Saratoga Springs or Other Resort?

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Wed, 04/08/2015 - 15:38

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Saratoga Springs or Other Resort?

So here is my dilemma....I am planning a family vacation for July 2016 for our family of 5...all now adults. I have been looking at Saratoga Springs for the two bedrooms and two bathrooms, but I have read that bus transportation is horrible to and from the parks. I like POP because of the one bus stop....but the beds are only doubles so we would certainly need at least two rooms. So have any of you done this type of trip? If so where did you stay? How were the busses? and what was the most cost effective? Since my DH and I are covering the cost of the trip and our bank account is not unlimited, I do need to consider budget as well as what will make everyone the most comfortable. Suggestions? Ideas?

Wed, 04/08/2015 - 18:36

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If you're going to do a 2BR DVC resort, I would go for OKW over SSR. I think the resort is slightly nicer and since it takes fewer points to stay to OKW, it should be less expensive. Plus transportation at OKW is at least as good as SSR if not slightly better. We haven't stayed in a 2BR at SSR, only studios. One was really nice (Springs sections) and one was kind of shabby (Congress Park section). We had a 2BR at OKW near the hospitality house and it was beautiful! OKW is supposed to also have some of the largest rooms on property.

We've found the buses to be something that we don't enjoy dealing with and as a result, we've started renting a car. Is that an option for you? Maybe you would still use the buses sometimes because maybe the whole family doesn't want to do everything together or at the same time, but it would give you access to instant transportation and make the reliability of the buses less of an issue.

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Wed, 04/08/2015 - 19:48

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We had no problems with the buses at SSR. YES, the ride will take a bit longer than if you're staying closer to the action (a monorail or Epcot resort), but the ride will be about the same as from Pop Century, and in my experience the bus lines for any DVC property are a good bit shorter than for the values. Also, at SSR you have the DTD bus stop nearby, so getting from SSR to any other resort is much, much easier than from most other resorts.

Wed, 04/08/2015 - 20:11

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crazycatperson wrote:

We had no problems with the buses at SSR. YES, the ride will take a bit longer than if you're staying closer to the action (a monorail or Epcot resort), but the ride will be about the same as from Pop Century, and in my experience the bus lines for any DVC property are a good bit shorter than for the values. Also, at SSR you have the DTD bus stop nearby, so getting from SSR to any other resort is much, much easier than from most other resorts.

Well said. My sentiments exactly

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Wed, 04/08/2015 - 23:41

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Thanks everyone.... lots to consider. I am glad to hear that the bus situation isn't the nightmare I heard about. I may take some time out of my July trip to look at both properties. So many decisions! It will be my DILs first visit and I want it to be awesome

Sat, 04/18/2015 - 15:36

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I too experienced no issues with SS buses!

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Sat, 04/18/2015 - 21:55

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We had no issues with SSR except if you stay in Grandstand it can take a while to get out of the resort, BUT the upside is you always get a seat being first pickup and you get off first.

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Sun, 04/19/2015 - 21:37

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Sally-Ann wrote:

We had no issues with SSR except if you stay in Grandstand it can take a while to get out of the resort, BUT the upside is you always get a seat being first pickup and you get off first.

Oh, that is something to consider How many bus stops are there?

Sun, 04/19/2015 - 21:53

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Ms.Mouse wrote:

Sally-Ann wrote:
We had no issues with SSR except if you stay in Grandstand it can take a while to get out of the resort, BUT the upside is you always get a seat being first pickup and you get off first.

Oh, that is something to consider How many bus stops are there?

I know there are at least 4 stops, but it could be 5. I'm sure someone else will chime in shortly with the correct amount.

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Mon, 04/20/2015 - 03:24

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Five stops. Grandstand, Carousel, Paddock, Congress Park, and Springs. One for each section of the resort, although the Paddock section is so large some buildings are closer to either the Carousel or Congress Park bus stops.

Mon, 04/20/2015 - 22:04

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crazycatperson wrote:

Five stops. Grandstand, Carousel, Paddock, Congress Park, and Springs. One for each section of the resort, although the Paddock section is so large some buildings are closer to either the Carousel or Congress Park bus stops.

So do they ever have more than one bus running? We are planning on a July trip so it will be more crowded.

Mon, 04/20/2015 - 22:07

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Let me clarify... when we stayed at POP, sometimes there would be more than one bus at the stop (headed to the same park)to help with the high number of people.

Mon, 04/20/2015 - 22:26

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Well, there are five stops for a resort that might not hold as many people as Pop. I've never seen two buses for one park at the same stop, but I have seen buses come pretty quick one after the other, so could be there's more than one bus working its way through the property at the same time. But I have never seen the kind of bus lines you get at Pop at SSR.

Mon, 04/20/2015 - 22:29

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Also to clarify: If you stay at SSR, you will not experience the kinds of crowds and lines you've seen waiting for buses at Pop.

Tue, 04/21/2015 - 23:57

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crazycatperson wrote:

Also to clarify: If you stay at SSR, you will not experience the kinds of crowds and lines you've seen waiting for buses at Pop.

Excellent! I am convinced.... we will try SSR Now I just have to wait patiently for the 2016 dates to open up

Wed, 04/22/2015 - 00:50

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Ms.Mouse wrote:

crazycatperson wrote:
Also to clarify: If you stay at SSR, you will not experience the kinds of crowds and lines you've seen waiting for buses at Pop.

Excellent! I am convinced.... we will try SSR Now I just have to wait patiently for the 2016 dates to open up

The 2016 dates must be open now because we are Booked for 1-6-16 to 1-20-16 at SSR

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Wed, 04/22/2015 - 01:18

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Vettelover wrote:

Ms.Mouse wrote:
crazycatperson wrote:
Also to clarify: If you stay at SSR, you will not experience the kinds of crowds and lines you've seen waiting for buses at Pop.

Excellent! I am convinced.... we will try SSR Now I just have to wait patiently for the 2016 dates to open up

The 2016 dates must be open now because we are Booked for 1-6-16 to 1-20-16 at SSR

Bummer.... it didn't work for me Maybe because my stay isn't till July. Excited for you though That is awesome!

Wed, 04/22/2015 - 11:16

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Vettelover wrote:

Ms.Mouse wrote:
crazycatperson wrote:
Also to clarify: If you stay at SSR, you will not experience the kinds of crowds and lines you've seen waiting for buses at Pop.

Excellent! I am convinced.... we will try SSR Now I just have to wait patiently for the 2016 dates to open up

The 2016 dates must be open now because we are Booked for 1-6-16 to 1-20-16 at SSR

You will miss us by 4 days.

Wed, 04/22/2015 - 11:58

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MrHub wrote:

Vettelover wrote:
Ms.Mouse wrote:
crazycatperson wrote:
Also to clarify: If you stay at SSR, you will not experience the kinds of crowds and lines you've seen waiting for buses at Pop.

Excellent! I am convinced.... we will try SSR Now I just have to wait patiently for the 2016 dates to open up

The 2016 dates must be open now because we are Booked for 1-6-16 to 1-20-16 at SSR

You will miss us by 4 days.

Wanna bet??? We have every intention on adding another week (at least) when I reach my 7 mo. window and being at WDW till 27 Jan. 16. I should add that it is contingent on changing my room to OKW AND buying a one time series of points, neither one of which I can do until the 7 month mark.

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Wed, 04/22/2015 - 18:17

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Vettelover wrote:

MrHub wrote:
Vettelover wrote:
Ms.Mouse wrote:
crazycatperson wrote:
Also to clarify: If you stay at SSR, you will not experience the kinds of crowds and lines you've seen waiting for buses at Pop.

Excellent! I am convinced.... we will try SSR Now I just have to wait patiently for the 2016 dates to open up

The 2016 dates must be open now because we are Booked for 1-6-16 to 1-20-16 at SSR

You will miss us by 4 days.

Wanna bet??? We have every intention on adding another week (at least) when I reach my 7 mo. window and being at WDW till 27 Jan. 16. I should add that it is contingent on changing my room to OKW AND buying a one time series of points, neither one of which I can do until the 7 month mark.

Wed, 04/22/2015 - 23:37

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Ms.Mouse wrote:

Vettelover wrote:
Ms.Mouse wrote:
crazycatperson wrote:
Also to clarify: If you stay at SSR, you will not experience the kinds of crowds and lines you've seen waiting for buses at Pop.

Excellent! I am convinced.... we will try SSR Now I just have to wait patiently for the 2016 dates to open up

The 2016 dates must be open now because we are Booked for 1-6-16 to 1-20-16 at SSR

Bummer.... it didn't work for me Maybe because my stay isn't till July. Excited for you though That is awesome!

Did you check online or call? Unless something has changed, you can make a room only reservation 499 days in advance. You have to call to make the reservation. You can tickets and dining plan (if needed) when the 2016 prices are released.

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Thu, 04/23/2015 - 00:31

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JoAnn C wrote:

Ms.Mouse wrote:
Vettelover wrote:
Ms.Mouse wrote:
crazycatperson wrote:
Also to clarify: If you stay at SSR, you will not experience the kinds of crowds and lines you've seen waiting for buses at Pop.

Excellent! I am convinced.... we will try SSR Now I just have to wait patiently for the 2016 dates to open up

The 2016 dates must be open now because we are Booked for 1-6-16 to 1-20-16 at SSR

Bummer.... it didn't work for me Maybe because my stay isn't till July. Excited for you though That is awesome!

Did you check online or call? Unless something has changed, you can make a room only reservation 499 days in advance. You have to call to make the reservation. You can tickets and dining plan (if needed) when the 2016 prices are released.

Ohhhh! Got it! I will be making that call tomorrow Tonight I will decide the dates

Thu, 04/23/2015 - 20:19

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I've stayed at SSR twice, both times in the Congress Park section and I haven't had any trouble at all. Plus, if you stay in Congress Park you are super close to the DTD bus stop, so you can use it for direct resort to resort transportation. Here are a couple of links to reasons why I really enjoy staying there.

http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/articles/5-reasons-love-disneys-saratoga-springs-resort-and-spa
http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/articles/even-more-reasons-love-disneys-saratoga-springs-resort-spa

Tue, 05/12/2015 - 16:25

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Ok I'm reviving this thread because I think we just decided on a two-bedroom at Saratoga Springs from 12/5-12/11 (every other DVC resort was already booked ). What section should I request? Sounds like maybe Congress Park?

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Tue, 05/12/2015 - 16:47

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Congress Park will get you closest to Downtown Disney, so it's our favorite section.

Tue, 05/12/2015 - 20:23

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Another vote for Congress Park! I requested it for my upcoming stay. That new bridge will take me right to the Earl - love their salads.

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Wed, 05/13/2015 - 11:23

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Yes on Congress park "if" you don't mind being some distance from the main building for coffee and such. We always have a car so it does not matter, but walking the distance could be a factor for some.

Wed, 05/13/2015 - 12:34

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Mrhub is correct, that is the reason I always request (and have always gotten) "The Springs". it is right next to the Carriage House.

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Wed, 05/13/2015 - 16:10

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Now I myself would rather have an awesome view of DTD rather than be close to the Carriage House, and with that new bridge, its only minutes to DTD. We parked over at Congress Park last trip and walked over to DTD nice & short.

Wed, 05/13/2015 - 16:42

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All good things to think about! We aren't officially booked yet as the couple of DVC rental sites we've put requests in at are having trouble securing a member that has enough points available to book a 2 bedroom for a week for us. Sigh, it seems like this is a never ending process! But I'm really hoping it works out because the thought of Saratoga is growing on me!

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Mon, 05/18/2015 - 20:10

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Just a couple of picture of the SSR 2 Bedrooms from my February 2015 trip