Help with Saratoga .......

[logan115]

Looking at the map it looks like the resort is so spread out that it would take a long time to get from one end to the other - any idea how the longest walk could be from main lodge to a room ? Am possibly/hopefully going in mid-May with a 4 yo DS and 4 mo pregnant DW and am worried about a long walk back to the room after being out all day, or going from the room to the pool.

Is it as bad as it looks, or am I being paranoid ?

Also - any thoughts on the bus service between SSR and the parks ? Stayed at BCV last year (but no luck getting in this year) and loved the location and ability to be right in the middle of the World.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

 

[Amy&Dan]

The nice thing about SSR is that there are multiple bus stops and multiple quiet pools. Each section has its own stop and quiet pool, except for the Springs which is right next to the main pool so no quiet pool for that section.

I would request either the Springs or the Grandstand. The Springs is the main area, near the main pool, gift shop, Artist's Palette (counter service) and Turf Club (full service). The Grandstand is a short walk from that, has a very nice pool with very cool spray cannon things, its own pool bar and is the first to be picked up and dropped off on the bus route I think. We loved that section.

We have also stayed in the Paddock which is one of the outlying sections and loved it. That trip we had my mom who was pretty ill at the time and my stepdad who was 81. They had no problems walking to the main area, it took about 5-7 minutes to get to the main area at a very leisurely pace.

I would avoid the Carousel section, it is very quiet but it is the furthest out. Not sure how long the walk would be to the main area from that section but again, it does have its own bus stop and quiet pool.

I might suggest that if possible, you rent a car. Given your scenario you might rest easier having that and the way SSR is set up you can park right outside your building. I have never had anything but great bus service at this resort however.

It may just be me, but when I stayed at Boardwalk (right across from BC) I didn't like having to either walk or take one of those slow boats to MGM and Epcot. I prefer having buses. And while BC is close to Epcot and MGM its not that close to anything else. SSR is centrally located so its buses to everything (but DTD) but not a far ride to anything. Give it a try, we love it, hopefully you will too!

You might also post this on the DVC Planning Board, there are lots of SSR experts over there!

Your 4 yo will love that zero entry pool and the splash area of the main pool as well as the Grand Stand pool area. SSR is a wonderful resort!

 

[NYMomof4]

Saratoga has different sections with a bus stop at each for easy pick ups to and from the parks. I would try to request an area near the main Hospitality House (main pool area) when you check in. The Springs and Grandstand are the closest and the Grandstand section has it's own feature pool with water jets for kids and a drink refill station/bar area. I have stayed at both, as well as Congress Park, which is the closest to Downtown Disney if you wanted to walk.

The front desk has been helpful in most cases if you tell them at check-in that you want to be near the main area to use the resort amenities. There are no guarantees, but it's worth a shot even if you have to wait for the room.

Community Hall has some fun things (games, crafts etc...) that your son might like. You can also rent movies there.

Have a great trip- we went last May at the same time and the weather was perfect and crowds were managable.

 

[logan115]

We went last in May last year (May 19-26) and had a great time (but how could you not !) and the crowds and weather were great. You've put my fears to rest about SSR and I'm hoping to finalize a ressie today !!

As we'll be renting a ressie I'm not sure how much/if any say we'll have in choosing the location - but a bad location at the World is still better than the best location anywhere else

Thanks for the quick input, appreciate it,

Chris

 

[warpdarkmatter]

A little tip if you find yourself far away from the food court and main pool is the last stop on the bus route is always the springs just take any bus that goes by and get off at the springs thats where the main pool and food court is. it will save you a lot of walking

 

[logan115]

Found this site about 18 months ago when I started planning last years trip, and it continues to amaze me ! The help/tips that people share make the whole trip soooo much better. Couldn't imagine how people could go to the World without checking out this site first !

Thanks again, and keep 'em coming..........

Chris

 

[LilGMom]

We stayed at SSR last May with our then 2 & 6 yr. olds. We were in Congress Park and while it was a little bit of a walk (but no more than 10 minutes) to the hospitality area there was a quite pool directly behind our building. It was also only about a ten minute walk to DTD.

Our building -

The courtyard view off of our balcony. The quiet pool was directly behind the courtyard. -

If your wife is having a normal and healthy pregnancy being only four months along shouldn't really play into how far you are from things.

I can't comment on the buses since we always have our car. If you have a car parking was very convenient to the rooms.