Saratoga Springs

[GeoDonJac34]

We just rented DVC points for the first time, going Oct. 20 to 27. It took less than 24 hours to get our room from Davids rental. We got our fourth choice SS. BWV, BC, OKW were not available. So just looking for some info, tips, etc. on SS. Any info would be very appreciated.

 

[vjgraham]

We stayed there for a week back in 2009 and it was great. We did not use DVC but paid out off pocket for the stay. We had a 2 BR villa, which was not only spacious but very comfortable. We had the daily maid service (I don't think it is included if you are staying with points). Try to get a room in the "carousel" section if you can. It is only a 4 minute walk to the main pool and restaurant area, and it also has a very nice themed pool too. The best thing about this part of the resort is that it is the first stop that the busses pick up going to the park and the first stop to be let off coming back from the parks. The boat to DTD is nice and relaxing too. Hope this helps. Oh, and the two restaurants onsite are good too. BTW, I am originally from Philly.

 

[pcarathers]

We just got back in January...and while we stayed in the Treehouse Villas, we had to catch the internal bus to SS for the park buses......all in all...I do not think you will be disappointed. The boat ride to DTD is WONDERFUL! The resort is BEAUTIFUL! and we never waited more than 15 minutes for a bus to one of the parks....if ridiing Disney transportation, be sure to pay attention to the bus stop you will be getting on and off at. There are like 5 or 6 stops..we have already booked a 2nd trip for this resort in Sept. again staying at the Treehouse Villas........Hope you have a great trip!

 

[WishIWasAtWDW]

i stayed at ssr back in 2007 and i really liked the resort. i think the overall themeing of the resort is really well done and the rooms are beautiful. my husband's family prefers okw, since that is their home resort, so they weren't too happy with getting ssr but i like ssr better than okw. the rooms are really spacious and the boat to dtd is great. i remember the buses not being that great but that was also 5 years ago so hopefully they are better now. enjoy your trip!

 

[GeoDonJac34]

Thanks all for the replies. I am a little nervous going to a resort not knowing much about it. Especially when I keep reading about how big it is. I want to request a certain area, but have some researching to do. I don't want us to be stuck somewhere far away from everything. Thanks again.

 

[Princess_Minnie]

We have stayed at SS twice. It's a very nice hotel, but for us it lacks that Disney magic. :shrug:

BUT the great thing about SS is that it has...get ready... ELEVATORS in each building! :ROFLOL: Best thing ever when you are tired after a day at the parks. :sohappy:

The buildings are pretty spread out, as they are at OKW. We stayed in a building on our last trip with a view of DTD, and had a very nice end to the day sitting on our balcony and watching the boats on the water. This building was also the last stop on the bus route, so we got on the bus and went straight to the parks in the morning and afternoons. I can't remember what this area was called unfortunately, but maybe by looking at a map you could figure it out. :shrug:

We did not use the pool, so I couldn't reccomend that, but we have eaten the food sold at the main house and it was very good. :slurp:

Overall, SS is always our last choice, but we really love OKW and WLV.

 

[GeoDonJac34]

We have stayed at SS twice. It's a very nice hotel, but for us it lacks that Disney magic. :shrug:

BUT the great thing about SS is that it has...get ready... ELEVATORS in each building! :ROFLOL: Best thing ever when you are tired after a day at the parks. :sohappy:

The buildings are pretty spread out, as they are at OKW. We stayed in a building on our last trip with a view of DTD, and had a very nice end to the day sitting on our balcony and watching the boats on the water. This building was also the last stop on the bus route, so we got on the bus and went straight to the parks in the morning and afternoons. I can't remember what this area was called unfortunately, but maybe by looking at a map you could figure it out. :shrug:

We did not use the pool, so I couldn't reccomend that, but we have eaten the food sold at the main house and it was very good. :slurp:

Overall, SS is always our last choice, but we really love OKW and WLV.

When I put my requests in I thought I would get OKW. I was surprised it was not available seven months out. My brother in law who is a DVC member was surprised also. He called DVC and found out only SS AND AKL were available for that week.

 

[pcarathers]

the only issue we had with the buses was one morning we waited for almost 30 minutes for the MK bus.....not sure what the deal was with it being so late....we had several for each of the other parks, but not MK....anyhoo...we always allow extra time on the buses for other bus stops, traffic, etc......just do that and you should be ok. that was our only issue with the buses at SSR. It is a very beautiful resort and I personally do not think you will be disappointed.

 

[Florida_is_hot]

Large resorts.... I like to be near the hub.

Get breakfast, snacks, coffee....
It is too long of a walk from some building to the building with the services.

 

[slappy magoo]

The advice I always give - and I should probably stop as one day it'll probably bite me in the a___ and make it difficult to do this myself - is to request Congress Park. It's a brief walk (less than 5 mins) to the main house and pool, there is a quiet pool/hot tub right there, right next to a laundry room if you're staying in a studio, and it's also the closest section (easily walking distance, 5-10 mins) to the Marketplace section of Downtown Disney. It's a great place to stay if anyone in your party likes to shop, as you're so close to so many stores. You're close to many more dining options; one gripe about Saratoga Springs is that the food court (Artists' Palette) tends to get really crowded and isn't all that fast to begin with. Being able to walk to the Marketplace, with counter service eateries like Earl of Sandwich and especially Wolfgang Puck Express, is really convenient, especially for breakfast or nights where you want to hit the sack early (WPE will box things to go, and you can call ahead for pickup orders). Finally, if you don't have a car, being that close to the Marketplace also gets you close to a bus stop for all the other resorts. If you want to have dinner one night at, say, Beach Club, you don't have to take a bus to another park and bus or boar or walk to Beach Club, you can just walk to the Marketplace, one bus, less muss, less fuss.

 

[foreverbelle]

We own at SSR and actually really enjoy it. We were there last year right after they completed the new pool. Its right near the Paddock, we split time between BLT and SSR and my son actually loved SSR over BLT-the Paddocks new pool totally rocked...It may not be as super close to the parks as everyone likes, but in a lot of ways that is what we liked. At the time my son was 2 and so the separation from things was a little nice to have. Not to mention we were so close to Earl of Sandwich. I dif think you guys will have a wonderful time.

 

[Obi]

stayed at ssr twice. will be going back for a 3rd time this coming sept. will be staying in a treehouse this time around.

i really enjoy ssr. it's not overly "disney" but it's definitely themed to saratoga springs.

yes, it's a large resort, but my thought is that you already do a lot of walking in the parks and if i don't feel like walking around the resort i can hop on the bus to take me where i need to go.

what section you stay in depends mostly on what you are looking for.

for instance, if you are looking to be first on the bus and first off, then the grandstand section is the place to stay. unless they changed the route recently, grandstand is the first stop. plus, grandstand has it's own quiet pool and isn't too far of a walk to the main hub.

slappy also made some good suggestions about the congress section. close to the hub and also close walk to dtd...

elevators in the buildings is also a nice plus. boat ride to dtd is also nice if you don't want to walk over.

 

[Princess_Minnie]

the only issue we had with the buses was one morning we waited for almost 30 minutes for the MK bus.....not sure what the deal was with it being so late....we had several for each of the other parks, but not MK....anyhoo...we always allow extra time on the buses for other bus stops, traffic, etc......just do that and you should be ok. that was our only issue with the buses at SSR. It is a very beautiful resort and I personally do not think you will be disappointed.

What delays it the most is people on scooters. It takes a very long time to get them loaded on the bus, and no one can enter or exit until they are secured in place. This happened to us one time and delayed us by 15 minutes.

 

[TopOfTheWorld]

We stayed in the Grandstand at SSR in October of 2010, and would definitely stay there again. We loved being the first off the bus - since we didn't have kids then, we would just let everyone board before us, and cram ourselves into the front. Also, being first on wasn't so bad, as we were guaranteed seats, and it didn't seem as long as the ride around OKW. Also, it's quiet - we needed that after being at the parks all day!

 

[GeoDonJac34]

Thanks to everyone for their info and advice. This is really helping. So glad I found this site a few years ago. There is so much to learn about the world, and I want to learn it all.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

My advice? Keep checking availability at the other properties you wanted and try to do everything in your power to stay elsewhere. SSR has the feel of an "active living community" for the over 55 crowd. The only thing missing is plastic over the couches.

I know SSR has its fans, but I'm simply not one of them. I'd stay at a value resort before booking SSR.

 

[GeoDonJac34]

My advice? Keep checking availability at the other properties you wanted and try to do everything in your power to stay elsewhere. SSR has the feel of an "active living community" for the over 55 crowd. The only thing missing is plastic over the couches.

I know SSR has its fans, but I'm simply not one of them. I'd stay at a value resort before booking SSR.

Nick, you're scaring me now. After reading your response I immediately pictured the movie "The Flamingo Kid" with Matt Dillon. Now I am nervous. :lol: There is nothing I can do now the deal is already gone through with dvcrequest.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Nick, you're scaring me now. After reading your response I immediately pictured the movie "The Flamingo Kid" with Matt Dillon. Now I am nervous. :lol: There is nothing I can do now the deal is already gone through with dvcrequest.

I'm sure you'll be fine. It's just totally not my "scene," if that makes any sense. I prefer a place where there's a little bit more happening.

 

[GeoDonJac34]

I'm sure you'll be fine. It's just totally not my "scene," if that makes any sense. I prefer a place where there's a little bit more happening.

Understood. Just kidding about being nervous. I will be on vacation at Disney, so I am sure I will be fine. Thanks for the input, I love to hear the good and bad.

 

[dreamfinder]

Both OKW and SSR have understated themes. And because they are spread out, its a bit harder for people to get congested.

We stayed in the 6500 building of the Paddock, and walked to the main building at least once a day for breakfast/refills before hopping on the bus to the parks. It was a brisk walk, but with the exception of the rooms at The Springs, most of them would be.

Our biggest complaint was that Artist's Palette would get congested towards peak breakfast hours. There isn't much room in there to wait for food, and the line would get backed up. Now they may be using a beeper system like AKL does which would be a big improvement, but that was our only real complaint.