What will be the appeal of Saratoga Springs DVC?

[Geebs]

I think the appeal lies in the the biggest appeal of DVC as a whole. FLEXIBILTY! It just gives another option. We we go with my family, we usually stay different lengths of time at different times of the year. Sometimes we hit the parks commando and other times we just hang out. as i always say, as long as I am in Disney world, I would love it. I could sleep on a park bench on main street and be thrilled!!!

 

[anniet]

Originally posted by Geebs
I could sleep on a park bench on main street and be thrilled!!!

LOL

.....but then of course somebody would complain that Disney now had homeless people sleeping on Main Street!

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by Geebs
... as i always say, as long as I am in Disney world, I would love it. I could sleep on a park bench on main street and be thrilled!!!

That's 30 points per night in Magic season, 70 on Fri/Sat.

 

[RoutemanDan]

Good one Joe!<img src=http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/lol.gif><img src=http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/lol.gif><img src=http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/lol.gif>

 

[Geebs]

yup..only if you use the 11month window!!!!!

 

[lodgelady]

On a more serious note..... When we stayed at the DI Villas a few years ago I remember being a bit concerned about security. The road to DD is right around the corner, within walking distance. There was an automatic card operated gate, but it did not have that "safe" feeling about it as the other resorts do . I would feel cautious at night .

 

[Ralph&Pam]

When we stayed at the DI in March of 2000, there was a guard-staffed entry to the resort area, just like at OKW and BWV. I believe one had to drive past this entry before turning off to the right to get to the treehouses, but may be mis-remembering this part. We stayed in one of the bungalows, not too far from the main DI buildings. I hope they re-open Seasons restaurant.

Ralph

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by Ralph&Pam
I hope they re-open Seasons restaurant.

My guess is that they'll reopen a restaurant in the former Seasons space, but that it won't be called Seasons, won't be decorated like Seasons, and won't have the same menu as Seasons.

Seasons is a failed restaurant in a failed resort. The Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa isn't going to want to remind guests about the restaurant's past.

By the way, I never dined at Seasons, but I heard many good things about it.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by Dean
I think we're reading too much into this if we're thinking there will be 300 renovated units added to DVC. I doubt very much that will happen. What I'd suspect is that the older units will be part of a mixed use property, if it happens at all.

Accouring to a GlobeSt.com article, dated September 17, 2002:
<blockquote>The 16-acre timeshare complex will have 184 new units and 300 apartment-style rooms in older buildings of the Institute campus located near Downtown Disney and the Pleasure Island attraction.</blockquote>
So GlobeSt.com is saying that this will be a 484-unit timeshare resort, not a mixed-use property. That makes sense, considering that Disney CRO really doesn't need additional hotel capacity at this time, but Disney needs more Disney Vacation Club capacity to sell. Adding the 300 refurbished units to the Saratoga Springs Resort would also delay the huge up-front capital expense that the proposed DVC resort at Eagle Pines will require if and when that project moves forward.

But I'll grant Dean that GlobeSt.com could be mistaken. There are other items in the article that suggest that they're not fully aware of the real story. For example, GlobeSt.com mentions "projected unit prices of $12,000 to $150,000 per week." I'm sure the $150,000 figure refers to how much somebody could for points -- not the cost "per week" for a Grand Villa at Sartoga Springs.

 

[Dean]

My guess is the remodeled rooms will be part of the resort but not part of the DVC. We'll see. It should be interesting.

 

[j6010]

Very good observations: Question to ponder -- Do you think people will be anxious to buy ownership interest in 30 yr. old "used" hotel space? When we bought into OKW, part of attraction was that they were newly constructed buildings, likely to be there for 46 yr. rental term. If the 30 yr. old buildings already have to be refurbished, would I really want to invest $15+ into buildings, when I could buy into new DVC development someplace else (read BCV)? Probably not, unless deep discount in points -- but then with deep discount, I am locked into that one refurb. resort. To me this is not smart -- kind of like the increased points for DVC members cruise.

Moreover, 184 new units are the prime location; even with rental prop. remember location, location, location.

I do not think refurb. idea is well thought out, and either go with all new, or with all refurb but not mixed. This looks like a cost cutting move that is penny wise and pound foolish.

Saratoga Springs theming will blend with DI, and may attract New York connection (but NYers may think why pay $$ for theming when they just as easily could go to the Catskills).

I would like to see Seasons Restaurant, but agree once it is a loser it will never reopen. Before being deployed to Bahrain, my wife and I and kids went to BCV, and went by now shuttered Ariel's restaurant -- theming still evident -- great restaurant, probably never to be reopened, Alas. If any BCV supervisors read this -- consider Ariels again, pls.

I send greetings from the Kingdom of Bahrain.

V/R
j6010

 

[Uncleromulus]

As many posts have said, it will appeal to some and not to others. But it IS on WDW property and in the end, it probably means they will eventually sell all the inventory.
But I do agree with the post that mentioned soundproofing. Unless they do a much better job at that than they did at OKW, there are going to be plenty of folks looking for a nice quiet nites sleep that will be in for a rude awakening!!

 

[anniet]

I have faith in Disney's refurbishment, depending on how much refurbishing they do, I think they could make the quality of the place just as good as other DVCs. Just take a look at the Poly....how old is that resort-30 years or so? And it's still a very popular choice because it is so well kept.

That was a big selling point for me, since my Dad's timeshare in Bermuda was almost NEVER refurbished, repaired or updated in the 25 years he owned it! My faith in how well Disney keeps their accomodations was the reason I bought Disney, and would not have seriously considered any other timeshare/vacation club. Are they perfect? I doubt it, but they are a cut above the others.

It will be interesting to find out what SS is going to be like though. I guess we'll all have to wait and see.

 

[mikesmom]

Just a thought...
I wouldn't put too much stock in what the Orlando Sentinel says.

I do marketing and PR and believe me, unless you write it for them, there are about 101 ways that a reporter can screw up what was said and then go ahead and print it. I'm not saying they are doing it on purpose. It's just that they can mis hear, misunderstand, or write it down wrong. They can put a note down, and then go back and add a later thought. Sometimes they add that thought to the wrong note.

Believe me , it would be a real revelation to you to find out how much that is printed in the paper and that you take as gospel is only partly correct. It would almost be better if the info was 100% wrong. Asit is, there is usually just enough correct info that the article "sounds" right and starts all kinds of controversy over the incorrect "facts".

 

[TDC Nala]

If it's got lower point requirements than my home resort at BCV, I'm definitely buying an add-on. I usually end up at PI and would love having a short trip home at 2 AM.

 

[NancyDVC]

First let me correct one statement "the themeing will appeal to NYrs.. Catskills" Saratoga Springs is no where near the Catskills but north of Albany closer to Lake Champlain and Vermont. It is a beautiful resort town with a championship race track and has a reputation for its summer music and arts performances (ex. NYC Ballet and NY Philharmonic).

Yes there is a golf course at DI. The LBV golf course, which OKW is located on, begins and ends at DI. The entrance to the LBV course is closer to DD than the entrance for DI.

The appeal of this new resort is its proximity to DD, the quiet laid back resort atmosphere and the golf course. At OKW you have to go over to the LBV club house to begin playing. At the new resort you are already there. I always loved the look of the townhouses and the treehouses, especially as we rode the Trumbo ferry from OKW. When OKW first opened we could stop at the old LBV club house for a meal and flash a signal light to be picked up when we were done.
My question is will there be golf cart rentals offered to guests to make it convenient to go to DD Marketplace? The golf carts used by guests always appealed to me. I loved the idea of just tooling along to the Marketplace in a golf cart.
Every DVC resort has its appeal and some members own at more than one. As a DVC member since early 1992 I can see the appeal of other resorts but home is still OKW!

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

Hi, I am going to have to agree with Mikesmom and Dean. The 300 referbished units is probably a mistake, or will not be part of the DVC resort. If you go to DVCmember.com, there is a article about SS, it mentions the 184 units but there is no mention of any other units. Also, if you look at the trend of how Disney has been building, the last 2 new resorts were smaller than the previous 2.
Also, I would not be comfortable paying for maitance for a 30 yr old building, major things could go wrong a yr or 2 into the new ownership.
But, the new portion is very appealing to my husband, who loves DD and Pleasure Island. I always love experiencing a new resort!

 

[j6010]

Can you pls post the full url for the DVCmember.com. I cannot find it here in Bahrain. Thanx

V/R
j6010

 

[mrsdon]

I just got back from a member update and if I remember correctly, there will be NO refurbisher units. I think that is what the guide said.