Saratoga Springs Question

[DisneyStarWisher]

We are thinking of booking a SSR studio for February and are having trouble deciding whether to book standard or preferred. I wouldn't mind standard if I could get Paddock, but I take it that would just be a request, correct? If so, would I be better off booking preferred? I have stayed at The Springs before and didn't like it. It was very noisy. I prefer a quiet location but also would like easy access to DS. Any recommendations?

 

[Victoriana]

We stayed there once and loved it. We stayed in the Grandstand section. Lovely little quiet pool right outside, very quiet. First on the busses as I remember, which is pleasant. Enjoy!

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

We stayed there once and loved it. We stayed in the Grandstand section. Lovely little quiet pool right outside, very quiet. First on the busses as I remember, which is pleasant. Enjoy!

Yes, we actually did a split stay between a studio and a 1-BR at SSR. This was in 2008 (before they had different room categories, if I'm not mistaken). It was our first DVC stay. We had a studio in the Grandstand and loved it, and then moved to a 1-BR in The Springs. Even though we loved the 1-BR, we didn't love the Springs. We loved how quiet the Grandstand was. I'm just concerned that if we book standard, we might end up in Carousel which I'm definitely not interested in.

 

[Victoriana]

Yes, we actually did a split stay between a studio and a 1-BR at SSR. This was in 2008 (before they had different room categories, if I'm not mistaken). It was our first DVC stay. We had a studio in the Grandstand and loved it, and then moved to a 1-BR in The Springs. Even though we loved the 1-BR, we didn't love the Springs. We loved how quiet the Grandstand was. I'm just concerned that if we book standard, we might end up in Carousel which I'm definitely not interested in.

Yes, I can understand that. Our trip was in 2015, and I don't think there was a preferred option then either.

 

[BcIcemen]

Grandstand is a standard buolding. We love it there. Close to the main building, close to the dock for Disney Spring(when boats are running) and what I think to be the big plus is 1st on and 1st off bus stop. Also there is a quiet pool right there and the main pool is a close enough walk

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Grandstand is a standard buolding. We love it there. Close to the main building, close to the dock for Disney Spring(when boats are running) and what I think to be the big plus is 1st on and 1st off bus stop. Also there is a quiet pool right there and the main pool is a close enough walk

I realize Grandstand is standard. My question is if you book standard, you can end up in either Grandstand, Paddock, or Carousel, correct? If you ask for Grandstand or Paddock, it is just a request, not a guarantee, right?

We loved the first on and first off bus route at Grandstand when we stayed there! My concern with Grandstand is how long of a walk it is to DS. Did you ever walk there?

 

[BcIcemen]

I realize Grandstand is standard. My question is if you book standard, you can end up in either Grandstand, Paddock, or Carousel, correct? If you ask for Grandstand or Paddock, it is just a request, not a guarantee, right?

We loved the first on and first off bus route at Grandstand when we stayed there! My concern with Grandstand is how long of a walk it is to DS. Did you ever walk there?

No I never walked it. You are right that it is only a request.

 

[MBTigger]

Requests are not guaranteed, but Disney really does try hard to accommodate a request.
As far as distance to DS, is there anything wrong in taking any Grandstand or Carousel bus to Congress Park? Your outbound trip will shorter, at least.

 

[quandrea]

I realize Grandstand is standard. My question is if you book standard, you can end up in either Grandstand, Paddock, or Carousel, correct? If you ask for Grandstand or Paddock, it is just a request, not a guarantee, right?

We loved the first on and first off bus route at Grandstand when we stayed there! My concern with Grandstand is how long of a walk it is to DS. Did you ever walk there?

I believe there is a path near the grandstand area that brings you into the west side of DS. Not sure how long a walk it is though.

 

[Stargazer65]

Yes, if you book standard you could get the Carousel, the Paddock, or the Grandstand. It's probably at least a high likelihood that you get the Paddock if you request it, since it is the largest section.

 

[Sandisw]

If you already know you do not like the Springs, then your only request for preferred is Congress Park...but it is a request. In this case, I would go with standard, and request Paddock. Or, what I have done when I book that category is simply request "not Carousel" since either Grandstand or Paddock would work for me. I have always gotten Grandstand (which is my first choice anyway)!

 

[Stargazer65]

Or, what I have done when I book that category is simply request "not Carousel"

I'm always afraid to write "not Carousel" because they might just see the word "Carousel" and not notice the word "not".

 

[drusba]

Standard area requests -- Paddock, Grandstand, or Carousel ---are non-guaranteed requests, but at SSR, you usually have a very good chance of getting your requested standard area location because of the large number of rooms in the requested area. The walk from Carousel and Grandstand to DS is quite long (approximately .8 to .9 miles) but doable and pleasant. If you have ever stayed at BCV or BWV, distance-wise think of it as walking to Studios from either of those.

Moreover, be aware that just because you may get Paddock does not necessarily mean a fairy short walk to DS since that depends on where, in the very large Paddock area, your room actually is, e.g., from the south end of Paddock to DS is about .3 miles, but it is around .7 miles from the north end. With a standard area room, my personal preference is to request Paddock, near the pool. Otherwise, my actual personal preference for areas is Congress Park (a preferred, but also non-guaranteed request ) for both short trip to DS and fantastic lake views.

 

[CarolMN]

I'm always afraid to write "not Carousel" because they might just see the word "Carousel" and not notice the word "not".

Agree! Have MS add the request "Grandstand or Paddock". You can call, chat or email to do it.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

So it seems like you all are saying I would have a better chance of getting Grandstand or Paddock if I book standard than I would have of getting Congress Park if I book preferred. I guess I have to decide if it's worth it to get the short walk to Disney Springs versus a guaranteed quiet location. Hmmmmmm...... Decisions, decisions!

 

[zavandor]

Would either Springs or Carousel upset you very much? Since the two options for the "best case" are similar for you, then chose the better "worst case".
If there isn't much difference, pick the cheaper option.

 

[Sandisw]

I'm always afraid to write "not Carousel" because they might just see the word "Carousel" and not notice the word "not".

I have not ever gotten it so I guess it has worked for me. I have always gotten Grandstand which is my first choice anyway!!!

 

[DVCTigger]

We stay at SSR a lot and always request the Paddock. We have had our request granted every time.

 

[Stargazer65]

We stay at SSR a lot and always request the Paddock. We have had our request granted every time.

Do you have an area at Paddock that you specifically request?

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Thanks for all of your help. We have decided to go with Standard and request Grandstand or the southern portion of Paddock. If we get Grandstand, we will take the boat to DS. If we get the Paddock area we want, we will walk. Any suggestions for how to word the Paddock request?