Saratoga Springs - What is it like?

[ajblbv]

This coming trip will be my first time at Saratoga Springs, and I am reading up all I can on it, normally I wouldn't even consider it but it was all that was available for the dates on the AP rate.

I got a studio, are these nice rooms? I have stayed at the Poly, WL, BW, ASSp, and ASMu. Is it similar to any of those? Is it inconvenient? I have read about longer transport times.

Is Downtown a walkable distance? Well lit areas to walk at night? I was thinking about doing downtown after the park closes on a Saturday night.

Sorry for all the questions, just hard searching for some of this stuff, any comments are appreciated.

 

[LilGMom]

We stayed in a studio room, in the Congress Park area, and loved it. It took us approx. 10 minutes to walk to DDT but that was also with two kids in tow and having to stop and look at every lizard crossing our path. The walkway is a little dark in some places once you get past the buildings and before you get near the main road but nothing that prevents you from seeing well. The rooms are comparable in size to a deluxe room with a little extra space for the kitchenette area. It was nice having a slightly larger fridge than in the deluxe/mod. rooms, a microwave, toaster, and sink specifically for washing out glasses/sippy cups. We had a small courtyard view from our balcony and beyond that we could see part of DTD and one of the quiet pools. Sitting out there watching the sun come up was very relaxing and one of my highlights from our May '07 quick trip. The pullout sofa bed is surprisingly comfy if you have anyone in your party needing it. We'll definately be staying there again.

The walk to Carriage House seemed like a bit of a hike but that is partially because parts of it were at a slight incline. I can't comment on the buses because we use our car all the time.

 

[spiceycat]

yes it is definitely nice.

it is further away from the action than the Polyn, bw and wl.

it has one queen bed and a double sleeper sofa. (majority difference)

some studio have a DVD others don't.

here is a map
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/14664ssr.jpg

here are some pictures
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/547

here is disney description.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...?id=SaratogaSpringsResortLandingPage&count=26

 

[jmpurdy]

Stayed in a studio for 1 nite before switching to a 1 bedroom. It was great.
Beautiful and plenty of room. The walk anywhere was relaxing and not far. We walked to DTD one evening and it was enjoyable and we frequented the food area and hopped on the busses from there. I cannot imagine anyone not being comfortable here. Hope this helps!

 

[spiceycat]

here is another site
http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/resorts/resortDetail?id=ProspectsSaratogaSpringsLandingPage

do the view 360 degree rooms

 

[blanq]

My family stayed at SSR, in a studio, this past January. We were in the Springs section, which as far as I am concerned, is the perfect location because it is so convenient to the the main pool, restaurants, etc. There are about 4 bus stops at SSR, and the Springs stop was always the last on and last off when we were there, but I didn't find that to be a problem.

I think the rooms are beautiful; very tastefully done in calm/warm colors. The studios at SSR are about 355 sq ft, which is just slightly more than the standard rooms at WL, which are about 340 sq ft. You actually end up with more useable floor space though, since there is just one queen bed and a pullout couch in the SSR studios. I think the studios are well laid out, and the mini kitchen is really nice have. We like to have breakfast in our room, so having a microwave, dishes, and refrigerator was really nice. We rented points from a DVC owner, and opted not to pay for daily mousekeeping. I have no problem making the beds and straightening up each day. The trash bins are convenient for dumping trash inbetween mousekeeping visits.

You can walk to DTD from SSR, however my family never did. We really liked to take the boat. It was convenient to the Springs, and was such a relaxing way to get to DTD. I think a huge plus to SSR is its proximity to DTD. We really spent a lot of evenings there, which was a great way to end a day. The restaurants, movie theater, Cirque and shopping are great.

My family consists of just three. DH and I have a 14 year old son. I think that the studio is great for three people, but it could get a bit crowded with more. Maybe a couple with two small children would be fine, but four adult-sized people could be a bit much. DS thought the pullout couch was comfortable for sleeping.

I would definately stay at SSR again!

 

[Pakey]

We have stayed at SSR twice, once in Springs and once in Congress Park. My DH and I love to walk to DTD at night and we did it from both locations. Congress Park is a little shorter walk but the springs location was 15 minutes at a leisurely relaxing pace. The path is well lit, the sidewalks are very wide so it is easy for two people to walk abreast. First trip was in January, buses were empty. Second trip was spring break, all rooms were booked. Our room was quiet, buses were not bad.

 

[Perditamarie]

We stayed at Congress Park last Dec..and will again this Dec. Awesome view of DTD and a very quick walk as well (could be better lit, but it doesn't feel unsafe either). The walk to the main pool/food wasn't bad, but stock your room w/drinks and snacks so you don't feel you are going out on a hike every time you need a nibble. The entire complex seemed very quiet, with little vehicle traffic.

The main pool is awesome, with zero depth entry, fountains, a big and a little slide as well as a waterfall and sprayground. The pool is large and seating areas all around provide good vantage points to see all areas of the pool if you are watching kids. You can also borrow swim vests for the length of your stay if needed. The quiet pool areas are also very nice and there was a very nice playground in the Congress Park area as well (there are probably other playgrounds here, but I only saw this one).

We only used bus service once and it was fine.

 

[ajblbv]

What are the pool hours there? What is the penalty if we go after close? Are the quiet pools open 24/7 since they are not guarded anyways?

Does the convenience store there sell any type of alcohol? If so what? Does the restaurant sell bottles of wine?

Thanks guys, any more input?

 

[Pakey]

My kids are grown and they were down at the pool/hot tub very late at night so I'm assuming that it was okay to go. This was at the main pool and at the quiet pool.

Alcohol, I think they sell beer and a few types of wine like chardonnay and white zin. However, we ALWAYS UPS our own wine and hard liquor down to ourselves. It is waiting for us when we check in and that way we get the exact items we want at a price much more reasonable than what you are going to pay there. Also, we ship plastic cups along with it so that they could be taken to the pool as they will not allow any glass there.

If you want to UPS it, just send it to your attention at the resort and mark your arrival date on the outside also. As long as it doesn't get there weeks before your arrival date, they will hold it for you. When you check in, just ask for it and they'll bring it out to you. Since our DS28 and DS26 enjoy drinking, this has proven to save tons of $$$$.

 

[DISNEYNY]

Just back from SSR. We had a studio in the Grandstand section. I asked for Grandstand because we were there during free dining and there were alot of people upgraded to SSR. I had heard that was the first stop on the bus route. The buses got crowded by the time we got over to the Springs section. Seems they always had to stand and a couple of times didn't make it on the bus. The kitchen area in the room was very handy...we really liked that. My DD13 wasn't crazy about the pullout bed. She said it was very uncomfortable. I loved my bed...very comfy. We did not walk to DTD, but took the boat. It was a nice ride over. We also ate at the Turf Club and really enjoyed it.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

One thing you should know, it's more condo style than hotel style. To get to your room you'll walk outside from the parking to where your room is (elevators are available). I don't know what ASsports and ASmusic are like, but I can compare it to Port Orleans. So it really won't be like BW or WL, where you walk indoors to get to your room.

 

[joyerbides]

We just got back from SSR a week ago. We absolutely loved it. We stayed in Congress Park, and it only took us about 10 minutes to get to DTD. We were only about a 5 minute walk from the main pool, which by the way is awsome. Its a zero entry pool, and great for little ones if you have them. The rooms were clean and cozy. We had a one bedroom villa, and it was very comfortable. Loved the bathrooms. I think you will enjoy yourself there immensely. I only regret that we didn't stay to enjoy the resort more, as we were always at the parks.

 

[spiceycat]

What are the pool hours there? What is the penalty if we go after close? Are the quiet pools open 24/7 since they are not guarded anyways?

the pool itself has the pool hours - they change (even changed on my vacation and was only there 7 days)

now the quiet pools aren't open 24/7 (or weren't when I was there)

the penalty would be if you were making a bunch of noise. the security guards comes and asks you to leave. other people need their sleep.

 

[jimmiej]

DW & I stayed there July '07 on points bought from a DVC owner. We had a studio in the Paddock section, building six, I think.

The good: Very nice room with an outstanding resort/water view. Pretty good size balcony. Beautiful grounds & nice pools. Friendly & helpful staff.

The bad: The nearest bus stop was farther away than I'd like (I can't believe I'm complaing about a five-minute walk ). A couple of waits over 20 minutes for a bus, one a 45 minute wait. Didn't notice any longer than normal bus rides. Long walk to the main pool/main building/dining (8-10 minutes?). We walked from Downtown Disney back to SSR one day. About 10-15 minutes, but a pleasant walk.

Overall, we had a good experience at SSR & wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. However, we prefer the location & coziness of the Beach Club Villas. Looking forward to trying other DVC resorts.