Saratoga Springs for 1st time

[Iggipolka]

We have a 3 year old and a newborn & are staying at SSR in October. We love the Paddock area b/c the pool is fantastic. We get groceries & cook breakfast in our room, but I'm happy to hear that breakfast is being offered at the Paddock pool now too.

 

[Sammie]

With the new pool Paddocks is now our favorite area.

 

[DisneyDetective]

I love Saratoga Springs but I'm biased as it's home resort. Although the new Paddock pool makes the area really cool, I'm still a Congress Park resident, lol!

 

[Junebugwv]

We stayed (checked out 8/22/12) at the Grandstand section near the pool and really liked that area. I have a question for those of you who have stayed there. The refillable soda station at the pool had so many bees crawling in/around the soda spouts that we could not get near it. I asked the man at the bar about it and he shrugged and said it is a problem. I noticed that the drink station was not open again for the remainder of our stay, even though the bar area was open. Is that typical or did we happen to be there during an unusual bee problem?

 

[Junebugwv]

.

 

[mickeyoverload]

We are staying here in October and I asked the lady at MS which area would be the best... She told me that with a 4yr old and 6 month old that she would request grandstands...honestly after staying in VWL on the top floor in the very last room on the hall the furthest away from the elevator (made bringing in a very tired little boy. Ack to the room almost impossible) I can't imagine being any worst than that! Lol! I swear every time we walked down that hall I felt like I was in the Shinning!

 

[dvcterry]

We stayed (checked out 8/22/12) at the Grandstand section near the pool and really liked that area. I have a question for those of you who have stayed there. The refillable soda station at the pool had so many bees crawling in/around the soda spouts that we could not get near it. I asked the man at the bar about it and he shrugged and said it is a problem. I noticed that the drink station was not open again for the remainder of our stay, even though the bar area was open. Is that typical or did we happen to be there during an unusual bee problem?

we had the same bee problem, at bcv last time and blt time before that

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

We just returned from a stay at SSR 8/15-8/23. It was out first stay. We booked it 2 wks bf arrival. We were in Grandstand 8621. We had the mugs due to DDP. I was very disappointed that the pool refill station was closed most of the stay and also refused to go near the high rocks one due to the bees. Thankfully DH isn't as chicken as me and he refilled our mugs.

We had issues at check in - specifically the text that the room was ready. We received 3 texts within 30 mins total. Each from a different source saying our room was ready. We were at DTD at the time and I called to get our room number and was told 2 times our room was not ready. The third text had our room number listed. We stopped at the front desk to figure out if our room was really ready. They stated only one text was sent. I showed them I received texts from DVC and SSR.

We also didn't get full service till day 5. We had 3 connecting ressies. . ( pt-cash-pt) they assured us that we would receive full service but somehow it wasn't done on day 4.

We also ended up with 18 refill mugs due to our connecting ressies.

My dc were not impressed w community hall in comparison to OKW and AKV. Pools were good.

I am not sure if we will return to SSR. We usually stay OKW and AKV. I missed the size of the 2bdrn that we are use to. SSR seemed much smaller in villa size..

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

It really disappoints me that Disney won't fix the bee problem. They have the solution -- they installed an air curtain at the new Paddock Pool that keeps the bees away from the refill station. I really wish they'd retrofit it onto the other refill stations, too. Lord knows they make enough profit on the mug sales to pay for upgrades that would give guests a sting-free drink experience.

 

[Junebugwv]

It really disappoints me that Disney won't fix the bee problem.

I certainly agree. Bees don't bother me too much, but there was no way to avoid getting bees in the mug. The station did not open at all for the next 5 days of our stay. There is no reason to have a refill station that can not be used.

 

[Junebugwv]

It really disappoints me that Disney won't fix the bee problem.

I certainly agree. Bees don't bother me too much, but there was no way to avoid getting bees in the mug. The station did not open at all for the next 5 days of our stay. There is no reason to have a refill station that can not be used.

 

[cupcakefairy2u]

It really disappoints me that Disney won't fix the bee problem. They have the solution -- they installed an air curtain at the new Paddock Pool that keeps the bees away from the refill station. I really wish they'd retrofit it onto the other refill stations, too. Lord knows they make enough profit on the mug sales to pay for upgrades that would give guests a sting-free drink experience.

OMG I am allergic to bees and have a Epipen because of it . I would never even think about going near the drink machine if I saw even one bee . They should get a air curtain and let me use it wherever I go LOL

We love the Grandstand section because my kids are grown and married and love to walk to DTD when they feel like it . We stay in the room with my grandkids or take them to the small pool . I will take my granddaughter to play in the new pool though : )

 

[Mikey_B]

I'm hoping to stay onsite next April/May, strongly considering SSR as a base due to its proximity to DTD. I just have a couple of questions to put to the experts on here!

As a 'hotel' guest, rather than DVC will my room be serviced daily?

Is my plan to walk to DTD as a hub a good one? Do buses run late from the other resorts as I would like to eat at other restaraunts or visit the bars and get a late bus back to DTD then walk to SSR.

Thanks in advance everyone.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I'm hoping to stay onsite next April/May, strongly considering SSR as a base due to its proximity to DTD. I just have a couple of questions to put to the experts on here!

As a 'hotel' guest, rather than DVC will my room be serviced daily?

Is my plan to walk to DTD as a hub a good one? Do buses run late from the other resorts as I would like to eat at other restaraunts or visit the bars and get a late bus back to DTD then walk to SSR.

Thanks in advance everyone.

If you're booking through Disney's central reservations for a cash stay, yes, you will get daily maid service.

DTD does have late-night bus service, and the Marketplace section of DTD is a very close walk to the Congress Park section of SSR. Most of the Marketplace closes by Midnight, though. It's a much longer walk to the Pleasure Island and West Side sections of SSR if you're talking about very late at night. If the buses don't stop at the Marketplace stop, you may want to consider changing to an SSR bus rather than walking back.

The path between DTD and SSR is lighted the entire way, but there are sections that are somewhat secluded. If you're walking in a group, this probably isn't an issue. If you're on your own, though, you may want to consider the bus late at night for security purposes, too.

Depending on the time of day, DTD buses also stop at Typhoon Lagoon. Factor that into your travel time (especially near dinner time when the water parks are getting ready to close).

 

[allymouse]

Hi All,

We are renting points from a broker and staying at SSR Oct. 28 - Nov 2.
Two adults, no kids. We will mostly be all about the parks, Food and Wine Festival, probably a night at DTD and the Boardwalk. Proximity to busses is probably most important. We might not get in the pool depending on our schedule and the weather. So, Grandstand? Might be nice to be close to the shop too. I would appreciate any feedback.


I know this is a hot topic... but will we have access to the lounge at BLT?
Not sure if it's just for DVC guests staying at BLT, or if it's open to any DVCers. Not sure if we would qualify as "members" since we rented our points either.

If we are at the Boardwalk at night, what's our best option to get back to SSR? Not opposed to just taking a cab.

How late does the boat service to DTD run?

Thanks!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Hi

I would say to best way to get SSR from the BW is to go into EPCOT and get the bus to SSR. Somebody might suggest a better way?

You can only get to the lounge if you are a DVC member. You have to show your card I believe.

Did you look at the Springs? Its very close to the artist palette and the bus stop. Its I think the smallest block.

Hth

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Hi All,

We are renting points from a broker and staying at SSR Oct. 28 - Nov 2.
Two adults, no kids. We will mostly be all about the parks, Food and Wine Festival, probably a night at DTD and the Boardwalk. Proximity to busses is probably most important. We might not get in the pool depending on our schedule and the weather. So, Grandstand? Might be nice to be close to the shop too. I would appreciate any feedback.

Check out FAQ #4 in this post for my thoughts on the "which section?" question.

If we are at the Boardwalk at night, what's our best option to get back to SSR? Not opposed to just taking a cab.

The cab would certainly be your quickest option. If DHS is open, taking the boat there (or walking) would probably be quicker than walking all the way through Epcot. If you don't have an annual pass or park hopper, it will also save you from having to use an Epcot admission.

Another option would be to take the Boardwalk bus to Downtown Disney, then either transfer buses, take the boat, or walk back to SSR. Note, though, that DTD buses are notoriously the longest wait.

How late does the boat service to DTD run?

I'm not certain about October. During the summer, I think the last boat back to SSR was at Midnight. The boat captains will usually always mention the time of the last boat back during the ride to DTD.

 

[cayennews]

The best thing about SS is that you can walk to Downtown Disney. You can get relatively inexpensive meals in downtown. The Earl of Sandwich is great, but often busy.

 

[DisneyDetective]

We enjoy Congress Park as its close proximatey to DTD, there is a quiet pool which we enjoy as its always empty and we enjoy reading our ebooks at side of pool. It's also only 5 mins from main area and boat launch.