Why did you buy Saratoga Springs

[momoftwins]

We have just requested the video for DVC. Other than the 50 yr term, why did you buy at SSR? Are you concerned you may be bored since it is so far away from the activity (I am thinking of compared to being right on the Boardwalk).

I have seen pics on the internet, for those of you that have seen it in person what do you think? We would only be able to get the 150 point contract, so it looks like it would be a studio for us to start with (me, DH and 7 yr old twins).


Oh, I saw the pics from a Saratoga Springs website - gosh can't think of the url. Anyone have any other pics we can look at?

Have a wonderful day.

 

[SSRex]

The search function was working just a few minutes ago. Doc has posted many sets fo very nice pictures.

I bought at SSR for several reasons, including:

1) 50 years vs 38.

2) Only resort currently offered from Disney directly.

3) Back in October when I bought, there was a $10/point discount without having to forfeit your first years points.

4) 10 year financing offered from Disney, not available for resales.

5) Lower points that VWL, BWV, & BCV.

6) No payments due until resort opens this spring.

7) Having stayed in offsite condo and Institute, location did not concern me. We always have a car and normally drive to parks.

8) Known guide Marc Turner since my Hilton Head visit in 1998.

9) Lithos and backpacks only given to new buyers, not resale(?)

10) Options to someday have access to Grand Villa reservations.

I suggest reading the SSR FAQ, again try the search function.
Thanks,
Rex

 

[fmed845]

Heres a web site with some pictures.

http://disneydoc.homestead.com/ssrjan04.html

 

[DrTomorrow]

We bought into SSR last fall (see the countdowns below for our first trips "home"). SSRex had some good practical reasons, here's some more of ours:

1. Closeness to DTD. We're empty-nesters, and the relative closeness (walk / boat) to DTD was a plus for us. Lots of restaurants, shops, shows and PI - shouldn't be too boring.

2. Non-hotel resort. We liked the concept of not being associated with an existing resort hotel - we probably would have gone for OKW if SSR wasn't an option. Things a bit more spread out, lots of green space (we hope), convenient parking.

3. Location. Yes, it's not near a "Major Park", but we like to either take Disney Transportation (for the whole get.away.from.it.all feeling) or drive (convenience) so we don't think it'll be a problem. Plus, since we're sure to have a least a few off-site day trips, SSR makes it easy to get off Disney property. (Go ahead and laugh, but when we stayed at the Polynesian last fall, it seemed to take forever to drive under the exit arches!)

4. The design of the place. From everything we saw, the look of the place - both external architecture and internal decor - was a good fit for our tastes.

5. It was easier (to me, YMMV) to buy through Disney.

Best of luck in your decision-making process - be sure to post any unanswered questions; everyone was a newbie once!

 

[tjkraz]

One of these days I'll have to bookmark my own list. Almost every one that SSRex listed applied to our situation as well. Here are a few others off the top of my head:

1) Having two small children, we like the fact that SSR will have a food court as opposed to a sit-down restaurant. Enjoying romantic meals is largely a thing of the past.

2) Proximity to Downtown Disney--mainly because it's nice to be close to SOMETHING without that 'something' being a theme park. Pleasure Island isn't really our thing (again, the kids), but the DD area is still very appealing to us.

3) Interest-free financing for about 8 months (From time we purchased until June 1).

4) Resort amenities--golf course clubhouse, spa, cinema, themed pool, etc.

5) The fact that it's a dedicated DVC resort (lots of "Welcome Home"s!!!)

Granted there was some anxiety in purchasing a resort based upon little more than a marketing brochure and a handful of artist renderings. But the more I see actual construction photos the happier I am with our decision. I think the architecture is absolutely fabulous.

 

[ear_poppin]

I bought SSR 'cause I liked the room decoration that they have chosen. I like the proximity to DTD and with two young boys it will be handy for them to pop off to Disney quest.

I love the fact that is just over the river to "happening" DTD. I can imagine sitting on the balcony sipping a drink listening to the buzz..( I love Las Vegas)

I also wanted less fuss...and buying from Disney is just that...I had signed and reserved all in three hours.

I only bought 170 points...but who knows what might happen as you can put your name down for smaller points at other resorts.

I liked the pool and the design of the buildings although I do prefer more muted colours.

I also bought to ensure I take advantage of the Dollar/Pound exchange rate at this time.

 

[ear_poppin]

Ooh and reading Tjkraz reasons above...a food Court...I love food Courts and I am not really a sit in a restaurant type of person. Food Courts are also economical and with the refillable mug I'm sure they will have its just great!

 

[momoftwins]

I too love the idea of a food court. Nothing better for family with kids meals than a food court . I too love the room decor on the site fmed845 listed.

I did not know there was a cinema. I hope the DVD at least has some pics.

Thank you all. Anymore pics would be appreciated.

 

[disneycrazed139]

I had been on the fence for a long time about DVC and SSR pushed me over the edge.

-Location is great if you like Downtown Disney. It's one of our favorite places to go in Disney. Especially great if your kids aren't really small, but pre-teen or teenagers, or if you like to go out at night without kids. Teens love DTD, with AMC movie theater, shops, record store, Planet Hollywood, Disney Quest, etc., and it is great for adults. Plus, you pay no admission to just walk around Downtown Disney!
-Incentives were great--especially back in August-October last year where the offer was $10 off per point. Plus, you did not have to give up your first year's points either to receive this incentive if you bought this early.
-New 50 year contract. I'll be gone by the time I don't "own" it anymore or to feeble to care.
-spa facilities nearby
-great feature pool
-food court type eatery-convenience of room delivery
-theme, natural beauty of resort.

 

[Reginak]

We bought at BCV and SSR. BCV because we loved our stay there and the location fits us the best.

We bought SSR because of sticker shock in 2043!!!!!!!

I will be 78 in 2042 and I plan to go to Disney until I am 125 yrs. old. I might need a break by then.

Regina

 

[DrTomorrow]

Originally posted by disneycrazed139
SSR pushed me over the edge.

This explains sooooooo much!

Seriously, just like tjkraz we bought before we saw the models - just the literature and what we found out here on the DIS.

ITA, ear_poppin; we're hoping for a nice resort feel, with the edgy buzz of DTD/PI (well, edgy for Disney) right across the lake.

And one comment for those of you with younger children: remember that you're buying for the next 50 years, and your little one's won't stay young forever. There will come a time where "Gee, Mom - Dumbo!!!" will be replaced with "Goin' to Disney Quest - see you later." We think that SSR will be great for us, our 23YO son & friends, and future grandchildren.

 

[LIFERBABE]

We (I) purchased SSR because the Spa is one of the top rated in the country and I love to take Spa Vacations.



Although we will vacation as a family there, it will also be our adults only destination for trips that won't include the theme parks. We will be close to dining, entertainment, shopping, Spa, and have all the amenities of a destination Resort.

There are also several transportation options available to the resorts and the parks.

SSR was an add-on for us so I think it will complement our OKW and BCV vacations.

We have 2 boys also and they love DQ already. I also like the fact that we will have easy access to DTD for those teen years when all they want to do is hang out at the mall.

 

[mom2rb]

I love the location. We go in Sept. most of the parks close early. DD is open late. My boys and DH are video game freaks, they can get back from the parks and go to Disney Quest while I sit on the balcony or shop . The 50 years made a big difference to me. When I bought it was cheeper to buy SSR than to buy the others and I got 12 extra years. Last it was so easy to buy from Disney.

Jamie

 

[kaseyC]

I have been lurking on this board for about a month. We recently rented pts from a DVC member for our Dec. 2004 trip. Soon after, I ordered the Video. Then I contacted a guide to get the info packet. I had been intrigued by SSR since last August when I saw the early construction from DTD.
We also realized from our Aug. vacation that one hotel room is not big enough for our family of 5. So we are renting pts for a 2 Bedroom in Dec. and it looks as if we are probably going to purchase about 200 pts at SSR in the next few weeks. I am looking so forward to my 3 DDs growing up "disney".

Like many of the others mentioned - I am attracted to SSR's location. The fact that it is not part of a hotel. The food court is appealing and also the variety of dining choices across the water.

Finally, thanks to this forum. I have gotten such a wealth of info from all who post here.

 

[BWVDee]

I am surprised that the extra years of membership has only been mentioned a few times so far.
To me, this would be a real BIGGIE. 12 years more of magical WDW vacations is a lot of years!!!! I have always been surprised at how this big added bonus is very often considered insignificant on this board by some; even when discussing a possible membership for people in their mid 30's and younger.
I am personally too old to benefit from the extra years and I have kept all my points at BWV for convenience sake and will continue to do so because I like things in my life as convenient as I can possibly get them. BUT, if I was younger and just starting to accumulate DVC points, I would defintly go with SSR. It would have to be a darn good resale at one of the existing DVC resorts to make it worth foregoing an additional 12 years of membership, imo!

 

[belsam]

I never even gave DVC a thought until I read on Mousesavers about renting points, which I then did for a one week stay in a 2 BR @ OKW for DH, DS, DD, and myself. This vacation was a dream come true!!!!!! After staying in the 2 BR DH and I said that we could never go back to a regular hotel room again, so we did the DVC tour and bought 300 points while we were there. I had looked into resales after making arrangements for the points rental so I was aware of the market, but we wanted to go through Disney, liked the additional time sold with SSR, and liked the ease of purchase that the Disney transaction provided. I also loved the decor of the SSR model. Can't wait to hear how people who've stayed there like it. We're not going until January 2005.

JMD

 

[bus driver lady]

The extra 12 years was a major decision maker for us. WDW and all it has to offer is why we bought SSR, but with a 15 year old son we also plan on doing much more than just that over the years. Since we just spent 5 nights at PO Riverside over the holidays, our first visit home in August will include several excursions including Universal and Sea World. We think SSR is in a great location and offers many options for us and our DS (15). In fact, his thoughts on the idea of buying into DVC were what really made the final decision for us. I guess we kept him away from WDW too long (9 years) as he really didn't remember much and had the time of his life as a teenager. He's tall, athletic and very outgoing...and also worried what his friends think (like most teens). He didn't hesitate to push for DVC and can't wait to have a friend join him on some of our future visits. And when pa and I are too old and feeble to travel any longer...DS and his family and friends will enjoy it immensely, NO DOUBT!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We did not add-on at SSR. We almost did, but decided we have enough points... for now.
What attracted us to SSR?
1) 11 momth window for grand villas
2) Proximity to Pleasure Island (a favorite, since my wife and I don't have kids yet).
3) The interior decor- second only to VWL...

MG

 

[stacy6552]

Well we do like the extra 12 years, but in addition to that....

we love the decor. Of all the resorts, its the one most "us"

The pool sounds like it will be great.

The location is good for us, because we liked the feeling of being away from all the action at OKW, but do still have the cool lights and fireworks to see at DD.

 

[Xtine76]

I bought SSR because--

I actually got financing! (through Disney)

Vacations for the next 50 years

150 points in a Studio gets me 10 days at the end of summer-can't beat that!!