Those of you who have stayed at saratoga springs, PLEASE HELP!!

[missdopey]

This is more information than i could have hoped for!!
We've changed our reservation and i'm 100% sure we've made the right decision.
Disney Princess 85 we're there from the 20th-27th August, so we overlap by a day

 

[scojos]

you might want to join them at the 2nd pool party, there are 2 dis meets in aug

 

[crabbie1]

Thanks Deb. Great info

There are four floors and, yes, there are lifts.

At Grandstand, one side of one of the buildings has views over the quiet pool. That equates to 8 Studios:

8132 and 8136 (1st floor)
8232 and 8236 (2nd floor)
8332 and 8336 (3rd floor)
8432 and 8436 (4th floor)

8 = Grandstand
Second digit = floor
Final two digits denote position within building

The Springs doesn't have a quiet pool and, although it's the closest area to the main pool, because of the way it's configured, you won't get a great view of the pool from any of the rooms there (unless anyone who's actually stayed in a room at The Springs knows different, of course).

 

[pandv_2000]

Thanks for the info. We're currently booked at POR for 14 nights in October and are thinking of changing to SSR. Looking at the pictures thread the studios appear quite small. Will we be able to fit a crib in there with DS in the sofa bed and still be able to move around?

 

[Clare D]

Thanks for the info. We're currently booked at POR for 14 nights in October and are thinking of changing to SSR. Looking at the pictures thread the studios appear quite small. Will we be able to fit a crib in there with DS in the sofa bed and still be able to move around?

We stayed at POR last year and DS2 was 16 months so was in a travel cot. It was a bit of a squeeze in the room to be honest (we stayed in one of the Magnolia buildings) and our other DS was in the other double bed. We found the beds to be a double so were quite small anyway.

 

[pandv_2000]

We stayed at POR last year and DS2 was 16 months so was in a travel cot. It was a bit of a squeeze in the room to be honest (we stayed in one of the Magnolia buildings) and our other DS was in the other double bed. We found the beds to be a double so were quite small anyway.

Thanks Clare

DH for some reason doesn't want to stay in a studio but I know we'll really miss having a balcony at POR as we have only stayed deluxe before. It's nice to put DS to bed and have a chill out on the balcony for 1/2 and hour or so at the end of a long day. We are used to a king bed at home so a double would feel really small to us too. I'm leaning towards switching I just need to persuade DH.

 

[Clare D]

We have only ever stayed in deluxes and I did find the rooms much smaller and the beds too. If the deals come on for 2011 at OKW and SSR I will be booking a 1 bed villa to be honest as I found it a real pain when the kids went to bed having to have the tv on really low or reading when they were asleep.
I have heard that OKW rooms are slightly bigger.

 

[pandv_2000]

I can't justify the extra cost for a 1BR this year with going on maternity leave and dropping to SMP so it would have to be a studio. I've read a few places that OKW is in need of a refurb which is the reason I was looking at SSR but I'm sure the extra queen bed would be more comfortable for DS than the sofa bed. I'll do a bit more research into both. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Clare D]

At the end of the day you don't spend a great deal of time in the room and I would rather be in a smaller bed in Disney
I won't be telling DH how much extra a 1BR is as he won't want to pay the extra. Then again if the deal doesn't come on it will be a deluxe for us as that works out cheaper than POR with the table service.
Good luck with the baby

 

[Disneymad]

Sometimes you need to take people commenting about resorts needing a refurb with a pinch of salt. I spent some time at OKW at the start of my trip last year (November) because I booked my trip very late and that's all that was available for the first 3 nights.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the room in my eyes and while I do prefer SSR, I'd not have any hesitation at all if for some reason it proved to be more convenient to go to OKW.

As mentioned, rooms are a little bit bigger and they do have the 2 Queens which can be better than the sofa bed in some scenario's.

 

[pandv_2000]

Sometimes you need to take people commenting about resorts needing a refurb with a pinch of salt. I spent some time at OKW at the start of my trip last year (November) because I booked my trip very late and that's all that was available for the first 3 nights.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the room in my eyes and while I do prefer SSR, I'd not have any hesitation at all if for some reason it proved to be more convenient to go to OKW.

As mentioned, rooms are a little bit bigger and they do have the 2 Queens which can be better than the sofa bed in some scenario's.

Thanks for the feedback. I've had a look at some pics of both resorts and the theming of SSR appeals a bit more. DH just seems to have some aversion to the DVC resorts for some reason and I cannot fathom it! I think he wants to feel like he is in a hotel - one of his questions was is there a lobby? But I would say he's going to feel mre like he's in a hotel in SSR than POR. I really think the outside walkways and lack of balconys will be an issue for him. as soon as I mentioned I was thinking of changing resorts he said - oh are we going to try WL then? Men!

 

[cathydisneynut]

Don't know if this is worth mentioning, but the studios have no laundry facilities, so finding the launderette and doing a large wash (inevitable with kids) can take a big chunk of time out of your day. Both studios and 1 beds are really nice rooms though.

 

[UKDEB]

SSR also has outside walkways, so from that point of view, it's more like a moderate than a deluxe. Also, as much as I love it, my big gripe is that it only has one restaurant and no bar. The Turf Club is actually quite nice, but the other deluxe resorts (with the exception of OKW) have signature restaurants and the Turf Club simply doesn't compare. The lounge outside serves as a waiting area for the restaurant and just for people hanging around generally, and drinks are served from a hatch in the wall.

All that said, it does feel more upscale than POR in my opinion.

 

[disney_princess_85]

I think SSR looks and feels quite "grand", maybe because it literally is grand- it's huge! The public areas are refined and elegant, much different to my one experience of a moderate (CSR, which was lovely in its own way).

The lounge outside serves as a waiting area for the restaurant and just for people hanging around generally, and drinks are served from a hatch in the wall.

Hmm, that's not quite how it's described on Disney's website!

 

[UKDEB]

Hmm, that's not quite how it's described on Disney's website!

Ha ha! I remember making a comment in my trip report about the so-called "panoramic views over Downtown Disney". Huh? If you stand on tip-toes and crane your neck, you might get a glimpse of Cirque! Hardly panoramic!

The Turf Club lounge (it isn't a bar at all, but I suppose Turf Club Lounge and Grill doesn't have quite the same ring), is actually very tasteful and refined, but, as I've already mentioned, people use it as a gathering area (rather than the area between the lobby and Artist Palette which is actually designed for that purpose). I reckon if they closed the rear exit next to the Turf Club podium, people would be forced to use the exit at the back of the shop and would be less inclined to hang around in the lounge. In my experience, it's impossible to relax with a cocktail when kids are racing around; people are waiting around with suitcases either because they're checking in or out; and others are simply waiting for other members of their party before heading out for the evening. And the pool table is always mobbed by kids, so, rather than giving the lounge an adult feel as was probably intended, it only serves to make it seem like an arcade.

 

[pandv_2000]

Hmmm I'm completely in two minds now. DH said we probably won't use the balcony a lot anyway but I think with a 3 month old we'll need it more than ever. We're hiring a car so will be driving most places and as we're out with a baby we wouldn't drink anyway but it's nice to unwind with a chilled drink from our fridge on the balcony once the kids are in bed.

 

[orangetiggs]

we have chosen SSR over POFQ this year as we have 2 9 month olds with us this year and think the more room and balcony will be better

wehave booked a 2 bed villa as my parents are with us but have seen both the studio and 1 bed and both would have been fine for us and the twins

 

[doombuggy]

i stayed at SSR on Friday night after going to the concert at the Flower & Garden festival at EPCOT. I requested a room (studio) in Congress Park, since it's close to DTD/Marketplace. I had a 1st floor room (#1105) with a wonderful view of DTD. I am sorry I had to leave so early the next morning (had to be to work at 5am), otherwise I would have had my breakfast on the small patio.

Not all rooms have a water view, but I got lucky. I own there, but this was my first time staying there. It does have a couch for you to sit on, and a table & chairs for meals; it should be fine for the two of you. I am not sure how well you can see the TV from the couch though. I watched TV from the bed for a little while.....

Enjoy your stay, no matter what you decide!

 

[cheryl.UK]

One other point, the car parks at the hotels are quite often a long way from your room, but each block ot SSR has it's own car park, so no long walk in the morning

 

[jns]

another vote for SSR here too but remeber both resorts are large