Saratoga Springs help

[tlh]

We are booking a very last minute stay to add on a short beach trip with my DHs parents.... Well since it wasn't planned I didn't book it 7 or 11 mo out. We are recently new owners and stayed in March at our home AKV and then tried BWV with a split stay. We love our home, but since its last minute booking all that is left is Saratoga Springs not that is a bad thing but not sure about a few things....

1. I know they are doing construction at downtown, so is there only the boat to get to downtown from Saratoga no walkway?

2. Where should we request? We are not taking any kids, so I was thinking a quiet pool if they had one? Can you swim late or do they pools shut down there? We would like to be close to mug refill station and a quick service if possible as well.

3. Any other things I should consider?

We have been to Disney several times, but his parents have never and they are not getting passes. I thought I would show them around resorts and downtown and make a few dining reservations.

Thanks for y'all's help!

 

[hakepb]

I think you can still walk from SsR to DTD but you are kinda walking around construction.

Typically, adults like the DTD view from Congress park and its quiet pool (also with a great DTD view.). But there is no refil station at Congress Park.

There is Quick Service and refils at the 2 feature pools, springs (the main area) and Paddock (the new feature pool)

Grandstand has a pool bar (with afternoon soda refils) and a kids splash area. Most of a Grandstand has some form of golf course views. 2 Grandstand buildings are equally close to the Main areas as the Springs. But there are 2, more remote buildings.

 

[tlh]

Thank you. Do you think the construction makes the downtown view from congress park not so great?

 

[hakepb]

Thank you. Do you think the construction makes the downtown view from congress park not so great?

I'm probably not the one to ask. I kinda enjoy watching large construction machinery . (Although, I never thought the balloon fit in place)

I think its still a water view that has some construction on the other side, but some may feel much differently.

 

[ercrbc]

We just got back from a stay at SSR and were in the Congress Park section. The walkway was open and very convenient to DTD. Our view was toward the DTD area, but mostly blocked by trees. Not too disappointing given all the construction going on. But the CP area was beautiful, the walk was quick, and easy to find (although not marked on the resort map!) I posted a few pictures of the new bridge being constructed on this thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3290622

Without the new bridge the walk from the CP area was maybe 5-10 minutes. When the bridge is finished it will be even easier to get back and forth! We will definitely request Congress Park the next time we stay at SSR

 

[tlh]

Thank you for sharing!

 

[magicaldisney]

Can you swim late or do they pools shut down there?

The pools are no longer open 24 hours. They all close, I believe, at either 10:00 or 11:00.

 

[Choppygirl]

We just got back from a stay at SSR and were in the Congress Park section. The walkway was open and very convenient to DTD. Our view was toward the DTD area, but mostly blocked by trees. Not too disappointing given all the construction going on. But the CP area was beautiful, the walk was quick, and easy to find (although not marked on the resort map!) I posted a few pictures of the new bridge being constructed on this thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3290622

Without the new bridge the walk from the CP area was maybe 5-10 minutes. When the bridge is finished it will be even easier to get back and forth! We will definitely request Congress Park the next time we stay at SSR

What a great thread - very helpful

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Here's what the Congress Park view of Downtown Disney looked like in mid-May. Even with the construction, it's still a pretty view. (It's a very wide panorama... scroll the window over to view it all.)

 

[DenLo]

They reopened the old walkway from SSR to DTD fairly recently. You do walk past the construction site of the new walkway. But the landscapers were planting flowers and plants all around the walk that blocks the new walkway from the sidewalk. You are not exposed to the construction whatsoever.

I believe the new walkway will shorten the walk as you cross sooner and still come out at the same area near the bus stop on the DTD side. And when both walkways are complete you will have the option of walkway across the lake to Fultons from the Rain Forest Cafe.

Here are some photos we took, and an article DH wrote for the DVC News about the walkway.
http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resort...0-saratoga-springs-walkway-progress-june-2014

 

[canadiandisneymommy]

We just got back from a stay at SSR and were in the Congress Park section. The walkway was open and very convenient to DTD. Our view was toward the DTD area, but mostly blocked by trees. Not too disappointing given all the construction going on. But the CP area was beautiful, the walk was quick, and easy to find (although not marked on the resort map!) I posted a few pictures of the new bridge being constructed on this thread: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3290622 Without the new bridge the walk from the CP area was maybe 5-10 minutes. When the bridge is finished it will be even easier to get back and forth! We will definitely request Congress Park the next time we stay at SSR

Great thread! I enjoyed reading about your recent trip. If I have a two and three year old what section of SSR would you recommend we request?

 

[notaclue]

The pools are no longer open 24 hours. They all close, I believe, at either 10:00 or 11:00.

Anyone know how early the main pool at the Springs opens? I'm thinking a swim before hitting the parks would be a great start to my day. TIA

 

[DizMagic]

Any reports on when new walkway will be finished?

Also, what boat stops are open from SSR to DTD?