Saratoga Springs? Need Advice!

[TinkerbellinNY6]

We just rented DVC points for our stay in August and the only resort with a studio available was SSR. We have never stayed there before and never had any interest (we live about an hour from Saratoga Springs NY) but we could not pass up the deal.

So can you guys please give me advice about the resort? Tips, areas to request or just opinions on the resort. Anything would be helpful.

We will have a car.
Thanks

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

Subbing! Need to learn more about SSR !

 

[ellenmiele]

SSR is pretty big and spread out. There are parking areas near each building ( if you have a car with you). The buses pick up at a various stops around the resort. Similar to OKW.
The decor is very pretty (I find it similar to BC/YC).
Turf Club Bar and Grill is very nice for a sit down dinner.

 

[goodferry]

We just stayed there earlier this month and are also from the Saratoga area. Don't worry, it doesn't look anything like it lol The main building is the Carriage House, one of the feature pools is there along with the counter service restaurant, the store, the sit down restaurant, the gym and spa etc. There is a second feature pool with a bar in the Paddock section. We requested near the Carriage House and near the pool and were in the Springs section, a short walk to the High Rocks Pool and main building.
It is a very large, very pretty resort. The buses stop at all five of the sections of the resort before heading off to their destination, for that reason I would be hesitant to stay there without a car.
You can walk to Downtown Disney and there is also boat service to DTD also. We thought the walk was kind of long and the resort signage is lacking, don't go out without a map lol. While there are maps out there, they are not well illuminated at night and are kind of hard to see.
With all that said, we really enjoyed our stay there. Granted our stay was accented by the great room location we had, I am not sure how happy we would have been if we were in the Carousel section. The resort atmosphere is very relaxed, the CMs were all friendly and helpful.
Go to the DVC resorts board to find a lot more information!

 

[spiceycat]

I like grandstand close to the ch, main pool, it is the first bus stop

also like congress house close to DD - if you plan on walking alot

 

[LauraEadon]

I'm from Saratoga and I'm looking forward to heading to SSR (On our new DVC points) the end of next week.

JUST IN TIME TO GET AWAY FROM THE TRACK THAT OPENED FRIDAY! Ugh!!

I stayed for the first time this past March. It was wonderful!

As mentioned above- it's huge and spread out. You won't even notice since you have a car. We stayed in the Paddocks which was a nice walk from the main buildings- fine for us- might not be for everyone.

There are bus stops at each spot (Paddocks, grandstand, carriage house... etc etc etc) for the parks and downtown.

There are several pools close by the each spot with food and drinks, laundry station...

It's beautiful!!!! I love my hometown but I sure hate it in the summer with all the tourists. I will enjoy being home away from home!!

I hope you enjoy!

 

[Pakey]

The bus route is Grandstand, Carousel, Paddock, Congress Park, Springs. At busy times of the year, the busses will be SRO by the time they get to Springs.

Congress Park has been refurbed recently and those villas have the new decor.

I've stayed in all but Carousel and I thought walking the resort to Carriage House and bus stops was fine. We don't request a section and we've been happy at each location.

 

[TinkerbellinNY6]

Thanks for the advice! I really appreciate it since it is a new resort for us

 

[greeneggs1082]

We were at SSR in May last year and thought it was really pretty. My DH got to spend more time at the resort because he had to work some, and the rest of us went to the parks. We are planning another trip for this September, and even though I want to stay at all the resorts, we're planning on staying at SSR again so that we can experience it more. We're doing this as a "slower" trip, with more resort and dining time planned than park time. We were in the Springs, and actually didn't have any issues with the buses being SRO, but it may be different during more peak times. The CS place was pretty good, and the little bit of the pool that I saw walking by it was nice. I never did go swimming that trip, and I plan to make up for it this year, lol.

 

[Pirate Me]

We request Congress Park to be walking distance to DTD. They have always been able to accommodate us on this. You should look at a map of SSR and decide where you'd like to be since its such a large area. The Springs is closest to the lobby. They'll try to get you a room if there's one available there.

Busses ran smoothly for us; no problems at all.

 

[dizzneebabe]

SSR is a beautiful resort. To us, it is the least "Disneyesque," but still very nice. We prefer to stay in the Grandstand section, although the Paddock, with the new pool/counter service would also be nice.

We like the ability to walk to DTD. It's really the only time we get there--bus rides from other resorts are always so long. The walkway is scenic, is a little dark in some spots, but overall pleasant. That path takes you to West Side, so you come in by Cirque. I believe the path near Congress Park takes you to Marketplace (someone correct me, if I'm wrong).

The pools are all nice and IMO, the counter service is one of the best.

October will be our 5th stay at SSR...not necessarily by choice--I prefer our home resorts of AKV and BLT or the Epcot resorts, but late planning forced our hand. It's nice to know that even in a pinch, SSR usually comes through and because it is so beautiful, we don't feel like we are settling!

 

[sharadoc]

We stayed once in the Paddock section before the new pool was built. Our room faced a "lake" with a large fountain which was very relaxing - the sound of the water was nice. Didn't realize it until we were home one night that we could see the MK fireworks from our balcony. No music, but it was cool seeing them in the distance.

The rooms are the standard DVC layout that you'll find in BW, BCV, VWL, etc. 3 sided kitchen, sofabed and chair, closet with w/d. The bathrooms are slightly different, I think there was one sink outside of everything, and the toilet was it's own room with a door.

Friends of ours stayed in Grand Villa there and it was lovely.

I would not hesitate to stay there. We drive so the size was not a problem.

The one thing I would caution about - like OKW SSR is not attached to a deluxe hotel like all the other DVCs are. So you don't get that huge array of hotel services, although SSR is better than OKW since it has a QS dining area.

Have a great trip!

 

[Sammie]

Congress Park has the newly rehabbed rooms, which have Fox and Hound inspired bedspreads and Disney horse sketches on the living room pillows.

The new rooms are in Congress Park. Congress Park is the closest to Downtown Disney and has nice views over the lake and a really nice quiet pool. Paddocks has the new themed pool and quick service.

There is a quick service, store and full service restaurant and bar in the main building. They only thing you lose over a deluxe hotel is room service and valet parking. There are playgrounds, basketball and tennis crowds and golf.

And of course the Spa which is fabulous.

http://allears.net/acc/g_ss_refurb.htm

 

[FantasiaMagic]

Hello!

SSR is such a great resort!

-They have many wonderful pools: The main Springs pool and the Paddock pool both have a slide

-The gift shop is great!

-The QS Ding option is wonderful: Artist's Pallette.

-They have a nice bar restaraunt

-You have the option of taking a boat to DTD: It's great!

-The theming is very calm and simple, but nice.

-They have basketball courts, tennis courts, arcade, movies at main Springs pool...ect

I love SSR and I bet you will enjoy it also. The Studio is a nice size and I would make a recommendation of being at the Springs - It is near the main building.

Enjoy your stay and have a great time at the world!!!

-FantasiaMagic

 

[shopmom]

We LOVE SSR ! It is our home resort and even though we change it up when we come down and stay ( have stayed at every resort other than the all star group) , we always have to have a few days at HOME ! We love to stay in congress park...always request 4th floor with few of the downtown disney marketplace...nothing better than taking the morning cup of coffee out on the balcony and enjoying the view ! plus the short walk over to great food and activity ...awesome