SSR Handicapped Villa

[swanwed6206]

We just booked a handicapped accessible room at Saratoga Springs. We are staying in a 2 bedroom villa. When booking the reservation I was given the impression that there are limited rooms available and was told our only choice for a 2 bedroom with accessibility was in Congress Park. I'm glad they have one available but am wondering if anyone has ever stayed in a handicap room in Congress Park and how the view is, is it a parking lot or DTD view? I realize we don't have a choice but we really had our hearts set on staying in Grandstand for bussing purposes. Also does anyone know how far it is from the Carriage House? Thanks!

 

[mechurchlady]

Congress Par are the buildings from 1101 to 2836 and that is important because of the following links. These are in a semicircle that is over a bridge from the main building where dining and guest services is located. On the north side from right to left you have a view over the road to water, to other buildings and finally across the road to water. West views are of a small canal or river. The south facing buildings look toward Downtown Disney but some are from over the pool area and some are on the water. I think there may be some interior views.
http://www.mousesteps.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=50
Look at this as it is a great photographer's photos of SSR.

http://www.mousesteps.com/images/stories/resorts/saratoga_springs/595.jpg
When you get to page three of her work you will see that image which is about the 14th one down. That will be the farthest east and farthest right when looking at the map. She then continues up the road and there is a greenbelt in the middle of the road and she shows that and the bus stop.

http://www.mousesteps.com/images/stories/resorts/saratoga_springs/610.jpg
That is the path to the bridge to the lobby and other services. She looses me after Congress Park Bus stop, sorry.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/sue_holland/sh040813.htm
Soem pictures and infromation on the park.

http://www.intercot.com/resorts/disney/maps/images/ssrs07.JPG

http://maps.google.com/maps/mm?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=28.372881,-81.518179&spn=0.004021,0.006255&t=h&z=17
That is a google map showing you the area.

 

[toocherie]

We just booked a handicapped accessible room at Saratoga Springs. We are staying in a 2 bedroom villa. When booking the reservation I was given the impression that there are limited rooms available and was told our only choice for a 2 bedroom with accessibility was in Congress Park. I'm glad they have one available but am wondering if anyone has ever stayed in a handicap room in Congress Park and how the view is, is it a parking lot or DTD view? I realize we don't have a choice but we really had our hearts set on staying in Grandstand for bussing purposes. Also does anyone know how far it is from the Carriage House? Thanks!

It could be a water view or it could be a greenbelt/parking lot view, but either way SSR is a beautiful resort and you will enjoy wherever you stay. Are you using a wheelchair or an ECV? Congress Park is not right next to the Carriage House (the closest area is the Springs) but it is not that far away either--however, Congress Park is a large 'area' so it all depends on which building you are in. In any event, the "walk" around SSR is so beautiful that I don't think you will mind. And although Grandstand is great for being first on the bus there is nothing to stop you from going over there when you are going to a park and taking the bus from there. (Coming back it won't matter.) And the great thing about Congress Park is that it is the closest area to Downtown Disney! It is really a lovely and relaxing resort and I think you'll be happy--have a great trip! I envy you!

 

[SueM in MN]

There are handicapped available villas located in each area of Saratoga Springs (SSR), so I think that what they were meaning was that the only ones available and not blocked already for someone else were in that area.

I do have pictures of the one bedroom fully accessible SSR villas with a roll in shower (the one bedroom + a studio = a 2 bedroom). I will not be able to post them today, but hopefully Sunday or Monday. Otherwise you can go here and search for SSR and accessible.

We have stayed at Congress Park. The buildings face the water and some have DTD views, some water view, some have views of other buildings or of the green space between the buildings. The entrances to the rooms are on the sides of the buildings where the parking lot is. SInce there are not windows on the entrance side, no one has a direct parking lot view and the parking lot is heavily landscapped toward the building. This is the side of one of the Congress Park buildings on the side that faces the parking lot. The "windows" are not to the villas, but are part of an outdoor hallway that leads to the rooms.

Here is a map of the resort from wdwinfo.com (the parent site of the DIS boards). Congress Park is the red F. You can see the walking path that leads to Downtown Disney (DTD is off the map to the bottom right). THat is a very pleasant walk.
This is a link to the wdwinfo page about SSR. There are many pictures in a link on that page. As you look at the pictures, the buildings that show a lot of water in the foreground are the Congress Park buildings along the waterway that leads to DTD.

 

[SueM in MN]

And although Grandstand is great for being first on the bus there is nothing to stop you from going over there when you are going to a park and taking the bus from there. (Coming back it won't matter.) And the great thing about Congress Park is that it is the closest area to Downtown Disney! It is really a lovely and relaxing resort and I think you'll be happy--have a great trip! I envy you!

For first bus in the morning, the first bus stop may be an advantage, but another thing to think about is if you are going to a park at a time when people will be coming back from that park. Someone at the first stop may find that they can't get on the bus with an ECV because the bus tiedown spots are already occupied by guests who will be getting off at another stop. Or the bus may be already to full with returning guests for someone with an ECV, wheelchair to get on.

 

[toocherie]

For first bus in the morning, the first bus stop may be an advantage, but another thing to think about is if you are going to a park at a time when people will be coming back from that park. Someone at the first stop may find that they can't get on the bus with an ECV because the bus tiedown spots are already occupied by guests who will be getting off at another stop. Or the bus may be already to full with returning guests for someone with an ECV, wheelchair to get on.

Good point--I guess I was just assuming that the OP would be going to the parks in the morning--but they could very well wait and go in the afternoon.

 

[Ali and boyz]

We have only stayed in the CP accessable villas so fire away with any questions.

we have stayed in both the 2 Bedroom lock-offs and the 2 bedroom dedicated. only thing we was dissapointed last year as we had a carpark / bus stop view and it meant that if we sat on the balcony there was no privicy both from the people waiting on the buses and the people coming in to the villas via the stairs.

the buses should be fine from any point in CP.