How is Saratoga Springs?

[lilstint]

No, I don't believe so. The bottom of the main pool is concrete, but it's a very nicely-designed swim facility, IMO.



Try this link:

http://disneydoc.homestead.com/files/SSRMap1.jpg

Don't let the apparent size of the resort get you down. From any of the buildings you can reach the main pool / restaurant / gift shop on foot in no more than 6-7 minutes. You can also hop on any theme park bus and be dropped off right outside the pool seconds later.



You'll get varying opinions on this. If you request a room in Congress Park (which are the four buildings on the lower right hand side of the map), the only time you will see the construction is coming and going from the resort.

All of the balconies face away from the construction, with most giving a direct view of Downtown Disney.

(These buildings are also 5-15 minutes away from Downtown Disney on foot, depending upon your starting point.)

By the end of this month, one of the buildings in The Springs (the three buildings grouped in the center of the map) should be open. From that location guests are right across from the main pool, but there is a lot more exposure to the remaining construction.

Take a look at www.barrybedford.com. Barry just returned and posted a LOT of photos of the Springs and Paddock areas of the resort, which are still under construction.

EDIT: Looking at Barry's photos, it appears that all of the exterior construction and landscaping is complete for all three buildings in The Springs. So, the only construction you would really see would be the five Paddock buildings across the pond.

Don't let the apparent size of the resort get you down. From any of the buildings you can reach the main pool / restaurant / gift shop on foot in no more than 6-7 minutes. You can also hop on any theme park bus and be dropped off right outside the pool seconds later.

That is very untrue. The balconies of the rooms we stayed in faced nothing but construction- sand, fences, dumpsters, heavy machinery and noise all day (starting very early I might add.). We 1832 and 1836 but many others had the same "view." I know that according to the contract view is not guaranteed but we NEVER expected this! Sorry, can't seem to figure out how to quote partial text.

 

[tjkraz]

That is very untrue. The balconies of the rooms we stayed in faced nothing but construction- sand, fences, dumpsters, heavy machinery and noise all day (starting very early I might add.). We 1832 and 1836 but many others had the same "view." I know that according to the contract view is not guaranteed but we NEVER expected this!

I wouldn't say that "many" others had this view. Given the positioning of the center two buildings in Congress Park, there are 8 two-bedroom units (two per floor in a four-floor building; some dedicated, some lock-off) on the end of each building with balconies that point in the general direction of the construction.

That's 16 rooms of about 200 currently open--about 8%. So I stand corrected: 92% of all rooms' balconies face away from the construction.

We've stayed in an OKW room with a gorgeous golf course view, and another with a balcony overgrown by trees just a few feet away from the main road. Then you've got the "dumpster" view at VWL...the road right next to BCV...even the Boardwalk View at BWV can be a blessing or a curse depending on folks partying on the Boardwalk below.

If a room is unacceptable for some reason, the best course of action is to request a room change. No resort has 100% perfect views--DVC or cash resorts. If the problem is important enough to be noteworthy, get it rectified.

 

[lilstint]

I wouldn't say that "many" others had this view. Given the positioning of the center two buildings in Congress Park, there are 8 two-bedroom units (two per floor in a four-floor building; some dedicated, some lock-off) on the end of each building with balconies that point in the general direction of the construction.

That's 16 rooms of about 200 currently open--about 8%. So I stand corrected: 92% of all rooms' balconies face away from the construction.

We've stayed in an OKW room with a gorgeous golf course view, and another with a balcony overgrown by trees just a few feet away from the main road. Then you've got the "dumpster" view at VWL...the road right next to BCV...even the Boardwalk View at BWV can be a blessing or a curse depending on folks partying on the Boardwalk below.

If a room is unacceptable for some reason, the best course of action is to request a room change. No resort has 100% perfect views--DVC or cash resorts. If the problem is important enough to be noteworthy, get it rectified.

It seems we got very unlucky in that case. Perfect? I have lived too long to expect perfect. This, however, was totally unacceptable. The rooms should NOT have been open to guests spending their hard earned money.

 

[magicalmcwho]

Hi,

Our family loved SSR. DD3 at the time loved the main pool slide and really never wanted to leave it. After we found the community hall, DD always wanted to go there nearly every day. DD didnt care what resort or how long the wait was for the bus because we were at WDW. She always asks when are we going to WDW. DW and I dont mind what resort we are at because we are at WDW and we are on vacation.
We enjoy the rides, the parks, meals, and for the moment feel like kids.

Jim.

 

[tjkraz]

It seems we got very unlucky in that case. Perfect? I have lived too long to expect perfect. This, however, was totally unacceptable. The rooms should NOT have been open to guests spending their hard earned money.

Those buildings have been open for 6-8 months now, and this is the first time I have seen a complaint specifically referencing construction disturbance. So, either DIS members have been fortunate enough not to get one of those rooms, or they just didn't mind as much as you.

The room I mentioned in my last post at OKW with the great golf course view...it also happened to be right next to a bus stop. So, we had some noise from the squealing of bus brakes in the early morning hours. But it wasn't anything that detracted from our stay. If it was, we would have asked to be moved.

Things like that are always subjective. Others would consider a first floor room near the access road at BCV "totally unacceptable", but the resort isn't about to take them out of service.

Like I said, if it mattered to you that much you absolutely should have contacted the front desk to see what they can do. The resort cannot address a problem if they are not aware of it.

 

[FirstTimer]

Those buildings have been open for 6-8 months now, and this is the first time I have seen a complaint specifically referencing construction disturbance. So, either DIS members have been fortunate enough not to get one of those rooms, or they just didn't mind as much as you.

The room I mentioned in my last post at OKW with the great golf course view...it also happened to be right next to a bus stop. So, we had some noise from the squealing of bus brakes in the early morning hours. But it wasn't anything that detracted from our stay. If it was, we would have asked to be moved.

Things like that are always subjective. Others would consider a first floor room near the access road at BCV "totally unacceptable", but the resort isn't about to take them out of service.

Like I said, if it mattered to you that much you absolutely should have contacted the front desk to see what they can do. The resort cannot address a problem if they are not aware of it.

It seems to me that you're going back and forth with lilstint over his feelings which IMO is wrong. Just because this is the first YOU have heard of someone feeling that a room at SSR was totally unacceptable in NO WAY invalidates or should invalidate his belief. It's too late to say what he should have have done, but you know what he has the absolute right to come back and share his experiences without feeling like he's being attacked or even worse 'THAT HE'S WRONG' if he feels that it was "totally unacceptable" then it's up to each individual to take it for what its worse.

I'm sorry I just feel like there's a better way to get your point across without attacking the beliefs of others. Like you said you encountered nothing wrong with your stay at SSR so why not just post that instead of attacking someone else's views.

I swear I haven't been on here wrong but SOME of you posters make others feel like this is the Salem Witch Hunt when you go against the popular consensus.

 

[tjkraz]

It seems to me that you're going back and forth with lilstint over his feelings which IMO is wrong. Just because this is the first YOU have heard of someone feeling that a room at SSR was totally unacceptable in NO WAY invalidates or should invalidate his belief. It's too late to say what he should have have done, but you know what he has the absolute right to come back and share his experiences without feeling like he's being attacked or even worse 'THAT HE'S WRONG' if he feels that it was "totally unacceptable" then it's up to each individual to take it for what its worse.

If that's how you see it, then you are really misconstruing my comments. My intent was simply to point out that each of us have individual tastes regarding what is acceptable and unacceptable. And the most direct manner in which to have needs addressed is to discuss with the resort staff. lilstint was clearly dissatisfied with the view, and I never questioned that dissatisfaction. To the contrary, I fully support everyone getting what they expect from their Disney vacations.

I'm sorry I just feel like there's a better way to get your point across without attacking the beliefs of others. Like you said you encountered nothing wrong with your stay at SSR so why not just post that instead of attacking someone else's views.

Again, I never attacked his/her views. You didn't see me posting "you're nuts...all of the rooms are great." In fact, I went back to the resort map, acknowledged that my original post was incorrect (about no balconies facing in the direction of the construction) and tried to offer helpful suggestions.

I swear I haven't been on here wrong but SOME of you posters make others feel like this is the Salem Witch Hunt when you go against the popular consensus.

Sorry, no "popular concensus" here...just the thoughts on one person trying to help another.

 

[imlazar]

I'm thinking about staying there with DH and 4 year old DD. When I think of springs I think of holistic retreat, not necessary for kids . Is it close to MK and other parks? Are there activities for kids or is it geared more for adults? Planning the first trip to disney is leaving me

Just to add to what you've heard - we stayed there in Feb with 2 boys, ages 2 & 4. We stayed in Congress Park. The kids loved the tot lot and the pool, and overall the place was very calm and quiet. It was a nice break from the hustle of the parks.

We will definately stay there again on our next visit.

 

[lilstint]

If that's how you see it, then you are really misconstruing my comments. My intent was simply to point out that each of us have individual tastes regarding what is acceptable and unacceptable. And the most direct manner in which to have needs addressed is to discuss with the resort staff. lilstint was clearly dissatisfied with the view, and I never questioned that dissatisfaction. To the contrary, I fully support everyone getting what they expect from their Disney vacations.



Again, I never attacked his/her views. You didn't see me posting "you're nuts...all of the rooms are great." In fact, I went back to the resort map, acknowledged that my original post was incorrect (about no balconies facing in the direction of the construction) and tried to offer helpful suggestions.


Sorry, no "popular concensus" here...just the thoughts on one person trying to help another.

An important part of reading is inferring tone. I teach this every day to high school students preparing for the SAT's. I think FirstTimer was not misconstruing anything and is a VERY good reader

 

[tjkraz]

An important part of reading is inferring tone. I teach this every day to high school students preparing for the SAT's. I think FirstTimer was not misconstruing anything and is a VERY good reader

And as the author of the post in question, I will again state that you are both incorrect. If you don't like the resort, so be it. I have no vested interest in other members' likes and dislikes.

Once again, the entire point of my (increasingly redundant) posts is to drive home two points:

1. Likes and dislikes, "acceptable" and "totally unacceptable" are open to subjective interpretation. To you, a room facing in the direction of the construction was unacceptable. I never implied that you should feel otherwise. But some WDW guests leave their room at 7:30am for the parks and wouldn’t even notice a disturbance. Different expectations. Different degree of “acceptability.”

2. When a guest enters a DVC room he/she considers "unacceptable" there is a very easy remedy available--call or go back to the front desk. To fall into the "silent complainer" category (i.e. I'm really upset but I'm not going to tell anyone to give them an opportunity to satisfy me) is counterproductive.

If you want to attach any sort of tone to this message, the correct one would be frustration with a degree of incredulousness. I just don't understand why someone would let an issue like this negatively impact his / her vacation without making some attempt to rememdy the situation.

 

[DrTomorrow]

An important part of reading is inferring tone. I teach this every day to high school students preparing for the SAT's. I think FirstTimer was not misconstruing anything and is a VERY good reader

Ah, the appeal to authority, albeit veiled. Since lilstint has opened this door, I present the following:

[...] This, however, was totally unacceptable. The rooms should NOT have been open to guests spending their hard earned money.

What is the tone here? Is it, as FirstTimer suggests, merely the tone of someone expressing disatisfaction at their room? If this were the case - and it was merely someone's opinion of their experience - then I doubt that there would have been any hue and cry. However, when someone goes beyond personal opinion - This wasn't good enough for me - and feels omniscient enough to speak for others - This isn't good enough for anyone - that some response is necessary.

I'd ask - rhetorically, of course - if lilstint truly feels that DVC owners shouldn't have the option of accepting or rejecting any room they are assigned to, but we already know the answer to that question.

As to this bogus issue of "attacks" that has reared its ugly head now and again, I'll politely point out that this is a "Forum" - a [public] meeting place for open discussion. While people should feel comfortable expressing their opinions, they should also realize that those with differing and/or dissenting viewpoints may challenge them. It is in this crucible of expression, disagreement and debate that useful - and oftimes entertaining - information is brewed.

Be well!

 

[FirstTimer]

Ah, the appeal to authority, albeit veiled. Since lilstint has opened this door, I present the following: What is the tone here? Is it, as FirstTimer suggests, merely the tone of someone expressing disatisfaction at their room? If this were the case - and it was merely someone's opinion of their experience - then I doubt that there would have been any hue and cry. However, when someone goes beyond personal opinion - This wasn't good enough for me - and feels omniscient enough to speak for others - This isn't good enough for anyone - that some response is necessary.

I'd ask - rhetorically, of course - if lilstint truly feels that DVC owners shouldn't have the option of accepting or rejecting any room they are assigned to, but we already know the answer to that question.

As to this bogus issue of "attacks" that has reared its ugly head now and again, I'll politely point out that this is a "Forum" - a [public] meeting place for open discussion. While people should feel comfortable expressing their opinions, they should also realize that those with differing and/or dissenting viewpoints may challenge them. It is in this crucible of expression, disagreement and debate that useful - and oftimes entertaining - information is brewed.

Be well!

where is that beating a dead horse smiley *sigh*

 

[UrsulasShadow]

WOW!!!! Not sure I'd want to take a vacation here now...the people seem a little vicious.

 

[athenna]

WOW!!!! Not sure I'd want to take a vacation here now...the people seem a little vicious.

Take everything that is said with a grain of salt.
Freedom of speech is 1 thing we love about America, right?
Just some folks have a funny way of expressing themselves.

 

[Sammie]

Vacation where, on these forums or Disney World or SSR.

You know I really do not understand why some on these forums are so sensitive. Unless someone is calling you names, (not allowed by the way), why does it matter if they disagree with what someone has posted.

If you can't take the heat of someone disagreeing with you on a public forum it's best to get out of the kitchen.

I don't read tone on Internet forums either. I never think anyone is upset with me, as it does not matter. So what if they are. Not like you are going to have dinner with them next week. As long as they abide by the TOS of these forums, then all is fair.

If any of TJ's comments were upsetting, then some are going to stay upset on these forums, I consider his very mild.

As Dr. T pointed out this is a public forum, any comment is up for discussion pro and con.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Vacation where, on these forums or Disney World or SSR. .

I guess I'd like to avoid anyplace that has such disagreeable and contentious people. I believe that to be a basic human desire...to avoid uncomfortable confrontation.

You know I really do not understand why some on these forums are so sensitive. Unless someone is calling you names, (not allowed by the way), why does it matter if they disagree with what someone has posted.

If you can't take the heat of someone disagreeing with you on a public forum it's best to get out of the kitchen. .

I suppose that I assume that those who would be so disagreeable in a public forum wouldn't hesitate to be as argumentative in a public place.

I don't read tone on Internet forums either. I never think anyone is upset with me, as it does not matter. So what if they are. Not like you are going to have dinner with them next week. As long as they abide by the TOS of these forums, then all is fair..

In public, face to face, I would assume (maybe mistakenly) that people would present their viewpoints with politeness, without aggression, with a little thought to how it might affect the recipients. I see no difference between e-mail, public forum, telephone conversation, and face-to-face personal encounters. Please, am I expecting too much of civilized people?

 

[joycmc]

Did not read all posts before postin about spa but in case anyone is interested.kids are welcome in spa.they have packages for them too.
investigatin for myself and 11yr dd.Not sure if it is pertinent anymore this thread took a turn.I think everybody likes or dislikes resorts for there own reasons.all have great stuff for kids to do.Take opinions with grains of salt,
agree to disagree etc.My husband will never stay in GF and i'm dying to,with or w/o kids.He also didn't like AKL AND i loved that.But we will probably stay where he is comfortable because I want more pts.(400 is still not enough) Kids have a blast wherever we stay and they love to go to DTD.All 4 have inherited the shopping gene.
joy

 

[tjkraz]

In public, face to face, I would assume (maybe mistakenly) that people would present their viewpoints with politeness, without aggression, with a little thought to how it might affect the recipients. I see no difference between e-mail, public forum, telephone conversation, and face-to-face personal encounters. Please, am I expecting too much of civilized people?

It's worth pointing out that you are the only one I see on this thread that stooped the level of branding people "vicious". And in the text quoted above you are further implying that folks are impolite and agressive.

Quite simply, you're reading too much into posts. One often cannot emote properly in a text message, thus much can be lost in translation. For instance, as I've pointed out, your two posts contain some of the harshest language in this entire thread. But I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that wasn't the intent. I'd appreciate the same.

Also realize that just because people have differing opinions on a subject doesn't make them mortal enemies or mean they are about to come to blows. There are opinionated individuals sitting behind these keyboards.

To label people "disagreeable" and "contentious" implies that they are simply trying to stir up trouble. Well, look at the title of the thread: "How is Saratoga Springs?" That title alone should indicate that differing opinions are going to be presented within. Nobody ever claimed to be the de facto authority on this topic...the entire thread has been an open sharing of unique individual experiences.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Ok, deep breath everyone. Let's review one of the Posting Guidelines:

3. NO FIGHTING: Several Internet news groups are marred by the actions of a few selfish people who turn an otherwise positive forum into a soap box for their anger issues. Internet newsgroups are not moderated, and therefore, anything goes. These boards are moderated in an effort to keep the discussions appropriate to the topic at hand. Those who feel they can not abide by these rules are welcome to read the posts on the board, and respond via email to the person who posted the message. Messages that are argumentative or sarcastic in nature will be deleted without discussion.

 

[fishermouse]

SSP is typical Disney, everything just the way you would want it, It is a little farther out but if using Disney transportation it really makes no difference. Read the post about the return bus trip from DTD, recomend taking the boat it's a fun way to end the night or walking. Pool, rec area and resturant are geared to children. Plus with DTD right there you have Rainforest,kids love itas well as fast food ice cream, and now a shop with inexpensive gifte for them. under $10. We stayed there last Oct. and are going back April 10..