ptrbryant
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2001
- Messages
- 1,941
As background, let me mention that DH, DS9 and I had only stayed at WL and VWL in the past and loved them dearly. Since I switched our trip around from Oct. to May, lack of availability combined with the lack of any discount other than just AAA made us venture beyond the Lodge this time.
We rented points to stay 4 nts. at Saratoga Springs Resort in a studio. The Star Wars Weekend and the premiere of the new Star Wars movie were big parts of the trip for DH and DS. I thought it would be great, because of expected crowds, to be able to walk over to Downtown Disney to see the movie. After we got to SSR, I saw a sign on the pathway to DD stating that the walkway is closed between dusk and dawn...no big problem as there was plenty of room in the DD parking lot after all (last boat left too early to use it).
We checked in at about 3 pm (plane got in at 2) and the first thing I was told by the CM (who actually was friendly) was that the rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis and he'd have to see what "was left" by that point. I commented that check-in is supposed to be at 4 and I was an hour early, but he said people had been assigned rooms since 8 that morning. Okay. Actually, we had a very pretty studio on the first floor in Congress Park, facing DD. It had an impressive view and was fairly quiet. We had a non-smoking studio, as had been requested since my son has severe asthma. However, two times when I went out to sit in the patio area outside our room, "neighbors" were outside smoking cigars. The 3rd time, I sat down and water or something came pouring off the balcony above me and was dripping all over. I stepped out and looked up to see what was going on and another "neighbor" shrugged that there'd been some spill that he was clearing up.
I did the laundry one evening and met a very nice woman with her grandmother by the pool area. They were very happy at SSR, but I kept feeling that it did not have that elusive "Disney" feel to it. It felt like a beautiful, upscale gated community. Having been to Saratoga Springs, NY, I know it has it's assets, but I wonder if it's distinctive enough to carry off a "theme" like the other resorts. We had a resort day at the main pool, which seemed to fill up fast. The pool was relaxing and only about 3' 6" throughout. DS really liked the zero-entry end of it. We didn't eat at the Artists' Palette, but it looked attractive and nicer than most food courts.
Housekeeping was immaculate and there was no visible wear on any of the furniture or linens. The studio truly was lovely, but again, not in any distinctive way.
Feeling a bit lukewarm about SSR, I approached POR with greater trepidation, having never stayed at a MOD before. What a wonderful surprise!!! We really LOVED POR! I checked in at 8 am (on our way to opening of Star Wars Weekend on the 20th) and the CM was very friendly, showed me on a map which building our room would be in, though we'd have to call or come back later for the exact room assignment. We were on the second floor of the Acadian Bldg. with a courtyard view. The grounds were clean and the gardens lush and beautiful. When we did eventually get to our room, I was so surprised at how spacious it seemed. It's really just a normal hotel room size, but I'd read so many comments about MODs having such "small" rooms compared to Deluxes...maybe it's because POR has double beds instead of queen-size, but it felt as or more spacious than our rooms at WL! The photos online really don't do the newly refurbished rooms credit...the colors and quality of the furnishings were lovely. Housekeeping was excellent...no towel animals, but that was fine. Our location was very quiet and---as the poster who kept fretting over exterior hallways--I actually liked looking out at the gardens and stepping out into them instead of just a hallway. I really can't say how impressed we were. Basically, we said that WL has its amazing lobby and great theming---and the convenience of everything under one roof. But, POR has more impressive grounds and also good theming. I'd call it a draw between them when it comes to guestrooms. I think if we went in cooler weather, we'd still try for WL, but in warm weather, it's a real toss-up now.
Also, one night in the quiet pool, DS9 and I met fellow-dis'er BETHC1952 and her husband! It was great to meet another WDW fan and we talked about how great POR was!
Please feel free to ask any questions!!!
Karla B.
We rented points to stay 4 nts. at Saratoga Springs Resort in a studio. The Star Wars Weekend and the premiere of the new Star Wars movie were big parts of the trip for DH and DS. I thought it would be great, because of expected crowds, to be able to walk over to Downtown Disney to see the movie. After we got to SSR, I saw a sign on the pathway to DD stating that the walkway is closed between dusk and dawn...no big problem as there was plenty of room in the DD parking lot after all (last boat left too early to use it).
We checked in at about 3 pm (plane got in at 2) and the first thing I was told by the CM (who actually was friendly) was that the rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis and he'd have to see what "was left" by that point. I commented that check-in is supposed to be at 4 and I was an hour early, but he said people had been assigned rooms since 8 that morning. Okay. Actually, we had a very pretty studio on the first floor in Congress Park, facing DD. It had an impressive view and was fairly quiet. We had a non-smoking studio, as had been requested since my son has severe asthma. However, two times when I went out to sit in the patio area outside our room, "neighbors" were outside smoking cigars. The 3rd time, I sat down and water or something came pouring off the balcony above me and was dripping all over. I stepped out and looked up to see what was going on and another "neighbor" shrugged that there'd been some spill that he was clearing up.
I did the laundry one evening and met a very nice woman with her grandmother by the pool area. They were very happy at SSR, but I kept feeling that it did not have that elusive "Disney" feel to it. It felt like a beautiful, upscale gated community. Having been to Saratoga Springs, NY, I know it has it's assets, but I wonder if it's distinctive enough to carry off a "theme" like the other resorts. We had a resort day at the main pool, which seemed to fill up fast. The pool was relaxing and only about 3' 6" throughout. DS really liked the zero-entry end of it. We didn't eat at the Artists' Palette, but it looked attractive and nicer than most food courts.
Housekeeping was immaculate and there was no visible wear on any of the furniture or linens. The studio truly was lovely, but again, not in any distinctive way.
Feeling a bit lukewarm about SSR, I approached POR with greater trepidation, having never stayed at a MOD before. What a wonderful surprise!!! We really LOVED POR! I checked in at 8 am (on our way to opening of Star Wars Weekend on the 20th) and the CM was very friendly, showed me on a map which building our room would be in, though we'd have to call or come back later for the exact room assignment. We were on the second floor of the Acadian Bldg. with a courtyard view. The grounds were clean and the gardens lush and beautiful. When we did eventually get to our room, I was so surprised at how spacious it seemed. It's really just a normal hotel room size, but I'd read so many comments about MODs having such "small" rooms compared to Deluxes...maybe it's because POR has double beds instead of queen-size, but it felt as or more spacious than our rooms at WL! The photos online really don't do the newly refurbished rooms credit...the colors and quality of the furnishings were lovely. Housekeeping was excellent...no towel animals, but that was fine. Our location was very quiet and---as the poster who kept fretting over exterior hallways--I actually liked looking out at the gardens and stepping out into them instead of just a hallway. I really can't say how impressed we were. Basically, we said that WL has its amazing lobby and great theming---and the convenience of everything under one roof. But, POR has more impressive grounds and also good theming. I'd call it a draw between them when it comes to guestrooms. I think if we went in cooler weather, we'd still try for WL, but in warm weather, it's a real toss-up now.
Also, one night in the quiet pool, DS9 and I met fellow-dis'er BETHC1952 and her husband! It was great to meet another WDW fan and we talked about how great POR was!
Please feel free to ask any questions!!!
Karla B.
Jim and I enjoyed our chat--it was so pleasant to be in the pool that late in the evening when it was so hot. Coming home to the very chilly weather here in New Jersey was quite a shock.
