Need info on Saratoga Springs

[amwhitaker]

Can anyone tell me anything about SSR? I would love to see some photos if possible. Is there any room or part of the resort that is better than another? Any info is appreciated. We are going in November.

 

[beccasmom]

Here are some photos - http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_ss.htm

Our home DVC resort is OKW, but we stayed for a week at SSR in early August, 2004. As you may have heard, there is still a good deal of construction going on. We stayed in a one-bedroom in the Congress Park building. The view overlooked the lake and we were almost exactly opposite Fulton’s Crabhouse. Fireworks are visible as well, although they are short-lived. The pool areas were very nice. Unfortunately, we did not get an opportunity to use the spa, which I have heard good things about. The restaurant is quite small and good for a quick snack. The menu was rather limited.

However, we were within easy walking distance of Downtown Disney and there are tons of places to eat there! Our favorite was the Earl of Sandwich. The Rainforest Café and Wolfgang Puck’s Café are also close by. You can take a bus to DTD as well. Bus service to the parks was pretty good. The rooms were obviously in great shape when we visited since the resort is new. We were not near an elevator, but we were on the first floor, so this was not an issue. The boat that travels between OKW and DTD also makes a stop at SSR and that is a nice option when timing is not important.

I think the resort will be very nice when the construction is finished. Walking distances may be great for those staying further away from the lobby area, but I am assuming they will offer an internal bus. I had heard that some plantings were lost during Hurricane Charley (we left the day before it hit! ), but most of the plantings were brand new, so it would not be very noticeable to anyone who hadn’t already visited.

 

[eeyore0062]

SSR is quite beautiful. The colors are muted yellows, blues, greens and reds. The architectual design is turn of the century upstate New York with theming around the resorts that featured horseback riding and racing. The pool is beautiful and there is a full spa located at the resort, as well. The area of the resort that is completed backs up to the Downtown Disney lake and overlooks the sights of Downtown Disney. There is a ferry that will take you to Downtown Disney and back, and bus transportation to everywhere else. When completed, SSR will be the largest Disney Vacation Resort Property to date.

You can visit the DVC board and they will likely have more information for you there about renting points, joining DVC and many will have likely posted pictures for you to see.

When you are next in WDW, make sure to stop by and see SSR. You can set up a DVC tour at any of the resorts or parks and they will take you there and back. The tour is of the SSR property. There is no pressure at all to buy, so if you have the time and desire, take advantage of it!

 

[Deb & Bill]

SSR is currently under construction. Only one portion of it (Congress Park) is open. More buildings will open either in April or May. The room configuration is nearly identical to BWV, BCV and VWL. However, the resort is set up more like OKW with individual buildings (one elevator in each) set up in clusters. There is a central section which houses the Spa (which was there when it was the Disney Institute), check in area, golf course office, DVC models/offices, Artists Palette dining facility (not a sit down restaurant, more like an upscale counter service - think nice deli) and a small store. Plus the themed pool. Each cluster also has a bus stop and leisure pool with laundry facilities.

Congress Park buildings are closest to DTD and some villas have a great view of DTD.

There are studios and one bedroom villas which sleep 4 plus one under the age of 3. Two bedroom villas that sleep 8 plus one under the age of three. And Grand Villas that sleep 12 plus one under the age of three. About 95% of the facility will ultimately be owned by DVC members with the remaining 5% owned by DVD.