Opinion on SSR

[WisheswithTink]

Okay, everyone, I am going to Saratoga only because there was nothing left for next week. What do you think of the resort?

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

I have to be honest! Mom & I were not happy! We were there from 6/19 to 6/23. It didn't feel like a Disney resort to us & we won't be returning! Just our opinion. Have a good trip!

Ms. Sparrow aka Allison

 

[lsutigger2]

Dh and I stayed in a studio in May. I enjoyed the walk to DTD. Our room didn't have much of a view, but we're not big "view" folks. It was first floor. It was quiet.
The food was different and good to me (turkey with brie sandwich and homemade potato chips). DH enjoyed being close to Lake Buena Vista golf course. Didn't use either of the pools.
Only things I didn't like are silly to some and now we are 1-bdroom snobs! Missed the king bed (so much so, DH slept on the pull out a couple of nights ) and I missed the washer/dryer. From our room to the laundry by the quiet pool was a bit of a hike.
I would stay there again, but in a one bedroom

 

[mom2rb]

We stayed in Dec. and we loved it. This trip we are staying at OKW because we have family that will also be there, but I will go back to SSR with no problem.

 

[Doug7856]

We love SSR -- especially the Downtown Disney view at night!

You may want to look at This Thread. Desnik has a very nice review of the resort.

 

[kathleena]

I have two friends at work who stayed at SSR recently and they both liked the resort. The only comment from one of them is that they like to play cards out on the OKW deck and that the decks were too small at SSR (would be the same with all the others too).

Don't be nervous - just go and enjoy!

 

[DVCconvert]

Here's a part on my review (more to be posted)
CLICK HERE

HTH

 

[Deb & Bill]

We've stayed there twice, last Oct and last month (June). We enjoyed our stay very much. We love the community feel to the resort (kind of like OKW). Plus the spa is right there and the spa is verrrrrrry nice. We had a view of DTD both times. Even watched the fireworks from DTD on our last night in June. The decor is beautiful. The CMs were very friendly. The Congress Park pool is excellent, as is the main pool. Plus they have great chocolate cake at Artist's Palette.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We have stayed at SSR three times now, once in a studio and twice in a 2 bedroom. We really enjoy this resort. Many don't. We like the decor, the close proximity to DTD, the landscaping, and the Cast Members.

If staying at SSR meant either going or not going, then why not?

 

[rocketriter]

Every resort has its own areas of excellence. Don't fret about SSR. Just go and enjoy its character as you find it.

 

[jag90]

The kids & I stayed there for the first time this past week (returned to J-ville 7/1). We had a first floor studio. I enjoyed the convenience of having my van practically right outside my door (vs. waiting on valet or walking to self park). I liked the decor...very warm. The view from our room wasn't so great (construction) but I wasn't at all bothered by this. The kids and I enjoyed the pool and slide. We drove to DTD vs. walking because the weather was so unpredictable (well, actually is was totally predictable for Florida summer weather!). We ate at Artist's Palette for lunch on the day we arrived. I had a shrimp salad sandwich (one of the daily specials) that was very delicious. DD had a turkey ceasar sandwich that she thoroughly enjoyed. DS had the mini hotdogs off the kids menu. Lots of bread, very little hot dog.

We were the only family in line when arriving to check in. We waited about 15 minutes before one of the cast members became available to check us in. While we waited, a roaming CM (a manager, perhaps) brought us our check in folder and apologized for the wait. Once we got to the desk it was a matter of seconds and we were checked in and on our way.

I did think the studio was a bit small, even for just me & the kids. The sofa bed seemed to be smaller than those at the other DVC resorts. Just my imagination perhaps. Maybe DD is just bigger than during previous stays! (Although, last stay was just in early June.)

We will be back at SSR next Monday (7/11 ) for a few days. DH is going to be with us this time. We originally had a studio reserved trying to conserve points. After getting a first-hand look at the studio, I decided we definitely needed to spend the points and get a 1 BR. Otherwise, we would all be institutionalized by the time the trip was over!

 

[DIS-NH]

Stayed for (5) nights...6/19-24 We loved it. The CP area has an (8) minute walk to DTD Marketplace. The quiet pool was deserted most of the time, and busses kept a pretty good schedule.

The rooms were great. We had 2 maint. issues when we arrived. I called as we left for MK, and they were both fixed when we got home.

Food service is a little light compared to other resorts, but DTD is close (try the "Earl of Sandwich" !!!

The Turf Clib is great for a rainy afternoon coctail.

Have Fun

 

[bobbiwoz]

We liked it very much when we stayed in December. We even had guests who provided a buffet spread, and we enjoyed it in our studio. We had one of the SSR's Christmas tree, and 6 of us enjoyed the meal and then the easy walk from Congress Park to DTD. It was a beautiful walk at night. The next morning my DSis and friends came back (they were staying at ASMo) and did the walk during the day. They have beautiful pictures of birds on the lake and the view of DTD from SSR.

The Congress Park pool is very nice, we didn't go to any others. We would stay there again.

Have a wonderful time!!!

Bobbi

 

[drakethib]

Okay, everyone, I am going to Saratoga only because there was nothing left for next week. What do you think of the resort?

We did a tour of the place and while it is beautiful, It looks so big.

I would imgaine if I stayed there I could better give an opinion, but in all honesty, SS being that it is a DVC resort, how bad could it be?

I think you will be happy there.

 

[gopherit]

We were there last August -- loved it!

So was SSR truly the only thing open -- meaning not even OKW was available? If so -- interesting. (We went in August because I was afraid we might not otherwise get a chance, haha! Figured everyone would want a shot at the newbie... oh well, just means more chances for us.)

Our family found the pool very nice, and while many complain it's small, wehad no complaints there (and the resort was filled to capacity at the time, though perhaps not as many units were open then?) We also LOVED the quiet pool especailly at night, with the DTD lights twinkling across the water -- so nice! We had a pool / DTD view -- awesome! THe CMs there were THE BEST -- especially in the community hall. We had great bus service, and DH loved having the car nearby and accessible. Our kids think DTD is the 5th park, LOL, so it was very convenient for us!

The sleeper sofa was undeniably the best we have ever experienced... DH and I gave up the king in the master BR to the kids and took the sleeper, it was so nice! We didn't eat at Artist Palette, and the little shop there is kind of like BWV's internal shop -- it's more spread out than BWV's, perhaps more space to move around, but like BWV, it's just a small smathering of items, kind of hit or miss.

Only things I didn't like: decreased storage space relative to other resorts (much smaller closets or even reduction of # of closets compared to BWV/BCV/VWL and certainly OKW); layout of bathroom (all those doors! Like playing "Let's Make a Deal" -- I almost expected to find a goat behind one...<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZNxdm801YYUS' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_10_170.gif' alt='Goat' border=0></a>) Reduced counter space in bath and kitchen (they have carved away at it and reduced it in some places to just a few inches deep -- very shallow! The exterior halls didn't bother me at all -- although I wasn't too keen on all the frogs and lizards I found in them at night! (The kids, of course, thought that was WAY COOL. To each his own!) We were worried we might think the decor was too much like "goin' to grandma's" with all the antique-appeal, but instead we found it quite classy looking...

I guess it all boils down in the end to a matter of individual taste and good fortuen, though. If you like that type resort (condo-style, open halls, sprawling resort) and styling, and you like a DTD location, and you have a good vacation with no major stoppers, you'll come back raving about SSR. If, on the other hand, you're a big-hotel-amenities person, who likes all-inclusive resorts in the heart of the parks, interior halls, and/or you happen to have some series of "unfortunate events" befall you, chances are, you'll return with a less glowing review of SSR.

As for us... We would probably put SSR in contention with OKW, which puts it just below VWL and perhaps a bare notch above BCV and well above BWV. But understand that in our case, ironically, BWV is even where we own, and if it were the last place available, I'd still say, "Thanks VERY MUCH!" and be thrilled to be there!

 

[Beach_Bound9]

Regadless of where anyone would put it on the comparison scale against other DVC resorts, and this little or that little feature, I'm sure as a DVC resort it will be very nice, and well above any off site stay. Heck, it's brand new. Pool looks great.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Okay, everyone, I am going to Saratoga only because there was nothing left for next week. What do you think of the resort?

We've had two very short stays there twice and think the resort is beautiful. It is very quiet and very large but definitely has its good points. If you are used to the indoor hallway type of resort then this one will take getting used to.

The theming is beautiful and the rooms are very nicely decorated. The proximity to DTD is great...many restaurants to choose from. The main pool is a lot of fun! And we really enjoy Artist's Palette.

 

[jarestel]

We enjoyed our stay at SSR. Buses weren't crowded and we never waited very long for one either coming or going. We especially liked the convenient walk over to DTD for dining and shopping. The quiet pool was very nice ( we don't give a hoot about slides, so we didn't bother swimming in the main pool, but it looked great when we walked by ). As we enjoy walking anyway, we didn't find the 5 - 7 minute walk from our room to the main checkin area ( Artists Palette, main pool ) to be anything strenuous, but I have seen it reported here that some find it analagous to the Bataan death march. Overall, we quite enjoyed our stay at SSR and would definitely look forward to staying there again.

Have a great trip!

 

[RayJay]

Okay, everyone, I am going to Saratoga only because there was nothing left for next week. What do you think of the resort?

See my report for opinion on SSR, you'll love it.

Wish I knew how to add as a link, Sorry. It's in this forum though.

RayJay