SSR - New Carousel Section

[springandmac]

I'm arriving on November 5th for a weeks stay at SSR. Does anyone know if the Carousel section will be done by then and could you describe the location of this section in relation to everything else?

It isn't on any maps so I'm having trouble deciding, if it is open ,would I even want to stay there. I requested Congress Park w/ a view of downtown Disney. But maybe newer would be better

 

[Sammie]

When you drive into the property and stop at the Guard House, the Carousel area is directly to your left with the bus stop across the street in front of the first Paddock building. There are only 2 buildings.

I am not sure if Carousel is open yet, but here is the map showing it's location. It will be new but pretty far removed from the main part of the resort.

http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/modules/mapPopup?id=SaratogaSpringsMemberLandingPage&bhcp=1

 

[Melynny]

I just returned from Saratoga last night. I was in the closest Paddock building ( room 4636) and used the Carousel bus stop. The Carousel Rooms are not being used, but they look to be very close to being ready. They had lights on, and all the furniture was in them. They were cleaning the balconies and placing the furniture on them them yesterday. They were finishing the landscaping and were replacing some of the concrete for the golf course last friday. It should not be long before they are open... and in use..Sorry I don't have an exact date. It would be a long walk to the main pool though... I am not sure if I will be requesting one of them.

 

[MiaSRN62]

It would be a long walk to the main pool though... I am not sure if I will be requesting one of them.

I don't know too much about SSR, but I thought I read there were plans to have somewhat of a themed pool in the new Carousel section ? Maybe I'm wrong on this ?

 

[Melynny]

I think the new themed pool is in the "Grand Stand Section" It is located to the right of the fountain (entrance circle and portico) after you drive up into the resort. They already have 4 buildings started and have started construction on the pool facliities. The Carousel section are 2 building which are located near the entrance and to the left of the guard shack when entering the resort. They are the first 2 buildings as you enter the resort bordering Vacation club way and the entrance.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I think the new themed pool is in the "Grand Stand Section" It is located to the right of the fountain (entrance circle and portico) after you drive up into the resort.

Thanks Melynny !

 

[Melynny]

I do think it's strange to locate both of the themed pools so close to each other though... and they will be pretty close.

 

[springandmac]

Thanks for all the info. I think I'm just going to stick with my original request of "Congress Park - Downtown Disney View"

This trip is a surprise for DD 13th Birthday and since she's all about shopping CP will make walking to DTD a shorter trip.

9 days and counting

 

[bradpga]

Good choice on Congress Park location. We stayed there in March. Beautiful Resort and the short walk to DTD was a bonus. Also, it is only about a 3 minute pleasant stroll to the main pool.

 

[Parkhopper13]

I agree, Congress Park is the way to go, IMHO!!!

 

[tkd lisa]

I got off at the Carousel bus stop by mistake my last trip. The bus stops there, so I'd assume that some of the buildings are open now.

It seemed to be farther from the main area than our original room (2225) in Congress Park, so I'd just stick with your current request.

 

[dvc_john]

I got off at the Carousel bus stop by mistake my last trip. The bus stops there, so I'd assume that some of the buildings are open now.

I just walked thru SSR a few hours ago. Carousel is not open yet, but looks like it could open at almost any time. All exterior work including signage and landscaping are completed. Can't see the inside of the units, but drapes are up and patio furniture is in place. Fencing is all down.

 

[Paticake]

Just back today. I also thought the new theme pool is also close to the main pool, looks interesting though! We stopped at the Carousel stop 1st on each trip. Some Paddock rooms seem closer to that stop than to the Paddock stop. We stayed at the Congress Park area, 4th floor building closest to the main area. Loved this location!

 

[AJMlovesRLM]

We just returned from a stay in Carousel 7641, a Grand Villa. I'm not sure how long it has been open, but we were told it was new and some of the bus drivers did not even know it was open.

I was extremely dissapointed with the location of this room; it was the end unit, basically right next to the guard entrance. There was a non-stop stream of traffic (and noise!) going by.

Never really complained, but I did try to move ( no other GV's available!) but I'm sure DVC will be hearing many complaints about this location. It is WAY, WAY, WAY to close to the road(s) and guard post!

 

[mello]

We just returned from a stay in Carousel 7641, a Grand Villa. I'm not sure how long it has been open, but we were told it was new and some of the bus drivers did not even know it was open.

I was extremely dissapointed with the location of this room; it was the end unit, basically right next to the guard entrance. There was a non-stop stream of traffic (and noise!) going by.

Never really complained, but I did try to move ( no other GV's available!) but I'm sure DVC will be hearing many complaints about this location. It is WAY, WAY, WAY to close to the road(s) and guard post!

You just might be right. We walked all around the whole resort when we stayed there last summer, and it's just a lovely walk, but we wondered about the Carousel section. It was still under construction then, but our thought was that it would make sense to reduce the point cost per night for that last building especially, or the whole Carousel section, which might cause people to actually request it if point savings were the goal. Otherwise we couldn't see any reason to want to stay in that building. I think my only request next time we go, will be ,"Anything but the farthest out Carousel building!" lol.

 

[AJMlovesRLM]

Another thought I had was, similar to BWV's, a Premium view rate .vs. a (cheaper) Stardard view rate.

There is a HUGE difference between some of the SSR views; (DTD or the Roads!)

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Another thought I had was, similar to BWV's, a Premium view rate .vs. a (cheaper) Stardard view rate.

There is a HUGE difference between some of the SSR views; (DTD or the Roads!)

I totally agree with this. I would certainly be upset to be paying the same amount of points to look at the guard shack and hear the road noise as those having a lovely water view or one of DTD.

 

[MiaSRN62]

DisneyFreaks says : I totally agree with this. I would certainly be upset to be paying the same amount of points to look at the guard shack and hear the road noise as those having a lovely water view or one of DTD.

Unfortunately, I highly doubt DVC would lower points for certain rooms. I think they "broke the mold" with that policy at the BWV. I think every DVC resort has good and bad views. I own at OKW, and while I think it has mostly terrific views, there are a few that face the road and the busses (mostly the studios). But I've even stayed at the BWV on Preferred points and had a crummy view overall. My main view was that of the valet parking lot, though I did have a view of the canal below my balcony and TOT 90 degrees to the right only if I stood out on the balcony. But 85% of the view was the huge valet parking lot and a service area driveway. We were also very far from the elevators---like 3-4 doors from the end. I've actually seen and heard of better Standard views at BWV than what we had for Preferred points. Some of the preferred point rooms at BWV have very nice views, and some (like mine), not so much. Hit or miss.

AJMlovesRLM says : There is a HUGE difference between some of the SSR views; (DTD or the Roads!)

I think this can be said of all DVC resorts to one degree or another if it makes you feel any better. Some BCV rooms face Epcot or the pool area (awesome), while I've heard some face a road and driveway. Same goes for VWL with the dumpster views. I just think it's pot luck sometimes whether you get a good view or not. All you can do is requests and try and check-in early for a better "chance" at a good view/location.

Interested in knowing which road the Carousel section faces ? Is it the road that winds around to OKW ? Is it Buena Vista Drive ? Can't remember.

 

[Sammie]

Interested in knowing which road the Carousel section faces ? Is it the road that winds around to OKW ? Is it Buena Vista Drive ?

The two carousel buildings face a water feature and on the other side of that is the road leading through the Guard Shack into the resort. The first road to the left that passes the Carousel bus stop and Paddocks buildings passes to the side of one of the buildings.

Here is a map.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/14664ssr.jpg

 

[tjkraz]

You just might be right. We walked all around the whole resort when we stayed there last summer, and it's just a lovely walk, but we wondered about the Carousel section. It was still under construction then, but our thought was that it would make sense to reduce the point cost per night for that last building especially, or the whole Carousel section, which might cause people to actually request it if point savings were the goal.

Too late. That ship has already sailed.

The point charts determine how many points DVC can sell for each unit and at least one of the buildings in The Carousel is already sold out. To reduce the number of points now would be reducing the ownership percentage of each person who legally owns a part of that building, and that's a big no-no.

There may be some complicated hoops DVC could jump thru to transfer ownership to another building, but if they had any inclination of charging less for that location, they would have done it already.

Probably the most we could ever hope for would be guaranteed resort location at the time of booking. BWV has "Preferred Pool / Garden" and "Preferred Boardwalk View" categories with the same nightly points requirement. That two-tiered system has only been in place for a few years and it was done as a result of years of guest complaints--I would guess that almost every person booking the preferred view would request a BW view, and only about 1/3 of them actually received it.

It would take a pretty big uprising among SSR owners to force that sort of a change, and I don't see that happening.

I'd like to think that someday DVC will upgrade its computers so as to guarantee things like smoking preference and resort location. But that sort of change would add cost to the process. Example:

"I got the last Studio at SSR but it was a Smoking Room in The Carousel. I went on the waitlist for Non-Smoking or a room in The Springs or Congress Park"

"My NS waitlist came thru, but I'm still waiting for The Springs or Congress Park."

"I got a NS room in Congress Park, but The Springs is my ideal location so I'll stay on the waitlist...."

...and so on. If they get too specific in adding guarantees to the reservation, what began as a guaranteed Studio reservation with requests for NS and Congress Park has morphed into something that required 3-4 modifications.

But we can always hope...