Ssr?

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Don't laugh. DH and I are trying to choose between Saratoga Springs and Pop Century.

Dh has read the negative press on Saratoga Springs, and fears that we will have trouble getting around there. I have foot problems that have flared up on all but one of our previous Disney trips. I will not get an ECV.

Going to SSR depends on getting last minute points from Dave.

So...will we be happier at Saratoga? Will it be possible to get last minute points for the first week in January? Does Dave ever reserve last minute points for resorts other than SSR. Our friends are staying at the Contemporary, so BLT or WL would be fantastic.

Finally, (not DVC specific) if we tell CRO or the front desk that we need a frig at Pop so that I can freeze water bottles for my feet, will we have to pay $10/day for the frig, and does the frig have a freezer?

Please make us feel better about SSR.

 

[Sammie]

Personally we love SSR, so can't even imagine wanting to stay elsewhere.

As to it being large, yes it is and so are many other resorts, but each building is close to a bus stop which will take you anywhere you need to go.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Personally we love SSR, so can't even imagine wanting to stay elsewhere.

As to it being large, yes it is and so are many other resorts, but each building is close to a bus stop which will take you anywhere you need to go.

Sammie - I've looked at the resort map, and see that MOST of the buildings are very near a bus stop. I've wondered though...how bad is it if you absolutely lose the lottery on room location and getting to a bus.

Plus, if you make a request and tell them you must be close to a bus stop, will you usually get your request?

 

[DisFanJen]

Disney will usually try an honour your request if they can and I never had any issues getting around SSR which is relevant as I need a cane to walk.

SSR is a great resort, if you can get in I'm sure you'll love it.

Hope that helps.

 

[Greysword]

I have a reverse question, which should help (if answered honestly). What makes Pop a great choice over SSR?

No one can say if you'll be happier at SSR or Pop, except for you after that particular stay. Is a deluxe resort better than a value resort...yes, in many ways. Would OKW be better than SSR?

If you are going this January, it is within the 7-month mark anyway. Why not call MS and ask what is available during your time frame? You may be surprised.

Oh, I'd bet the walk to a bus stop can't be any worse than having to walk to EPCOT or HS from BWV or BCV.

 

[supernova]

I guess it'll depend on when you are going down. I've never had an issue with making a request for a building location. But it's not so much to be near the lobby. I like staying in the buildings at the very front of the property so that I have the longest walk over to Downtown Disney. Sounds like walking wouldn't be advantageous for you with your health issues in your foot. If you speak to someone, they can probably shuttle you over to your building, if you're too far after you check-in. But as far as requesting a room close to a bus stop, they should be able to accommodate you there, considering how many buildings there are on the property.

SSR has always seemed like the redheaded step child of the DVC properties. Whenever I can't get a room anywhere else, Guest Services ALWAYS offers me SSR.

One thing to keep in mind about being near a bus... the buses run pretty late at night/early in the morning. If you're window is too near a bus line, it will keep you up. Awful.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I have a reverse question, which should help (if answered honestly). What makes Pop a great choice over SSR?

No one can say if you'll be happier at SSR or Pop, except for you after that particular stay. Is a deluxe resort better than a value resort...yes, in many ways. Would OKW be better than SSR?

If you are going this January, it is within the 7-month mark anyway. Why not call MS and ask what is available during your time frame? You may be surprised.

Oh, I'd bet the walk to a bus stop can't be any worse than having to walk to EPCOT or HS from BWV or BCV.

Greyword -- I love your question.
Not to put an answer in dh's mouth...I would say familiarity.

As for checking for the 7 month mark...we are out of points!!! We will only stay at a DVC resort if we can find some really cheap points, and believe that would be at SSR. We want and need BLT... or any monorail resort...but...it looks like it will be a value...or SSR IF we find cheap points!

As for the walk to BWV or BCV...it is all according to what we did that day, or how bad my feet hurt. On one trip, my feet only flared up once or twice after very long waits...on other trips...I've hobbled from one bench to the next with long rests between ride lines. You'll never catch me waiting 75 minutes to ride TSM.

 

[Doug7856]

Honestly the size of POP is HUGE and they have ONE bus stop. While SSR is huge too, there are FIVE bus stops.

There is no comparison to the quality of studio at SSR and the room at POP. My kids love POP, but I can't wait to enjoy the wonderful sheets and luxurious towels at SSR. POP sheets are from Walmart (not really) and the towels are rough and uncomfortable.

You will have to make your own decision, but in my mind there is no comparison. Pop has it's pluses, but SSR wins hands down in my book.

 

[Greysword]

We will only stay at a DVC resort if we can find some really cheap points, and believe that would be at SSR. We want and need BLT... or any monorail resort...but...it looks like it will be a value...or SSR IF we find cheap points!

Thats the trick, isn't it. It doesn't matter if they are SSR points, Aulani points, or VB points, you can use all of them at BLT if there is a room available. Just ask Dave to get you the scratch n dent points (even holding accounts would work within your time frame, too) and see where he can get you a room. You may be able to pickup some soon to expire points for really cheap.

Then again, you could reserve Pop and keep looking for points (and BLT/VWL availability) and cancel the room if you get a good deal between now & then.

Just thinkin'

 

[El&Asmom]

Don't know what your dates would be or the room size you are looking for, but we are on the waitlist for Jan 6th for a 1bd. Not sure if there will be rooms left. If you are looking for after new years and before marathon weekend you may have luck.

We've never been to Pop, but love SSR. Seems that they would be completely different styles of resort. The studio's will be larger than a room at Pop, and the pools nicer as well.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Will Dave consider letting go of scratch and dent now for January? We are trying diligently to keep the cost of this trip very low.

 

[bnk1120]

First, I personally love SSR. Stayed there for the first time this summer and can't wait to go back. Also recommended it to two other family members who booked trips there. We are VWL owners but will be staying at SSR again this summer.

I got cheap points last year from the timeshare store. I told them my info and they set everything up. It was super easy. When they have a member's points that are about to expire, the price per point is reduced to $8. Good deal.

finally, could you do a point transfer? I recently got points from a member for a good price. I made a Ressie and banked the rest. That way you could get the points now, make the ressie and wait list for BLT.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Does the timeshare store rent points too?

 

[bnk1120]

Does the timeshare store rent points too?

Yes!

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . Dh has read the negative press on Saratoga Springs . . . . . . . .

Where does this come from? For every negative experience someone has at SSR, there are 100s of stories of delight! SSR gets no more horror stories of dissatisfaction than any other resort at WDW, but the myth continues; it is like a brother-in-law that comes to stay a few days, walks around in his bathrobe all day with beer in hand and cigarette in mouth, complaining about his privacy, yet won’t move out.

I have heard for years this "negative press" thing, yet fail to find it. Most stories are of dissatisfaction due to unrealized expectations on the part of the poster of what a "Resort" is about.

Yep, SSR is not a hotel style experience. It is not an "in your face" themed resort. Yes, it is big, but well laid out and has a very private feel! Mousekeeping indeed makes mistakes, just like everywhere else.

But fear not! SSR is a wonderful Disney Magic Experience! Your family will thoroughly enjoy it and want to revisit SSR again!!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Sorry if I offended. I will say that the cleanliness of SSR was never in question. I worry more about cleanliness at my beloved boardwalk.

 

[Dizny Dad]

I reviewed the thread and can't see where anybody was offended. My comments were concerning a myth that seems to float around WDW for some reason. You commenting about it or asking is why is the reason we have this great forum and enjoy it so much!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I reviewed the thread and can't see where anybody was offended. My comments were concerning a myth that seems to float around WDW for some reason. You commenting about it or asking is why is the reason we have this great forum and enjoy it so much!

Thanks diznydad! I do enjoy the boards, too much I think. I've read so much over the years, and have been a day visitor to SSR. We've always said we would save Saratoga for a last minute trip. That has more to do with knowing it will be there for me, and not wanting to step out on my true love, boardwalk villas. I'm sure if we can get a reservation on our limited budget, we will love it!

 

[tomandrobin]

We have stayed at AKV-Jambo, AKV-Kidani, AKV-Concierge, BLT-LV, BWV-BV, BWV-STD, BCV and VWL.

Hands down our overall favorite resort is SSR. Last year, we splurged for three rooms at BLT for the kids. They were so excited to stay at BLT. By day 3 of our stay, the kids (19 & 25) were complaining how they miss staying at SSR and requested SSR for this year's trip at New Year Eve.

The resort is beautiful, has more amenities and activities then any of the other DVC resorts. The new Paddock Quick Service was sorely needed and is a huge enhancement. Bus stops are plentiful, as previously noted. We usually get the section we requested, but on the few times we didn't like the room location they worked to get us a new room.

My only complaint....I will not stay in the Carousel section.

 

[Sammie]

Sammie - I've looked at the resort map, and see that MOST of the buildings are very near a bus stop. I've wondered though...how bad is it if you absolutely lose the lottery on room location and getting to a bus.

Plus, if you make a request and tell them you must be close to a bus stop, will you usually get your request?

I know being far away is subjective, but I don't feel any building at SSR is far from a bus stop.

Congress Park is probably the area best for being closest to a Bus Stop and the Springs. There is one building I feel is a pretty good distance to the bus stop and that is the Grandstand building closest to the Treehouse Villas. Even Carousel is close to a bus stop and now close to the new Paddock pool.