SSR impressions

[nhdisnut]

We just returned from 5 nights at Saratoga Springs (December 24 - 29). We stayed in a studio in the Congress Park section. This was our second stay at SSR, first in a studio. We found the room to be very luxurious, certainly heads and shoulders above a standard hotel room elsewhere. Both the queen size bed and the sleep sofa were extremely comfortable. The fridge/microwave/toaster/sink area were very useful and all we really needed to prepare quick breakfasts.

While other reviews have noted the size of the resort, we find the size to really add to the quiet, relaxed nature of the place. There is an internal resort bus (if needed), and we used the resort buses to get from Congress Park to the main pool/check-in area several times when we didn't feel like walking.

We found during this trip in particular that the location near Downtown Disney was a real benefit. We had several dining reservations at other resorts and used the DTD "hub" to catch buses to those resorts. This worked very well for us.

Cast members were consistently friendly and helpful, and went out of there way to make sure we were satisfied with everything. We also enjoyed both the High Rock Spring Pool (my kids loved the afternoon pool party) and the quiet pool and whirlpool closer to our room.

This is our home resort, and it just seems to get better with each visit! We are looking forward to our next trip in April!::MickeyMo

[FormrCastMbr]

Thank you for sharing...we just went on the tour there and hoping to buy some points shortly...:)

["Got Disney"]

Glad that you had a great time. We are new SSR/DVC members and SSr seems to be the talk of the town lately with good and not so ggod reasons on why to stay there. I love the BCR but am looking forward to staying at SSR if not just to see what all the hubbub is about.

I live in SanDiego and have plenty of palm trees so for us staying somewhere like SSR will give us the feel of being away...some say that they dont want to stay there for that reason(does not make them feel like they are away) that they want to stay where there are palm trees.

So as always you can't argue taste!!! Thanks for the info...:thumbsup2

[elijahpep]

So glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay!

[chevyAZ]

We just returned from 5 nights at Saratoga Springs (December 24 - 29). We stayed in a studio in the Congress Park section.

Just missed you. We left Congress Park on the 20th and loved it. We especially liked how quiet it was and how convenient DTD was from Congress Park.
:thumbsup2

[Mischa]

So glad you enjoyed your stay at SSR. We had our first stay at SSR (and as DVC members) too; we were there from 12/12-20/06. And we were also at Congress Park (with a great view of DTD). We loved our studio - everything was just wonderful. The cast members were so friendly and helpful.

We are looking forward to our next trip in May (and I'm planning a "Girls' Weekend" in November). Can't wait!

[mikron]

I am glad to see more positive threads about SSR, I bought in 2004 and saw the potential for the resort. There was a lot of bad threads back a bit, I feel it was due the resort not realy being complete. When we bought congress park was the only place disney had to rent. Like moving into a new house with out finished walls just the studs.

[liznboys]

Thanks for sharing! :) We had a wonderful first stay at SSR in Dec. 2005, and we are SO excited to get back there for our second stay this March. :goodvibes

[Tumblwd501]

We might have seen each other, nhdisnut! We were in a 2-BR unit in Congress Park from 12/23 to 1/1. It was our first stay at SSR and as as DVC members and we absolutely loved it! Great experience from a clean room to top-notch CMs to great timing (ie no long waits) on the busses! And we loved that the DTD New Year's Eve fireworks seemed like they were 2 feet from our balcony!

[Esmerelda]

I'm so glad to hear you had a great stay! I have personally stayed at all of the on-property DVC resorts and SSR is absolutely without a doubt my fav and my families also. We love the layout...the pools...the bus system was great...the spa..and we think its super being able to walk to DTD whenever for dinner or shopping. Its nice to be away from the parks and the place is so quiet.

One of my fondest memories on our first trip there was we were all in the quiet pool late one night. The fireworks at DTD went off and it was breathtaking from our view (in the pool). I think they have since stopped the DTD fireworks but it was a highlight of our trip. We had no complaints about the resort whatsoever and are so glad its our home resort.

Esmerelda :)

[3DisneyKids]

Another fan of SSR here! Glad you loved your time your there...we have loved every SSR trip!

[Cee]

We were just there in Dec.(11-15) in a 2BR in Congress Park. It was our 2nd
stay there but have been staying there since waaaaay back when it was the
Disney Villas(then Disney Institute). Just Love, LOVE, LOVE this resort. I truly
can't think of anything that's wrong with it. :worship:

[mello]

We had a great stay in Congress Park last June. We enjoyed the spa and the springs pool, had nice lunches at both Artists Palette and Turf Club, and the beautiful landscaping & little critters scampering around - we had ducks come by our balcony every morning, and saw lots of geckos, bunnies, turtles and little frogs too. Another thing we really liked was the lovely walk to DTD, not to mention the pleasant boat ride back. For us it's a perfect mix of being near the action, yet not in the middle of it. Can't wait to try the Grandstand area when it opens!

[disneymom8589]

Reading everyone's posts makes me so excited for our 1st trip "home" in July!! :yay:

[starbox]

Glad to hear you had a great trip. ITA agree about the size adding to the quiet, relaxed feel of the resort & the benefit of using DTD as a transportation hub. We miss the convenience of being a short walk away from everything DTD offers (lots of food, entertainment, shopping, nightlife, transportation to other resorts) when we stay elsewhere.

We've got one more on-site DVC to visit before we return to SSR in August. I'm looking forward to seeing the new sections and pool area and trying the spa :cloud9: !! Hopefully they'll do the DVC block party at PI again this year while we are there.

[Squidrific]

I agree! We are live from SSR right now and staying in a studio in Congress Park. Here is a picture of the view from my balcony last night!

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b133/cjm117/DVC/Disney001.jpg

[MissyDVC]

DH & I just stayed at SSR in Congress Park 11/30-12/3 and we LOVED this resort. We just bought into DVC this past March and this was our first trip "Home" and we were so happy and so proud of our decision. We stayed in a 1-bedroom and thought it was lovely. We also loved the walk to DTD/Pleasure island as well as the boat ride. We used the hot spa tub, enjoy the food and found it peaceful and the buses were great as well. Can't wait to back! We are trying Villas @ WL in February but can't wait to return to SSR. Enjoy:goodvibes

[Starr W.]

DH likes SSR our home resort, I get the why try another? Since I make the ressies(DH hates the phone stuff, but makes gestures and "don't forget" type comments while I am on the phone to MS), I'll try to sneak BCV or VWL trips in! I have to find out what everyone talks about. Though he does want to go to VB &HH.

[drakethib]

W
We found during this trip in particular that the location near Downtown Disney was a real benefit. We had several dining reservations at other resorts and used the DTD "hub" to catch buses to those resorts. This worked very well for us.



I think you just said somethign that a lot of people may not have thought of.

The DTD hub has to be a great benefit. I know we have taken a cab on many occasions after dinner in lieu of taking connectiing bus rides.

Nice point.

[drakethib]

[QUOTE=Squidrific;16258697]I agree! We are live from SSR right now and staying in a studio in Congress Park. Here is a picture of the view from my balcony last night!



What a View !!!

[lazydazy8]

I have to admit, that I am one of "those" people that have been listening to the "poo-pooing" of SSR. We are brand spankin' newbies, plan to go "home" in November 2007. I had hoped to switch our SSR res to BWV 7 months out. Now, you guys are making me rethink that!!

Thank you for the fabulous reviews and the awesome points (DTD hub!). I'd love more pictures!!

[nhdisnut]

I have to admit, that I am one of "those" people that have been listening to the "poo-pooing" of SSR. We are brand spankin' newbies, plan to go "home" in November 2007. I had hoped to switch our SSR res to BWV 7 months out. Now, you guys are making me rethink that!!

Thank you for the fabulous reviews and the awesome points (DTD hub!). I'd love more pictures!!

I think you will love SSR!

This last trip was the first we really used DTD as a hub, and it really could not have been better for us!

I'm going to post some pictures to the "Post your DVC pictures here" thread at the top of this page. They are a few Christmas shots and a couple more general SSR shots. (By the way, there are a bunch of SSR pics in that thread - some of which I have taken)

[starbox]

I have to admit, that I am one of "those" people that have been listening to the "poo-pooing" of SSR. We are brand spankin' newbies, plan to go "home" in November 2007. I had hoped to switch our SSR res to BWV 7 months out. Now, you guys are making me rethink that!!

Thank you for the fabulous reviews and the awesome points (DTD hub!). I'd love more pictures!!

You should go to SSR for your first trip home! :thumbsup2 November is a great time to be near DTD since the parks tend to close earlier.

[lazydazy8]

Thanks nhdisnut(my almost neighbor- I'm in Maine) and starbox! I'm going to go check out the pictures now!!

[huizarst]

Thanks for all the great comments for SSR. We bought last year and in two weeks will be making our first trip "Home." I cannot wait till we are there. Looking forward to cooler temps and shorter lines. Will post report and pics when we get back.

Steven

[Disney MAINEiac]

I agree! We are live from SSR right now and staying in a studio in Congress Park. Here is a picture of the view from my balcony last night!

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b133/cjm117/DVC/Disney001.jpg

Oh great shot, our first trip as DVC owners was to our home resort and we stayed in congress park, corner room closet end toward DTD, 2nd floor great view of DTD and the midnight fireworks, short walk to DTD. we've been trying the other resorts since. :love: them all

[stc1223]

My group will be staying at Saratoga Springs for the second time next week. We own at the Boardwalk but there were no vacancies, last year, three months out when my son was accepted into the College Program so we (a party of 6 stayed in a 2 bedroom at Saratoga Springs). I love the action at the Boardwalk but I was curious about Saratoga Springs. We stayed not far from the Carriage House and I made many trips back and forth with groceries, etc and that was no problem, but looking at the map, I wonder what you do if you're on the other side of the lake.

Now we'll be back next week since my son's best friend was accepted into the College Program and, once again, no openings at the Boardwalk three months out. I couldn't think of anything to complain about with regard to the resort but I was wondering how much extra walking I'll be doing if we're in one of the buildings across the lake.

[starbox]

Now we'll be back next week since my son's best friend was accepted into the College Program and, once again, no openings at the Boardwalk three months out. I couldn't think of anything to complain about with regard to the resort but I was wondering how much extra walking I'll be doing if we're in one of the buildings across the lake.

The Springs is the last bus stop, so you can hop on any internal bus without having to wait long and ride to the Springs stop if you don't like to walk. It took, maybe 5-8 minutes to get places. We stayed across the lake in the height of August heat and I honestly did not mind the walk at all - there are lots of landscaped trails and paths and so the walking at SSR is more scenic and intentionally laid out than at some of the other resorts I've stayed in.

Here are some photos I took along the paths from CP to the main carriage house that help give an idea of what I mean by the paths being well-planned and enjoyable:
http://nor.zorpia.com/0/2156/13803452.94c3e3.jpg
http://nor.zorpia.com/0/2156/13803451.d7fceb.jpg
http://nor.zorpia.com/0/2156/13803448.e59efe.jpg

But, you can always request The Springs or use an internal bus. :)

[stc1223]

I do agree that it is a very beautifully landscaped resort. Unfortunately, last year, I fell and really did a number on my ankle (I was admiring the view as I came out of the back of the Main Carriage House and missed the last step and went right down), so a nice long walk was not quite as enjoyable as it could have been. I'll be sure to pay more attention to where I'm stepping this year. And I really can't wait to be there in just 8 days...:rotfl2: