Saratoga advice

[mickeyworld]

If we are staying at Saratoga(first time), where is it best to stay for transportation, we will not have a car. Any advice at all about this resort would be great!!!!!

 

[buckylarue]

If we are staying at Saratoga(first time), where is it best to stay for transportation, we will not have a car. Any advice at all about this resort would be great!!!!!

I prefer something in the Congress Park section; it has its own bus stop (in front of the building with room numbers 1501-1836), and is closest to the walkway to Downtown Disney (the building with rooms 1101-1436 is closest to DTD). I liked being able to walk to DTD, since you can then get a bus there directly to any other resort, to dine at the restaurants, etc.

 

[Tink6666]

We stayed in the Springs in December and it is the closest resort to the main pool and Artisit point. All of the areas have their own "bus stop" Depending on where you are going, the Springs is either the first or last stop. They were watching the busses closely in December (right before X-mas). We only ran into a few problems with long waits. DH got stuck at DTD due to a bus accident ( He didn't want to walk back to the resort with the luggage He had purchased). We are requesting the Springs again for our August trip.

Good luck I am sure you will like it at SSR!!!

 

[TBLaube]

We are here now on our first stay at SSR. This place is HUGE! We were so confused after we checked in and started going in the opposite direction of our room. It is funny now because it really isn't that hard to get around. We are staying at The Grandstand and really like it because of the closeness to the bus stop. It is the first bus stop to pick up and drop off. We really like that and don't mind riding around to the other stops before leaving the resort. It is pretty quick even in July! The Grandstand pool is really fun and cool also. It is a bit of a hike (according to the kids) to Artist Point to get stuff, but we don't really need anything since we had groceries delivered to the room.
Congress Park is also beautiful and a close walk to DTD, but we havn'et had any problems taking the boat over and the buses. We haven't really waited at all!

 

[natnelliesmom]

We stayed in the Congress Park area on our first stay at SSR. It was a short walk to the bus stop and we could walk from our room over to DTD. On our second trip there we had a room over in a different section and after checking out our room- my DH called and switched our room over to Congress Park again. It's just a nice section of rooms.

I do have to say that there are many bus stops at SSR- and no matter where you end up you'll be only a few minutes walk from your bus stop.
-Sarah

 

[Pakey]

We have stayed at SSR 5 times, in Springs, Grandstand, Paddock (twice) and Congress Park sections.

Grandstand has a children's splash area and is the first bus stop for almost all routes. It's the second closest (behind Springs) to the main area.

Springs is the closest to the main pool and CS location but is the last bus stop for almost all routes. During busy seasons, the busses will be standing room only by the time they get to this stop.

Congress Park has views of DTD and a quiet pool. It's also got the shortest walk to DTD.

Paddock is one of those areas (along with Carousel) that nobody wants to stay in with children due to the walk to the bus stop, quiet pool, main pool, etc. Since we are a couple with no children, this is the area we have enjoyed the most because it's been so quiet.

The resort is very large but walkable. The paths are wide and well lit. Most people request Grandstand or Springs but we are perfectly happy staying further away and walking.

 

[DiznyDi]

There is no quiet pool in the Carousel section. For this reason alone, we never request this area. If you have youngsters that will be using the pool, either the Springs section or the Grandstand section would probably be best. The evening movies are shown at the main pool in the Springs section.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Tina]

Another vote for The Grandstand. Nothing beats first on/first off for the busses. We stayed at the Springs on our last stay and got fed up with the full busses (mid November). So many times there were no seats left at all. After the second day of that, we started walking over to The Grandstand bus stop (its a short walk). I also love the pool in the Grandstand.

 

[missycj96]

Without a car, I think you'll be best off in the Springs. You can walk to the main pool, community hall, spa and artists palette easily to take advantage of all that they offer. You can always take a bus or boat to DTD. In the springs, if you need to run up to the main building for something, its not a big deal. Have a great trip. SSR is a fantastic resort that offers, imho, some of the best vacation recreation options of any disney resort. One of the best things about SSR is that if it were anywhere it would make for a great vacation - the fact that it is in disney world is icing on the cake. Community Hall has a full roster of craft programs. I love the ceramics classes. And we have done magnet arts and crafts and button making. In the afternoon, there is a DJ by the pool and I love bringing my refillable mug out to the pool. Have fun.

 

[Talkingwoody]

We really enjoyed Congress Park. Really not that bad of a walk to the pool. Had a great view of Downtown Disney and we typically walked there.

 

[toniosmom]

The main pool was closed when we were there in March, so my request to stay in the Grandstand or Springs section turned out to be not so great. So we wound up in the Paddock section and there was a pool right outside our building. The bus stop was there as well and we always got a seat. It was a bit quiet and it was a walk to the dining areas, but we cooked/ate in our room, so that didn't matter to us. It was a great vacation.

 

[Ms. WDW]

I also like Congress Park. I always request building 16, and either room 1645 or 1745. Beautiful view of Downtown Disney. It's right behind the quiet pool and while I'm relaxing DH does his walking thing into DTD. Bus stop directly across the road and about a 5 minute walk to the Carriage House and High Rocks Pool.

Actually, here's the view:

 

[dvcspg62]

We have been going to Saratoga Springs for the last four years and we always request the springs, being close to the main pool, artist palate, arcade, community center, gym and spa what else could you want! Of course being the last stop for the bus is a minus but it’s a small sacrifice to make when you have kids.

 

[TinkDVC]

I just got back from my first stay at SSR in the Grandstand section. The bus stop was right next to the building I was in and I had a great view of the pool. It was a short walk to the main area and restaurants. I would stay in that section again.
The buses seemed to be running efficiently - no long waits or too crowded for July

 

[shortypots]

I love congress park too. Close to DTD, great quiet pool, and its own bus stop. It was nice and relaxing and seeing the lights from DTD from the balcony was a great bonus.

 

[JoanneNC]

Not trying to hijack but can someone lead me to a post that would have some pictures of the pools at SSR - like the newer one at Grandstand?

Thanks in advance

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

The Springs.. Which is a two minute walk to the bus stop, across the street from a laundry room-which comes in handy for those staying in a studio, closed to the main pool, first one to get on the bus so you are sure to get a seat!

Oh and don't worry if you get a room close to the main road. It was quiet at night when we stayed in a room that faced the road!

 

[Tina]

The Springs.. Which is a two minute walk to the bus stop, across the street from a laundry room-which comes in handy for those staying in a studio, closed to the main pool, first one to get on the bus so you are sure to get a seat!

Oh and don't worry if you get a room close to the main road. It was quiet at night when we stayed in a room that faced the road!

Has the bus route changed in the past 6 months? The last few times I was at Saratoga, The Springs was the LAST stop and there were never any seats available.

 

[WiscBill]

I'll cast another vote for Grandstand. It is the first bus stop and the pool is great. It even has a bar with small snacks and sandwiches. It's an easy walk to the main pool and restaurants.

Congress Park does have the DTD view, which is nice, but this is not from all rooms in all buildings. The pool is a little smaller, but there is a play structure for kids. You can walk to the main pool, but it is a bit of a hike.

 

[momma of 2]

we requested the grandstand for our trip in a couple weeks-is there a certain section (room) that we should add to that request. We have 2 children (5 and 4) so we want easiest. Is there elevators or no elevators (like port orleans)?

thanks for any info you can give me