Saratoga Springs experiences

[Derek&Ashley]

My family has an 8 night stay at Saratoga Springs coming up soon. I've noticed that there is almost no discussion of the resort here. I would like to hear from others about the resort. Experiences? Opinions?

 

[soarin_over_nj]

I am a frequent Disney visitor and DVC member and just stayed at Saratoga for my first time in January. At first the openness and distance between places in the resort was daunting. After a few days of being there and learning tricks of the resort, I began to enjoy the resort. It is not as hectic as some of the other resorts and I booked another stay there for this October.

 

[dimndgal1]

We were considering the DVC resorts last year for our trip because of the size of our group and I found the DVC board to be very helpful with information about SSR, OKW, and BLT (our short list)

They may have better info and definitely will have experience!!!

 

[jessicar82]

My husband and I stayed there without our kids this past March and we LOVED it! To be able to walk to DTD was a main feature for me. It took less than 10 minutes and it's a gorgeous walk (I LOVE Earl of Sandwich so we went to DTD often). It is a large resort but I don't think it gets all the credit it deserves. I wanted to stay there during our upcoming Sept trip but my husband and kids want to stay at Boardwalk Villas.

 

[Pakey]

I have owned DVC for a long time and I have stayed at SSR for 5 vacations and the THV for another vacation. So I feel like I know this resort well.

The resort is spread out but it's not as daunting as it appears. The walks from each section to the main section aren't any worse than staying at Animal Kingdom at the end of the savannah.

There are 5 sections: Grandstand, Carousel, Paddock, Congress Park and Springs. Those are the bus stops, in order. I have stayed in all but Carousel and I think the experience is different depending on where you stay. Example: It's a 10 minute walk to DTD from Congress Park but it's going to be a 20-30 minute walk from Grandstand.

I think the villas are nicely appointed; I actually like the decor here and the fact that it's not over the top Disney. I think the Turf Club restaurant is a hidden gem for a TS and I like the offerings at Artist Palette's counter service.

I find check in annoying and bell services takes forever here. And RAC checkin for outbound flights hasn't been a great experience for us either due to the volume of people at this resort.

The main pool at Springs is usually very crowded but the themed pool at Paddock is nice and I love the quiet pool at Congress Park. Grandstand also has a pool and a children's splash area.

With the exception of our Springs stay where we had a villa close to the bus stop, our stays have been very quiet. While not a favorite DVC resort, it's not at the bottom of the list either. I own at BCV but SSR is always available for last minute trips and it's served me well over the years. I try to stay at the Epcot DVCs if my waitlists come through but I'm not distraught if they don't and I end up here.

 

[Derek&Ashley]

Thanks for the input. Due to family concerns we have had to reschedule this trip three times. We are owners at BLT, so we've had our share of different resort stays. This will be our first stay there but I'm looking forward to trying somewhere new. I've requested the paddock so we could be near the second themed pool and hopefully avoid the crowds of the main pool.

I'm guessing it would be a 15-20 minute walk to DTD?

 

[Pakey]

Thanks for the input. Due to family concerns we have had to reschedule this trip three times. We are owners at BLT, so we've had our share of different resort stays. This will be our first stay there but I'm looking forward to trying somewhere new. I've requested the paddock so we could be near the second themed pool and hopefully avoid the crowds of the main pool.

I'm guessing it would be a 15-20 minute walk to DTD?

Yes, it's an easy walk from Paddock to DTD. Paddock is right by Congress Park where the walkway to DTD starts.

 

[DisneyGal24]

I am interested in info about SSR as well. We are considering a split stay between VWL/SSR. Can anyone tell me about the pools? Do they have slides? What would be the best section? Our kids will be 8 and 5 if that helps! Thanks!

 

[disneydreaming92701]

Yes, it's an easy walk from Paddock to DTD. Paddock is right by Congress Park where the walkway to DTD starts.

Great info... we will request paddock area when we go this fall.

 

[JennyDrake]

I have only stayed there once and I enjoyed it. LOVED the hot tub thing at the main pool. My only complaint was the lack of food options at the counter service. Nicely appointed rooms with no outside noise at all! Beautiful grounds for walking/running. Super clean.

 

[snykymom]

Because SSR and OKW are only DVC resorts (as opposed to the other DVC resort attached to regular deluxe resorts), their threads tend to be limited to the DVC board. Here's the SSR one:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2466719

 

[joelkfla]

Yes, it's an easy walk from Paddock to DTD. Paddock is right by Congress Park where the walkway to DTD starts.

Sorry, but the walkway from Congress Park to DTD will be closing 7/8 for Disney Springs construction.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

My family has an 8 night stay at Saratoga Springs coming up soon. I've noticed that there is almost no discussion of the resort here. I would like to hear from others about the resort. Experiences? Opinions?

This resort is very nice but it's so spread out. When we were there, CM's would drive us to the lobby in their little golf carts. When I went to the spa one morning, they also drove me in the golf cart. I don't know if that's normal, but it happened on our 2010 trip. Walking to DTD is really nice though! We stayed in Congress Park in a 1 bedroom. Also, it's sort of like AKL in the sense that it is kind of far from things, especially MK so the bus ride is long to there and back. It's not a bad resort though, I wouldn't hesitate to stay there.

 

[darkwing818]

Yes, it's an easy walk from Paddock to DTD. Paddock is right by Congress Park where the walkway to DTD starts.

Paddock is the way to go....

 

[jon18uk]

We stayed at Saratoga 2 years ago as they had 55% off and free dining deal for UK guests.

The resort felt very quiet and empty, completely different atmosphere to Port Orleans where we stayed before. Food court was OK but felt very small. Tried to eat at the turf club restaurant but it stopped food service at 7pm! Drove to Port Orleans and ate at Boatwright's instead.

We were in the Congress Park section right by the quiet pool, only a short walk to the main building, gym and quick service food. We chose this section as it was walking distance to Downtown Disney and this was great! Was a very nice walk to DTD in the evening when it was cooler and this was probably the best thing about this resort.

Overall it is a nice quiet hotel you can walk to DTD from but I wouldn't recommend it for the resort food options!