Saratoga...grows on you

[Donna M]

We bought SSR when it was being built and have stayed everywhere since. It is real nice to see how the trees have matured so much. It really is a beautiful resort.

 

[quandrea]

We love SSR too. Great food, pools, grounds. We are here now (at BWV though). I was telling my husband that every Resort had its charms and that I'm glad to be at any of them. Never had a bad stay.

 

[Anal Annie]

Have any of you good things to say about Carousel area? Just wondering because we intend to spend about a week there next January, and would prefer one of the standard point areas.

Haven't stayed in the Carousel area and that would honestly be my last choice of any section because it is so far to walk to the Springs section from there. We usually like the Grandstand area (1st bus stop) in one of the 2 buildings next to the quiet pool. Last trip they couldn't put us in one of those 2 buildings so we asked for the Paddock and close to bus & pool. It was delightful. In fact my DH would like me to request the same room every time so I added it as a request for our summer trip. Doubt we'll get it but can always ask. We were in #5547 which was the first unit on the first floor in the building closest to the pool and bus stop. We'd always had a higher floor before but this was right inside the door and so convenient. Right next to the bridge crossing over to the springs. Right down the hall from the ice machine (important in a studio) and literally RIGHT NEXT to the bus stop. It was building # 5501-5836. The previous time that we'd been in the Paddock we were in the furthest bldg. from the bus stop - so far away that it was actually closer to walk over to the Congress Park bus stop but that was annoying because there was no sidewalk connecting to it. No matter what section you end up in I would always ask for close to bus & pool as there can be a good bit of walking here. But it really can be a nice stay if you don't go into it with a dismal "all I could get was SSR" attitude. Oh and if you have TIW you can get a discount at Artist's Palette along with Turf Club. They gave us the TIW discount at checkout there on items purchased from the store too...like if you want the refill cup - included in the discount.

 

[culli]

Another good point made is I believe one of the best quick service offerings around plus I have tried the turf club a few times and found the food to be excellent. One of the few resorts you wouldn't have to ever leave if you didn't want to and have a great time.

 

[Anal Annie]

We can relate. Two years ago, we did our annual February trip and stayed at VGF. It was great. Three weeks later we had the opportunity to escape winter yet again so we did a last minute trip to SSR. At the end of that trip, we agreed that we enjoyed SSR just as much as VGF. We thought SSR had a great atmosphere with a friendly cast.

And at the fraction of the points cost! Especially now with the 2 booking categories if you don't HAVE to have the Springs or Congress Park it's extra user friendly.

 

[zavandor]

It was building # 5501-5836. The previous time that we'd been in the Paddock we were in the furthest bldg. from the bus stop - so far away that it was actually closer to walk over to the Congress Park bus stop but that was annoying because there was no sidewalk connecting to it.

I was at SSR for the first time this January and I was in the building with rooms starting with #66 and I absolutely loved it. I think it was the same as you had, there is a walkway but you have to do a short detour to get to it. It meant that the walkway to Disney Spring was just 5 minutes away and I absolutely loved it! I used it multiple times. Everyone praise BLT, BWV and BCV for being in walking distance to a park, but for me SSR is just as convenient. I visit DS at least twice every time I go to WDW and possibly I might even more often in the future. I didn't care much for the Town hall section (I go to a shopping center every week that have similar shops, not that special) but the new restaurants are amazing. I've tried only Morimoto Asia this time and it was a delight, and I have many more I want to try in the future.

Also, something it's often overlooked in SSR is that it's very convenient to go to or from another resort for dinner. I went to AK during the day, to AKL to eat at Boma in the evening and then to go back to my room I took the DS bus, had a quiet stroll in DS (missed the drone show, though) and went back to my room. A nice way to end the day.

 

[alldiz]

It's never my 1st choice, but I have loved every stay there. In fact I have not had bad stay at any DVC resort.
SSR is great because it is right next to downtown Disney and you can do a lot of walking around with beautiful scenery without getting on a bus
I love the walkway to OKW. I haven't been to SSR in a while I am waiting for all the Downtown Disney stuff to be done.

I will admit my stays at SSR have been because that was the resort available for a late planning trip. But that made me love DVC all the more. Last minute I was able to get a room in a fabulous resort, and use
my points the when I wanted.
Kerri

 

[DVCKev]

Been a DVC member with SSR as my home resort for 10 years and several trips. Love the place!! Now with Downtown Disney/Disney Springs being revived, it is even better! We always plan 2-3 days in the middle of our usual 10-11 day long trips every other year so we can enjoy the resort and have some down days. My kids now both very grown at 16 and almost 19 years old love teh place too. On our next trip I gave the family a couple of options in terms of resorts to stay at next time (AK/VGF/SSR) and they actually chose SSR over both AK and the Grand Floridian. Like I said before we love this place!

 

[Murron]

We frankly bought an SSR contract because the annual maintenance fees were among the lowest at the time. I had little intention of actually staying there (that was back when you could get any resort at 7 months!!! No more right?)..... Anyway...we have also grown to love SSR. Beautiful resort!

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Which areas are now preferred? Is Grandstand? I really tried searching for the info here, on wdwinfo and on DVCnews, and couldn't find it. I know it shouldn't be that hard to find, but I can't find it.
Thanks in advance.

 

[cw62803]

Which areas are now preferred? Is Grandstand? I really tried searching for the info here, on wdwinfo and on DVCnews, and couldn't find it. I know it shouldn't be that hard to find, but I can't find it.
Thanks in advance.

The Springs and Congress Park are preferred.

 

[Mjkre]

Springs and Congress Park

 

[DonnaL]

We also added on at SSR (our 1st home resort is VWL...can't get used to calling it Boulder Ridge!!) when it was being built. There was a special DVC member weekend for the grand opening of SSR which we attended.....it was really nice......all kinds of special events.....a MK evening for DVC members only (when there weren't as many members....it was awesome!!); a special Illuminations dessert party at Epcot for DVC members and something outside behind Cirque ...that might have been the grand opening ceremony..anyway... Jodi Benson was the special guest at that event. We have always loved SSR....even in the early days when a lot of people continually complained about it. We've talked about adding on enough points to stay a month in the winter (not that we will....lol.....unless we win the lottery!!) and would definitely stay for that length of time (or more) at SSR because of the community feel to the place. It truly does feel like you're walking thru a small town/village. I think my favorite section is probably the Paddocks....I like the buildings next to pool, closest to the foot bridge.

 

[TisBit]

We completely agree. I love SSR, we do change to other resorts when available, but more to change up our vacations. We are at Disney about 2-3 times a year, so sometimes change of scenery is nice. But, we are never upset that we are at SSR.

 

[christianweecare]

We have been owners of SSR since 2005. We love it! I agree that with the expansion of Disney Springs it makes this resort a great location. We love strolling over to DS for dinner or shopping.

 

[Bellecruiser]

We love SSR also. We became DVC members in 2008 by buying there on a cruise, and have loved it ever since. I have always said it his soooo peaceful after being at the parks all day. The Turf Club restaurant is a hidden gem. The food is original, and cooked there. Compared to many programmed Disney World restaurants it is really great. I do believe, as a previous writer, that it has become more beautiful over the years as the trees have grown. It is the most underrated resort in DVC.

It is interesting to go through the various times of our lives there. Our kids loved it when they were very young because of the kid infrastructure...now they like it because of access to DS. They both love SSR even tho we own at BCV (old and tired according to them) and VGF (SNOOTY according to them).

Bobbie, we have stayed in every section, including Carousel. We love them all. We stayed in Carousel during Food and Wine last October. We were in the building right by the bus stop...so convenient! I really think you can't go wrong anywhere.

 

[chalee94]

maybe time to bump this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/the-beauty-of-disneys-saratoga-springs-resort-and-spa.3293761/

 

[MamaBelle4]

Checked in today, gorgeous, gorgeous resort. Everyone is so friendly and wonderful. I love it. I'm never leaving.

 

[cobbler]

We have been owners of SSR since 2005. We love it! I agree that with the expansion of Disney Springs it makes this resort a great location. We love strolling over to DS for dinner or shopping.

Ditto! Owned 12 years this year and love it. Stay other places every once in a while but love being here. The Grandstand is my favorite section to stay in.

 

[christianweecare]

Ditto! Owned 12 years this year and love it. Stay other places every once in a while but love being here. The Grandstand is my favorite section to stay in.

Our favorite section has always been Congress Park. With the new preferred points our new fav may just be the Grandstand. We have stayed in that section a couple times before. I think it will be just fine.