Saratoga Springs vs Contemporary vs Beach Club for MNSSHP trip

[2vets]

Of your listed choices, CR. I don’t have kids myself but meet my sister and niece (now 10, but have been doing this regularly since she was 4) at WDW several times a year. The proximity to MK and walkability at the end of a party simply cannot be overstated. We always stay CR or GF for parties. I don’t love the rooms, but if you remove the pillows, the theming won’t be in your face as much - the rooms are spacious, and the couch and bathrooms are fabulous, bathrooms especially. The pool could be better themed but it has a slide, always a big hit, and splash pad. Contempo Cafe is a little loud, but the food is decent, and you can always pick up and eat at one of the lower floor seating areas or your room if you find it that offputting.

 

[ilovebassets]

I'm going to be the lone dissenter and give the vote to SSR. It has great pools--the main feature pool is huge and lovely and the pool and kids area in The Paddock section is better than many feature pools at other resorts. The Grandstand pool is also pretty lively, and Congress Park has its own standard quiet pool. The Paddock pool and the Grandstand pool both have quick service available right there (paddock has breakfast through dinner...Grandstand hours are more limited). The main quick service--Artist's Palette--is more than fine, and then there's the hidden Chip and Dale's cafe near the golf course which has decent food and amazingly good prices by Disney standards. And I know you aren't interested in table service, but the bar area outside of Turf Club is good if you want something in between table service and counter service. If you stay in Congress Park or some of the Paddock buildings, Disney Springs isn't that long of a walk, and from the other areas, you can take the boat. Rooms very recently renovated. We've taken buses from SSR several times to and from MK and never had any problems (not like our recent CBR stay!)

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

I'm going to be the lone dissenter and give the vote to SSR. It has great pools--the main feature pool is huge and lovely and the pool and kids area in The Paddock section is better than many feature pools at other resorts. The Grandstand pool is also pretty lively, and Congress Park has its own standard quiet pool. The Paddock pool and the Grandstand pool both have quick service available right there (paddock has breakfast through dinner...Grandstand hours are more limited). The main quick service--Artist's Palette--is more than fine, and then there's the hidden Chip and Dale's cafe near the golf course which has decent food and amazingly good prices by Disney standards. And I know you aren't interested in table service, but the bar area outside of Turf Club is good if you want something in between table service and counter service. If you stay in Congress Park or some of the Paddock buildings, Disney Springs isn't that long of a walk, and from the other areas, you can take the boat. Rooms very recently renovated. We've taken buses from SSR several times to and from MK and never had any problems (not like our recent CBR stay!)

Thank you. What happened re the CBR stay? I stayed there 2 times but decades ago before I really knew what I know now.

 

[ilovebassets]

Thank you. What happened re the CBR stay? I stayed there 2 times but decades ago before I really knew what I know now.

Had an absolutely awful time getting home from MK one night after closing. Lines very long for CBR while we watched bus after bus come for other resorts. More than two bus-fuls of people deep in line. So it took nearly an hour to get on the bus. Then somehow the driver must have taken a strange way to the resort because it was a 45 minute drive with an absolutely packed to the brim bus. Buses to the parks were fine, and coming home from AK was fine, but that one bus ride home from MK was the singular worst bus ride I have ever taken at WDW. And we've been there A LOT.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Contemporary. Cannot beat walking to MK.

 

[Elleinthecity]

Oh wow, is transportation that bad?

It's not great, but it's manageable. Minnie Vans are fun and pretty available.

I happen to like SSR but know that people find it too far out. I think any of your choices work.

 

[NicoleLarson]

Is there another option I am overlooking? Looking for a villa or Deluxe, or a very spacious moderate possibly (if that exists). And with the renovation at BC, which I forgot about, that's off the list. .No way, wont deal with that. Thank you for pointing it out and reminding me.

Of your choices CR, hands down. I would also throw out there CSR and stay in the tower. You can probably even get a club level room for the same price as CR, maybe less. Then you have access to food and drink all throughout the day. They have a nice main pool and lots of food options. You are also a quick bus ride to AK too.

 

[ZehnJahren]

You cannot beat the location of CR when you are going to any of the parties - it's nice to be on the monorail, but walking just a bit further and being at your room is so fantastic. We spent a ton of time at the pool once the hurricane went by - my 5 year old daughter isn't too picky with pools, but she loved Bay Lake and once she saw the regular CR pool she wanted to go over there too. As long as there's a slide, she'll be pretty generous with her rating!

We tried to get BLT again for our upcoming MNSSHP but I was too late on the draw. We're staying at the VGF instead, this September, but I'd switch to BLT/CR if if I could - we've done probably 4 different parties where we stayed at CR and it was always sooooo easy at the end of the night!!

 

[SnowWhitee]

You've gotten some great feedback. Given that you've narrowed it down to CR or SSR, maybe ask yourself how much of a relaxed vibe you want on this trip.

While I've stayed at WL and Poly, I have not stayed at CR. I think anything on the monorail is fun, but not always relaxing. It just feels busier to me in that area. I agree with PPs that CR is the most convenient to MK for the party. And, if you don't want to eat there, you can hop on the monorail and go to another resort. I also agree with you that the CR pool is blah. One plus is that the Electrical Water Pageant floats by CR (if that interests you).

If a more relaxed vibe is something you seek, I recommend SSR. I really enjoyed our stay there - we did not have a car either. Springs is very close to the Carriage House, main pool, food, etc. Good news/bad news - it's also the last stop on the bus. This means you won't have to sit and wait while it goes to each resort stop, but if it's full you'll have to wait for another one. SSR has multiple pools if you want to use more than one. You are also close to DS. The rooms are more subtle and elegant in Disney theming compared to the "in your face" CR rooms.

Good luck! Let us know what you pick.

 

[jmpurdy]

I'm going to be the lone dissenter and give the vote to SSR. It has great pools--the main feature pool is huge and lovely and the pool and kids area in The Paddock section is better than many feature pools at other resorts. The Grandstand pool is also pretty lively, and Congress Park has its own standard quiet pool. The Paddock pool and the Grandstand pool both have quick service available right there (paddock has breakfast through dinner...Grandstand hours are more limited). The main quick service--Artist's Palette--is more than fine, and then there's the hidden Chip and Dale's cafe near the golf course which has decent food and amazingly good prices by Disney standards. And I know you aren't interested in table service, but the bar area outside of Turf Club is good if you want something in between table service and counter service. If you stay in Congress Park or some of the Paddock buildings, Disney Springs isn't that long of a walk, and from the other areas, you can take the boat. Rooms very recently renovated. We've taken buses from SSR several times to and from MK and never had any problems (not like our recent CBR stay!)

I second SSR. Stayed many times when our grandchildren were young. One of the better quick service options for both adults/children. Walk to Springs. Grandstand had first on/first off bus location (last time we were there anyway). We stayed at the section nearest to Grandstand pool that has a sidewalk directly to main building (food/main pool, ~5 minute walk). Yes, this section is furthest from Springs, so if that is important get preferred Congress Park section. The walk over is lovely and the boat is also fun and relaxing.