Just back from SSR Grand Villa trip

[blueroses]

Hi! My family spent 4 nights last week in a Grand Villa at Saratoga Springs. There were 5 of us 3 nights - me, my husband, my mother and father, and my brother. My aunt stayed one night after dinner at PI to avoid the long drive home.

My husband and I arrived on Magical Express around 8:30 in the morning and our villa was ready. I had requested "near the Carriage House and bus stops" because my parents aren't able to walk long distances. We were in the Springs. It was a great location, very convenient, but if it were just me and my husband I would have preferred Congress Park for the view. If I were doing another trip with my parents, I would request the Grandstand, close to the quiet pool and bus stop if possible.

Check-in was painless, there was no line at that hour of the morning. Bell services was great, very efficient and friendly during both check-in and check-out.

The villa was clean and did not have any maintenance issues. There were a few scuffs like you see at any Disney hotel that wasn't rehabbed in the last 2 weeks, but all very minor.

We didn't eat at the Turf Club, but I had a breakfast and dinner at Artist's Palette. The food was tasty and the lines for food were not bad.

Unfortunately because the trip was so short, we really didn't a get chance to enjoy the resort as much as I wanted. I had been to the spa before, but still haven't done the main pool. I did have a chance before my parents arrived to walk from SSR to OKW, and that was lovely. It looked like it was going to rain when I got to OKW so I took the boat for the return trip.

Sadly, it's going to be tough going back to a room that isn't over 2100 sq. ft. after this! The timing of this trip meant that we were locked into a stay that included both weekend nights and was during Magic Season, which was a bit of a hit points-wise.

Also, I think I saw Jim Lewis walking around with a DVC minion the morning we checked in.

 

[lovinthemouse]

Sounds like a nice trip. I can't wait we are leaving in 10 days a week at OKW.

 

[AKV707]

Thanks for the report.

 

[Liljam]

Very cool to read, indeed! We have a GV booked for May and I am beyond excited! I can't wait to show my family how I "hooked them up"
Were they doing movies at the pool? I want to check that out one night if so. We requested CP and I really hope we get that view. Plus we hope to stroll over to DTD a good bit!

 

[blueroses]

Very cool to read, indeed! We have a GV booked for May and I am beyond excited! I can't wait to show my family how I "hooked them up"
Were they doing movies at the pool? I want to check that out one night if so. We requested CP and I really hope we get that view. Plus we hope to stroll over to DTD a good bit!

They were indeed doing movies at the pool. They gave us a schedule of all the activities going on at SSR when we checked in, and it was an impressive list of things to do. I wish we had had a less rushed trip (my parents hadn't been to the parks in several years and wanted to see everything that was new to them) so I could have checked them out.

It was *very* satisfying seeing how impressed everyone was with the GV. One of the reasons we bought at SSR was easy 11 month GV availability. With only 6 (7?) GV units at BWV, it's still a roll of the dice to actually get one at 11 months for more popular times of year.

 

[moredisneyplease]

Thanks for the report! Its a goal of mine to stay in a GV one year!

 

[gppnj]

Sounds like a wonderful trip. I'm glad that everything went smoothly.

 

[RCM]

Thanks......we're going to be in a 2/br next week but next trip we will be with all our 5 kids and 7 grandkids and will have the grand villa and 2 br. We have never had the grand villa and so looking forward to it!

 

[sajetto]

Glad you had a great trip! I'm also really looking forward to the day that I introduce the family to a GV.

 

[Nikki_Mouse]

I stayed in a GV September and LOVED it- stayed with four adults and five kids- next trip 2 kids 2 adults and booked a 2 bedroom. We are spoiled! Loved the GV at SSR. We did watch The Little Mermaid poolside one night and it was great!

 

[frodgeslovedisney]

Thanks for the report! It makes me more excited for our GV Thanksgiving trip. Does anyone know where the GVs are located at SSR? Trying to decide where I would like to request one, but I don't know where to start!