Saratoga Springs Questions

[mom3sonstt]

I have booked a last minute trip to WDW and SS was the only availability. I am splitting my stay between 3 nights in a studio and 2 in a 1 BR. I have never stayed at SS before, other than one time in the Treehouses, but that really doesn't count.

Today I called to request that I be on a first floor or in a building with an elevator since I will need to use an ECV. The CM I spoke to said she would list it as a request but couldn't guarantee it. I again specified that I would be traveling with an ECV and asked how I was to get to my room if I was on a higher floor and there was no elevator. She repeated that it could not be guaranteed and asked if there was anything else she could help with. Then she said that she would note that I want to be near the Springs since that is closest to the lobby. I don't really care about being near the lobby, but wasn't going to deal with her anymore so left it alone. What I would like to be near is the bus stop that typically gets picked up first.

So my questions before I call back are:

Do all of the buildings have elevators (I know OKW doesn't, but am unsure about SS) if they do then I will change my request to just prefer first floor. (she has "near elevator"....I don't care about being near it....just that I can get up there)

And which area do the buses typically pick up at first? When we stayed in the Treehouses we would walk over and catch a bus that seemed to be the first pick-up for most of the places (maybe the last pick up for Downtown??) I know we walked by a pool with a little bar-b-q area to get to it, but I can't find a map that reminds me of where it was.

I also have breakfast one morning scheduled at Magic Kingdom. About how far...once the bus leaves the resort....does it take to get to MK from there?

And I am also curious where the path to Downtown Disney is. I know we took it over there one time, but since I was on the scooter I was just following the rest of my family and didn't really notice where the entrance of it was.


Any other tips or hints about Saratoga would be appreciated!!


Only a couple more DVC resorts to stay at before we have stayed at them all, so hopefully soon I won't have to ask all these questions before a trip!

 

[vicki_c]

All the buildings at SSR have elevators.

 

[Sammie]

All have elevators, and Grandstand is the first stop.

But be aware that if the bus coming in, is coming from the parks it will be full of guests waiting to get off at the next 4 stops.

Sometimes due to this, even though it is the first stop, you will have to wait for another bus.

I would never pick a location due to buses.

The closest area to Downtown Disney is Congress Park with Grandstand being the furthest away.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

I recall that there used to be a medical request/special customer service line for medical requests. BroganMc uses it for her and Grandpa Mohawk. Perhaps a search on for one of her threads would help.

BroganMc....you out there?

 

[castleri]

There is a path that goes to DTD that starts near the golf pro shop, ferry area. It takes you to the west side which includes Cirque, Bongos, House of Blues etc. The boat will take you to a different part of DTD.

We liked the Grandstand area and Congress Park the best for ease of getting buses and walking to DTD. Congress Park is next to last on the bus route but we never had an issue finding a seat. The path to DTD from CP is in front of the buildings and comes out at the Marketplace bus stop.

I think it was about a 20 minute ride to Magic Kingdom once the bus left the resort but haven't stayed at SSR in over a year so that could have changed.

As noted all buildings have elevators so you should be okay even if you don't get the first floor.

 

[Silver Queen]

What castleri said

 

[mom3sonstt]

Thanks everybody! I'll give them a call with updated requests based on your help.

 

[Cee]

SSR is a wonderful resort. I hope you love it as so many of us here do!

 

[mom3sonstt]

Thanks again for the help! I am back from my trip. I requested, and received rooms in the Grandstand area, first floor. My first two days I wanted to be at the parks early, and was very thankful that I had that as my bus stop. Since I was going early there weren't people already on the bus coming back, so I was able to load an empty bus. Had I been at another stop, especially one of the last two, I wouldn't have been able to load because they were standing room only. My third day I didn't go anywhere until that evening and that was to the Halloween party. I did not take my scooter because I thought I could get along with out it for a few hours, and thought that it would be hard to get around at the party in it since it would be dark and people would be less observant due to the party activities going on. I should have taken it. There were people on the bus when we got on, but not so many that I wouldn't have been able to get on. The last day I didn't go to a park at all.

I still can't seem to find my way around the resort, but have figured out from the main building over to the Grandstand area. I went Downtown a couple times on the boat over and took the path back from the Marketplace side. I did not think the path was well marked at all. I knew where to get on the path from having used it before. But there comes a point where the sidewalk goes straight, or you can turn onto another path. It is not marked at all. Another couple was there trying to figure out if they should go straight or take the path. We all opted for the path. I don't know where the sidewalk would wind up taking you to.

I also found it hard to find my building. It looked like if you were driving, and were in the parking lot, that there were signs up showing the villa numbers. But from the sidewalk you could not tell. I had to keep going up to the building and looking at room numbers to figure out where I was at.

My room was beautiful, and i enjoyed my stay. But I don't think Saratoga will ever top my list of choices for a stay.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm glad you did enjoy your stay, and that you did get your requests! We were at the first MNSSHP this year and really enjoyed ourselves. Did you enjoy the party?

 

[mom3sonstt]

I did and didn't enjoy the party.....and the "didn't" part was all on me and the weather. Me because I overestimated my stamina and did not take the ECV with me. And the weather because, at the beginning of the party there was lightning in the area. I was waiting around the BTMRR/SpM area for the 7 Dwarfs to come out. Those rides were shut down due to the weather. I gave up on the dwarfs....figured they might not bring them out also due to weather. So around 7:30 I made my way to the castle to see if I could catch the 7:45 Villain party. It was also delayed, then cancelled. I stayed put hoping to see the parade, which was also delayed. It wasn't cancelled, but after standing around for so long (harder on me than walking for the same amount of time) my feet and back hurt so bad I couldn't stand it. I went to Tomorrowland because the map said the Lunching Pad was open, and I wanted to try one of the cream cheese pretzels from there, get a soda and take my 9:00 medicine. I get there and it is closed for refurbishment. : So instead I got a smoothie, at Auntie Gravity's, sat at the little tables there and watched Hallo-Wishes from an odd angle and watched some kids play the little been bag game that was going on in that area. I finally left before the second parade. The party could have been amazing, I enjoyed the parade, I just wish I could have enjoyed more of it.

Next time I will be better aware of what my stamina can handle. I am hoping by next time (whenever that may be) that I will be able to handle it scooter-free. Unfortunately, this time I shouldn't have tried.

 

[chunkygal]

I stayed there after breaking my ankle and getting an ECV after realizing I could not "do it" in crutches. I found SS very accessible in the scooter. I usually book OKV, but was glad to be at a resort with elevators. Made it easy.
No matter where I am I always allow 30 minutes for busses, except BVW to MK where I alow almost an hour.

 

[tinkerpea]

I have just booked SSR today for 15 nights I'm sooo excited! I've been really worried that it would not be Disney enough for our family even though it looks beautiful, we have loved Pop and AKL but managed to get a great deal for 6 of us with free DdP and ultimate tickets and I can't wait for our stay

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have just booked SSR today for 15 nights I'm sooo excited! I've been really worried that it would not be Disney enough for our family even though it looks beautiful, we have loved Pop and AKL but managed to get a great deal for 6 of us with free DdP and ultimate tickets and I can't wait for our stay

A 15 night stay! Wow! Good for you.

 

[Sammie]

If you come from Downtown Disney on the path near the DD bus stop when the path splits if you go to the right it simply empties into the Congress Park, parking lot. The other path goes right along the water and the length of the Congress Park section.

You can see the path in this photo, in the lower right hand side.