Saratoga Springs & extra points

[NKelly14]

In the past, we have always stayed at Saratoga Springs (our home resort) and requested Congress Park. BTW: have owned since 2003 and even purchased more points. NOW, if you request to stay in Congress Park or The Springs, you have to "pay" more. Is anybody else upset about this, or is it just me?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

DVC made the change because CP and the Springs were the dominant requests, and people got upset when their requests were not granted.

I suspect Grandstand is now the most common Standard request. But someone's got to stay in cArousel.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The Paddock is also pretty good. Not to far from Disney Springs or the Carriage House. And it has a neat pool area.

 

[drusba]

One can go further and conclude that the change was made because DVC finally admitted that setting up SSR originally with a point structure that was more expensive than OKW was an act of excessive greed so Disney could sell more points than reasonable that led to SSR owners wanting to stay elsewhere much of the time and owners of other resorts not wanting to stay at SSR, leading to excessive demand at other resorts at 7 months out. Since DVC could not reduce total points, it chose the new standard and preferred split with standard being most of the resort with a point cost close to OKW, which should help to balance demand and entice many to try SSR.

Though I do not own there, I am also very disappointed with the change to Congress Park (and Springs). I have family who sometimes have used my points to stay at SSR and have always requested (and got) Congress Park because of the view and ease to Disney Springs. Now it is unlikely they will ever stay at Congress Park again. I agree the change DVC made is the logical one, but the main cause of the problem was the obviously wrong point structure chosen by Disney when SSR was originally put on the market and members who prefer Congress Park or Springs are now the ones to suffer for it.

 

[NKelly14]

The Paddock is also pretty good. Not to far from Disney Springs or the Carriage House. And it has a neat pool area.

We

The Paddock is also pretty good. Not to far from Disney Springs or the Carriage House. And it has a neat pool area.

We have stayed in the Paddock in the past and it was very nice. Just disappointed in the change

 

[MHDTS]

We have always stayed at Congress Park, before the point change, and will continue to do so. The location and views make it worth a couple of extra points, IMHO.

 

[Wakey]

I like the change as I don't mind walking (in fact love walking on vacation as usually I am sat at a desk for 10+ hours a day) and it's now less points

 

[disneynutz]

DVC will make changes that may negatively affect you but there is nothing that you can do about it but sell your contract(s).

Bill

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I LOVE the change. Our favorite location was always Paddock, so it worked out great for us.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

We love The Grandstand so we benefited. But I understand those being annoyed plus I notice at 7 months only preferred is now left. How come HH at OKW isn't more points? Why couldn't CP and The Springs be booking categories to save the admin of the front desk?

 

[Wakey]

It's a balancing of points and the fact standard have all gone at 7 months maybe shows its working- now good value and SSR owners are booking up that standard?

 

[zavandor]

I love the changes, I think SSR standard is now a great deal. I stayed at Paddock during my last stay (and for the moment unique) and it was a great location, loved it even if it was freezing cold and couldn't use the pools. In warmer months I'd certainly be very happy to pay standard points and stay in the Paddock area.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Frankly, I fully expect 24 months from now we'll be hearing some yowls from Poly owners when a third studio category is created there.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

I think they should have a third category for Carousel. Out in the middle of no where and no amenities.

 

[cobbler]

I think they should have a third category for Carousel. Out in the middle of no where and no amenities.

I agree with this one - extra standard or super value or something. SSR is my home resort and I love it. This last trip I requested grandstand upper floor with upper floor being the most important.
Can you guess what I got? Ground floor Carousel.
To make matters worse, housekeeping almost walked in on me in the shower the day after I checked in. I wasn't even supposed to be on their radar for a few more days. So not related but it added to the jaded feeling I have towards the Carousel even more.

 

[msjprincess]

I like the change. I also own at SSR and I love having the option of booking a standard room to save points.

 

[Dean]

I think they should have a third category for Carousel. Out in the middle of no where and no amenities.

I agree, that would be logical but it'd likely be at the some points as the rest of standard view and just be a separate booking category. Then it could be directed at RCI exchanges if the lower points of standard didn't compensate for the location.

As for the OP, I think it's unreasonable to truly upset because it's a possible change one either knew or should have known up front but I can see not liking it if what one general gets is higher. IMO it's a reasonable change from DVCMC's standpoint and likely the best choice for the owners there as a whole. This is one of the reasons I generally suggest a cushion of extra points if one is buying, usually at least 10% and often up to 20%. The lower the season and the smaller the room, the higher the cushion should be.

 

[SL6827]

So for many dates at 7 months out, preferred is pretty much what's left? That would be fine for me as I would like to be sure I was getting a location close to the amenities or Disney Springs.

 

[jagson]

NOW, if you request to stay in Congress Park or The Springs, you have to "pay" more.

If you pay more to stay in one area of SSR, isn't DVC supposed to offset that increase in points with an equal decrease in points at another area of SSR? How did that work at CP/SSR?

 

[disneynutz]

So for many dates at 7 months out, preferred is pretty much what's left? That would be fine for me as I would like to be sure I was getting a location close to the amenities or Disney Springs.

In the last year or two, booking is becoming much more difficult at 7 months and it will continue to get worse as more people buy DVC. If you care about where you stay, you should buy there or be prepared for some disappointment. Disney is shooting for increased attendance and they are extending event dates, adding special theme periods, more runs, anything that they can think of to fill the place all year long. Slow periods are shrinking as time goes on.

Bill