Irishmom23
DIS Veteran<br><font color=green>Some Tag Fairies
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2002
We just returned from an eight day stay in the Saratoga Springs Resort Tree House Villas. This is our home resort and the first stay at SSS. The trip included myself, a mom of three, age 56, and my three children. DS age 27, and two DD's ages 23 and 20. We also brought along my ex husband so he could enjoy his kids in Disney as adults
I requested a tree house "near transportation" so that hopefully we would be near the walking path to the Grand Stand, and this is exactly what we got
. We were in tree house 7059 which was just steps from the south bus and the pathway to SSS Grand Stand. It was also on the walking path to the boat to DTD, and within a few yards to the THV pool. I could not have asked for a better location.
We arrived on Jet Blue from Boston at 11:30AM and hopped on the magical Express bus which brought us to the Springs check-in area by 12:30PM. We were warmly received and welcomed home and given our packet. Our villa wasn't ready yet, but we were prepared to drop off our carry ons at bell services and head to the park. Myself and my three adult children all have annual passes, however I had purchased their father's park hopper pass through member services and had to add it to his KTTW card so it would be less that he had to manage. I had a cast member "earning his ears" so this became quite a process to get it right, but as soon as we did, off to the Magic Kingdom for lunch and the parade.
We received a text at 2PM that our villa was ready and what number it was. We watched the parade after lunch and headed back to unpack and get the food I had ordered from Garden Grocer. The food had been delivered at 12PM and was being held in bell services for us.
We were unsure of where to find the walking path from Grand Stand, so got off at the Springs which has the only bus available to get to the THV. We got off at the south bus stop, and there was the sign for our villa. We do not use a car when we go to Disney, unless we plan a trip outside the parks, and then will rent one at the Dolphin for the number of days we need it. We are all walkers and my two daughters and I run so we find the WDW buses to be reliable and not a hassle, and they were fine on this trip as in the past.
The tree house itself has a rustic feel but has all of the amenities. When we walked into our villa it was very impressive. Our luggage had already been delivered which was nice. The living area was large and had a sofa, sleeper chair, table and chairs in the dining area and a good sized kitchen which has everything needed if one wants to cook. Two bed rooms were on the left of the kitchen, one with bunk beds, and a bathroom. On the right of the kitchen was the master with a beautiful bathroom and a jacuzzi tub. The girls and I used that bathroom and the men used the other two bedrooms and bath. The girls slept on the pullout sofa and sleeper chair. My ex and my son were going to switch half way through the trip from the bed to the bunk, but my ex slept on the bottom bunk the whole time and felt it was comfortable.
Soon after I called bell services, our carry on items and food from the grocery delivery were brought to us. We put everything away, got changed, and off we went to dinner at the Turf Club Bar and Grill at the Springs at SSR. The meal was great. We were on the DDP as it was easier for us to prepay our meals. Each of my children paid their own way and paid for their own DDP. I also have a Tables in Wonderland card which I also used for appetizers and any alcohol consumed. Each person contributed money towards the tip and paid for their own drinks. It worked out great for us. I treated myself and the kids to Boma for breakfast one morning before going to Animal Kingdom, and that restaurant is another favorite for us.
Our main reason for going on this trip was to be there for Star Wars Weekend. We all wore our Star Wars shirts and went on both Saturday and Sunday. My son and I went before park opening on Saturday and were able to watch the hilarious show put on by the storm troopers. We also road Star Tours four times before 10AM. We had a different ride each time so that was a treat. We enjoyed the hoopla at 8PM and we all had our picture taken with Boba Fett. One of the sand creatures (forget their names) tried to take my daughter with him (JOKINGLY) and we got some great pictures. I went to the Darth Mall and was able to buy my DVC and annual pass Star Wars pins. All in all a great time.
The weather was great except for some rain on Tuesday which was short lived, however we had a deluge on Wednesday which lasted all day, but thankfully didn't start until after I had our pictures taken at various places throughout the park. I had my picture taken with Merida, the Scottish princess from Brave. So nice to have a princess from the British Isles, considering 94% of my heritage!
Other restaurants we went to were Teppan Edo in Epcot (great food, great time), Captain's Grille at the Yacht Club (disappointing this time around), Raglan Road (good food, good entertainment but very loud), The Wave at the Contemporary (great food), and Biergarten in Epcot (great entertainment and food, reminds me of my German grandmother and her cooking).
Also had a massage at the spa at SSS, very relaxing, and spent a few mornings at the Springs pool, which was so nice when the temperature was 90 degrees. I don't cook on vacation however we had breakfast at the villa most mornings, and my ex even cooked omlettes, toast, and bacon one morning which was a treat.
My daughter and I were able to get a couple of runs in, however as much as I love Florida, I am not used to the heavy humidity, and this cut down on both my distance and endurance. However I walked back and forth several times a day from the villa to the Grand Stand and even to the Springs so I think between the parks and the walking at SSS, I did OK.
It was a great trip, and I do want to stay in a villa in the actual resort area soon. Loved SSS and its quiet, as well as its spread out feel. My next trip is going to be at OKW with my extended family, and of course I plan on a food and wine trip to Beach Club when I do an add on there. Can't wait to go back to WDW
I requested a tree house "near transportation" so that hopefully we would be near the walking path to the Grand Stand, and this is exactly what we got. We were in tree house 7059 which was just steps from the south bus and the pathway to SSS Grand Stand. It was also on the walking path to the boat to DTD, and within a few yards to the THV pool. I could not have asked for a better location. We arrived on Jet Blue from Boston at 11:30AM and hopped on the magical Express bus which brought us to the Springs check-in area by 12:30PM. We were warmly received and welcomed home and given our packet. Our villa wasn't ready yet, but we were prepared to drop off our carry ons at bell services and head to the park. Myself and my three adult children all have annual passes, however I had purchased their father's park hopper pass through member services and had to add it to his KTTW card so it would be less that he had to manage. I had a cast member "earning his ears" so this became quite a process to get it right, but as soon as we did, off to the Magic Kingdom for lunch and the parade.
We received a text at 2PM that our villa was ready and what number it was. We watched the parade after lunch and headed back to unpack and get the food I had ordered from Garden Grocer. The food had been delivered at 12PM and was being held in bell services for us.
We were unsure of where to find the walking path from Grand Stand, so got off at the Springs which has the only bus available to get to the THV. We got off at the south bus stop, and there was the sign for our villa. We do not use a car when we go to Disney, unless we plan a trip outside the parks, and then will rent one at the Dolphin for the number of days we need it. We are all walkers and my two daughters and I run so we find the WDW buses to be reliable and not a hassle, and they were fine on this trip as in the past.
The tree house itself has a rustic feel but has all of the amenities. When we walked into our villa it was very impressive. Our luggage had already been delivered which was nice. The living area was large and had a sofa, sleeper chair, table and chairs in the dining area and a good sized kitchen which has everything needed if one wants to cook. Two bed rooms were on the left of the kitchen, one with bunk beds, and a bathroom. On the right of the kitchen was the master with a beautiful bathroom and a jacuzzi tub. The girls and I used that bathroom and the men used the other two bedrooms and bath. The girls slept on the pullout sofa and sleeper chair. My ex and my son were going to switch half way through the trip from the bed to the bunk, but my ex slept on the bottom bunk the whole time and felt it was comfortable.
Soon after I called bell services, our carry on items and food from the grocery delivery were brought to us. We put everything away, got changed, and off we went to dinner at the Turf Club Bar and Grill at the Springs at SSR. The meal was great. We were on the DDP as it was easier for us to prepay our meals. Each of my children paid their own way and paid for their own DDP. I also have a Tables in Wonderland card which I also used for appetizers and any alcohol consumed. Each person contributed money towards the tip and paid for their own drinks. It worked out great for us. I treated myself and the kids to Boma for breakfast one morning before going to Animal Kingdom, and that restaurant is another favorite for us.
Our main reason for going on this trip was to be there for Star Wars Weekend. We all wore our Star Wars shirts and went on both Saturday and Sunday. My son and I went before park opening on Saturday and were able to watch the hilarious show put on by the storm troopers. We also road Star Tours four times before 10AM. We had a different ride each time so that was a treat. We enjoyed the hoopla at 8PM and we all had our picture taken with Boba Fett. One of the sand creatures (forget their names) tried to take my daughter with him (JOKINGLY) and we got some great pictures. I went to the Darth Mall and was able to buy my DVC and annual pass Star Wars pins. All in all a great time.
The weather was great except for some rain on Tuesday which was short lived, however we had a deluge on Wednesday which lasted all day, but thankfully didn't start until after I had our pictures taken at various places throughout the park. I had my picture taken with Merida, the Scottish princess from Brave. So nice to have a princess from the British Isles, considering 94% of my heritage!
Other restaurants we went to were Teppan Edo in Epcot (great food, great time), Captain's Grille at the Yacht Club (disappointing this time around), Raglan Road (good food, good entertainment but very loud), The Wave at the Contemporary (great food), and Biergarten in Epcot (great entertainment and food, reminds me of my German grandmother and her cooking).
Also had a massage at the spa at SSS, very relaxing, and spent a few mornings at the Springs pool, which was so nice when the temperature was 90 degrees. I don't cook on vacation however we had breakfast at the villa most mornings, and my ex even cooked omlettes, toast, and bacon one morning which was a treat.
My daughter and I were able to get a couple of runs in, however as much as I love Florida, I am not used to the heavy humidity, and this cut down on both my distance and endurance. However I walked back and forth several times a day from the villa to the Grand Stand and even to the Springs so I think between the parks and the walking at SSS, I did OK.
It was a great trip, and I do want to stay in a villa in the actual resort area soon. Loved SSS and its quiet, as well as its spread out feel. My next trip is going to be at OKW with my extended family, and of course I plan on a food and wine trip to Beach Club when I do an add on there. Can't wait to go back to WDW
Loved the report!! THV is the only other DVC resort option that my DH is interested in outside of AKV. One of these days I am going to get us a stay in one. I think they are terrific.
There is entertainment on the stage near the sorcerer's hat on and off all day, and the Hoopla at the end was fantastic despite my poor view. Not to be missed
