Fun, flowers and firsts THREAD 3 OF 7 About This Page:

[chezp]

Continued from previous post...



Next we headed to the Turf Club, the main bar area, which again carried on the Victorian theming. The view from here was superb, straight across to Downtown Disney one way and looking back to the golf course the other way. It was full of mahogany furniture and we were told that there were a couple more tables to go in there before opening time. A nice touch was the pool table, another example of the “home from home” feel. It certainly had a lot of atmosphere.







The view from the Turf Club





Inside the Turf Club



Then it was over to the spa, where I think we were all disappointed to find they weren't giving out sample massages, but they were due to start work that weekend and there would be 20% discounts for DVC members on certain massages, although exactly which ones still had to be determined. Having said that, I did inquire about massages that we care and no CM had heard of any being scheduled, but more of that in days to come.





The fitness centre



We were shown that the fitness centre, which is free to those staying at Saratoga Springs, but there seemed to be some confusion as to whether it would be free for DVC members at other resorts. Then it was on to the treatment rooms and the women's changing area, which included a whirlpool, sauna and steam room. We were told the men's changing area was exactly the same. There are about 10 treatment rooms offering a range of services, including massages, facials and hydrotherapies. It's a place you can definitely relax in.





The women’s changing room’s whirlpool



The woman’s changing room



Next: High Rocks Pool and the rooms at Saratoga Springs

[ilovelilo]

That's so cool that you were in radio! I love radio too, but I really want to be an editor someday so there's not too much use for that on there!

Thanks for the pictures from SSR--I'm kinda jealous of all those DVC members now! I especially love the lights at Artists Palette--I wonder if I can buy a few of those for my house!

Thanks for the great update! Looking forward to more!

[Colexis Mom]

Great pictures Cheryl Looking forward to seeing the rooms It does look like a great resort

[ariel1]

great pictures- i really love the look of ssr. it's very pretty. it's a shame you weren't up to trying artist palette. we could all use one of your famous 1-10 reviews on it. thanks for another great update. looking forward to more!

[Jennifer2003]

I'm so jealous!!! LOL
The place is BEAUTIFUL! I loved that one picture where the brick wall was offset by the cream colored wains coating...wonderful!
The set up for the kids waiting area was so cute!!!!!

Great work!!!

Jennifer

[RobinKay6573]

I hope non-DVC members can go visit Saratoga Springs. I am a huge horse lover and I have visited Saratoga the last two years on my way to Vermont. The city is beautiful and horse racing is HUGE. I was lucky enough to see some races when I was there (I actually won $50!! too). They only race thoroughbreds for about 6 weeks in the summer so it is a huge deal! All the NYC & Boston Socialites flock to Saratoga to see the races. Saratoga is at the foothills of the Adirondacks Mountains and is also a very popular retreat for artists. This area is very rich in history as well. Back before there were cars people would come up from NYC and summer in the area...everyone from Presidents to Al Capon. I didn’t even mention the hot spring, which were thought to heal all ailments back in the 1800’s. I REALLY want to see how Disney interoperates a place I know so well. I am glad to hear that Disney is trying to be as accurate as possible.

I am glad you enjoyed the media event, it sounds like Disney really rolled out the red carpet! I hope Mark had a good time going solo.

[Joanne929]

Just catching up and am really enjoying your TR - and loving your attention to Saratoga Springs - ready for more please!

[chezp]

Wednesday 5 May – part five: High Rocks Pool and the rooms at Saratoga Springs



From there, we went out to High Rocks Pool, the main theme pool of the resort. It's got an eighteen foot slide and a couple of waterfalls. They also have Donald with water sprayers, the story being (as Kevin told us) that Donald is trying to catch the water in his bucket and from what I could see was failing miserably!



The pool has a great theme to it and while it's obviously never going to match somewhere like Stormalong Bay, it's a decent sized place with the obligatory poolside bar for all your drink needs right next door.





High Rocks Pool



The new sales centre for the DVC will also be located at Saratoga Springs by the time the resort opens on the 17th of May and that was our next stop. It's a very impressive set-up, far better than what they currently have at the Boardwalk. When you walk in, you're greeted with a series of plasma screens highlighting all the wonderful places you can go in the world with your DVC membership. Then Tinkerbell flies in to sprinkle her pixie dust and as she does, so there is a trail of pixie dust left in the sky, thanks to the use of 10,000 of fibre optic lights in the ceiling. It's a dark blue colour and the yellow lights looked just like stars. It's a very it's stunning effect and a perfect way of starting to sell those DVC memberships!





The courtyard outside the DVC sales centre at Saratoga Springs



We walked over to pick up our golf cart transport over to the residential buildings to see what the rooms look like. It's important to say here that only one building will open for business on the 17th of May. I was told that the others will follow one by one at approximately 30 day intervals. As we walked out of the sales centre you could see the scale of building work, but although there is a lot going on, it didn't feel like a building site and it wasn't that loud either.





Building work continues



I was very impressed by the residential buildings. Some of the colours used included pastel pinks, blues, greens and yellows and they all complemented each other beautifully.





The resort buildings from outside



We went up to the first floor for a look first at a grand villa and boy, is this the life or what?! It was wonderful with a view straight across to Downtown Disney.





The view out from the grand villa we visited



Set on two levels, the main living area arches up to the ceiling with a balcony on the next floor overlooking it.





The living room



The view down from the balcony into the living area below



There's a dining room and kitchen, as well as bedrooms and bathrooms and in total it sleeps 12 people. I would love to stay in one of these one day, but I think it would probably take up our year’s entitlement of points to do it!





The kitchen of the grand villa



The dining room



Bedroom one



Bedroom two



Next: The final part of my visit to Saratoga Springs and another PassPorter meet!

[Colexis Mom]

What great pictures Cheryl



I the one looking out of the grand villa at DTD Westside. How cool is that going to be at night, just sitting there in your room (or in the day for that matter) I too loved the colors of the resort from what we could see from DTD. Very soothing and calm!



Looking forward to hearing all about your PP meet for dinner

[Luv2plan]

The media event sounds so interesting, and a lot of fun! Thanks for another great update!!

[buckysmom]

Thanks for the pictures and update. I think your report made me more interested in the resort than anything Disney has released, they really should hire you!

[ariel1]

i agree that you should become a ssr dvc salesperson. between the beautiful pictures and lovely descriptions, you could sell a bunch! so i'm curious- what was mark doing all this time?

[BritDisFan]

Thanks for the photo's Cheryl, it looks such a lovely resort.

Karen

[chezp]

[ QUOTE ]
so i'm curious- what was mark doing all this time?

[/ QUOTE ]

Aaah... now that's to come in the next installment - you'll find out tomorrow! All I will say is that there are some wonderful photos of his day to come.

[luvnwdwgal]

Thanks for the update Cheryl!! Love the pictures of SS!!