SSR Lovers and Owners Part 4

[han22735]

Interesting. I didn't recall seeing a sign stating what it is - and on Disney maps and Google maps, there's no description on that building - yet it seems to be quite a large space, and prime real estate right next to the pool, Carriage House, and Springs section.

This is the program they did...I bet the space is used for most of these.

https://www.disneycampus.com/programs/performing-arts/stage-performances/

 

[zackiedawg]

Thanks! I guess I never paid close enough attention to the fact that there's a sign up there!

 

[CastAStone]

It's simply called "Performance Hall" and it's rarely used anymore.

It’s used occasionally. It’s one of the few leftovers from the Disney Institute that used to be on the site.

 

[slo]

Good Morning!
We are new DVC members with SSR being our home resort. I have a question….is there a lot of parking in the front of the resort by the main entrance? We always rent a car, so we are fine being in a building far from the front, because we’ll just drive our car to the front and then walk to Disney Springs. I’m just wondering if parking is normally available to do this.

Edited to add…..I just looked at the map and the walkway is by Congress Park. So I guess I’m now wondering if there’s a lot of parking there for us to park and walk.

 

[tidefan]

Good Morning!
We are new DVC members with SSR being our home resort. I have a question….is there a lot of parking in the front of the resort by the main entrance? We always rent a car, so we are fine being in a building far from the front, because we’ll just drive our car to the front and then walk to Disney Springs. I’m just wondering if parking is normally available to do this.

Edited to add…..I just looked at the map and the walkway is by Congress Park. So I guess I’m now wondering if there’s a lot of parking there for us to park and walk.

Why not just hop on any park bus and get off at the Congress Park stop?

 

[slo]

Why not just hop on any park bus and get off at the Congress Park stop

I just like having a car available - it’s just our way of doing things. We drive to the parks too, unless we are staying on the monorail circuit, then we obviously don’t drive to The MK and sometimes we drive to EPCOT and sometimes we drive to HS to take The Skyliner to Epcot. Having a car in the parking lot has proved beneficial to us over and over again. I know this is not a popular thing to do, but for us, it’s what’s best.

 

[Doug7856]

Good Morning!
We are new DVC members with SSR being our home resort. I have a question….is there a lot of parking in the front of the resort by the main entrance? We always rent a car, so we are fine being in a building far from the front, because we’ll just drive our car to the front and then walk to Disney Springs. I’m just wondering if parking is normally available to do this.

Edited to add…..I just looked at the map and the walkway is by Congress Park. So I guess I’m now wondering if there’s a lot of parking there for us to park and walk.

Welcome home!

We have been members since 2004 and have never had any issues with parking our vehicle. I don't think you will have a problem, even walking to Disney Springs. If Disney Springs is a strong desire, you may want to request a building in The Paddock buildings 6501-6836. They aren't as close as Congress Park, but they aren't too far either. You may also move your car over and walk. Another option would be to request The Grandstand and take the boat to Disney Springs. There is also an internal route for the bus that you could use to go to Congress Park and then walk from there.

A note about our experience with room requests at SSR, the resort is large so if you have no requests, it has been our experience that early access to your room is more likely than if you have a specific location request.

Have fun planning and dreaming of your stay at Disney's SSR!

 

[mort1331]

Good Morning!
We are new DVC members with SSR being our home resort. I have a question….is there a lot of parking in the front of the resort by the main entrance? We always rent a car, so we are fine being in a building far from the front, because we’ll just drive our car to the front and then walk to Disney Springs. I’m just wondering if parking is normally available to do this.

Edited to add…..I just looked at the map and the walkway is by Congress Park. So I guess I’m now wondering if there’s a lot of parking there for us to park and walk.

Welcome home to the not so secret anymore DVC resort of last choice. I say that as a home member, and love staying here. If your driving to be closer to DS then whichever room you get,, just drive to the springs parking lots.

 

[zackiedawg]

In general, yes, there is enough parking in Congress Park - however, do note that most people fight to park right at Building 1, closest to the walkways so that area can get VERY crowded - which is an annoyance for folks booked in Building 1 as often they can't find parking in front of their building certain times of day because of all the people parking there to go to Disney Springs. What would be courteous would be to just utilize the entire parking lot of Congress Park - with 4 buildings, there's a ton pf parking, and being a hundred feet farther back from the path is still conveniently close and you don't have to fight for parking spaces when it's crowded - plus, the poor folks staying in Building 1 can maybe still park their car by their building.

Near the bus stop for Congress Park is good for visitor parking - it's not directly in front of any buildings, still really easy to access the pathways, and you're only a hundred or two feet farther back.

 

[MissLiss279]

I have also found myself driving to a parking garage at DS - depending on where I want to go. It’s not that much farther.

ETA: I also don’t usually go late, so that probably helps with finding parking.

 

[zackiedawg]

I'm far enough back from my September Disney trip at my home resort Boardwalk...and now starting to get excited about my next trip in December. I'll be back at Saratoga Springs, with a preferred 1-bed, requesting Congress Park as usual. I was at Saratoga in June, and Fort Wilderness Cabins in February 2025 - so many people consider Saratoga the last resort resort, and it ends up at the bottom of some people's lists for favorite DVC - but it really is firmly right behind Boardwalk for me. The grounds are large but pretty, and access to DS is especially useful for solo trips or adult friend trips, when we're more about food, drinks, and entertainment than rides.

My booking window for dinner reservations opened this morning, and I decided to make use of the Saratoga location for a lot of the dinners. Arrival day, I grabbed a simple T-Rex dinner, as I can check in, walk on over, and just get casual Americana food - then hit some DS bars, listen to some bands play, and walk 'home'.

Saturday I'll be at AK - then booked a reservation for Frontera Cocina - as this will be either a solo trip or a trip with 1 adult friend, the more casual eats with good mixed drinks is more what I or we will be looking for - some nice margaritas and Mexican food hits the spot - and again, just walk back 'home'.

Sunday will be Epcot day, but I figured it would be fun to grab dinner at Boatright's over at Port Orleans - we can hit Yehaa Bob right after, then grab the boat back to DS which drops off right next to Congress Park, for an easy walk 'home' again.

Monday will be MK day, and I was able to snag a Beak and Barrell at 5:20pm to check that place out - then decided on a 7:20 at Art Smith's which I do love and often isn't available for ressies when I check - getting out of MK before the fireworks/parades is fine since I'm there every 3 months - I can just walk over to BLT to grab the DS bus, eat at Homecomin, and yes, again...walk 'home'. The entire trip will be scheduled around finishing the evenings either at DS or at resorts connected to DS, making the end of the night return to the resort a nice relaxing and uncrowded walk.

It may be a year or more before I get back to Saratoga - I've got a Fort Wilderness Cabin booked for February, and will be aiming to book the cabins again for June...then I usually book Boardwalk for my September trips as I like the Epcot access for Food & Wine. December 2026 I will be up there with a large photo group annual event that alternates every other year for the Halloween or Christmas time...and Boardwalk tends to work out best for those trips too because I can book my home resort way in advance, and having walking access to two parks is nice when gathering for the photo events. So potentially I may not hit Saratoga again until Feb 2027 or June 2027, unless I can't book Boardwalk in Dec 2026.