New Saratoga Springs Map

[tjkraz]

Courtesy of www.dvcmember.com, here is the first published map I've seen with all Phase 3 units present:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c328/tjkraz/Saratoga_Springs_Map.jpg

(Closeup of "The Grandstand")
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c328/tjkraz/Grandstand.jpg

(Closeup of "The Carousel")
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c328/tjkraz/Carousel.jpg

[carolina_yankee]

Are those the full size images?

It looks like the Carousel section will be out in the hinterlands - pretty far from any pools and a major hike to Artist's Palette. The Grandstand doesn't look too bad, since they'll have their own pool. I think it will be a really nice resort when finished. Our first after constsruction should be this time next year.

Dirk

[tjkraz]

The top image is the map exactly at it was posted by Disney. The other two are just cropped and enlarged from the same image.

"The Carousel" buildings don't appear to be any further from the main building than the furthest units in "Congress Park." Probably not the most desirable location in the entire complex. The main advantage would appear to be transportation--quick getaway with your own car and first bus stop when using Disney transportation.

[athenna]

Thanks for posting that, Tim:howudoin:
Can't wait to see the Grandstand when it's all finished:kickingco

[ghost1000]

I stayed at SSR but don't remember something. Is it like OKW, where you don't have a view of the parking lot from your balcony?

[Rozzie]

I stayed at SSR but don't remember something. Is it like OKW, where you don't have a view of the parking lot from your balcony?


I was studying the same thing Rita. On our last visit, we did a drive thru to spy on the construction and it seemed like the Grandstand would have nice views. I was disheartened to see the Paddock'sCarousel views of a major roadway. Guess I'll stick to my beloved Congress Park or Bust. :sunny: After all, I am a view snob!! ;)

[jaysue]

No views of parking lots from balconies (at least in the Springs) - the balconies are on the "back" side of the buildings and face gardens, trees, walkways and water features - the front doors are on the parking lot sides of the buildings

Cheers
jaysue

[jaysue]

Tim, thanks for this - do you have any info on the projected date for these sections to be open?

Cheers
jaysue

[carolina_yankee]

I stayed at SSR but don't remember something. Is it like OKW, where you don't have a view of the parking lot from your balcony?
I don't know how it is in the Grand Villas (which may have a window or two facing the street), but I don't think you get a street or parking lot view from any room location. The outside corridors and room entries are parking lot side, the views fact to the interior. Not a problem at all.

Dirk

[lllovell]

Actually - this isn't true. The building across the street from the mail pool and HH area of the resort have parking lot balcony views (and you can see across to the pool and other buildings right there). Look at the buildings across form the main pool, to the right of the lake. The section on the end facing the pool is going to have parking lot views. We stayed there and trust me, the quick walk across to the pool and to the store/restaurant, etc was WAY worth it to my family even with no view.

As for the section by the road, I wouldn't mind staying there since any bus would take you to any sections of the complex and you would get off first when you arrive home tired and ready to crash! Also, if people are willing to walk to DTD from the currently opened buildings, this is certainly WAY less of a walk than that is.

Thanks Tim!

Laura

[bavaria]

The two buildings on the far left of the Grandstand appeal to me - I don't need to be near the main facilities. But I can't think of any appeal to staying in Carousel - quick entry/exit isn't a big deal as I always rent a car, and can't think what I would be doing that I would need THAT quick of a getaway! ;)

[KNWVIKING]

The building across the street from the mail pool and HH area of the resort....Laura

Wouldn't the water ruin all the letters, or at the least cause the stamps to fall off ? Sounds like some more poor planning at SSR. One more reason I'm glad I didn't do an add-on there.

[tjkraz]

Laura is right--the are balconies that face the parking lots or roads.

If you look at each building as being roughly "U" shaped, the only "side" of the building that does not have balconies is the very bottom.

Here's another doctored version of the map I posted. I placed bright yellow marks in the areas that would have balconies facing in the general direction of a road. Each of these wings that is marked would have 8 units (two per floor)--some combination of dedicated and lockoff Two Bedroom villas. The only room class that would be guaranteed to not face a road would be the Grand Villas.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c328/tjkraz/SSR_Balconies.jpg

EDIT: Of all the DVC resorts, Old Key West was probably designed to do the best job of shielding the roadways from view within the units. The BoardWalk has about 20% of its rooms lining the entrance drive or facing the valet parking lot. An entire wing of the BCV sits right alongside Epcot Resorts Blvd. Not sure about VWL but I'm guessing it's mostly shielded by trees--except for the dreaded "dumpster view", of course. ;)

Someone asked about opening dates. I believe the first building in "The Carousel" is supposed to open 11/1. DVC then said that another building will open "about every 1-2 months." Sounds like the second Carousel building will be open by 1/1/07 at the latest. So we're probably looking at 2/1 or 3/1 for "The Grandstand" to begin opening. I assume the new pool complex will open with the first guest building in that area.

[lllovell]

Wouldn't the water ruin all the letters, or at the least cause the stamps to fall off ? Sounds like some more poor planning at SSR. One more reason I'm glad I didn't do an add-on there.

:lmbo:

[jaysue]

Wouldn't the water ruin all the letters, or at the least cause the stamps to fall off ? Sounds like some more poor planning at SSR. One more reason I'm glad I didn't do an add-on there.

We're glad too!!! :sing:

All kidding aside, c'mon and join us SSR crazy owners :fresh:

Cheers
jaysue

[jaysue]

Someone asked about opening dates. I believe the first building in "The Carousel" is supposed to open 11/1. DVC then said that another building will open "about every 1-2 months." Sounds like the second Carousel building will be open by 1/1/07 at the latest. So we're probably looking at 2/1 or 3/1 for "The Grandstand" to begin opening. I assume the new pool complex will open with the first guest building in that area.

Thanks Tim

Cheers
jaysue

[carolina_yankee]

Actually - this isn't true. The building across the street from the mail pool and HH area of the resort have parking lot balcony views (and you can see across to the pool and other buildings right there). Look at the buildings across form the main pool, to the right of the lake. The section on the end facing the pool is going to have parking lot views.
Laura
I stand corrected. Thanks for the clarification, Laura!

And thanks, Tim, for the map with the yellow balcony locations. Very helpful for planning.

Dirk

[Rozzie]

I stand corrected. Thanks for the clarification, Laura!

And thanks, Tim, for the map with the yellow balcony locations. Very helpful for planning.

Dirk

double thanks Tim from the President of obsessive complusive view wanters! where not only am I president, but also a client!

From my journey's from the May trip, I think my new favorite building will be Grandstand on the canal, or whatever it's called. Nice and peaceful. :sunny:

[Leftcoaster]

Actually - this isn't true. The building across the street from the mail pool and HH area of the resort have parking lot balcony views (and you can see across to the pool and other buildings right there). Look at the buildings across form the main pool, to the right of the lake. The section on the end facing the pool is going to have parking lot views. We stayed there and trust me, the quick walk across to the pool and to the store/restaurant, etc was WAY worth it to my family even with no view.

As for the section by the road, I wouldn't mind staying there since any bus would take you to any sections of the complex and you would get off first when you arrive home tired and ready to crash! Also, if people are willing to walk to DTD from the currently opened buildings, this is certainly WAY less of a walk than that is.

Thanks Tim!

Laura

Last February, I was in the building across from that and it was awesome being stepd from the bus stop, and main pool area. I would take it again in a heartbeat. And where our studio was, we had a nice view of the pond and other buildings.

[lllovell]

It looked like a great view along the pond side :) Honestly, we enjoyed watching people milling around in the morning having coffee on the balcony, even if the whole world didn't want to see me in my jammies. :holymoly:

I think I am very easy to please. I might get an amazing view one of these days and never want to go back, but being steps from the bus stop and across the street from the maiN pool and HH was fantastic!

I wonder if all the GVs are on those inside views. I know we took our friend in the open house GV that was down the hall in our building and it was facing the pond.

Laura

[tjkraz]

I wonder if all the GVs are on those inside views. I know we took our friend in the open house GV that was down the hall in our building and it was facing the pond.


All of the GVs would have prime views.

Here is a picture of one of the resort buildings:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c328/tjkraz/SSRBuildingCloseup.jpg

All of the buildings have the same layout. The two GVs in each building span the 2nd and 3rd floors where I have colored in pink. You can easily spot them from the outside by the large 2-story picture windows.

Apply that knowledge to each building at the resort and you'll see that they should all point toward a waterway, pool, DTD or some other landscaped area. All of the buildings are positioned so that the middle part of the building "U" face toward the most attractive area. It's the end units that will have some of the lackluster views.

[lllovell]

Have I told you today that you rock Tim :) I figured you would know and thanks for sharing. Made sense to me that there wouldn't be grand villas on the "ends" of the buildings but I wasn't sure.

Two per building. I am sure there is some great equasion as to why there are only 2 per building, but it sure seems like with their high demand, they might have wanted more. I am sure point wise it is not as efficient though, so they do a "minimum" to keep us all with a chance to get a GV I suppose.

Thanks Tim.

[CRSNDSNY]

Wow...this place is HUGE!

[tjkraz]

Two per building. I am sure there is some great equasion as to why there are only 2 per building, but it sure seems like with their high demand, they might have wanted more. I am sure point wise it is not as efficient though, so they do a "minimum" to keep us all with a chance to get a GV I suppose.


Hard telling how they came up with the number. Most of the GVs, pre-SSR, were at OKW and are MUCH cheaper on a nightly basis. They only have 7 at BWV.

With the SSR GVs, you really pay (in points) for that extra luxury. For weekday stays, you could get TWO 2B villas for less than a single GV:

Adventure
2B 27
GV 67

Choice
2B 29
GV 71

...and so on.

Of course, those with enough points to afford a GV probably aren't too concerned about saving a dozen points here and there. But I imagine it would also depend on the type of party going. If you've got parents taking a family of 3-4 kids plus spouses/girl/boyfriends, a GV would be ideal. I'm an only child so even when I treat family, it's often extended family who I'd rather have in a room next door. ;)

BTW, that SSR Grand Villa that costs 67 points in Adventure season...the same room at OKW is only 36 points. Choice season is 71 SSR vs. 38 OKW. Not much of a mystery as to why the OKW rooms are so in-demand, eh? :thumbsup:

[tjkraz]

Two per building. I am sure there is some great equasion as to why there are only 2 per building, but it sure seems like with their high demand, they might have wanted more. I am sure point wise it is not as efficient though, so they do a "minimum" to keep us all with a chance to get a GV I suppose.


Hard telling how they came up with the number. Most of the GVs, pre-SSR, were at OKW and are MUCH cheaper on a nightly basis. They only have 7 at BWV.

With the SSR GVs, you really pay (in points) for that extra luxury. For weekday stays, you could get TWO 2B villas for less than a single GV:

Adventure
2B 27
GV 67

Choice
2B 29
GV 71

...and so on.

Of course, those with enough points to afford a GV probably aren't too concerned about saving a dozen points here and there. But I imagine it would also depend on the type of party going. If you've got parents taking a family of 3-4 kids plus spouses/girl/boyfriends, a GV would be ideal. I'm an only child so even when I treat family, it's often extended family who I'd rather have in a room next door. ;)

BTW, that SSR Grand Villa that costs 67 points in Adventure season...the same room at OKW is only 36 points. Choice season is 71 SSR vs. 38 OKW. Not much of a mystery as to why the OKW rooms are so in-demand, eh? :thumbsup:

[lllovell]

woah! I had not actually checked the numbers as the only GV interest we have ever had was for staying at OKW and I think I got very lucky and got a GV after the 7 month mark has passed.

It is hard for me to justify a one bedroom for my family until I factor in the cost of food and space to relax and it quickly becomes a GREAT value. We really do actually cook meals and some days don't eat out at all while at WDW (except for a snackie somewhere which the kids often still share with Dad and I because they are pretty big for small hands).

But it is still nice to dream....

Laura

[jaysue]

Can't see us getting a GV at SSR with the point structure they have in place - During Magic 97/117 per night - for those kind of points, I will try for a BWV GV or rent BWV points or swap points. BWV GV point costs are high but at least you get prime real estate and views (we have stayed in a BWV GV)

We have tossed the idea around of adding an OKW resale to satisfy our GV "lust" :hammer: every third UY

Cheers
jaysue

[tjkraz]

Yeah, I was kinda surprised by the high point cost myself. But I read posts from people talking about their upcoming GV stays frequently enough to know that those rooms aren't sitting empty.

The GVs at BWV are still 10-15% higher, and with only 7 rooms (one HA), clearly they are not an option for many. And, of course, we don't all share the same definition of "prime real estate and view". ;)

[jaysue]

Yeah, I was kinda surprised by the high point cost myself. But I read posts from people talking about their upcoming GV stays frequently enough to know that those rooms aren't sitting empty.

The GVs at BWV are still 10-15% higher, and with only 7 rooms (one HA), clearly they are not an option for many. And, of course, we don't all share the same definition of "prime real estate and view". ;)

Agreed - we am pretty liberal on DVC room views etc. - would only pay extra GV points (vis-a-vis OKW) for the BWV location and view - we do own at SSR and are quite happy with the design and views but would not cough up the points for a GV there

Cheers
Other half of jaysue

:kickingco

[dianeschlicht]

Makes me glad I own OKW and can reserve the GVs 11 months out.