New SSR enhancements coming!

[Dis-best]

I found out from another board that Phase III will bring some nice enhancements to SSR. The reference is from the Disney Vacation Magic fall edition,

" Two of the new buildings,rising up near the Resort’s main
entrance along DisneyVacation Club Way,will comprise a
section called The Carousel.The other four buildings,located in
the area formerly occupied by the FairwayVillas,will be known
as The Grandstand.
It’s there that Members and Guests will find a 2,490-square-
foot,racetrack-themed leisure pool,a 1,257-square-foot interac-
tive water area and a 118-square-foot pool.The area also will
include restrooms,laundry facilities,the Backstretch Bar and a
barbeque pavilion (a second barbeque pavilion
will be located in The Carousel section). "

This edition has not been mailed but is available at the members site.
Thank you, Vonpluto...

 

[tmt martins]

It makes no sence they should have put all that stuff in the Carousel section . It will be used by just the Gandstand as you have to travel through the Carriage area to get to it from every where else in SSR.

 

[dallastxcpa]

Yeah! I am so excited to hear this. Thank you for posting about the article.

I wonder if the bus route won't change once these sections are open?

 

[mello]

Is there going to be a carousel in the Carousel section???

 

[Maria395712]

sounds nice
maria

 

[eporter66]

Sounds great!!!!

 

[conciergekelly]

Is there going to be a carousel in the Carousel section???

Has anyone ever noticed the pictures that are in the lobby? There is one of a carousel and the date on the picture is Saratoga Springs Resort circa 2003 (something like that.) The others are of the real Saratoga Springs N.Y. with 1800 dates. Maybe it is a sign of things to come?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

For a map showing all phases of Saratoga Springs (as well as Downtown Disney), see http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/modules/mapPopup?id=SaratogaSpringsMemberLandingPage

The section (with two buildings) encircled by white dots at the top of the map is the Carousel section.

The section (with four buildings) encircled by white dots at the left side of the map is the Grandstand section.

There will not be an actual carousel in the Carousel section, nor an actual grandstand in the Grandstand section — just as there is not actual horse paddock in the Paddock section. These names come from landmarks in the city of Saratoga Springs, New York. For a picture of the actual carousel in Saratoga Springs (and other pictures comparing Disney's Saratoga Springs to Saratoga Springs, New York), see http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=mg041029mg

 

[NMW]

Thanks for the picture! I have a very hard time imagining the lay out of SSR. Can I ask a question of SSR vets? Is there more than one bridge for people staying in the back 3 sections to get to the main area (check-in, food, main pool)? On the map it looks just like one bridge. I'm Just curious.

 

[tmt martins]

Thanks for the picture! I have a very hard time imagining the lay out of SSR. Can I ask a question of SSR vets? Is there more than one bridge for people staying in the back 3 sections to get to the main area (check-in, food, main pool)? On the map it looks just like one bridge. I'm Just curious.

Yes one bridge .

But if your at one of the far building away from the bridge there are footpaths that make there way over to the Springs section on one side and Congress park on the other.

Our 1st ( June ) stay we ended up in a back section between the bridge and pathway and it still wasn't that bad of a walk to get to the main buildings and Pool.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Is there more than one bridge for people staying in the back 3 sections to get to the main area (check-in, food, main pool)? On the map it looks just like one bridge.

I'm not sure what you mean by "the back 3 sections."

Take a look at this current map of SSR (without the Carousel or Grandstand sections): http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/Saratoga.htm

As the map shows, there is a pedestrian bridge across Willow Lake from the Paddocks section to the Springs section (with the path continuing to the main area). Also, there is a road bridge (with a sidewalk) from the Congress Park section to the main area.

The Carousel and Grandstand sections will not need bridges.

 

[NMW]

I'm not sure what you mean by "the back 3 sections."

Take a look at this current map of SSR (without the Carousel or Grandstand sections): http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/Saratoga.htm

As the map shows, there is a pedestrian bridge across Willow Lake from the Paddocks section to the Springs section (with the path continuing to the main area). Also, there is a road bridge (with a sidewalk) from the Congress Park section to the main area.

The Carousel and Grandstand sections will not need bridges.

Sorry if I sound confused. It's because I am! I just looked at the map again and it's actually like 4 buildings that appear to be behind (or in front of depending on your point of view) the main carriage house with the main pool area. I'm not sure if it's the Paddocks section? The buildings are marked "15" on the second map you posted and appear to be across the lake. I wanted to know if there is more than one bridge.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I just looked at the map again and it's actually like 4 buildings that appear to be behind (or in front of depending on your point of view) the main carriage house with the main pool area. I'm not sure if it's the Paddocks section? The buildings are marked "15" on the second map you posted and appear to be across the lake. I wanted to know if there is more than one bridge.

The current map has five buildings marked with "15" — these buildings are the Paddock section. These buildings and the main area are separated by Willow Lake. Depending on which of these five buildings you're in, you'd either walk on the path around the west side of the lake, the footbridge, or the path that includes the road bridge from the Congress Park section.

 

[NMW]

Thanks for info!

 

[DisneyDreamingAubrey]

I'm glad to hear they plan on adding all these new things. I wonder if they plan to open any new places to eat closer to the building farther out?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'm glad to hear they plan on adding all these new things. I wonder if they plan to open any new places to eat closer to the building farther out?

I really doubt they'll add any food service in the Carousel or Grandstand section. If that were part of the plan, Disney would have announced it.

Although SSR is large and spread out, the main area (check-in, restaurants, spa, main pool, etc.) is fairly centrally located. It can be reached with a reasonable walk from any of the residential buildings. It's also easy to jump on a bus to the main area.

 

[Tigger031266]

Does anyone have any idea if this pool is big or small?

Is this a SAB or a BW Pool?? Is this DOuble the size of BW or half the size of BW?

I would guess there would be some waterslides...

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Upon rereading the article, I see that there's reference to "the Backstretch Bar" in the Grandstand section. I would not be surprised if this facility sells drinks and a limited food service menu. So it appears there will be some food service in Phase III after all.

There is no reference to another pool slide, so I doubt there will be one. SSR already has a pool slide at the High Rock Spring Pool. However, there will be a a 1,257-square-foot interactive water area in addition to the pool — something that will be unique to SSR.

The racetrack-themed pool at the Grandstand will be 2,490 sq. ft. That's a good sized "quiet" pool. In comparison, the main pool at AKL is around 11,000 sq.ft.; the main pool at the Contemporary is around 6,500 sq. ft.. The additional 118-square-foot pool (approx. 10' x 12') is likely to be a small toddler pool, unless it's a spa pool.

Here's the full article:

And down the stretch they come! (from Vacation Magic, Fall 2006)

Like prized racehorses sensing the finish line at the Travers Stakes, crews at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are thundering full-speed ahead with construction of the Resort’s third phase.

The expanded space will include six buildings supporting 276 Vacation Homes. Similar to the buildings in the Resort’s first two phases, each building in the new phase will include 20 dedicated two-bedroom Vacation Homes, 24 two-bedroom “lock-off” units and two Grand Villas.

Two of the new buildings, rising up near the Resort’s main entrance along Disney Vacation Club Way, will comprise a section called The Carousel. The other four buildings, located in the area formerly occupied by the Fairway Villas, will be known as The Grandstand.

It’s there that Members and Guests will find a 2,490-squarefoot, racetrack-themed leisure pool, a 1,257-square-foot interactive water area and a 118-square-foot pool. The area also will include restrooms, laundry facilities, the Backstretch Bar and a barbeque pavilion (a second barbeque pavilion will be located in The Carousel section).

“Seeing Phase III taking shape is exciting, as it really furthers the lakeside-community feel of this Resort,” said Disney Vacation Club Resorts General Manager Sonya Deese-Byrnes. “The Carousel section in particular will dramatically enhance your sense of arrival, immersing you in that charming Victorian architecture as soon as you drive past the ‘Welcome Home’ sign at the security gate.”

The first Phase III building is slated to open later this year, with each of the remaining five buildings opening every 1-2 months until mid-2007.​

 

[Dis-best]

I also agree, that there won't be a slide since they are calling it a quite pool. But if I had a vote, I would like to see a slide. I think it would be a nice enhancement.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I also agree, that there won't be a slide since they are calling it a quite pool. But if I had a vote, I would like to see a slide. I think it would be a nice enhancement.

I used the term quiet pool. Vacation Magic called it a leisure pool.

In any case, it's not be being called a feature pool — Disney's term for pools with slides and other special features.

The "interactive water area" sounds promising. If it's anything like the water play area at Horizons by Marriott in Orlando, it should be be a lot of fun for kids.