Our first trip to Vero Beach and our first stay at the Saratoga Springs Resort-
First we spent three nights at a one bedroom in VB. We love Vero Beach! We did not know what to expect and were disappointed initially to find ourselves on the first floor of Villa 15 with a view of hedges. After a few minutes, however, we realized that this patio area was really private and we could hear the ocean from the bed. We took a nap after unpacking, since it was raining. And since it was also my birthday, we then went for drinks on the patio on the second floor of the main building. We ordered pizza from Orchard Beach Pizza for dinner (good) and then hit the hot tub.
The next two days were hot and mostly sunny. We spent our time walking on the beach, going to the pool and biking around. The ocean currents were very strong so we did not spend a lot of time in the water. This place was so relaxing and so beautiful that even now a week later I feel sorry not being there!
Everyone we met at the resort could not have been nicer. Housekeeping, reception area staff, bar tenders, sales people, even the people working at the Publix went out of their way to be friendly and helpful.
After three days we drove to WDW and checked into the SSR. Our first hour there was very confusing as I did not get a good feel for directions and was completely lost trying to find the room. We arrived at noon and were surprised our studio was ready. My husband returned the rental car and I brought the bags to the room with the help of bell services. The guy was trying to be helpful, but I had an overload of information from him, which confused me even more. It took me about two days to get my bearings at the resort. It was much bigger than I thought it would be and each building has four floors and only one elevator. I walked to the Marketplace at DTD, which was a longer walk than I thought it would be and finally met up with my husband again there. We were on our way to Epcot and did not realize that there are no direct buses from DTD to the parks. We wound up taking the bus to the Beach Club and walking in the back entrance to Epcot.
Our impression of SSR was initially not so great, but after five days, I decided that I like it. We stayed in the Springs area, which has the last bus stop before the parks. This never was a problem; the longest we waited for a bus was about 15 minutes. Coming back to the resort we were the last stop. One day I got off the bus at the Grandstand area (first stop) and walked to our villa, I got there before my husband who had stayed on the bus. Another night after leaving the MK we found the line for the bus to SSR to be rather long. After several buses passed us not going to SSR, everyone was intent on watching the bus destination, when one finally changed to read Saratoga Springsclapping and cheers went up from the waiting line, a moment that all bus passengers can relate to!!
The main pool area was great, and right across from our villa. The studio set up was adequate for two people who spent most the day at the parks. (We came back each day in the afternoon for an hour or so).
This was our first trip during the Food and Wine Festival. Our impression was positive, but it was very expensive. We decided we could have eaten at a good restaurant for what is cost us to sample several dishes and have a few glasses of wine along the way. The portions were so small that we wound up going to dinner after eating our way around the world.
Overall, a great trip! (as usual when we go to WDW). We have now stayed in most DVC properties except OKW and have reservations to return to SSR in February. We still like the Wilderness Lodge best of all the places we have stayed in WDW, but SSR is our home resort and we had no complaints.
We plan to return to Vero Beach in the future with our family. I will be saving points for the Beach Front Villas!!!
First we spent three nights at a one bedroom in VB. We love Vero Beach! We did not know what to expect and were disappointed initially to find ourselves on the first floor of Villa 15 with a view of hedges. After a few minutes, however, we realized that this patio area was really private and we could hear the ocean from the bed. We took a nap after unpacking, since it was raining. And since it was also my birthday, we then went for drinks on the patio on the second floor of the main building. We ordered pizza from Orchard Beach Pizza for dinner (good) and then hit the hot tub.
The next two days were hot and mostly sunny. We spent our time walking on the beach, going to the pool and biking around. The ocean currents were very strong so we did not spend a lot of time in the water. This place was so relaxing and so beautiful that even now a week later I feel sorry not being there!
Everyone we met at the resort could not have been nicer. Housekeeping, reception area staff, bar tenders, sales people, even the people working at the Publix went out of their way to be friendly and helpful.
After three days we drove to WDW and checked into the SSR. Our first hour there was very confusing as I did not get a good feel for directions and was completely lost trying to find the room. We arrived at noon and were surprised our studio was ready. My husband returned the rental car and I brought the bags to the room with the help of bell services. The guy was trying to be helpful, but I had an overload of information from him, which confused me even more. It took me about two days to get my bearings at the resort. It was much bigger than I thought it would be and each building has four floors and only one elevator. I walked to the Marketplace at DTD, which was a longer walk than I thought it would be and finally met up with my husband again there. We were on our way to Epcot and did not realize that there are no direct buses from DTD to the parks. We wound up taking the bus to the Beach Club and walking in the back entrance to Epcot.
Our impression of SSR was initially not so great, but after five days, I decided that I like it. We stayed in the Springs area, which has the last bus stop before the parks. This never was a problem; the longest we waited for a bus was about 15 minutes. Coming back to the resort we were the last stop. One day I got off the bus at the Grandstand area (first stop) and walked to our villa, I got there before my husband who had stayed on the bus. Another night after leaving the MK we found the line for the bus to SSR to be rather long. After several buses passed us not going to SSR, everyone was intent on watching the bus destination, when one finally changed to read Saratoga Springsclapping and cheers went up from the waiting line, a moment that all bus passengers can relate to!!
The main pool area was great, and right across from our villa. The studio set up was adequate for two people who spent most the day at the parks. (We came back each day in the afternoon for an hour or so).
This was our first trip during the Food and Wine Festival. Our impression was positive, but it was very expensive. We decided we could have eaten at a good restaurant for what is cost us to sample several dishes and have a few glasses of wine along the way. The portions were so small that we wound up going to dinner after eating our way around the world.
Overall, a great trip! (as usual when we go to WDW). We have now stayed in most DVC properties except OKW and have reservations to return to SSR in February. We still like the Wilderness Lodge best of all the places we have stayed in WDW, but SSR is our home resort and we had no complaints.
We plan to return to Vero Beach in the future with our family. I will be saving points for the Beach Front Villas!!!
