Saratoga Springs

[pippi]

Hi,
Can anyone give me any info. on this resort? How are the buses? Is it far to walk to get them? Can you really walk to Downtown Disney? Is it kid friendly? Any info. would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks,
Pip

 

[Deb & Bill]

You'll find more info on SSR on the DVC boards.

It's as kid friendly as other. You can walk to DTD. There is a bus stop at each of the three sections, maybe even a few more. And the buses only go to SSR and no other resort.

 

[HUFF590]

Hi,
Can anyone give me any info. on this resort? How are the buses? Is it far to walk to get them? Can you really walk to Downtown Disney? Is it kid friendly? Any info. would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks,
Pip

My last stay the buses where great on time and have several stops in front of the buildings. Easy and very pretty walk to DTD or bus - boat. Very kid friendly great pool and the community center is wonderfull, lots of activities, have a great trip.

 

[redbank]

SSR is kid friendly like any other DVC resort. However, I do suggest that you always keep an eye or two on your kids as this resort is very huge and strangers can just walk in the resort from DD or from Lake Buena Vista Rd(?).

 

[MissD]

SSR is kid friendly like any other DVC resort. However, I do suggest that you always keep an eye or two on your kids as this resort is very huge and strangers can just walk in the resort from DD or from Lake Buena Vista Rd(?).

This is your second post with this 'scare warning' on 2 different threads.

I would hope that people would keep their eyes on their kids no matter where they are. "Strangers" can pretty much walk into any and all resorts on WDW property. The restaurants at the resorts are open to the public, as are the many options on the Boardwalk. I'm sure I'm missing a few things, but it's late...
Intimating that there is some sort of increased SSR 'stranger danger' is really unwarranted.

Are you related to Seabright1 by any chance?

 

[Amy&Dan]

Are you related to Seabright1 by any chance?

Oh its such a shame we have all become so cynical around here!

Redbank: They don't exactly run a background check on every person entering every resort. For example, you could walk into the Poly, GF or CR by taking the monorail and be cruising their grounds, pools and hallways in nothing flat.

 

[bcvprincesses]

We just returned from SSR this week and I don't think I would go back. The resort is beautiful and the rooms were great but the buses were horrible. We were in the Springs section and had to wait 45 min for a bus to AK and 40 min to DTD. We could have walked but it was raining and didn't want to get too wet. It is quite a walk from the Springs section. We were on the last bus stop on the way to the parks and we had to stand on almost every bus at all times of the day. I don't know what they are going to do when they open the new section.

I also did not like the main pool. It is way too small for such a big resort. It was so full even at 11 pm. We didn't try the quiet pools because my dd's wanted to use the slide. SSR really needs another feature pool.

 

[HUFF590]

We just returned from SSR this week and I don't think I would go back. The resort is beautiful and the rooms were great but the buses were horrible. We were in the Springs section and had to wait 45 min for a bus to AK and 40 min to DTD. We could have walked but it was raining and didn't want to get too wet. It is quite a walk from the Springs section. We were on the last bus stop on the way to the parks and we had to stand on almost every bus at all times of the day. I don't know what they are going to do when they open the new section.

I also did not like the main pool. It is way too small for such a big resort. It was so full even at 11 pm. We didn't try the quiet pools because my dd's wanted to use the slide. SSR really needs another feature pool.

Sorry you had a bad time during your stay at SSR, as you know in the summer all the pools and busses can be crowded, maybe youll get the chance to try it out at a better time. I dont have kids anymore so I get to travel whenever, its GREAT.

 

[pjadtl]

I agree- they could use another main pool and the we had to wait along time for buses too. That was AFTER we waited 30 minutes for the boat only to have a CM ride up on his golfcart to tell us boats were temp. delayed due to lighting. I had my grandmother in a wheelchair, my 2 kids and my husband and we had to walk back to the Springs busstop where we waited another 30 minutes just to go to DTD for a dinner reservation. Gram didn't want to walk (even though I was pushing LOL). You wait for buses anywhere. We may not have waited as long at OKW but by the time they go to all the other stops either to pick up or drop off- what's the difference?
Anyways, besides that- I think the resort is absolutely gorgeous, very kid friendly, and as safe as any other resort.

 

[starbox]

I would hope that people would keep their eyes on their kids no matter where they are.

I agree. When we were at POR in June we literally saw a child almost drown (he was blue when the lifeguards pulled him out). The kid could not have been more than four years old and mom was (understandably) screaming hysterically. Thing is, both mom and dad were totally dressed and had been sitting near the pool bar the whole time.

Same trip, different day. We took a bus from DTD to the Contemporary and there was a clearly homeless, not totally "there" man on the bus. I don't know if he was just riding to be in the air-conditioning or what - but there's no way he was a resort guest.

Bottom line - Disney is a crowded place and anyone is welcome to eat in or visit the resorts (Chef Mickeys has constant traffic from "outside" guests). Watch your kids.

OP - I suggest you visit SSR before you buy. As you can probably tell, it is one of those resorts that people have very strong feelings about. The bus situation is similar in layout but MUCH better in terms of crowds than the busses at POR or CSR , if you have ever stayed there.

The main pool is zero-depth entry and there is a water play area for smaller kids - plus there is a very cute playground. You can walk, boat, or take a bus to DTD. There are carriage rides and there is a community hall with activities. The CS food court-type restaurant is nicer than many of the WDW resorts. The condo-style layout lends itself to a more quiet atmosphere than you get in an inn-type resort.

 

[Ali and boyz]

we are just back and we loved the Resort.

we hired a car so the buses aren't an issue for us so can't comment fairly on that just that it wouldn't put us off the resort. The main pool was busy and have to agree it did look small for the size of the resort. They are building another themed pool . if you look to the left when exiting the resort it is over to the left. Quiet pools were really quiet, honestly at some point we were the only ones in it and we were there from the 6th to the 21st July.

Had to wait maybe 20 mins which felt long for the ferryboat back to SSR from DTD but here in the UK you can wait forever on a boat or bus so maybe thats why we are used to waiting. I made a few dinner reservations and the cast member always told me to allow an hour if taking any disney transport from any resort to a dinner reservation. we walked it to DTD in 10 minutes but we were in Congress Park.

all in all we thought the place was beautiful and we are really glad it is our home resort. another point is the resort may be big but I couldn't get away with how quiet the place was . I found it the most relaxing holiday we have had but I suppose if you want buzz then one of the other resorts would be a better choice. we went over to DTD for the Buzz

p.s. Turf club was really nice to for a meal

 

[geekgirl]

We just returned from SSR this week and I don't think I would go back. The resort is beautiful and the rooms were great but the buses were horrible. We were in the Springs section and had to wait 45 min for a bus to AK and 40 min to DTD. We could have walked but it was raining and didn't want to get too wet. It is quite a walk from the Springs section. We were on the last bus stop on the way to the parks and we had to stand on almost every bus at all times of the day. I don't know what they are going to do when they open the new section.

I also did not like the main pool. It is way too small for such a big resort. It was so full even at 11 pm. We didn't try the quiet pools because my dd's wanted to use the slide. SSR really needs another feature pool.

We also just returned from SSR this week. Bus service was acceptable from the resort--approximately a 15 minute wait. However, we did encounter long waits for an SSR bus at MK, EP, MGM.

We walked to DTD and found that the path between DTD and SSR property was not lighted. Lights available, but not lit. We reported that to SSR.

The rooms were beautiful, but check in and front desk/guest services was disappointing. I made these issues known to management.

We did not encounter overcrowded pool and used both the quiet and main pool. All in the party enjoyed the few breakfast meals at Artist Palette. We did not eat there for lunch or dinner as we didn't find their menu to our tastes but entrees look good.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Did you get the chocolate cake at Artist's Palette? It's really, really good.

 

[laurenk]

We got the chocolate cake. Several times. YUMMY!! We thought all of the food was great at AP. I do have to agree with bcvprincess on the whole bus thing. We were there 23rd til the 31st and stayed at Springs too. Bus service was non-existent. They were filling up for EE before they got to Springs and would just leave the resort. Encouraged by several CM's to let the crappy bus service be known about to DVC.

This resort is beautiful and big. We are going back at Christmas, but will try and book future trips at another resort to break things up a little.

My twelve year old twins were not fond of the pool. Liked the slide, but thought the pool itself was "too shallow". They had a blast at community hall every day.

CM's were all great!

 

[Ali and boyz]

We also just returned from SSR this week. Bus service was acceptable from the resort--approximately a 15 minute wait. However, we did encounter long waits for an SSR bus at MK, EP, MGM.

We walked to DTD and found that the path between DTD and SSR property was not lighted. Lights available, but not lit. We reported that to SSR.

The rooms were beautiful, but check in and front desk/guest services was disappointing. I made these issues known to management.

We did not encounter overcrowded pool and used both the quiet and main pool. All in the party enjoyed the few breakfast meals at Artist Palette. We did not eat there for lunch or dinner as we didn't find their menu to our tastes but entrees look good.

have to agree re the check-on although in our case it was checking out. length of time we queued way too long. I kept sighing loadly though

 

[Ali and boyz]

Did you get the chocolate cake at Artist's Palette? It's really, really good.

so were the fudge brownies