SSR: Making Carousel more attractive

[rutgers1]

I've read on this board and another the debate about booking categories (or lack thereof) at SSR. It seems like the main issue is that no one (or at least enough to start a debate) wants to stay in Carousel. There appears to be two main issues with that section:
1) It is the furthest from DTD.
2) It shares a pool with the Paddock, though the pool is small and requires the guests to walk to the Paddock.

Some like that it is quiet, but many feel that it is too far removed from the rest of the action. So.........the debate regarding booking categories continues.

Here is my thought. In the absence of booking categories, couldn't the Disney Vacation Club remedy the situation by simply adding an additional feature or two to the Carousel section? Right now, the perception is that it is far away from the action, but this could be remedied two ways:
1) CAPITALIZE on it being further away and add more "resort" type amenities there....maybe a gourmet snack area, a beautiful hot tub, a smaller "salon" area, etc.
2) Go the OPPOSITE direction and bring more action to that area. Spruce it up with something extra special for the kids, such as a super themed playground area, outdoor movie theater area (like Fort Wilderness), etc.

I am an SSR owner, though I have yet to stay there so I probably shouldn't comment. However, if I were booking, I would obviously want an area that I could "sell" to my family. It is by the pool, it is by the restaurant, it is by DTD, etc. The Carousel section, to me, seems like the hardest one to sell right now, which is why it is least coveted by guests. Although they will never be able to fix the distance issue, my guess is that some creative imagineering support of the area could turn it into a draw.

 

[moredisneyplease]

great ideas!!! Hopefully someone will listen and make it more appealing!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I would probably go in the direction of making it more adult friendly rather than kid friendly. Maybe a large outdoor living room complete with a large flat screen tv and hot tub.

My problem with Carousel is the same problem I have with Paddock...to close to the road. And Carousel's location is compounded by no pool.

 

[rutgers1]

I like the outdoor living room idea. It could be really neat, perhaps with a few different tiered hot tubs built into landscaped stone walls/tiers, an outdoor bar, flat screen televisions, and maybe even an area where you could get a massage. If that area oozed luxury, I think more people would want to stay there.

 

[artesian]

Think you've got some pretty good ideas but I really doubt they are going to invest $$$$ like that into a resort that's been completed. Having stayed in Carousel I also agree there's no draw to that area whatsoever.

 

[DaveH]

Is there a laundry room there? If not that needs to be added. I know some complaints were too far to laundry room from several buildings. I believe it is the second bus stop a plus, busses not full yet. We stayed there and had no problems with the area. We had the firehouse view. LOL We very rarely use the pools, I don't at all, DW some. Maybe a store with some basic groceries and a mug refill stand may help.

 

[cfd91]

I agree with the idea of making it more adult friendly. Maybe an area that people without children may like better. I know that my parents, who are in their 60's and raised 5 kids and now have 11 grandkids like to have a break from screaming kids at the pool or eating areas. Making some adult friendly ammenities may draw this type of vacationer to that area.

 

[DaveH]

Think you've got some pretty good ideas but I really doubt they are going to invest $$$$ like that into a resort that's been completed. Having stayed in Carousel I also agree there's no draw to that area whatsoever.

I believe the $ comes from our maintenance fees. I am not 100% sure.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

That's what I was thinking of. An area that groups without small children would be attracted to at least in the evening. An outdoor counterpoint to the Turf Club. I asked for near pool Grandstand in my last stay not because I needed to be that near the pool but because I knew it would give us access to an additional television since we were in a studio. Also the extra bar didn't hurt. Golf cart or bike rental for these buildings might be also be helpful. Set it up so its something like a zip car.

 

[DaveH]

The golf carts sound great, unfortunately living in northern VA as part of metro DC, I see major traffic jams and parking problems with the carts. I can see Barney Fiffe giving out tickets for drag racing.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Is there a laundry room there? If not that needs to be added. I know some complaints were too far to laundry room from several buildings. I believe it is the second bus stop a plus, busses not full yet. We stayed there and had no problems with the area. We had the firehouse view...

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.

 

[mello]

Yes, in the absence of booking categories, Carousel needs something, anything to make it more attractive.

 

[Jillpie]

I have stayed in Carousel, and without a car, the only thing I desperately wanted was quick transportation to the main bldg and back. Maybe have them come by with the luggage cars every half hour or so, something reliable to take you to the main pool, get groceries etc, and more importantly, a ride back to your room way out there. That would have MADE my trip. I did grab an internal bus once, but it was the ride back that was such a nuisance. Something on a much regular schedule would be great. Otherwise, it didn't bother me to walk to the Paddock's pool and the bus to the parks transportation was great, right outside our room.

 

[DVCSAMNH]

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.

 

[hakepb]

I say Carousel needs to have a (preferably character) restaurant in a building that looks like... a carousel.
SSR needs the little extra Disney magic that a character buffet would provide, and the restaurant would make Carousel more popular and SSR more convienient. Instead of having to wake up at least 90 minutes before most other character breakfast ADR's at the other resorts (Chef Mickey's. Ohana..) so you can take multiple busses, SSR character dining would save a bunch of time!

 

[sean-1966]

Hmmmmmmm, I like 2 of these ideas. The adult area sounds nice with an outdoor TV screen and gourmet food shack. I also like the idea of a character-dining restaurant on the site.

 

[lugnut33]

How about a DVC booth placed out there?



Just kidding

 

[vandy]

I think the one realistic problem that any idea will run up against is the fact that the Carousel section is only two buildings, and not big enough to support some extra facilities on it's own. The next smallest area is the Springs, but that is across from the main area. Congress Park and Grandstand have four buildings and the Paddocks five.

So if anything will be done at the Carousel, I doubt that it will involve a pool and snack station. It may be worthwhile though to do some of the other ideas such as hot tubs, laundry facilities, and so forth.

 

[hakepb]

How about a DVC booth placed out there?



Just kidding

At least you'd be able to take a DVC van "all the way" to the main areas!

 

[mello]

I say Carousel needs to have a (preferably character) restaurant in a building that looks like... a carousel.
SSR needs the little extra Disney magic that a character buffet would provide, and the restaurant would make Carousel more popular and SSR more convienient. Instead of having to wake up at least 90 minutes before most other character breakfast ADR's at the other resorts (Chef Mickey's. Ohana..) so you can take multiple busses, SSR character dining would save a bunch of time!

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.