Just Back fro Saratoga Springs, NY

[Lildalejrfan]

DH & I just returned after a family funeral up there. After staying at SSR we were saying how nice it would be to go upstate to the REAL Saratoga Springs......Well, that time came sooner than we planned As we were driving along the interstate we noticed new condo's that resembled SSR. Even some of the names were the same. ex. The Paddock At Saratoga Springs, Congress Park Centre. The town is very lovely & all the shops down Main St was amazing. Just wished we could have stopped & looked around some but maybe next time we'll get to see more of this great city.
I must say Disney did a great justice to this historic city when they built SSR.
O well, just wanted to pass along this info on Saratoga Springs, NY & if anyone is ever up that way they won't be dissapointed.

 

[oakmanner]

Sounds nice, we'll have to take the drive some day.

 

[Sammie]

Sorry about the loss to your family.

As to the themeing of SSR, I have always said that when people comment there is no theme, they simpy had no idea of what the real Saratoga Springs, NY is like. Thanks for sharing that Disney does its homework when it comes to being true to theme.

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

As to the themeing of SSR, I have always said that when people comment there is no theme, they simpy had no idea of what the real Saratoga Springs, NY is like. Thanks for sharing that Disney does its homework when it comes to being true to theme.

Let me also say that living just 30 miles south of Saratoga, NY that that the DVC Saratoga is truly amazing in the way that they copied the flavor of the of this Upstate city.

Saratoga, NY is like two diffferent cities in one. There is the small town Saratoga which it is most of the year and then there is the center of the horse racing world Saratoga forfor 6 weeks every year mid-July to late August -when the horse tracing track is open. The town is incredibly vibrant in the summer with big names and celebs, when the horses are running. I was really taken with the paintings in the lobby of the Carriage House at SSR. One, in particular showed the horses in the Paddock area where the jockeys get on the horses and the owners take one last look at the horses before the headed out to the track. I'm thinking that Disney had to have sent artist to the track to come up with this painting -it is such rich in accurate detail and really captures the Saratoga Race Course in all its glory.

 

[Silver Queen]

Thanks for your kind opinions about the "real" Saratoga. We live about 20 miles south of Saratoga Springs, NY and for that reason were a little reluctant to purchase at SSR thinking it was too much like home. Well, the incentives were too good to pass up and now we're very happy with our purchase. We love the quiet, beautiful grounds art SSR and as Robo-Daddy 3000 has mentioned Dinsey has done a wonderful job of capturing the charm of the city and its thoroughbred racing heritage..

 

[dvcbnd]

We're going to take a drive up to Albany the first wknd in May. While there, we thought that we'd take the trip into Saratoga for the day. We have stayed at SSR a few times and really enjoyed it. We were always curious as to how it captured the true feel of the real Saratoga Springs. After, reading your posts, we're looking forward to taking our drive and visiting for the day. Thanks!

 

[La2kw]

Sorry about the loss to your family.

As to the themeing of SSR, I have always said that when people comment there is no theme, they simpy had no idea of what the real Saratoga Springs, NY is like. Thanks for sharing that Disney does its homework when it comes to being true to theme.

I agree. Same with Old Key West. Anyone who says that place has no theme is is "just a bunch of condos" has never bothered to see the real Key West. Disney did an amazing job capturing the feel of the place (even if they sanitized it a bit).

 

[Sammie]

Disney does very extensive research on all its resorts to keep the theme true to the real deal. They visit many times, talk with locals and artisans from the area. They stay in the local historical hotels and B and Bs. They dine locally and shop the local stores. I am sure at Saratoga they went to the racetrack.

They purchase local artwork and furnishings to use and even hire local tradesmen and artisans to come and work on the resort. I love that they offer Saratogs Springs bottled water at the gift shop and the peppermint pigs.

While certain themes might not appeal to everyone, I have never understood the remark that the resort has no theme.