Saratoga Springs for kids???

[yaksack]

We are looking forward to using our DVC points for the first time in November 2006.

My wife and I were wondering if my soon to be 6 yr old will like Saratoga Springs or should we still with the WL?

Thoughts?

 

[disneyfan2005]

Hi we just stayed the SSR in January of this year. I have a 6 year old (just turned 6 in December)

She absolutley loved SSR's pool wiht the waterslide and 2 whirlpools

The pool is nicely heated and is great!

Request a room in one of the Springs buildings which is closet to the main pool.

We loved it here! Especially my daughter!

 

[bpmorley]

Besides the main pool, there isn't much there for a child. It is more adult oriented, like OKW. But are you really bringing a kid to Disney for the resort? I doubt that you are. If you get a room in The Springs you'll be fine

 

[shantay1008]

Actually, our four kids (1, 3, 5 and 7) kept very busy at SSR. In fact, we needed more time to do everything. The pool was great, of course, but they loved riding the boat to OKW for dinner and to DTD. My DS7 fell in love with Disney Quest and got Grandpa to take him over there several times to design his own rollercoaster. DS5 and Grammy had fun together at the Artist's Palette creating works of art to display on the special "Artist of the Day" board there.

Next time, we're allowing more time for hanging out at the resort and taking advantage of the activities at the Community Hall, renting bikes, exploring the resort, and even visiting the playground. (For our kids, getting to play on a playground in the middle of winter is a big thrill.) We also didn't have time to go for a carriage ride with Dan the Horse. Maybe we're simple folk, but we had a blast looking for new birds to add to our "Wildlife" book at home and watching the baby ducks in the pond.

I don't know how long you're planning to stay on your next trip, but maybe you could split your stay between VWL and SSR. That way, you can have a "sure thing" but also have fun exploring a new resort, too.
Shannon

 

[lts862]

We have taken our children 5 1/2 and 3 to SSR several times and they love it!

The playground, pool and video arcade were big hits. My 5 1/2 year old really enjoyed creating artwork at AP. There is an easel on every table and they can hang their work on the Artist of the Day board in the dining area.

There are bike rentals, carriage rides and DTD is just a short walk away. We never went to the Community hall but I understand there are many activities there, as well.
Enjoy!!

 

[Sammie]

Besides the main pool, there isn't much there for a child. It is more adult oriented, like OKW. But are you really bringing a kid to Disney for the resort? I doubt that you are. If you get a room in The Springs you'll be fine

What do the other DVC resorts have that will appeal to kids that OKW and SSR do not have?

 

[bpmorley]

What do the other DVC resorts have that will appeal to kids that OKW and SSR do not have?

SSR and OKW are pretty spread out. So there is some walking to do if you can't get by the main pool. There are quiet pools are both resort but most people like to go to the main themed pools. BWV, BCV and WLV are basically add-ons to already existing resorts. They are smaller in size so the walks are shorter. And they seem to have more kid things.

Most kids know what beach towns look like(BCV). they know what boardwalks are like(BWV) And the outdoor life(WLV). But how many kids can identify with Key West itself, it's an adult town. And Saratoga NY is an Old money horse racing town. Having stayed in all but BWV, it just seemed that they were aimed for kids and adults alike.

This is just one persons opinion.

SSR and OKW are really close to DTD, so people can make the arguement that with disney quest these resort are great for children. But I was just talking about the resorts themselves. No matter where you stay in DisneyWorld you really can't go wrong.

 

[La2kw]

We are looking forward to using our DVC points for the first time in November 2006.

My wife and I were wondering if my soon to be 6 yr old will like Saratoga Springs or should we still with the WL?

Thoughts?

SSR has a great play area for little ones, including a junior slide, a water fall to play under and a splash fountain area with Donald Duck. WL doesn't have any of that.

There's also a large arcade adjacent to the pool area and a self serve fountain to refill your mugs, something else WL doesn't have adjacent to the pool.
Both pools have a bigger slide as well. Here's SSR's.

Another plus is being walking distance to the Mc Donald's, the Lego store, and Ghiradelli (for the best ice cream sundaes on property).

 

[Sammie]

BPmorely,

I really don't think kids are into decor of buildings. They like activities and SSR and OKW offers as many activities as the other resorts and great pools.

Were your kids not able to find plenty to do at SSR? My nieces and nephews had a blast.

 

[cobbler]

There are some fun activities at the Community Hall for kids. I have a 9 year old and 5 year old and they had fun. They played Ping Pong and had lots of fun at the pool.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Our last trip, Dec/Jan, my boys were 6 and 8. We stayed at BCV and SSR.

SSR we hardly left. Everything was right there! We played shuffleboard, basketball, tennis, Community Hall has PS2, scheduled activities, Ping Pong, and other kids to play with. They made friends and Com. Hall was a great place for them to meet up.

The pool is excellent. They really liked playing under the waterfall. Not too many pools have that feature and only a child would figure out it was to be played under. I just thought it was for effect! LOL!

We rode the boat to DTD and my DS6 was honorary boat Captain and received a button. The real Captain let him sound the horn and everyone clapped I know, he's a genius!

We really enjoyed the Carriage Ride, but we had Fritz the horse, who was really pretty. Maybe we will get Dan next time.

The refillable mugs were great, they spent alot of time at Com. Hall and they could go out to the pool area and refill their mugs.

Then there is DTD,
Goofy's Candy shop at DTD is a fun place, as well as Lego Land, McD's, Mr Potato Head store at Upon a Toy, Disney Quest etc.

You really cant go wrong at any of them, children or not.

 

[lsket]

Our kids love the pool especially the zero entry for the little ones. Community hall is great with ps2, ping pong, bike rental, crafts, etc. One of the days Mousekeeping comes in and shows how to make animals out of towels and wash cloths. And we got to keep em!

Lynn

 

[russct]

There Have Been Alot Of Debates About Ssr, And I Am Not Getting Into It. I Will Just Want To Tell You That My Niece And Nephew 5 And 9 Absolutely Loved Ssr. Matter Of Fact, We Went To The Parks Three Days And They Didn't Want To Go To The Parks Again. Boy Did That Save Uncle Russell Some Money! Enjoy, I'm Sure All Resorts Are Great, But Not Disappointed Of My Purchase. Proud Ssr Owner!!!!

 

[DisneyPhD]

We tried SSR for the 1st time in Jan. My DD's enjoyed it (almost 5 years old and 18 months old.)

They both had a great time. They liked the pool. The main pool small slide was perfect for my DD and she loved it. In addtion she had lots of fun during the community time at the pool (lifegaurds played games, hola hoop contests, other things with childre.) Music playing. The staff seemed much more involved with the children (more like OKW or VB resort.) The donald duck was neat, but it was a little chilly so my kids perfered to stay in the water.

In addtion there is a very cool playground over in the padocks (you can get their across the water bridge.)

I think all the DVC resorts are great.

My family (and kids) like BCV the best. The areil statue and sand bottom pool at SAB are great in addtion to Beaches and Cream. They like the little room with the T.V and small furniture. Riding bikes on the boardwalk.

My 5 year old is super excited about going back to SSR.

VWL is nice. (we own there) but I don't think it is that much better for young kids then SSR, expect maybe being closer to MK.

You should have a great time, give it a try. I don't think you will be disapointed.

 

[bpmorley]

i stand corrected. We stayed there June 05. The Paddock section was still under construction. We didn't have any kids with us, so most of this we weren't looking for. If all of this stuff does exist, then it does sound like a great place for kids. I guess i was just thinking of myself as a kid. I would have thought that most kids would love Stormalong Bay or the roller coaster slide. As I said before. My eyes have been opened.