Should we purchase at Saratoga Springs?

[Spark65]

We have not actually stayed at SSR. From what I can tell from all the pictures I've seen and all I've read about it, I believe we would be quite content with it, even if it wasn't our first choice. I'd just like to be able to stay at our first choices occasionally. It sounds like AKL would be easy to make that happen. VGF is a little more up in the air as to whether or not that would ever happen, but I am encouraged by some of the other posts on this thread.

Before buying I would suggest at least staying there once to make sure. There are many here who do like it and many who don't just like all the resorts in general. It's not quaint either it's a large complex as well close to Disney Springs very.. but far from everything else.
I would try at least one stay at any resort, before buying, you have never stayed at.

 

[Skywalker3]

While we generally think it's a good idea to buy where you want to stay, or at least don't mind staying, we've been able to stay at most any resort we want to at 7months, BUT in 1 bedrooms. We do not like or look for studios, ,and also we're willing to take non standard views for the 1 bedroom. We own at BWV (resale) , and love it there, and have stayed there at least half of our stays. We also don't travel at Christmas though, or spring break, so not sure about availability then. we like the Epcot area for fall break/food and wine, and like having the 11 month advantage for BWV then. We don't personally like SSR, but we've only stayed there once in 2011, first DVC stay, and didn't go to Disney spring much then. Might be different now for us, as priorities have changed some, but we still very much prefer resorts where you can walk or have transportation alternatives and do not have internal busses going on. Love AKV, and looking forward to an upcoming stay there in Nov!. Never stayed at GFV. looks like a beautiful resort, but we prefer to use less points and stay at BLT, or Poly (the only time we'll do studios, love that resort,) Good luck with the decisions .I know it's a LOT to consider.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We have stayed at GFV twice in a one bedroom in early May using our old cheap OKW points. But it uses a lot of points for four or five nights. Studios, you won't get at seven months out. Even other sized villas might be hard. A few times during the year you might be able to book GFV at seven months out.

We're headed to SSR in Nov and haven't stayed there in a year or two. Just looking for something different. But we did like it when we did stay there, even before all the renovations. We've done AKV - KV a few times as well. We don't do any studios but OKW so we each get a real bed (both of us in one queen bed is not a successful night of sleeping). Nobody deserves to sleep on a sleeper sofa for any length of time.

 

[laserpastry]

We have stayed at GFV twice in a one bedroom in early May using our old cheap OKW points. But it uses a lot of points for four or five nights. Studios, you won't get at seven months out. Even other sized villas might be hard. A few times during the year you might be able to book GFV at seven months out.

We're headed to SSR in Nov and haven't stayed there in a year or two. Just looking for something different. But we did like it when we did stay there, even before all the renovations. We've done AKV - KV a few times as well. We don't do any studios but OKW so we each get a real bed (both of us in one queen bed is not a successful night of sleeping). Nobody deserves to sleep on a sleeper sofa for any length of time.

Yes, we are planning to do mostly 1 bedrooms too. Saratoga Springs wouldn't even be a consideration if they weren't renovating it so that the 1 bedrooms fit 5 now instead of 4.

 

[Jenniebee]

I own at SSR also! For me buying there was a no brainer, I went with the economical choice. The dues at VGF are not bad either though if you do go that route. Both are solid choices. You have to decide if the price difference is worth it. For me - I got out of the weeds and took a bigger picture view. What I wanted was a timeshare, in Orlando, on Disney property. If I can stay at other resorts, that's gravy to me. If you told me I could only ever stay at SSR I would be OK with that too. I have also stayed at AKL and loved it!! Good luck!!

 

[laserpastry]

I own at SSR also! For me buying there was a no brainer, I went with the economical choice. The dues at VGF are not bad either though if you do go that route. Both are solid choices. You have to decide if the price difference is worth it. For me - I got out of the weeds and took a bigger picture view. What I wanted was a timeshare, in Orlando, on Disney property. If I can stay at other resorts, that's gravy to me. If you told me I could only ever stay at SSR I would be OK with that too. I have also stayed at AKL and loved it!! Good luck!!

Thanks for this! I think I need to "get out of the weeds" too. It's true. What I really want is to buy a timeshare at Disney World, have enough space to be comfortable with my family, and do it as economically as possible. The rest is just bonus.

 

[mom2rb]

We own at SSR, AKL and BLT. We love all three. SSR is our favorite during the slow times of the year. When the parks close early, it is great to be able to walk to Disney Springs. We have also been able to use our points at other resorts most of the time, when we wanted to. As long as you will be happy at SSR, I would buy there.

 

[NJ Goofy]

We own at SSR and BWV. While BMV is our favorite resort, SSR is very nice. As others have said, it is large and if you want Disney transportation, the bus is your only option. However, being able to walk to DS is great, the grounds are very nice, there is a golf course right on property and the bus negative can be taken out of the picture by Uber / Lyft or having your car on site. GFV is a beautiful resort but the points are super high and it is very tough to get a reservation in the Fall.

 

[E2ME2]

Okay, I need to bounce some thoughts off you wonderful, knowledgeable people. Any advice is appreciated. So, after having an unpleasant experience renting points for the first time, my husband and I have decided that we really want control of our own points and our own reservation. We have been looking into buying resale. We haven't actually stayed at any of the DVC resorts, but we have visited several of them and done plenty of research online. My husband likes Animal Kingdom Lodge, and I like the Grand Floridian. He feels the GF is too stuffy, and, although I like the theming of AKL overall, I find it to be too dark for my tastes. I prefer lighter, brighter theming. Also, I prefer to buy somewhere with a lower annual dues rate, since that will be the majority of the cost over time, and I do have a somewhat frugal heart (well, as frugal as you can actually be while making a luxury purchase). We are also a family of 5, and the GF fits 5 in both studios and 1 bedrooms.

HOWEVER, I noticed that Saratoga Springs seems to be the most economical choice. It also has lighter theming with the new refurbishment. And, we could still use SS points to stay at AKL sometimes. If we bought at SS, we could afford about 200 points, but if we bought at the GF, we could only afford about 100 points. However, if we don't buy at the GF, will we ever be able to stay there? We typically travel in November/December, and I know that's a busy time of year for DVC. Also, I'm a little concerned that if we ever needed/wanted to rent out points that SS is not really in-demand as much as GF would be. (Honestly, I don't know why though. SS is sort of GF-lite IMO. SS has nice rooms with the refurbishment, a great spa, two great feature pools, multiple quiet pools, great dining nearby in Disney Springs, and easy access to any resort via the Disney Springs buses. It even has an option for more rustic theming with the Treehouse Villas. Personally, I think SS is really underrated.) Anyway, I guess I just want some reassurance that we are making the best decision for us if we buy a Saratoga Springs contract.

OP
I'm not wanting to sway you in either direction, but just want to share my SSR experience with you as another data point. Our story has evolved over time.
We bought on-site, after taking a tour in 2010. At the time we knew nothing about the resale market. We did know, however, that Orlando would be seeing us more and more, as we were hoping to become grandparents, and hoping to SnowBird in Orlando starting in 2021. We bought 210 points, on the spot (after 3 hours at our 90-minute tour - all driven by our intense questioning & curiosity), for $99/PP.
Initially we used the points for 1-2 weeks per year, staying in 1BRs most of the time. This fit with our vacation availability, and really spoiled us with the 1BR amenities. We were successful in getting 7-Month reservations at AUL/AKL/BWV/OKW/HHI, again mostly in 1BRs. STU availability will differ. We were also successful in becoming grandparents, and once the grands started coming along we started looking to increase our points. We've added on at SSR twice. Once was direct, and once was via resale. It took awhile to find the matching Use Year, and right number of points at a good price and, in retrospect, I would recommend buying resale first, and then add on Direct to get the blue card, and it's easier to match UY that way. We also bought late in the calendar year, each time, and made the best use of rolling our points forward from year to year, and we were able to take all 3 grands, and our kids & their spouses, into a 3BR-GV at SSR in January 2020.

Now we're faced with using our points to increase our length of stay, rather than upgrade our room levels, as I retire in December and we are using DVC as our SnowBird vehicle.
We have booked all of January & part of February 2021, in SSR studios. NOW - current day, we are actually looking at adding on at BCV and/or BWV, as it's not easy getting a studio there at 7-Mos., and when we are not at SSR, enjoying it's close proximity to DS, we would rather be walking distance from EPCOT & DHS. We now have 475 Points at SSR, and if we add on smartly at BWV/or BCV, we can still fare pretty well by cost-averaging all of our points over time.
As I said, I don't expect this to sway your decision, but maybe it adds some data points that you may find useful.
Be sure to let us know where you land on this.
ET

 

[laserpastry]

Okay, tell me if I'm crazy on this: what if we bought a 160 pt SSR contract to stay in 1 bedrooms, and then a 50 pt VGF contract to stay in studios every other year? It would cost a few thousand more than we were planning on, but we could rent out our points for the first couple of years to defray the added cost. I want everything that I want, darn it!

 

[Wedgeout]

Okay, tell me if I'm crazy on this: what if we bought a 160 pt SSR contract to stay in 1 bedrooms, and then a 50 pt VGF contract to stay in studios every other year? It would cost a few thousand more than we were planning on, but we could rent out our points for the first couple of years to defray the added cost. I want everything that I want, darn it!

Not crazy. You have a logical plan. I’d personally want same UY to have a smooth 7 month booking option with up to 210 points toward one bedrooms or larger if didn’t use the VGF 50 points toward 11 month studio bookings.

 

[zavandor]

I'm an happy SSR owner who travels during low times for DVC (January and September, mostly) and who has been successful to book almost all resorts at 7 months. It requires strategy, effort and flexibility, so it's not really something I would reccommend to everyone.
In 2021 I'm planning to travel in December to see the Holidays decorations and I'll probably have to stay at SSR, since it's very very hard to switch at all at 7 months. Which is fine because I like the resort and the new refurbishment looks very good.
This is to say that SSR is amazing for Sleep Around Points, if one is willing to put the needed efferot to make them work, but don't buy there if you routinely what to stay somewhere else or if you don't like the resort and would be unhappy staying there. There will be times when you won't be able to switch and DVC is too expensive to stay at a resort you don't like.

 

[Dina]

November / December is very popular DVC time so buy where you would be happy staying. I personally love Saratoga. We love the pool and we have had very good meals at Artist Point (that being said i'm not a picky eater, and places that some say are horrible...I think were fine). I actually think its a very beautiful resort. I own at Saratoga and I love it, but we tend to travel at times that are not popular with DVC (January and Summer) and a weekend at times at food and wine. We have had very good luck getting other resorts (especially in summer), but I wouldn't count on that.

 

[RoseGold]

Okay, tell me if I'm crazy on this: what if we bought a 160 pt SSR contract to stay in 1 bedrooms, and then a 50 pt VGF contract to stay in studios every other year? It would cost a few thousand more than we were planning on, but we could rent out our points for the first couple of years to defray the added cost. I want everything that I want, darn it!

That's the idea of what I did, just with a lot more points, haha. My plan is to scale back out of SSR when we are out of princess dresses and don't need as many points. Multiple contracts gives me a lot of flexibility when we don't have little kids anymore.

I wouldn't do this if you have to rent them out to afford it. Just wait, or just buy SSR and take what you can get at 7 month.

 

[murphy7573]

Bought 200 pts @ SSR in 2011 and added on with 90 pts at BWV a few months later. To be honest we have only stayed at SSR once and we never even used our own points. My dad traded in from his Hilton Grand Vacation Club. We have stayed at almost every other resort using mainly our 200 pts from SSR. Dec. 2019 was the 1st time we had ever stayed at our other home resort BWV. If you can I go with SSR for the amount of points/cost. Like someone previously stated, AKL is normally available due to it being so large a property. We did luck out/scored with our trip this Jan. 2021 with a split stay at Riviera for 4 nights (studio) and VGF 3 nights (studio). It can be done. I don't even really "waitlist" anymore, I'm just a str8 up Stalker now-a-days. Last night I came across a BLT standard studio for the week that we are going at only 109 pts for the week that just popped up. Didn't jump on it cuz we've already stayed there and have never stayed at RR or VGF. The reason why we really have never stayed at BWV until 10 months ago is cuz my daughter loves Stormalong Bay, so at 7 months I'm having to switch/find a 1 bdr at BCV, which I've been able to do a few times. Also, I put my foot down cuz I told her that we've never stayed there B4 and ROR opened the week we were there! Believe me though, it's gonna' be weird to share a room (studio) with our 11 y/o (going on 14) this Jan. Even tho the points are less for studios, we do like the space (i.e. "separation) that 1 bdrs gives my wife and I. Think about that too. "Kids just grow up so fast"!

 

[laserpastry]

Okay, so here is where I have landed on this: we are just going to purchase at Saratoga Springs -- for now. 30 years is a long time, and we're sure to be able to stay at the Grand Floridian at some point in there, especially if some years we change the time of year that we vacation. Also, my husband doesn't like the idea of staying in studios at all, so we will be targeting 1 bedrooms. Thank you everyone for your very helpful comments!

 

[Travel60]

I do not own at SSR but that is often where we end up when staying in Disney World area....our life sometimes does not allow us to book 11 or even 7 months out and SSR is often what's available. It is a beautiful resort, several dining venues and pools. And I love being able to walk to Disney Springs. The downside is that it is a longish bus ride to parks but not terrible (we often don't go to parks). Something to consider is that as your children grow, a studio will get very crowded and you will be happier if you have enough points for a one bedroom.

 

[Carol_]

SSR is great for social distancing. We just stayed (my 1st time at SSR) in the unrenovated Paddock and it was perfect. Zero complaints. Ok one complaint.
We had reservations for a special dinner. No one told me the walkway to Disney Springs closes from dusk to dawn. Luckily we drove to it, so no big deal, just drove to DS, but grrrr. Glad I didn’t try to walk from the room.

 

[laserpastry]

SSR is great for social distancing. We just stayed (my 1st time at SSR) in the unrenovated Paddock and it was perfect. Zero complaints. Ok one complaint.
We had reservations for a special dinner. No one told me the walkway to Disney Springs closes from dusk to dawn. Luckily we drove to it, so no big deal, just drove to DS, but grrrr. Glad I didn’t try to walk from the room.

Good to know, thanks!

 

[davidl81]

Bought 200 pts @ SSR in 2011 and added on with 90 pts at BWV a few months later. To be honest we have only stayed at SSR once and we never even used our own points. My dad traded in from his Hilton Grand Vacation Club. We have stayed at almost every other resort using mainly our 200 pts from SSR. Dec. 2019 was the 1st time we had ever stayed at our other home resort BWV. If you can I go with SSR for the amount of points/cost. Like someone previously stated, AKL is normally available due to it being so large a property. We did luck out/scored with our trip this Jan. 2021 with a split stay at Riviera for 4 nights (studio) and VGF 3 nights (studio). It can be done. I don't even really "waitlist" anymore, I'm just a str8 up Stalker now-a-days. Last night I came across a BLT standard studio for the week that we are going at only 109 pts for the week that just popped up. Didn't jump on it cuz we've already stayed there and have never stayed at RR or VGF. The reason why we really have never stayed at BWV until 10 months ago is cuz my daughter loves Stormalong Bay, so at 7 months I'm having to switch/find a 1 bdr at BCV, which I've been able to do a few times. Also, I put my foot down cuz I told her that we've never stayed there B4 and ROR opened the week we were there! Believe me though, it's gonna' be weird to share a room (studio) with our 11 y/o (going on 14) this Jan. Even tho the points are less for studios, we do like the space (i.e. "separation) that 1 bdrs gives my wife and I. Think about that too. "Kids just grow up so fast"!

1 bedrooms is basically all we book now unless its a super short trip (4 days) or its just me at the wife for a marathon weekend etc. I know the point/value ratio is worst compared to studios, but to us the space, full kitchen, washer and dryer (although the dryers always struggle) more than make up for the points difference. Of course the 1 bedrooms are also why i have added on three times also, lol.