SSR Questions/Tips

[sirJeffrey90]

I'll be visiting Saratoga Springs resort for a few days later this month and know almost nothing about it except that it's far away from the parks. Does anybody have advice for getting around, also what is/are the best buildings to be in, and which views are the best? Things to avoid, tips for being upgraded (hehe)....anything to warn me about and anything to recommend I'd greatly appreciate!

Thanks!

 

[MouseMomx2]

It's really not far away from the parks. Nothing on property is really that far from anything else. AK and MK would be the farthest away and it should only be a 15 minute bus ride...not bad at all.

As for location, it really depends on personal preference. I'd suggest Googling for a map of the property and decide which location suits you best. We like the Paddock area. It's nice and quiet and only a 5-minute walk (or you can hop on any bus) to the main area. We've also stayed in the Carousel section in a room that was, quite literally, as far to the end of property as possible and we loved that too. It's all about attitude.

Upgrades are extraordinarily rare with DVC. You will get the type of room you reserved unless there is unforeseen maintenance or the resort is overbooked (very rare).

Have a great time.

 

[Tina]

I prefer the Grandstand area. Its the first bus stop, so you always have a seat. It also has a great pool, but is also a short walk to the main pool/restaurants.

 

[DVC_Princess]

We like the Grandstand area as well. The pool there is really nice and we like being the first to get on/off the bus. And the walk to the main area isn't too far (only bad thing is it's farthest away from DTD).

 

[Joan1]

Can someone tell me what is the last stop on the bus before it heads out to the theme parks? Also how far is the Congress area from the carriage house area?

 

[danadw]

The Springs is the last stop before ehading out to the parks. We frequently stay there. The rooms are all very conveninent to the stop and it is the section closest to the main pool and Carriage House. The downside is that frequently in the AM or night the buses are full when they get to the stop and we have waited sometimes 60 minutes for a bus. Rare but has happened. We now always leave 90 minutes prior for a reservation at one of the parks. We have stayed at Copngress Park, and that is also very close to Carriage House, and if you are lucky you may get a great view of DD... we did once and it was fantastic.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

If you will be getting a PAP or a AP, I have a coupon to give you a 10% discount that I will mail to you. It is good until July 31.

Rose

 

[missymagic]

I have stayed in Congress and Paddock. I enjoy both areas. You have a little walk in every area just depends on what you prefer to be closer to the main building or DTD. Personally we make our breakfasts in the room while the kids do homework so we dont have a huge need to stay close to main building.

Buses are hit or miss just like at any resort. It also depends on when you are there and how busy it is.

It is a beautiful property and we always feel that it is quiet and enjoyable.

 

[CHOPR]

We'll be staying in Congress Park in June. First time in our home resort. If you have a car and the parking is free for DVC members isn't it easier just to take the car?

 

[Topo Bella]

We stayed at the Springs which was really convenient to the pool and public areas. We loved SSR and I don't think you will be disappointed. (We are staying in Kidani Village our next trip ... but that is mostly because we love trying different resorts. I would happily return to SSR.)

The pool area is very nice, my kids really enjoyed it, as did I. Despite some bad reviews, we loved Turf Club for dinner. The menu was limited and the atmosphere was nothing special, although still nice ... but we found the food to be well prepared and seasoned. It was one of our favorite meals last trip.

We also loved being so close to Downtown Disney. It was great to take a quick trip over to buy a little something or have dinner.

The only complaint I would have is the bus service. I didn't find that the location of the resort was any issue at all, but the bus service seemed spotty to me. Sometimes it was every 20 minutes and other times, we waited much longer. I know that others have complained about that and I'm hoping that has improved.

Have a great trip!

 

[FindTheMickeys]

Taking a car could be faster BUT after a LONGGG day at the park, it's sooo nice to just jump on a bus and let someone else fight the crowds in the parking lots.. IMHO it's worth the wait for a bus to the parks because if you drive, you have to either walk out to your car or take the Tram and you have to wait in line for those too. I personally MUCH prefer the busses

 

[GreenMonster12]

Hello! There will be 6 of us staying in a 2 Bedroom Villa in September at SSR. We are not DVC members, but has anyone ever had any luck getting a free upgrade at SSR? Just curious...I think we will be fine with the 2 bedroom, but now thinking of how nice a 3 bedroom would be! Thanks for any info!

 

[Tina]

Hello! There will be 6 of us staying in a 2 Bedroom Villa in September at SSR. We are not DVC members, but has anyone ever had any luck getting a free upgrade at SSR? Just curious...I think we will be fine with the 2 bedroom, but now thinking of how nice a 3 bedroom would be! Thanks for any info!

DVC rooms are booked specifically by villa size. It won't happen. Enjoy your 2 bedroom villa (they are very roomy).

 

[Tara]

Hello! There will be 6 of us staying in a 2 Bedroom Villa in September at SSR. We are not DVC members, but has anyone ever had any luck getting a free upgrade at SSR? Just curious...I think we will be fine with the 2 bedroom, but now thinking of how nice a 3 bedroom would be! Thanks for any info!

Upgrades are rarer than a walk-up opening for breakfast at Cinderella's, especially to a grand villa as there are fewer of those than any other room type.

To the OP - I've stayed in Paddock and Springs - I definitely prefer Springs. We were in 3141, which looking at the resort map is the set of buildings on the far right of the Springs area. We were right across from the DVC models building. If we walked past the models to the right we passed the DVC preview center, then Community Hall and the laundry room, then the bike rental place. If you turn in to the left at the bike rental place you're at the pool and the resort center is on the other side of the pool. If you keep going instead of turning in, the bus stop is just beyond the bike place on the other side of the street.

We only took the bus 1 time and it arrived immediately after we got to the stop and there was plenty of room to sit. This was at about 6pm on a weekday in the middle of the week in mid-May. It was 18 minutes from the time we got on the bus until the time we got off. When we left MK just before closing we waited 2-3 minutes for a bus and it took 25 minutes to get back to the Springs stop. The bus ended up being SRO, but we got seats. (DH tried to give up his seat to another parent, but there were too many people standing between us and the parent and no one else would move.