Latest on Saratoga?

[Debs Hill]

Just wondered if anyone knew how SS was coming along as I hadn't heard anything for a while. Any idea when it will be ready to view, and when points will go on sale? Going in Nov and would love to see it then!

 

[brittsmum1998]

I'm curious too. We are going for a few days in December and I'd love to take my parents over to take a look. I for one am really looking forward to trying that resort.

 

[Master Grayson]

We just had an article in our local paper yesterday about how SS is the only Military run resort and how super cheap it is for them to stay and how half is tax free which I didn't know, but it also said that the expansion was to be open around DEC 2003.

 

[Chadm]

Originally posted by Master Grayson
We just had an article in our local paper yesterday about how SS is the only Military run resort and how super cheap it is for them to stay and how half is tax free which I didn't know, but it also said that the expansion was to be open around DEC 2003.

Are you sure you aren't thinking of Shades of Green? As far as I know The Disney Institute (which is where at least part of Saratoga Springs will be built) was never affiliated with the military.

 

[joepoe]

We were at BWV last week. When I played golf at LBV, the kind lady behind the counter said that DVC would end up tearing down the Fairway Villas, which are now only occupied by college students. Her reasoning was (besides their age) they slept 12 and DVC wanted units to sleep 8 just like the rest of DVC. SHe said they didn't know what was going to happen to the treetop villas. DVC is limited to the current concrete slabs the old villas are built on, and they haven't decided what to do yet. Maybe Grand Villas?

As far as SOG, it is closed for refurb. They are also adding on. They have a five story structure looming over the 18th green of the Magnolia course. It is indeed run by the military who leases it from Disney.

 

[Master Grayson]

Chadm......
It's possible I just read over it pretty quick. I'll see if I can get the article from their website and I'll let you know.

 

[RobDoc]

Construction is well under way at SSR. Projected opening is still Spring, 2004. Presales are likely to begin once BCV is sold out. It is rumored that the sales office and tours will be relocated at the SSR site. No models are likely for viewing until sales do begin and there has been no word what costs may be.

Shades of Green (SOG) is the resort managed by the US military and it is undergoing extensive renovation at this time- but that is not related to the DVC resort at all. Here is a link to the recent <a href="http://www.boston.com/dailynews/099/nation/Plenty_of_guests_staying_at_a_:.shtml">newspaper article</a> about SOG.

Stay Tuned!

 

[HookdonWDW]

Originally posted by joepoe
As far as SOG, it is closed for refurb. They are also adding on. They have a five story structure looming over the 18th green of the Magnolia course. It is indeed run by the military who leases it from Disney.

The military no longer leases the property from Disney. AFRC (Armed Forces Recreation ) bought the property from Disney several years ago. They did lease it for the first few years it was in operation.

AFRC also operates lodging in Hawaii, Korea and Germany.

 

[zulaya]

I thought SSR was going to have GVs, so why tear down the villas tha sleep the 12 that GVs hold?

Or are they building new GVs at SSR?

This was one reason I was considering getting points here was the GV availability. If that has changed, I probably won't look into buying there.

Anyone know for sure?

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by zulaya
I thought SSR was going to have GVs, so why tear down the villas tha sleep the 12 that GVs hold?

Or are they building new GVs at SSR?

The old DI resort had no accommodations for 12. The new SSR will have GV's similar in style and layout to those at OKW, BWV and HH. The only buildings that have been torn down were the old townhouse villas- originally constructed about 30 years ago. Still remaining are the bungalows, treehouse villas and fairway villas. The bungalows and treehouses are now empty, but the fairway villas are home to Disney's college program CMs.

The new SSR resort will have studio, 1BR, 2BR and GV accommodations and will be accessible (many of the old DI units were not). The Spa that was part of DI does remain and will be an active component of the new resort.

I'm impressed with the location (we used to stay in those townhouse villas before joining DVC) and look forward to seeing the design and theme of the new resort.

Enjoy!

 

[zulaya]

Thanks Doc! I almost wish BCV would sell out a little faster so we can get a little more info on SSR.

 

[sgtdisney]

Hey Doc, do you know what they did or are planning to do with the old Grand Vista Suites? They were located over by the Fairway Villas.. They were the four single family homes located on a cul-de-sac which were the models for a housing development Disney never built.. Are they keeping those, or ripping them down?

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by sgtdisney
Hey Doc, do you know what they did or are planning to do with the old Grand Vista Suites? They were located over by the Fairway Villas.. They were the four single family homes located on a cul-de-sac which were the models for a housing development Disney never built.. Are they keeping those, or ripping them down?

The Grand Vistas are still there, but only slept 8 I think. They also won't be included in the SSR project and would be sacrificed, I'm sure, if SSR needs the space in the future.

Stay Tuned!

 

[colleen costello]

Can anyone recall when the area was "Lake Buena Vista" and was really quiet? We used to visit on our last day at WDW. It was like a little craft and art community. I can remember the potter working at a wheel and all the cool candles -- they were very popular then. Back then all the buildings that housed the shops were dark wood, just like the villas. They all had that same "woodsy" kind of theme. When we were at WDW this March we took the OKW ferry to DTD and I couldn't believe how much it had grown and changed. I look forward to staying at Saratoga Springs some day. The whole area is just a BIT more crowded nowadays!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

When we stayed in the villas, some 18 years ago, our room bedroom view overlooked the then, Empress Lilly. It was beautiful at night. We also rented a golf cart for the week and were able to ride it from the villas over to what is now Downtown Disney. I loved the location then and think it will be even nicer once Saratoga Springs is available.

 

[sgtdisney]

Colleen, I recall that as well. My family used to stay in the Villas over there in the early 80s. This was before Pleasure Island. It was so quiet.. We stayed in the Vacation Villas a few times (torn down now) and we would overlook the Shopping Village and the Empress Lily. So peaceful.. Then when Pleasure Island opened, look out. Fireworks everynight. I will really be interested to see how Saratoga Springs looks.

 

[DVC-Don]

I sure hope they call the fast food counter at SSR "PJ's Bar-B-Q" The real PJ's opened for the season up here yesterday and man, are those ribs and chicken good!