3DisneyNUTS
<font color=green>can't think of anything witty!<b
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2004
- Messages
- 1,850
SARATOGA FIRST TRIP HOME good and bad/ room switch/ resort switch
First off I am so happy we bought at SSR! The resort is amazing. The pool is beautiful and contrary to what others say I think it is big in size.I love the zero entry option it is great for the little ones. The bummer is the donald play area (that is the soft area with the water spouts) was closed. It was all dug up and looked like it was getting relaid. Maybe it had a leak I don't know. Since Ds was never there before he did not miss it but it was still a bummer. The leisure pools are equally as beautiful especially the one in Congress park (the only one open right now). You can swim with an awesome view of DTD! The themeing of the leisure pool is beautiful as well. It is definitely not a 'quiet" pool though since the kids play area is right next to it and so is the picnic barbeque area. I can honestly tell you that it is our favorite resort we have ever stayed at. The luxurious feel to it is amazing.
Well before I get too carried away I will tell this in segments starting with arrival. We drove up to the guard shack and received our first welcome home then we stopped at the carriage house to check in. It is beautiful and the people to greet and take our luggage were awesome. We received our room assignment for room 1712 which is a studio. It had waterview of DTD and was not ready yet. We checked in at 11am but did not receive our room till 3 pm. Still that was fine since it was earlier than the 4 pm so we were happy.
Before I get to discussing the room I just wanted to give a little back story. Our son got sick on the Wonder and he was diagnosed with a double ear infection. So normally we would have cancelled the rest of the trip but because he was not ok to fly we were thanking God we had the accomodations of a studio. The doctor on the ship gave him a perscription that needed to be refridgerated. So having the convienence of the fridge and being able to fix a little something while our son slept was definitely a Godsend. Plus we were able to have juice on hand to keep him hydrated.
So we did a few errands while Ds slept in the car. We bought groceries stopped and picked up the dining certificates from the Vacation Club office (another whole story about that) Bought our annual passes. By the time we were done with all of that the room was ready.
Well first off I love how the room was decorated. Secondly we were pleasantly surprised at how spacious the studio is. In our opinion it could sleep 5 comfortably. Since Ds was ill and still sleeps in the bed with us we never folded out the sofa bed but I did fall asleep on it for an hour while it was still a sofa and it is comfortable. I honestly don't see the need for us to burn up points on a 1 br anytime soon.
About a day and a half we were confined to the room. Ds started feeling better and was getting anxious to go outside so we strolled around the grounds and took the path to DTD. The resort is beautiful now but when it is done it is going to be mind blowing. The view of DTD is amazing and the path over there is a really nice walk. We timed it from our room one night and it took us 4 minutes to walk over. We walked over to the carriage house where the pool is and it was amazing there too. Artist Palette is definitely too small. I have no idea how they are going to accomodate everyone once the resort is done. Also the selections were nice but I do miss having more of an option.
Because of being in the room so much I was able to really examine just so I could report back lol. Anyway the sliding glass door out to the balcony had the glass cracked in one of the corners. I reported it right away and they told us it will be reported to engineering. It wasn't a danger and it looks like it either happened at installation or maybe the hurricanes. They never came to fix it but maybe they were waiting until the resort emptied because it would be a big job and it was booked full while we were there. The only complaint I have about the entire resort is about the chairs they chose for the balconies. OMG not only are they cheap resin chairs but the are that ugly green. I know that resin chairs are offered in many colors AND now they have many nice designs and quality ones available. These looked like Kamrt $7.99 kind and should have definitely been tan or white. The green did not match IMO and looked tacky.
We walked around to the carriage house and right away I got the feeling we were walking in Celebration. The resort reminds me alot of being there. I definitely got the small town feeling. With the theater, the rental place (for bikes etc) community hall, laundry, spa, the gift shop, artist palette, carriage house, pool and the preformance hall it was all centrally located and set up just like a town. I have yet to be to Saratoga NY but I am guessing it is dead on with the themeing. It gives the resort a real feeling of having a home away from home. The odd thing is that the walk to the central location from Congress park is definitely longer than walking to DTD IMO.
Well our ressie was only for 3 nights then we were switching three nights at POP. Well DH and I loved SSR so much we asked for an extention for Wed and Thursday night. It came through we just had to switch rooms which was not biggie for us. We had room 1425 next and it was ready early but that did not matter since we where at the parks that night till late. This room had a better view of DTD and was in the opposite direction of the first room as far as floor plan. The color scheme was slightly different. I could not say that either room was better aside from the view.
Overall I love SSR and ironically when it is finished because of the layout and the parking arrangements it will not feel crowed. This trip many times we had the busses to ourselves and the only time it was full no one was standing. That part was amazing since the parks were insanely busy from beginning of the trip Sun the 21 to the end Satureday the 27th. I have never been to WDW when the parks where that crowded and I now have more resolve as to why we are going to pull our son out of school for every family vacation, it is insane down there when it is a busy season.
Switching to POP was a breeze the sad thing is my son was jumping for joy in the parking lot. He had been waiting to go there the whole time. Since he is speech delayed he kept asking to go to Disney and we where confused. We kept say we are here honey. So anyway he meant he wanted to stay at POP. My heart sank. I feel so guilty. SSR is definitely not a resort that kids will remember. The themeing of POP is so much more kid oriented. SO since we purchased APs we will be taking another tip back and just paying cash for POp for our son. He loves it there (unfortunately LOL). You guys are right though, once you stay at DVC you can't go back but we will do it until DS grows out of his love for POP lol.
Well this is long enough. I have alot of writing to do about the actual trip but here is the cruise report.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=689549
here is our southwest experience
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=690775
First off I am so happy we bought at SSR! The resort is amazing. The pool is beautiful and contrary to what others say I think it is big in size.I love the zero entry option it is great for the little ones. The bummer is the donald play area (that is the soft area with the water spouts) was closed. It was all dug up and looked like it was getting relaid. Maybe it had a leak I don't know. Since Ds was never there before he did not miss it but it was still a bummer. The leisure pools are equally as beautiful especially the one in Congress park (the only one open right now). You can swim with an awesome view of DTD! The themeing of the leisure pool is beautiful as well. It is definitely not a 'quiet" pool though since the kids play area is right next to it and so is the picnic barbeque area. I can honestly tell you that it is our favorite resort we have ever stayed at. The luxurious feel to it is amazing.
Well before I get too carried away I will tell this in segments starting with arrival. We drove up to the guard shack and received our first welcome home then we stopped at the carriage house to check in. It is beautiful and the people to greet and take our luggage were awesome. We received our room assignment for room 1712 which is a studio. It had waterview of DTD and was not ready yet. We checked in at 11am but did not receive our room till 3 pm. Still that was fine since it was earlier than the 4 pm so we were happy.
Before I get to discussing the room I just wanted to give a little back story. Our son got sick on the Wonder and he was diagnosed with a double ear infection. So normally we would have cancelled the rest of the trip but because he was not ok to fly we were thanking God we had the accomodations of a studio. The doctor on the ship gave him a perscription that needed to be refridgerated. So having the convienence of the fridge and being able to fix a little something while our son slept was definitely a Godsend. Plus we were able to have juice on hand to keep him hydrated.
So we did a few errands while Ds slept in the car. We bought groceries stopped and picked up the dining certificates from the Vacation Club office (another whole story about that) Bought our annual passes. By the time we were done with all of that the room was ready.
Well first off I love how the room was decorated. Secondly we were pleasantly surprised at how spacious the studio is. In our opinion it could sleep 5 comfortably. Since Ds was ill and still sleeps in the bed with us we never folded out the sofa bed but I did fall asleep on it for an hour while it was still a sofa and it is comfortable. I honestly don't see the need for us to burn up points on a 1 br anytime soon.
About a day and a half we were confined to the room. Ds started feeling better and was getting anxious to go outside so we strolled around the grounds and took the path to DTD. The resort is beautiful now but when it is done it is going to be mind blowing. The view of DTD is amazing and the path over there is a really nice walk. We timed it from our room one night and it took us 4 minutes to walk over. We walked over to the carriage house where the pool is and it was amazing there too. Artist Palette is definitely too small. I have no idea how they are going to accomodate everyone once the resort is done. Also the selections were nice but I do miss having more of an option.
Because of being in the room so much I was able to really examine just so I could report back lol. Anyway the sliding glass door out to the balcony had the glass cracked in one of the corners. I reported it right away and they told us it will be reported to engineering. It wasn't a danger and it looks like it either happened at installation or maybe the hurricanes. They never came to fix it but maybe they were waiting until the resort emptied because it would be a big job and it was booked full while we were there. The only complaint I have about the entire resort is about the chairs they chose for the balconies. OMG not only are they cheap resin chairs but the are that ugly green. I know that resin chairs are offered in many colors AND now they have many nice designs and quality ones available. These looked like Kamrt $7.99 kind and should have definitely been tan or white. The green did not match IMO and looked tacky.
We walked around to the carriage house and right away I got the feeling we were walking in Celebration. The resort reminds me alot of being there. I definitely got the small town feeling. With the theater, the rental place (for bikes etc) community hall, laundry, spa, the gift shop, artist palette, carriage house, pool and the preformance hall it was all centrally located and set up just like a town. I have yet to be to Saratoga NY but I am guessing it is dead on with the themeing. It gives the resort a real feeling of having a home away from home. The odd thing is that the walk to the central location from Congress park is definitely longer than walking to DTD IMO.
Well our ressie was only for 3 nights then we were switching three nights at POP. Well DH and I loved SSR so much we asked for an extention for Wed and Thursday night. It came through we just had to switch rooms which was not biggie for us. We had room 1425 next and it was ready early but that did not matter since we where at the parks that night till late. This room had a better view of DTD and was in the opposite direction of the first room as far as floor plan. The color scheme was slightly different. I could not say that either room was better aside from the view.
Overall I love SSR and ironically when it is finished because of the layout and the parking arrangements it will not feel crowed. This trip many times we had the busses to ourselves and the only time it was full no one was standing. That part was amazing since the parks were insanely busy from beginning of the trip Sun the 21 to the end Satureday the 27th. I have never been to WDW when the parks where that crowded and I now have more resolve as to why we are going to pull our son out of school for every family vacation, it is insane down there when it is a busy season.
Switching to POP was a breeze the sad thing is my son was jumping for joy in the parking lot. He had been waiting to go there the whole time. Since he is speech delayed he kept asking to go to Disney and we where confused. We kept say we are here honey. So anyway he meant he wanted to stay at POP. My heart sank. I feel so guilty. SSR is definitely not a resort that kids will remember. The themeing of POP is so much more kid oriented. SO since we purchased APs we will be taking another tip back and just paying cash for POp for our son. He loves it there (unfortunately LOL). You guys are right though, once you stay at DVC you can't go back but we will do it until DS grows out of his love for POP lol.
Well this is long enough. I have alot of writing to do about the actual trip but here is the cruise report.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=689549
here is our southwest experience
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=690775
This summer will be our first trip home to SSR, and the way your describing everything @ the resort, makes me wish it was August already !!!!!! 
