Saratoga Springs I don't get it?

[chainkid]

We just got back from another wonderful stay at our home resort BWV. No complanits about anything. Cast members were friendly and our room 3013 overlooking the brew pub was immaculate. The heat was the only drawback to an otherwise great stay.

We took the tour of the New Saratoga Springs resort hoping to be as impressed in person as I was seeing pictures online. First the rooms themselves were gorgeous...I loved the upscale furnishings and the granite countertops which are the same as the ones I have in my kitchen. I think the decor here is better thsn the other DVC resorts but that is my taste. What I didn't like at all was the outside/inside corridors with cement floors. I can;t understand how the designer of this resort thought this was an attractive option. First it was over 102 degrees when we visited and these corridors were hot and unpleasant to walk thru. Looked to me like a motel six. The new model area has a view of downtown Disney but the only balcony I remember in the grand villa was to the side facing another unit. Now I'm a BWV type of person...like things like Pool eating etc very close especially in the heat of summer and everything here was a car ride away. Not my idea of a vacation. We had intended on eating lunch at this resort but after seeing the food court area we left. Not nearly enough selections for me and it seems awfully small for the size of the finished resort. We headed over to Olivia's at OKW for another great lunch. This in my opinion is what this resort needs ...a friendly full service restaurant. Its too far to walk to downtown disney for lunch in the heat and a real hassel to drive everytime you want to go anywhere. Granted its not finished and the golf ing views are very pretty but overall I won't be staying here because if I want to get away from it all,OKW is a much more attractive option. I would think they would have more swimming pools closer to the units,,,the main pool while nice isn't that big.

Now if they were to enclose the corridors and make them more upscale and airconditioned like the BWV and added closer amenities than I might change my mind. I didn't visit the spa so can't comment on that as I/we aren't spa people YET. I don't wish to offend anyone with my comments but I sure wish DVC would listen to some of these comments. I was hoping to find another option for a stay on points. I love BC/VWL/OKW all for different seasons and types of vacations...but this was not my cup of tea.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by chainkid
...but this was not my cup of tea.

I think that kind of sums up everyone's opinion of various resorts. I think your opinions are well stated and not at all in the "bashing mode", so I hope that others accept them for that.

Every DVC resort has its own atmosphere, ambience and feeling. If those don't resonate with someone, they "just won't get it", as you mention. Others will fnd it to be more magical and wonderful than any other resort at WDW.

I'm glad that people have different opinions about the resorts. Otherwise, we'd all be trying for the same reservations at the same place all year long!

Thanks for your remarks. We think we will really enjoy visiting/staying at SSR, but it willl never be everyone's cup of tea.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Now if they were to enclose the corridors and make them more upscale and airconditioned like the BWV and added closer amenities than I might change my mind. I didn't visit the spa so can't comment on that as I/we aren't spa people YET. I don't wish to offend anyone with my comments but I sure wish DVC would listen to some of these comments. I was hoping to find another option for a stay on points. I love BC/VWL/OKW all for different seasons and types of vacations...but this was not my cup of tea. [/B][/QUOTE]

Since we have not been down yet could you tell me what you mean by closed corridors? Compare this resort to PORS for me and that way I could understand what you meaqn. Is it similar to PORS with the doors going right outside is that what you mean?

IMO I like that because it keeps other peoples room smells to a minimum...like if they ordered pizza etc. BUt I cannot give a full opinion until I am down there Also I want to make sure I understand what you mean

 

[Patty3]

Thank you for your review. I am interested to hear what others think of this new DVC property.

 

[spiceycat]

if they did the inside corrior like BWV they would have put rooms on both sides - then some guest would have a great view - others a pretty bad (well until the resort is finished) - so the combined the small rooms of BWV (and the other DVC resorts) - with the outside style of OKW - but not the easy parking - this I think was a mistake - that they might change when they get feedback from the SSR owners.

remember DVC is flexibility if they find that the style of SSR doesn't meet the needs of their members - they will change it - look at the rooms in building 11 at OKW and compare them to building 64 - they are not the same.....

DVD is flexibility - as I say if their are complaints from owners about things - the newer building at SSR will have these changes.

I was very impressed - these are beautiful buildings and very upscale.

 

[mrsminniemouse]

Well Chainkid if you 'don't get' Saratoga Springs and you think it looks like a 'Motel 6' and it's 'not your idea of a vacation' you certainly won't have to stay there. Thank goodness for the flexibilty of DVC.

I think it is rather arrogant of you to say you think DVC should listen to your comments about SSR. From what I can tell you haven't actually stayed there so I guess your critical comments would be of little interest to DVC.

We have spent a considerable amount of money buying into DVC at SSR. We have toured the resort and are very happy with it.

I like to hear people's views, both positive and negative but I think you were unfairly negative towards a brand new resort.

Mandy

 

[mb168]

We were down a few weeks ago at OKW and another family that goes the same time with us from work was at SSR. They enjoyed it, had a wonderful view straight out their room towards Bongos area of DD, we pool hopped and the kids loved the pool/slide. Matter of the fact, we went there the first day and the rest of the week the kids wanted to go there instead of the main OKW pool.

As far as my feelings, I'm mixed. I tried to keep a fair eye open but I kept thinking the same things other people were saying, food court, distance to pool, corridors, etc. The rooms are a given because they have been done cookie cutter fashion everywhere else but OKW so my feeling is if you've seen one you've seen them all. Its a proven formula. The corridors do have that unfinished appearance, not like POR though, like they still are planning something and I have to think they will. As far as like interior to exterior, thats a personal thing, I love OKW and thats exterior, just not a corridor. If you like hotel type interior, there's VWL, BWV, and BCV. They just look unfinished to me. Outside OKW, I feel like I'm outside a themed resort based on old Key West. Outside SSR, I could be outside any motel anywhere in the world with a concrete sidewalk.

The biggest problem for me was food, especially since I wasn't staying there but I still would even if I were staying there. We went over to visit and pool hop around 10:00ish and of course lunch time roled around. The kids didn't want to get out of the pool to go to DD but the food court has less options than the moderates with no apparent room for additional choices. I stayed at Pop century a few months ago which is a "value" and they have the same food court/gift shop feeling to me which isn't a big deal except I only payed $60/night for Pop Century. So then it turns into an ordeal because the kids want to swim and they aren't old enough yet to leave while we run to DD much less having to get dry before going off. Plus you have the parking hassle at DD, or you can walk backwards to where the boat launch is, or you can make the trek all the way to DD, or lastly a bus.

So for me it boils down to a small chance I will ever stay at SSR. We do several specific trips every year such as F&W so I want to stay at BCV/BWV for walking(stumbling) to and from EPCOT. We go at Christmas time a lot and I like to stay at VWL in the cooler times for that unbeatable VWL feeling at Christmas time and easy access to MK. The other visits are either non specific so an OKW studio is great because park access is irrelevant then and the points are lower than anywhere or like the last trip where there were 7 of us so we got a 2br at OKW for the space and save points since we were there 5 nights in a large room.

I do realize that it is an unfinished resort and I hope that they bring in some wheelbarrows of pixie dust in the process, but I will check it out in the future for another evaluation.

 

[DVC Jen]

I totally agree with you ChainKid.. when we toured I was very impressed with the rooms themselves.. it is a pretty resort.

However the food court area seemed to be pretty limited and rather expensive. But I love roarking forks at VWL.. wish they would have a small area like that all of the DVC resorts.

I didn't like how big everything was and how it would be yet another trek to go somehwhere. I think that is why I love the feeling of VWL.. BCV and probably BWV (although we haven't stayed there yet).

These are just my opinions/likes and dislikes and I am sure they aren't everyones.

I personally don't think the resort will be for us.. but that is why we all have so many wonderful choices.

 

[chainkid]

I didn't mean to offend anyone, I was just stating my opinion based on a tour. Believe me I'm a Disney nut and love all their themed resorts obviously some more than others. Maybe it was the extreme heat but it was a real chore to walk from place to place there especially in the semi enclosed corridors that seemed to trap the heat with no air. The outside of the resort is very pretty and not like a motel 6 its just once going inside the corridors are ugly with cement floors. Now compare this to the outside of old key west where you just drive up to your door and go in your unit, or the beautifully done corridors of the BWV. That is why I don't get it. The Resort has alot of potential if they bring more restaurant choices to the main area . I don't think DVC listens to me any more than anyone else, but if alot of people say the same thing they might try and improve what some perceive to be the negatives. The rooms themselves are very upscale and I loved the furnishings. If I were 20 maybe the long hike in the heat wouldn't bother me but at 50 it was too much. Since I haven't stayed at the resort referred to above as a guest I suppose it would seem to be an unfair assessment but the fact I wouldn't consider it as option says alot for me because I love all the resorts and would stay in all of them given enough time and money LOL.

 

[manning]

I think it is rather arrogant of you to say you think DVC should listen to your comments about SSR.

You can satisfy some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can't satisfy all of the people all of the time. Isn't difference of opinion great?


Good view point chainkid. I found it interesting.

 

[Muushka]

Originally posted by Granny
I think that kind of sums up everyone's opinion of various resorts. I think your opinions are well stated and not at all in the "bashing mode", so I hope that others accept them for that.

Every DVC resort has its own atmosphere, ambience and feeling. If those don't resonate with someone, they "just won't get it", as you mention. Others will fnd it to be more magical and wonderful than any other resort at WDW.

I'm glad that people have different opinions about the resorts. Otherwise, we'd all be trying for the same reservations at the same place all year long!

Thanks for your remarks. We think we will really enjoy visiting/staying at SSR, but it willl never be everyone's cup of tea.

Ahh Granny, gotta love him! I agree with your opinions here-all the way. I don't think the OP was bashing. Just honest. And who knows, maybe DVD does care what people say about a design aspect and maybe they will change it. Perhaps paint the cement? Who knows, it might improve.

Our resort has been bashed, they all are. Whoever has bought at SSR -hold your head up and try not to take this stuff too seriously. Like Granny said, if we all had the same taste, we would all want to stay at the same resort.

We took a look-see at SSR when we were there in March. Looked like a great location and a beautiful resort (but we have not walked thru those corridors-yet) . We look forward to staying there next year.

 

[LIFERBABE]

The corridors are painted (floors included) and well lit with sconces and hanging lights.

Personally I thought they were well done.

 

[btrim]

I have read all the opinions about SSR. I am an owner there and can't wait to stay. DH and I are in our early 50's and we think it is healthy to have to walk some to get where we want to be. Even if that means walking to DD to eat. We stayed at OKW this past May and liked it very much. Very restful and I expect SSR to be the same way. We were a long way from HH at OKW, but enjoyed the walk to get there. We tried Olivia's and it just wasn't our cup of tea. So I guess it is a good thing that Disney has all kinds of resorts so everyone can find one that really enjoy. To be prefectly honest, I really don't care where I stay at WDW because it is all magical as far as we are concerned. Just beam me there and I would be happy.

 

[Muushka]

Originally posted by LIFERBABE
The corridors are painted (floors included) and well lit with sconces and hanging lights.

Personally I thought they were well done.

See, things are improving already!

They do sound well done!

 

[wisbucky]

Thanks for open and honest opinion. I don’t think you were bashing SSR in any way and once again I appreciate your honest views. You could be right though about the heat having some input on your thoughts. We leave in another 7 days for SSR. We were wondering if the heat would give us any negative views on SSR. When we first viewed the rooms and the resort layout we were excited.

I think when anyone stays at a place and the heat is overwhelming it will to some degree give them a negative opinion. If SSR would of opened in January of 2004, I bet we wouldn't hear so many remarks about walking in the heat or about the corridors. Lets all hope that Disney will review this matter and take it into consideration and come up with a solution.

 

[Deep-Thots]

I think it's important to keep in mind that they're not finished with SSR yet; a nice sit-down restaurant and other amenities may very well be added (would almost *have* to be added for a resort of that size, I'd think).

Re: The corridors and exposure to the outdoors. I suspect one of the reasons they did that was to keep the maintenance costs down: a cleaning only requires a hose and perhaps a brush and some soap, all of which is much easier than getting out the carpet cleaner, etc... If that keeps my maintenance fees down, I'm all for it!!


Just my $.02.

 

[disneycrazed139]

The corridors are painted (floors included) and well lit with sconces and hanging lights.

Personally I thought they were well done.

Requoting this...we just returned from a stay there and I also thought they were well done. I was expecting dark, dank, and creepy halls from what I had read on the boards but was very pleasantly surprised.

The atmosphere to me is much more condo-like than hotel like. IMO, much more like a real home than a hotel, which doesn't bother me. Not only does it feel like a real home, but it also has a little town-like feel to it. I felt very at home there and can't wait to stay again. I am pretty picky and things have to be aesthetically pleasing to me. SSR is a completely different feel than BWV. I stayed at BWV right before and love it too, but there is just no comparing the two. I wouldn't even bother. They are both fantastic for different reasons. SSR is not fantastic because everything is compact or because it has indoor hallways.

Now you might ask why it is fantastic, but that is in a different post!

 

[WorknFires]

Besides OKW, I have also purchased points at SSR sight unseen. I had a chance to tour SSR when I went down for a weekend trip in May, and at 1st, I have to say I really was doubting my decision. I didn't care for the "look" of the bldgs. All the colors and such wasn't asthetically pleasing you might say. Although I can't remember the corridors being attention grabbing for the good or the bad of them. And regardless of who/whom (can't remember that rule, sorry) I asked, I always got the same answer. They don't want to put in a "full service/sit down" restaurant because they want to encourage people to eat at DD. That is the part I like the VERY least! I'm lazy and I'm not going to walk that far. But once I saw the rooms...... WOW, I was very happy. So maybe I'll have to close my eyes until I get into my room but once I get there, I'll be a happy camper. Now... if we could just do something about that food situation. LOL

 

[bounceytigger]

I appreciated reading your review (and opinion) of SSR. I am a very-excited new owner of SSR, and it's nice to read about these "concerns" people have regarding SSR, because then I'll be prepared for them when I go to SSR in December! (Especially when the concerns are stated in a non-bashing, thoughtful way, as yours were!!) I certainly don't expect a 100% perfect resort at this point, but in my case, I'm pretty certain the good will outweigh the bad for me. Not to mention the fact that, being an owner there will probably make me want to focus on the good points versus the bad points during my stay. (I imagine most people want to do that for their home resorts...it's the "pride" thing!!)

Overall, it's nice to know that EVERYONE seems to have a resort they're crazy about....as a new DVC'er, that convinces me that there are all kinds of DVC experiences out there for my family to enjoy over the upcoming years!



Sarah

 

[chainkid]

Probably the heat at 104 degrees had alot to do with my not liking the idea of having to walk to DD to eat.....didn't see any golfers on the course mid day either. I love to walk when its comfortable but this was unbearable for me. The walk to Downtown Disney looked like a real hike and with my vacation centered aroung pool time mid day to relax...the thought of having to get dressed and walk that far was a turn off. In January, it might be invigorating but not in June. Also the corridors might not have seem so oppressive wthout the heat being trapped in them. Mind you I only went into the ones with the models so others could be different . Perhaps I should have just written the resort off my list and made it easier for members to get rooms there . LOL BUT I LOVE STAYING DIFFERENT once on a while and I truly found the rooms very warm and inviting. I guess I was hoping for the world. I don't think anyone would mind if DVC listened and added a nice restaurant too. In fact with the sheer size of the resort that food court will be overwhelmed, so I bet they will make improvements as the buildings open up.