Just back and my feelings on Saratoga Springs

[BroganMc]

Is that distance comparable or further than say.....
AT WL....from the villas to the boats....

Interesting question.

Factoid: The actual distance from the docks to VWL lobby using all outside pathways is .22 miles. Going through the WL lobby and using the covered walkway is .27 miles. If you are at the farthest edge of the building, add another .06 miles.

In normal walking speed that's about 6-7 minutes of walking.

Factors to affect appearance:

- The dock has a rather long woodland area bridge to traverse just to get to it. It struck me as long and a tad spooky when I strolled it. First timer experience though.

- If it is raining, cold or otherwise weather-oppressive, those outdoor paths can be pretty miserable.

- Having to wait for an elevator.

- With the recent construction closure of the main WL pool, a lot of folks have reported the pathways are more obstructed. But I believe the construction will be over soon.

Bottomline:

It's no different than walking the length of a BWV hallway or even walking up from the WL parking lot. Just a bit windier a path.

 

[BroganMc]

Amen, "sister"!!! People can trash BCV all they want, and it doesn't change my mind one bit.....we just ADORE that place!!!

Is that an invitation? I think I can bestir myself for a dissertation on BCV and accessibility.

I still say we can do much, much better with these resort debates. We just need to get snappier with our quips. You know, more of the "I can sit on my BWV balcony and reach inside the door to grab a beer out of the fridge" variety.

I know, let's just say SSR is sooooo big the bellhop staff has decided to paint a couple golf carts yellow & black and start trolling for fares. To give it that authentic New York flavor, they are adopting all manner of foreign accents and will guarantee to take you by the farthest route possible. Win, win, win. Better theming, no more walking for you and they make up the lost revenue from people daring to bring their cars and haul their own luggage inside.

 

[SaratogaShan]

Amen, "sister"!!! People can trash BCV all they want, and it doesn't change my mind one bit.....we just ADORE that place!!!

Yep....The trashing of SSR has never swayed my opinion either. I loved it the first time I saw it, and like it more and more with each trip.

 

[Starr W.]

After reading this thread and having alot of experience staying in "resort type" hotels. SSR is not too bad. Kingsmill in Williamsburg, La Quinta in Palm Springs(had to use the map the first few times from my room till I got the lay of the land) and a Hyatt in Monterrey CA I had much longer walks than at SSR.

If you really want to talk about a resort that you need a car, it's The Homestead in Glen Arbor MI. If you want condo/villa type room you might luck out and be able to walk to the beach club, but you'll need the car to get to the resturants and small store.

These resort threads always remind me of having discussions with my late DM. If your tastes in anything didn't agree with her's(which of course were the right ones) something was very wrong with you.

We love SSR and can't wait to get back(darn me and my wild ideas about going on the waitlist and it actually worked! Next trip VWL) Though Thanksgving and MLK weekend are booked for SSR.

 

[crisi]

Thanks Chuck, I was thinking that perhaps that may be it. Which, I hate to say, still brings my question around. I swear, not trying to be nitpicky

I do not see the styling to be elegant either just your average hotel furniture. For example, I stayed at the Hilton Austin last week and the furnishings there were about the same as SSR.

Maybe it is just me and a personal definition of what I consider to be elegant or upscale. Probably time to drop it before I irritate someone

You can join me. There are several things I don't find appealing about SSR, but the decor is the biggest. To me, it screams "late 1970s Rec Room" - and there was nothing upscale about that. I guess I knew a couple of kids in junior high whose parents had moved their colonial style funiture to the rec room.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

Is that an invitation? I think I can bestir myself for a dissertation on BCV and accessibility.

I still say we can do much, much better with these resort debates. We just need to get snappier with our quips. You know, more of the "I can sit on my BWV balcony and reach inside the door to grab a beer out of the fridge" variety.

I know, let's just say SSR is sooooo big the bellhop staff has decided to paint a couple golf carts yellow & black and start trolling for fares. To give it that authentic New York flavor, they are adopting all manner of foreign accents and will guarantee to take you by the farthest route possible. Win, win, win. Better theming, no more walking for you and they make up the lost revenue from people daring to bring their cars and haul their own luggage inside.

But for the REAL NY feel, they would have to tax everything. Path tax, pool tax, taxi tax, tax on the room tax. <sigh> Then it would feel just like home.

 

[Sammie]

These resort threads always remind me of having discussions with my late DM. If your tastes in anything didn't agree with her's(which of course were the right ones) something was very wrong with you.

Of my gosh, that is it in a nutshell. I have an Aunt that way. Her way is the only opinion of note.

I think all DVC resorts have a lot to of offer, and they all have flaws. But please do not insult my intelligence by trying to convince one is best. Kinda like the perfect child, they don't exist, except in the imaginations of thier parents.

 

[Sammie]

Decided in advance I knew what the response would be and it just aint worth it.

 

[Beca]

Is that an invitation? I think I can bestir myself for a dissertation on BCV and accessibility.

I still say we can do much, much better with these resort debates. We just need to get snappier with our quips. You know, more of the "I can sit on my BWV balcony and reach inside the door to grab a beer out of the fridge" variety.

I know, let's just say SSR is sooooo big the bellhop staff has decided to paint a couple golf carts yellow & black and start trolling for fares. To give it that authentic New York flavor, they are adopting all manner of foreign accents and will guarantee to take you by the farthest route possible. Win, win, win. Better theming, no more walking for you and they make up the lost revenue from people daring to bring their cars and haul their own luggage inside.

Are you sure you're not related to Mr Hyams??!!

ITA with your assessment of our "lackluster quips"!!! We can be a very boring, way too serious bunch!!

 

[alldiz]

I'm just glad that Disney offers all of these choices. Imagine if they just used a "cookie-cutter" approach for thier DVC resorts and just replicated the same thing over & over again? Now, I realize that they do have a formula for these resorts in that they all offer similar amenities and the like & that the rooms are mostly the same layout, but it's nice that Disney has mixed it up, not only in theming, but in resort style (condo vs. hotel).

I've only been on these boards for a little while, but what I am seeing here is that no one resort is better or worse than the others. What I am seeing is different strokes for different folks. I'm not trying to single anyone out, but one person's "death march" to the pool is another's "lesiurely stroll". One person's "lively atmosphere" is another's "noisy nightmare". I think it's great that Disney offers these different environments to not only fit an individual's general peferences, but to offer us a different experience for each visit. One time, I might want the peace and solitude of SSR, while on my next visit, I may want to be in the middle of it all and stay at BWV.

Not to get too "kum-bah-yah-ish", but can't we all agree that we are all very lucky to have the means to be able to afford DVC, regardless of our home resort, and that we are able to experience Disney on a regular basis? I realize that a lot of us have made some sacrafices in our lives for this opportunity, but there are many people out there that are dying to get to Disney just ONCE in thier lives. We get to go every year, more or less. Not that we should just roll over and accept anything Disney throws at us, as we all have made major investments into DVC, but I think we need to keep things in perspective here.

Great point

The best thing about Disney for me is.....
Different accomodation choices....Every time you go
can be different.....each resort offers a different experience...

Cant wait to try em all
Kerri

 

[alldiz]

Ok....I've heard a lot about long distances....

I have every intention of trying every dvc and hotel.....
regardless of others opinions.....

My question.....the long walks that has been perceived at
okw...ssr....maybe the halls at bwv and bcv.....

Is that distance comparable or further than say.....
AT WL....from the villas to the boats....

Any vets out there....is that considered a "long" distance....
Just curious....of what i should expect...
thanks
kerri

Interesting question.

Factoid: The actual distance from the docks to VWL lobby using all outside pathways is .22 miles. Going through the WL lobby and using the covered walkway is .27 miles. If you are at the farthest edge of the building, add another .06 miles.

In normal walking speed that's about 6-7 minutes of walking.

Factors to affect appearance:

- The dock has a rather long woodland area bridge to traverse just to get to it. It struck me as long and a tad spooky when I strolled it. First timer experience though.

- If it is raining, cold or otherwise weather-oppressive, those outdoor paths can be pretty miserable.

- Having to wait for an elevator.

- With the recent construction closure of the main WL pool, a lot of folks have reported the pathways are more obstructed. But I believe the construction will be over soon.

Bottomline:

It's no different than walking the length of a BWV hallway or even walking up from the WL parking lot. Just a bit windier a path.

Thanks
Kerri

 

[alldiz]

Is that an invitation? I think I can bestir myself for a dissertation on BCV and accessibility.

I still say we can do much, much better with these resort debates. We just need to get snappier with our quips. You know, more of the "I can sit on my BWV balcony and reach inside the door to grab a beer out of the fridge" variety.

I know, let's just say SSR is sooooo big the bellhop staff has decided to paint a couple golf carts yellow & black and start trolling for fares. To give it that authentic New York flavor, they are adopting all manner of foreign accents and will guarantee to take you by the farthest route possible. Win, win, win. Better theming, no more walking for you and they make up the lost revenue from people daring to bring their cars and haul their own luggage inside.

 

[disneymom8589]

I'm just glad that Disney offers all of these choices. Imagine if they just used a "cookie-cutter" approach for thier DVC resorts and just replicated the same thing over & over again? Now, I realize that they do have a formula for these resorts in that they all offer similar amenities and the like & that the rooms are mostly the same layout, but it's nice that Disney has mixed it up, not only in theming, but in resort style (condo vs. hotel).

I've only been on these boards for a little while, but what I am seeing here is that no one resort is better or worse than the others. What I am seeing is different strokes for different folks. I'm not trying to single anyone out, but one person's "death march" to the pool is another's "lesiurely stroll". One person's "lively atmosphere" is another's "noisy nightmare". I think it's great that Disney offers these different environments to not only fit an individual's general peferences, but to offer us a different experience for each visit. One time, I might want the peace and solitude of SSR, while on my next visit, I may want to be in the middle of it all and stay at BWV.

Not to get too "kum-bah-yah-ish", but can't we all agree that we are all very lucky to have the means to be able to afford DVC, regardless of our home resort, and that we are able to experience Disney on a regular basis? I realize that a lot of us have made some sacrafices in our lives for this opportunity, but there are many people out there that are dying to get to Disney just ONCE in thier lives. We get to go every year, more or less. Not that we should just roll over and accept anything Disney throws at us, as we all have made major investments into DVC, but I think we need to keep things in perspective here.

Very well said!!

 

[beachblanket]

You can join me. There are several things I don't find appealing about SSR, but the decor is the biggest. To me, it screams "late 1970s Rec Room" - and there was nothing upscale about that. I guess I knew a couple of kids in junior high whose parents had moved their colonial style funiture to the rec room.

Crisi hits the nail on the head as usual!!!! Here's photo of an actual example of what Crisi was describing (a cira 1978 rec room, complete with the classic bar!!)

 

[JerJan]

Again to each his own...I will say that the post directly above me with the photo of the "rec room" looks nothing (not even close) like anything at SSR.

 

[RobDoc]

Most will be able to find at least subtle differences in the decor compared to the photo above but some will never admit it.

 

[JerJan]

THANKS DOC!!! I think that I can see a"FEW" differences!

 

[abk96]

Crisi hits the nail on the head as usual!!!! Here's photo of an actual example of what Crisi was describing (a cira 1978 rec room, complete with the classic bar!!)

Seriously! Are you blind? I don't think you have ever been in any Disney resort let alone SSR.

 

[BroganMc]

Seriously! Are you blind? I don't think you have ever been in any Disney resort let alone SSR.

Yeah, I mean let's be honest here. SSR is soooo much classier. I mean, they don't have a dreary air hockey table littering the room. They make you go pay for it in the Community Hall, as it should be in any upscale New York complex.

But I hear CMs are talking about stocking games of Twister in the living room armoir. So maybe the rec room is a good analogy.

 

[BroganMc]

Seriously the only thing I don't like about the decor in the SSR 1 bedroom is the bedspread on that king-size bed. I don't like florals. Too dark.