SSR new owner--booking first stay--standard

[madchatter]

ive read a ton on SSR locations and buildings. I really feel like the best location is Grandstand. Plus it saves us a few points over preferred. I understand that requests are not guaranteed.

What is the likelihood I get Grandstand generally and a particular building or two on the Carriage House side of that section?

We are going early March 2018 for the first trip. Haven't got pints loaded to book yet. Should be booking be mid-May. Probably will book a 2BR or maybe (2) studios for our mixed group.

If it's pretty likely, I want to do that. If it's a total toss up, I might not want to gamble. Maybe we just book preferred.

I want to avoid Carousel or other outlying sections.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If you have your heart set on a specific building, I hope your heart is durable and not easily broken. A lot of people book Standard and request Grandstand, although I think Paddock is popular too. Almost everyone seems to want to avoid Carousel, and the nature of things is that someone's got to be there and not in their requested location.

There are 4 buildings in Grandstand, 2 in Carousel and 5 in Paddock. The distribution of rooms is pretty consistent across buildings. So, the math is that you have a decent chance of Grandstand, but maybe not an exact building. But it isn't bookable. If you want near the Carriage House, you need to book Preferred and even then... Springs is a request, and not specifically bookable.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

We've only gotten Carousel once, when we rented points and didn't make a room request. Since then, we've always requested Paddock and always gotten our request. Paddock is great too, so even if you don't get Grandstand, Paddock is just fine. Carousel is only a few steps further, and really not worth paying extra points to avoid. We walk all around the resort chasing Pokémon, even the furthest rooms are only ten minutes from the Carraige House max, and that's at a seven year olds pace.

 

[madchatter]

Thanks for the replies. It helps to hear perspective of those who have done it previously.

Sounds like I'll probably get my request, but even if I don't, it's a better use of points to stretch them with a standard room.

We've been to WDW a lot and have had good success with requests in general. We've been using touringplans fax request service with nice results. Is that worth doing for DVC villas? Or does it not work as well?

 

[Wakey]

I like walking on vacation, when I am working I am 12 hours behind a desk. The more walking the better, I love to do 20,000 steps a day at Disney (with a run in there now and again), so wherever I am doesn't bother me, albeit I think Grandstand would be my choice. I wouldn't pay the extra points for preferred either.

 

[ErinC]

Thanks for the replies. It helps to hear perspective of those who have done it previously.

Sounds like I'll probably get my request, but even if I don't, it's a better use of points to stretch them with a standard room.

We've been to WDW a lot and have had good success with requests in general. We've been using touringplans fax request service with nice results. Is that worth doing for DVC villas? Or does it not work as well?

I don't think the DVC room assigners pay any mind to fax requests, so I wouldn't bother. I would either have my preferences noted on my reservation, or when you do online checkin you can make some requests. I would definitely book the 2 bedroom rather than 2 studios if you have the points. I booked a preferred room a few weeks ago for my daughter and friends spring break. It was a last minute reservation (35 days out) and that is all that was available at SSR. I was happy to get it. They got Congress park, but they were staring at the bus stop for their view. We've had one stay at Grandstand and loved it. Since its the first bus stop, I'm honestly not sure why it wasn't chosen to be a preferred area. Anyway, enjoy your trip and I hope you get what you request.