Just back and my feelings on Saratoga Springs

[TIGER RADIATION]

I got an idea! Stay home and dont go its pretty simple. You people have nothing better to do than jump on here and complain about a resort dont stay there I dont see the issue. Its pretty simple to me. I dont like hotel type resorts i prefer condo style so does that make boardwaly or beach club dumps do i feel they need to implode them tomorrow or ill go crazy. No i just wont stay there but to get on here and act like its the end of the world is just crazy be an adult and respect what other people like apparently enough people thought it was a good idea and look at old key west many people are die hards. So my answer is shut the ---- up and get a life.

ugh, there are condo setups at ALL places. What do you mean hotel? Oh wait...you mean the condoish EXTERIOR right? I see. Because all of them have the condoish INTERIOR if that is the room size you choose 1 bedroom, grand villa, etc. You are referring to the exterior where you do not have to walk down a hallway and you can drive up right? We do not drive. We fly so it has no effect on us either way.

 

[TIGER RADIATION]

Ok, I'm officially worried now. Wife and I are looking into buying 150 points at SSR and now I read this post...

We've always stayed at the value resorts, the way that guy makes it sound, we are making a huge mistake.. can anyone give me some positives on SSR? Are we making a mistake???

Well, it depends on what you like. Do you like to be near (within walking distance) EPCOT, MGM, two mini-golf courses, clubs, restaurants, shops, etc. right at your doorstep? If so, BWV or BCV would be the place for you. Unfortunately they are sold out. SSR is close to DTD which is a plus. Not much in the way of a close restaurant, shop, etc. It is all way in the front. A long haul depending on where you are. Bottom line, there is not much there, nor much to choose from without hopping on a bus and leaving. The theme is good. Contemporary will be opening some villas in the future. I would wait for that.

 

[TIGER RADIATION]

I'm one of those people that prefers the condo-type "FEEL" over the hotel-type. I LOVE SSR!!!! I hated the BWV.....too noisy and not very well maintained in my opinion. I want PEACE AND QUIET when I'm on vacation! To each his own...............

Very quiet at The BWV as long as you are not overlooking the lake, and even when we were it was not loud. You could hear some bells ringing and people talking but faintly. It wasn't like you were in the techno dance club mannequins at DTD was it??? LOL!

 

[cobbler]

Coach -
No worries on SSR, great resort, just like all the other resorts Disney owns. Each has their own special quality.

Enjoy your membership!

 

[RobDoc]

There was no construction in progress during my walk through at SSR. I spoke brielfy to the DVC sales CM on site, and she did take me along with another visitor and showed us a "display villa" (a 2BR that struck me as being about the same size and with the same general features as the ones I've stayed in at HH and Vero). Obviously, in terms of views (it looked over a canal) I didn't presume it was necessarily representative of everything else on the property.

...

Just curious when you could have visited SSR when there was no construction going on? The resort has been under construction since well before it began sales in 2003. When it first opened (Congress Park was the first section to open), there was active construction ongoing at The Springs as well as The Paddock and there has never been a period when no contruction was being done. That will end soon when the last Grandstand buildings open this year.

The models were (and still are) located in the Congress Park area in the building closest to the Sales Center (which was the first building to open in May, 2004). The models all have a view across the lake towards DD - none have a "canal view".

As for the landscaping, the SSR resort sits on the site formerly occupied by DI (and Disney Village Resort before that). Since the entire residential area of those resorts has been demolished along with the landscaping that did not fit the upstate NY theming of the resort.

 

[Dean]

I don't understand this. Everyone bought DVC with the understanding that they would have every right to book at any of the DVC properties within the seven month window. I own at SSR, though I've yet to stay there. It's not because I don't like it, it's because of other factors (wanting a 2 BR to bring family and needing to save points by staying at OKW and BWV standard view, both of which I've booked well inside that seven month window), and I've also enjoyed a stay at VB. I will eventually stay at SSR and I'm sure I'll enjoy it very much, just as I have every other DVC property.

I know many people who own other timeshare properties that never stay at their "home" resort but use it exclusively to trade to other locations. I don't see DVC as being any different.

DVC is different in many ways, the same in others. If one bought with the understanding they could stay anywhere at 7 months, they didn't understand what they were buying. The 7 month window could be changed at any time either to a shorter or longer period.

 

[JerJan]

Very quiet at The BWV as long as you are not overlooking the lake, and even when we were it was not loud. You could hear some bells ringing and people talking but faintly. It wasn't like you were in the techno dance club mannequins at DTD was it??? LOL!

NO.......SSR is SO BIG that you are VERY, VERY, VERY, FAR, FAR AWAY from virtually EVERYTHING!!!!!

 

[jakenjess]

DVC is different in many ways, the same in others. If one bought with the understanding they could stay anywhere at 7 months, they didn't understand what they were buying. The 7 month window could be changed at any time either to a shorter or longer period.

I understand it could be changed, but at the time of purchase that was what the rules were and still are. So to be upset at owners who book outside their home resort doesn't make sense. We're all playing by the same rules.

 

[SaratogaShan]

Just curious when you could have visited SSR when there was no construction going on? The resort has been under construction since well before it began sales in 2003. When it first opened (Congress Park was the first section to open), there was active construction ongoing at The Springs as well as The Paddock and there has never been a period when no contruction was being done. That will end soon when the last Grandstand buildings open this year.

The models were (and still are) located in the Congress Park area in the building closest to the Sales Center (which was the first building to open in May, 2004). The models all have a view across the lake towards DD - none have a "canal view".

As for the landscaping, the SSR resort sits on the site formerly occupied by DI (and Disney Village Resort before that). Since the entire residential area of those resorts has been demolished and the landscaping that fit the upstate NY theming of the resort.

Thank you Doc.

We can always count on you to put an end to incongruities and false information!

 

[barlitz]

Coach81, There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance of SSR at DTD and its less of a walk than it would be to Epcot from BC/BW plus you don't need to pay to get in.
SSR is a great resort with plenty of activities including a golf course and a great Spa.

 

[UConnJack]

We do not like being at the Beach Club/Boardwalk area, because it takes 20 minutes just for the buses to stop at all of the places they stop....... For the transportation reason alone, I'm scared to try Boardwalk.

You see, I never understood this argument from OKW and SSR owners. The busses at OKW and SSR have to stop at multiple bus stops within the resort; I really don't see much of a difference than the bus that stops at 3 EPCOT area resorts (sometimes all 5). As a matter of fact, the SSR and OKW busses stop at five different stops (maybe 6-7 at SSR in the future) versus 3 to 5 EPCOT resort area stops (depending on season), so even with the EPCOT stops being further apart it takes about the same amount of time before you are on the road to the parks.

Of course, this only applies to MK and AK, since you can just walk or float to MGM and EPCOT.

 

[Dean]

I understand it could be changed, but at the time of purchase that was what the rules were and still are. So to be upset at owners who book outside their home resort doesn't make sense. We're all playing by the same rules.

I don't think anyone is upset at those who book outside the home resort. Some are upset at DVC for using buy here and stay there as a sales ploy, esp to the degree it affects the system where SSR is involved. And others, like myself, feel it has a major effect in terms of discussing the realities, without being upset about it.

 

[UConnJack]

I don't understand this. Everyone bought DVC with the understanding that they would have every right to book at any of the DVC properties within the seven month window. I own at SSR, though I've yet to stay there. It's not because I don't like it, it's because of other factors (wanting a 2 BR to bring family and needing to save points by staying at OKW and BWV standard view, both of which I've booked well inside that seven month window), and I've also enjoyed a stay at VB. I will eventually stay at SSR and I'm sure I'll enjoy it very much, just as I have every other DVC property.

I know many people who own other timeshare properties that never stay at their "home" resort but use it exclusively to trade to other locations. I don't see DVC as being any different.

Then actually, you are part of that problem. Mind you, I have no beef with wanting to try other resorts, it is a great perk of owning DVC and I intend on trying them all as well. However, the fact that you bought into SSR and then, based on your signature trip list, have proceeded to stay only at VWL, OKW, VB, BWV, and BWV again tells me you bought SSR primarily to stay at the other resorts. Now I'm not saying you don't like SSR (although how would you know since you haven't stayed there yet), but you have obviously been staying at the other resorts because they offered something you couldn't get at SSR (point savings, location, etc.) This, in addition to the fact that SSR is so big, is why it is getting so difficult to get reservations at other resorts within the 7-month window.

 

[SaratogaShan]

Now I'm not saying you don't like SSR (although how would you know since you haven't stayed there yet), but you have obviously been staying at the other resorts because they offered something you couldn't get at SSR (point savings, location, etc.) .

So, you are saying that a person needs to actually STAY at SSR to know if he/she will like the resort?

HMMMM......How VERY interesting!

I thought a one hour tour through a partially completed resort would SURELY be enough to form an unbiased opinion!

 

[beachblanket]

Just curious when you could have visited SSR when there was no construction going on?

I came from DTD and went into Congress Park. There was no active construction visible there or in the (I think) eastern end I subsequently walked around. It is possible comstruction was going on in other areas of the property.

The models were (and still are) located in the Congress Park area in the building closest to the Sales Center (which was the first building to open in May, 2004).

For whatever reason, the "model" I was shown was different than what you are describing, It was not directly next to the sales center - It was at least two perhaps three (I wasn't taking detailed notes) buildings down from there, for I remember the sales associate and I chatting for a good four to five minutes as we walked to it. What was outside the balcony was definitely a canal, not a lake.

Since the entire residential area of those resorts has been demolished and the landscaping that fit the upstate NY theming of the resort.

My brother went to school at Cornell, so I am more than familiar with the topography of upstate NY. It is (in two words) hilly and stony (all that glacial till). Florida is flat and sandy. So try as it might - they can plant all the oaks, elms and beech they want -- Disney will unfortunately never be able truly replicate what the regions in and around Saratoga really feel like.

 

[UConnJack]

So, you are saying that a person needs to actually STAY at SSR to know if he/she will like the resort?

HMMMM......How VERY interesting!

I thought a one hour tour through a partially completed resort would SURELY be enough to form an unbiased opinion!

Hey, I didn't say it.

 

[diznyfanatic]

Okay, even IF everything negative that has been said about SSR is true (I'm NOT saying it is, as we've only toured it and haven't yet stayed there. However, we think it looks like a lovely resort and will be staying there next week), what exactly do all of you naysayers want DVC to do about it NOW?

Do you want the whole thing bulldozed? Do you want DVC to decrease the point values at SSR? Do you want them to add more amenties? Do you want them to extend the home resort prioirty booking window? Do you want every SSR owner to collectively shout that they made a mistake? What? What exactly could be done at this point?

What good is all of this negative droning doing except needlessly upsetting people and causing a lot more work for the moderators (I saw a handful of very nasty SSR posts zapped today in a short timeframe...one minute they were there and the next they were gone)?

As a BWV and VWL owner, I knew full well how to use my home resort priority. Don't most people usually plan their WDW/DVC trips at least 7 months out? I mean by the looks of all the forums and posts here on the DIS, I would say most people obsessively plan their WDW vacations at least that far in advance on average. I knew if we didn't plan early enough, it was going to be a "if you snooze you lose" situation.

The one issue that had an effect on the "little 3" resorts that concerned me was point morphing by commercial renters and DVC appears to be attempting to handle that by limiting transfers.

I certainly don't blame the SSR owners if I am unable to plan ahead and can't book at my home resorts. I blame myself.

Really, what am I missing here that's causing all of this commotion and obsessing by some? If you bought where you wanted and use your booking window to stay where you want, why else do you care where someone else wanted to purchase and stay?

 

[elijahpep]

Okay, even IF everything negative that has been said about SSR is true (I'm NOT saying it is, as we've only toured it and haven't yet stayed there. However, we think it looks like a lovely resort and will be staying there next week), what exactly do all of you naysayers want DVC to do about it NOW?

Do you want the whole thing bulldozed? Do you want DVC to decrease the point values at SSR? Do you want them to add more amenties? Do you want them to extend the home resort prioirty booking window? Do you want every SSR owner to collectively shout that they made a mistake? What? What exactly could be done at this point?

What good is all of this negative droning doing except needlessly upsetting people and causing a lot more work for the moderators (I saw a handful of very nasty SSR posts zapped today in a short timeframe...one minute they were there and the next they were gone)?

As a BWV and VWL owner, I knew full well how to use my home resort priority. Don't most people usually plan their WDW/DVC trips at least 7 months out? I mean by the looks of all the forums and posts here on the DIS, I would say most people obsessively plan their WDW vacations at least that far in advance on average. I knew if we didn't plan early enough, it was going to be a "if you snooze you lose" situation.

The one issue that had an effect on the "little 3" resorts that concerned me was point morphing by commercial renters and DVC appears to be attempting to handle that by limiting transfers.

I certainly don't blame the SSR owners if I am unable to plan ahead and can't book at my home resorts. I blame myself.

Really, what am I missing here that's causing all of this commotion and obsessing by some? If you bought where you wanted and use your booking window to stay where you want, why else do you care where someone else wanted to purchase and stay?

Very well said!

 

[BroganMc]

The models were (and still are) located in the Congress Park area in the building closest to the Sales Center (which was the first building to open in May, 2004). The models all have a view across the lake towards DD - none have a "canal view".

One correction for your information, Doc. The models are now in the Springs section. Across from the pool, Broadway street side. They overlook the canal between the two buildings there with the bus stop on the left and bridge to Paddocks on the left.

 

[barlitz]

beachblanket, We own a home on Cape Cod, We also own a boat which we keep in a slip on the Cape and take frequent trips to Nantucket and the Vineyard. The BC does not remind us what so ever of a Beach or the Ocean.