Saratoga Pros

[USS Disney]

Why do people enjoy Saratoga Springs and is there a difference between the DVC studios and the rest of the resort?

Appears this is my only option for my last minute trip and I find it very... Un-Disney? Just curious to see what people enjoy about the resort... Thinking of doing Art of Animation suite instead, but honestly don't know much about either.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Why do people enjoy Saratoga Springs

It is close to golf and Disney Springs, and has great pools and pool bars. Turf Club is an unsung treasure.

is there a difference between the DVC studios and the rest of the resort?

No. Studios are throughout the resort, and many are part of lock-off 2BR units. There is not "a building of studios" or something.

None of the deluxe are "Disney" in the same way somewhere like AOA is, with large colorful cement icons and the like. But Saratoga is no further from the parks than AOA, and is closer to Disney Springs than any other resort.

 

[renzmari]

We stayed there for the first time on rented point back in Nov/early Dec. We actually enjoyed it. We have been going to Disney for over 20 years as a family. This trip we found that a lot has changed and find that a lot of the resorts are not as Disney-ish as they once were. Our room was near the main area with the restaurant and pool (Springs). The boat over to Disney Springs was perfect got heading over for dinner and quick drink or just some window shopping. The grounds are beautiful but very spread out. The buses to the parks (our experience) was not too bad. We enjoyed it so much that we finally decided to buy a DVC and bought 200 pts at SSR. (50 direct and 150 resale). I wouldn't knock it off your list if it is all that is available you may enjoy it as we did.
We stayed in a 1 bedroom so I can't comment on the studios, but I know they are not on the smallish size as in other resorts.

 

[arminnie]

I own at SSR and BLT. My DH and I prefer staying at SSR - Congress Park preferably. We are getting ready to sell BLT.

I love being able to walk to Disney Springs. Parking is much easier now - but I prefer to walk there. So much to do and so many places to eat.

We also like to go off property some. It is easy to get to the car and to get off property. If I want to go to another resort I just walk over to DS and catch a direct bus.

Plus we live in a high rise at home so we enjoy staying in a garden type resort.

I have never found the buses to be overly crowded at SSR. I never quite understood the bus crowding complaints until I rode to another resort. I truly didn’t think I was going to be able to get to a door to exit.

 

[MamaBelle4]

We loved SSR so much that when we got back we bought resale points. Because we are going back in an even larger group, we are staying in an AKL 2 bedroom lock off for the 3rd bathroom.

DH said, "It really stinks that we aren't staying at SSR. I don't want to be that far away from DS." And his favorite park is AK.

I think SSR is the most underrated of the DVC resorts. It is beautifully landscaped, peaceful and walking distance to DS. I absolutely love it!

 

[USS Disney]

It is close to golf and Disney Springs, and has great pools and pool bars. Turf Club is an unsung treasure

What is the Turf Club?

Also, I know the AoA is way more over the top in terms of Disney decor than... Well basically anything. I just meant that SSR was particularly bland and Marriot/Hilton looking... Which isnt bad, but I stay on property to feel like I never leave the magic. Was hoping maybe the resort itself had some fun Disney stuff or activities that set it apart.

 

[arminnie]

What is the Turf Club?

Also, I know the AoA is way more over the top in terms of Disney decor than... Well basically anything. I just meant that SSR was particularly bland and Marriot/Hilton looking... Which isnt bad, but I stay on property to feel like I never leave the magic. Was hoping maybe the resort itself had some fun Disney stuff or activities that set it apart.

Turf Club is the TS restaurant.

There are Disney activities in the community center, but we never do that stuff.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/saratoga-springs-resort-and-spa/turf-club-bar-and-grill/

The splash pads are vert good if kids are involved,

 

[iluveeyore]

There are a few 'Disney' touches in the rooms that go with the SSR theme of horse racing, such as couch cushions with Disney horses like Maximus and Phillipe. The studios are very nice, the balconies let you enjoy the beautifully landscaped scenery so you don't feel like you're in a Marriott. We love this resort and have enjoyed every stay here.

 

[BillPA]

You do understand that Saratoga is a DVC resort?

 

[nyweller6306]

We stayed at SSR for one night following a DCL cruise. We had a room 1701 at Congress Park, which is a studio in a preferred building. It was within 5 minutes of Disney Springs (walking out the door, we set a timer and stopped it once we crossed over the bridge at Disney Springs). Our studio balcony had a fantastic view of Disney Springs, which was beautiful at night. We were also footsteps away from a quiet pool. We bought resale points at SSR without even seeing it, just because we loved the location. We will definitely be staying at SSR again and will use the extra points for a preferred room, whether it is studio, 1 br, or 2 br.

 

[arminnie]

We have stayed in a 1 BR many times. We are often too tired to want to go out at night and liked having a kitchen for some light cooking or for breakfast.

But now with all the food so easily available at DS and the fact that we are selling a bunch of points we now stay in a studio at SSR.

I would say that I missed the W&D at a studio, but I don’t as my DH will do the laundry late at night while I sleep.

 

[peabody58]

Stayed once in a 1 BR.

Pros: Parking right up front of bldg. Every bldg has an elevator (unlike OKW). Access to DS, walking or by boat. Very relaxing. Lots of walking areas. TIW accepted at QS w/o need for 18% gratuity.

We plan on booking SSR again during our AP year to help save on points.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think the counter service, Artist Pallette has some delicious offerings.

 

[Judyat]

Jusst back from 2 weeks in a studio at SSR. OKW is our home but we prefer SSR now. Stayed in Congress park with a beautiful view of water and Disney Springs. Love walking to Disney Springs, Love the quiet pools and spas. Love SSR.

 

[arminnie]

I think the counter service, Artist Pallette has some delicious offerings.

It’s mostly just sandwiches and flatbreads.

 

[DizBub]

We really love SSR. We also avoided staying there because it seemed a bit unloved on boards like this. Until one year we really wanted to go but there was no availability on points anywhere but found a confirmed reservation at SSR. It was a great bargain with distressed points, 4 nights for $400, figured how bad can it be?? Once we got there it was pretty much love at first sight. Our studio was in Congress Park, I think I heard angels singing when we looked out at the DS view.

After staying the first 3 nights decided to see if there were any openings to extend our stay and got another couple of nights on our own points, didn't even have to change rooms. Shortly after getting home decided to buy a resale contract at SSR.

 

[abner1776]

I will readily admit that I was an SSR snob...I would stay anywhere BUT SSR. My last two trips to WDW I have stayed at SSR(last minute trips and SSR was the only resort available) and while SSR is not my favorite, I am coming around slowly to at least liking the resort, but....
Carousel should only be used to book people who have a car and thus do not plan on using the busses or people just want to stay in their rooms 24 hours a day. Carousel has no redeeming value all by itself as it must have been a total afterthought when DVD was building the resort. No food, no pool, no bus stop, no nothing. Even the "carousel bus stop" really belongs to Paddock.
If I stay at SSR in the future I will insist on a building other than Carousel.

 

[bobbiwoz]

It’s mostly just sandwiches and flatbreads.

We enjoyed the pot roast dinner more than once.

 

[DizBub]

Carousel should only be used to book people who have a car and thus do not plan on using the busses or people just want to stay in their rooms 24 hours a day. Carousel has no redeeming value all by itself as it must have been a total afterthought when DVD was building the resort. No food, no pool, no bus stop, no nothing. Even the "carousel bus stop" really belongs to Paddock.
If I stay at SSR in the future I will insist on a building other than Carousel.

I generally agree with Carousel seeming like an afterthought....it never seems to be occupied and there are no cars in the lots when we know the resort is booked solid.

It appears to be unpopular but I know how to fix that. Make Carousel a true value category with lower points and people will fight to book those rooms. Wait. Scratch that. If that happens points will go up in the other categories. Nevermind.