Saratoga lovers & Haters.............HELP!

[mickeymyfavorite]

Hello all you Saratoga lovers………….Can you please help convince me that I will not be disappointed with staying at Saratoga please can you tell me the good and bad.

Here’s the deal I just purchased DVC for AKV . But because the 2nd phase is not complete yet they have doubled my points for this year only and I must stay at Saratoga I will be staying in a studio.

Now this is a resort that I never had any desire to stay at, with that I surfed the web today and I keep saying to myself that resort is huge.

Do they have internal buses?
Is the resort big as it seems?

from what I gathered today there are not many food options, is it as bad as it seems.

Please tell me about Saratoga. I think i need to go breath in a paper bag now

 

[jodifla]

We stayed there for the first time in February, for a night in a studio.

I liked it. It's not my favorite place, but it's definitely on my list of places to return to. If I called up tomorrow for a place to stay and this is the only thing they had, I'd be fine with that.


I liked the rooms' decor a lot... and we had a GREAT view of DD. The only thing I didn't care for was the gray floors in the outside corridors. They look like industrial floors....not very magical.


It is a big place. We had a car, so I wasn't worried. I like Animator's Palette, the main pool is GREAT, and I hear the Turf Club is good.

Are you staying alone? Without a car? I'm trying to figure out why you are worried....

By the way, WELCOME TO THE CLUB!

 

[chakazullo]

There are usually a ton of good reviews and honest opinions there

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

We stayed there for the first time in February, for a night in a studio.

I liked it. It's not my favorite place, but it's definitely on my list of places to return to. If I called up tomorrow for a place to stay and this is the only thing they had, I'd be fine with that.


I liked the rooms' decor a lot... and we had a GREAT view of DD. The only thing I didn't care for was the gray floors in the outside corridors. They look like industrial floors....not very magical.


It is a big place. We had a car, so I wasn't worried. I like Animator's Palette, the main pool is GREAT, and I hear the Turf Club is good.

Are you staying alone? Without a car? I'm trying to figure out why you are worried....

By the way, WELCOME TO THE CLUB!

Hi, no there will be 4 of us 1 child. No car plan on using ME, & disneys transportation. it just seems so big, is there internal buses like there are at CBR?

 

[delmar411]

there are no internal buses but if you are on the beginning of the loop you could ride the park buses through the loop to get to the main stop (Springs)

it is huge

there is only the one counter service place by the main pool and it has a limited menu...I had to 'special order' just a basic sandwich...I wasn't too impressed with the food offerings but they were quite generous w/ portions

the studios are very comfortable and have a micro, fridge, sink, coffee maker and some disposable dishes

I'd ask to stay in the Springs section, that's right across from the DVC sales office...that way you are very close to walk to the main pool, the community hall, the laundry room, the bus stop and the restaurant.

we just stayed there in April and I made sure to get the Springs section because we had no car and only a studio. They were very accommodating and I only had to wait until late afternoon to get our room, we wer ein the parks anyway so it didn't matter much.

You will enjoy it though. It is a very relaxing and quiet resort.

 

[delmar411]

Hi, no there will be 4 of us 1 child. No car plan on using ME, & disneys transportation. it just seems so big, is there internal buses like there are at CBR?

is it 4 adults and a child or 3 adults and a child? A studio isn't going to be very comfortable packed like that. Are there no 1 bedrooms available?

ETA~ a studio has 1 bed and a pull out couch....

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

is it 4 adults and a child or 3 adults and a child? A studio isn't going to be very comfortable packed like that. Are there no 1 bedrooms available?

ETA~ a studio has 1 bed and a pull out couch....

4 of us all together.

 

[ChelleinNC]

You should come over to the DVC boards and check out the SSR Lovers and/or Owners thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=25062916

When we stayed last year I didn't really want to, within days we signed the papers and bought SSR. We love it! It is a beautiful resort that could easily stand on it's own (with out the parks). The main pool and Grand Stand pool are great, tennis courts, golf course, community hall are all great. We also really like the food choices, it's refreshing to not have to order another burger. Aritist Palette is the CS http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=462

Turf Club is excellent http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=460

Yes the resort is big, but really all of them are. This is just situated different, with a condo style.

Hope this helps

 

[cocowum]

Hi We are from Upstate NY and had NO desire whatsoever to stay at SSR. We had a 1BR @ OKW and due to some unfortunate circumstances we moved over to a 1 BR @ SSR and we LOVED IT!!! The pictures do not do the rooms justice. We were on the 4th fl with a DTD view. It was really beautiful at night!

We ate at Artists Palette and The Turf Club, both were really good. We were there during free dining so it was mobbed!

We also spent quite a bit of time at the main pool. It was wonderful.

We did have a car though. Personally I wouldn't stay there without one. That is one huge resort. I hope you have a great trip.

 

[PlainJane]

I'm one of those crazy SSR lovers. I don't even find it that big. I've stayed all the way back in the Paddocks section, and it was maybe a 10 minute walk to the front of the resort. I would rather be at the back of SSR, than the end of a hallway at BWV. You at least have the option of taking the bus to the front (unlike BWV where I do admit to feeling somewhat trapped), I've never bothered doing so, but you have the option. It also isn't a confusing layout.

I don't really have anything bad to say about SSR. I like the rooms, the community hall, the huge gym, the Turf Club, Artist Palette, and the main pool. I've never had any problems with transportation either.

 

[Portugal1000]

We absolutely loved Saratoga. Spent 8 nights there from 19th December last year in a 1 bed. The main pool was fantastic, made even better by the glorious weather. We loved Turf Club and cancelled other ressies so we could go there again. Thought the CS food was great. We stayed in the Grandstand right opposite the pool which was deserted most of the time. It was great being able to walk to DTD or take the boat. We are from England so don't really have any resorts like this here. I find it amazing that there are people who don't like Saratoga. We stayed at FW the Xmas before which we also loved and I didn't think I would find anywhere that I liked more but I did with Saratoga. Hope this helps.

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

thank you so much everyone

 

[CarolA]

I don't get this it's huge line.

I have stayed at SEVERAL places in the resort. AT MOST it was a 10 minute walk to the main building. I jogged that HUGE lake last week...3/4 of a mile. (Just to give you a clue, it's a mile around world showcase)

 

[Perditamarie]

We have stayed there a couple times and really enjoyed our stay. We like to stay in Congress Park for the DTD view and quick walk to DTD. The rooms also still have a "newness" about them!

I love the main pool area....it has something for everyone and yet is compact enough to keep an easy eye on the children (no swivel-heading like at the BC!!). The pool has 2 slides, zero depth entry, squirty fountains, a splashground, a waterfall, 2 hot tubs and they have some CMs out doing activities w/the kids where they can play in contests and win prizes. The Community Hall is also adjacent to the pool area, and they have some neat activities too. It is also close to food! I do think the market/CS area is limited, but w/DTD barely footsteps away, this is not a big deal. Also, we usually order in some groceries too.

I find it takes us 5-7 min to walk to the main pool from Congress Park, which is not too bad at all. It is about the same amount of time to trek it to DTD. Also nice paths and trails for any joggers and the quiet pools are very nice and have picnic/barbeque areas too. The resort exudes a peacefulness that is really nice after a day in the parks!

 

[5 for WDW]

I am with everyone that does not get the "SSR is HUGE" deal.

Saratoga Springs is our Home resort. We love everything about it. We heard many horror stories about how huge the resort was. Once we got there we couldn't figure out what everyone was making such a big deal over. Yes, it is a big resort but, we walked all around it with no problem at all. Our daughter was just shy of 4 when we were there in September and walked everywhere no problem. Her stroller stayed in our Villa.
We were in The Grandstand section and thought it was the perfect location. Very quick walk to the main pool and Artist's Palette, etc. It is also the first bus stop to be picked up and dropped off so I knew the kids would have a seat on the bus. The themed pool in that section is great.
The decor is great. I loved our one bedroom. It was pleasant and immaculate.
The bus service was great when we were there last. In the 10 days we were there, the longest we waited for a bus was 25 minutes after MNSSHP one night.
We walked from our room over to DTD one afternoon and it was a nice walk. We took the boat back which the kids loved.
We did not eat in the Turf Club but, I have only heard good things about it. My kids and I liked a lot of the options at Artist's Palette. My husband, who is very picky, found a few things he liked but, DTD is so close we ate over there quite a few times.
We are going back "home" to SSR in December and we can't wait!!

I hope you enjoy your stay at SSR. It really is a beautiful resort.

 

[Esmerelda]

Wow....I know many many folks that love SSR...including me and my entire family! I have stayed there probably 7 times, never had a bad stay yet.

Its no more walking than if I were at the Beach Club Villas...or the BW Villas...as a matter of fact....its a much more pleasant walk. Its outside in the fresh air and we like that better....than walking down corridors. I enjoy seeing the little animals outside...the bunnies...ducks...etc are always out when we stroll.

The AP and the Turf Club are both great!! We ate once at the Turf Club last June...then cancelled something else to eat there again it was soo good.

I believe there are internal buses but we never used them...its not too far to walk to anywhere. We even walked to DTD at least 4 times our last trip and it was fabulous!

I have absolutely nothing bad to report to you about SSR. We bought in there 4 years ago without even knowing all about the resort and its been the best investment we've ever made for our family. Our teens love it there also.

We will be there in about 28 days....we are counting them down...can't wait!
Check out these links...I have some photos in there you might enjoy

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1771958


best of luck...

 

[fn2bfree]

I have stayed at SSR once and it was just okay. It is a very nice resort the main problem I had with it is that it just isn't very magical. The rooms are very nice, better than any other Disney Resort and I have stayed at most of the Deluxe resorts. When you leave your room it just doesn't feel like you are at Disney World. I would recommend that you rent a car, I would never stay at this resort without one.

 

[MikeyNS]

It's one of those personal opinion pieces. We find Saratoga to be a great resort and we love staying there. Conversely we didn't like the Beach Club at all and probably will never return. Does that make Saratoga better than the Beach Club? For me, yes. For the majority of people no but it neither makes me right or wrong.

 

[ampooh]

we did a split stay between SSR and BC last June. I have to preface with the fact we LOVE the BC. We are 4...2 adults and at the time a 13yr old and 3 yr old. We stayed in a studio. (There was a special AP rate for us payers not DVC owners).

size: yes it's big but not any bigger than CBR to me. We were in the across from Community hall...my boys really enjoyed some game playing there. I loved being able to wash for free (a non member remember).

The pool: The pool was good. A bit crowded but then it was June. it's not Storm a long Bay but that is a huge pool. DS3 loved the slide and it worked him up to be ready for the slide at SAB. I didn't have trouble finding a lounge chair.

AP: we ate there a couple times and it was nice. I liked the flatbread pizza. Not another burger.

There were some good points in the trip but I also missed the BC atmosphere. It is out favorite and I prefer the carpeted hallways to the gray concrete (like at a moderate).

 

[DISUNC]

We will be staying at SSR for the first time this July, thanks for all the info.

I just have a few questions. I am staying there on a a AP rate, not a owner.

Which part of the resort do I request if I want to stay closest to the Main pool?
Do they have Refillable mugs there?
Is there daily maid service?... some say yes...some say no!

I loved being able to wash for free (a non member remember).

wash for free????? FREE...I like FREE!