Saratoga Just Back

[bethsg]

Just got back from Saratoga. We had a great vacation. We were in a 2 bedroom dedicated, just like I requested. The room was very nice. Only I felt for the age of the units, the carpet was a bit worn. There were some pulls which with that type of carpet, will be it's demise. (memories of my dog walking around with a piece of carpet stuck to his nail pulling the carpet, unraveling it with every step) We were on the 1st floor and our patio opened up to the courtyard near the quiet pool. Only trouble is, you can't leave your patio, it's landlocked by landscaping. I can see this as a big problem. Of course we were the "good guests" who walked out our front door, and down the hall and out the side door and around the building to the pool. I can surely see where someone won't be so good, and will instead walk through the landscaping to get to the pool. We had some food at Artist Palate which was very good, but I was suprised how few people were there anytime I walked by. The front desk told me they were at 98% capacity. I am sure once all those building are open, that will change.
We took our twin boys who celebrated their 16th birthday today, along with a friend each. They wanted to drive the Water SPrites on their birthday. We went over to Wilderness Lodge, and were told, now you have to be 16 and a licensed driver to rent the boat. This means, each boat has to have a licened driver in the boat. We could have taken the boys out with us, and they could have driven, but the boat had to have a licensed driver in it. Now this is tough to do, when you have 1 hour to spare, and 5 boys who want to drive. We asked if they had staff who could accompany them, along with us parents to let each boy have 30 minutes of driving time. We could have perhaps juggled it taking turns back and forth, but this was our last big harrah, before going to the airport. I was sad to have to walk away. So anyone interested in the sprite boats... you must have a licensed driver in the boat.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Wow! 16! Im sure they were disappointed. Did you check at the SSR marina? I often saw the water mice on the lake and I think they have different restrictions that Bay Lake.

 

[Sammie]

The licensed driver requirement only applies to rentals on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. The age limit was changed after they got the new Sea Ray boats and had a very serious accident occur involving young drivers.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Thanks for the report! Sad to hear about the carpets, already.

 

[hercamore]

What, isn't this resort only ayear old and the carpets are worn alraady?

herc.

 

[KLR-wlv]

I'm glad they upped the age - I drove those last year at GF and I was shocked they would let 12yo drive them with the ferries - I was a bit scared driving them!

 

[scottrob]

What can you tell me about the fireworks sound levels from Downtown Disney? Was it a distraction?
Thanks.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I was at SSR in early January. The carpets in our 1 BR in Building 4 were in good shape (although I can imagine they could pull) -- the 30 seconds of fireworks at midnight were audible through the windows, but DW claimed not to have heard a thing the first couple of nights.

 

[Sammie]

What can you tell me about the fireworks sound levels from Downtown Disney? Was it a distraction?
Thanks.

We missed them the first night as we did not hear them. We were watching TV had the curtains open and suddenly saw some burst of light.

 

[Sammie]

What, isn't this resort only ayear old and the carpets are worn alraady?

herc.

They had trouble with the Hilton Head carpets and finally had to replace the entire resort. I hope they did not repeat the same mistake.

 

[bethsg]

I hear the Pleasure Island fireworks I think about 2 nights... and they slighly woke, me, it was a pleasant feeling reminding me I was in Disneyworld. The other nights I never noticed them. I kept meaning to stay up and watch them, and I never made it up that late!

 

[debbiedoo]

We stayed at SSR last June, and we did not hear the fireworks. Our balcony faced DTD on ground floor. But then again, once I am out I am out

 

[Rob&Jan]

Thanks for the report