Disney Saratoga Springs Resort

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

Disney's Saratoga Springs seems to be available the most of all of Disney Resorts. People seem to prefer other resorts.

Why is it the most available?

Why don't people like it?

Thanks,
Nancy

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

It's a huge resort with the most rooms available and because it's so big and furthest away from the theme parks, it's the least preferred for DVC owners to book thru the club.
It also is missing that whimsical pixie dust feel. It's actually nicely themed IMO with an upstate NY Saratoga Springs equestrian theme but I guess it's not Mouse-centric enough for most Disneyphiles. :roll eyes:

I think RCI and DVC have finally reallocated how they deposit to RCI and that's why we are seeing mostly SSR.
Not sure what's going to OGS's but it seems OY there are quite a few who feel the run with the good cheap DVC is over.

There isn't anything wrong with SSR except it's a sprawling resort and has more of a condo feel to it as opposed to a hotel resort feel.
There is a nice spa on-site and some decent restaurants and you are only a boat ride or short walk from Downtown Disney aka Disney springs.
They have a nice feature pool and several quiet pools, decent frequent bus service and a big community hall.
Personally I'd be frustrated with the buses and always use my car when staying at this resort unless I'm just going to DTD.

The rooms get a lot of wear and tear. Especially the studios.
Disney refunded my points on a stay a few years ago because of the horrid condition of the studio unit and the fact that they could not move me to another room for my short 4 night stay. We had a lock off 2 bedroom and the 1 bedroom side was just fine but the studio was rancid with humidity from an apparent AC leak.
I was so relieved to move to Bonnet Creek and was sad that I felt that way. I own in SSR so it disturbs me how the upkeep is so bad in the studios.
On the plus side, SSR has the Treehouse villas and they seem quite popular. Not sure if they ever show up in RCI though. I doubt it.
So if you do decide to go to SSR, my recommendations to try for the 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom dedicated units as opposed to the studios.
I think for an adult centric trip that SSR is a great resort. Just enough mouse for most adults. With kids I'd try for AKV instead.

[bnoble Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bnoble]

Why is it the most available?

There are several factors.

* It's the largest resort by a wide margin, so there are simply more rooms here.

* There's no "local" draw. VWL, BLT, PVB, and GFV have easy access to MK. BCV and BWV have easy access to Epcot and Studios. AKV has the animals on site. Downtown Disney was a lot more attractive when Pleasure Island was open, but there's not much reason to visit now. Hopefully that will change when the reboot is fully built out.

* OKW also doesn't have a local draw, but the OKW rooms are larger, have more functional layouts, the theme is arguably better executed, and it costs fewer DVC points to book internally.

* The new DVC deposit strategy seems to have significantly reduced the time between deposit and check-in; that means that owners have a longer window during which to book their preferences---and those preferences generally aren't for SSR.

Why don't people like it?

I'm not sure people don't like it---just that they like the others more. I'd be happy to stay there, and probably will someday, but so far any time I've held or confirmed SSR, something better has come along that was worth switching to. That might not be true going forward.

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

Thanks for the info. I may put in an OGS and figure this is where I will get.

Nancy

[triniciak Member Find all posts View Profile Close triniciak]

There are several factors.

* It's the largest resort by a wide margin, so there are simply more rooms here.

* There's no "local" draw. VWL, BLT, PVB, and GFV have easy access to MK. BCV and BWV have easy access to Epcot and Studios. AKV has the animals on site. Downtown Disney was a lot more attractive when Pleasure Island was open, but there's not much reason to visit now. Hopefully that will change when the reboot is fully built out.

* OKW also doesn't have a local draw, but the OKW rooms are larger, have more functional layouts, the theme is arguably better executed, and it costs fewer DVC points to book internally.

* The new DVC deposit strategy seems to have significantly reduced the time between deposit and check-in; that means that owners have a longer window during which to book their preferences---and those preferences generally aren't for SSR.


I'm not sure people don't like it---just that they like the others more. I'd be happy to stay there, and probably will someday, but so far any time I've held or confirmed SSR, something better has come along that was worth switching to. That might not be true going forward.

So is it easy to switch once you have confirmed?

[Sharkman Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sharkman]

Great info thanks to all for sharing