Saratoga Springs is growing on me

[ObieTrice]

Hi All,

Just back from a last minute getaway to WDW. Made reservations six weeks out, and was only able to get 8 days at SS. Our home is at BCV, but we have been unable to plan far enough in advance to be able to get a reservation there the last two visits. We spent a weekend at SS in January, and thought that it was okay, but nothing special.

The difference this time was that we were fortunate enough to get a studio in Congress Park with a Downtown Disney view. The room was very nice, the view spectacular, and we really enjoyed our afternoons at the quiet pool. I missed the proximity to Epcot and MGM that BCV offers, and of course we missed SAB, but we were quite happy with our stay.

Jackie

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think that the Congress Park pool is lovely, and the view spectacular! When we stayed there our studio viewed grass and the bus stop, but it was so close to our car, I had no complaints, plus we were checked in by 10AM, and that means a lot to me.

We are leaving on Thursday for BCV, can't wait! This Mothers Day treat has been planned 11 months out first at BWV, then at 7 months to BCV, but it's good to know that you had such a great time with short range planning, we'll do that sometimes too!

Bobbi

 

[DrTomorrow]

Saratoga Springs is growing on me

Simply mix a small amount of bleach in some water and wash the affected area 3 times a day. If your SSR growth persists, see a real doctor.

Glad you had a great trip; I suspect that we'll be seeing more of these "SSR isn't the freakish nightmare hell I expected it to be" posts over time....

 

[J and R's mom]

Just back from a last minute getaway to WDW....The room was very nice, the view spectacular, and we really enjoyed our afternoons at the quiet pool. I missed the proximity to Epcot and MGM that BCV offers, and of course we missed SAB, but we were quite happy with our stay.

Glad to hear this. I haven't stayed there yet but know that I will have to someday. Thanks for sharing the positives with us.

We are leaving on Thursday for BCV, can't wait!

WOW! We're headed out on Thursday as well. We'll be across the pond at BWV. I'm so excited. Now I need to go finish the itinerary.

 

[dis-happy]

Glad to hear this. I haven't stayed there yet but know that I will have to someday. Thanks for sharing the positives with us.


WOW! We're headed out on Thursday as well. We'll be across the pond at BWV. I'm so excited. Now I need to go finish the itinerary.

WOW! Us too! We head out on Friday and check into BCV on Mother's Day! (guess who planned this vacation....me!). We w/l for a 2 b/r but it never came through, so our friends we are bringing are staying at BWV. Can't wait! See ya' around!

 

[elijahpep]

ObieTrice, So glad you all enjoyed SSR! It's a fantastically warm atmosphere that I'm glad you were able to enjoy! Thanks for the report!

~DW

 

[2giddy4wdw]

I'm glad to see that more people are enjoying SSR. That is our home resort and we stayed there in 2004. I thought it was wonderful. It stills needs the landscaping to fill in, but it was still nice. We are on a mission to stay at all of them!!!! But I like knowing that we always go home!!!

 

[Luigi's Girl]

I just got a text message from my niece who arrived today at SSR. This is her and her family's first trip "home" since purchasing DVC and she was worried because I turned her husband on to these boards and he has been reading some not so nice things about SSR. Well all she said was SSR is GORGEOUS and she'll call me tomorrow. I'm guessing she won't be needing the resort to "grow on her".
OP- I'm glad you enjoyed your stay there.

 

[disneymagic316]

We stayed at SSR for the first time in April. When we first toured it in summer 2004 I said I would never stay there because I wasnt' impressed. We decided to try it this year because we had added ponts here in Jan. just to take advantage of the F&F incentive.I was a little apprehensive after reading some of the reports. I'm so glad we stayed at SSR because we loved it! My DH loved the golf course being right there. We really enjoyed the spa.My kids(teenagers) loved walking to DTD. I thought the grounds were beautiful. We can't wait to go back in Aug. when the TS restaurant is open. My DH loved it so much that we added more points again.

 

[OneMoreTry]

I'm definitely gonna tour the place next time we're at WDW. Although we'll be staying at "home" in OKW.

For me the benefit seems to be the proximity to DD, which I love. I'm not sure we'll ever stay there because we love OKW so much and the points are lower. But who knows.

 

[Kewz1]

We just arrived home last night from a 10 day stay at SSR. We loved it! We'd happily stay there again in the future.

The CMs were great -- especially Lauren in Artist's Palette. My kids loved the main pool -- and I won a beautiful Tinker Bell mug playing BINGO poolside.

We stayed in the Paddocks. Originally wanted a DTD view but when we checked in at 9am this room was ready so we gladly took it. Beautiful view of the pond and bridge. We were close to a bus stop and quiet pool.

Overall, our experience was great!

Kristen

 

[abk96]

I'm happy to hear you had a great time at SSR. We were just in the world but didn't stay in a DVC resort and we had to go over and check out SSR. We love it. It's sooo beautiful. We were even able to tour the rooms they have. The one bedroom is so spacious. Perfect for our family. The Grand Villa is magnificent. We'll have to stay here with the whole family sometime soon.

Thanks for the happy report. We requested DTD view in Congress Park for this Sept. so I hope we can get it. It sounds lovely.

 

[eporter66]

I think all the resorts are great (looking / theming), but we have only stayed at our home so far (SSR). I think there are so many great things about the resort, and I do wonder why it seems to get a lot of negative reviews. Yes - it is big and spread out, but you are on vacation, what is the hurry? The layout is great and once the construction is complete, it should have an even more "homey" feel.

I love being so close to DTD, dinner, a night out is right there. The golf course is an absolute bonus in my book.

The only thing I cant comment on is the transportation. We rented a car both times we were there. I thought it was easy driving to and from the parks. We have taken the transportation at the other resorts, and to be honest - you just cant expect the buses to be there all the time.

SSR is great - We are trying the BWV on our next trip, but I do wonder how I will feel not staying at our "home" on this vacation. I am psyched because I will be in walking distance to Epcot (Food & Wine Fest), and MGM.

Eric

 

[westjones]

How is walking over to DTD from SSR? Is it a nice walk or do you need to take the boat? I would love to be able to just walk over for awhile from the resort. We haven't stayed there, but we pool hopped in March just to check it out. When I saw they had the refillable mug station at the pool the way VB does I loved it! And the community hall seemed so nice (while we were there the CM came out and the kids could make homemade ice cream for $2 or $3 each using Disney shopping bags and shaking them--I was able to dry the swim suits in the laundry room while they made ice cream). I also like the counter service restaurant and they gave us a 10% discount (they said that was only for lunch for DVC members, but still that was cool!).

We may stay there after our cruise next March since it is the only DVC we haven't stayed at yet, but I am torn between that and going back to VWL.

If you can comfortably walk over to DTD that might just sway me over to SSR for our next trip!

DJ

 

[DrTomorrow]

westjones: the walkway is quite nice - along the water, paved and lit. From the closest neighborhood - CP - it is rougly a 5-7 minute walk; from the farthest - Paddocks - I'd estimate 15 minutes.