Did any resort surprise/disappoint you?

When we first joined DVC, the promotion at the time for those who bought into AKV was 160 free "Developer Points" to be used at Saratoga Springs Resort only.

Now we were quite happy with this promo and we booked a week at SSR for the following month. The only thing we weren't thrilled about was the fact that we'd be staying at SSR.

Well it took about three hours for us to fall in love with SSR. From it's sprawling grounds to it's Upstate NY theme to it's proximity to DtD, Saratoga Springs has so much to offer. I really think it's the most misunderstood resort on property.

It can be a bit overwhelming at first, but with a little advance research regarding different sections or bus stops for example, your SSR experience can be a magical one.

Do you have any tips for first-timers at SSR? What section to stay in, bus or car, etc?

I always request, and recommend to others to request Grandstand. Now, of course it's a matter of preference, and others may differ, but I like Grandstand for these reasons:

1) It's the first bus stop to pick up for the theme parks and DtD. This also means it's the first to drop off. Yes, after you're picked up you have to make four other stops before exiting property, but there is nothing like getting on an empty bus. And being the first dropped off is key when you have weary legs from spending time in the parks.

2) It's very close to the DtD boat launch. Depending on which building within Grandstand, it can be extremely close.

3) It's close to the walking path to DtD. Of course this path brings you to DtD's West Side, but still, the path begins right behind the Grandstand section.

4) Not that this is something you'd take advantage of all the time, but it's a relatively short walk to the Treehouse Villas. This came in handy on our last trip which was shortly after TV had reopened. It allowed me to walk over there and get some good pics and do some exploring.

5) The pool at Grandstand is my favorite "leisure" pool and ...

6) Depending on which building in Grandstand, it's not all that far a walk to the main pool and the Carriage House, where you'll find check-in, Artist Palette and Turf Club Bar and Grill

This is not to say that Grandstand is the ultimate, far and away best, it's just my opinion.

That's a great recommendation, Imagineer. I never would have known to request that section.

I'm always seeing deals for SSR -- sometimes it's even cheaper than the more expensive Moderate rooms! Hatching a plan...

Question: Can you take the SSR boat up to POR/POFQ or do they run separately?

They are separate routes. You can though, take the DtD boat from SSR to DtD and then pick up the PO boat. Keep in mind though that the SSR boat docks at Pleasure Island (right next to Paradiso 37) while the PO boats dock at the Marketplace.

Hi,

When I stayed at POFQ in December, 2004, I took the launch from there to the Marketplace, where the dock is right in front of Ghirardelli's Chocolate Shoppe. I knew then that I was in a lot of trouble.

Jim

When I stayed at SSR last year I could have swore, sworn, sworned, OH,whatever,, that the SSR water taxi docked next to Capt. Jacks at the market place, the same dock as POFQ, BUT on the opposite side of the dock. Was I imagining or hallucinating this or did they change this around?

Your imagination does not deceive you Vettelover. (As far as the hallucinations, I'll reserve the right to not express my opinion).

This was changed sometime mid 2009, around the time when The Treehouse Villas opened. The SSR boats now dock at Pleasure Island. (and on the return trip, the make two stops at SSR - one at the normal dock, and one at the THV).

We were taken by surprise by this too in September, as we'd remembered from our Jan. 09 trip that SSR boats docked at the Marketplace, just like you said, next to Captain Jack's.

Did you have trouble escaping the chocolate gravity well?

So you've got quite a walk from paradiso 37 over to the POR docks! You know what would be great? A running path along Sassagoula River from DTD up to POR. Too bad SSR and POR are on opposite sides of the river... Wait! A bridge!

Yes, I had trouble escaping the gravity well. It's a black hole; not even light can escape.

I was a bit disappointed in Wilderness Lodge. The lobby is fantastic the grounds are great and the theming wonderful but the DVC rooms are like
in Texas. I mean a bit of a trek to the furthest building. Really in the Wilderness. It was a very long trek with my senior Mom.

Also, I love the outdoor theming of OKW but really they need to refurb the units. It's got Miami Vice colors and I think they could do so much more
with the place with a little sprucing up. It's showing it's age.

With SSR, I was a bit disappointed with the spa layout. Just not the ahhhhhhh
experience I had hoped for. It's too distracting with the people using the gym running thru the quiet area. Again, I know that Disney could do better here.
Now all might be forgotten once I try out the THV.

AKV Kidani was such a nice surprise. I love that resort. Great theming and
I could spend a week at the resort without even missing the parks. That's
how much I liked it. Everything is great there. No complaints at all.
Best part is how few points it is to stay there. I guess because it's so far
from everything it's cheaper.

Jim,
I agree it's a beautiful resort. Actually all the resorts are beautiful, at least to me.

Yes the DVC is a hike at WL. I think they made the hotel in the better location.

It seems that when DVC adds onto a hotel or builds a hotel/TS they always put the TS further away.

I guess they want the paying customers to get the better experience and be closer to the restaurants since alot of DVCers use the kitchens.

It's okay though. I still love my DVC.

CHriskre -- I'd be interested to hear your thoughts once you stay in THV. I would think that would be farther from EVERYTHING! Talk about very few dining options and a trek to get anywhere. Do you have to go to SSR for pools, or are they building one at THV?

I understand they have a quiet pool in the THV section. SSR is also building a new bigger themed pool. I haven't stayed there in 2 years so it's time for me to go back and visit again and see the improvements.

I'll try to check back in when I stay to give you guys a TR.

Sounds great! Nice to hear there will be a quite pool at the THV. I heard about the new Saratoga pool, too -- sounds very cool.

It's HUGE! And the buildings are spread out in a way that some are quite far from the main pool and food. I wish they'd done a more circular pattern, like Coronado Springs, than the oblong patter they have.

I wonder if that lake is man-made, or if they were working around a current landmark.

Coronado Springs is pretty darn big too, but I think CBR tops it.

I was disappointed by POFQ, but that was probably more about my personal taste and what I like and don't like.