What is the Reason Why SSR is Considered the Last Resort?

[Girlstar30]

Fun side fact on theming at SSR - there are many design elements and homages throughout the grounds to the real Saratoga Springs, NY - the fountain in Congress Park section is a direct copy of one in NY, the round staircases and tower points of the villa buildings was inspired by a famous Victorian mansion's design in NY, the lobby that you check into is designed to mimic the shape of the famous carousel in NY, the color palette, and all the section names and pool names are inspired by the city in NY, the pool bar buildings are designed like the Racecourse entrance, the horse statue at the main building is also a copy of one at the Racecourse. And just the general foliage, park spaces, lakes and ponds are reminiscent of that NY town.

Saratoga Springs NY has another famous connection to Disney - the Main Street train stations were designed just like the 1871 Saratoga Springs NY train station!View attachment 1034622

Cant wait to stay

 

[Girlstar30]

We ordered this in anticipation

 

[Genie+]

Before SSR, there was the Disney Institute.

https://allears.net/step-back-disney-institute/

“After four short years, the Disney Institute was reimagined. In 2000, it stopped offering guests hands-on learning experiences. Instead, it provided seminars for business professionals, teaching the secrets behind Disney’s unique business culture and customer service.

This shift in focus did not turn things around. The resort that housed the Institute closed in 2003. The property was re-themed. On May 17, 2004, it debuted as Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa.”

And the Disney Institute was inspired by the Chautauqua Institute

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chautauqua_Institution

 

[Girlstar30]

Seems like its been thru a lot of changes!

 

[Genie+]

My SIL and her husband have only 1 trip they repeat every year. Saratoga Springs during the Jazz Festival. They love it! 25+ years now. I guess that is their ‘Disney’ lol. It’s about 3 hours drive northwest of NYC area.

 

[Girlstar30]

My SIL and her husband have only 1 trip they repeat every year. Saratoga Springs during the Jazz Festival. They love it! 25+ years now. I guess that is their ‘Disney’ lol. It’s about 3 hours drive northwest of NYC area.

So the reap Saratoga does look like the hotel?

 

[Wedgeout]

Did start out in the 1970’s as a planned residential (no cars) community but it failed with logistics being Walt Disney property, taxes, etc.

Idea later moved to Celebration for that Disney planned community. In 1990’s.

 

[Genie+]

So the reap Saratoga does look like the hotel?

Good question.

I’ve never been and not sure - but SSR definitely looks to have the same flavor. Kind of like how Boardwalk has the flavor of old school Atlantic City, Coney Island, etc.

 

[zackiedawg]

The area that was at one time a residential planned town home and single family home area converted to the Disney Village Resort which opened in 1985. The townhomes became villas, lined up along the lake facing Disney's Shopping Village (which became Marketplace), and later, Pleasure Island - much like Congress Park now. Most were two stories, multi-bedrooms. At that time, some of the single-family homes were still there, converted into grand suites, and the Treehouse villas which were later rebuilt but still stand where they are today. The entire area was converted into the Disney Institute in 1996.

 

[Girlstar30]

Good question.

I’ve never been and not sure - but SSR definitely looks to have the same flavor. Kind of like how Boardwalk has the flavor of old school Atlantic City, Coney Island, etc.

Thank you for understanding the spelling error

 

[zackiedawg]

The design of the buildings isn't exact to what you see in NY, but they definitely took inspiration from the Queen Anne and Victorian styles common there as well as the color palette and landscaping.

The fountain design was copied along the lakefront in Congress Park section, the gazebo that sits out on the water there mimics one in NY. The rounded building shapes and roof designs are similar to residential structures and Racecourse facilities. The carousel in NY was the design inspiration for the octagonal lobby at SSR - they even used to have a carousel horse in the lobby. The mansion shows the tower/turreted roof style and round staircase towers that is a design theme used in the villa buildings at SSR. The front entrance to the famous Racecourse was used for the design of the Paddock pool bar building and inspires the bus stops, and the horse statue at the main check in building is like the one in NY. You'll see in another mansion photo below the pastel design, the shaker siding, and the round window portal cutout, all design elements used in the villa buildings.

Just some examples from Saratoga Springs, NY below.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

The area that was at one time a residential planned town home and single family home area converted to the Disney Village Resort which opened in 1985. The townhomes became villas, lined up along the lake facing Disney's Shopping Village (which became Marketplace), and later, Pleasure Island - much like Congress Park now. Most were two stories, multi-bedrooms. At that time, some of the single-family homes were still there, converted into grand suites, and the Treehouse villas which were later rebuilt but still stand where they are today. The entire area was converted into the Disney Institute in 1996.

Murphy bed on 1st floor of 2-story villa at Disney Vacation Villas in 1986.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

Hey!! AKV is sexy as heck!

I personally agree & think AKL is the Jessica Rabbit of DVC.....has all the right parts in all the right places But when ranking all DVCs by the whole DVC ownership it faces a lot of the same "cons" SSR and OKW does.... especially the location factor to parks.

 

[Genie+]

View attachment 1034642
Murphy bed on 1st floor of 2-story villa at Disney Vacation Villas in 1986.

Aww that’s so sweet!

Dig that wallpaper

 

[Girlstar30]

The design of the buildings isn't exact to what you see in NY, but they definitely took inspiration from the Queen Anne and Victorian styles common there as well as the color palette and landscaping.

The fountain design was copied along the lakefront in Congress Park section, the gazebo that sits out on the water there mimics one in NY. The rounded building shapes and roof designs are similar to residential structures and Racecourse facilities. The carousel in NY was the design inspiration for the octagonal lobby at SSR - they even used to have a carousel horse in the lobby. The mansion shows the tower/turreted roof style and round staircase towers that is a design theme used in the villa buildings at SSR. The front entrance to the famous Racecourse was used for the design of the Paddock pool bar building and inspires the bus stops, and the horse statue at the main check in building is like the one in NY. You'll see in another mansion photo below the pastel design, the shaker siding, and the round window portal cutout, all design elements used in the villa buildings.

Just some examples from Saratoga Springs, NY below.

Oh i see it, I love this look and see now the inspiration, thanks for sharing, now I have to open this post when I go and check off each spot

 

[Girlstar30]

I personally agree & think AKL is the Jessica Rabbit of DVC.....has all the right parts in all the right places But when ranking all DVCs by the whole DVC ownership it faces a lot of the same "cons" SSR and OKW does.... especially the location factor to parks.

I like being in the parks when im in the parks and then far away. I discovered that on my last blt trip

 

[Girlstar30]

Aww that’s so sweet!

Dig that wallpaper

Inspiration for VGF

 

[I Run Long]

I like being in the parks when im in the parks and then far away. I discovered that on my last blt trip

That's what we like too! In fact, our 2 favourite resorts are AKV and SSR and we never rent a car, using Disney transportation only. We even stayed at the dreaded Carousel location at SSR and were kind of bummed out to see that was where they put us. It turned out that we absolutely loved it and would stay in the same location in a heart beat. We were the 2nd bus stop, a mere 2 minutes to the Paddock pool and would cut through the Paddock pool area and over the bridge to the Carriage House if we needed to go there. We walked to and from DS many times. We absolutely love the resort! Oh and the refurbs of the rooms at SSR are gorgeous. This is our 1 bedroom in the Carousel location.

 

[tx911]

That's what we like too! In fact, our 2 favourite resorts are AKV and SSR and we never rent a car, using Disney transportation only. We even stayed at the dreaded Carousel location at SSR and were kind of bummed out to see that was where they put us. It turned out that we absolutely loved it and would stay in the same location in a heart beat. We were the 2nd bus stop, a mere 2 minutes to the Paddock pool and would cut through the Paddock pool area and over the bridge to the Carriage House if we needed to go there. We walked to and from DS many times. We absolutely love the resort! Oh and the refurbs of the rooms at SSR are gorgeous. This is our 1 bedroom in the Carousel location.

Awesome. I love the "bridle" chandelier.

 

[Sandisw]

It is actually our 3rd choice of resort for trips that won’t do parks or if we have a larger group and I need to save points!

We love its location to DS! Always go with RIV first with VGF in split stays. But if not, SSR it is!