Enjoyed Saratoga Springs!!!

[ClarabelleCow]

We just got back from a whirlwind trip, 2 nights at the Swan, Daytona 500, 3 nights at Saratoga and 3 nights on the Wonder!!!

I enjoyed Saratoga, not sure on the theming, heard many from Saratoga and said it looks nothing like it! But i liked it! Room was nice we had a 1 bedroom, seemed smaller than VWL, maybe because of the layout, no front closet, the "lockout" door is in the front not in the living room. But roomy enough for 4. The long hallways didn't bother me at all, not sure why some dislike them so much. The restaurant is good, but needs more "normal american fare"!!! The main pool area is nice. the room was very clean, except for the bathroom, the second day after all the showers, the bathroom floor was rather dirty looking, I can't imagine our feet made it that dirty, but you never know!!! considering we were there for just 3 nights, I wasn't going to freak out about it. I washed the towels and then realied they wouldn't be dry for showers, I found a housekeeper in the hall way and explained what I did, he said no problem, and handed me 4 new towels!! Very nice!

Probably the only things I would change if I was "Boss" would be to setup an inner tram system, I know you can take the big busses, but a tram would be nice. It is a long walk to the main area from Congress Park. They really should build a bridge over the water, those that have been there know what I am talking about, instead of making you go out to the main road and down. I would definately add food and drink at the quiet pool, and make a "pool snack shake" like say Shutters at Vero.

We walked to Downtown and it was no problem from where we were, it was quicker than walking back to the main area to catch the boat! Never once waited long for a bus. We would definately stay again, but I think we have gotten spoiled and for 4, would definately get a 2 bedroom for now on!

 

[lisareniff]

Thanks for the report. It's not really what I think of when I think of Saratoga.

edited to add: I'm not at all saying that SSR is bad in anyway. Just doesn't quite fit my ideal of Saratoga. BUT I'm not Disney. AND it doesn't look that bad either!

 

[lllovell]

I guess I am not a stickler for theming, I just enjoy each for what it offers and don't spend a lot of time comparing.

I am very glad you enjoyed your trip! Glad to hear that SSR was part of a good experience.

 

[Tigger24U]

We stayed at SSR a couple of weeks ago for 8 nights. We really enjoyed everything about the room and resort, but we have to agree about the OP comments about

They really should build a bridge over the water, those that have been there know what I am talking about, instead of making you go out to the main road and down.

I found out the hard way that it is a REALLY long walk if you have spent a long day at DTD.

We will definitely go back to SSR we loved it!

TTFN

 

[MarylandPirate]

I crossed over the bridge for the golf carts!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Thanks for the report.
Do you think you'll stay there again? Or is it just not the resort for you and your family?

 

[DrTomorrow]

We stayed at SSR a couple of weeks ago for 8 nights. We really enjoyed everything about the room and resort, but we have to agree about the OP comments about

I found out the hard way that it is a REALLY long walk if you have spent a long day at DTD.

We will definitely go back to SSR we loved it!

TTFN

Tig, I'm thinking that the OP meant a bridge from CP to the main area over the canal/outlet/swamp area, not from CP to DTD....

 

[MarylandPirate]

I visited SSR after I had bought but was staying at the WL. My sales guide offered to take me on a tour when my son and I stopped by to visit him. Really looks nice and I'm glad I bought there.....my first vacation there is in a couple of weeks and I can't wait! We like Disney Quest, the capabilaty of taking in a movie, the nice restaurants and shopping.

 

[CherCrazy]

They really should build a bridge over the water, those that have been there know what I am talking about, instead of making you go out to the main road and down.

We vote for the bridge too!! Or how 'bout motorscooters??

 

[Muushka]

And the most important question is:

How was the Daytona 500????

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Tig, I'm thinking that the OP meant a bridge from CP to the main area over the canal/outlet/swamp area, not from CP to DTD....

Yes, that is exactly what I ment!!!

We would stay there again. But VWL is still our favorite, I prefer the DVC within a resort but this was still nice and I would stay there.

The Race was AWSOME!!! Unfortunately my son had a relapse of his flu, even though the doc said he would be aOKAY! Came down with strep, but felt fine, just would get tired easy, which we really didn't find out until Tuesday after the race, we thought he was just tired, DUH! (no fever, no lumpy throat, until the day after we took him to a clinic, once he was on Zithromax, his tonge llooked awful!! But within 24 hours he was great! He slept about 170 laps of the race on me, but woke up for the last 30 laps, which were the best. The worst part was getting out of Daytona, we waited almost 2 hours for the bus to take us to the car, didn't gt back to the Swan until Midnight!

 

[Daitcher]

Glad you enjoyed this place. I hope everyone loves it and wants to stay there. I own here and will never stay here again. I predict this place will become an overflow property. All others will be booked and then guests will have to book here. I will be using my points elswhere. We do not cook on vacation and don't want to get ready and eat out every night. This place needs a sit down restaurant and after that room service. The main pool area is nice but will prove way too small when this place is complete. Getting to the boat transportation is a maze of hallways and walkways. Very poor design and location. Resort way to spread out. Your suggestion for a bridge would help. We are from Saratoga Springs and believe me there is no theming there. All in all this place was a collasal dissapointment.

DAVE

 

[athenna]

Well, I am still looking forward to staying there.
But thanks for your point of view.

 

[Disney Doll]

haven't stayed there but did tour it and I thought it seemed nice. I do agree that each "stand alone" DVC property should have a fullsevrice restaurant. OKW has Olivia's.

But. since it's still being built, these are things that they may take into account and change as time goes on. I seem to recall some sort of lounge-type area...perhaps that could be made into a restaurant?

As far as themeing...I don't know if they want it to look "exactly" like Saratoga, but more give the "flavor" of Saratoga. In any event, I thought it was pretty and nicely decorated.

 

[tjkraz]

Glad you enjoyed this place. I hope everyone loves it and wants to stay there. I own here and will never stay here again. I predict this place will become an overflow property. All others will be booked and then guests will have to book here. I will be using my points elswhere.

Our family loved it. We'll be spending pleanty of time there.

ClarabelleCow: Glad to hear you had such a good time!

We do not cook on vacation and don't want to get ready and eat out every night. This place needs a sit down restaurant and after that room service.

Did they remove the chairs from Artist's Palette?

Seriously though, from most areas of the resort you can walk to Downtown Disney faster than you could get from a room at BWV to the ESPN club. I think that's the idea behind not having a full-service restaurant on site.

As far as room service goes, Old Key West (currently the largest DVC resort) has never had it. Since the menu at AP is fairly limited and changes daily, it would be difficult to offer room service.

There has been a lot of talk here that a full-service restaurant will be added eventually.

The main pool area is nice but will prove way too small when this place is complete.

I think that's a common misconception. In terms of volume, it is just as large as the pool at the Boardwalk, and that pool services just as many guests (between the Villa and Inn rooms.) And, from what I've been told, the main pool at the Wilderness Lodge is even smaller.

The latest designs I've seen indicate that the resort will have at least five pools when complete: The two that are open now (main pool and quiet pool facing Downtown Disney) plus three more quiet pools scattered throughout the property.

Getting to the boat transportation is a maze of hallways and walkways. Very poor design and location.

It's pretty easy to reach from outside. Take a left at the DVC sales center, past the tennis courts and you can't miss it. But I'll agree the location is not convenient for the units currently open.

Resort way to spread out. Your suggestion for a bridge would help.

I've looked at arial maps and it's no bigger than Old Key West. In fact it's probably smaller than many of the other Disney resorts. You can walk from Congress Park (the "neighborhood" open now) to the main pool in 5 minutes. It takes longer than that to walk from most BCV rooms to Stormalong Bay.

We are from Saratoga Springs and believe me there is no theming there.

I don't think "theming" is ever to be taken literally. While I've never been to Saratoga Springs, I've seen photos and can easily identify design elements that were incorporated into the resort at Disney. Is The Boardwalk a mirror image of the New Jersey shore? Of course not. The idea is to capture the spirit of the source material, not to replicate it.

All in all this place was a collasal dissapointment.

That's too bad. Obviously I'm not trying to convince you that you are wrong for disliking it. But many of the things you mention were apparent to those of us who purchased based upon "artist renderings." Hope you find someplace more to your liking.

 

[JPC]

Our family loved it. We'll be spending pleanty of time there.

ClarabelleCow: Glad to hear you had such a good time!



Did they remove the chairs from Artist's Palette?

Seriously though, from most areas of the resort you can walk to Downtown Disney faster than you could get from a room at BWV to the ESPN club. I think that's the idea behind not having a full-service restaurant on site.

As far as room service goes, Old Key West (currently the largest DVC resort) has never had it. Since the menu at AP is fairly limited and changes daily, it would be difficult to offer room service.

There has been a lot of talk here that a full-service restaurant will be added eventually.



I think that's a common misconception. In terms of volume, it is just as large as the pool at the Boardwalk, and that pool services just as many guests (between the Villa and Inn rooms.) And, from what I've been told, the main pool at the Wilderness Lodge is even smaller.

The latest designs I've seen indicate that the resort will have at least five pools when complete: The two that are open now (main pool and quiet pool facing Downtown Disney) plus three more quiet pools scattered throughout the property.



It's pretty easy to reach from outside. Take a left at the DVC sales center, past the tennis courts and you can't miss it. But I'll agree the location is not convenient for the units currently open.



I've looked at arial maps and it's no bigger than Old Key West. In fact it's probably smaller than many of the other Disney resorts. You can walk from Congress Park (the "neighborhood" open now) to the main pool in 5 minutes. It takes longer than that to walk from most BCV rooms to Stormalong Bay.



I don't think "theming" is ever to be taken literally. While I've never been to Saratoga Springs, I've seen photos and can easily identify design elements that were incorporated into the resort at Disney. Is The Boardwalk a mirror image of the New Jersey shore? Of course not. The idea is to capture the spirit of the source material, not to replicate it.



That's too bad. Obviously I'm not trying to convince you that you are wrong for disliking it. But many of the things you mention were apparent to those of us who purchased based upon "artist renderings." Hope you find someplace more to your liking.

zing.

 

[Daitcher]

Our family loved it. We'll be spending pleanty of time there.

ClarabelleCow: Glad to hear you had such a good time!



Did they remove the chairs from Artist's Palette?

Seriously though, from most areas of the resort you can walk to Downtown Disney faster than you could get from a room at BWV to the ESPN club. I think that's the idea behind not having a full-service restaurant on site.

As far as room service goes, Old Key West (currently the largest DVC resort) has never had it. Since the menu at AP is fairly limited and changes daily, it would be difficult to offer room service.

There has been a lot of talk here that a full-service restaurant will be added eventually.



I think that's a common misconception. In terms of volume, it is just as large as the pool at the Boardwalk, and that pool services just as many guests (between the Villa and Inn rooms.) And, from what I've been told, the main pool at the Wilderness Lodge is even smaller.

The latest designs I've seen indicate that the resort will have at least five pools when complete: The two that are open now (main pool and quiet pool facing Downtown Disney) plus three more quiet pools scattered throughout the property.



It's pretty easy to reach from outside. Take a left at the DVC sales center, past the tennis courts and you can't miss it. But I'll agree the location is not convenient for the units currently open.



I've looked at arial maps and it's no bigger than Old Key West. In fact it's probably smaller than many of the other Disney resorts. You can walk from Congress Park (the "neighborhood" open now) to the main pool in 5 minutes. It takes longer than that to walk from most BCV rooms to Stormalong Bay.



I don't think "theming" is ever to be taken literally. While I've never been to Saratoga Springs, I've seen photos and can easily identify design elements that were incorporated into the resort at Disney. Is The Boardwalk a mirror image of the New Jersey shore? Of course not. The idea is to capture the spirit of the source material, not to replicate it.



That's too bad. Obviously I'm not trying to convince you that you are wrong for disliking it. But many of the things you mention were apparent to those of us who purchased based upon "artist renderings." Hope you find someplace more to your liking.

Thanks for the comments and I am glad you liked Saratoga Springs. Our dislike for SSR doesn't in anyway damper our enthusiasm for DVC. We just stay elsewhere. We are staying at BCV this May and then will be staying at Vero Beach in October. Every Resort has their pros and cons this one just doesn't work for us.

DAVE

 

[TCPluto]

Glad you enjoyed this place. I hope everyone loves it and wants to stay there. I own here and will never stay here again. I predict this place will become an overflow property. All others will be booked and then guests will have to book here. I will be using my points elswhere. We do not cook on vacation and don't want to get ready and eat out every night. This place needs a sit down restaurant and after that room service. The main pool area is nice but will prove way too small when this place is complete. Getting to the boat transportation is a maze of hallways and walkways. Very poor design and location. Resort way to spread out. Your suggestion for a bridge would help. We are from Saratoga Springs and believe me there is no theming there. All in all this place was a collasal dissapointment.

DAVE

I guess that's the beauty of the DVC system and properties, something for everyone.

We toured and did an add on over Christmas. We loved the theming and layout of the resort. We're staying there in two weeks, so we will certainly have more experience after that on the subject.

As someone else said, I don't think the intent was a literal representation of the area chosen for theming, but the feel is certainly there I would suspect.

 

[DrTomorrow]

I guess that's the beauty of the DVC system and properties, something for everyone.

We toured and did an add on over Christmas. We loved the theming and layout of the resort. We're staying there in two weeks, so we will certainly have more experience after that on the subject.

As someone else said, I don't think the intent was a literal representation of the area chosen for theming, but the feel is certainly there I would suspect.

Hmmmm, ITA with TCPluto on this one - we love the place, too.

I'm surprised, though, that Daitcher didn't recognize any SS,NY theming; I checked out several sites on Yaddo (a famous artists' community in SS,NY that was the basis for a lot of the design) and I can see quite a few similarities. In any case, a Disney resort can only do a reflection of a real place or places; I'm pretty sure that POR will never offer what the real New Orleans does (any ladies want some beads??? )

 

[terribm]

I will be staying in a deluxe studio at SS. For those of you who have stayed there, what is your favorite area to request? Do you like being close to the pool/main building or maybe something overlooking DD? Advice would be great. Also, can you pre-book your spa treatments prior to arrival?

Thanks,
Terri