Saratoga Springs best location

[dmperry134]

Hi,

We joined DVC last year and will be stopping at SSR in October 06, I have read so many threads from members stating that the worst place to stop would be "The Paddocks". Therefore I need a little advise please, I have booked a 2 bed vacation home with a view of Downtown Disney, firstly have I done the right thing and if not which part of the resort should I ask for. Can I make this request by phoning member services or when we check in?

Many thanks

Dave from Worcestershire in the UK
:wave:

 

[disbest]

Your preference will only be honored according to what is available at the time of check-in.

We went last year and requested a room with a view of Downtown Disney.
We ended up in the Paddock's next to the construction. This was off-peak as well. They told us that room assignments are based on availability at the the time of check-in. Requests are only honored if that room is available at the time of check-in. Someone who made their reservation well after you may get the preferred room if they check-in before you.

Hopefully you will get the room you prefer, but you will not know until you check-in.

 

[dmperry134]

Booking system

Thanks for that, I will be putting in a call into member services and if they can't guarantee me the room we chose over 6 months prior to our stay, and I am certainly not stopping in The Paddocks (miles away from anywhere) then I shall request another resort and our 400 points will be sold on our return.
So what you are saying is: irrespective whatever you book, anyone who books even a few days prior to staying can take precedence because they arrive an hour or so before you. That isn't really fair is it?

Regards
Dave
:zipit: :zipit:

 

[disbest]

I don't believe it is fair either. We booked our reservation last year 11 months prior to our trip. We arrived late on the day of our check-in, due to issues we had with our flight, and they placed us in the Paddocks even though we reserved a room with a view of DTD. They told us that the reservartion is only a preference, and you are given what is available. Renters can get a better room if they check-in before you. I read on another posting where a person was given a handicap room because that is all that was available at the time of their check-in.

Maybe this is one of the reasons why there are so many SSR resales. I think people get disappointed after a few stays. Especially, if you begin to compare it to the other resorts.

The Paddocks is far from everything. It is a long walk to the theme pool. The only advantage is that it is one of the first bus stops. The bus can fill up before it reaches the main area.

 

[DisneyPhD]

The only DVC resort with "guaranteed" views is Boardwalk with standard, garden/pool and boardwalk. View requests are just that, requests and not a guarantee. This includes pool/lake/dumpster views at VWL and Epcot/service road views at BCV. I don't think the Paddock is any farther from the main building/pool than Congress Park (DTD view) and obviously won't have construction views much longer. It's also got its own quiet pool and a very nice playground. We've always requested the Springs and always gotten it but then we do arrive around noon or 1pm. Our only problem with the Springs was as others said, the busses in the morning would be full by the time they got around to it. SSR worked well for us in part because we had a car which allowed us to get around the resort and to and from the parks without having to wait for the busses. OKW is another resort where a car is a good idea.

 

[NJDVCMembers]

Good time no matter where you stay...

we could debate good and bad room locations all day. Your on vacation, relax enjoy yourself. No matter where your room is, they are all beautifully decorated and each has something great to offer. The Padock may not be some peoples first choice, but it isn't that bad. Your room overlooks the lake, so you don't see the DD hotels. The Springs are nice, close to the main pool and check-in area, Congress park overlooks DD, but is always full. We have stayed in 5 different buildings so far at SSR. Don't worry, there all great. Plus SSR usually has a room available immediately if you aren't "picky" about where you want to stay. We usually arrive at SSR around 10am, we always say we'll take whatever is available now. We aer in the room by 10:10am! Can't do that at other resorts or with room requests. You'll have a great time, we'll see you there, if your going in October.

 

[dmperry134]

Thank you all for the replies, it will be our first trip to SSR as members and I have read a lot or horror stories about the resort being not finished, the pools are small and always packed. The restaurant not good enough etc etc. So it is nice to see a more positive approach. You are right we should chill out and have a good time. We have stayed at Riverside 3 times and WL 2 and I love the Disney experience.
Thanks again
Dave
:wave: :wave:

 

[disbest]

I hope you have a wonderful time.
I would be interested to know how your trip went. Let us know your thoughts on the new construction.

Enjoy!

 

[Magic Maker]

Thank you all for the replies, it will be our first trip to SSR as members and I have read a lot or horror stories about the resort being not finished, the pools are small and always packed. The restaurant not good enough etc etc. So it is nice to see a more positive approach. You are right we should chill out and have a good time. We have stayed at Riverside 3 times and WL 2 and I love the Disney experience.
Thanks again
Dave
:wave: :wave:

HI Dave,
I understand that only a small percentage of the world has worked in the hopsitality industry. No one can gaurentee you anything in life in the broad scheme of things. Telling member services simply let's us know of your preferances so we can be mindful of that. But things happen. Maybe a family who stayed overnight the night before you check in is still do to stay a few more night, but something happens in their room, like a pluming issue. They are then moved to the nearest room which so happens to be a room with a view. When you check in, there are no longer any rooms with a view available.
Things happen. That's why it does not cost you any more or less points based on the view of location, because there are way too many things that can change between the six months and the minute that you check in. The Paddock is typically given to non members, but it is not as horrible as some people make it out to be. It is the weakest of Saratoga, but still it is great.

The Springs and Congress Park are the best so far, but the upcoming Grand Stands seem great too.

Also, so what is someone booked their trip last minute, if they are there first thing and the morning and a room is available they get it. We can't hang on to a room because someone says they are coming - what if that person that requested the view never shows up? We've now hung on to that room for nothing.

I can understand your frustration at first, but I hope you have become a bit more understanding. It does not cost you and more or less money to have a view or not. I hope you enjoy your stay at Saratoga, I aboslutely love it there.

 

[majortom1981]

hmm

We just came back from saratoga springs for my gfs families first stay as dvc members.

We stayed at Congress Park right oon the lake with a balacony view of downtown disney.

Too Me that w3as the best place to stay. Literally about an 8 minute walk to downtown disney along the path.

 

[peemagg]

If you read about any of the resorts, not only DVC, that all requests are just that requests. Disney makes that disclaimer on all of their rooms that they will try and honor all requests, but makes no guarantees.

Just because we are DVC members doesn't change the way they do business as far as room assignments. If you are worried that you won't get what you request, then be sure to be there early. We always fly down early and have never had a problem recieving what we requested, then again we don't ask for much, non-smoking, close to main building usually. This time we did request a view of DTD, but if we don't get it we won't be upset because we didn't. We will be happy with whatever as long as it is not a smoking room and not out in the boondocks. WE ARE AT DISNEY!!!!! How much better can that be??! :sohappy: