Allearsnet reviews SSR

[Melrosgirl]

Not very positive. I'm hoping my stay on Saturday proves this review wrong, lol (bus transportation, construction noise, etc.)??

I can't find a link to the full report on their site. I hesitate to copy and paste their newsletter review here - not sure if it's allowed.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by Melrosgirl
Not very positive. I'm hoping my stay on Saturday proves this review wrong, lol (bus transportation, construction noise, etc.)??

I can't find a link to the full report on their site. I hesitate to copy and paste their newsletter review here - not sure if it's allowed.

Deb has asked that you do not paste the newsletter. It is very easy to subscribe for anyone wanting to receive it. Usually later on the reports will be on the site.

Funny I read it and did not find it horribly critical. I did not really read any concern over construction noise more the sight of the construction from the bus stop which at this point is to be expected.

As to the transportation she stated it was good except to Downtown Disney. Considering all resorts have horrible transportation to DD I was not expecting this to be any better even being close. I just don't think the Disney transportation system is set up to be efficient except to the major parks.

I think if you go knowing what to expect from the other construction areas you won't be disappointed.

Seems everyone agrees on the beautiful landscaping.

 

[JimC]

I read the report as well. Thought it was realistic about the construction. You can' t hide it with the building schedule the created.

I am not surprised about the lack of a sit down restaurant. It is just Disney being Disney -- looking after their vested interests in DD. They want more dinner guests there and SSR will be significant potential patronage at DD.

Personally I preferred the old DI. Too bad the concept did not sell well enough. The worst part is the old treehouse villas section that is just going to waste.

 

[jbwolffiv]

I too read the report. I can imagine that the construction will be very visable for a while, but I am willing to accept that. I plan to walk to DD if the path is open in August when I go. I was diappointed in the Artist Pallett report, granted it was only for one choice on the menu. I am still looking for a menu from there.

 

[Pinnie]

I read her review and took it with a grain of salt. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and I will form mine after I visit there in July.

Sure, there is going to be construction. The alternative would be to keep the place CLOSED until it was finished, but can you imagine the outcry if that happened?

As to the lack of a restaurant, I don't find that an issue. SSR is in close proximity to DD not to mention all the choices of restaurants in the area of CROSSROADS.

Just a thought. Do most DVC'ers drive/rent a car when staying at their "home"?

pinnie

 

[JudithM]

I, too, read the review, & each guest/visitor has their own opinion. We toured SSR during MH & didn't find the construction objectionable. Actually we liked seeing how the building is being put together & took some photos of the construction. Construction is to be expected since the resort is not complete.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Originally posted by Pinnie

Just a thought. Do most DVC'ers drive/rent a car when staying at their "home"?

pinnie

I can't imagine not having a car and often wonder how some folks manage. When we vacationed at WDW (off-site) in '97, we had a rental because I didn't want to rely on the hotel shuttle. However, the UG also strongly recommended having a car available even if staying on-site as it made getting around the Disney property much easier. As well, despite loving Disney to the extreme I know we will want to check out restaurants and stores off-site as well as make a trip to the Gulf Coast. With the price of rental cars so reasonable, I can't see the economy in not having one and being at the mercy of Disney transport, hotel shuttles and public transportation.

 

[timC]

Long-term, construction will be a non-issue. Anyone interested in buying into SSR should ignore that aspect.

However if you're looking for a vacation spot this year, you might want to think about it... We visited SSR a couple of weeks ago. Although I don't recall any noise, I found the construction to be a visually intrusive...kinda snaped me out of my "Disney" state-of-mind for a minute.

 

[Regina]

The construction at SSR didn't bother me. It reminded me of when we stayed at OKW in the beginning. I know that it can be visually unappealing, but that's not a problem for me.

BTW, contrary to the review, there most definitely is food available in the Turf Club. We had the most amazing Saratoga Potato chips with warm bleu cheese topping. I can't wait to have it again (and again) when we stay there in July. There were a few other finger foods on the menu, but I can't remember the specifics.

 

[robmary]

I want to thank all of you who just wrote your positive thoughts on SSR. I had just read the review and was second guessing our decision to stay at SSR in 1 1/2 weeks. We have a 3 and 5 year old and this will be our first trip "home" to SSR. We were probably one of the first families to buy there. They started selling it while we were there last year. We don't live in the room. It's a place for us to sleep. Mostly I hope the pool area is nice. My kids are very much looking forward to it from the pictures we have seen. We do drive and we drive to each park. For 2 reasons. First, when we want to leave a park we want to leave. If you get my thought. With small children and a stroller waiting for the bus would be worse than walking to the car. Our second reason is that we bring our dog and visit her at the EPCOT kennel 2 times a day. She is small and doesn't do well boarding at home or vets. She does better being able to see us.

The review made me even call member services to see what else was available during our stay. She said all the resorts were sold out but OKW and that was very limited too. So, we are going to stay at SSR. I expect to give my thoughts when we come back, but mostly I just want my fix of Disney magic for a week and it doesn't need to come from SSR, this time.

 

[mrsminniemouse]

John
I saw the menu for Artists Palette on Deb's website, I think....could be wrong. Check the newsletter again, I think there is a link.

Mandy

 

[colleen costello]

We were at WDW a week back and visited Saratoga. The Allears review made a lot of sense to me. Saratoga is LOVELY, and I imagine anyone staying there will have a fine time. The pool was gorgeous. There was just a real sense of "We're not finished yet!" When I posted my trip report here, I mentioned waiting to decide about Saratoga because there is clearly so much more to come. One nice man at a DVC desk pointed out the cinema, for example. They may leave it as a cinema or do something else with it, but won't decide 'til later.

Saratoga is definitely "a work in progress." There are some things that are clearly not done (like the path to DD), and it will be cool when they are done. In the meanwhile, guests staying there will enjoy shiny new rooms, a great staff-to-guest ratio, and virtually no wait for anything they request! The pool sure wasn't crowded, even in hte heat of the day. I noticed the construction fencing way less than I noticed the lack of people -- it seemed quite empty when we were there. But I truly doubt anyone will feel they are staying in a hard-hat zone. I hope everyone heading down agrees and has a great stay. Someday when it is 100% complete and crammed with visitors, we will all wish for the days it was so sparsely populated!

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by jbwolffiv
I too read the report. I can imagine that the construction will be very visable for a while, but I am willing to accept that. I plan to walk to DD if the path is open in August when I go. I was diappointed in the Artist Pallett report, granted it was only for one choice on the menu. I am still looking for a menu from there.

The menu is posted here on the DIS in the photo section. Here is a link.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Saratoga-Springs/pages/Artists-Palette_08.htm

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Saratoga-Springs/pages/Artists-Palette_09.htm

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Saratoga-Springs/pages/Artists-Palette_10.htm

 

[mickeymouse710]

I am not surprised about the lack of a sit down restaurant. It is just Disney being Disney -- looking after their vested interests in DD. They want more dinner guests there and SSR will be significant potential patronage at DD.

Aren't all the sit down restaurants at DD, non Disney owned restaurants? Disney owns the land but aren't all the sit down restaurants at DD establishments that have leased space at DD but are run by non Disney companies.

 

[princess girls]

I wanted to add something that dh and I had with a CM at the Turf Club at SSR last week. He mentioned that there was a huge building near the Spa not really being used much right now and how in 2005 when Phase II was done that it could very well turn into a seated dining area. I think with the 828 units in 2007 they will definitely have the demand then.
I did not find the construction to be that bad. Just look the other way, geez! Wait till it is done folks! It will be awesome!
Dh did have that Caeser Grilled Chicken salad that Deb tried as well. Yes it was poorly presented, cold chicken was not grilled and lettuce was whole and just laying there. Not worth 7.50 he said. My Turkey and Brie sandwich was more than enough for 7.50. Half went home with me.
Another conversation with a lifeguard brought up the subject of the hot surfaces around the pool. He said that the more people complain then the sooner they will change out the tile. As for now the lifeguards spray it down with water hoses to keep it cool. Even my 2 yr old went tip toe around the pool saying "hot". However the slide is excellent! Thumbs up!
Bell hops were super nice! Even helping to take luggage up to third level on arrival and departure. Several people did not know of that option so they were carrying their own up and down.
All in all, SSR is a work in progress!!! We will be back in Dec 2005!
Can not wait to see the changes then!

 

[eporter66]

Again - everyone has an opinion.

We rent a car, so we had no problem getting around.

The construction did not bother us. Sure, it detracts a bit from the look and vibe of the place, but be realistic. Would you want the place to not open until the whole resort was complete? It did not bother us at all.

Enjoy SSR - its a great resort!