Can anyone sell me on Saratoga Springs?

[DonnaL]

I think Havana (another poster) hit the nail on the head with this one. SSR does indeed feel like a "small community". We own points both at VWL (which we truly love by the way) and SSR. Initially we had mixed feelings about SSR, however, as it has "grown up" over the past several years we've really begun to appreciate the things this resort has to offer......very convenient parking to your bldg, central location, fairly close to off property restaurants, grocery stores, outlet mall, low monthly maintenance, etc. A huge item for us (as we get closer to retirement LOL) is the close proximity to parking. As we head into retirement I do believe we will spend a good portion of January just "living" at SSR. We probably will purchase some more points within the next year or two in preparation to do so.....

 

[ShesAPirate]

As we head into retirement I do believe we will spend a good portion of January just "living" at SSR. We probably will purchase some more points within the next year or two in preparation to do so.....

Oooh, now *that* would be wonderful at ANY of the resorts!

We're not going to have a car (flying in from NJ, taking ME from the airport, and we'll be on the DDP, so no offsite restaurants needed), but I can see how all of those things you listed would be very convenient.

 

[rascalmom]

While SSR is not walking distance to a park, it is closer to "all" parks than any of the DVC resorts.

Since we visit all parks and not just one or two, we love the location.

Other positives to us. Spa, beautiful grounds, love the room decor, quiet, great staff and really nice pools.

We prefer to have a car on our trips and the quick access to ALL parks is a great appeal for us. Our daughters are in college, so MK isn't our main focus like it might be for families with younger children. We also enjoy some of the nice restaurants located at the WDW resorts, and the travel time from SSR is reasonable.

Artist Palette is much better, in our opinion, to the quick service places at the other DVC properties and Turf Club is very good if you want table service.

We enjoy the wide open spaces of the grounds....the landscaping is beautiful and we like getting away from the crowds to decompress a little after a busy day.

 

[supersuperwendy]

We think SSR is just simply beautiful and relaxing. We did an add on there after staying there twice. We love it's proximity to DTD and how close the bus ride is to Epcot. On our last visit in January we had the BEST bus service of any trip we've ever taken. We had a wonderful first floor villa overlooking DTD (Cirque De Soleil). We loved stepping out of our studio and walking over to the Congress Park pool/hot tub. This was our first time in Congress Park and I think it's my new favorite. It's a short walk over the bridge to Artist Palette and High Rock Springs. We also love The Grandstand area. I just think you can't go wrong at any area of SSR. The food is great too. We spent one rainy night at the Turf Club lounge having french onion soup and drinks! I love the laid back, low key atmosphere of SSR. It's not crazy and hyped up in anyway. I could seriously live there!


Take a look at DMan67's picture collages of SSR. They are amazing...

http://www.dldigitalimages.com/images/DVC_Vacations/2009/DVC2009.html

 

[evaready51]

Has non-stop bus service - to all Parks - so you get were you're going pretty fast

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Sell you on SSR, all I can say is try it! It's a beautiful resort! If you figure out it's not for you, then never stay there again, but your vacation will still be fine having stayed there once!

I love Disney and I enjoy each and every resort, I like the ability to mix it up! I love SSR & OKW for their proximity to DTD and the "outside world". But, that doesn't mean that I feel like I'm not at Disney just because I can't see Epcot across the water or the fire works from my villa! I also like AKV and BWV, one for the proximity to Epcot and DHS and the other because the savanah is pretty cool. There's no more Disney theming at the BCV/BWV/AKV then at OKW/SSR. Or is the concenses that because you can see DHS, MK or Epcot from the resort it's got more Disney theming. The villas, the community hall, the activities, are all pretty standard for every resort, other than BLT having a Mickey abstract on the wall the actual villas have no Disney theming. They have beach theming, Key West (no so much anymore since refurb) theming, Animal theming!

In my book, SSR's, Congress Park DTD view equally rivals the BWV, Boardwalk View!

Personally, and yes I may get flamed for this, I think sometimes we and yes I've fallen victim to this once or twice myself in the beginning, get way obsessed over what room, what view, what floor, what resort and make ourselves crazy in trying to create that "perfect" vacation. Relax! even when I got SSR's Carousel parking lot view (2), it wasn't the end of the world!

My vacation focus is on family and friends and the good times and memories we make together, no matter what resort we end up in!

 

[BeesKnees]

Now you are hitting truly personal preferences. Personally I would not move from AKV if I had Savanna view even to go to BLT MK view. You should have yourself on a wait list at Jambo to stay there all nights because that is the kind of wait list, two weekend nights, that very often comes through. Meanwhile, if I had to move to Kidani, I would be making a reservation at least one of those evenings at Sanaa one of the best restaurants on site.

For a couple in their 30s, and if you choose SSR, I would definitely go for the view and request Congress Park lake view.

And to me I would welcome the change. The savanna view is nice for a couple of days but to us it gets boring.

 

[rentayenta]

Take a look at DMan67's picture collages of SSR. They are amazing...

http://www.dldigitalimages.com/images/DVC_Vacations/2009/DVC2009.html

Great link.

 

[ShesAPirate]

There's no more Disney theming at the BCV/BWV/AKV then at OKW/SSR. Or is the concenses that because you can see DHS, MK or Epcot from the resort it's got more Disney theming.


Personally, and yes I may get flamed for this, I think sometimes we and yes I've fallen victim to this once or twice myself in the beginning, get way obsessed over what room, what view, what floor, what resort and make ourselves crazy in trying to create that "perfect" vacation. Relax! even when I got SSR's Carousel parking lot view (2), it wasn't the end of the world!

My vacation focus is on family and friends and the good times and memories we make together, no matter what resort we end up in!

For me, it's not about the view at all. I have never stayed in the room long enough to care about what's out the window, really. We ARE in Savannah View in November, and I'm looking forward to sitting on our balcony with a glass of wine, watching the animals ... but I don't need to see the parks to feel like the resort has a good theme.

When I talk about SSR seeming to be lacking in theme, I mean that when I'm at Disney, I want to feel like I'm totally somewhere else. It's no wonder my favorites are the Poly, Caribbean Beach, and AKL. I think SSR is very pretty (the pics here http://www.dldigitalimages.com/image...9/DVC2009.html are great, thanks!), but I don't think it will give me that 'transported to another place' feeling. I could be wrong, but that's just the impression that I get.

Waaaaay back on my first trip as an adult, I stayed at ASMu, but moved off-site for the last 2 or 3 days, due to expenses. It was sooooooo disappointing. I was wishing we'd sucked it up and paid the extra money, or just ended the vacation early. It was just a different feeling, not as magical (pardon the cliche). I guess that's what I'm afraid of -- leaving AKL for SSR for the last 2 nights and having that same feeling.

All that said, I do absolutely agree with you 100% that the vacation itself is the most important thing. The resort couldn't possibly ruin the trip, but that doesn't stop me from totally over-thinking it

My BF knows nothing about Disney, and since I want him to be surprised by as much of it as possible, I haven't shown him a million pics and videos of the resorts .... so I don't know whether to get his input on this part of it or not.

Ugh, I do so much better when I make last-minute plans. The more time I have to think, the crazier I make myself I mean, this is a GOOD crazy, but still...

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I guess that's what I'm afraid of -- leaving AKL for SSR for the last 2 nights and having that same feeling.

Well it will definitively be a disapointment if you land in the Carousel bldg at SSR. I never made room requests till I stayed at SSR and ended up in Carousel twice no less. I know requests aren't guaranteed but the following 3 times, booking at the 4 month mark I requested SSR's Congress park, the DTD view and I did get it. We too, love the balconies and it made a world of difference in my perseption of SSR!

I think your BF would be impressed taking the boat from SSR to DTD at night, the lights, the music kind fun and romantic!

The resorts are all beautiful, I hope it wouldn't be a let down but who can tell! Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!

 

[ShesAPirate]

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!

Thank you! Believe me, I'll let y'all know what I decide and how it goes... and every other detail you could possibly want (or not want hahaha) when I start my pre-trip and trip reports

 

[BeesKnees]

It sounds like you will be disappointed. My advice is to go to SSR first and end your trip at AKV if you can't get a waitlist.

 

[eporter66]

I believe it is the biggest DVC site, which may be one of the reasons for availability. I will admit that the theme is not as strong as at other resorts, but it is still a beautiful area, with great landscaping. I love walking around SSR, it is very peaceful for me. I am from the Saratoga NY area, so I love the theme, but it is a theme that is very hard to create in comparison to a Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom.

As a golfer, I love the location. I enjoy being able to walk over to DTD in the evening as well.

If you have to be sold on it, then it is probably not for you. That's what I like about DVC - choices!

 

[ShesAPirate]

It sounds like you will be disappointed. My advice is to go to SSR first and end your trip at AKV if you can't get a waitlist.

Unfortunately that's not possible. The whole reason for doing the split-stay at all is that AKL Jambo House isn't available for the last 2 nights of our trip.

 

[dmoore22]

It seems to be the only DVC property that pretty much always has availability. Is that because of the size, or because most people (like myself) don't get anything out of the theme?

Am I missing something great about SSR?

Thanks in advance!!!

Size is a contributing factor. SSR has 1,260 units. The next largest is OKW with 761 units. The rest are as follows: 583 units @ BWV, 456 @ AKV, 295 @ BLT, 282 @ BCV, and 136 @ VWL.

Each resort is very nice and provide a variety of experiences. When it is just my DW and I then SSR is always on our short list. If we book at the 7 month window, or plan a last minute trip, we come up with a 1st choice, 2cd choice, etc., in case we can't get what we want, then we wait list. We have been fortunate that our wait list has always come through.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Yes, it would be great not to have to move, but I think SSR and AKV is a good mix of resorts for a trip. Someone before me mentioned the boat ride to DTD, and also the Turf club. Remember if you have the TIW that it's accepted at Artist's Palette.

Bobbi

 

[winnie77]

I love the fact that you have all of the advantages of Disney world (transportation, extra magic hours ect)but you are far enough away. when you are there it just seems so clam, peaceful, quiet and it is very easy to unwind and relax. Its perfect.

 

[My5Mouseketeers]

We always go to WDW in November (Jersey Week!). Most of the parks close early. My 5 kids (15-8) love to walk over to DTD. The Lego store is always a hit and Ghiradelli Ice Cream is a wonderful treat. Usually we leave the kids in the room one night and go out "drinking" (not "drinking" like College drinking ) or get some good food and feed the kids frozen food (they consider that a TREAT) We also love that you can get ANYWHERE on property from DTD.

We have stayed at AKL and loved watching the animals at night and hanging out at the fire. When we stayed at VWL there just wasn't enough to do at night. yes the pool is great and the water parade and we went over to the chip/dale fire movie one night.

And yes we do go to F&W at night, but there are only so many nights you can take 5 kids there. It gets "boring" for them and expensive for us.

My kids LOVE SSR.

There really are no BAD choices here, just different levels of GOOD!

 

[Starr W.]

We always go to WDW in November (Jersey Week!). Most of the parks close early. My 5 kids (15-8) love to walk over to DTD. The Lego store is always a hit and Ghiradelli Ice Cream is a wonderful treat. Usually we leave the kids in the room one night and go out "drinking" (not "drinking" like College drinking ) or get some good food and feed the kids frozen food (they consider that a TREAT) We also love that you can get ANYWHERE on property from DTD.

We have stayed at AKL and loved watching the animals at night and hanging out at the fire. When we stayed at VWL there just wasn't enough to do at night. yes the pool is great and the water parade and we went over to the chip/dale fire movie one night.

And yes we do go to F&W at night, but there are only so many nights you can take 5 kids there. It gets "boring" for them and expensive for us.

My kids LOVE SSR.

There really are no BAD choices here, just different levels of GOOD!

My boys(15/10) love SSR too. The walk to DTD is a big bonus, ice cream and Legos how can you go wrong?

We've stayed at BWV,BCV,VWL and BLT, but one trip a year has to be "at home" which is SSR.

 

[supersuperwendy]

My kids love SSR too. We will be there next summer and we are bringing my parents. I think they will LOVE it!!! I hope you give SSR a chance OP and love it like the rest of us do!