Reviews of Saratoga Springs Resort (Disney Vacation Club)
Reviewed by maddox4 Review Date: 11/15/2017
Rating: (0) Recommended
My husband (56) and I (54) stayed here in a studio the end of Sept. We received a text on our way in the car around 4pm that our room was ready so we didn’t have to go check in at all….seamless entry into our room with Magic Bands from our last Disney trip in March17. DH is a stroke survivor and while we don’t need wheelchair accommodations, we had requested a ground floor room close to the main pool and gym and received just that. It also had a wheelchair type shower and sink and while very thoughtful (increased the size of the bathroom exponentially) , it shrunk up the bedroom and left no counter space in the bathroom. I ended up setting the ironing board in the bathroom to hold our toiletries, etc. The room was spotless, furnishings starting to show a little wear but nothing bad. This was our literal “Disney on a dime†trip! We had booked the accommodations thru David’s DVC rentals for September (value season), chose to not go to a single park, ate breakfast in our room daily and we had one of the best trips we have ever taken to Disney. This was the perfect resort to accomplish that challenge for us. Quiet, beautiful scenery within just a short walk to Disney Springs and boat connection service to Port Orleans, great gym (which my DH used daily) and walking paths for me. While I love the parks, it was so relaxing to not have to be on a schedule and we used our car to visit other resorts for meals, shopping, etc. Many have commented the resort is too boring but we have stayed here at least 4 times and wouldn’t hesitate to come back.
Pros:
quietCons:
none for usReviewed by liltinksmom Review Date: 09/18/2017
Rating: (6) Recommended
We checked in Sept 6th around 6pm. NO wait. The person at check in seemed a little off or flustered, he didn't even have us set up our magic bands with a pin....thank goodness we didn't head out to dinner without them activated with a pin! (We went to the gift shop to pick up our mugs and that is when we were told we would have to go back to the front desk to activate it and set up a pin.... ugh ok.) We had already requested through our travel agent and upon my parents check in on Monday the 4th of Sept. that we be VERY near one another. They told my parents that they had it already set up. However, upon my check in there was no such record and even though we were in the same building and on the same floor we were VERY far apart. My mother was NOT happy, I just said that it was fine. (Not really, but what else could I do?) We went to Disney Springs for dinner and ate at Art Smiths Homecoming, and it was really good! DO NOT attempt to walk from DS to the Grandstand area of SS...it was a LONG walk!!!!!! I am sure that there was a quicker way, but we couldn't figure it out.
Our room was really nice and I liked the separate bath/sinks.
We just happened to arrive before Hurricane Irma, which also put a damper on our trip. We were scheduled to go home on Sunday the 10th, but my husband (back in NC) convinced us on Thursday night that we needed to head back home Friday morning! 🙁 We only got to stay Wed nt and Thurs nt...so didn't become really familiar with surroundings.
Upon check out we encountered another "OFF" employee. This was to the point of another employee telling her....you have a guest...to which she replied, "I know." (She had never acknowledged us in any way) I was already unhappy that I was having to leave early and you could tell she wasn't happy to wait on me or my Mom. ( I truly AM sorry that the employees were having to work knowing a hurricane was coming, I don't mean to sound cruel). We asked her several times if we would receive some sort of refund for at least our room portion. She said that she was sure we would....Not really the answer I was looking for, ya know? Still waiting for a credit to appear on my credit card...ugh!
All in all I am going to sum it up that I did enjoy the rooms, but will probably not stay here again....
Pros:
Very nice roomsCons:
TOO big and not enough signs to show you where you are etcReviewed by mawdryn Review Date: 06/07/2017
Rating: (7) Recommended
I stayed at SSR for 1 night, June 2-3, for a quick trip to Disney Springs with my 17 year old daughter, my sister, and my 1 year old niece. We chose SSR for its proximity to Disney Springs, because we had planned on spending our time there shopping and eating. Unfortunately, we were put in the Carousel section, which is the furthest away from Disney Springs. At one point, we waited over 20 minutes for an internal bus, finally giving up and making the long walk back to our room...
The resort itself is beautiful, but lacks that Disney feel. Our room was ready at our 1030 am check in, and had a gorgeous view of a pond with a fountain and a "carousel."
The room was clean and spacious.
I don't feel like I will stay here again. It's a one and done for me. There are other properties that I find better fit me...
Pros:
Beautiful PropertyCons:
Too Big, and Lacks Disney DecorReviewed by bjtrax Review Date: 03/21/2017
Rating: (9) Recommended
We stayed at SSR for from March 9-14, following a 4 night DCL cruise. The resort is big, beautiful, and the pool areas were very nice. All staff we encountered were friendly & helpful. We requested the Congress Park area to be close to Disney Springs. Our building was as far from the DS walkway as we could be in that area, so it was not a big advantage. Next time, I would try to get the Grandstand area as it seemed closer to everything and was the first bus stop. It was a very nice resort & we would gladly stay at SSR again!
Pros:
nice pool areas, beautiful, Disney SpringsCons:
transportationReviewed by M9cha3l Review Date: 02/06/2017
Rating: (8) Recommended
Stayed 1/22-24 in a studio in The Springs buying discounted points for a quiet getaway. Room definately has a feel of a deluxe as moderates are tending to show their age. Queen bed of good quality. Maybe the nature of a dvc resort but everyone from staff to guests are quieter which is nice after years of enjoying the disney atmosphere. Grounds very nice even in the winter. Activity center a nice addition.
Pros:
Well maintained. TranquilCons:
NoneReviewed by TCF Review Date: 12/13/2016
Rating: (9) Recommended
My wife and I recently stayed here, 12/2 to12/10. As DVC members, this is our home resort and the first time staying here. We have stayed at Bay Lake Towers, The Boardwalk and Beach Club, all which were very nice.
This resort is nice and quiet. We had no problems with the bus transportation.
On our 3rd day there, upon returning to our room, I noticed I had lost my Magic Band. I went to the Registration Desk at 11:30 pm and explained the problem to Wendy, the night receptionist. She asked what color did I want and replaced it for me. Thank you Wendy!!
My wife and I both agree that we would stay there again.
Pros:
QuietCons:
NoneReviewed by mochridh Review Date: 09/24/2016
Rating: (9) Recommended
Stayed here Sept 15-22 in a 2 bedroom. Very nice all around.
Yes, it's spread out but that was an advantage in that the resort guests are also spread out and not concentrated around one pool. Very relaxed visit, no complaints at all.
There is no overt Disney/Mickey theme here, you can almost forget you're at Disney. Almost.
No complaints for transportation either - except for the departure Magical Express. Pick up at 8am for a 12:15 flight, a bit much.
I would definitely stay here again, staff were beyond polite, friendly, helpful.
Pros:
theme, distance to parksCons:
noneReviewed by Shirleykung Review Date: 03/22/2016
Rating: (2) Not Recommended
Rude staff, unable to perform the basic duties of their jobs. Made my 4&6 year old children wait for at least an hour in the cold night air bc staff was disgruntled and oppositional toward performing their basic job duties. Staff seemed to be intentionally confusing regarding the check in procedures and then seemed to find delight in our confusion, as they were seen snickering and continued to be unhelpful. Also, by the time we finally got to our room it was LATE, after midnight, so their one restaurant wss closed. I was told there were vending machines on thr first floor by thr elevators which turned out to only be a $3/soda machine. My children were hungry and the significant waste and disrespect of our time left us all with empty stomachs & thoroughly upset that this was our "disney" experience.
Pros:
Nothing uniqueCons:
Rude & downright disrespectful staffReviewed by toolmanjan Review Date: 11/24/2015
Rating: (10) Recommended
I stayed at Saratoga Springs Resort on 11/12. I arrived at the resort at 8am I received a text that my room was ready at 11:30. My room was a studio in the Paddock area. The room was clean and well maintained. I used the new bridge to Disney Springs in the morning to get to Wolfgang Puck Express. It’s still a bit of a walk. I found using the water taxi more convenient because the dock where you are dropped off is right in the middle of DS.
Sorry to see the bus transportation to and from SSR has not improved since our last stay in 1/13
One of my favorite DVC resorts
Moderate feel NOT!
Pros:
Clean comfortable relaxingCons:
bus serviceReviewed by Pallantides1 Review Date: 10/11/2015
Rating: (8) Recommended
Just wanted to post a few comments about my stay here 9/23-9/25/15. As the previous posters mentioned the bus rides are long to all the parks and the resort itself is fairly spread out.
That being said it was a charming resort and the rooms were as cozy and nice as any I've experienced as a DVC member.
We also stayed at Congress Park with the Disney Springs view which was simply beautiful and the five minute walk over was excellent.
Overall I would recommend to anyone they try this resort if they can stay at the Congress Park portion.
