During the December 2024 Condo Meeeting for Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort, the board of directors commented on the status of the resort's spa, transportation around the resort and whether or not Saratoga Springs is "oversold".
Editor's Note: Beginning in 2024, Florida condo associations are required to hold quarterly meetings, rather than the annual meeting previously permitted under state guidelines. These smaller meetings are can only be attended by owners of the resort. DVCNews will be present at several of these meetings and will report back with some brief recaps.
Approximately 60 owners of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort were present for the meeting held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
Board members in attendance: Yvonne Chang, Bill Diercksen, Shannon Sakaske, Alison Armor, Steve Whittington. Also present were Tylana Hill (Treasurer) and Karen Grip (Member Rep). Also present was resort General Manager Kelly Klein. The meeting began by approving the minutes from the September meeting.
The floor was opened for questions from members in present. Questions were spread over two separate Q&A periods, but have been grouped together for simplicty. Note that questions and answers listed below are paraphrased unless direct quotes are attributed.
Q: When will the spa reopen?
A: "We are analyzing that space at this moment. We have heard that feedback, for sure. We'll definitely continue to look at that." per Bill Diercksen
Q: Are there any plans to offer a live stream of the meetings?
A: DVC considering the option and has heard feeback from other members, but no plans to announce at this time. Board members always recommend using other feedback options to communicate with management. Contact resort staff for any issues encountered during stay. Every bit of feedback sent via the member website is read and considered.
Q: Why do some mini-fridges not have freezers?
A: (No direct response offered but those with need for freezer should contact resort to see if units are available to be swapped out.)
Q: Is there anything that can be done to improve transportation quality during peak periods? Any plans for Skyliner access to Saratoga Springs?
A: If buses or bus stops are overloaded with guests, make sure you're communicating with bus drivers as they can request additional resources. There are no current plans to bring the Skyliner to Saratoga Springs.
Q: Any plans for an internal bus loop to help guests get around the resort?
A: There are pros and cons to "circulator" bus loops including need for transfers, loading an unloading of ECVs. Most buses travel the same route through resort (Grandstand, Paddock, Congress Park, The Springs) and can be used to get around. Disney Springs buses stop at The Springs first and then proceeds around the resort.
Q: Any plans to resume the "Derby Dash" fun run?
A: It's good to hear positive feedback regarding the fun runs and it is on radar for "future strategies." But nothing to announce at this time.
Q: Can anything be done to improve consistency of 4:00pm room availability time? Member has been told room access could be as late as 8-9pm.
A: 4:00pm is the designated time for DVC rooms, driven by check-out time and the size of the villas. Disney systems track progress very closely and it is a focus for management. Room assignment as late as 8pm should only happen in exceptional situation involving maintenance issue. It is "absolutely not the norm."
Q: Is there a target funding level for the Capital Reserves budget?
A: Per Tylana Hill, the goal is to be "fully funded." Reserves are planned for the duration of the association, with the refurbishments planned at 7 years (soft goods) and 14 years (hard goods.) Reserves are budgeted to have funds available whenever those projects come due.
Q: Every year, DVC passes a resolution to allow any overages from operating budget to be placed in Reserves. Does that help lower the amount collected for Reserves?
A: Yes. Any monies transferred to Reserves would help offset future needs, reducing the amount to be collected from members in later years.
Q: Member has never received annual budget or notice of meeting. How can we get this corrected?
A: All members should be receiving hardcopy notice via mail or electronic notice on the website. If not, please reach out to DVC to investigate.
Q: Vacation Club resorts are often posted on AirBnB and other platforms nearly a year in advance. Thought villas were only supposed to be available for owners. Is Saratoga Springs oversold? (Meaning, were more points sold than the number of rooms would allow guests to stay in a year?)
A: Regarding the idea that resorts are oversold, Shannon Sakaske responds: "Absolutely not. Our resorts sell up to 100% of what was originally declared for that particular resort. There are resale transaction that occur because members want to sell. Someone else buys it. But it stays at the points originally allocated for the property." DVC villas being made available to cash guests is a function of the trading program which allows owners to trade their points for non-DVC destinations like cruises and non-Disney hotel stays.
Meeting attendees also shared a variety of stories regarding positive interactions with resort Cast Members. Included was a parent whose child has severe food allergies, and had very favorable experiences with Disney chefs, servers and other restaurant staff accommodating their needs.
During the meeting, the 2025 budget was approved by the board. The new Annual Dues rate is $8.54 per point, an increase of $0.40 or 4.9%.
The meeting adjourned after 45 minutes.
