Getting from DTD hotels to Saratoga Springs

[jaykat]

Looking on Google Earth, it appears that the Saratoga Springs Resort is near to Downtown Disney. I was wondering if it was possible to walk from some of the DTD hotels (eg Buena Vista Palace or Doubletree) to the Saratoga Springs, with a view to getting the Disney transport from there to the parks. I know that the DTD hotels have their own shuttles, but the reliability of these seems questionable. Any info appreciated!!

 

[cherylp3]

The closest to SSR is the Regal Sun (formerly Grovesnor) and the Hilton.

The other hotels mentioned are definitely walkable with the Doubletree being the farthest of what you mentioned.

 

[spiceycat]

the problem with that is SSR owners are starting to complaint to Disney.

so expect in the future to show a resort ID to board the buses at SSR.

(just not yet)

had no trouble getting to the parks with DTD transportation - getting back especially from the MK was a problem - if you leave before AK is closed, this bus must go there first.

AK is a long way from MK or DTD - so it goes way away first.

at the MK walk over and take the CR bus to DTD. this is not necessary once the hour pass when the AK closes (buses still must go an hour after closing).

the buses went as advertised every 30 minutes.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Most of those hotels have their own transportation. I have seen a bus at the Hilton that was going to Disney and another to Sea World
So check with the hotel and see if they have transportation.

 

[vicki_c]

Looking on Google Earth, it appears that the Saratoga Springs Resort is near to Downtown Disney. I was wondering if it was possible to walk from some of the DTD hotels (eg Buena Vista Palace or Doubletree) to the Saratoga Springs, with a view to getting the Disney transport from there to the parks. I know that the DTD hotels have their own shuttles, but the reliability of these seems questionable. Any info appreciated!!

If you're concerned about your hotel's transportation, you should consider renting a car, not using the SSR buses that are really for SSR guests to get to the parks.

 

[Brian Noble]

I'd recommend a car too. Not so much for those poor SSR owners, but just because it will be infinitely more convenient for you. That's not going to be a short walk.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Brian Noble says : I'd recommend a car too. Not so much for those poor SSR owners, but just because it will be infinitely more convenient for you. That's not going to be a short walk.

I do recommend a car as well. And I do sympathize with SSR owners unlike some posters. I know we all have our own opinions on this subject.

Abuse to their bus system is much easier at SSR than from alot of other disney resorts because you can just walk into the resort from DD. If I was an owner there, and had increased numbers getting on the busses which prohibted me from getting to the parks in a more timely fashion or even causing more crowded busses, I don't think I'd be too keen on it either and would be complaining to disney. SSR is already the largest DVC resort, so they already have some bus issues.

So respectfully Brian, I did see the little sarcastic comment about the "poor SSR owners"you made. But I just feel fair is fair. I don't think it's a real big concern now, but I could see it becoming one if disney doesn't set some guidelines. And I know alot of offsiters will not see eye-to-eye with me on this. Definitely not trying to start a spat Brian, but I do feel it's an abuse for offsiters to just walk on over into the SSR resort and hop on their busses, especially since a lot of the DD hotels have shuttles and you can catch busses at DD/Marketplace. I can see hopping on the Downtown Disney/Marketplace busses, but not going into the SSR resort. Sorry---don't want to start anything. Just a difference of opinion.

 

[Brian Noble]

Sorry, I should have added the emoticon ()---I was trying to be funny in my usual sarcastic way. I was also looking for a reason why OP would want the car for him/her self, not out of kindness to someone else. Appealing to courtesy often works much less well than appealing to self-interest.

So, for the record, I don't think folks should use SSR buses just to save themselves the expense of a rental car both because it's wrong and not worth the hassle.

 

[spiceycat]

my post was confusing.

sorry

the DTD buses run as advertised every 30 minutes. (which can be better than SSR buses)

 

[MiaSRN62]

So, for the record, I don't think folks should use SSR buses just to save themselves the expense of a rental car both because it's wrong and not worth the hassle.

Hey....no prob Brian. In light of the "winking" emoticon, I can see what you said was all in fun and jest. I do agree with you....it would be a hassle to walk all that way just to use the SSR busses (but I'm sure some do this). I'm thinking of sun/heat/pouring rain. Doesn't seem worth it to me either.

 

[spiceycat]

Hey....no prob Brian. In light of the "winking" emoticon, I can see what you said was all in fun and jest. I do agree with you....it would be a hassle to walk all that way just to use the SSR busses (but I'm sure some do this). I'm thinking of sun/heat/pouring rain. Doesn't seem worth it to me either.

especially with the 5 stops at SSR must made before leaving to the parks - since congress park is the 4th stop - springs is the 5th - not to bad going - but coming back ....

there are a couple of posts on the DVC board about this - the CM's are telling DTD guests to take this route. Which am sure that disney encourages....

disney does not pay for the transportation at SSR - the members do.

before SSR - they were telling people to use OKW - even when DI (which is where SSR is now) was open....

so yes Disney is trying to get DVC members to pay for offsite guests to use WDW transportation.
and has been!!!!



and when a CM says that is not true - sure a SSR member will be happy to send them the maintence bill which includes transportation - it is a pretty high cost.


so disney gets them there for free - from their point of view...

 

[littlestar]

It's too long of a walk from the DTD hotels to Saratoga. When you add the long walk and the 5 stops in Saratoga, that's a lot of park time to miss. Not worth it in my opinion. You'd be better off to just use the shuttles from your downtown Disney hotel.

Now, if you have a character meal scheduled at one of the Disney resorts, you might be able to walk over to Downtown Disney and catch one of the resort buses to the resort where your meal is. That wouldn't be a horrible walk. We were told that anyone with a multi-day ticket is allowed to use the Walt Disney transportation system.