Boardwalk, Animal Kingdom and SSR People

[rutgers1]

I have three questions that I hope you can answer:


For SSR Folks: I am booked at the Springs. Any downside?

For Boardwalk: How big of a difference are there between the views? Is standard view stinky?

For AKV: If we were to book there and didn't get Savannah view, would my kids' trips be ruined? Would they otherwise still see the animals? If we didn't have Savannah, what would we look out upon?

 

[Tozzie]

I have two questions that I hope you can answer:


For SSR Folks: I am booked at the Springs. Any downside?

For Beach Club: How big of a difference are there between the views? Is standard view stinky?

For AKV: If we were to book there and didn't get Savannah view, would my kids' trips be ruined? Would they otherwise still see the animals? If we didn't have Savannah, what would we look out upon?

SSR doesn't have booking categories so you may have requested the springs but that doesn't mean you will get it.

AKV there are lots of places around the resort to view the animals you just won't have them outside your balcony.

 

[Fatalbie]

Springs- not the greatest views. That being said here is a pic of our view from a studio.

Very convenient to all the main resort amenities,pool, dining, comm hall, fitness, boat to DTD. Also not a bad walk to DTD if you need to burn a couple of extra calories

 

[lisareniff]

For SSR Folks: I am booked at the Springs. Any downside?

SSR currently doesn't have any booking 'view' (or location) categories.

For Beach Club: How big of a difference are there between the views? Is standard view stinky?

BCV also doesn't have any booking 'view' categories. Were you intending to say BWV?

 

[brookelizabeth]

For AKV, if not Savannah, the other choices are parking lot or pool. Even if you book Standard or Value there is a chance you get Savannah.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Here's a couple of pictures of our 5th floor "stinky" woods view at BCV. We enjoyed it. Any particular views are requests only.

 

[BroganMc]

Springs- not the greatest views. That being said here is a pic of our view from a studio.

I wouldn't say that, always. If you're on the Broad Street side of the buildings there then yeah you do get lovely views of your car and the main street in the resort. But if you're in the center of the building or the side toward the lakes then you get some of the prettiest water views around.

I love the 1bedroom views right smack dab in the middle by the elevators.

Probably the biggest downside to the Springs are busses in the AM. Since it is the last stop, you'll probably be standing up hanging on to a rope. But you'll also be taken directly to your destination park of choice. MK and MGM are about 12 minutes away. EPCOT about 7. Animal Kingdom is the longest (18+ minutes) because they stop at Blizzard Beach first. But it beats hopping on at Grandstand and riding around the resort an extra 10-15 minutes.

There are tricks though. You are a very short walk to the first stop on the route (Grandstand). And an even shorter walk to the 3rd stop (Paddocks) and 2nd stop (Carousel). I find if I've just missed the whatever bus, I can catch the next one as soon as I make it over to Grandstand.

Being in the Springs is also great for making refillable mug runs and having dinner by the pool on movie night. It's very easy to just pop back to your room for a corkscrew or something.

Community Hall and the bikes at Horsin' Around are right there too. As is the exercise room, spa and arcade. The ferry is accessible behind the AP gift shop. Just look for the hallway-to-nowhere and keep going. The pathway to Westside is there too if you have a hankering for movies, Cirque or some BBQ at House of Blues.

 

[dallastxcpa]

AKV has many public viewing areas so there are lots of places to see the animals if you don't get a savanah view.

To me the attraction with BCV is Stormalong Bay and the huge balconies. We really enjoy the rooms overlooking the quiet pool.

SSR we prefer Congress Park, but are kids are older and we prefer this location due to the quick walk to DTD.

 

[rutgers1]

Yes, I meant Boardwalk, not Beach Club, but I enjoy hearing about Beach Club too!

Thank you to everyone who has posted thus far. My wife and I have enjoyed your responses!

 

[Nikisha421]

Springs- not the greatest views. That being said here is a pic of our view from a studio.

Very convenient to all the main resort amenities,pool, dining, comm hall, fitness, boat to DTD. Also not a bad walk to DTD if you need to burn a couple of extra calories

not the most convient but very close to the main pool and thats all my DD requires a pool and forever!!!

 

[rutgers1]

The other views around Saratoga Springs must be great because I have no problem at all with that view. In fact, I really like it.

 

[goofy4tink]

I own at BW and have yet to stay in a standard view villa. I usually get a boardwalk view or at the least, a preferred view. That being said, I am booked for a standard view one bedroom this summer. The views aren't stinky at all...they look out towards Epcot, and the bus stop. Not so bad at all. I am looking forward to being in a standard view villa for the first time..not worried at all about what I'll be seeing. Just happy to be using fewer points.

 

[DisneyGal74]

For SSR...No downsides! The only thing we find is if you are going and it is Busy...you want to get the first or second bus stops! This makes for a great way to be sure you get on the bus you want and if your standing on the way home your off first!! LOL...all the views are great! We like to stay at the Grandstand..it's the newest part of SSR! but all areas have their +'s!
Enjoy your trip!!

 

[crisi]

Boardwalk Standard Views are not "stinky" - but they do overlook the front of the building - lawn and the drive in - Boardwalk Boardwalk Views are very nice (I find them to be a little noisy, but now that the horrible Mickey hand is gone from Spaceship Earth, the view is very pleasant and the people watching is good). Boardwalk Preferred views can be almost as good as Boardwalk Views - and can be as bad or worse than the standard views. I like to think of it as preferred views are like views at most other DVC resorts - some good, some bad, some dumpster - the standard views and boardwalk views are great values.

However - other people think they are great values too - and with preferred view being 60% of the resort and standard and boardwalk being approximatley 20% each - the earlier you are able to book, the better your chances of snagging a great value.

 

[starbox]

SSR - No downside I can think of to The Springs - other than it being the last bus-stop, which means more of a chance of a Standing Room Only bus and a longer ride home.

BWV - I am in the camp that is Boardwalk View or nothing. I think the view really makes the resort. IMHO, the rooms are not that great - I find them a little worn and cramped-feeling - but having an entire wall open up to that magical Boardwalk (which is stunning anytime of day or night) is what makes the resort. If I'm not going to get that view - I'd rather get a value room at AKV or OKW to save points and have a resort with more ameneties.

AKV - the savanna-view is awfully nice, but I don't know that it's make-it or break-it. We've stayed in a value room to save points and it's still a really magical resort.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

I have three questions that I hope you can answer:


For SSR Folks: I am booked at the Springs. Any downside?

For Boardwalk: How big of a difference are there between the views? Is standard view stinky?

For AKV: If we were to book there and didn't get Savannah view, would my kids' trips be ruined? Would they otherwise still see the animals? If we didn't have Savannah, what would we look out upon?

Question 1: We stayed at Springs when we went in May. The location was really great. The only downside is it's the last bus stop, so often the busses are quite crowded. Other than that, we loved it. We were right across from the Carriage House, and it was a nice stroll past the pool to get from there to our room.

2: Boardwalk view is very, very had to get at BWV b/c there just aren't that many of them. If at all possible I would avoid "standard" view; it tends to be, as you put it, "stinky." The regular ol' preferred view rooms are fine; usually the pool(s) or the canal leading to MGM.

3: No, your trip absolutely won't be ruined! We've stayed at AKL 3 times, and only once was with a savanna view. The savanna view was wonderful, but we enjoyed our pool view rooms just as much. There are *tons* of places to see the animals!!

 

[Paulieuk1969]

SSR, we have never stayed in the Springs but as others have said the buses are usually pretty full by the time they get there. Each section has it's own benefits, the Springs in central and close to the resort amenities, Congress Park has the Downtown Disney views, Grandstand has golf course views and a feature pool with kids play area, Carousel is very quiet and just inside the gate making it handy if you have a car (but a long walk to the resort centre), the Paddock has water views and a quiet pool.

AKV, at Jambo house (the lodge) there are plenty of places to view the animals on all the savanna's if you don't have a savanna view room. Having stayed in a savanna room last year we were disapointed with the view from our room (5210) and saw only a few animals during our two week stay. If you go for a savanna view, I would say the Arusha savanna is the best view although it could always be obstructed by trees (since all DVC rooms are on the top floor). The standard view rooms at Jambo are all pool view whilst the value rooms are approx 40% savanna, 40% pool and 20% car park view.

If the animals are really important to you, I would recommend the Wanyama Safari which is only available to resort guests. It runs 3 or 4 times per week and you go out onto all the savanna's in a special truck and get "up close" for about an hour before dining at Jiko. It isn't cheap but it is a great experience.

 

[kimberh]

I love Boardwalk View, never had standard view.
Never stayed at SSR but my daughter did, she really liked it.

Now, for AKV's... before it was the villas we stayed there in Savanna view 4 times, always had a decent view since then we have not cared much for the Savanna views that we have been given. I just booked a 2br Standard view. I figure, save the points and gamble to see what I get. I have a value studio for 2 nights in May before my Concierge stay starts. There are many viewing areas to see the animals.

 

[Sheribo]

Here's a couple of pictures of our 5th floor "stinky" woods view at BCV. We enjoyed it. Any particular views are requests only.

That's the same view we had. We had requested a view of Epcot so we could watch the fireworks from our balcony but didn't get it. Had an absolutely beautiful room and one of the best trips ever though.

 

[luvthedis]

BWV: the Boardwalk view is the best and we love to watch the Illuminations fireworks from our balcony. However, we did stay in a 1BR standard view and liked trading more room for the view. We overlooked the drive-in area and looked straight toward the Eiffel Tower (with a tree blocking our view). If you need to be economical on points, standard is still great. Walking to Epcot and DHS can't be beat.

AKV: we stayed in a value pool view studio. The view was lovely and we got to see the animals all around the resort. For the point value, it really can't be beat. That said, we are probably going to try for a savanna view next time.

If someone could tell me how to post photos, I'd be happy to post some of the different views we had....Help!!