SSR - Major Changes to points - Standard / Preferred Categories

[Mokat76]

I'm disappointed by this move. I like SSR a lot and have always stayed in CP. Frankly, it's the one thing at WDW lately that hasn't been more an irritant than a pleasure. Now that may be changing, too. I'm not planning a trip in 16 or 17, so all this has time to shake out before I decide whether this was the tipping point to selling or not. Ugh.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Let it shake out and see what happens...
Though I agree that higher points per night at any Saratoga location is not warranted.

That point chart was whacked from the start...way outta line.

The "higher" point charts should be reserved for those that have direct -
Boat, train, or walking path - access to a ticketed park.

It worked when it was that way and hasn't since...as they overbuilt animal kingdom and Saratoga - the two places that have none and weren't cheap like old key west.

 

[beer dave]

I keep waiting for the walking trail at AKV to be announced....

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I keep waiting for the walking trail at AKV to be announced....

Would it be too much to ask that the walking trail connect directly to the rooms of those that go on DIS and type: "I need my Poly CL MK View connecting!"...Through the hippo habitat...and connecting onto the backside of James Cameron's private avatar lounge?

Guess too much, huh?

 

[beer dave]

Would it be too much to ask that the walking trail connect directly to the rooms of those that go on DIS and type: "I need my Poly CL MK View connecting!"...Through the hippo habitat...and connecting onto the backside of James Cameron's private avatar lounge?

Guess too much, huh?

just a tad.... hey maybe they will give away free stays in the Cameron Castle you referenced.....

 

[skier_pete]

The "higher" point charts should be reserved for those that have direct -
Boat, train, or walking path - access to a ticketed park.

It worked when it was that way and hasn't since...as they overbuilt animal kingdom and Saratoga - the two places that have none and weren't cheap like old key west.

I agree on Saratoga - it was overpriced as far as points - so I also agree with the point redistribution, even though it seems ridiculous to pay 20% extra for access to the shopping mall.

Animal Kingdom makes slightly more sense to me. The standard view rooms are pretty reasonable point-wise. (I'll ignore the value rooms because there are so few of them they should be considered an afterthought.) The Savannah Views are a bit overpriced, but you are paying the premium for the view of the animals. Whether that is worth it depends a lot on the purchaser.

I keep waiting for the walking trail at AKV to be announced....

A walking trail would make sense, but probably would be used fairly infrequently by guests...I would be up for them doing that. I feel like there should be some sort of "direct access" but the fact is that there is. The AK bus loop takes < 5 minutes to get to the park. It's actually as fast as getting to MK from the Poly, it's just not as fancy looking as a monorail or a boat. The negative of AKV (and understand I own there) is the length of the bus ride to MK.

 

[TisBit]

When we first purchased SSR, they were selling Jambo House and the price for AKV was higher (I am not sure how much but it was a few dollars more a point). I chose SSR, because I didn't see a reason to pay more for AKV and still agree with that. While SSR isn't the desired resort for everyone, I really enjoy it. I like being close to DtD and all it has to offer. When we first purchased our kids were 4 and now they are 11 and it is still nice to be able to walk over to DtD after they go down for the night and not be too far away if needed (or just to grab a quick snack). We also own at BLT, but at all the locations adjacent to a park I feel that transportation to other parks is severely lacking and DtD transportation is horrendous. So it works for our family to stay there for a little extra bus time to a park in the morning.

SSR has come a long way. The added pool and quick service is great and relieves a lot of stress at High Rock Springs. And the bus service has improved tremendously compared to when SSR was still new. I do think this will give SSR members an opportunity to pay less for a room in general. Those who want easy access to DtD will pay a little more, but I suspect that it won't matter to them in the long run. As a matter of fact, I think it is the renovations to Disney Springs that most people will request Congress Park if staying at SSR.

As for the Grandstands and THV access to DtD, they do have a walking path, but it is not a close walk and takes some time to use. I haven't been on it in a couple of years, but I know from at least THV it had signage that it was closed at night, can't remember from Grandstand. They didn't have lights in certain sections of the walkway so they posted it closed, but it was not enforced. I don't think either of these locations would be considered "convenient" locations for DtD access. Especially when you come in at the back end of DtD near Cirque.

 

[skier_pete]

So - here's something that doesn't seem to be brought up much - Folks are saying that walking from the far locations to Disney Springs is far...but if I was staying there - I would just use a bus.

As I remember it, the buses go, Grandstand, Carousel, Paddock, Congress Park, Springs, except the resort only bus goes the opposite...

...So if you are staying at Carousel - just hop on ANY park bus, and get off at Congress Park for a short walk to Disney Springs. When returning, you may have to wait longer for the resort bus, but there is still that option.

Again, I think I would take the point savings over the shorter walk.

 

[johde]

This is definitely an interesting move and something we will need to see how it shakes out. I know in my opinion, SSR was overpriced point wise from the very beginning. The question becomes does this move make the problem better or worse. As the point chart was, SSR was a resort I would never consider. My home resort is OKW and I tend to stay at the low point options OKW, BWV Std, AKV value and Std (although I have stayed at VGC before). For me, it was tough to justify moving from my home resort to SSR for the extra points.

With the new point chart, an SSR standard room might now enter into list of acceptable moves at 7 months. While I like OKW, I often travel solo so the Bed couch combo in the studio is nicer than the 2 bed at OKW. On the other hand, the Preferred View rooms have gone even further into my no way zone. There are times of the year, especially in Choice Season where SSR Preferred is more expensive per week and BCV or VWL.

So, you've got a portion of the resort that more appealing point wise. But the bulk of the resort is now priced like the prime location resorts. If you add into to that the fact that we don't know what room Disney is going to block out for CRO reservations because of Disney Collection, it could be a big mess.

 

[luckyman_apd]

It's going to be interesting that's for sure. Preferred points cost (and my analysis is only on studio's as that's what we use) is now more on par with a nights at VWL, BCV, and BWV (not standard view). In all honesty I think i'd prefer those resorts to SSR (and I really enjoy SSR). Of all the DVC owners I know outside of the disboards (you know, like in face to face friends/acquaintances) the ones that are SSR owners rarely stay there unless they can't find a room elsewhere. So it's not like SSR being a point saver before impacted their decisions (as it can and does ours many times). Unless you absolutely must stay at Springs or Congress park, too me it's a no brainer to book for less points, but we shall see. SSR was always our fallback as we almost always could find a room there if nothing else on a trip we didn't plan in advance. Now, it will probably not change much, but cost a few more points. Time will tell.

 

[beer dave]

What they need to do is give the tree house villas their own bus, and boat access, and pump the points up similar to the bungalows. then they could reduce the points costs for SSR rooms across the boards. I'm not sure if this would work legally, but since there is no separate ownership of the THV, you would think it would be possible. They really missed the boat when they initiated this addition.

 

[zavandor]

There are times of the year, especially in Choice Season where SSR Preferred is more expensive per week and BCV or VWL.

So, you've got a portion of the resort that more appealing point wise. But the bulk of the resort is now priced like the prime location resorts.

It looks like there are more standard rooms than preferred ones, however I agree with you. I agree so much that I think that standard will book much quicker than preferred: people booking last minutes, RCI exchanges and cash bookings at 60 days will pay for the reduction of point cost for owners and people who book SSR far in advance. If this turns to be accurate, SSR owners should be happy of the change.
Someone will book preferred to be in their favorite zones, but I think they'll be a minority.

 

[johde]

It looks like there are more standard rooms than preferred ones, however I agree with you. I agree so much that I think that standard will book much quicker than preferred: people booking last minutes, RCI exchanges and cash bookings at 60 days will pay for the reduction of point cost for owners and people who book SSR far in advance. If this turns to be accurate, SSR owners should be happy of the change.
Someone will book preferred to be in their favorite zones, but I think they'll be a minority.

You may be right that there are more preferred than standard rooms. Beyond that, what I alluded to, do we know for sure DVC will pull from the preferred category for RCI exchanges and cash bookings. Cash bookings and RCI exchanges coming primarily from the preferred category in my mind would be the most beneficial to members. But, is it best for Disney. Because we know Disney will do what's best for Disney.

 

[zavandor]

You may be right that there are more preferred than standard rooms. Beyond that, what I alluded to, do we know for sure DVC will pull from the preferred category for RCI exchanges and cash bookings. Cash bookings and RCI exchanges coming primarily from the preferred category in my mind would be the most beneficial to members. But, is it best for Disney. Because we know Disney will do what's best for Disney.

I don't have an RCI account so I cannot check for sure, but I've read that lately DVC deposits mostly 1 bedrooms, which are the last room type to book at any resort (within the same category), so it looks like they already deposit rooms that are less desirable to members.

 

[Dean]

You may be right that there are more preferred than standard rooms. Beyond that, what I alluded to, do we know for sure DVC will pull from the preferred category for RCI exchanges and cash bookings. Cash bookings and RCI exchanges coming primarily from the preferred category in my mind would be the most beneficial to members. But, is it best for Disney. Because we know Disney will do what's best for Disney.

We don't, DVD is the RCI member as a corporate membership. Likely it'll be mostly preferred 1 BR with a smaller % of standard view that go to RCI.

 

[LenInMaine]

Woah... Woah woah woah... Our trip this year 315 points. Now it's going up 81 points? What? This is flat out lunacy, and to be honest, kills a large part of the DVC savings.

 

[skier_pete]

Woah... Woah woah woah... Our trip this year 315 points. Now it's going up 81 points? What? This is flat out lunacy, and to be honest, kills a large part of the DVC savings.

You do realize only if you stay in the preferred location would this happen. You could just as easily stay standard and it'll cost less points.

 

[Dean]

Woah... Woah woah woah... Our trip this year 315 points. Now it's going up 81 points? What? This is flat out lunacy, and to be honest, kills a large part of the DVC savings.

What did you have that would have gone up 81 points. Are you sure you're not also getting caught by the premier time issue with the changing calendar? A 2 BR for a week in magic season went up 29 points or down 21 depending on which view one compares to.

 

[LenInMaine]

The issue is two fold. First off, The week we go is now being moved into the "premier" week. For 2016, 2 br, is 315. 2017, (if I'm reading right) is now 396. That's 81 points.

 

[Dean]

The issue is two fold. First off, The week we go is now being moved into the "premier" week. For 2016, 2 br, is 315. 2017, (if I'm reading right) is now 396. That's 81 points.

That's what I thought was your likely direction. This is mostly caused by the fact it's premier which has always been an issue and risk since you bought. You should have known it'd be this way when you bought because of the variable nature of easter and how the points seasons adjust accordingly. Premier went up 40 points for a full week in a 2 BR at SSR or down 21. In reality you could do the trip now cheaper than you would have under the old points structure but not for the preferred locations.