Who is thinking of an add-on at Saratoga Springs?

[Bexx]

Just interested to know, as it seems that they are going to start selling SSR in the not too distant future.

I love the sound of it and the location is great, but I would be mad to consider it as I already own at OKW and have a small add-on at BCV and still haven't stayed at either of them! Cue ashamed look.

Is anybody already thinking seriously about SSR?

 

[Dean]

I guess my feelings would be the same as it was for VWL only less so. I had planned to add on at WL, really had made up my mind. Then when the points charts came out that were essentially higher than BWV and the dues were pretty close, I was absolutely blown over. To me this represented the equivilent of a major price increase over what VWL should have been. It should be about half way between OKW and BWV preferred with dues about half way in between as well.

I can't see owning there are current prices if the points costs are in line with the last 2 resorts. I'm sure others will disagree but to me it's essentially an extension of OKW in many ways or an OKW knockoff. That doesn't make it a bad resort, quite the contrary. It should be a very good resort but will serve basically the same purpose as OKW with I suspect a much higher price tag and points schedule. The newness will put it ahead of OKW but in the long run the value of OKW will make it again more desireable than SS to many. Same can be said for BWV over BCV, the value for many will be more in the long run.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Nope. Not an add-on, but we like the new resort option as a possiblity for the 7 month window. It will be interesting to see what the room sizes will be, if they will be larger like VB, HH and OKW. The nicer pool with a slide and more interior resort feel and amenities does make it more attractive to us than OKW, but to each his own. Greater availability for GV in the 7 month window would also be a big, big plus. It probably will require more points per stay. We currently have an onsite contract and an offsite contract which seem to meet our needs well. I think there is a disadvantage of having points spread out among too many different resorts.

 

[westjones]

I'm so glad we bought in when we did. I think we are really going to enjoy BCVs. SSR doesn't appeal to us in the same way. Plus, we bought last April for $70 a point, and we REALLY had to think long and hard about that. Now with prices so high, I just can't see it. Even thinking about the MB add on option, I would still pay more for the points than I did less than a year ago. We are determined to make our 150 points work for us. Fortunately we are a family of 4 (and holding), so we can always use studios to save points.

Now, we might try SSR when it is open. I would like to stay at all the resorts eventually.
DJ

 

[luckytso]

As of now, I would say that we will not buy any points there. We are the hotel type, I don't like the condo style and much prefer Epcot's location and its surroundings. We may try WLV one of these days because it is still closer to MK than BWV or BCV.

Given that, unless the point requirement is a lot less (which I don't think would happen) or if they offer some type of great incentives (i.e., park passes, unlikely though), otherwise, I just can't see us adding.

Has anyone heard any rumor yet in terms of the point structure? My guide is completely mum about it.

 

[DVCDAVE]

NO !!!, just my opinion, but I hate and despise the location. The idea of buying an interest in a vacation resort with an (sub)urban setting (Downtown Disney) has NO appeal to me. If I wanted to hear noise, get caught in congested traffic, and smell car exhaust along with diesel fumes, I'd just assume stay home and save a small fortune. I can think of no other area on Disney Property that has MORE traffic congestion than the DD area.

Frankly, I predict SS will be a major flop and a financial disaster for DVC. I wouldn't be surprised in the end that it will make VB and HH look like blazingly fast sellers.

I only fear that SS buyers will be purchasing soley for the benefit of swapping to a far more desirable resort location, making the 7 month booking window all that more crowded. The 11 month booking window will become all that more important fo the rest of us.

 

[CarolMN]

Currently not planning to add any more points (except possibly at BWV, our home resort).

To date, I haven't been able to bring myself to pay the higher points required to stay at BWV preferred, VWL or BCV. Have considered OKW, but so far, just can't give up the BWV location to save 1 or 2 points per stay.

SSR location and theme is quite attractive to me (would love to stay within walking distance of DD), but probably will not even consider staying there unless the point requirements are similar to OKW or BWV standard view.

 

[mikesmom]

I can't imagine that we would. The big UNLESS is if it would allow access to GVs and OKW becomes impossible to buy at resale. It would still be a stretch (I can't imagine DH wanting to spend that much money).

Is it possible, though, that Disney has somehow evaluated the quantity of visitors at DD and assumed that there is enough activity that would warrant people wanting a residence in the area? Perhaps people frequenting PI that would want a short trip "home"?

Who knows.

Dean, I'm curious as to why you don't think VWL is worth the price? To me the ambience there is mind-blowing and makes up for a lot of the cost . Of course this is coming from a displaced Michigan girl who now lives in the hot and dry South. Going to VWL feels like home.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by CaptainMidnight
We currently have an onsite contract and an offsite contract which seem to meet our needs well. I think there is a disadvantage of having points spread out among too many different resorts.

I agree with the above quote, I doubt we would add on at SS,we have pts at OKW(300) and VB(200) and if we ever add on , it will be at one of those resorts to utilize the 11 month window. We definately plan on trying SS and am sure we will be able to get in at the 7 month window. To buy a small add-on(of 50-100 pts) at SS really doesn't have to many advavntages.Now if you are purchasing DVC for the 1st time and getting 200 or more pts, I can see that.

 

[MdmMim]

I have no plans to add on at any resort--I'm happy with what I have. I would like to stay at SS--I like that we'll be able to just walk on over to the DD bus stop and get to any resort (for dinner, etc.)

 

[CaptainMidnight]

DVCDAVE, don't sugar coat it, tell us how you really feel.

I remember all the bad publicity about BCV and the terrible views it would have, big problems with traffic noise, terrible location, parking lot views, etc. We think BCV is wonderful. DD will be a draw for folks, although it seems like that's available from many other locations down the hotel row. I hope DVCDAVE's prediction of people purchasing at SS wanting to stay at other resorts in the 7 month window doesn't come to fruition, but I think its an important point. The more resorts that are built, the more pressure that will be put on the highly desirable locations and difficulty in the 7 month window in my opinion. Maybe SS is cheaper to build since they are using some of the Disney Institute facilities, and the lower building costs will translate into bigger rooms or better point requirements, reducing pressure on other resorts. Just a wild guess, but probably wrong.

But, it's not for us for a purchase, maybe a stay, although it would probably be a fourth or fifth choice behind BCV, WLV, BWV......

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by mikesmom
Dean, I'm curious as to why you don't think VWL is worth the price? To me the ambience there is mind-blowing and makes up for a lot of the cost . Of course this is coming from a displaced Michigan girl who now lives in the hot and dry South. Going to VWL feels like home.

I too am curious. I would pay more for VWL than BWV or BCV, as I don't care as much for the Epcot location. Many members must have been happy with the price and point structure, as VWL sold out very, very quickly. I believe much faster than BCV. Anyway, to each their own. The options at DVC are what make it great.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We have stayed in that area, when it was the condos, forget what they were called but it was back when DTD was called the Marketplace. The view from our bed was the Empress Lilly, now Fulton's Crabhouse, and it was beautiful at night all lit up. There was not a lot of noise, it was delightful and we loved the location. You could not hear the noise of the Marketplace from across the water.

I would love a small add-on to bank and borrow and make it a once every 3 year visit. A lot will depend on the swimming pool that is built and the transportation that is available, like a boat ride to/from DTD. We enjoy DTD and the restaurants there and I can see a short visit from time to time. Especially as I am getting a little older, I can see a lot of enjoyment coming from utilizing the spa and can see hubby enjoying the golf course.

So, yes it is a possibility, and I would not rule it out.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by mikesmom
Dean, I'm curious as to why you don't think VWL is worth the price? To me the ambience there is mind-blowing and makes up for a lot of the cost . Of course this is coming from a displaced Michigan girl who now lives in the hot and dry South. Going to VWL feels like home.

I've stated my thinking before as it applies to several areas and gotten some flack but here goes. You must realize that I'm looking at this logically and from an overall standpoint which means that your or my views are averaged into what everyone thinks.

I see VWL and WL itself as somewhat of a specialty location and to a certain extent, less deluxe resort than BWV or BCV. VWL will have it's following and it's a very nice resort, just IMO not as high a value on a per point basis as some of the other options. Disney seems to feel the same way I do as the room rental rates are lower for both WL and WLV compared to the corresponding rates at the other 2 resorts. The other piece of info goes back to the DC points charts before VWL when WL was listed in the same category as the wing rooms at Contemporary and below YC/BC, Poly and the Cont tower rooms.

This means that anyone paying the same points as BCV or BWV preferred view has a lower value in terms of cash return or cash savings on the points they're using. Combine that with the fact that BWV has much better views than WLV and that BWV has the standard view option, there's no comparison in terms of objective value. Same will be true for resales down the road, WLV will be lower or less sought after than BWV or even BCV.

To a lessor extent the same could be said for BCV and I suspect that when BCV is no longer considered new, BWV will be the preferred option of the 2 by about 80% of those who are looking to buy new.

Just to be clear, I think WL is a great resort and in some ways I prefer the ambience there compared to the others. Some will have it as their first choice and that's fine. No one is telling them they shouldn't like it. I just feel the objective value is less.

Talk on the board before the points and dues were announced was essentially what I posted, that most felt VWL would be 50-60% of the way bewteen OKW and BWV preferred.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

I would pay more for VWL than BWV or BCV, as I don't care as much for the Epcot location.

Well I wouldn't pay more since we LOVE the Epcot and MGM location, but I certainly see the appeal of WLV, they are beautiful. It is quiet and secluded, with boat access to MK, and walking distance to Wilderness Campground activities. The theming is fantastic. It's surprising that you cannot even see the Contemporary resort. There's a small beach and I believe marina activities directly on teh 7 seas lagoon. WLV has a great deal to offer, I wouldn't let anyone putting it down bother you. It may not be thier cup of tea, but who cares.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Maistre Gracey
I too am curious. I would pay more for VWL than BWV or BCV, as I don't care as much for the Epcot location. Many members must have been happy with the price and point structure, as VWL sold out very, very quickly. I believe much faster than BCV. Anyway, to each their own. The options at DVC are what make it great.

See my other post for your first statement. As for selling out, WLV is not actually sold out as of yet. And as it looks, it will not sell out before around 2 years from start of selling or 18 months from opening. BCV will likely come close to that even if it slows down as I predicted. I do realize that the way DVD did things contributed to this by closing it off to all but member add ons but they have since opened it back up for new sales. I believe BWV sold more points in the same time than either WLV or BCV, it's just a larger resort and took longer to sell out. I'd be interested in members asking their guides when they talk to them what the current demand is BCV or VWL, I bet it's going 90% with BC right now.

 

[TDC Nala]

I was thinking about adding on at SSR but I ended up buying more points at BCV instead. I'll be going to SSR sometime, booking at the 7 month window. I like the short distance to PI because I'm there every night. However, I seriously doubt I'll be walking back through the Marketplace to SS at 1:30 AM. It'd definitely be a bus trip, which might take the same amount of time as a bus trip to OKW.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Originally posted by Dean
I see VWL and WL itself as somewhat of a specialty location and to a certain extent, less deluxe resort than BWV or BCV. VWL will have it's following and it's a very nice resort, just IMO not as high a value on a per point basis as some of the other options. Disney seems to feel the same way I do as the room rental rates are lower for both WL and WLV compared to the corresponding rates at the other 2 resorts. The other piece of info goes back to the DC points charts before VWL when WL was listed in the same category as the wing rooms at Contemporary and below YC/BC, Poly and the Cont tower rooms.

Why less deluxe...other than the fact that I think it was originally built with the notion it would be a moderate? One difference between WL now and WL pre-VWL is that there wasn't any kind of exercise facility but there is now. Other than that the main difference would be easy access to nightlife...kind of a big thing I suppose...the other MK hotels have some form of built in night life. Of course I don't like most of the views from BWV/BCV so that may influence me.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

I like the short distance to PI because I'm there every night.

Now there's a plan!
So, are small kids allowed as long as they are accompanied by adults?

 

[goofy4dvc]

I don't think we would buy more points at SSR. We currently own at VB and BCV. If we purchase more points it would probably be an add-on at BCV. If we decided to purchase points in an additional resort, I'd be interested in Eagle Pines (if and when it ever is built).

I really like the looks of SSR and I'm anxious to stay there. We've only stayed at VWL, BWV (and VB), but are anxious to stay at all the DVC resorts and will probably rotate among them. The deciding factors on where we stay depends on whether we plan to visit parks or just golf and if it's just the two of us or if we are bringing guests.