Will I hate Saratoga Springs?

[imLissy]

We decided somewhat last minute that we want to go to Disney in November. My dad called today to make reservations and was told the only resort that still had rooms left was Saratoga Springs.

We've stayed at the Boardwalk our last nine trips to DW. I love that you can walk to EPCOT and DHS. I love that many of my favorite restaurants are around there. My husband proposed to me there, that's where we stayed on our honeymoon. I love that place.

So give me something to look forward to about Saratoga.

 

[Bribrittmom]

The grounds are beautiful and the rec staff does a lot of fun activities around the main pool.

 

[ToddyLu]

I think you are very fortunate to get to stay there in Nov at this late date. I have only bben there once...with my MIL at the spa. It was very nice. It was very quiet and huge...which makes it luxurious to me. the grounds are beautiful and you have a quick walk to DTD. I think it will be a good change of pace and it will make your next trip to BW special. I would enjoy experiencing a new resort and I hear from my DIS friends that the food at Artist Pallet is very good. Enjoy your experience...you got a room in WDW in NOVEMBER!!

 

[jekjones1558]

I am also a BWV regular. A couple of years ago we had to do some last minute adjustments to our plan and ended up with 3 days at SSR then 4 days at BWV. I didn't know what to expect. We had a room in the Springs section, which we requested because DH was in a wheelchair at that time and we wanted a room close to food, pool, etc. Our room overlooked the water and the setting was lovely. The bathroom was nicer than BWV (1 bedrooms). The living/dining area felt smaller to me and we missed the huge closet at BWV. The parking was much closer than BWV. While I might not choose SSR over BWV (I also love walking to Epcot and DHS), I would not hesitate to stay at SSR in the future. I also hear that the Grandstand section is a great area. Go with an open mind and enjoy your trip. You will be at WDW!!!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You will "love" it. If you want a room close to everything ask for a room in the "Springs" section. It is across the street from the big main pool, the Artist Palate, check in desk, and springs bus stop is the first pick up point in that resort. Even though the last time we stayed there our room faced the main road way, our room was surprisingly quiet.

Oh and they have several pools to choose from.

One thing we like best is that if you do not have a car all you have to do is either walk over to DTD or catch a bus to DTD if you want to visit another resort. And just catch a bus to the resort you want to visit.

 

[allshookup]

Will you hate Saratoga Springs? Well I guess the answer would have to be most likely yes you will. I can certainly see your reasons for loving BWV, but I think you already have it set in your mind that SSR is a disappointment so it might very well just end up being that. Maybe you'll find that it's not convenient & too far to the parks, you might think that the it's very large & it will be a long walk to anything, the hallways are outdoors & concrete much like a motel & not set up like BWV which has more of a hotel feel. The main pool has a darker tinge to make it look like a lake or a common complaint here..."there really isn't much of a theme".

Personally we love SSR & here are the reasons our family loves staying there. We love the colors of the buildings, the beautiful surroundings, peaceful walkways & gorgeous golf course. We love how it feels like a little village & a peaceful getaway from all the hustle & bustle of the parks. We love going to DTD with a huge variety of shops & restaurants, with something to please just about any taste. Not to mention the best CS places like Wolfgang Puck Express or Earl of Sandwich. As for the parks? Well they are only a short bus trip away or you could also take a bus to DHS & walk or jump on the boat to the BW. It's a fairly easy trip! I guess some people just have an aversion to buses, but we kind of like hopping on & taking the ride. It certainly beats the grind of traffic we put up with here day in & day out in the Boston area, so maybe we appreciate being able to kick our feet up & let someone else do the driving for a change.

My point is you can be disappointed & think you didn't get the resort you love or you can look at this as a chance to try something different & new. I think with any resort you could find things to your liking & some things that aren't, but I haven't stayed at WDW resort that I hated yet. I can't "give" you something to look forward to, since I don't really know your tastes, but maybe you could do some research on things to do at the resort, restaurants there & in the area & look at some pictures. Maybe you can give yourself something to look forward to. Like a PP said, you're going to WDW...how bad can it be? I hope despite your misgivings, that it ends up being a wonderful trip!

 

[sandieb]

We stayed at SSR because that was all we could book for a last minutes trip. We were surprised at how much we liked it! It is beautiful, the CMs were fine, and the pool, spa and community hall were enjoyable. We have stayed a couple times. Our home resort is the BCV which we love, but we are quite happy at SSR too. We stayed in the Grandstand last time, and we were pleased to have the bus stop & quiet pool nearby, It was an easy walk to the main pool.
Sandie

 

[andreadoiron]

SSR is our home resort and we love it! we love the boat to DTD, if you stay in the congress park (i think) section you can walk into DTD and end up at the marketplace end, we love the quiet and laid back atmosphere. the rooms and the sofa beds are very nice and until we stayed at Kidani, we thought they were by far the nicest rooms at DVC. the quick service food section is actually very good and not too bad for pricing(deserts are great). the pools are larger and more numerous than any other resort and you should still get some good pool time in november.
we stayed at the springs the first time and i think the paddock the second time(whichever location is the one w/the pool being revamped) and both were quite close to hospitality house which makes you close to the food, main pool and the boat.
have a great time!

 

[imLissy]

thanks for the replies I feel better about it already.
We have been neglecting DTD on our most recent trips, probably because I've gone with my husband and not my girlfriends.
I'm sure we won't hate it.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Will you hate Saratoga Springs? Well I guess the answer would have to be most likely yes you will. I can certainly see your reasons for loving BWV, but I think you already have it set in your mind that SSR is a disappointment so it might very well just end up being that. Maybe you'll find that it's not convenient & too far to the parks, you might think that the it's very large & it will be a long walk to anything, the hallways are outdoors & concrete much like a motel & not set up like BWV which has more of a hotel feel. The main pool has a darker tinge to make it look like a lake or a common complaint here..."there really isn't much of a theme".

Personally we love SSR & here are the reasons our family loves staying there. We love the colors of the buildings, the beautiful surroundings, peaceful walkways & gorgeous golf course. We love how it feels like a little village & a peaceful getaway from all the hustle & bustle of the parks. We love going to DTD with a huge variety of shops & restaurants, with something to please just about any taste. Not to mention the best CS places like Wolfgang Puck Express or Earl of Sandwich. As for the parks? Well they are only a short bus trip away or you could also take a bus to DHS & walk or jump on the boat to the BW. It's a fairly easy trip! I guess some people just have an aversion to buses, but we kind of like hopping on & taking the ride. It certainly beats the grind of traffic we put up with here day in & day out in the Boston area, so maybe we appreciate being able to kick our feet up & let someone else do the driving for a change.

My point is you can be disappointed & think you didn't get the resort you love or you can look at this as a chance to try something different & new. I think with any resort you could find things to your liking & some things that aren't, but I haven't stayed at WDW resort that I hated yet. I can't "give" you something to look forward to, since I don't really know your tastes, but maybe you could do some research on things to do at the resort, restaurants there & in the area & look at some pictures. Maybe you can give yourself something to look forward to. Like a PP said, you're going to WDW...how bad can it be? I hope despite your misgivings, that it ends up being a wonderful trip!

This pretty much summed up exactly what I was going to say. Yeah, if you go in thinking it's going to suck then it probably will. SSR is our home resort and we love it there. It is a massive resort compared to the others but that is partly why we like it. It's just so peaceful! We usually request Congress Park because it's close to DTD but have gotten rooms in the Paddock as well which is also a great location (and close to Congress Park). We have been fortunate to stay at almost all of the DVC resorts and part of what we enjoy about doing that is because they are all so different. It had been a couple years since I had been there until my sisters and I visited a couple weeks ago. We had a great time as usual, and as others have said, you are going to Disney World in one of the DVC resorts. Pretty good deal if you ask me.

 

[goofystitchfan]

SSR is our home resort. We have been about 5 times since purchasing and absolutely love it there! Friends and family have either met us there or come with us and they can't believe how beautiful it is. It is so nice walking across the pond to go to get a drink at night and just sit by the pool. We will also be there in November and have been lucky enough to get the THV which we are anxious to try. Would love to see a post how much you did love it upon your return!

 

[DFD]

We decided somewhat last minute that we want to go to Disney in November. My dad called today to make reservations and was told the only resort that still had rooms left was Saratoga Springs.

We've stayed at the Boardwalk our last nine trips to DW. I love that you can walk to EPCOT and DHS. I love that many of my favorite restaurants are around there. My husband proposed to me there, that's where we stayed on our honeymoon. I love that place.

So give me something to look forward to about Saratoga.

I love SSR... always stay there every October for the past 7 years except for this October... was short on points so opt to stay at AKV... I love Congress Park, most people I know ask for Springs.. closer to the main pool, Carriage house Community hall... but what I love with Congress park is of course one the DTD view, 2nd the quiet Poil and the BBQ adjacent to it, had done alot of picnics and BBQ parties over there and the bus location for me it was 2 birds with one stone type of situation... if I want to go to the park I get out by the front gate and get to the Bus station by Congress if I have ADRS for resort dining or visiting friends at other resort it is a short 5 minute walk to the bus stop at DTD. I never had the need to double trip/ bus hop!!! And the bus is running till 2AM so if you plan to enjoy the boardwalk they have their last bus at 2:30AM to go to DTD and I just walk on home. No need to get a cab after a good night at Jellyrolls or karaoke'ing at Kimonos or an aggresive dinner of sportsmanship at ESPN!!!

Have a wonderful Stay... I hope you find the joy that i always get when I stay at SSR!!!

Ohhhhhhh and the Burgers and Milkshake at Turf Club is not bad either!

 

[Sammie]

There is much to love about SSR. But it is not BWV. That does not mean BWV are better, it just means they are very different.

If you go in with the mindset that everything you love about BWV determines whether you like a resort, then yes you are going to be disappointed.

If however you go with the mindset that you are open to experience something different from what BWV offers, then I think you should enjoy the SSR experience.

The outcome is really yours to determine.

 

[rentayenta]

If you think you will hate it then you will probably hate it. Attitude is important regardless of the situation.

 

[Candy Orlando]

It's a very elegant, country club style, resort and spa. You'll love it! Request the Grandstand if you like a golf course view.

 

[adminjedi]

Remember....you are at DW.

 

[SusieBea]

I'm just going to suggest you have a meal at the Turf Club while you're at SSR. It's one of those "hidden gem" restaurants that visitors don't usually travel to SSR to try if they're not staying there. Might help you enjoy SSR even more!

 

[TisBit]

We decided somewhat last minute that we want to go to Disney in November. My dad called today to make reservations and was told the only resort that still had rooms left was Saratoga Springs.

We've stayed at the Boardwalk our last nine trips to DW. I love that you can walk to EPCOT and DHS. I love that many of my favorite restaurants are around there. My husband proposed to me there, that's where we stayed on our honeymoon. I love that place.

So give me something to look forward to about Saratoga.

If you give yourself a chance you might have a good time and enjoy the resort. But, if all that you do is compare it to BWV, you will probably be miserable, it is all about the outlook you have going in. We did a split stay this last trip to BCV/BWV and I was prepared to be blown away, but honestly, I was somewhat disappointed with BCV....it was a nice resort, but I think the hype exceeds its actual perks/advantages. I would stay there again and probably enjoy it more knowing what I was getting, but I will not kill myself trying to go back. BWV we enjoyed and I did like the resort, did I fall in love and can only stay there, no.....but I could definitely see myself going back.

I would recommend you stay in Congress Park at SSR, this way you are very close to the marketplace of DTD, it will be less of a shock to your system being away from the BW. Try some of the restaurants you have tried before and just go into the trip with an open mind.

 

[5forDiz]

Just finished a split stay between Dolphin and 2 bedroom villa at SSR ( our first stay at SSR ) and we loved resort. It is beautiful and villa furnishings are beautiful, casually elegant I'd say. It is very spread out but that is really part of SSR's beauty and charm. We were not disappointed

 

[DFD]

did you also know that they have a free clinic on Thursday and Friday for Golf for allo ages???!!!! My cousin and nephew (father and son) were so happy with this. No need to bring golfset either!