Questions on Saratoga Springs

[disneyfan21]

I was able to exchange my week in Vegas for a week in Saratoga Springs for December. My exchange company told me there is a resort fee. Does anyone know how much is it and for what? Also I keep reading about it being a very huge resort so is there a way to request a specific building and which one is the best? Does Saratoga have interior corridors and elevators?

I'm used to the Poly and I was spoiled with the monorail but the exchange saved me about $2,500. Hopefully I don't regret it. I keep hearing very negative comments about this place.

 

[kathy320]

we had an interval trade into OKW (another dvc resort) and we had that fee...I think it was $95.00 and there was nothing that could be done about it......we were there in March 06

 

[TinkGirl]

We had a wonderful stay at SSR in Jan. It's a beautiful, peaceful resort. We are DVC members, so we were not charged a resort fee. As the last poster said, it may be the exchange fee you're thinking of. DVC members are charged a fee if we want to trade into II. Don't worry--SSR is awesome!

 

[mello]

You can request a specific building, but it's only a request, not a guarantee. You'd probably have better luck requesting a certain area, rather than a certain building, but depending upon what's available that day and how many people ahead of you have requested the same thing, you still may or may not get it.

"Best" is really relative - it all depends upon what you like. Some people like to be in a more quiet, away from all the hustle & bustle area - that would be the Paddocks at SSR - it's the newest section that's opened, and has it's own quiet pool and is situated around a lake. Some people like to be in the middle of the action - near the main pool, etc., and that would be the Springs area at SSR. There's also the Congress Park area that's somewhat removed from the main area, and is directly across from the Marketplace area of Downtown Disney, it has it's own quiet pool as well. I'm not sure when the area on the golf course will be open, but it might be by the time of your trip. I'm guessing that it will be a pretty popular section. Does anybody know when it's supposed to be finished?

I think most of the negative you'll read about SSR centers around a fear that the larger number of SSR owners will overwhelm the system, making it more difficult to get reservations at the smaller resorts on short notice, and not so much complaints about the resort itself. It's a very lovely place, with upscale furnishings, nice pools and a spa, close to all the activities of Downtown Disney, and it will soon have it's own table service restaurant at the Turf Club. Don't worry about the accommodations. You'll have a great time - both at WDW and SSR!

 

[LoveToDisney]

We have done an II trade into Boardwalk Villas before and were placed in a standard room. I think that's pretty normal for an II exchange since you are not an owner. Don't get your heart set on any particular place at SSR. You will probably be placed in the Paddocks.

We stayed at SSR on DVC points last March and loved the resort. It is very peaceful. All I asked for was a non-smoking room and got the Paddocks. There is great bus service, a second pool and it is an easy walk over the bridge to get to the main pool and the restaurant. There's also buses that run within the resort that can take you to the pool/restaurant area, as well, if you prefer to not walk.

I would stay at SSR again in a heartbeat. The resort is large, but each building has its own elevator and parking nearby. The exterior covered hallways were fine. I liked it because you have less noise...no one across the hallway from you! If you have your Privacy card on your door on the Trash & Towel day, the maid leaves a laundry basket next to your door with everything to change out your towels and refill things. We pulled the basket in front of our door when we left so they would know we had gone. When we returned everything was changed out and the basket was gone. We also noticed on our day we checked out, they left all the bedding, etc. in a laundry basket next to our door, as well because we had the privacy sign out until we left about 9am.

You will have an additional fee from Disney that has to be paid before arrival. I think it was $95 like the poster above mentioned. That's in addition to the II exchange fee that you have paid to II. The Disney fee pays for the recreation availability (pools, etc) and transportation that you have by staying on Disney property.

All the furnishings are the nicest of the DVC resorts...very upscale. They even have a desk with high speed internet access in the MBR (of course, the HSIA is extra).

Have fun on your trip!!

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

We are SSR owners and love it. I personally prefer the Congress section b/c we enjoy the walk to DTD for the shops and some variety in food. On our next stay though I wouldn't mind Paddock b/c it is in the center of the action and great if you want to be close by the main pool. I think each section has something to offer someone though so it really depends on what you are looking for. Also, I don't know if it is different b/c of the trade but when we were there a month ago they didn't pre-assign our room but instead offered us what the inventory was when we got there. I think we had about 5 choices of immediate availability and an additional 5 if we were willing to wait to check in. We were offered rooms in all 3 sections so it was just a matter of finding the best fit for us.

Good luck!

 

[weluvslinkydog]

and it will soon have it's own table service restaurant at the Turf Club. Don't worry about the accommodations. You'll have a great time - both at WDW and SSR!

any speculation when the sit down will be complete?

also, my DH and I love to eat our lunch by the pool--are there tables at the pool here?

thanks!

 

[tjhsr]

Table service should be open by Sept/Oct. And yes there are tables around the pools.

 

[cdpa4d]

any speculation when the sit down will be complete?

also, my DH and I love to eat our lunch by the pool--are there tables at the pool here?

thanks!

In the last edition of Vacation Magic it stated that the Turf Club would be converted by the end of Summer 06. I guess that would mean Mid-September.