Saratoga Springs

Thank you OklahomaTourist & Stitchlovestink.
We pretty much have no choice other than to stay at SSR - that's the only resort with availability for our dates. I'm sure we can make the best of it - it's Disney, after all...
Looks like we'll request Springs based on your advice and see how we do.
Thanks again for giving us the scoop.
 
gretchenohar@hotmail said:
Thank you OklahomaTourist & Stitchlovestink.
We pretty much have no choice other than to stay at SSR - that's the only resort with availability for our dates. I'm sure we can make the best of it - it's Disney, after all...
Looks like we'll request Springs based on your advice and see how we do.
Thanks again for giving us the scoop.

SSR is one of our favourite resorts so I'm sure you'll love it! I too would recommend the springs as it is close to the main pool and restaurants. Worth trying for breakfast if you have time is the CS grill at the Paddock pool. They serve great breakfast platters... Nothing beats breakfast by the pool! Also don't forget downtown Disney is only a 15 minute walk from the Springs section- with bountiful breakfast options! :)

Btw the rooms have also been refurbished recently- they look lovely. Not sure if all the villas are completed but that's another great reason to stay at SSR!

Meg~ Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards
 
Thank you, Meg.
Looks like "Springs" gets all the votes!
Love the suggestion re: bkfst at the Paddock Pool - that one goes on our list too.
Thanks!
 
...You don't mention what kind of room you're considering, but if you can snag it, a room with a kitchen would allow you the option of making light breakfasts in the room. That's what we do, and also a big reason we don't do DDP.

In the three times we've visited SSR, I've not known of any Disney-based food service delivery. ....

No need to try to "snag a room with a kitchen". All the villas at SSR have some sort of kitchen facility. One bedroom and larger have full kitchens (oven, burners, microwave, toaster, dishwasher, full sized refrigerator, dishes, pots and pans, flatware, other utensils). Studios have a kitchenette with a microwave, toaster, undercounter refrigerator with small freezer section, disposable dishes, a few real mugs and glasses. SSR is a timeshare resort of DVC. So it is expected that most guests will use these facilities during their stay. That's why the DVC resorts don't have huge food courts like Value resorts.

Both OKW and SSR do have pizza delivery from Disney. Or you can ask at the front desk (don't call, ask in person, when you call you get the call center that could be in Topeka, KS, Tampa, FL or who knows where). You can also get groceries delivered by Disney or offsite services. You just need to order them ahead of time.

Now if it is pouring down cats and dogs, SSR could be a problem. But otherwise, it's not much different that the GF, Polynesian, any of the moderates or value resorts in walking from your building to the main building.

But if you like a hotel feel, SSR and OKW aren't the place for you. And, in that case, GF and the Polynesian shouldn't be either.

SSR is a very nice resort. It's just not a hotel.
 

Thank you Deb & Bill. I wasn't aware SSR has Disney pizza delivery. That's good to know.
Looking forward to our June visit.
 
Um...I am going to disagree with a few other posters. We have stayed at SSR at least 5 times and I don't think any of the walks are that bad AT ALL.

From Paddock to the High Rock Springs (main pool)? .20 miles
Farthest building in Congress Park to Carriage House? .41 miles
Farthest building in Carousel to High Rock Springs? .36 miles
Farthest building in Carousel to farthest building in Congress Park? .73 miles

None of these are a hike. If you were in Paddock, it shouldn't take any able bodied person more than 5 min. to get to High Rock Springs. It shouldn't take more than 8 to get from Congress Park.

Do not be intimidated by the size. It looks worse than it is. Really, is easily doable and very manageable.
 
I too will chime in and say it is very manageable to walk around. We actually prefer the Grandstand area for several reasons. The bus stop is first on and first off, great golf course views, nice quiet pool with bar and refill station. Walk from that area to Carriage House/high rock pool is about 5-7 minutes and is a pretty easy walk to DTD or you can take the boat. My girls were 5 and 7 and my in-laws were 76 and 82 the last time we stayed and the walk was fine for all of us.
 
Asking about whether the walk it bad is like asking about the comfort of the beds, it's all relevant to who is giving the opinion.

We don't find the distance at SSR bad at all and I am certainly not a marathon runner or anything.

And we have brought food back to the room many times at breakfast and it was never cold. They cover the plates and if for some reason you want it hotter, simply warm it in the microwave.
 
We're a family of 5 and will be staying at SSR the last week of June.
I'm a little concerned about getting around as we won't have a car.

I've heard that "Springs" is a nice section for proximity to check in, restaurants, etc. I've also heard that it's the last stop on the bus route & that the buses might be "standing room only" during busy times of year by the time they reach this particular section.
Could anyone tell me if it's plausible to walk over to the Grandstand section to catch a bus into the parks during busy times of the day/year? I can't exactly visualize how close/far each section is in relation to the others from the maps I've seen with regards to walking distance. I'm considering requesting Springs for proximity; or the Grandstand for bus availability. (I know our request will only be granted based on availability.) Another choice would be The Paddock for the pool (kids aged 7 & 11), tho I'm concerned we could be situated a great distance from same...

I also wonder about getting bkfst for the kids in the AM... I understand there is no rm. service. How long/far is the walk to pick up bkfst at Artist's Palette then back to a room at say Grandstand or Congress Park? Guaging from the map that doesn't seem a viable possiblilty at the other sections of the resort. Is that correct?

I've been told there is pizza delivery from outside vendors. Are there any options for food delivery within the resort? We'll be on the dining plan, so would prefer not to have to pay out of pocket for meals, but I'm sure there will be times when we're dead dog tired yet the kids have to eat...

Any comments, suggestions, etc will be greatly appreciated since we've never been to SSR and need all the help we can get in planning.

One more question: I've tried to reserve a table at the Turf Club for dinner for a night or two while we're there, but the WDW website shows no availability at times that are convenient for the kids to eat on a few of the days. Is it usually possible to just walk up & request a table for 5? I'm not sure tables are unavailable because it's such a large resort & the TC is the only TS restaurant, if it's due to being totally booked, or if it's "just because" and we might stand a chance...

Thank you for taking the time to read this rather long post & responding.
You will have some type of 'kitchen' in your villa. Studios have a small fridge, micro, toaster and coffee pot, with a small bar sink. One and two bedroom villas have full kitchens, right down to a dishwasher and washer/dryer!!
You can order food from an online grocery shop (wegoshop.com or gardengrocer.com) and then have food in the villa for snacks or breakfasts.
I stayed in Grandstand in Dec. It took a bit under 10 mins to get to the Springs area and the main buildings. It can be hard to find those shortcuts since they tend to be hidden!! I wandered in circles for 45 mins my first night there!!! I had checked in around noon, but didn't have time to go to my villa. So, the first time I needed to use the room key was that night, around 9:30. It didn't work....so I had to get back to the main bldg. Oh dear God!!! I was clueless. Just wandered around, always ending up where I started!!! I finally got on a bus and got off at Springs. They got me a new room key, I asked for directions back to Grandstand. They told me not a problem.....they had a CM take me there in a golf cart so he could be sure the key worked! Thank heaven. The next day I ambled around and found out how to get back to Springs, on foot!!!
I may well be there again in Dec!! I may ask for Congress Park or Springs this time.
 
This cracked me up! Sounds like something I would do:

the first time I needed to use the room key was that night, around 9:30. It didn't work....so I had to get back to the main bldg. Oh dear God!!! I was clueless. Just wandered around, always ending up where I started!!! I finally got on a bus and got off at Springs. They got me a new room key, I asked for directions back to Grandstand. They told me not a problem.....they had a CM take me there in a golf cart so he could be sure the key worked! Thank heaven. The next day I ambled around and found out how to get back to Springs, on foot!!!

Thank you all for taking the time to answer my questions and give advice about SSR. I'm really looking forward to everything it has to offer - thanks to you guys.:thanks:
 
We are DVC members and SSR is our home resort. We love the relaxed atmosphere after a hectic day at the parks. The grandkids love the pools and all the available activities at the resort.
Just wanted to say this about the buses : we have been there over Christmas and New Year's, Spring Break and 4th of July and have never ever had to stand on a bus or experienced an overcrowded bus. We have stayed at BW, AKL, OKW and BC and find the bus wait at SSR no worse than at those resorts.
Hope you love it there as much as we do.
 
Those are very encouraging words, knfries - thanks.
With a little luck, we'll have similar experiences.
The anticipation is killing me!:goodvibes
 
We own at this resort. We love it. I like that it is close to DTD. You can either walk, take a bus or there is a ferry boat as well.

Its very spread out but is very nice, great colors, and since its newer the rooms are really nice and in good working condition.
 
i just rented some points to stay at this resort for star wars weekend next month (it was cheaper than mods and values lol) anyway i was wondering what building or area i should request so that im not too far from everything
 
We are staying here for 10 nights in July! Really looking forward to it! Only ever passed on the boat from POR to downtown Disney before!
 
i just rented some points to stay at this resort for star wars weekend next month (it was cheaper than mods and values lol) anyway i was wondering what building or area i should request so that im not too far from everything

We like the Grandstand section. DH is a golfer and it has some nice golf course views, has a quiet pool with splash area, first on and off the buses, bar and refill station. Also about a 5-7 minute walk to Carriage House (main house) and main pool.
 
i just rented some points to stay at this resort for star wars weekend next month (it was cheaper than mods and values lol) anyway i was wondering what building or area i should request so that im not too far from everything

Honestly, any are is nice. the only one that seems far to me from the bus stop etc, is the carousel.

Other than that, they are all great areas.
 
We like the Grandstand section. DH is a golfer and it has some nice golf course views, has a quiet pool with splash area, first on and off the buses, bar and refill station. Also about a 5-7 minute walk to Carriage House (main house) and main pool.
That's where I ended up last Dec. It was a very nice section. It took me a bit to figure out how to get to the Carriage House, but I finally did!!!! Dopey me.
 


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