Saratoga Springs - Million $$ Question

[Mamakinto2]

Ok, I'm new to these boards but not new to DVC. Why is it that the last 4 times we've booked our vacation only the Saratoga Springs has been available?????
I'm stressed now, we want to travel 12/4-12/10 which I now find out is "highly coveted time" and we're waitlisted. What is the "current" general experience here with the waitlist? (Other than I read how highly flawed the timing is)! We were waitlisted once and got matched a week later.
I'd appreciate any advice. 4 years ago when I booked this same time period I had NO problems at all and got my first choice resort only 4 months out. Wow, what a different story this time! I'd appreciate any advice offered.
Thanks for listening to my partial vent here

 

[ToddyLu]

I am sending you Pixie Dust

 

[vicki_c]

For that week, you really need to book at your home resort at the 11 month mark, like so many DVCers who want to go then do. Or be prepared to stay at SSR or OKW, which usually have more availability longer. I would book what you can get, and waitlist for what you want.

DVC is not for short-notice reservations, and 4 months (in fact anything less than 11 months) is short notice for that particular time of year.

So I'd say the answer is "you're waiting too long to book."

 

[disneynutz]

As more Members are added to the program, competition will continue to increase. Many buy at a cheaper resort and line up on the phone at 7 months, 9:00 AM EST to get reservations at the more popular resorts.

SSR is a big resort but due to Disney's marketing practices, many SSR owners bought there but have never stayed there.

I expect that Disney will change the booking rules sometime in the future to provide a better balance.

Bill

 

[Crystal_27]

It really is a crap shoot as to whether or not a waitlist comes through, but good luck with it coming through. As to availability, you really benefit the most from DVC when you have the option of booking 11 months out. I believe that the days of calling 4 months before your vacation and getting a week long vacation at a non-home resort at one of the DVCs attached to another Disney resort are long gone. So, if you are able, try and plan in advance as much as you can to get the best flexiblity of dates.

 

[Mamakinto2]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I think I'm in denial about the good old days.
Our home resort is Wilderness Lodge but we usually stay at OKW. This time we wanted to try AKL since our girls are at the ripe age for enjoying it. I think as much as it "pains" me I'll call back tomorrow, book SSR and stay in wait list for AKL (sorry about acronyms, may not be 100% correct). Thanks everyone. Keeping fingers crossed. Will take all the fairy dust I can get!

 

[TLPL]

SSR is a big resort but due to Disney's marketing practices, many SSR owners bought there but have never stayed there.

That's right, lots of people buy in SSR because it is cheapest in resale market, but they don't really like to stay there. (It's more of a moderate resort than a deluxe resort, with outside hallway) Once the 7 months window opens, they all switch their reservations to other resorts they actually want to stay at. So if you don't get what you want before the 7 month mark, all there is left are empty rooms in SSR.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hope you get what you want! I think your children will really enjoy the animals! Are you saying that OKW also didn't have availability for your time period, that only SSR did?

Bobbi

 

[toniosmom]

That's right, lots of people buy in SSR because it is cheapest in resale market, but they don't really like to stay there. (It's more of a moderate resort than a deluxe resort, with outside hallway) Once the 7 months window opens, they all switch their reservations to other resorts they actually want to stay at. So if you don't get what you want before the 7 month mark, all there is left are empty rooms in SSR.

I have to say that when I first did the DVC tour at SSR, I wasn't too crazy about the resort. It was more of a theme thing -- not really my style. I bought AKV, but it wasn't open yet, so I received developer points that had to be used at SSR. I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked the resort. I found it to be very relaxing and not at all more like a moderate. JMHO

Hope you get what you want! I think your children will really enjoy the animals! Are you saying that OKW also didn't have availability for your time period, that only SSR did?

I have the week of 12/4-11 booked at AKV, which I booked at 11 months. I tried to switch at 7 months to any other resort (except SSR, since we already stayed there) with no luck. I last checked a few days ago and OKW had nothing and SSR only had a few of my nights. I waitlisted for BLT for part of the stay (our first split stay), but if it doesn't come through, I'm not disappointed to be at AKV. We really enjoyed our stay there in March.

 

[kikiq]

That's right, lots of people buy in SSR because it is cheapest in resale market, but they don't really like to stay there. (It's more of a moderate resort than a deluxe resort, with outside hallway) Once the 7 months window opens, they all switch their reservations to other resorts they actually want to stay at. So if you don't get what you want before the 7 month mark, all there is left are empty rooms in SSR.

I own SSR and have stayed in the moderate resorts. Hardly would compare it with a moderate resort. It is a condo style resort as is OKW a different style of resort than the hotel style DVC. And there are plenty of owners that DO like to stay there and look at this way, at least you have somewhere to stay if you can't get into your first choice. It's not your choice, please just say it's not your choice rather than make it sound like no one likes the resort. And just for the record, my DH loves SSR and doesn't like staying in the hotel type DVCs because it reminds him of his business travel. There's a DVC for everyone.

 

[yitbos96bb]

That's right, lots of people buy in SSR because it is cheapest in resale market, but they don't really like to stay there.

That's really not accurate. Vero and Hilton Head are the cheapest on resale and Old Key West is equivalent to Saratoga. Boardwalk is not too far behind.

 

[yitbos96bb]

I own SSR and have stayed in the moderate resorts. Hardly would compare it with a moderate resort. It is a condo style resort as is OKW a different style of resort than the hotel style DVC. And there are plenty of owners that DO like to stay there and look at this way, at least you have somewhere to stay if you can't get into your first choice. It's not your choice, please just say it's not your choice rather than make it sound like no one likes the resort. And just for the record, my DH loves SSR and doesn't like staying in the hotel type DVCs because it reminds him of his business travel. There's a DVC for everyone.

I'm a fan too... especially when I get to stay in Congress Park with a DTD view. It's a quiet relaxing place. Now, I do like Boardwalk and Beach Club better, and BLT about the same... the main reason being location, location, location. Plus a BW view at BWV is awesome to sit and chill.

 

[Sandisw]

That's really not accurate. Vero and Hilton Head are the cheapest on resale and Old Key West is equivalent to Saratoga. Boardwalk is not too far behind.

Not when you consider MF's and length of contract. SSR comes out ahead of VB and HH.

 

[Mamakinto2]

For those of you who do like SSR. How did you find it to be with kids? It looks very prim & proper to me. We enjoy more of the "family feel" resorts. That is why we love OKW so much. And yes, OKW was totally booked for 1 and 2 bdrm. units for Dec. 4-10.

 

[dizney4us]

My girls love SSR, but they are late teens. It's a beautiful place, we always enjoy our stays there. We love BWV too due to the close proximity to Epcot, but we still miss SSR when we are not there so we always head over even if it's just to eat at the counter service. We own at both SSR and BWV and always stay at one of the two. I have no idea why some say they don't like it...other than it may have made booking more difficult for them? My family and I have been going to Disney since I was a kid and we all love SSR. It is relaxing, beautiful and hardly anything like a moderate. It is not connectd to any 1 park, but rather centrally located to all of them. Oh...now I have SSR on the brain! Have a great trip!

 

[Tara]

For those of you who do like SSR. How did you find it to be with kids? It looks very prim & proper to me. We enjoy more of the "family feel" resorts. That is why we love OKW so much. And yes, OKW was totally booked for 1 and 2 bdrm. units for Dec. 4-10.

I was all set to not like SSR, really. It isn't my style, I don't like condo-style resorts, and I don't like where it's located. But I ended up liking it WAY more than I expected, and my son (8yo) really enjoyed both our stays there. (I've stayed there 3 times now.) I don't find it at all prim and proper - it is very family friendly and has a family feel to me.

 

[rhonimouse]

I think it is kind of funny that SSR and OKW are the ones that most ALWAYS have availability...I know SSR is larger than most resorts, but I have to ask..Where are all the SSR and OKW owners staying that it creates this constant availability?

 

[disneynutz]

I think it is kind of funny that SSR and OKW are the ones that most ALWAYS have availability...I know SSR is larger than most resorts, but I have to ask..Where are all the SSR and OKW owners staying that it creates this constant availability?

Resorts other than SSR & OKW.

SSR was the breakout resort for the DVC. In the last 5 years or so, the number of DVC owners has more than doubled. Many bought SSR due to Disney's effective marketing strategy which included the beautiful DVC Preview Center. Developer points were another attractive incentive.

Bill

 

[Nicoal13]

I am an SSR owner and have stayed there more than any other resort. Yes, I have tried other DVC resorts (BWV and Kidani) but that is a choice available to all DVC owners. I did not buy SSR just to get into DVC and with the intention to never stay there. It is a nice peaceful resort and my 4 year old DS loves to stay there. I'm really sick of everyone always bashing SSR. If you don't like it, then don't stay there. The great thing about DVC is there is a resort for everyone.

 

[bumbershoot]

I just got a surprising AKV reservation for even later in December...call back, just in case something has opened!