Never stayed at the Saratoga Springs, but have rented a studio there. Wondered whether the studios are in particular locations in the resort, or spread out into each building? Also, are they on particular floors in the building? Is my first time at this particular resort (and looking forward to it)
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Saratoga Springs Studio
- Thread starter travellerman
- Start date
BCVTalsJam
Active Member
Never stayed at SS but my father has...he personally did not like them because if your trying to go to a park you have to catch a bus which then picks up more people for SS then it drops you off in front of the resort to catch another bus...this was a while ago so correct me if things have changed. Very petty there but I think he is just use to being so close to two parks usually staying at BWV. But to each their own...we own at BCV and one of the reasons we love it is for that same reason. We love being able to walk into two resorts with out having to get on a bus. But at SS your right by downtown Disney which is nice. I'm sure you'll have a great time but it may be a little but of a change from the other resorts. Where do you usually stay at? Have fun, Disney is Disney no matter where you stay lol
journ116
Well-Known Member
As @Rob562 has stated, there are studios located on every floor of every building. You might want to take a glance at the resorts' layout to get an idea of which building you'd like to "request" a studio in.
http://allears.net/acc/ResortMaps/SSR.pdf
Back in Feb. 2009, my family of 3 and I (with one on the way), split our stay at this resort: 2 nights in a studio and 3 nights in a 1-bedroom. Although the layout of the resort is enormous, it is nicely landscaped and beautifully decorated. IF you do not want a long walk to the main building, request a room at 'the Springs' at check-in (you might have to wait a little bit longer to get your room though). IF you do not want to deal with the throngs of people at the bus stops, request a building farther away from the main depot. IF you want a shorter walk to Downtown Disney, request a room in 'Congress Park' (my DH made that trek to DTD and really didn't mind the walk).
All in all, it is a nice resort...just know that it is a huge resort with many bus stops.
janoimagine
Well-Known Member
It has, SS has a dedicated bus line, no internal busses any more. Their are 5 stops in the resort. We thought the resort was beautiful ... the rooms recently refreshed. Go for a Studio in the Paddock area, it's the 3rd of the 5 bus stops, which only affects you when your returning ... outbound to the parks, just take the 2 minute walk across the bridge and catch the bus at the Springs stop, from their your headed directly to any of the parks.
BCVTalsJam
Active Member
So again there are a lot of bus stops in the resort lol...either way it's beautiful there just make sure your ok with bus issues lol
I dont mind walking so much (especially early morning with my coffee in my refillable mug lol) And as long as I get picked up by the bus and taken where I have to go thats cool. I've stayed at several different hotels and would have preferred the Boardwalk but couldn't get into there this time. But since I love Downtown Disney and being next to the river had me. I think its nice to try different Disney places and this is the one for this trip. So far I haven't been unhappy with any of Disney's accommodations (from Pop Century up through acouple moderates to three of the deluxe, always enjoyed my trip). Thanks for the link i'll go over the map and see where i'd like to request a room.
One more thing, janoimagine, where is that wonderful line from at the bottom of your post.
DVC4bestvacations
Well-Known Member
You need to take two busses to the parks only if you are staying at the tree houses. However the transportation to the parks is the only down side to SSR. Long waits as a rule.
slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
I don't think the bus issue is all that bad (though to be fair we always have a car so we have options if we don't feel like waiting for a bus). I think the perception is awful because a: if you are amongst the first on the bus going to a park, you've gotta wait those extra stops which feels interminable because you want to go go go go GO!
b: on the way home, if you're amongst the last stops, the wait also feels interminable because once you're on property you know you have to wait up to 5 more stops before you can finally relax, which can feel brutal. Also, if you're amongst the final stops on the way TO a park, by the time a bus arrives it may be packed so you're always SRO.
But here are the tradeoffs, which might not benefit you but definitely benefits some.
a: by being close to Downtown Disney, you're also close to a lot of extra dining options. For breakfasts or the occasional "stay at home" early night dinner, I'd opt to get pickup at Wolfgang Puck Express or Earl of Sandwich versus the more limited options at Artists' Palette.
b: If you have a shopper or someone who likes to be pampered, walking/boating distance to DtD and having a spa on site is a really nice perk.
c: 2 main pools and 4 quiet pools. Those quiet pools can be heaven for grownups without kids, OR if the kids just want a quick dip before bathtime and bed without a big to do going to one of the big guys.
d: Being so close to DtD also means you're still close to a "hub" with bus access to all the other resorts. If you don't have a car but like to resort-hop, go to the different restaurants, it's extremely convenient. Congress Park is IMHO the most convenient section to stay in because of its proximity to the bus stops. A 10-minute predominately shady quiet walk (until you get to the road), and you have access to buses to every other resort in WDW. If you want to go to the Beach Club for the character breakfast one morning, instead of taking the bus to Hollywood studios (which may or may not be crowded, and you have to wait for all those other stops), only to then walk or boat from Hollywood studios to the Beach Club, you can just walk to the bus stop, and the bus to the Yacht Club (which admittedly will still probably hit the other Epcot area resorts too), should be much less crowded. Likewise, you can go to a park in the morning, take a bus to a different resort for lunch or dinner or just to snoop/shop/beat some heat, and take a bus back to DtD and walk to your room. Or go to park in the morning, go home, take a nap or a swim, gussy up and take a bus to one of the resorts with a nicer restaurant (Cali Grill, Artist Point, Shula's, etc) or one of the dinner shows without stinking like a wildebeest. At that time of night, more people will probably be going TO DtD than from, so it might not be too crowded, and when it's time to "go home," most people will be leaving DtD, not going to it, so again, the buses shouldn't be too much of an issue.
Every resort has some degree of perks that the others don't. For people who just want to be close to the parks and hit 'em commando style from open to closing, the benefits to SSR aren't always so clear, but for people who like to wind down for a vacation, like to shop or spa or resort hop or lounge, they're nice options to have.
b: on the way home, if you're amongst the last stops, the wait also feels interminable because once you're on property you know you have to wait up to 5 more stops before you can finally relax, which can feel brutal. Also, if you're amongst the final stops on the way TO a park, by the time a bus arrives it may be packed so you're always SRO.
But here are the tradeoffs, which might not benefit you but definitely benefits some.
a: by being close to Downtown Disney, you're also close to a lot of extra dining options. For breakfasts or the occasional "stay at home" early night dinner, I'd opt to get pickup at Wolfgang Puck Express or Earl of Sandwich versus the more limited options at Artists' Palette.
b: If you have a shopper or someone who likes to be pampered, walking/boating distance to DtD and having a spa on site is a really nice perk.
c: 2 main pools and 4 quiet pools. Those quiet pools can be heaven for grownups without kids, OR if the kids just want a quick dip before bathtime and bed without a big to do going to one of the big guys.
d: Being so close to DtD also means you're still close to a "hub" with bus access to all the other resorts. If you don't have a car but like to resort-hop, go to the different restaurants, it's extremely convenient. Congress Park is IMHO the most convenient section to stay in because of its proximity to the bus stops. A 10-minute predominately shady quiet walk (until you get to the road), and you have access to buses to every other resort in WDW. If you want to go to the Beach Club for the character breakfast one morning, instead of taking the bus to Hollywood studios (which may or may not be crowded, and you have to wait for all those other stops), only to then walk or boat from Hollywood studios to the Beach Club, you can just walk to the bus stop, and the bus to the Yacht Club (which admittedly will still probably hit the other Epcot area resorts too), should be much less crowded. Likewise, you can go to a park in the morning, take a bus to a different resort for lunch or dinner or just to snoop/shop/beat some heat, and take a bus back to DtD and walk to your room. Or go to park in the morning, go home, take a nap or a swim, gussy up and take a bus to one of the resorts with a nicer restaurant (Cali Grill, Artist Point, Shula's, etc) or one of the dinner shows without stinking like a wildebeest. At that time of night, more people will probably be going TO DtD than from, so it might not be too crowded, and when it's time to "go home," most people will be leaving DtD, not going to it, so again, the buses shouldn't be too much of an issue.
Every resort has some degree of perks that the others don't. For people who just want to be close to the parks and hit 'em commando style from open to closing, the benefits to SSR aren't always so clear, but for people who like to wind down for a vacation, like to shop or spa or resort hop or lounge, they're nice options to have.
Going to ask this cause I've never been to Saratoga Springs until this upcoming trip. Do any of the other sections have areas that overlook Downtown Disney? Or is it just Congress Park (which looks like my favorite choice so far) Saying this, I think i'd be happy in any of the areas there, but can't hurt making a request for a particular section. I like to make an informed choice.
bethymouse
Well-Known Member
Just got back from SSR. We had a lovely stay! It's my favorite so far of the resorts! We stayed in the Paddock section 1st floor studio so close to the pool and bus. Loved just getting up and going to refill our cups right there!
We did walk to DTD. It's a long walk, but it was great to see all of SSR. I believe Congress Park is the only area that "overlooks" DTD. When you check in, request a room that overlooks DTD and just simply ask if Congress Park is the only section that has that view. Perhaps the Carousel section does.
The bus system was not bad at all! The most we ever waited was 10 minutes!
The Turf Club has excellent food! SSR really does have all of the amenities and "feel" of being HOME.
We did walk to DTD. It's a long walk, but it was great to see all of SSR. I believe Congress Park is the only area that "overlooks" DTD. When you check in, request a room that overlooks DTD and just simply ask if Congress Park is the only section that has that view. Perhaps the Carousel section does.The bus system was not bad at all! The most we ever waited was 10 minutes!
The Turf Club has excellent food! SSR really does have all of the amenities and "feel" of being HOME.
EOD K9
Well-Known Member
I would have to agree with @bethymouse While the resort is quite spread out, to me, it is the most relaxing. You don't have the feeling of being in a "regular" hotel like you do in BLT. I have stayed there, and while being a 4 minute walk to the MK is great, I just feel more relaxed as soon as we arrive at SSR.
disneysince71
Well-Known Member
WE also stayed at the Paddock on our last visit... LOVED it!Just got back from SSR. We had a lovely stay! It's my favorite so far of the resorts! We stayed in the Paddock section 1st floor studio so close to the pool and bus. Loved just getting up and going to refill our cups right there!
The bus system was not bad at all! The most we ever waited was 10 minutes!
Obi
Well-Known Member
it's great to see some love for ssr. quite often I've read many posts of people not liking it. I understand their reasons for it, however, I've stayed there twice now. once in the paddock section and the other time over in the grandstand section (which I like the most due to being first on/off the bus and close enough walking distance to the main area to catch the boat to dtd).
slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
I"m pretty sure some parts of the Grandstand section will also have a view of DTD, just closer to the West End/old Pleasure Island side of it (Congress Park is closer to the Marketplace section).
http://allears.net/acc/ResortMaps/SSR.pdf
willtravel
Well-Known Member
Is SSR kinda like Riverside?