SSR Lovers and Owners Part 4

[CastAStone]

Any news on the Treehouse refurbishment? I haven't looked over a ton of the back pages, but I'm always curious as to when this will be done.

Nothing official beyond “2025”. It’s overdue.

 

[Bjaiken77]

Nothing official beyond “2025”. It’s overdue.

Thanks! I thought I saw a while back that it was in consideration for 2025. I guess not. I have such high hopes for them; I think there is so much potential. I also think they will be a great value for the points if done well. I haven’t stayed there yet - I’m waiting for the refurb.

 

[jess2022]

Thanks! I thought I saw a while back that it was in consideration for 2025. I guess not. I have such high hopes for them; I think there is so much potential. I also think they will be a great value for the points if done well. I haven’t stayed there yet - I’m waiting for the refurb.

I believe they are listed as officially due for a refurb but a date hasn't been given. I'm quite excited to see what they do with these! We haven't stayed either but I am intrigued.

 

[deedeew80]

Hi! I just came across this thread! Very informative, thank you! We will be staying here in about 3 weeks. So excited. We will be staying in a 2 bedroom villa. There are 9 of us. We are hoping to request the Grandstand section and possibly closer to the Carriage house. I have my parents with me, who are older, so we need to make sure they don’t have to walk all that far. Is there a bus stop at the Carriage house? I don’t know if requesting to be closer to the carriage house or bus stop is best. Thank you for any help!

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

Hi! I just came across this thread! Very informative, thank you! We will be staying here in about 3 weeks. So excited. We will be staying in a 2 bedroom villa. There are 9 of us. We are hoping to request the Grandstand section and possibly closer to the Carriage house. I have my parents with me, who are older, so we need to make sure they don’t have to walk all that far. Is there a bus stop at the Carriage house? I don’t know if requesting to be closer to the carriage house or bus stop is best. Thank you for any help!

I would request a room in 8501-8836 range to be equidistant between the Grandstand bus stop and the Carriage House. The bus stop for the Springs section is a a couple of minutes walk from the Carriage House but not right outside it.

 

[jess2022]

You might consider Paddock instead. We stayed in the building next to the pool and the bus stop. It was very convenient, and there is a bridge / path direct to the Carriage House. It's not super close to the carriage house but you have everything you need right by your building, including a small bar and grill.

 

[deedeew80]

Hi everyone! I’m wondering about the room being ready earlier than 4:00. Is there a strong possibility of that happening? We will be arriving probably about mid morning. I don’t expect the room to be ready that early, but just wondering what the chances are of it being ready by early afternoon? Thanks!

Edit to add that we are staying in a 2 bedroom villa.

 

[RuntheMouse]

Hi everyone! I’m wondering about the room being ready earlier than 4:00. Is there a strong possibility of that happening? We will be arriving probably about mid morning. I don’t expect the room to be ready that early, but just wondering what the chances are of it being ready by early afternoon? Thanks!

Edit to add that we are staying in a 2 bedroom villa.

We were there last month and our room was ready early, I think around 1:00. Even though I do online check in, I always go see the front desk when we arrive so they know we’re there and waiting. They try their best but understand if they can’t accommodate an early arrival!

 

[jvincent16]

Hello everyone. Our first DVC contract was purchased at SSR. We have not been there since 2009. Looks like there's been changes to the point system, refurb, etc, etc... I'm completely out of the loop. We plan on returning next summer. Any significant changes I need to be aware of? I know there's been many but anything that really sticks out? I do have a question regarding the booking process. I thought you could reserve one specific building. When I look at the preferred view, it has congress park and the springs.
Thank you

 

[CarolynFH]

Looks like there's been changes to the point system,

Yes, the points charts for all the DVC resorts were revised a few years ago to try to even out demand. So summers got cheaper and fall got more expensive.

I thought you could reserve one specific building. When I look at the preferred view, it has congress park and the springs.

The neighborhoods at SSR are now divided into two booking categories, again in response to demand. The Congress Park and Springs neighborhoods (not views) are now in the Preferred category, and Grandstand, Carousel, and Paddock neighborhoods are now in the Standard category. Preferred category villas cost more points than Standard category. You book the category you want, then you can contact MS via chat, email, or phone to request a specific neighborhood if you have a preference.

 

[nedlanders]

Fantastic thread with TONS of info! Thanks, guys. I have been considering DVC purchase, but the tough part is choosing my home resort. Given the lower buy-in and maintenance fees, SSR is a no brainer. Also, i like being close to DS. Is it crazy difficult to book other resorts at the 7 month mark? That’s the one thing holding me back.

 

[Doingitagain]

Fantastic thread with TONS of info! Thanks, guys. I have been considering DVC purchase, but the tough part is choosing my home resort. Given the lower buy-in and maintenance fees, SSR is a no brainer. Also, i like being close to DS. Is it crazy difficult to book other resorts at the 7 month mark? That’s the one thing holding me back.

It really depends on your room type. Grand Villas and 1 bedrooms are generally available at 7 months. Studios go right away, and that also impacts 2 bedroom lockoffs.

 

[kilik64]

Fantastic thread with TONS of info! Thanks, guys. I have been considering DVC purchase, but the tough part is choosing my home resort. Given the lower buy-in and maintenance fees, SSR is a no brainer. Also, i like being close to DS. Is it crazy difficult to book other resorts at the 7 month mark? That’s the one thing holding me back.

As pointed out depends on room type but also depends on time of year too. If you are trying to go to say bcv and bwv in the fall in a studio, good luck.

https://www.dvcfieldguide.com/availability-tables

That link is to historical charts showing 7 mo availability, can use to try and gauge how hard it is to book for room for each resort and room type to get an idea.

 

[Disdreaming479]

Fantastic thread with TONS of info! Thanks, guys. I have been considering DVC purchase, but the tough part is choosing my home resort. Given the lower buy-in and maintenance fees, SSR is a no brainer. Also, i like being close to DS. Is it crazy difficult to book other resorts at the 7 month mark? That’s the one thing holding me back.

I’ve stayed at brv 2 bd June 23 ( 8 nights); akv jambo studio + poly January 24 (a week blt points); plus a few night last minute booking SSR 1 bdrm over nye 2023. Currently booked akv jambo + bwv 1 bdrm Jan 25; a week spring break 2 bdrm brv, AND Aulani 2 bdrm ov for 9 nights june 25. All of these trips were booked at 7months with mostly SSR points. More pts = more options at 7 months imo.

 

[byurick]

Fantastic thread with TONS of info! Thanks, guys. I have been considering DVC purchase, but the tough part is choosing my home resort. Given the lower buy-in and maintenance fees, SSR is a no brainer. Also, i like being close to DS. Is it crazy difficult to book other resorts at the 7 month mark? That’s the one thing holding me back.

What I recommend (assuming you buy SSR points) is at the 11 month mark reserve your room. Then as you get closer to the 7 month mark start stalking the reservations at other resorts to see what may be available when the window opens up. If I can snag a room at another resort I want then grab I it, otherwise I'm perfectly happy staying at SSR (its become one of my favorites).

 

[RuntheMouse]

Is it crazy difficult to book other resorts at the 7 month mark? That’s the one thing holding me back.

We have been able to book studios at BWV twice, BLT once and BCV once all at 7 months. BWV and BLT were at 7 months exactly and the BCV was a waitlist/stalking combo.

 

[nedlanders]

As pointed out depends on room type but also depends on time of year too. If you are trying to go to say bcv and bwv in the fall in a studio, good luck.

That link is to historical charts showing 7 mo availability, can use to try and gauge how hard it is to book for room for each resort and room type to get an idea.

Thanks for the info. Tons of data! Initial plan is a smaller contract for a 3 to 4 night stays during the first quarter of the year. It looks like I may have a chance with some work.

 

[nedlanders]

What I recommend (assuming you buy SSR points) is at the 11 month mark reserve your room. Then as you get closer to the 7 month mark start stalking the reservations at other resorts to see what may be available when the window opens up. If I can snag a room at another resort I want then grab I it, otherwise I'm perfectly happy staying at SSR (it’s become one of my favorites).

Lock it down then look around, eh? I’m a planner that loves the hunt, so this could be fun. Renting points as a test drive in Jan. Can’t wait!

 

[jess2022]

Fantastic thread with TONS of info! Thanks, guys. I have been considering DVC purchase, but the tough part is choosing my home resort. Given the lower buy-in and maintenance fees, SSR is a no brainer. Also, i like being close to DS. Is it crazy difficult to book other resorts at the 7 month mark? That’s the one thing holding me back.

We’ve been able to find most rooms at 7 months but we like split stays so we’re often only looking for 3-4 days. I also don’t mind “stalking” the system if it’s not available at 7 months. We’ve booked: Boardwalk, VGF, CCV, BRV, and AKV value 1 bed (which we loved enough to then buy an AKV contract) with our SSR points. We’ve only been members for less than 2 years. We do really like SSR too, and are happy to stay there as well.

 

[deedeew80]

Does anyone know if you can request a box fan here? I have heard of other resorts doing this, but wasn't sure if SSR has them. Thank you!