Tell me about Saratoga Springs

[OurBigTrip]

For our trip to WDW in July 2014, our top choices are 2 BR villas at 1) BLT 2) AKL Kidani or 3) WL, but as of now, none of those are looking promising.

SSR, on the other hand, always seems to have availability...but I couldn't find a thread for it here.

My biggest concern is this: how spread out is it? DH and I like lots of pool time, and the teens (we'll have three with us) won't want to walk forever to get to the themed pool.

What is the best area for close proximity to the theme pool?

TIA!

 

[JennyDrake]

allearsnet.com has great photos as well as resort layout. YES, it is a very large resort. The one "themed" pool isn't exactly overflowing with theming. In fact, most of the theming at SSR is subtle. Don't get me wrong--it is a BEAUTIFUL resort, but to me is was more like a "regular" resort in theming and less over-the-top Disney.

 

[stacy6552]

SSR is a great resort! We love it. Just put in a request to be close to the pool/lobby and you'll be fine.

 

[Tigjam630]

We were there in January. It is a huge resort, but very pretty and quieter then other resorts in my opinion. It is also nice to be so close to downtown disney.

We stayed in Congress Park section which was about a 10 min walk to the main pool and counter service food. However, there was a quiet pool right outside our balcony and we were only about a 5 minute walk to downtown disney. We went to downtown disney every day for a meal or shopping...loved that! The view of downtown disney off our balcony at night was also great. Downside was the lengthy walk to main buildings, but if you requested another area you could avoid that.

 

[nolanboys]

SSR also has phenomenal pools and being close to DTD is great for dinner in the evening. Just request to be close to the main building and you will be fine. Although it is spend out, we enjoy the beauty and quietness there.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Thanks everyone!! All of the great information is much appreciated!

 

[Sammie]

There are three themed pools, not one. The main pool, the Paddocks pool and the Grandstand pool. The Congress Park while not themed has a great view of Downtown Disney across the lake.

The resort while large to be feels no larger than Riverside, CSR or CBR.

The main pool at the Springs and the newer pool at Paddocks have the slides.

 

[DVCMikey]

We love SSR. It is very spread out. Its a really huge resort. However at any bus stop you can take a bus to the main pool.

There are also nice smaller pools at different areas. The Grandstand has a nice pool, along with the paddock pool that has a nice slide, and childrens play area.

I would say ask to stay near the paddock. The pool is fun and it doesn't get as crowded as the main pool.

They also serve food and beverages there too. (as well as the carousel area)

 

[Darkside]

We stayed in 8821, our 2 bedroom villa overlooked the Grand stand pool and our balcony over looked the golf course. We were a 3 minute walk from the carriage house(where we refill our drink mugs and eat) and a 2 minute walk from the bus stop(Grand stand bus stop is first to pick up and first to drop off). I would recommend any villa in the 8500-8800 at the Grandstand. It was really nice to be able to hit the hot tub at the pool every day after the park and only be a few minutes from our villa.

 

[NicoleLarson]

Why don't the others look very promising? Kidani is huge so I would think you could get in there fairly easily if you are looking at it from an availability stand point. Are you a dvc member wanting to book at 7 months? As long as you book right at the 7 month window you could probably get any of them, perhaps just not the exact view you want. ( BLT standard view is very hard to get but usually lake view is available at 7 months)

 

[OurBigTrip]

Why don't the others look very promising? Kidani is huge so I would think you could get in there fairly easily if you are looking at it from an availability stand point. Are you a dvc member wanting to book at 7 months? As long as you book right at the 7 month window you could probably get any of them, perhaps just not the exact view you want. ( BLT standard view is very hard to get but usually lake view is available at 7 months)

We don't own DVC, and I'm basing my opinion on the availability on Disney's website. Knowing that we can't book until 11 months out, I've been checking daily as we get closer to the day when we can book, and availability for 10 nights has dried up at all three resorts. Not that it can't change in the next couple of weeks, it just doesn't look promising right now.

 

[Sammie]

We don't own DVC, and I'm basing my opinion on the availability on Disney's website. Knowing that we can't book until 11 months out, I've been checking daily as we get closer to the day when we can book, and availability for 10 nights has dried up at all three resorts. Not that it can't change in the next couple of weeks, it just doesn't look promising right now.

Are you renting from a DVC member or paying cash? Just wanted to make sure you know the inventories are different.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Are you renting from a DVC member or paying cash? Just wanted to make sure you know the inventories are different.

Paying cash...or rather, Disney gift cards LOL.

 

[JennyDrake]

It was really nice to be able to hit the hot tub at the pool every day after the park and only be a few minutes from our villa.

Yes, the hot tub is DIVINE.

 

[Junebugwv]

We've stayed 3 times at SSR and the first time we were far from everything at The Paddocks. That was before the pool renovation. The next time I requested to be close to the main pool and the Carriage House (The Springs) so I was disappointed when we were told that our assigned room (Springs) was not ready, but she offered us the Grandstand. I declined and reminded her of my requests. She kept emphasizing that we would not be disappointed. Let me tell you, when we took that long road trip to the Grandstands, I was quietly saddened by the distance. Looks are deceiving because we had wound around to a building right by the pool and the beautiful walkway to the Carriage House gave us 2-3 minute access to the main pool, Carriage House and boat to DTD.

We requested the same building for our third trip. The 3 teens with us loved the location.

 

[Disney Fool]

What was the area of the Grandstand that you were assigned? We are staying there in a two bedroom in November and still unsure which area would be best for us.