Saratoga Springs=A Dissappointed DVCer

[Dean]

Couldn't agree more. Either stop building all together (yea right), or build similar situations to what is in the highest demand. To us that means convenience to an area called "Walt Disney World"-you may have heard of it. Folks go to the middle of Florida because of WDW, if they just wanted nice resorts and golf etc they would go to the coasts of Florida and enjoy the ocean. When people go to the mountains that want to ski in and out on the hill resorts and will pay more for that, not take a bus. I realize you cant build one resort that is next to every park, but at least next to one or on the monorail will aleviate the situation IMHO.

My reason for the statments are not to complain. I don't really care that much but overall I'd prefer DVC build more resorts. To me this is simply a philisophical and factual discussion. I certainly would prefer resorts that I'd want to visit and actually EP is somewhat more interesting to me that CR even though I don't golf. Likely related to my not caring for CR that much. I'd prefer AKL, DCL or off site personally. But as long as I can book with a home resort priority I am comfortable.

 

[Dean]

I find the idea that renters are somehow more likely to be a problem completely unfounded and extremely unlikely to be true. The idea that "owners" are more likely to take care of things is, I believe, untrue. Life has all kinds. Some take care of things and some don't, period. And before anyone uses the rental car scenario, DVC owners are no more than renting a car themselsves. As I noted previously on this board, asked this question of a friend who's a Marriott GM, he didn't have statistics but didn't have any impression to suggest a difference between owners and renters.

 

[lts862]

I hesitate to say this but maybe I am an approriate person to comment on the theming of SSR. I live in Saratoga Springs, NY and have for 34 years. I can tell you the theming of SSR stinks. I agree totally with the OP, it is grealty lacking in theme. Dr. Tomorrow stated that the theming at the DVC Resorts are great, like them or not. Not true in the SSR case. A bugle playing and horse pictures does not constitute theming. Saratoga is a gambling town, always has been always wil be. Sure horse racing is a big part but there was casino gambling in the past as well. Big wigs from NYC made it there summer home. It is a victorian town from an archictecture standpoint. SSR really is just a slightly modified BCV look. It looks like a typical DVC Resort. SSR was simply put a poorly planned out resort. Come on, no pool side dining, no sit down restaurant yet, no room service, hard to find if any bellman. It is a glorified condo resort. It also has no direct access to a theme park. You must bus everywhere. DVC is simply too much money to buy into to stay at a "resort" with these limited services. AP if it was to be the only food service available is way to small with a very limited menu. As others have stated DTD is packed and 2 hour waits are the norm. Expecting guests to go there was laughable. Now SSR bashers and other resort bashers have been flamed on these boards. Flaming someone for there dislike of a resort is uncalled for. These boards are supposed to be a free exchange of opinions and ideas. Please don't turn these boards into a place where only glowing reviews will be posted for fear of flaming. To the OP I couldn't agree more with your views. Sorry about your crummy stay.

p.s. BCV, BWV, and VWL owners utilize your 4 month booking advantage because I and others will be booking your resort at 7 months. SSR for now is the least booked resort and will IMO continue to be that way. It needs many improvements. Flmae suit on!


DAVE

What took you so long, Dave? You've certainly made your dislike of SSR known, numerous times!! Why did you buy points there? Didn't you know what you were buying into before your purchase? I have verbalized this question before and it still puzzles me! No flmae suit needed. I've said what I wanted to, like you have on many occasions!

 

[GadgetRick]

Please don't take that the wrong way...you did have a number of issues that needed to be addressed with your recent stay. My beef comes from all of the folks who came on and added their comments, sarcastic or otherwise, to bash the resort. If the place is not for you...that is fine, you are entitled to your opinion. Just don't tell me that something that I enjoy is substandard, trashy (to quote another poster) or a big loser for Disney. I don't believe that is the case with SSR.

I agree 100%.

Well there you go. All Disney has to do is institute gambling at SSR and it will become the hottest ticket in town.

You say that like it's a bad thing... Heck, Disney keeps complaining about not making enough money. I'm sure they'd make a LOT more money with a casino! Besides, I'd throw the dice a little if I could...

 

[LIFERBABE]

I dont agree with SSR is always available, because it is not. I have been on the waitlist for SSR and cannot string more than 5 days together for NYE week. SSR is continually bringing units online as buildings are finished and that is what is allowing anything to be remotely available.

As for having more renters, we stayed at SSR for 13 nights (thought I'd throw that in there, since 10 nights makes one a resident expert ) last June and I witnessed none of the "trashy" behavior as posted here.

Most renters I know are competing for BCV at the 11 month window so I guess after the smaller resorts are booked up with renters the overflow is going to OKW and SSR if anything. Check the RTB boards to see where the rental business is bustling.

I saw more unbecoming behavior at SAB with the beer branded tiny bikini's and Cigar smoking poolside (which is allowed, just have to be so many feet from the pool as lifeguard told me when I complained) than I ever saw during my 13 nights at SSR. We really like BCV and SAB, but those behaviors are exhibited all over the world and are not resort specific.

We used the pool almost daily at SSR and we met several members, no renters and a family that booked SSR online who loved it!

 

[thelobstershanty]

SSR was simply put a poorly planned out resort. Come on, no pool side dining, no sit down restaurant yet, no room service, hard to find if any bellman. It is a glorified condo resort. It also has no direct access to a theme park. You must bus everywhere. DVC is simply too much money to buy into to stay at a "resort" with these limited services.
DAVE

IMO this is not a true or fair statement. The same could be said about OKW. This is not because they are poorly planned resorts but because they were designed that way. The stand alone DVC resorts are liked by many members, just as the DVC resorts that are combined with a deluxe hotel are also liked by many members. We prefer the DVC resorts that are combined with the deluxe hotels but we like the option of staying at the stand alone resorts also.
I just read that SSR is your home resort. It is too bad that you dislike your home resort so much. I am not trying to be sarcastic, but maybe you should think of selling your membership at SSR and buying at one of the DVC resorts you like. I agree DVC is a lot of money, maybe you would feel your money was better spent if you owned at another DVC resort. Just a suggestion.
We have yet to stay at SSR but will do so in the future. We think it will be an ideal place to stay for an adult only trip with many visits to PI planned.

 

[JimFitz]

The great thing about DVC is that I never have to stay at a resort I don't like.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

You know, I'm a little nervous about staying at SSR this Christmas (or any DVC resort, for that matter) after reading all this. I come to this board because they don't allow any of the DVC resorts to be discussed on the other boards (they just get bumped here if I post questions there). My point is, I'm NOT an owner, I got my room through CRO. I guess I'm the "trash" Fitz is referring to. So, I guess my lowlife family is going to be one of the statistics referred to by the high and mighty. Just hope it doesn't show to my family how little we're thought of at these resorts. Hate to have their vacation spoiled by the "welcome home, ...oh, not you..." attitude.

 

[DisFlan]

UrsulasShadow - go and have a wonderful holiday trip! Don't let anything said here sway you. We've both rented and stayed as owners and never failed to get lots of "Welcome Homes" and great service at any DVC resort. Enjoy the decorations!

DisFlan

 

[Sarnia]

You know, I'm a little nervous about staying at SSR this Christmas (or any DVC resort, for that matter) after reading all this. I come to this board because they don't allow any of the DVC resorts to be discussed on the other boards (they just get bumped here if I post questions there). My point is, I'm NOT an owner, I got my room through CRO. I guess I'm the "trash" Fitz is referring to. So, I guess my lowlife family is going to be one of the statistics referred to by the high and mighty. Just hope it doesn't show to my family how little we're thought of at these resorts. Hate to have their vacation spoiled by the "welcome home, ...oh, not you..." attitude.

I wouldn't worry about the comments of one man who hasn't the wit or wisdom to understand how offensive he has been. Unfortunately there are many bigots in this world, even here on these boards.

 

[bobbiwoz]

You know, I'm a little nervous about staying at SSR this Christmas (or any DVC resort, for that matter) after reading all this. I come to this board because they don't allow any of the DVC resorts to be discussed on the other boards (they just get bumped here if I post questions there). My point is, I'm NOT an owner, I got my room through CRO. I guess I'm the "trash" Fitz is referring to. So, I guess my lowlife family is going to be one of the statistics referred to by the high and mighty. Just hope it doesn't show to my family how little we're thought of at these resorts. Hate to have their vacation spoiled by the "welcome home, ...oh, not you..." attitude.

I hope you go and have the most magical, wonderful vacation ever! SSR is a great resort.You'll get a Welcome Home and who knows maybe you'll like it so much that you may wind up becoming a member!

Bobbi

 

[lts862]

I hope you go and have the most magical, wonderful vacation ever! SSR is a great resort.You'll get a Welcome Home and who knows maybe you'll like it so much that you may wind up becoming a member!

Bobbi

I agree completely!! Have a wonderful vacation. Saratoga is a lovely resort and you will have a great time!! Enjoy!!!

 

[littlestar]

Walt Disney was a smoker. Wonder if he would have been labeled as "trash" at the SSR pool?

Go have a fun vacation at SSR. It's Disney, you'll have a great time.

 

[JimFitz]

I wouldn't worry about the comments of one man who hasn't the wit or wisdom to understand how offensive he has been. Unfortunately there are many bigots in this world, even here on these boards.

You call me a bigot because I had a lousy trip and my young children had to hear the F word more that 100 times while staying at SSR? My kids also almost stepped on half lit cigarettes while playing at the pool, NEAR THE KIDDIE AREA. I saw alot of TRASH at SSR and that's that. I did not expirience this at OKW or VWL. Was it possibly a bad week at SSR, yes.....but I am not going back there to see if it's better next time.

Reserve your bigot comments for someone that is truly a bigot. I come from a hard working middle class family who grew up on Spam, Schaffer and Wonder Bread. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but I do know trash when I see it.

 

[JimFitz]

Walt Disney was a smoker. Wonder if he would have been labeled as "trash" at the SSR pool?

Go have a fun vacation at SSR. It's Disney, you'll have a great time.

Walt would have never cursed in front of young children and would have put his cigarettes out in the proper place.

Nothing against smokers here.....I smoked 2 packs a day until 6 years ago when I quit. I have nothing against smokers.

 

[littlestar]

Hearing the F word every time we sat at the pool wouldn't have been acceptable to us either. I always think low class (or no class at all) when I hear someone use that word frequently in their conversation.

Jim, hopefully you just got a bad week at SSR.

 

[cobbler]

Ursula-
Go and have a great vacation. We are happy owners of SSR and we really like the peacefulness of the resort.

I haven't expirenced what Jim has - thankfully - and it appears not many others have either. It should be the exception not the rule.

Just a side note, well off people can be fowl and rude and every other thing too. "Trash" isn't based on income, just people.

 

[conciergekelly]

Ursulashadow...In the great sandbox of life these guys are the ones who don't share their toys and kick sand in your face. Don't let them get you down. All DVC resorts are top notch. Go see for yourself. I wouldn't let naysayers ruin my vacation. I'm sure they have done it to others in the past. It is a shame that we all can't play nice.

 

[Daitcher]

Well, Dave (aka as Mr know it all?????)
I hope it continues to be the least booked resort.
Again you have expressed your feelings here as if they are facts.

Once again someone gets ripped for posting there dislike of a Resort. Why do you care if I don't like the Resort? By the way my post is mainly factual. No poolside dining, limited AP menu, limited if any bell services, etc. What part of my post is not factual? These lack of services won't bother everyone but they do bother me. I may be a know it all in your eyes but I am entitled to my opinion and the right to post it here just like you are. It really isn't worth responding to someone who resorts to name calling. I guess it just shows a little something about you.


DAVE

 

[JimFitz]

Ursulashadow...In the great sandbox of life these guys are the ones who don't share their toys and kick sand in your face. Don't let them get you down. All DVC resorts are top notch. Go see for yourself. I wouldn't let naysayers ruin my vacation. I'm sure they have done it to others in the past. It is a shame that we all can't play nice.

I always shared my toys in the sandbox, and still do. I have many
co- workers and friends who have the same comments about SSR.

I am not trying to ruin anyones vacation, I am just stating what happened to me while I was at the resort. I taked to friends and family and they expirienced similiar situations.

These boards are starting to become defend Disney to the death. I am not saying that people should not go to SSR, I am just stating that I may not return. However, if the other resorts were sold out and I had to stay at SSR, I would not be bummed about it.