SSR Lovers and Owners Part 2

[tjhsr]

So let's see . . . .gee, somewhere around May 3? COOL! Rock your socks off!

Update we decided to fly in on the 2nd after work added the 10th night

 

[gemmybear83]

Hello we're off to ssr this week for a 2 week stay in a 1 bed villa with free ddp and 45% off thanks to disney uk

I have done online check in, is there a separate desk at the carriage house?

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Hello we're off to ssr this week for a 2 week stay in a 1 bed villa with free ddp and 45% off thanks to disney uk

I have done online check in, is there a separate desk at the carriage house?

Yes, there is a separate desk. A greeter will meet you at the door and steer you to the correct line.

 

[peacelover]

Can someone please explain to me exactly where the walking path to downtown disney is? My last two visits to Saratoga Springs, I walked over to Congress Park, and still couldn't find the path.

 

[Pinkocto]

Can someone please explain to me exactly where the walking path to downtown disney is? My last two visits to Saratoga Springs, I walked over to Congress Park, and still couldn't find the path.

There is a path right next to the water, all you have to do is follow that and it takes you right to DTD.

 

[tjhsr]

Can someone please explain to me exactly where the walking path to downtown disney is? My last two visits to Saratoga Springs, I walked over to Congress Park, and still couldn't find the path.

As a starting point at Congress Park pool just follow the walkway that runs next to the lake. Facing DTD at the rockers go left and just keep walking until you get out to the road you will see the bus stop for DTD. Hope that helps its about a 5 min walk.

 

[tbay]

If you go to the pool area in congress park the walking path is behind
the pool area . The path goes along the water towards the road
When you reach the road you turn right downtown disney is right there

 

[Conan the Librarian]

There is also a path through the woods (daytime use only). Facing the pool from the bus stop, take a left and walk all the way to the end of the parking lot. There is a very pleasant trail here. Go over that way, come back by way of the lake trail to the pool. VERY nice walk.

We always try to stay at Congress park and like to keep walking down the lake to the end, and then back up the canal to the main road.

 

[Sheribo]

Can someone please explain to me exactly where the walking path to downtown disney is? My last two visits to Saratoga Springs, I walked over to Congress Park, and still couldn't find the path.

You will have to cross over the water at one of two places. If you cross over the bridge behind the Carriage House, you turn left through the golf course and along the path (beside the parking lot) to the West Side of DTD.

Or, take the path east along the water behind Congress park until you hit a city roadway. Turn right and walk over the bridge. You'll arrive at the Marketplace entrance to DTD near the Rainforest Cafe and bus station.

 

[peacelover]

Thank you everyone. I can visualize where the paths are now.

 

[KelseyLaPerle]

We'll be at SSR in August with a family of 12 in 4 separate villas (hopefully neighboring each other). I'm confused about the resort and the various locations. If we stay in one part, I assume we are allowed to use other pools? If we aren't near this new Paddock area, what's the farthest we would have to walk to get there? I've been reading about bus stops. I'd rather be at the last bus stop so we can get on the bus and go straight to the parks rather than stop at however many other bus stops there are before you head to the park. Which location is best for this? We won't spend much time at DTD, possibly one night with just the adults. Kids like to swim, but we won't likely spend much time at the pool either - we're doing one water park for the first time and other than that I want to spend as much time as possible at the parks. Also, we'll be eating breakfast in our room every day and are not planning to eat at the resort other than this, so we don't necessarily need to be near food.

I love this forum and while we aren't DVC owners (we're staying at SSR via RCI via BlueGreen), I truly appreciate any and all input you all may have. You are the SSR resident experts, after all!

Thanks!

Thanks kikiq for the great pictures . We had our first stay at SSR back in January (SSR became our second home resort back in November) and we stayed in Congress Park...loved the views of DTD from our balcony BTW. However, both of my girls and DH are determined to stay in the Paddocks area just because of the pool. That pool is awesome, we unfortunately were unable to use it this past trip, but I definitely could see ourselves enjoying an afternoon there while having lunch (or possibly breakfast) .

 

[Pinkocto]

We'll be at SSR in August with a family of 12 in 4 separate villas (hopefully neighboring each other). I'm confused about the resort and the various locations. If we stay in one part, I assume we are allowed to use other pools? If we aren't near this new Paddock area, what's the farthest we would have to walk to get there? I've been reading about bus stops. I'd rather be at the last bus stop so we can get on the bus and go straight to the parks rather than stop at however many other bus stops there are before you head to the park. Which location is best for this? We won't spend much time at DTD, possibly one night with just the adults. Kids like to swim, but we won't likely spend much time at the pool either - we're doing one water park for the first time and other than that I want to spend as much time as possible at the parks. Also, we'll be eating breakfast in our room every day and are not planning to eat at the resort other than this, so we don't necessarily need to be near food.

I love this forum and while we aren't DVC owners (we're staying at SSR via RCI via BlueGreen), I truly appreciate any and all input you all may have. You are the SSR resident experts, after all!

Thanks!

Well the last stop is actually The Springs which is nearest the main pool and food areas. I think you can just walk over the bridge to the Paddocks but I'm not sure where the pool is. I'm sure somebody else will chime in. Congratulations on your trip! It's a wonderful resort you can absolutely use all the pools no matter which area of the resort you're staying in.

 

[AirGoofy]

We'll be at SSR in August with a family of 12 in 4 separate villas (hopefully neighboring each other). I'm confused about the resort and the various locations. If we stay in one part, I assume we are allowed to use other pools? If we aren't near this new Paddock area, what's the farthest we would have to walk to get there? I've been reading about bus stops. I'd rather be at the last bus stop so we can get on the bus and go straight to the parks rather than stop at however many other bus stops there are before you head to the park. Which location is best for this? We won't spend much time at DTD, possibly one night with just the adults. Kids like to swim, but we won't likely spend much time at the pool either - we're doing one water park for the first time and other than that I want to spend as much time as possible at the parks. Also, we'll be eating breakfast in our room every day and are not planning to eat at the resort other than this, so we don't necessarily need to be near food.

I love this forum and while we aren't DVC owners (we're staying at SSR via RCI via BlueGreen), I truly appreciate any and all input you all may have. You are the SSR resident experts, after all!

Thanks!

Springs is last bus stop to go to parks. It is reversed to bus to DTD. So, if you find the walk is too much, if you know that about the buses it can help you get around. You can use any of the pools. The Paddock looks like it has a steeper water slide than the Springs.

Also, you can make a request to stay closer in proximity, but you probably won't get them adjoining. Without being to forward, SSR offers 1 BR, 2 BR, Treehouse Villa (9), and Grand Villa. There may be availability issues and you may not want to combine families, but with a 1 BR and larger, you get a full kitchen and laundry. It would be a way for your people to be closer together.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

We'll be at SSR in August with a family of 12 in 4 separate villas (hopefully neighboring each other). I'm confused about the resort and the various locations. If we stay in one part, I assume we are allowed to use other pools?

Absolutely. You can use any of the resort's ammenities, regardless of which section your room is in.

If we aren't near this new Paddock area, what's the farthest we would have to walk to get there?

This is a big "it depends." The Paddock is a big section, so there are actually buildings in the Paddock that would be a slightly farther walk than some buildings in the Springs or Carousel. (For example, when we stayed in the very last building in the Paddock, we were closer to the Congress Park pool and bus stop.)

Walking from the Grandstand or even Congress Park to the Paddock pool would be the longest walks, and depending on your pace could take 10-15 minutes.

Using the buses is one solution for getting from one section to the next. All resort buses follow the same route: Grandstand -> Carousel -> Paddock -> Congress Park -> Springs. The Downtown Disney bus does just the opposite: Springs -> Congress Park -> Paddock -> Carousel -> Grandstand.

So for moving from one section to another, there'd always be a bus that would work for you. The question is how long you'd have to wait for it. The DTD bus is usually the one that takes the longest to show up.

I've been reading about bus stops. I'd rather be at the last bus stop so we can get on the bus and go straight to the parks rather than stop at however many other bus stops there are before you head to the park. Which location is best for this?

The Springs is the last stop before park buses depart the resort. Note though, that you'll be the last one off the bus in the evening when you're coming home from the parks. So either way, you're going to visit every SSR bus stop during a round trip. The other down side about the Springs is -- well, it's the last stop. If it's a really crowded time of year, and if you're going to the park during a "rush hour" when everyone else is heading to the park, there's a possibility you could get "standing room only" buses at the Springs stop.

My personal preference, from a bus perspective, is to be in the Grandstand. You're the first one off the bus at night. (Believe me, when you're really tired from being in the park, it's very nice to know you're the first ones home.)[/QUOTE]

 

[Cee]

We just snagged a 2BR for F & W Festival. First week in Oct. We love SSR and haven't stayed there in a few years. I can't WAIT. ADRs already made for Paradiso 37 and Raglan Road. Those are the off days when we won't be in Epcot. We know better now not to make an ADR on a F & W day!

 

[Pinkocto]

We just snagged a 2BR for F & W Festival. First week in Oct. We love SSR and haven't stayed there in a few years. I can't WAIT. ADRs already made for Paradiso 37 and Raglan Road. Those are the off days when we won't be in Epcot. We know better now not to make an ADR on a F & W day!

That will be wonderful!

 

[AirGoofy]

My personal preference, from a bus perspective, is to be in the Grandstand. You're the first one off the bus at night. (Believe me, when you're really tired from being in the park, it's very nice to know you're the first ones home.)

Agree with you on that one. We were able to stay in the building right next to the Paddock pool (before it was feature pool) and liked being right there when tired. Grandstand even closer. I want CP next time and a water view the next time.

 

[AirGoofy]

We just snagged a 2BR for F & W Festival. First week in Oct. We love SSR and haven't stayed there in a few years. I can't WAIT. ADRs already made for Paradiso 37 and Raglan Road. Those are the off days when we won't be in Epcot. We know better now not to make an ADR on a F & W day!

Congrats. Have a great trip.

 

[pmaurer74]

are most of the views nice at SSR? I wanted to request Congress Park for the view but chose Paddock due to little kids wanting pool time. I have seen few balcony view pix. Sitting on a balcony with a nice view is important to me.

 

[Pinkocto]

are most of the views nice at SSR? I wanted to request Congress Park for the view but chose Paddock due to little kids wanting pool time. I have seen few balcony view pix. Sitting on a balcony with a nice view is important to me.

You might want to request a view of the lake/water since the Paddock circles the lake that has the bridge, just to be safe. The views I've seen of that are beautiful.