With the TREEHOUSES will SSR owners finally get...

[dwelty]

OK folks.

I think that those of us who DO NOT want booking categories need to speak up.

I think we got booking categories at OKW because the "whiners" were loud and the rest of us were IGNORED!

I just sent DVC a message stating my case and saying that if they think this is required I would hope they would poll the members not just listen to the complainers!

The people wanting booking categories are already writing and calling. We are going to have to "counter"

OK, CarolA, the gloves are off! "Whiners"? Oww, that hurts! I do not live in Atlanta, I cannot arrive on the morning of my stay and scoop up the best room locations.

I can express my concerns and let DVC member services decide how to act. You can express your concers as well, and I encourage you to do so. However, I am not whining.

I would fully support a polling of SSR owners explaining what booking categories are and asking the owners to decide if they want them or not.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

As an owner at SSR I would be willing to use fewer points for paddock or carousel. However, I bet booking categories would mean I need MORE points for the other 3 sections instead. I only have 160 points so that would stick me in timbuktu. I'd rather take my chances with a request.
BTW the treehouse villas are 3 br and sleep 9, so they would be more like grand villas point wise than a 2 br. We only have a family of 5 so I doubt I'd want to spend the points for a treehouse.
Robin M.

 

[CarolA]

OK, CarolA, the gloves are off! "Whiners"? Oww, that hurts! I do not live in Atlanta, I cannot arrive on the morning of my stay and scoop up the best room locations.

I can express my concerns and let DVC member services decide how to act. You can express your concers as well, and I encourage you to do so. However, I am not whining.

I would fully support a polling of SSR owners explaining what booking categories are and asking the owners to decide if they want them or not.

I have never arrived in the morning! I have done a survey. ALL the villas are within SSR where I bought! I have also done a measurement of the distances involved. It's not as far as the outcry acts like it is LOL!

Since I never quoted you etc.. I wonder why you are convinced I was calling YOU a whiner?????

I am sorry but complaining that "I didn't get my request" is whining IMHO LOL!

 

[dwelty]

I have never arrived in the morning! I have done a survey. ALL the villas are within SSR where I bought! I have also done a measurement of the distances involved. It's not as far as the outcry acts like it is LOL!

Since I never quoted you etc.. I wonder why you are convinced I was calling YOU a whiner?????

I am sorry but complaining that "I didn't get my request" is whining IMHO LOL!

CarolA, Did DVC send a survey to members asking about booking categories at SSR already? Or are you referring to OKW?

Also, I am not debating the fact that ther are downsides (the split stays for people booking later, that you mentioned). I am just saying that (IMO) the benifits outweight the negatives. Also for people that have cars at WDW the outer buildings are no problem, it's much different for people who do not rent cars, (Like us).

P.S. I think this discussion is all in good fun, In the whole scheme of things I would be happy even with a room in the Carousel. I just would like a fair playing field. I guess we are all pretty lucky to be able to debate issues like this in the first place, instead of debating if we can afford to go to WDW or not.

 

[doconeill]

I don't see how the treehouse villas can be incorporated into any DVC resort without a new booking category. After all, they are a completely different type of room. They are 3 bedroom, but they are not Grand Villas. I haven't seen a formal occupancy limit, but it looks to only support 8-9 people.

So they at least need to include a new class of room (which may be why there is a software change required), or include them as a category of two bedroom (which they really aren't, but are closest to for occupancy).

 

[DaveH]

I think the change from room assignments made this more of an issue. I believe they went to the current way because of abusive members complaining about a room not ready at noon. If they want to do categories for areas I would prefer them to cost more points for some areas over others. I own at SSR and hate the idea of categories at the same point cost. We bought in 2001 at VWL and added on at SSR when it opened. I noticed a small percentage of fellow owners being abusive to CMs in general. I see it more at the check in more than anywhere else. We have had the dreaded firehouse view and had no problems with it. I think if we all relax and enjoy our special places to stay at WDW the better we all will be.

 

[DVCJones]

At first, I was all for booking categories....Then I realized that it would create a huge problem for me and why I bought SSR in the first place.

Why have booking categories? DVC is and always will be based on a "first come first served" basis.

First one to call at 11 and 7 months, will get their desired resort location...
ADRs are the same. Want Lecellier...?better call at 180 days out.
If you want a room at Congress Park, The Springs, Grandstand...? Get there early.

I do however, like the idea of having SSR owners having priority to the more desirable locations. Imagine if I could get a reservation at BWV and show up in the morning and get a BW view because I was there earlier than everyone else.

It is a tough call.......

I drive from Massachusetts and I plan ahead so that I arrive early in the morning so that I can get the location I want. It isn't always that easy to plan, but it is important to me so I make it happen because those are the rules. I also like that I can plan a last minute trip to my home resort and still be able to get my desired location. If they change the booking categories, this may not happen.

I understand the argument for both side. However, I think I would vote not to change the booking categories.

 

[toocherie]

Yes and as an OKW owner I am NOT happy with that.
So I think it's up to the SSR owners to make thier views known. Right now I think the only views being presented are the group that WANT the categories.

No matter what you do or don't want you probably should let them know!

Carol: Could you explain the rationale for your position? I'm not trying to be argumentative--I'm just not understanding why you oppose the booking categories? From my viewpoint, if I am not going to get an area in SSR that I want I would rather know several months in advance than show up at the resort and be disappointed. And as someone else pointed out--it might be that someone who lives close by in Florida and could get there earlier than this west coaster would have had the pick of villas while I get left with what everyone else didn't want. If I am calling early--especially at the 11 month mark--I think I should be able to have first pick of where I will be--at least get priority over people making reservations at seven months or later.

The only situation where I could see it be beneficial not to have booking categories is if you are the last-minute planner and want the ability to be on equal footing with all of the people who did plan several months in advance.

Am I missing something? I would appreciate understanding your position better.

 

[Tinkerbellcrafter]

Ok, we have only stayed at SSR once..considering it is our home resort. Personally, I think that sometimes you luck out and get the really great room and sometimes you get the good room. Think of all those who don't get to go at all. We had a road view. We just made sure we had a rental car to get us around the resort. All of the rooms are newer and very pretty. If we are at Disney, what does it matter what view our room has? We arrive at different times of the day and we checkin andrequest a room but they usually indicate it isn't ready. We are fine with that and call mousekeeping later in the day. I am against category booking because it would make booking or occassionally scoring a great room harder and more stressful! Also, we don't always plan our trips 11 months out because of DH's work schedule. Sometimes, a spur of the moment trip is wonderful and if you are always having to use more points for a "better" room, it takes away the magic! Heck, we have even stayed at Value Resorts on AP rates because we are flying in late and we move to a DVC resort the next morning because to me it isn't worth the points to stay in the room for 10 hours on points. I am willing to support any petition to prevent room categories at SSR.

Thanks!

 

[cokenut33]

I think the change from room assignments made this more of an issue. I believe they went to the current way because of abusive members complaining about a room not ready at noon. I noticed a small percentage of fellow owners being abusive to CMs in general. I see it more at the check in more than anywhere else. I think if we all relax and enjoy our special places to stay at WDW the better we all will be.

I agree. When we get there, we work with the CM to get the best room we can, and deal with it if its not perfect. However, if you tell the CM that you don't care when the room is ready. You have a better shot at a better room!!!
We generally get there, check in & head to the parks. If luggage is an issue, bell services is more than happy to take care of it for you.

 

[toocherie]

I also like that I can plan a last minute trip to my home resort and still be able to get my desired location. If they change the booking categories, this may not happen.

I understand the argument for both side. However, I think I would vote not to change the booking categories.

But . . . how is that fair to the person or family that booked at 11 months but for whatever reason cannot be at SSR at 10 a.m. in the morning? They were "on it" much earlier than the last-minute booker --why shouldn't they get the "desired location"? Just like the last-minute booker may not get their desired resort . . . The more I think about it I would vote to change the booking categories.

 

[DVCJones]

But . . . how is that fair to the person or family that booked at 11 months but for whatever reason cannot be at SSR at 10 a.m. in the morning? They were "on it" much earlier than the last-minute booker --why shouldn't they get the "desired location"? Just like the last-minute booker may not get their desired resort . . . The more I think about it I would vote to change the booking categories.

I guess it isn't....but, I guess I feel since all the rooms at SSR have the same point value, it is hard to give "worth" for a specific room and why there should be a booking category for it. I also feel if I am going to stay out in the Paddocks then I shouldn't have to use the same amount of points. Nobody should. I know OKW did this but, it still seems unfair. Points are the same no matter where you stay.

Since DVC put the point chart in place before we all bought into it, I think it makes it difficult for them to make the booking category change fair. DVC should have thought about this before they created the SSR system.

I wonder what would happen if all DVC resorts tossed the booking categories and owners were only allowed to reserve a room and not a location? Would people be happy just knowing they got a room in their resort of choice? Would people try to get there early on check-in day? Would there be huge lines starting in the morning with guests getting all huffy if the person in front of them gets the last "good room" etc.

It is a tough call. I kinda believe that the category idea just creates more problems. not just at SSR, but at all resorts.

I like the idea of getting a reservation at a resort, then taking a chance at where the location is. Then no one feels entitled to anything we are just happy we are at WDW. Arriving early would help though

I really don't have the answer, just thinking "out loud"

 

[CarolA]

I have several reasons for opposing the booking categories

1. I bought a product. Disney wants to change the product without compensating me?

2. I have a friend who called day by day at 11 months for BWV. Days 1-5 were fine with a standard view. Day 6 MOVED to perferred. I have had this happen with a later booking at OKW. With the new booking method and the VOLUME of "categories" they want figure your chances of getting a stay at prime season in the SAME room for more then a few nights are starting to get slim. Lets say you want to go over Christmas and your vacation starts 12/23. So you call 11 months in advance only to discover that because a LOT of other people started 12/21 and extend to your date, you get two nights in one location and three nights in the next..... Won't that be fun?????It happens NOW at BWV and OKW... and folks want A LOT more categories at SSR!!!!! Basically let's chop the thing up into lots of LITTLE DVCs and then we can all scramble like at BCV????

I don't make requests, I don't race over there at the crack of dawn to check in. (The room will be ready around 4, I am for then!) I have stayed ALL over SSR unlike some posters, I have MEASURED the distances involved and they are not the MILES posted on here. I have never had a bad room! Of course I don't show up expecting that "If I don't get the location I want I won't like the resort"

 

[zurgswife]

I agree with CarolA. Very wise woman..

I also would be pissed to book a busy time only to find out that the people that started their vacations a few days prior got all the prime rooms.

 

[kikiq]

Of course I don't show up expecting that "If I don't get the location I want I won't like the resort"

Oh you are wiser than wise. That is the exact attitude I've noticed the posters who didn't like SSR have as their primary reason for not liking the resort. That and the lack of theming...oh spare me. I guess I must live in a dump because all DVCs have more theming than my house/neighborhood.

I don't want booking categories. But then we would be happy in any DVC room at WDW...even the room across the street from the fire station (which we drove by last summer, it sort of is across the street from the complex. It is outside the grounds across a wide street. There's a street, parking lot and frontage planting before you get to that street and the fire station.)

 

[rantnnravin]

I want to be able to know, in advance, before I pack, that I have a studio at the carousel, with no nearby laundry facility. I want to know that I will need to reserve a rental car and order a grocery delivery because we will be very far from the main building/food court. I want to know in advance not to bother bringing swimsuits because the pool is too far to drag my little one to.
I think some who don't mind having rooms far away may not have little ones to plan for.
I also don't understand that if those who are opposed to booking categories are so happy with whatever they get, why would they mind finding that out on day one?
also, DVC has made a LOT of changes since we bought in, so that's really not much of an argument. And, this resort is MUCH larger than what was originally proposed.
i could just hear the uproar if BWV owners were losing out on those Boardwalk views to non-owners and CRO guests - oh wait...they did and, consequently, booking categories were born at BWV hmmmm......

 

[bookwormde]

Form an outsider’s perspective, booking categories do not work well when the number of rooms in a category is too small, this is the case in most of the booking category “complaints”. With SSR there are enough units to avoid this downfall as long as DVC does not get “carried away” and chops it into to many pieces.

One of the issues with SSR is that there is no significant 11-month advantage to owning SSR. This affects members desire to own SSR and thereby its resale value. Reasonable booking categories (with a minimum of 150+ rooms in each) and the tree house category (especially if they keep the point requirements close to a 2br) will go a long way to help restore the market balance for SSR.

For a reference point I think OKW HH was it the lower limits of what works well, another 5 building would have been more appropriate. It gave OKW owners an additional 11-month advantage, although with the GVs and low points (not to mention the themeing) OKW already had pretty good desirability.

bookwormde

 

[CarolA]

Form an outsider’s perspective, booking categories do not work well when the number of rooms in a category is too small, this is the case in most of the booking category “complaints”. With SSR there are enough units to avoid this downfall as long as DVC does not get “carried away” and chops it into to many pieces.

One of the issues with SSR is that there is no significant 11-month advantage to owning SSR. This affects members desire to own SSR and thereby its resale value. Reasonable booking categories (with a minimum of 150+ rooms in each) and the tree house category (especially if they keep the point requirements close to a 2br) will go a long way to help restore the market balance for SSR.

For a reference point I think OKW HH was it the lower limits of what works well, another 5 building would have been more appropriate. It gave OKW owners an additional 11-month advantage, although with the GVs and low points (not to mention the themeing) OKW already had pretty good desirability.

bookwormde

Have you seen some of the requests for "categories"? Each section will be a category????

 

[dwelty]

Since DVC put the point chart in place before we all bought into it, I think it makes it difficult for them to make the booking category change fair. DVC should have thought about this before they created the SSR system.

I don't know if you have been following this post or not, but no one is asking for the points chart to be changed (nor should it be) they just want booking categories. This was done at OKW without changing the points chart. The preferred booking category cost the same amount of points at the standard booking category. It is just based on first come, first served (when you made your reservation, and what you asked for).

 

[dwelty]

I want to be able to know, in advance, before I pack, that I have a studio at the carousel, with no nearby laundry facility. I want to know that I will need to reserve a rental car and order a grocery delivery because we will be very far from the main building/food court. I want to know in advance not to bother bringing swimsuits because the pool is too far to drag my little one to.
I think some who don't mind having rooms far away may not have little ones to plan for.
I also don't understand that if those who are opposed to booking categories are so happy with whatever they get, why would they mind finding that out on day one?
also, DVC has made a LOT of changes since we bought in, so that's really not much of an argument. And, this resort is MUCH larger than what was originally proposed.
i could just hear the uproar if BWV owners were losing out on those Boardwalk views to non-owners and CRO guests - oh wait...they did and, consequently, booking categories were born at BWV hmmmm......

Exactly, I could not have said it better myself!!!!