to more DVC'ers, and against anything that makes the 11 month window at SSR more desireable.

The whole point in choosing a home resort is to gain the 11 month advantage. If categories can make SSR more popular (Why book there if I do not know where I'm going) and gives SSR a true 11 month advantage, then I think categories are a good thing.

 

[Dean]

Ohhhhhh...I see. So they would draw a line and tell everyone that if you want this side of the line (closer to amenities), it will cost you more points than those on the further side of the line. Of course, there could be two or three lines, costing less points the further you get away from civilization. I get it now....thanks for the explanation. Now for my opinion. If I owned at SSR, I wouldn't mind this, BUT only if the current point chart represented the best category, while they actually deducted from the current point total for categories further away. I know...I live in a dreamworld. DVC would more likely make 3 categories with the middle category being represented by current point chart and raising the points for the category closer to amenities.

Dramatically more likely they'd draw the lines but the points would stay the same. IF they changed points they'd have to increase some and decrease others, something that would be very complicated. I personally think there should be booking categories but I don't believe there is enough benefit to justify higher points for one vs another.

 

[Dean]

My problem with your statement is that it sounds like you are against any improvement that makes SSR more desirable to more DVC'ers, and against anything that makes the 11 month window at SSR more desireable.

The whole point in choosing a home resort is to gain the 11 month advantage. If categories can make SSR more popular (Why book there if I do not know where I'm going) and gives SSR a true 11 month advantage, then I think categories are a good thing.

I think this is ultimately the issue for many that are against it (that and their fear DVC will screw it up). Even for those that own there, one common theme is they are not planners and want to call up a month to a few months before and have the same chance as anyone who booked in the home booking window.

 

[mello]

Actually I somehow doubt "booking categories" alone is going to deal with those "problem" members. They often tend to be expecting a specific BUILDING and/or room.

I have posted about the ALL time leader in "problem members" He threatened to "Beat the holy XXX out of you" to a CM when "HIS" Villa was not available. He told the CM to "get of your XXX and get those people OUT of MY VILLA" He used the 11 month booking claim the "I paid THOUSANDS of dollars" claim and then got to meet Disney Security and the Orange County police. He was escorted from the Hospitalilty House at OKW and the manager who had moved all of the rest of the guests out of the registration area told his sobbing wife that "DVC will be in contact with you"
Considering the "worst" case... I don't know what you do. I think it's a symptom of our current society.....

Holy moly! We were in line at BCV this May behind a guy who wasted a good 45 minutes demanding a closer room. "Poor" guy, didn't want to walk all the way to the end of the hall . I didn't feel the least bit sorry for him, since our own room was in the same position he was too good for, and he was holding up our plans for the day with his extreme selfishness. I thought that was outrageous, but the one you witnessed really takes the cake!

I tend to agree with you - I highly doubt that booking categories do anything to discourage people with such a distorted sense of entitlement. However, the nasty folks, right along with the rest of us, would at least know ahead of time what section they're in, which should give them one less thing to complain about at check-in.

I am in favor of categories at SSR mainly because SSR is so big and so maligned, that 1. categories would not adversely affect room availability due to size and 2. it would give owners an actual 11 month advantage (therefore increased perceived and maybe even real value), which is something every other resort has. And finally 3. I commiserate with those who have no interest in ever getting "stuck" in the Carousel section. I love SSR, but I think that section was a mistake to add, plain and simple. If they'd just add "Anything but Carousel" as a category, it would probably make most people happy lol! It's possible that THV will help quite a bit with #2, but they in themselves will require a separate booking category.

 

[LIFERBABE]

If they'd just add "Anything but Carousel" as a category, it would probably make most people happy lol! It's possible that THV will help quite a bit with #2, but they in themselves will require a separate booking category.
__________________

I would take this! That should be very easy to manage for DVC. There are only 2 buildings in the Carousel and those that book late, could stay there and know they are staying there no matter how much they complain.

The problem is now, that people that don't own at SSR or even want to stay at SSR, or did not book in their preferred window, show up, pitch a fit, and get what they want. Those of us that love it and would never treat the CM's that way, get stuck with what's left.

Sometimes these same people are only staying a day or two because their waitlist didnt come thru for where they really wanted to stay, so they booked SSR at the last minute, but they still want the primo location at SSR. This hurts those of us who stay longer by breaking up the prime locations between shorter stay guests and leaving less desireable locations (the Carousel) for those that want longer stays in the same unit.

No one should be able to strong arm their way into the preferred locations but that is what is happening. No one can tell me that Carousel is preferred. It is tolerated by the indifferent, but 1 thing I am not indifferent about is my vacation.

If I could be guaranteed not to be placed in Carousel, we would sell OKW, BWV and AKV points and keep BCV and SSR.

I have been offered Carousel at almost every check in since it opened. I politely decline and wait for something else. 1 day I will have to take it and then I will pay the $25 and move the next day.

I'd rather stay waaayyy out in the THV than in the Carousel. Because the THV will have its own amenities, such as a pool, and boat dock and busses.

 

[Nikki_Mouse]

I am for NO booking catagories at SSR. You get the
"luck" of the draw when you check in. There is no view of a park- keep it the way it is!!!!

 

[DaveH]

Actually Dean the reason other SSR owners are asking for categories because DVC has messed up the current system. We are not against categories because we are afraid DVC will mess that up too. There are others who think there may be other ways.

 

[DaveH]

double post

 

[DaveH]

That is right, their unique room type will require the creation of a new unit category. Now, I pose a hypothetical question. If they removed one wall from the THVs- they would be 2 bedroom units. Would they need their own category?

I would say a room category because the units are stand alone.

I do not understand why rooms at BWV that have day bed not seperate.

 

[Dean]

Actually Dean the reason other SSR owners are asking for categories because DVC has messed up the current system. We are not against categories because we are afraid DVC will mess that up too. There are others who think there may be other ways.

As I've said, if they actually had a valid request system and put any effort into it, this subject would have never come up. But the fact is DVC has formally removed requests as an important factor in favor or room ready. That's not to say an individual CM won't make every effort to accommodate your wishes, just that they do not consistently do so and are not expected to do so by the system. And even when they do, there is no hierarchy such that members get preference in any way. I have more faith in DVC than do some apparently, but there is a track record of 3 previous times where they changed categories on the fly and unilaterally. BWV during sales for the standard view, BWV later for BW view and the recent OKW change. All went fine and all served their purpose from what I can see. I'm open to what other options one could suggest but the only two I see are hard bookings and requests and one is proven not to work with DVC.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I am for NO booking catagories at SSR. You get the
"luck" of the draw when you check in. There is no view of a park- keep it the way it is!!!!

Even for the treehouse villas which are 2 bedrooms? I would know that that's what I have. I certainly hope that THAT is a category!!!!
Bobbi