Disney Springs - a big boost for Saratoga Springs

[vallerii]

They could go and put a cheap movie theatre that just showed older Disney movies, charge $5 and keep the prices high for concessions and probably make a ton. Think of the number of people who would head over to do dinner and movie to see Mary Poppins, Jungle Book, Cinderella, etc.

I'd do that! I miss the old theater the Contemporary used to have.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We are not fans of Downtown Disney. It is way too hot to walk around there. We go to the outlet malls to go to certain stores and get in, get out. Strolling through an outdoor mall is not vacation to us in the Florida heat, especially after walking miles in the parks.
We do not care for SSR and stay offsite if that is all available.

 

[Anal Annie]

I don't think it will really change anybody's opinion of the resort but that's OK - it will keep the availability open for when we want to go last minute. It's our home resort and while it's not really our FAVORITE resort we DO like it just fine and appreciate that it's usually available if we plan at the last minute (we'd much prefer SSR to OKW). We really like to resort hop from trip to trip and we've got our 3rd stay booked there for next January even tho we could have gone elsewhere. It's very "points friendly" for us "points challenged" folks too so it will always be on our resort rotation. But I don't think the new Disney Springs area will change how we visit over there either.

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

I could not agree more with the above comments. Just came back Monday. It is just more expensive food and shops. What entertainment? We are PAP holders and now they are closing Disney Quest. We will not be renewing. We liked to go over and play the games in the afternoon. SSR is great for us because we GOLF. Other than that...I would stay anywhere but there. I originally thought this would be a bonus...seeing the progress of the development I do not see any upside for SSR.

 

[AnnaS]

I doubt it will make much of a difference to many who just simply don't like it/least favorite. Many feel the same way about other resorts too. We do not own here but have stayed here numerous times when booking last minute. We have been very happy and all our stays have been great with no issues. SSR has a lot to offer - Spa, Golf, Food options, pools and DTD/DS. We all have our own opinions and it's great that there is something for everyone.

 

[jerseygirl82]

SSR is all about how you like to spend your vacation. Being a DVC owner means we go every other year, if not every year. We are rarely rope drop people and rarely do we spend all day in the park, especially with our dd who just turned 5 and needs breaks. We like to park in the AM, pool after lunch and back to park for nighttime fun. In April we stayed at the Poly and I spent my whole vaca wishing I was at SSR. I like the leave the crowds behind when I leave the parks and that just does not seem possible at monorail resorts.

 

[DizBub]

In April we stayed at the Poly and I spent my whole vaca wishing I was at SSR. I like the leave the crowds behind when I leave the parks and that just does not seem possible at monorail resorts.

Ooh, I'm afraid this is how I'm going to feel on our next trip. A split stay at PBV and BLT...thinking I'd MUCH rather be at SSR but we will be with a 4 year old and other guests that want to be near parks.

 

[jerseygirl82]

Ooh, I'm afraid this is how I'm going to feel on our next trip. A split stay at PBV and BLT...thinking I'd MUCH rather be at SSR but we will be with a 4 year old and other guests that want to be near parks.

I actually enjoyed my BLT stay more than my PBV stay Pool was quieter and a nice quick walk to MK. BLT is my #2 behind SSR

 

[DVC4FUN]

Minimal effect if any. More specifically likely a temporary modest effect of about 2 yrs once completed them back to usual.

I totally agree. If the clubs (Comedy, Adventures Club) which are now closed didn't draw more people to staying at SSR why would even more Mall stores and restaurants in their place? I own at SSR and have stayed there a few times when it's the only availability but even once DS/DTD is complete it has a far less of a draw to me than when I first purchased SSR at opening when DTD had far more to offer in entertainment. Oh yeah and with DQ closing one less reason to visit DS/DTD.

 

[tjkraz]

I think the Disney Springs expansion can only help Saratoga Springs.

Some will berate DTD/DS as "just another shopping mall", but all you need to do is take a look at the thousands of people who visit there every day to realize that it's an immensely popular shopping mall. Adding more stores, restaurants and experiences will only increase the appeal and the crowds it attracts.

The degree to which it will help SSR is certainly debatable. I don't mean to imply that it will radically improve demand. But there are certainly SOME people who will look more favorably upon SSR due to its proximity to the rapidly growing destination.

 

[dizfan]

Visited DTD/DS during our May trip. I really like what they are doing.

With more dining options, I see us visiting DS more frequently during our trips. Epcot requires park admission and has not had much new in terms of attractions, so I would rather not buy a hopper and instead enjoy dining for much less.

The convenience of OKW and SSR to the new DS certainly makes it more appealing to us.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

We own at BCV partially because of the many dining options and think SSR will offer similar access to varied dining options at DTD/DS. We stayed at the THV in April, really enjoyed the boat ride to DTD and loved just walking around there. Looking forward to staying at (and possibly purchasing) SSR in the future once DS is complete.

 

[Dean]

I think the Disney Springs expansion can only help Saratoga Springs.

Some will berate DTD/DS as "just another shopping mall", but all you need to do is take a look at the thousands of people who visit there every day to realize that it's an immensely popular shopping mall. Adding more stores, restaurants and experiences will only increase the appeal and the crowds it attracts.

The degree to which it will help SSR is certainly debatable. I don't mean to imply that it will radically improve demand. But there are certainly SOME people who will look more favorably upon SSR due to its proximity to the rapidly growing destination.

Tim, it can't hurt and can only help. To me though it only really matters if it truly moves the needle and brings SSR significantly closer to the rest of the WDW DVC resorts in terms of sheer demand, this is nickel and dime stuff. IMO it takes dramatic changes to bring SSR up to par with the rest and most of the potential options are not possible at this point. Even making the points the same as OKW would only partly do the trick. It would have taken truly unique options like lake homes or sales incentives like free golf (we've done such lists before). Basically you'd have to make SSR such that people want to stay there routinely even if not going to the parks. Something like a waterpark to put SAB to shame AND the points reduction likely would only get the resort part of the way there compared to the more in demand resorts.

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

One more additional thought on the expansion of DTD and effect on SSR: During our last trip in May, we get up early(6am) to golf and I heard noise outside our door. I opened the door to find a guy passing out papers under the doors and I scared the bejeebers out of him and he scared me. I did go to the front desk later and report the incident. We have found that with all the changes we feel "less safe" at SSR now. People can walk over both bridges on both ends (Congress Park and Golf/Grandstand area) and access the resort easily. With the horrible situation that occurred last week on walkway going towards the SSR golf bridge, my safety concern is only heightened with this "expansion". More people, no security, not good for my safety. This is just my opinion but it is a concern now when we book there. I need to feel safe at Disney. There may be tons of people at DTD but they are not a majority of Disney guests.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

One more additional thought on the expansion of DTD and effect on SSR: During our last trip in May, we get up early(6am) to golf and I heard noise outside our door. I opened the door to find a guy passing out papers under the doors and I scared the bejeebers out of him and he scared me. I did go to the front desk later and report the incident. We have found that with all the changes we feel "less safe" at SSR now. People can walk over both bridges on both ends (Congress Park and Golf/Grandstand area) and access the resort easily. With the horrible situation that occurred last week on walkway going towards the SSR golf bridge, my safety concern is only heightened with this "expansion". More people, no security, not good for my safety. This is just my opinion but it is a concern now when we book there. I need to feel safe at Disney. There may be tons of people at DTD but they are not a majority of Disney guests.

PP. - regardless of what WDW does, WDW is still part of "the real world." The incidents of violence, theft, etc., still occur but a much lower rate. We have been SSR owners for 10 years, and we practice the "safety" rules there just as we do at home. Given your earlier comments it sounds like a condo-style DVC is not for you. Re:: PAP changes, a bummer, yes. I'm hoping that Disney is able to broker a better discount for Splitsville or some other DTD entertainment for those rainy days.

 

[DenLo]

The clubs on Adventure Island only drew night time guests, Disney want Disney Springs to be active day and night and perhaps night clubs did not fit the Disney image.

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

We have been DVC members for 17 years. I guess being an owner has worked for us. I realize that Disney is "real world", but when you open your door to a complete stranger at 6am at yours and your neighbors doors, don't tell me that wouldn't shake your safety feel. We own at BWV and BC. I have never felt unsafe in the hotel. That is the difference with SSR. It is too open to the general public. More "local people" have access across the lake at DTD, it's an easy walk over to SSR. I would never stay in a ground floor that is for sure. I calculate this all in to my choice and am glad I never "invested" in additional points at SSR. To each his own, SSR is a great resort for any last minute trips. It's always available at a great price or for points.

 

[tjkraz]

I realize that Disney is "real world", but when you open your door to a complete stranger at 6am at yours and your neighbors doors, don't tell me that wouldn't shake your safety feel. We own at BWV and BC. I have never felt unsafe in the hotel.

And you've never found a pizza delivery flyer slipped under your door at BWV or BCV? That's usually where we get them...pretty much every trip.

That is the difference with SSR. It is too open to the general public. More "local people" have access across the lake at DTD, it's an easy walk over to SSR. I would never stay in a ground floor that is for sure.

It's an easy walk from Epcot to BWV/BCV. It's an easy walk from Magic Kingdom to Contemporary. It's an easy walk from the TTC to Polynesian. EVERY resort is just an easy bus, boat or monorail ride from the parks & DTD...and any local (or non-local) who wants to cause trouble is well aware of how to get around property without attracting undue attention.

Not going to tell you how you should "feel" because obviously that's a personal thing. But this sense of security you describe at other properties is purely an illusion. In fact, BWV is notorious for drawing outsiders to park and walk into Epcot. Every visitor has unfettered access to the resort hallways and grounds.

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

This thread is about "Plus" for SSR...my opinion is that it is not an overall plus. No I have never received a flyer under my door at BWV. I would hope that someone doing that would be noticed by the security wandering the hallways at 6am touching each doorway. I have not yet bumped into security wandering the buildings at SSR. Bad timing I guess. I am not debating the issue. When you can park in a lot at WESTSIDE that has total access to the outside world without a "park pass" as you would need at EPCOT or going thru a guard gate, there is a difference when it is a short walk across the bridge where that young woman had the issue. I have walked that walkway recently. Things happen. I'm back in 2 weeks so I'm fortunate SSR is available and DTD is pretty to look at from across the lake.

 

[tjkraz]

No I have never received a flyer under my door at BWV. I would hope that someone doing that would be noticed by the security wandering the hallways at 6am touching each doorway.

Search the DIS for "Pizza Flyers" and you'll quickly find that it happens at all resorts. Took me about 2 minutes to find threads which reported the flyers at Polynesian, Yacht Club, Coronado Springs, All-Stars and others. We own points at BoardWalk and I'd guess that we've had flyers show up during more than 50% of our stays.

I completely understand you being spooked by encountering someone leaving a flyer. But you'll get flyers at other resorts, too. And when you do, remember there was someone roaming the halls to leave the flyer behind.