SSR first timer

[JessyP]

Hello,

We will be staying at Saratoga for the first time this Dec. Any recommendations on what area of the resort to request and tips on bus service ( some of the reviews I have read about bus service to the parks has made me a little nervous). I am traveling with a 6 year old so also would like to be close to a pool and a refillable mug station. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DVC1991]

We have grown to prefer the grandstand area. it's our favorite for a few reasons:
1. first bus stop in the resort (except for the downtown disney bus, in which case it is the 2nd stop). its nice in the morning when some of the busses can get crammed. you're guaranteed a seat and to be on the bus.
2. there is a pool by this cluster of buildings that is much quieter than the main pool. there is a drink refill station there too, which is nice. it has a splash pad area that looks like the starting gate of a horse race, which might be nice and age appropriate for your son. both of the other pools have a slide however, but they are usually much busier for this reason. you can also order food from this pool bar.
3. it is a pretty close walk to the main building area, so you can either walk (about 5 minutes or less) or take any of the busses (except the downtown disney bus) and get off at the main building.

our second favorite area would probably be congress park, only because it is close to the downtown disney walkway. this area's disadvantage is that it isn't all that close to the pools or main building.

 

[DVC1991]

i forgot to add, even though its really convenient to catch the bus from the stop closest to the main building after breakfast, I've had numerous times where we've had to wait for 3 busses for the magic kingdom to come because by the time they reach this bus stop (the last one on the resort before heading out), its so crammed that they can't take anymore passengers!!

 

[JessyP]

Thanks! I think I have made a mistake because when I made my online reservation I asked to be close to the carriage house because I thought being close to the main pool would be important. From what you are telling me and from other threads I have read I went into my reservation to change my request to the grandstand but I couldn't make the change. I will call the hotel. I really think being the first bus stop will be most important.

 

[DVC1991]

if you call them they should be able to get you into the grandstand area! every time we have requested it, we got it. thats the nice thing about saratoga....there's so many rooms that they can really accommodate you! don't worry if you get put on a higher floor either, all the buildings have elevators so you won't have to carry the stroller up the stairs.

even if you end up in grandstand, the main pool is right next to the carriage house (main building) anyways. it's a short walk basically out of that cluster of buildings cutting past the golf course. you end up entering the carriage house area near where the main drop off loop/bell hop area is.

 

[JessyP]

Thanks so much. Your comments have been very helpful!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Beware the mug refill station at the Grandstand closes nightly at 8:00 p.m. Is you want a drink after that time you will have to go to the Carriage house

 

[Oswin]

Grandstand section, building 8501-8836 is what I would recommend requesting. You will be a very short walk away from the main building to get refills/food at artists point, but the grandstand pool section also has a refill station. Depending on when you go in December, the refill station may close later than 8:00 pm but 8:00 is the general rule of thumb. Whenever we've stayed during Christmas week, we noticed it was shut down later (probably due to staff being busy and closing a refill station is the last of their priorities).

Grandstand section is also the first dropped off and picked up as far as the buses are concerned, and in the building I recommended you are only a minute or two walk from the bus stop. The pool at Grandstand is pretty nice, and they have a really fun splash area for kids too. If you'd like to walk to the main pool, it's a short walk from the building I recommended! It's our favorite building to stay in at SSR and we've stayed in every section and in various buildings in every section. We've never had an issue with bus service here, except for encountering some rude guests on the bus with us.

 

[JessyP]

Great! Thanks so much!! So great to know what section to ask for!

 

[JessyP]

Hello, I just wanted to post a thank you to Oswin, Shelly F and Adventure is out there. We are at Saratoga now and your advice was brilliant. We requested the block of rooms you advised in the grandstand and couldn't be happier! A two minute walk if that to both the bus stop and the main building and steps to the pool. Thanks for helping make the most out of our stay here! Hope you get a chance to read this thread! Happy holidays!!