I gave my 35 year old daughter a choice.

[tvwalsh]

First of all, I own points only at OKW and at VB. I offered my Daughter along with her husband and her eight and six year old daughters, a two bedroom vacation home for five days at any DVC resort. She has been with us to all of the resorts except Hilton Head. (We joined in 1992 and have 550 points)

She picked Saratoga Springs. I asked her why she chose SS and she said the spa, the location near DTD, the pools, the newness and the landscaping.
She also said that she just enjoys being there more than being at the other resorts.

I just thought I'd pass that on to you SS owners!

 

[Sammie]

well as far as WDW DVC goes I would have to agree with her, and add Artist Pallette in and you have our list for loving SSR.

I will not stay at a resort without an onsite, easy access, full menu, indoor seating Counter Service. That eliminates several DVC resorts for us.

 

[PamOKW]

As hard as it is for some folks to believe, there really are people who love OKW and SSR and don't just buy there to undermine the good times of BWV/BCV owners. You have a very smart and discriminating daughter.

A wise man on these boards used to always give a little dig to BWV about their "loooooong hallways". I have to admit it was quite a hike to our BW view room (but I thought well worth it.) However, we now have a family joke -- a recent stay at a Marriott had us walking quite a distance but we all looked at each other and said "but not as long the trip down the never ending hallway of BWV!"

 

[SleepyatDVC]

A wise man on these boards used to always give a little dig to BWV about their "loooooong hallways". I have to admit it was quite a hike to our BW view room (but I thought well worth it.)

I wonder what that wise man would say about the potentially even longer walk at AKL?!!!! I know his family likes the animals since his daugter rides horses. But cooking pig's feet in his unit with their "cousins" just outside the window might be a bit "weird." Not that cooking pig's feet at WDW at all isn't weird already!

Oh, Jackie and Lisa....

 

[Par8hed]

OK- flames probably heading my way but......
What is the fascination with Downtown Disney?
It's basically a mall (albeit a small, strip type mall). ????????

 

[bababear_50]

DTD-Down town Disney---
Arrive early in the morning and take a stroll with the first CM's setting up shop--lovely,and the CM take time to chat and greet everyone.Love those broom stick along the path way !!
Stroll along the waters edge and grab a cup of coffee--sit by the water and take in the sights--larger than life lego animals--fun sporty motor vehicles--beautiful gardens and shrubs and trees. Visit the pearl shop -- .
Bag or box a special treat of Mr Potatoe head for that special kid in your life (my grandaughter )and I have alot of fun playing with it ,OHHHHHHHHHH that shop that smells so good --body lotions and soap-oils --could stay there for hours trying everything out. My fav -Christmas 365 days a year---come on what person wouldn't love that. Visit the Disney artists and watch them design--they are so talented and very nice to chat with. I could go on and on --can you tell I just discovered Down Town Disney during my last visit--Did I say I love DTD--cause I do....
Sure there is stuff to buy but stop and realize the beauty all around you!!

 

[disneymom8589]

Your daughter made a nice choice!

 

[Inkmahm]

OK- flames probably heading my way but......
What is the fascination with Downtown Disney?
It's basically a mall (albeit a small, strip type mall). ????????

You're right. The only draw for me is the 10% discount at the Disney store there that I get with my A/P or Disney Visa or AAA membership. We often go there to buy the stuff we want to take home as gifts for relatives' kids. The rest of DTD I can take or leave, mostly leave. The stinky bath stuff store in particular, I have to hold my breath and walk past quickly. It bothers my allergies.

 

[Twingle]

LOL at your comment about the stinky bath store - I have to go there every trip, because they sell Mickey Mouse soap!

Personally, totally love DTD, we always go several times during our trips. I love the shopping and the food, and I ALWAYS like to people watch!

 

[Inkmahm]

LOL at your comment about the stinky bath store - I have to go there every trip, because they sell Mickey Mouse soap!

Personally, totally love DTD, we always go several times during our trips. I love the shopping and the food, and I ALWAYS like to people watch!

Is it the same soap as the resorts have or a different kind of Mickey Mouse soap? I've never been in the shop. My DH has the same problem with the stink as me so he's no help in shopping, either. We have more relatives coming in December so maybe I can talk one of them into going in the store for me for Mickey soap.

 

[starbox]

We DTD because of its hours. I am not a huge fan of the parks at night - EMH are unbearably crowded, there are no fastpasses. I'll usually watch Wishes once, but Illuminations bores me. The crowds at leaving are also not fun. Plus - EPCOT and MGM close earlier than 11.

DTD is the perfect place to stroll from 9-12am and unwind after the parks close. We like the pin trading pavillion and the kids always enjoy chatting with the pin traders that set up there. WOD gets a for having everything in one place plus a 10% discoun. The Lego store is just cool. OUAT has build-your-own everything - including lightsabers. Yes, it's like a mall - but it's a mall of nothing but Disney. The pet store is Disney pet stuff, the dollar store is Disney junk, the Christmas Store is all Disney.

We also get a kick out of The Adventurers Club and the Comedy Warehouse - a great place to spend a rainy evening.

I've always loved DTD - in our pre-AP days it was a great way to avoid burning up a park admission on the day we arrived or did a waterpark.

 

[Disney Kim]

DTD = PLEASURE ISLAND!

 

[LIFERBABE]

Great Choice

I know I had a choice of where to book for our family reunion and SSR won hands down!

It worked out just like I expected with the different age groups. Everyone had a great time from the 9 month old to the 60 year old. So much to do for everyone and having DTD so close was a treat!

Tell your DD to have an AWESOME time!

Oh and I love DTD in the mornings! I feel like Belle walking thru the Village saying Bon Jour to all the shopkeepers! And Im sorry, but I have never been to a strip mall that was half as nice or that plays Disney Music 24-7. That's like comparing MK to Six Flags!

 

[mbhoxsie]

First of all, I own points only at OKW and at VB. I offered my Daughter along with her husband and her eight and six year old daughters, a two bedroom vacation home for five days at any DVC resort. She has been with us to all of the resorts except Hilton Head. (We joined in 1992 and have 550 points)

She picked Saratoga Springs. I asked her why she chose SS and she said the spa, the location near DTD, the pools, the newness and the landscaping.
She also said that she just enjoys being there more than being at the other resorts.

I just thought I'd pass that on to you SS owners!

A friend of mine borrowed points from me... She's never been to WDW and was taking her grandson... She ended up choosing SSR for exactly the same reasons..

 

[dbprimeaux]

I think DTD is a Disney fans dream!! Where else can you shop for everything DISNEY!!! ....a "strip mall" with everything Disney...wow!!!! We always hit DTD our last night to buy gifts to bring home. An the Disney Visa Card discount is the best!! Our last trip I bought Mickey Dishes (white plates with mickey parts on them), 8 different colored glasses, and glass coffee cups. I got 8 place settings!! It was me & DH souvnier's.... We saved about $80 with our Disney Visa Card discount!! I am so glad I chose this as my souvnier, because I get to use it everyday!!

 

[Disney Doll]

We stayed in SSR in April and thought it was quite lovely. Because we live in New England, the themeing/furnishings were a bit like what we see at home (except for like 1000 times nicer), so maybe, for us, it felt a smidge less like being "on vacation", but I imagine people who live in the Pacific Northwest would probably feel the same way if they stay at the WL.

But we are going in October and happily staying at SSR again.

 

[Sammie]

OK- flames probably heading my way but......
What is the fascination with Downtown Disney?
It's basically a mall (albeit a small, strip type mall). ????????

What do you enjoy while at Disney, I can't imagine not enjoying Downtown Disney.

 

[Inkmahm]

But what about the Mickey soap, people???

 

[clombardi]

What is the fascination with Downtown Disney?

Three words.........

Earl
of
Sandwich

Yum! (okay, four words.)

 

[Carneymom]

well as far as WDW DVC goes I would have to agree with her, and add Artist Pallette in and you have our list for loving SSR.

I will not stay at a resort without an onsite, easy access, full menu, indoor seating Counter Service. That eliminates several DVC resorts for us.

Although I wouldn't say I would NEVER stay in one of those resorts, it is definitely and strong consideration. We stayed at WL a few years ago and found that the fast food area(can't recall the name) was like eating McDonald's every day. YUK!