Saratoga Springs Resort positive feedback?

[disneygal55]

We recently purchased at ssr and plan to vacation there during Thanksgiving
week. We haven't even seen the resort yet. Have been reading some
negatives about the restaurant and the layout of the resort. Getting nervous
about our choice now....always stayed on property and loved it!!! Can someone give us a positive story?

 

[kathleena]

My friend here at work just stayed there. She is an OKW owner. She said she really liked the resort. She said that none of the negatives I've seen posted here were true for them.

I guess I don't have any more details than that - but just remember - not every resort is for everyone. This is still Disney and carries the same level of service commitment. Although they fall short of the mark sometimes, they generally meet or exceed it.

Also - she said that each time they were on a bus - they were almost always the only ones on it. No problems with bus overcrowding - except when the parks closed - which is normal for everywhere.

Think positive thoughts!

 

[Aunt Cawa]

Dh and I stayed there for nine nights last October in a 1 Bdr. and loved it. The pizza and salad for Artist's palette were great. We don't eat breakfast out so I can't tell you how breakfast was. The grounds and pools are beautiful (and we were there after 4 hurricanes). Everyone was very nice. Never heard so many "welcome homes'. We also own at the Beach Club and think SSR is just as nice. We really like being able to walk to Downtown Disney. The transportation was terrific. Let me know if you have any questions. Hope this helps.






edited for grammar

 

[tjkraz]

Try some of these:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=826048

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=818406

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=818282

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=814890

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=782724

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=766239

Those were pulled by searching the Community Board for SSR Trip Reports. I didn't even read them myself, so I can't comment on whether all are overwhelmingly negative or not.

My perspective is that a lot of the negative threads get blown out of proportion and end up getting debated for a week or more. Don't take that to mean that the resort itself is universally disliked. There have been far more positive trip reports than negative. But some people just don't find SSR to be their cup of tea--that's their prerogative.

EDIT: This is my own trip report from December. We loved it! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=700844

Welcome home, neighbor!

 

[spiceycat]

after walking all day at the parks some guest did not want to walk to the snack bar (no restuarant). You don't. You take the bus if you are staying in Congress and get off at Springs. If you want something at the food court when you are returning from the parks - the bus stop at Carriage house on the way into the resort. this is also the place where you get the bus to get back to Congress.

Only Congress and springs are open. the Springs walk to the snack could be long in some cases. It would also be long to the bus stop.

I really think that this resort needs more bus stops. OKW has a bus stop every 5 to 7 minutes (if you are walking). SSR has a bus stop every 10 to 18 minutes. (if you are walking) SSR really needed more bus stops. but I think again (like the pools) - DVC didn't want to have the bus stop at stops that weren't being used.

So it has less bus stops and quiet pool vs the number of rooms than OKW.

It also had one more thing I didn't like - the pool closing can be easily changed here. the quiet pool (which is surpose to be open 24 hours) - they closed it. She just replaced the sign and closed the pool at 8pm a couple of nights.

 

[bom_noite]

I do not think you should be nervous at all. We own at BCV and stay at OKW all the time. Why? We are not the richest folks in the world and cannot afford more then the 150 points we own now. We get more bang for the buck at OKW and we value the extra space.

In fact, we stayed at BCV for the first time last year and we walked away a bit disappointed. No mater - we have not had any problems getting a ressie at OKW. If you do not like SSR, then, you are not obligated to stay there.

We have not stayed at SSR, but, spend quite a bit of time there. Some positive comments:

1) I think the pool area is fantastic - second only to the pool at Beach Club.

2) The architecture is stunning and very well done.

3) The food is very good there - I find it to be a wide selection, well prepared and very good.

4) The fitness center is world class.

My only negative on it would be this:

No hub-bub! The pool and common areas are never crowded! I like the busteling feeling that the other resorts provide.

At the resort they created this beautiful open area adjacent to the pool. I would love it filled with shops, a bar (antiques, art work, etc.), a full service restaurant, maybe a barber shop. I am certain that the real Saratoga has these types of things - I am not sure why this beautiful motif was wasted.

In the end - as I remind my kids each trip: A bad day at DVC beats a good day at home!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome home - remember - you bought in to diversity - you are not stuck. If you go home and do not enjoy it - no worries!

 

[LeCras]

SSR has a bus stop every 10 to 18 minutes. (if you are walking)

Maybe I'm being daft here, but from where at SSR does it take 10-18 minutes to walk to a bus stop?!? When we were last there we stayed in Congress Park (in the building that is second to furthest away from Carriage House) and we walked to the main pool area in about five minutes. Bearing in mind there was a bus stop a *lot* closer than that (we're talking a 45 second walk) I really don't see how you could walk for 18 minutes at SSR and not get to a bus stop??

Charlotte

 

[ddave]

We recently purchased at ssr and plan to vacation there during Thanksgiving
week. We haven't even seen the resort yet. Have been reading some
negatives about the restaurant and the layout of the resort. Getting nervous
about our choice now....always stayed on property and loved it!!! Can someone give us a positive story?

My DW and I just stayed there for 5 nights in a one BR. After reading some of the negatives here I wasn't all the keen on staying there, but that is where we ended up. We are OKW/WLV owners.

Bottom line.... It is an excellent place to stay. The negatives you here are blown way out of proportion. We were not dosappointed, we had a wonderful time.

1) The "The Outside Hallways" are not outside. They are inside, just open to the outdoors, not air conditioned. This wasn't a problem. There were coolish even when hot outside.
2) The restaurant has very good food. Most of it is takeout style even though you can eat there (a very nice place to sit, etc). It is not "normal" takeout, it is more upscale. We ate there 3 times and everything we had there was delicious. (You get a DVC discount!)
3) The rooms are the equivalent in size to BWV, BCV, WVL.
4) Down Town Disney can be a hastle to get to depending on where you're room is. It is NOT a long walk depending on where you are and of course the heat You can also use the Bus, the Boat or car if you have one.
5) Wait times for buses to parks, etc are about the same as OKW. No longer than 20 minutes (Could be a little longer at park closing like everywhere else)
6) They keep the construction out of your face, you won't notice it except when driving by in a car or on the bus.
7) The grounds are beautiful.
8) The pools are great.
8) The rooms are wonderful.

A lot of people here are bias toward the property they purchased in to. Don't worry about it. Have a good time and enjoy! You made a good purchase

 

[crcormier]

Welcome home! I stayed there for three nights last month, and I enjoyed it. The decor and theming of the resort was great, very relaxing, the room was clean, comfortable and attractive. Mine was right next to the pool and jacuzzi. Bus service seemed good, I had missed the Epcot bus by moments but another one was along 10 minutes later. Walked to PI twice, which was easy and convenient. My favorite place is still the BCV, but I'd definitely stay at SSR again.

 

[RobDoc]

...

I really think that this resort needs more bus stops. OKW has a bus stop every 5 to 7 minutes (if you are walking). SSR has a bus stop every 10 to 18 minutes. (if you are walking) SSR really needed more bus stops. but I think again (like the pools) - DVC didn't want to have the bus stop at stops that weren't being used.

...

There is a Bus Stop for Congress Park- it is about 100 yards from ANY of the four buildings in that area and the two closest buildings are no more than about 50 yards from the stop. (At least two of the last buildings in The Paddock will also be within 100 yards to that same bus stop.)

There is a Bus Stop for The Springs (right across the street from the High Rock Springs Pool) - it is about 50 yards from ANY of the three buildings in that area.

There is at least one Bus Stop for The Paddock area which has not yet opened and, as already noted, some of the Paddock buildings are very close to Congress Park and several of the others won't be more than 100 yards from the stop at The Springs (and even closer to the stop at The Paddock).

As for the buildings yet to be built, I'm confident that there will be convenient bus stops for those buildings as well. The stops currently open and centrally located for the building groups they serve.

It certainly takes no more than 5 minutes to walk the 100 yards to a bus stop from any of the currently open buildings at SSR. By this fall there will be 12 buildings open. It appears that each bus stop in those areas will serve no more than 6 buildings and most guests will have a choice of two stops depending on which they choose to use.

 

[MagikMom]

We stayed there this past October. Here are some positives:

1. The spa is incredible
2. Loved the pool, great slide
3. view of DTD at night (stayed in congress park area)
4. easy walk to DTD
5. Brand new rooms, nice and clean
6. Comfortable pull out couch bed
7. Beautiful landscaping
8. Quick bus service, not crowded
9. Great wine selections at artist pallette

Some negatives:

1. Limited food selection at artiste pallette
2. No full service restaurant on site
3. Main pool area 5 to 10 minute walk from Congress park building

The positives outweighed the negatives for us, family of 4, kids are 12 & 9. We enjoyed it so much we purchased 130 extra points there!!

 

[gppnj]

I'm really glad to be reading all the positive things about Saratoga Springs. I was imagining the Disney Institute with a new sign. I'm so glad to learn that they've actually taken the time and expensive to make this report a special place that is comparable to the other DVC resorts. I'm going to be buying into Saratoga Springs within the next two months.

 

[RayJay]

1) My only negative on it would be this:

No hub-bub! The pool and common areas are never crowded! I like the busteling feeling that the other resorts provide.

Great, no crowds, more room in the pool, this is why I just changed fron VWL to SSR, especially in July, plan on being in the pool alot.

RayJay

 

[athenna]

I know what you are going through. I am a new DVC member and SSR is my home resort. I had just discovered these boards after I became a member and the negativity really bothered me. I was really afraid I'd be disappointed. Quite the opposite. I loved it!!!! I haven't stayed at any other DVC yet, but for the near future, I don't want to. I kept an open mind heading down there for the 1st time, and didn't see what all the negativity was about.
I had no problems with the busses. I waited once for 15 minutes, that was the longest wait. Most of the time we had the busses to ourselves.
I like the Artist Palette a lot. Everything I had there was delicious, and if they had a fancy sit down place to eat, right now it would be a waste, maybe when the resort sells out they'll do it. I don't care either way. I understand everyone has their own feelings, which is great, but people were complaining about ''outside hallways'', Hey, I'm from Boston, I'd be delighted to open my door and see what I see when I open my door at SSR.
The pool seems nice, but didn't use it as I had the Congress Park quiet pool right off of my patio. I didn't think it was a long walk anywhere at all. I loved walking there, it;s so pretty, especially at night when DTD is all lit up. I loved being so close to DTD and all that it has to offer.
The moral of my story-don't listen to negativity, form your own feelings, and you'll be fine. And have a great time!

 

[disneygal55]

Thank you all for making me feel a lot better about SSR. My family is really psyched about going there this Thanksgiving! By the way, has anyone been there during Thanksgiving? If so, do they decorate for the holidays? At the Caribbean Beach Resort, they decorated the lobby and foodcourt area on the day after Thanksgiving. I'm hoping that SSR does something special.

 

[athenna]

Thank you all for making me feel a lot better about SSR. My family is really psyched about going there this Thanksgiving! By the way, has anyone been there during Thanksgiving? If so, do they decorate for the holidays? At the Caribbean Beach Resort, they decorated the lobby and foodcourt area on the day after Thanksgiving. I'm hoping that SSR does something special.

Can't answer the question about the decorations, cause I want to know, too! I am arriving 3 days after Thanksgiving, so we'll be there about the same time. I'm hoping it will look special for the holidays!

(just noticed you were from MA, too )

 

[PamOKW]

Just weighing in to say "don't believe everything you read".....I've gotten myself worried sick about negative things I've read in the past and when I got to WDW saw no sign of the problems that were overwhelming on the boards.

A little over a year ago, I treated some friends to a stay at OKW. They loved it and investigated and purchased SSR. They stayed at SSR in February and had nothing but raves about the resort. I'm not sure which building they stayed in but they especially liked the short walk over to DD where they could get a direct bus to any place on property. They also had a great time using the spa -- the husband even took a massage/treatment they recommended to help his cold. The kids (4 & 7) loved the pool They've stayed at many WDW resorts and really, really liked SSR. I'm guessing you will, too.

I'm sure you'll find decorations at SSR -- all the DVC resorts get decorated for Christmas at that time of year. OKW members often add their own strings of lights to the balconies....maybe SSR will adopt this tradition as well.

 

[CharlesTD]

We purchased an add on there and just went to tour it in May we bought sight unseen just like our purchases at Vero and at HHI we have still never been to either of those resorts LOL. We just loved SSR the pool was awesome the rooms and decore we incredible far beyond what we had expected we can't wait to stay there in Dec. We also really liked the restaurant area mind you the gift shop portion could have been a little larger with a littel more DVC product.

 

[DVCconvert]

Saratoga Springs Resort positive feedback?

Based on some posts -- none of that exists!!!

But you know, it's Disney -- it's not going to be as bad as 'some' might have you believe, and in fact, it's likely to be MUCH better than you expect!

HEY! I've been someone who's worried about it -- yet I'm staying there for a week at the end of the month -- to find out for myself! I think you owe it to yourself to do the same 'experiement'!

 

[gppnj]

I'm really glad to be reading all the positive things about Saratoga Springs. I was imagining the Disney Institute with a new sign. I'm so glad to learn that they've actually taken the time and expensive to make this report a special place that is comparable to the other DVC resorts. I'm going to be buying into Saratoga Springs within the next two months.

As a professional editor, I am embarassed by my typos.

Sorry.