Saratoga Pros

[HelenParr]

We are YC/BC lovers, and we go there 2-3 times a year (for 15+ years and counting). But if we can’t get in there either from late planning or if we are bringing a larger group, we love Saratoga. It’s amazing for the price, it’s beautiful, you can walk to Disney Springs which gives you lots of dining and entertainment options, and the transportation is solid. I know it doesn’t get much love on the Boards, but it’s really a great spot.

If you don’t enjoy walking, it might be more of a challenge. Depending on your location, you can be far away from the main area and/or your bus stop.

I agree with the PPs who disfavor the Carousel section. Every other area has something going for it (bus stop order or proximity to pool or main house). Carousel is less awesome. We’ve been lucky to get Paddock on the side toward Congress Park several times...we like that as you are pretty close to the Spirngs walkway, and the Congress Park bus stop. It also has a cute pool. We’d prefer Congress Park and have stayed there a bunch of times, but we’re not DVC, and cash reservations for Congress Park are rare now that they reclassified it as preferred.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are YC/BC lovers, and we go there 2-3 times a year (for 15+ years and counting). But if we can’t get in there either from late planning or if we are bringing a larger group, we love Saratoga. It’s amazing for the price, it’s beautiful, you can walk to Disney Springs which gives you lots of dining and entertainment options, and the transportation is solid. I know it doesn’t get much love on the Boards, but it’s really a great spot.

If you don’t enjoy walking, it might be more of a challenge. Depending on your location, you can be far away from the main area and/or your bus stop.

I agree with the PPs who disfavor the Carousel section. Every other area has something going for it (bus stop order or proximity to pool or main house). Carousel is less awesome. We’ve been lucky to get Paddock on the side toward Congress Park several times...we like that as you are pretty close to the Spirngs walkway, and the Congress Park bus stop. It also has a cute pool. We’d prefer Congress Park and have stayed there a bunch of times, but we’re not DVC, and cash reservations for Congress Park are rare now that they reclassified it as preferred.

We were just there in Dec and enjoyed walking over to Disney Springs. In the past, we liked getting up early to walk and run around the resort. It's quiet, you see small creatures running around, it's really very nice. I don't have a problem with Carousel since it might be the quietest of all of the area since there isn't a pool right there.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

We love SSR for its beautiful grounds. We usually stay in the Paddock area because my kids love walking across the long bridge and looking at the fish and turtles along the way. We prefer the slide pool and counter service which are provided in the Paddock area over the main pool just because it isn't as crowded--although the main pool is one of the the nicer DVC pools imho. I also think the rooms are nicely finished with quality materials (unlike some of the refurbishing going on now.).

Finally, as mentioned by many, the proximity to Disney Springs and the nice counter service are a plus for this resort. My only negative to SSR would be the amount of points needed. I can stay at OKW and BWV standard with lesser points and although I prefer SSR to both of them, I usually will opt for the others so we can save.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

Now that Disney Springs has been updated, we are liking SSR more and more. I think they are scheduled for a renovation in the next few years and that makes me happy I iwll probably like it even more then . And.....as so many of the new DVC resorts cost more and more points per night, the SSR standard point chart is looking better and better to me!!!

 

[Paticake]

we bought SSR sight unseen in 2003. We have 300 points and I have to say that I love it more and more each time we go. Love the easy access to Disney Springs especially when we are at Congress Park. We love the quiet pools both at Congress and at Grandstand! Love the Paddock feature pool. I find Saratoga to be very relaxing. we never hear neighbor noise.

 

[Murron]

We originally bought an additional resale contract in SSR some time back frankly because it was cheap and had low annual maintenance fees. I was one of those people who thought it lacked the Disney magic. Several stays later, we love it. Great place to run/jog in the morning, pools are nice, food is good, nice views and Disney Springs in the evening. We are also Congress Park fans. We always rent a car, but the only con I have heard is that the buses can be crowded depending on what section you stay.

 

[Dean]

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.

If you're OK with the value type locations, you should be fine. We avoid studios most trips and while SSR has a lower $$$ value, it is a fine resort. We find that we enjoy things about all Orlando resorts DVC, Disney and non Disney. We just make the most of and take advantage of the plusses of the resort we're staying at. Whether it be Marriott's Grande Vista (or a different Marriott), Bluegreen's Fountains, HGVC Tuscany, Silver Lakes or a DVC resort' there are always things to enjoy. And there are always things that aren't ideal with every resort including every DVC resort.

 

[mikebb]

SSR is our home and while we do not stay there every trip, we love it. A few things we like about it (echoing many others) are the proximity to Disney Springs, a nice , spacious and uncrowded food court area (Poly I'm looking at you!), a bunch of pools to chose from, and the general relaxing feel of the resort and grounds.

Many folks are turned off by the exterior walkways, but I don't have a problem with them, if anything it eliminates the long trudges down hotel hallways that you have at some of the other resorts like AKV and BWV.

 

[kniquy]

I find it very... Un-Disney?

It is very un-disney, but i think that is part of the draw for the deluxe resorts. It is a pretty resort and the grounds are kept well maintained. I feel the SSR is a real personal preference - you will find people who love it or dislike it. I am one of the ones who would stay there if it was my only option, but it is not my first (4th or 5th) choice. I don't like golf - so to look out my window and see a golf course doesn't excite me, I do love seeing palm trees when i am in FL and as this is based on upstate NY there is not a palm tree in sight.

The rooms are nice and the closeness to disney springs is a benefit if you want to go there to shop and eat.