Saratoga Springs

[kim14526]

Can anyone provide feedback based on actually staying at Saratoga Springs? We have never stayed there and are doing so in October. Did you enjoy your stay? Any recommendations? Thanks! (We are planning on doing Not-So-Scarey Celebration- any feedback on that also would greatly be appreciated!).

 

[WDWRC]

Can anyone provide feedback based on actually staying at Saratoga Springs? We have never stayed there and are doing so in October. Did you enjoy your stay? Any recommendations? Thanks! (We are planning on doing Not-So-Scarey Celebration- any feedback on that also would greatly be appreciated!).

I had a free stay there about a month ago (Delxue Studio). I thought the resort was nice, but I really didn't like that a lot of it is still under construction, and that the big lake near my room (4501) had a lot of pond scum and to me looked unattractive. I liked the food court area, but I can imagine that at a peak time it could get pretty crowded.

What kind of a room are you staying in?

Tracy

 

[spiceycat]

I was there in May. studio - had a great view of DD!!!

I enjoyed my stay very much. but I won't stay at this resort again without a car. now if I had been in Springs you might have gotten away with one. but where I was in Congress Park you really needed a car.

this is a beautiful resort.

 

[mac521]

We stayed at SSR in a 2br this past June. It was our first DVC trip so we do not have much to compare. We thought the room was decorated very nice, we stayed in Congress Park near DTD. We had a nice view from our room. We also had a car, but did not think it was necessary. The resort was not very crowded which was good after fighting through the park crowds. The breakfast menu at the food court was good, but we did not eat lunch or dinner there. After coming back to the SSR after a long day in the park it was nice to be able to sit near the pool or walk to DTD. We did not get involved in any daily activities that the resort offers, but overall we enjoyed it very much.

 

[NE14DisneyWorld?]

We have not stayed at SSR, but a good friend of mine just got back about a month ago. She absolutely loved it! She had a two bedroom unit that had a great view of Downtown Disney.

I have been to the Halloween Party and it is so much fun! My granddaughter trick-or-treated down main street and really throughout the park. They sold pumpkin totes for candy with Mickey ears attached.

You will have a great time!

Tammy

 

[jlw9]

We took our 8 children (ages 6 months to 13 years) to not-so-scary last year and they all loved it!
My husband & I divide and conquer, so some stood and waited for fabulous face painting, the others weren't interested. The candy treats were generous and the lines moved quickly, but candy was not the big thrill.
Keep your costumes simple, (you will end up carrying pieces) and remember, there will be lots of purchased Disney characters, so if you like your child to stand out in a crowd, you may want to try something home made.
We would attend this event again!

 

[kim14526]

Thanks for the info!
We are trying to find out more info on Not-So-Scary and that is hard to obtain. Do you remember if all the rides in MK were open or just select ones?
I agree w/your costume comments. My 11 yr old already wants to be Tinkerbell and I know the wings won't last long and will be carried!
Any other advice you can give on that will be appreciated!
We are trying to decide between 10/30 or 10/31. With arriving in WDE, we would rather attend 10/31 but think the crowds will be less on 10/30.
Thanks again!

 

[Cruelladeville]

We stayed at SSR last August in a one bedroom, and had a lovely view of DTD! We enjoyed it very much. It was meant to be a long weekend get-away, so we stayed far away from the parks. We spent our days at the pool or on the golf course, and did the spa, shopping at DTD, and walking around.We were there for 3 nights, and ate at Artist's Palette all 3 nights. We thought it was very good--not fancy, but like home-cooking. We didn't have a car, didn't need a car, but we did stay close to the resort. It was a cheap, relaxing vacation, and we enjoyed it enough to do it again this August!

 

[kim14526]

What was the pool at SSR like? Our kids love the pool and it is a great rejuvinator after a day at the park.
Thanks for the response-great to hear about this resort since we've never tried it.

 

[CherCrazy]

We stayed at SSR last November in Congress Park. We had a view of DTD but it was really the back side of DTD...the view from the room kinda slanted to the right side of DTD...away from Rain Forest. We were also on the first floor at the corner room. The patio was small. We really prefer upper floors so that we can sit out on the balcony, so will try to get that the next time.

There were 2 pools open when we were there. (I guess more are open by now) The pool at Congress Park faced DTD, so that was a terrific view! The pool up at the check in area was fabulous too. Twisty slide thru the rock formations, food area, near the arcades, etc. I would imagine it's really hopping now that the crowds are there!

Wish I was there now!!! I think about it EVERY DAY!!!

 

[AFMom]

There's usually a great thread on the Theme Parks board about the haloween party - MNSSHP is how it is referred to. We went last year - and I can't remember anything being closed that wasn't already down for refurbishment. Everything we wanted to ride was open. The candy lines were long at the beginning of the evening - but as the evening wore on, there were hardly any lines for candy at all. The park felt absolutely MOBBED, but there were no lines for the rides! The parade was fabulous! We loved the special touches ot the Mark Twain ride. There was also a Haloween dance party for kids going on in Tomorrowland all night with characters and great music. The fireworks were pretty neat as well. It was a lot of fun - but I have to say - we proabably wouldn't do it again anytime soon. There were more people in the park during the ticket only party than during the day! Like I said, though - the park felt REALLY crowded, but the ride lines were non-existent. Have fun!

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

We just stayed in a 1 bedroom in the Springs section. It was very convenient to the main pool which our children loved. We enjoyed the resort. My children loved the Community Room also.

 

[kim14526]

We are traveling with family, so wanting to stay together we are staying in a 2 Bedroom. We have stayed in the Epicot Resort area but they are all booked for our length of stay-seems pretty popular with MNSSHP. Just that time frame worked best for our schedules.

 

[Sarnia]

I was there in May. studio - had a great view of DD!!!

I enjoyed my stay very much. but I won't stay at this resort again without a car. now if I had been in Springs you might have gotten away with one. but where I was in Congress Park you really needed a car.

this is a beautiful resort.

We stayed in Congress Park last October/November and I can't see why you would need a car there compared to any other resort. There is a bus stop right there, and it's only a 5 minute walk to the main pool area.

We went to MNSSHP. It was great even without kids, amazing atmosphere.

 

[fishermouse]

We've been in both completed sections of SSR and enjoyed them both. The view from CP is nice and the walk to DD is shorter but the springs are closer to the main pool and other activities, nice if you have little ones and plan to spend time there. I always have a car, sometimes we drive but even if we fly I'll rent one. I've never used it inside the park but often like to go to non WDW resturants, and parks or even drive to Daytona beach for the day.. There is a Margaritaville at City Walk Universal, Need at least one cheeseburger in paradise while I'm there.. Overall I have been 100% satisfied at SSR every time I've been there..

 

[Daitcher]

Can anyone provide feedback based on actually staying at Saratoga Springs? We have never stayed there and are doing so in October. Did you enjoy your stay? Any recommendations? Thanks! (We are planning on doing Not-So-Scarey Celebration- any feedback on that also would greatly be appreciated!).

We stayed at SSR October of 2004. The Resort is visually beautiful and spread out. It is like a condo resort rather than a hotel. Parking is in front of each unit. It can be a good hike to the main pool depending on where you stay. We stayed in the Congres Park section and had a view of DTD and the quiet pool. It was really nice and we loved the quiet pool. There are pros and cons to this resort and in the end we did not care for it.

Pros: gym and spa- really nice and well equiped.
quiet pool congress park section - the nicest of any quiet pool with a great view.
Rooms - new, nice and clean.
main pool - zero entry with big and small slide and play area for kids.
Walk to DTD from here.


Cons: Artists Pallette is with out a doubt the worst food option of any DVC or onsite resort. Limited menu and so so food. It does the best job at breakfast followed by lunch. Dinner forget about it.

No lunch served poolside. Food is not served poolside and even if it was there are very few tables to eat at. Poor planning IMO.

Location of boat transport to DTD. It is a haul from any building to get there and you might need a GPS system to find it. Poor signage to say the least. It is out back near the golf course. Good luck finding it.

Spread out nature of the resort is very incovenient for families. Most kids want to be at the main themed pool and very few buildings are close.

NO ROOM SERVICE - this was a deal breaker for us. Vacation means relaxing and ordering in is a luxury we must have especially given the fact we have a 3 year old. Dragging him out is not relaxing and isn't always an option.

Theming or lack of it I should say. We are from Saratoga Springs so we might be picky here. The theme really wasn't done right and it certainly doesn't look like home. Also we are from the northeast and we prefer our Rersorts more tropical. Why go to Florida to see trees and landscape like we have at home?


In closing, check it out for yourself. It certainly looks nice and your family might love it. It didn't work for us but that is OK. DVC allows us to visit all of the great Resorts. Enjoy your stay and I hope your family loves it.

DAVE

 

[AlaskaMOM]

Thanks for the info!
We are trying to find out more info on Not-So-Scary and that is hard to obtain. Do you remember if all the rides in MK were open or just select ones?
I agree w/your costume comments. My 11 yr old already wants to be Tinkerbell and I know the wings won't last long and will be carried!
Any other advice you can give on that will be appreciated!
We are trying to decide between 10/30 or 10/31. With arriving in WDE, we would rather attend 10/31 but think the crowds will be less on 10/30.
Thanks again!

We were at MNSSHP last year and my kiddos loved it DD16, DS14, DS10 (although at first they thought they were to old to go to something like that)
As for thinking 30th will be less crowded than 31st ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE! 31st tickets sell out 1st but both will probably be sold out. we went on the 28th and it was sold out as well. I've heard from the thread last year the smallest crowds are at the beginning of the month.

But even with it sold out there was so much going on you weren't waiting in many lines. rode the mountains for a total of 10 times during the party plus so many other rides! The only things that were crowded was HM and the lines for candy and photos (but those eased off after the first 2 hours)

As for what rides weren't open I don't remember any being closed; they even had previews of the still closed Stich. I do remember that for a certain amount of time (while they are clearing out the non-party guests) we were all sent to one area of the park ( I think Tommorrow land)to wait for the official start of the party. But that was ok b/c those rides were still running! and some of the restaurants were open (sit down ones).

Best advice: from another poster: GO TO MNSSHP THREAD it's so fun getting excited, especially when others start posting of their trip!

 

[AlaskaMOM]

That thread is under theme parks/ attractions strategies moderated by Baloo who does an awesome job sharing gobs of info!!!

 

[pmcpmc]

We stayed in a studio room 4336 in the building opposite checkin.
Its proximity to the main pool and the bus stop was excellent.
We had so many park days planned this year that views were not as important as getting my daily 3hrs at the pool before the parks or shopping or shopping

 

[mom2rb]

We stayed at SSR last Dec. We loved it. It is very peaceful. We stayed in Congress Park and had a great view of Downtown Disney.