SSR: Making Carousel more attractive

[loveswdw]

We booked in Nov 2007 for our visit 10/8/2008 - 10/13/2008 Imagine our surprise when they put us there. I was really upset and they said too bad so sad, everything else is full. It was a hike to the bus stop and we had to take the bus to the Springs to go swiming or to the store.

We were not pleased. I was told we could move the next day for a $30.00 charge and then we would have to be out of the room by 11:00AM and could not check back in till after 4:00PM.

I ever so politely told the CM that we have already paid for 37K worth of points and would not pay a penny more.

We too got stuck w/Carousel this trip. We were excited to stay at SSR for the first time. Check in was awful. We had requested the Springs section. We arrived at 4:30 and they had us in the Paddock. The room was not ready yet. Okay, well do you have a 2BR in Congress Park? She says let me check... Yes, we do but its not ready yet either. Then she shows us the villa in CP on the map. Right next to the DTD walkway. Perfect we say. So she gives us the card and tells us to call back and they'll tell us when the room is ready. Called 3 times...not ready. Couldn't tell us when it would be ready. At 7:30 my DH calls and speaks to manager Steve who then tells us the CP villa wouldn't be available at all that night. DH was as was I. Proceeds to give us a villa in Carousel. DH says this is unacceptable as we had requested the Springs then they put us in Paddock then CP and now we are nowhere close to where we wanted to be. Manager says they could move us the next day with no charge. DH says no way, we want to get somewhere and stay put. So manager offers $75 credit to the room charge. We took that and made do with the Carousel villa.

The villa itself and the SSR grounds were beautiful. Only redeeming factor to location for us was the proximity to the entrance to SSR. That was convenient. Other than that... um...nothing comes to mind. DS4 went to the main pool and the Grandstand pool (which is a lot closer to Carousel than the main pool). He LOVED the kids area at the Grandstand pool.

Would stay at SSR again if that's only thing that's available and we have a vehicle. Otherwise no. Definitely would've found it a pain to be in Carousel if we didn't have a car. We did walk to the main pool and dining a few times and its at least a 15 minute or so walk. We didn't use the buses so I can't comment on the bus service.

 

[ont/ohana]

Just returned yesterday from a trip to the dreaded Carousel section (villa 7735). They actually have a gazebo with a carousel theme already. The gazebo has carousel horses around it. ??
I didn't snap any pictures of it but you pass by it on the walk from Carousel section to the Springs section.

How was it staying in the Carousel, this is our biggest fear getting stuck out there when we arrive on December 30th.

 

[loveswdw]

How was it staying in the Carousel, this is our biggest fear getting stuck out there when we arrive on December 30th.

My advice would be to check in as early as possible. At least then you'll have a better chance of getting a different section of the resort. The Carousel seems to be the very last section they fill. We spoke to 3 different guests staying in Carousel who said they had been "stuck" out there too.

We just couldn't believe that at 4:30 pm they STILL had villas not cleaned when check out is at 11 AM. They really need to revamp housekeeping services if that's the case.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

DH was as was I. Proceeds to give us a villa in Carousel. DH says this is unacceptable as we had requested the Springs then they put us in Paddock then CP and now we are nowhere close to where we wanted to be. Manager says they could move us the next day with no charge. DH says no way, we want to get somewhere and stay put. So manager offers $75 credit to the room charge. We took that and made do with the Carousel villa...

Wow- I can't believe they gave you a room credit because a request wasn't met. I wonder where that $ comes from. Great example of why booking categories are desparately needed at ssr.

Would stay at SSR again if that's only thing that's available and we have a vehicle. Otherwise no.

Question- would you stay there if you could guarantee a certain location, ie: Springs?

 

[ont/ohana]

My advice would be to check in as early as possible. At least then you'll have a better chance of getting a different section of the resort. The Carousel seems to be the very last section they fill. We spoke to 3 different guests staying in Carousel who said they had been "stuck" out there too.

We just couldn't believe that at 4:30 pm they STILL had villas not cleaned when check out is at 11 AM. They really need to revamp housekeeping services if that's the case.

We usually arrive by 10:30 am but thinking most people will have checked in already because of XMAS week and there may not be much left, heres hoping

 

[loveswdw]

Wow- I can't believe they gave you a room credit because a request wasn't met. I wonder where that $ comes from. Great example of why booking categories are desparately needed at ssr.


Question- would you stay there if you could guarantee a certain location, ie: Springs?

I don't think the credit was because the request wasn't met. I believe it was the inconvenience of bouncing us around 3 sections before they gave us a room. We waited to get into a villa that was probably available when we checked in. They kept giving us the runaround with why the villa at CP wasn't available. We didn't get a room until 7:30 when we checked in actually before 4:30. We would've been fine to stay in the Paddock when they offered if the room had been ready. It wasn't ready, so we asked if they had anything in CP. We opted for that but obviously there was a problem with that villa that they wouldn't tell us and kept stringing it along until 7:30. Then of course we lost the Paddock room in the process. The service at check in was really lacking. They had already issued our keys at check in for the villa at CP so they ended up bringing us new keys to the Carousel villa.

We probably would stay there again if we could guarantee a location. And if the service at check in was better!

Oh and I have to add that we checked in at POR on Friday at 11:15 am and our 2 rooms over there were already cleaned and ready to be occupied. We got into our rooms immediately. Not sure why SSR housekeeping is so SLOW!

 

[Deb & Bill]

There could be several reasons why housekeeping didn't get the room cleaned in a timely manner. One, the previous guests didn't check out when they were supposed to. In the case of the Congress Park room, they may have self extended and allowed it since the resort wasn't full. Two, SSR is a full DVC resort, but they may get a lot of CRO reservations that require full cleaning every day. Which makes a lot of housekeeping for the DVC housekeeping staff. Third, they may be short staffed.

 

[JW9DVC]

There could be several reasons why housekeeping didn't get the room cleaned in a timely manner. One, the previous guests didn't check out when they were supposed to. In the case of the Congress Park room, they may have self extended and allowed it since the resort wasn't full. Two, SSR is a full DVC resort, but they may get a lot of CRO reservations that require full cleaning every day. Which makes a lot of housekeeping for the DVC housekeeping staff. Third, they may be short staffed.

If they are using this for CRO, then they need to provide for more staff to assist us. We should not be treated like regular CRO guests. This is my home from home. Where is the best place to stay if we have a car? JW

 

[spiceycat]

I though they had improved it - now it is the 2nd bus stop going to the parks.

that is a big improved isn't it?

you should always get a seat going to the parks.

 

[spiceycat]

If they are using this for CRO, then they need to provide for more staff to assist us. We should not be treated like regular CRO guests. This is my home from home. Where is the best place to stay if we have a car? JW

Carousel - you are closer to one of the exits.

the other one is over at CP

 

[KLEONARD]

My DW and I are DVC and empty nesters. We take it slower and more relaxed on our trips to
WDW. I love walking around SSR when we are there. While my wife is getting ready for our
day in the parks, I grab the camera and take a walk. Here are a few shots from our October
trip. The first 2 photos are from the Carousel section.

Carousel fountain and pond.

Carousel wishing fountain behind Gazebo.

Paddocks pool used by Carousel(Grandstand is walkable, too).

Furlong marker by first building in Paddocks, near Carousel.