SSR: Making Carousel more attractive

[DaveH]

Nope, no laundry room. There is a laundry at each pool. And of course, no pool so... I am not certain, but if you had the firehouse view- then weren't you in the Paddock section?

I agree more ammenities at Carousel would be a plus, but not sure how realistic it is to think any future investment is likely. It definately needs something. I think the hot tub, outdoor living area is a cool idea, maybe if they added a bar it could actually generate some revenue.

We were in Carousel, I believe we were at the end of the building. Most of the view were trees, but you could see the firehouse also. It may have been at an angle. It was not hard to see the firehouse. I wonder if this was added to get more rooms and planned poorly.

 

[ruddydvc]

I beleive all of your ideas make a lot of sense and are plausible. I love SSR (though it's not my home) and my only request when staying there is "anything but Carousel". I did stay in Carousel my first time at SSR and I just found the distance to anything to be much too inconvenient.

I definitely would like to see something something done to make Carousel more appealing or if nothing can be done to have a separate booking category.

 

[goingsouth]

How about fast passes good during your stay there? It wouldn't cost them anything and people would be begging to stay at Carousel!

 

[LIFERBABE]

The Carousel section feels the most disjointed to me and if there is 1 section that should not exist at SSR, it is the Carousel. The only reason for the Carousel was pure DVC greed.

I rate the sections

Congress Park-gorgeous views, gorgeous pool and view, close to DTD.

Paddock-very nice fountain views, nice pool area close to CP area and can use either bus stop

Springs-Very nice fountain views and close to main area Community Hall and laundry

Grandstand-Golf views, large pool area with lots of seating, pool bar and refill mug station, close to main area (not all bldgs are that close)

Carousel-for my family, this area has no desireable amenities

THV-A unique setting that lends itself to biking and walking. Im excited to walk or bike to our own treehouse? We will rough it and cook and BBQ out front and ride bikes and swim. We might not make it to the parks at all when we stay in the THV. It will be an experience in itself Anything that keeps me out of the elements and can satisfy Dh and the boys need to camp is a beautiful thing!

Carousel-for my family, this area is the least desireable due to lack of amenities.

Zero amenities, except the BBQ pavilion. It is not so much the walk, as we are walkers and pretty much walk all around SSR, DTD and OKW daily when there. It's just there is nothing there and it is close to the road, although noise is not an issue with the soundproofing.

My plan to avoid the Carousel, is to not request it and if I do get it, I will pay the change fee and be moved the next day. That's the great thing about SSR, I don't stress about getting that section anymore, it's a large resort and I know somebody is leaving! I dont want that inconvenience, but I can live with it as a back up plan.

Carousel is the smallest section and that decreases the likelihood you will receive it if you dont request it. I would not take issue with any other section and would happily stay anywhere else so my odds are pretty good.

As I see the finished product of SSR and how nice the rest of the sections turned out, the more I think that Carousel should be less points than the others, just due to the lack of amenities in that section. I know that would affect other areas of the resort, but that is how I have come to feel.

It would be nice if they could at least put a hot tub and a washer dryer in the buildings for the studio guests.

 

[hakepb]

Someone mentioned that they liked Carousel because it is closest to the SSR exit (better for daytripping with your car), and of course, never minded the "relaxing" walk with more quiet surroundings than them "busy" sections with all them ammenities. That is a very narrow appeal, though.

 

[Tinkerdreams]

What would actually be really cool would be an actual Carousel near the Carousel location and horseback riding offered similar to WL at the Paddock location.. Since SSR is a "horse themed" resort, these two would fit in and blend beautifully.

 

[rutgers1]

I think we can all agree that it needs something....and I don't think that it needs something HUGE. For some families, a kick-butt game room would be all that is needed to keep the kids happy.....or for those without kids, a very small, quiet pool, or perhaps some type of small community hall.

I tend to think that the complaints have to get to them at some point. The people at member services must get sick and tired of fielding "please don't put me in carousel" calls all the time....not to mention the requests to change to another section. That alone could be enough to encourage them to add something neat there.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I read this and I thought of Logan's Run.

They can put me there, I don't really care what section I stay in.

OMG no more character meals. Please.

 

[Jeremy&Susan]

I've always thought SSR needs more quick service type counters, like a coffee / frozen drink and snack bar around the pond area or the more distant pools. A kid area in the carousel would be a GREAT Draw with a small pool and water squirters and maybe a playground.

I agree that the pool and squirters would cost us DVC and Disney money but the coffee / frozen drink snack bar would make Disney money. Maybe do both to offset the cost.

 

[DaveH]

I agree that the pool and squirters would cost us DVC and Disney money but the coffee / frozen drink snack bar would make Disney money. Maybe do both to offset the cost.

This may not make them money if it does not get enough use. When I was at Grandstand the bar was losing money, one or two customers.

 

[evaready51]

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.

 

[Mtnman44]

LOL

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.

 

[Jillpie]

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.

so, did they move you without paying? Where did they move you to and how did it go? I really feel your pain about being there, BTDT.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

I honestly think Carousel just needs a drink station and a basic pool. I would be very happy stuck out there where it's nice and quiet.
Walking from the Carousel to Carriage House never seemed any longer to me that walking from Congress Park to CH. It's a hot walk in the middle of a summer day but pleasant at any other time. Great way to walk off all that eating we do when we're at Disney.

I absolutely agree. This would make me a very happy girl! Quiet pool, Diet Coke, a good trash novel...Oh, wait a minute...I'm still in Ohio!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I agree with Vandy. This section is only two buildings. What difference is it from the Peninsular Road area at OKW? A good walk to a pool (main pool, Turtle pond pool, etc). No hot tub, no beverage station. Not enough people staying in the area to really generate any revenue for any kind of area that costs. SSR members would have to pay for any capital projects like a new pool or hot tub.

Carousel is bound to be attractive to some guests even though a lot of you don't care for that location. To me, the quietness of the location is a big draw.

 

[bbluvsdis]

P ersonally I would love to see them put a drink refill station in all of the neighborhoods. Even staying at Congress Park there have been times when we come back in the evening and I would like to get a drink, but the thought of taking one more step is just too much!

 

[Deb & Bill]

P ersonally I would love to see them put a drink refill station in all of the neighborhoods. Even staying at Congress Park there have been times when we come back in the evening and I would like to get a drink, but the thought of taking one more step is just too much!

But they would have to staff the drink station or use barcoded refill mugs. Otherwise everyone, including offsite guests who were traipsing through SSR to use the buses when they park at DTD would stop by to fill up their coolers, Big Gulps and whatever they had available.

 

[DaveH]

The walk to the bus stop at Carousel was shorter than my walk to the bus stop at Grandstand. The walk to Artist Palette was about the same as was the one from Congress Park. I think the lack of a laundry room is a bummer. We don't use pools so that is not an issue for us. Others the pool is very important.

 

[disneymom8589]

I love the idea of a building that looks like a carousel, especially. I've always wondered why they didn't put in something to represent the area's namesake! I had originally wondered if they'd have an actual carousel out there , or a play area that looked like one. You are right, a character breakfast onsite would be hugely convenient, a nice draw, and probably a good money maker for them as well.

Personally, I think a resort representing upstate New York needs a "green" - you know, one of those long rectangular parks that are in the center of so many small towns, with a gazebo in it for band concerts and ice cream socials, and some horseshoes and bocce ball or some such thing. They could put one of those in the center of the Carousel section, and give the gazebo a carousel look.

I would love to see more amenities added, but I bet people would be happy with something as simple as a drink station and hot tub added in Carousel, or some golf-carts for transportation.

I love your idea of a town square!

 

[loveswdw]

Personally, I think a resort representing upstate New York needs a "green" - you know, one of those long rectangular parks that are in the center of so many small towns, with a gazebo in it for band concerts and ice cream socials, and some horseshoes and bocce ball or some such thing. They could put one of those in the center of the Carousel section, and give the gazebo a carousel look.

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.