Best "non-preferred" area at SSR?

[4kidsandadog]

Getting ready to book a week in the World on Wednesday and will be doing a split stay between Boardwalk Villas and SSR. Don't have enough points to get into the preferred areas, so considering I will have a 4yo with me who will want to play in the pool, which area(s) should I go for in order to have a fun pool for her and make bus waits/rides/walks to the bus stop easiest?

 

[drusba]

The preferred areas are Springs, within which area is the original main themed pool, and Congress Park which has the best views and is closest to Disney Springs (f/k/a Downtown Disney). If close to a themed pool is a key concern then you might want to consider the Paddock area where there is now a second main themed pool, and request near the Paddock pool.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

"Near Transportation" is also code within Paddock for "where you want to be."

The Grandstand is your other better option. You do not want Carousel.

 

[erionm]

The Grandstand Section:
second closest section to the Carriage House (check-in, main dining, shops).
first stop for theme park buses.
has a leisure pool (with bar) with a kids play area.

Backstretch Pool Bar Menu: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/saratoga-springs-resort-and-spa/backstretch-pool-bar/menus/

 

[alc571]

We booked a standard studio last fall and stayed in The Springs area. I didn't realize there were preferred areas and not. I was hoping to request that area again - will we have trouble? We have 2 standard Studios booked.

 

[BillPA]

The standard and preferred areas are new, and don't start until Jan 1 2017. The higher cost area, preferred, are Springs and Congress Park, all others are standard units.

 

[drusba]

We booked a standard studio last fall and stayed in The Springs area. I didn't realize there were preferred areas and not. I was hoping to request that area again - will we have trouble? We have 2 standard Studios booked.

If you are going this year, you can still make and possibly get the Springs request. If you are going in 2017, and have booked 2 standard studios, you cannot get Springs or Congress Park because both require preferred points. When you went last fall there was no distinction and room costs per night were the same for every area. Beginning Jan 1,2017, standard now exists for lower points than before and preferred for higher. Disney has turned the two areas that were most requested in the past, Springs and Congress Park, into much higher cost rooms than before, close to BCV, BWV preferred, and VWL points needed per night, while the other three areas, Paddock, Carousel, and Grandstand, now have point costs per night close to OKW.

 

[Dean]

Getting ready to book a week in the World on Wednesday and will be doing a split stay between Boardwalk Villas and SSR. Don't have enough points to get into the preferred areas, so considering I will have a 4yo with me who will want to play in the pool, which area(s) should I go for in order to have a fun pool for her and make bus waits/rides/walks to the bus stop easiest?

I'd put Paddocks first and request close to pool. That'll put you closest to the pool and closest to the bus stop in all likelihood.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

We also prefer Dean's suggested location. Paddock pool is so nice and the location is great! We have stayed at 5 DVC resorts and my kids like SSR the best! They love the nature and beauty of the resort. Turtles, otters, snails, lizards... always something to keep them interested.

 

[Anal Annie]

OUR preferred section is the Grandstand which will be considered "standard" once the new views kick in. It is the first bus stop and the pool has a nice splash play area. Our second choice would be Paddock....but it's really spread out so request close to bus / transportation as a secondary request which will also put you close to the Paddock pool.

 

[Dean]

OUR preferred section is the Grandstand which will be considered "standard" once the new views kick in. It is the first bus stop and the pool has a nice splash play area. Our second choice would be Paddock....but it's really spread out so request close to bus / transportation as a secondary request which will also put you close to the Paddock pool.

Listing Paddocks near pool is likely better because it puts you both near the pool and the bus stop there. If you list paddocks near transportation they might put you in the furtherest building that's closer to Carousel bus stop or the other end near Congress park bus stop.

 

[alc571]

If you are going this year, you can still make and possibly get the Springs request. If you are going in 2017, and have booked 2 standard studios, you cannot get Springs or Congress Park because both require preferred points. When you went last fall there was no distinction and room costs per night were the same for every area. Beginning Jan 1,2017, standard now exists for lower points than before and preferred for higher. Disney has turned the two areas that were most requested in the past, Springs and Congress Park, into much higher cost rooms than before, close to BCV, BWV preferred, and VWL points needed per night, while the other three areas, Paddock, Carousel, and Grandstand, now have point costs per night close to OKW.

Thank you! We are going this September, so it sounds like we can still request Springs

 

[edk35]

We prefer the Grandstand area but also stayed in the Paddocks once too and that was fine. We were next to the pool.