Saratoga Springs Help

[canadiandisneynut]

Hi everyone.
There is so much info on here I was hoping all of you could help me decipher it all. We are considering trading into DVC in September to a 1 bedroom at SSR. We were spoiled last year with a 1 bed at BLT and previous to that we stayed at the Carribean Beach. We are two adults and DD7 who adored the waterslide at BLT last year.
What is the best area and building we should request for us to stay in at SSR?
Is there an area we should stay in to avoid long bus waits? How is the bus system?
How long is the walk from Paddocks to the Carriage House? When staying at Caribbean Beach we always requested Jamaica and walked across the water to Old Port Royale. Is it of similar distance?

Any cons to staying at SSR we should be aware of?
Thanks so much in advance!
Jackie

 

[erionm]

Theme Park buses stop at the Grandstand section first and then 4 more stops within the resort before heading out. The Grandstand section is also very close to the Carriage House (check-in, main pool & dining area).

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Hi! We've stayed at SSR 3 times over the past year. We LOVE the Paddock pool area. The waterslide at the Paddock pool is way better than the one at the main pool, and generally the pool is less crowded, and just has a more homey feel to it than the main pool. Both my husband and I enjoy the Paddock waterslide, so I'm sure your 7 year old would like it too. The walk to the Carraige house is about 10 minutes at a 5 year old's speed. This includes stopping to watch the turtles. There is a really long bridge that made the walk exciting for my little guy. The walk to Downtown Disney from the farthest building in the Paddock Section was about 15 minutes. We beat the buses every time! If you are prone to napping or relaxing in the room in the afternoon, then I would avoid a room with a pool view because they have a noisy 'pool party' every afternoon that seems to drag on forever if you have a kid trying to nap. As long as you aren't facing the pool, the noise is not an issue. I would request rooms (5101-5436) or (5501-5836) sorry I don't have a specific room number to request.

Paddock is also good with regards to buses because it is one of the last stops before leaving the resort to head to the parks.

The veggie sandwich at the Paddock pool is delicious!!!!

Enjoy your stay. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by SSR. We think it's fantastic. And the short walk to Downtown means lots of Earl of Sandwiches in our tummies. Yum!

 

[magicaldisney]

We prefer the Paddock area, especially since they added the new themed pool. There is also a mug refill station there. Though the Springs is closer to the main building, we don't like that are because it is the last bus stop. If you travel during busier times as we do, we prefer to not be on that last bus stop so we don't always run the risk of standing or waiting for another bus.

 

[canadiandisneynut]

Thanks so much everyone! @magicaldisney what stop is Paddock on the route?

 

[DizBub]

Thanks so much everyone! @magicaldisney what stop is Paddock on the route?

Paddock is #3.

In order coming from the parks
#1 Grandstand
#2 Carousel
#3 Paddock
#4 Congress Park
#5 Springs

 

[magicaldisney]

Thanks so much everyone! @magicaldisney what stop is Paddock on the route?

Yep, DizBub already answered. This order is to and from the parks. There is a DTD bus that takes a slightly different route through the resort. Quite honestly though, I'm embarrassed to say, I'm not sure what that is because we have always walked or taken the boat to DTD.

 

[canadiandisneynut]

Has anyone seen a string on here that shows room views? I think we are going to book! Thanks for sharing your good experiences!

 

[Dean]

Hi everyone.
There is so much info on here I was hoping all of you could help me decipher it all. We are considering trading into DVC in September to a 1 bedroom at SSR. We were spoiled last year with a 1 bed at BLT and previous to that we stayed at the Carribean Beach. We are two adults and DD7 who adored the waterslide at BLT last year.
What is the best area and building we should request for us to stay in at SSR?
Is there an area we should stay in to avoid long bus waits? How is the bus system?
How long is the walk from Paddocks to the Carriage House? When staying at Caribbean Beach we always requested Jamaica and walked across the water to Old Port Royale. Is it of similar distance?

Any cons to staying at SSR we should be aware of?
Thanks so much in advance!
Jackie

You said trading, if this is through RCI I'd get it booked quickly as those days will evaporate fairly rapidly. I think location within SSR is a personal issue where everyone is different. We like being in the Paddocks and close to the pool which is fairly easy to get as a request.

 

[bumbershoot]

We LOVE the Paddock pool area. The waterslide at the Paddock pool is way better than the one at the main pool, and generally the pool is less crowded, and just has a more homey feel to it than the main pool. Both my husband and I enjoy the Paddock waterslide, so I'm sure your 7 year old would like it too.

YES.

The only little issue is that there's a water play area for small children connected to the Paddock area.

http://allears.net/acc/ss/SaratogaSpringsPaddockPool28.jpg

The height limit appears to be 48", so depending on how tall the 7 year old is, it might be frustrating to be right there but not be able to play in there. My son outgrew such areas LONG before he lost interest in them. (as in, even for our first trip when he was 6.5 he was too big to play in the water play area at CBR)

 

[erionm]

Paddock is #3.

In order coming from the parks
#1 Grandstand
#2 Carousel
#3 Paddock
#4 Congress Park
#5 Springs

Yep, DizBub already answered. This order is to and from the parks. There is a DTD bus that takes a slightly different route through the resort. Quite honestly though, I'm embarrassed to say, I'm not sure what that is because we have always walked or taken the boat to DTD.

Disney Springs (DTD) bus order is: 5 > 1 > 2 > 3 > 4 > Disney Springs

 

[canadiandisneynut]

@Dean we have our week held. For whatever reason, there are a tonne of weeks available at SSR to us RCI folks right now

 

[Dean]

@Dean we have our week held. For whatever reason, there are a tonne of weeks available at SSR to us RCI folks right now

When I looked at RCI yesterday there were 8 weeks on the weeks side and 15 on the points side (there is overlap) and most late August to Sept (1 Dec) and all but 1 week on in RCI points at SSR (OKW for the other week). Careful with your hold, if not confirmed it may be lost once the hold period has passed.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

We actually did have a pool view this last trip and I was concerned about the noise but it was fine. SSR has some of the best insulation, IMHO.

 

[pj2216]

We love to stay in the Congress Park area namely bldgs 1500-2200. It has its own pool or for us it is about a 5-7 min walk to the main pool and Food Court etc.... Two more perks we've found is the bus stop is right outside and it is a short walk over to Downtown Disney right from our room.

 

[jerseygirl82]

We are SSR owners and always request Congress Park, however, we will be requesting the Paddock for our November trip. I'd like to try the new pool area there and I know DD will love the kids splash area.