Our First Stay At Saratoga Springs - My Review

[Madi100]

We purchased our points last December, and this was our first trip. When we bought into Saratoga Springs we did so with the intention of staying other places and not really staying at Saratoga Springs. I wasn't impressed with the location. We tried for Beach Club and Boardwalk and both were booked. So, we went with Saratoga Springs.

I had requested Congress Park, and we got it. We have never been so pleased with our resort as we were with Saratoga Springs. It was WONDERFUL. We were on the 3rd floor and had a room in the rounded area that only has two doors, if that makes any sense. It was so quiet, most of the time. We hardly knew anyone was there.

Bus service was great. The pool areas were great. The room was super. Customer service was super. We hardly had to wait on buses, and we only had to stand once.

The best thing about this resort is that we ate many meals at other resorts. We just hopped on the Downtown Disney bus from that resort and then walked back to our resort. No wasted time. I always thought I wanted to stay at the Boardwalk, but I thought bus service was HORRIBLE! We got on the bus at the Swan after we played miniature golf. It took 20 minutes just to make the bus rounds before it headed to Downtown Disney.

I'm thrilled with our resort, and I can't wait to go back next December!

 

[mouseclick1]

Glad you enjoyed your stay! We own at BWV, but are going to try for SSR next Easter. It sounds like a wonderful place!

 

[starbox]

Glad you had a good first trip home!

We the walking access to DTD & resort-hopping for dining as well.

 

[mikron]

Glad you had a MAGICAL TRIP, I own SSR and love the location. It may not be a walk or boat ride to EPCOT or MGM but it has its own charm. I stay at BWV often, I like the BW view but get tired of staying at one resort all the time. We change resorts often, we live 80 miles from Disney and go in this weather about once a month. from congess park its a short walk to DTD and helps work off the ice cream.

 

[dumbo71]

Glad you enjoyed your stay! We own at BWV, but are going to try for SSR next Easter. It sounds like a wonderful place!

Nice to see a BWV owner "returning the favor."

SSR is really coming into it's own. Glad you had such a good trip. Sounds as if you might be using all of your points at your "home."

 

[eporter66]

Glad you had a great trip. I love SSR, I just think the resort has a great laid back vibe to it. After a day in the parks, I am not usually looking to have much going on but a quiet night - and SSR has that feel. Plus - if I do want to do something - DTD is just a walk away

 

[rie4630]

Madi100,
What size room were you in and do you remember your room number?

 

[Madi100]

We were in a studio, room 1332. It was the perfect location. It was close to the sidewalk to downtown, close to the bus stop, fairly close to the pool.

Something I did forget in my first post is the balconies. I love them. It was great to sit out there and read. However, we liked to have our door open, and if anyone else was out there, it was like they were sitting in your room, and this was when we were in our room with the door open. We had a family that stayed below us, and they were yelling back and forth to each other from the balconies. It didn't last very long, and it was during the day, but it was loud.

Also, the room next to us had a smoker. And this was only one day, and I'm not complaining saying that he shouldn't have been smoking, because he asked my DH if it bothered him when he came out onto the balcony (neighbor was there, DH walked out onto balcony). I was in the shower with the door closed, and when I got out of the shower, I could smell cigarette smoke. I could really smell it in our room. So, for those over the top considerate smokers, something to think about it. I know that he was doing a good thing by going out on the balcony and not smoking in the room, but that smell really traveled into our room. I didn't get upset. I know we could have closed our door.

 

[Esmerelda]

I have stayed at all of the DVC resorts and SSR is STILL my favorite. I just love the location....the bus service...the staff. We had zero complaints on anything during any of our stays there.

I'm glad your trip turned out so well for you!

happy holidays,
Esmerelda

 

[Lexxiefern]

So glad you had a great time! Will you stay at SSR next time or try somewhere else?

 

[3DisneyKids]

Glad you are loving SSR. We sure do, too!

 

[ACDSNY]

Glad to hear you had a wonderful stay, we love the location too! Can't wait to go back in April.

 

[Hibernians]

Our first trip to our home resort, SSR was this past Octrober and overall, we gave it a big thumbs up. We stayed at the Springs and thought the location was ideal....a very short walk to everything and I mean everything: the main swimming pool, the cafeteria, gift shop, the arcade, community hall and the bus stop all were a 5 minute walk from our room.
The room was a 2BR and we had plenty of "elbow room" for a family of 6. The quality of the room - furniture, sleeper sofa, kitchen,etc.. was all very, very nice.

The one place for improvement: I think they need to upgrade the setup of the cafeteria and gift shop - they share the same checkout registers and its not condusive for moving hungry people through the maze so to speak. Example: one morning I was in line behind a man who requested alcohol (yes, at 8:00AM), the cashier had to find a supervisor in order to unlock the liquor cabinet...once this was done, the supervisor then told the customer that they could not sell alcohol until later in the day. Meanwhile I'm still standing in line with my breakfast.
Clearly, they need to reconfigure the checkout for dedicated caferteria customers vs dedicated gift shop customers. A small complaint though; I would highly recommend SSR !!

Joe

 

[hojolo]

Glad to hear the good comments. We own BWV and OKW and will be staying SSR for the 1st time in 1 week. Looking forward to it.

 

[sm4987]

So glad to hear it. We will be there for the first time this weekend. I m so excited!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Hi neighbor!

We love our home too!

Glad you had a great experience!

 

[Madi100]

So glad you had a great time! Will you stay at SSR next time or try somewhere else?

Yes, we are. We are going in October and staying at Saratoga Springs and going at the end of November and staying there also. I have thought about Old Key West, but I just LOVE Saratoga Springs, and I love how close it is to downtown disney.

 

[katedrew94]

We loved SSR after our first stay there this month. The only things I didn't like was the fact that we could see off property hotels from our room, and that the carpet in our studio was already worn in the walking areas. I guess the texture of the carpet isn't lending itself to high traffic since part of it is raised. I loved the decor of the room and how it is arranged, plus overall I like the feel of the resort. I just wish they could put in some taller trees around the perimeter.

Other than that, we didn't mind the location at all- it is honestly not even that far from OKW and if you know some of the back roads it's close to a lot of things. If you drive while there, that is. We don't usually do busses because I get awful migraines and sometimes they come on quick and I need to leave the parks- waiting for the bus isn't an option.

 

[byoung]

Glad you had a great vacation.

 

[Madi100]

We loved SSR after our first stay there this month. The only things I didn't like was the fact that we could see off property hotels from our room, and that the carpet in our studio was already worn in the walking areas. I guess the texture of the carpet isn't lending itself to high traffic since part of it is raised. I loved the decor of the room and how it is arranged, plus overall I like the feel of the resort. I just wish they could put in some taller trees around the perimeter.

Other than that, we didn't mind the location at all- it is honestly not even that far from OKW and if you know some of the back roads it's close to a lot of things. If you drive while there, that is. We don't usually do busses because I get awful migraines and sometimes they come on quick and I need to leave the parks- waiting for the bus isn't an option.

Funny. I noticed those two things also. I loved being able to see Downtown Disney. That was great. I feel it's part of the resort. However, seeing those very unattractive "towers" took away from the attractiveness somewhat. I did notice the carpet, too. I couldn't beleive it would be worn already.