If you need a text-only version, visit http://www.passporter.com/news/062404text.htm  -- Thanks, Jennifer & Dave  

PassPorter News Brought to you by PassPorter Guidebooks
  June 24, 2004 * Issue 4.6

In This Newsletter

From the Authors:Research, Research

Disney Feature: Disney Cruise Line Guidebook Updates

Resort Feature: Saratoga Springs Media Event

Updates: What's New and Changed

Tips: Golf Transportation, Dinner and a Show, No More Sore Feet

Q&A: Unlimited Park Hopper Passes, Room Service Fees
 
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Updates:
What's New and Changed

Here’s a few of the new developments at Disney…

The Disney Cruise Line has added soda to the drink station on Deck 9! The Drink Station is open 24 hours and now features Coke products as well as juice, milk, and water. Soda has also been added as a beverage option to buffet meals on board and at Castaway Cay. The extra-charge refillable mug program has been discontinued due to the wider availability of no-charge soda. NOTE: There is still a charge for soda through room service or at any of the bars onboard. 

Pleasure Island is currently testing a new admission policy. Anyone can walk around Pleasure Island and enjoy the shops, the food and drink stands and the outside of the clubs. Admission ($21.84 per adult) is still required to enter the clubs themselves and can be purchased at the main entrance or the door to any club. Admission allows “club-hopping” privileges and is good at all clubs. Persons under 18 must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older.

E-Ride Nights have returned! A Magic Kingdom E-Ride Night is a special after-hours event held on selected nights. Tickets are only available to Disney Resort guests with applicable multi-day passes. The dates for July are July 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, & 30. 

>Things To Do: Hear some news? Send it to us at
news@passporter.com .
 
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Disney  Tips:
From Fellow Readers

Our readers are a wealth of information! Here are the winners in this month's tip contest:
 

GETTING TO THE GOLF COURSE
“If you plan on golfing and are staying on-site, remember that your resort will provide free transportation to and from your Disney golf course.” -- contributed by Joel 

DINNER AND A SHOW
“One of my favorite ways to maximize our vacation time is to combine dinner with entertainment. Rather than sit in a restaurant and stare at the condiments, why not look for some fun with your meal? Our favorite: Casey’s on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom which has sports cartoons and a ragtime piano.” -- contributed by Brian Brennan (brinren@...)

AVOID SORE FEET
“We learned by mistake that water shoes should be at the top of your list of things to bring when visiting a Disney Water Park. The concrete gets extremely hot in the summer, plus all that walking on concrete -- ouch!” -- contributed by Jean Alexander (alexjaj@...)

>Notes: Send us your tips ! You may see them in this newsletter and win a copy of PassPorter!
 
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Q & A:
With Jennifer and Dave

Judy asks: “We are arriving at Old Key West on a Wednesday at 8:00 pm. We would like to visit the parks on Thursday and Friday with the option of park-hopping. We will leave on Saturday, but are not planning on visiting any parks that day. So if we purchase the Ultimate Park Hopper Pass for one night, would that give us two days to visit any parks and water parks we desire? What is the difference between the Ultimate Park Hopper and the Unlimited Magic pass? Also can we purchase these tickets in advance to save some money on the tickets?”

Jennifer answers: “Yes, you want to purchase the Ultimate Park Hopper Pass when you check-in to your resort. You'll want to request a pass for one night (two days), but keep in mind that since you are staying three nights (four days), Disney could insist you buy the longer pass. You are arriving late on Wednesday so they shouldn’t charge for that first night, and when you check-in we recommend you indicate how early on Saturday you are leaving so they understand that you would not be able to use more than one night (two days) worth -- they'll most likely let you have just the one night pass. 

The difference between an Ultimate Park Hopper Pass and the Unlimited Magic Pass is age -- Unlimited Magic Pass is the old name for an Ultimate Park Hopper Pass. You can't even purchase an "Unlimited Magic Pass" any more, though if you give that name most Disney cast members will understand what you mean.

You can technically purchase the Ultimate Park Hopper Pass in advance (and get an advanced-purchase discount) BUT if you do it in advance Disney will probably make you buy a three night/four day pass rather than the one night/two day pass. You can try anyway if you like -- you can purchase passes in advance from Disney's web site, Disney specialist travel agents (such as MouseEarVacations.com), the Disney Store (outside of Florida), or by phone at 407-934-7639. Discounts vary, but are generally 7-10%.”

Cookiedrop asks: “If your hotel’s room service tacks on a “service charge” + a $3.00 hotel fee, does that mean the tip is included?”

Dave answers: “The terminology isn’t always clear. Sometimes a “service charge” is a gratuity, sometimes it isn’t. In the case of a service charge of approximately 15-20% plus a $3 hotel fee, I’d assume the service charge is a gratuity. Generally, the room service menu should explain this practice somewhere in the small print. If not, call down to the front desk.

However, most hotels I’ve used do not charge an extra “hotel fee” or similar charge, as the room service prices already cover the (presumably) higher cost of providing that service. An exception might be when you’re ordering from a regular restaurant menu and the hotel fee is added to cover the special handling. Those fees are rarely shared with the staff.”

Have a question? Post it at http://www.passporterboards.com  -- and if you're lucky, you may find that folks have already asked and answered the same question that's on your mind!
 
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From the Authors: Research, Research

Hi, friends!

Well, it’s that time again -- we’re off to Walt Disney World for our annual research trip for the upcoming edition of PassPorter Walt Disney World. We’ll be bringing 11-year-old Allie along who will start work on her “Teen Tips” for the guidebook. We expect to have our 2005 edition out about the same time as last year -- December 2004. Watch for it to go on pre-order sometime this summer (we’ll announce it here in this newsletter).

We’re also in the research phase for Baby Alexander -- namely childbirth classes! A brand new update detailing our adventures with Bradley Classes, the Lamaze Method, and various infant care and feeding classes is now up at the Baby Alexander page: http://www.passporter.com/babya 

We hope you have a safe and happy 4th of July weekend!

Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Travel Press

 


 
 
 
 

Did You Know? You Can Save When You Buy Both Guides Together

Get a 25% discount off the list price of both a Disney Cruise guide and a Walt Disney World guide when you buy both together (paperback/spiral/refill kit/deluxe kit). Just use discount code DCLWDW during checkout in our online store! (One discount/coupon per order.)

To order your copies, visit:
http://www.passporterstore.com/store/ 

 

Disney Feature:
Disney Cruise Line Guidebook Updates

by Jennifer and Dave Marx
 

First Updates for PassPorter’s Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line Second Edition

My, how time flies! We sent the manuscript of the second edition of our Disney Cruise Line guidebook to the printer in late March, and here we are, updating it!

The single biggest changes appear on pages 29 and 36 -- “The Future of the Disney Cruise Line” --  which speculates about the West Coast cruises for 2005. On May 5 we learned Disney’s plan for Disneyland’s 50th anniversary (“The Happiest Celebration on Earth) and Disney Cruise Line’s role in that party. We now know the West Coast cruise schedule and ports of call.

Other notable changes involve news about the shore excursions for the summer 2004 “special” cruise itineraries to San Juan and Antigua, as well as the expansion of “free” soda service on the ships and at Castaway Cay. Sorry, we’re still waiting to hear the details regarding shore excursions at St. Lucia and the changes to the Disney Wonder when it enters dry dock in September 2004. All we’ve been able to learn from Disney Cruise Line is that the changes will take place, and that they will be very similar to the changes made last year to the Magic ­ the ESPN Club becomes a teen area, the Common Grounds teen lounge becomes an adults-only lounge, the Promenade Lounge may have some modifications, and Barrel of Laughs, the dueling piano bar, will become a sports-oriented pub.

Here, in classic PassPorter format, are the updates we’ve got:
 

Page 21 -- Shipboard Meals -- Soda (including Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Diet Sprite) is now included at no extra charge at all full-service and buffet meals on board ship and at Castaway Cay, and at the Beverage Station on deck 9 aft. Non-carbonated soft drinks such as lemonade, iced tea, fruit punch, hot tea, coffee and cocoa are still available at no charge at these same locations. There is still a charge for soda at snack bars and lounges. 

Page 22 -- Safety and cleanliness. The Disney Magic improved its CDC inspection score to 97 after its June 5, 2004 inspection.

Page 29 -- The Future of the Disney Cruise Line - Replace the fourth paragraph (“We have long expected…) with the following update:

Disney Cruise Line is playing a prominent part in “The Happiest Celebration on Earth,” Disneyland Park’s 50th anniversary party that begins May 5, 2005. The Disney Magic will “reposition” from Port Canaveral Florida to the Port of San Pedro (Los Angeles) on a 14-night sail through the Panama Canal. Then begins a series of twelve, seven-night cruises to Mexico, starting May 28 and continuing through August 20. Finally, another 14-night sailing takes the ship back through the Panama Canal to Port Canaveral (see the page 36 update for itinerary details). The Magic then resumes its normal schedule of seven-night Caribbean itineraries through the end of 2005.  The Disney Wonder will continue its regular schedule of three- and four-night Bahamian cruises throughout 2005. There is yet no word on 2006 itineraries. Some folks hope the California/Mexican routes will be repeated, but we’re not willing to speculate, and Disney Cruise Line isn’t saying.

Page 34 -- Can I Do a 7-Night in Summer 2005? For summer 2005 the Disney Magic will cruise the California/Mexico coast on 7-night itineraries. See the page 29 and 36 updates for more details.

Page 36 -- Future West Coast Itineraries. On May 5, 2004 Disney Cruise Line announced its 2005 West Coast itineraries, as part of Disneyland Park’s “The Happiest Celebration on Earth” 50th anniversary celebration. Here are the itineraries:

Seven-night sailings depart Los Angeles every Saturday from May 28 to August 20, 2005
Saturday -- Depart Los Angeles
Sunday & Monday -- At Sea
Tuesday -- Puerto Vallarta
Wednesday -- Mazatlán
Thursday -- Cabo San Lucas
Friday -- At Sea
Saturday -- Return to Los Angeles

14-Night Panama Canal “Repositioning” Itineraries
Saturday May 14 -- Depart Port Canaveral Florida
Sunday -- Castaway Cay
Monday & Tuesday -- At Sea
Wednesday -- Curacao
Thursday -- At Sea
Friday -- Panama Canal
Saturday -- At Sea
Sunday -- Puerto Quetzal
Monday -- At Sea
Tuesday -- Acapulco
Wednesday -- At Sea
Thursday -- Cabo San Lucas
Friday -- At Sea
Saturday May 28 -- Arrive Port of Los Angeles

Saturday August 20 -- Depart Port of Los Angeles
Sunday -- At Sea
Monday -- Cabo San Lucas
Tuesday -- At Sea
Wednesday -- Acapulco
Thursday -- At Sea
Friday -- Puerto Quetzal
Saturday -- At Sea
Sunday -- Panama Canal
Monday -- At Sea
Tuesday -- Curacao
Wednesday & Thursday -- At Sea
Friday -- Castaway Cay
Saturday September 3 -- Arrive Port Canaveral

The Magic will sail from the recently renovated Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California (http://www.portoflosangeles.org) , a mere 22 miles from Disneyland. Cruisers can book 2-night “add-on” packages that include a stay at Disneyland Resort. Details regarding shore excursions and special shipboard activities are not yet available, but Disney Cruise Line expects there will be special shows, activities and entertainment on board. Prices for the cruises have proven to be higher than comparable Caribbean 7-night itineraries, partly because demand for these itineraries initially pushed Disney’s demand-driven rates through the roof. If you can’t find a satisfactory rate now, keep trying ­ there’s been some “hoarding” of reservations by individuals and travel agents, some of which will undoubtedly be canceled.

Fully-detailed coverage of these itineraries including port-of-call and shore excursion information will be available in the third edition of this guidebook, due to be published in early 2005.

Page 36 -- map -- The Magic will not be visiting Ensenada or Ixtapa. It will also stop at Curacao and Puerto Quetzal.

Page 101 -- Palo -- There is now a $5 service charge for high tea.

Page 102 -- Special Meals at Palo -- There is now a $5 service charge for high tea.

Page 103 -- Topsider’s/Beach Blanket Buffet -- Drinks available now include soda (Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Diet Sprite) as well as the previously-available fruit punch, iced tea, coffee, milk and juice.

Page 105 -- Castaway Cay Dining -- Soda is now available at no charge at Cookie’s BBQ and Castaway Cay Air Bar-B-Q.

Page 107 -- Beverages -- It’s now fair to say that, “Your food onboard is included in your fare, but some drinks are not free.” Soda (fountain drinks) is now available at no extra charge at all buffet and full-service meals on board ship and at Castaway Cay, and at the 24-hour self-service Beverage Station on deck 9. There is still a charge for soda at snack bars, bars, lounges and from room service.

Page 107 -- Unlimited Soda Package -- This all-you-can-drink offer has been discontinued, as no-extra-charge soda is now more widely available. Souvenir drink mugs are sold for $3, and can be refilled at all times at the Beverage Station on deck 9 (you can also get disposable cups at the Beverage Station at no charge).

Page 107 -- Beverage Station -- Soda (Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Diet Sprite) is now available alongside other beverages.

Page 111 -- Formal Nights -- On the Eastern Caribbean cruise the formal evening is usually on day 2 and the semi-formal evening is day 6. On the Western Caribbean cruise, the formal evening is generally day 3 and the semi-formal evening is day 6.

Page 126 -- Oceaneer Club and Lab (continued) Tips and Notes -- Parents should be happy to learn that, in these days of ship-board viruses, hand-washing has become a mandatory activity at the kids’ clubs. Whenever children enter either Oceaneer Club or Lab a counselor squirts soap in the children’s hands and sends them to the sink to wash up.

Page 135 -- The Vista Spa aboard the Disney Cruise Line has increased its spa treatment prices and added a few new treatments. The menu of treatments is available in the spa when you board, but here is a sneak peek: Spa Taster (massage and facial for $109/50 min. or $242 for couples massage); Aromaspa Ocean Wrap with Well Being Back Massage ($176/85 min.); Ioniethermie Algae Super-Detox ($145/55 min.); Elemis Absolute Spa Ritual massage and facial ($237/105 min.); LT Oxygen Lifting Facial ($109/55 min.); Well-Being Massage ($109/50 min. or $242 for couples); Chakra Balancing Capsule ($45/25 min., $60/50 min., or $110 for a course of 3 25 min. sessions); Tropical Rainforest ($8 on the day of your “hands-on” spa treatment, $15 for a one-day pass; $30 for a 3-day pass; or $50 for a one-week pass); Surial Ritual Chamber ($83/60 min.). Recently added treatments include the Aromastone Therapy (approximately $170); Elemis Pro Collagen “Japanese Silk” Facial ($130/55 min. or $60 for an add-on treatment); and the Exotic lime and ginger salt glow ($141/50 min.). Manicures are now $40/40 min. and pedicures are $55/55 minutes. The hair salon’s prices have also increased by about 10%.

Page 182 -- Making the Most of San Juan: Getting There -- Note that there’s no need for U.S. Customs inspection when visiting San Juan, as the previous port of call on the itinerary is a U.S. territory, St. Thomas. See page 174 for a description of U.S. Customs procedures in St. Thomas.

Page 185-186 -- Embarking on Shore Excursions in San Juan -- Disney has now announced its lineup of shore excursions for this “special itinerary” port. We speculated on the offerings. Just how close did we get?

San Juan City Bus Tours -- replace with New & Old San Juan City Tour. There’s no need to change the description, but note that the tour does indeed include a shopping stop. Price $25/adults, $19 ages 3-9. Duration 3 hours, departs 8:00am & 12:30pm.

Bacardi Rum Distillery Tour -- The original description holds true, but add a presentation in the Bacardi Theater and a rum cocktail-mixing demonstration. $25/adults, $19 ages 3-9. Duration 3 hours, departs 9:00am and 12:15pm

Old San Juan Walking Tour -- As described. $39/adults, $29 children 5-9. Duration 2.5 - 3 hours. Departure 9:45am

El Yunque Rainforest Tour -- We were bang-on! $30/adults, $25 ages 3-9. Departure 7:45am, 12:15pm.

Kayaking -- replace with Kayak & Snorkel Eco-Adventure. (We missed our guess here) This excursion takes place at Seven Seas Beach near Fajardo, out on the island’s eastern shore. 2.5 hours of kayaking and swimming around the reefs, and two, one-hour bus rides to get there and back. $79 (ages 10 and up, only). Maximum weight for kayakers 250 lbs. Departs 8:45am, 10:45am.

Ocean Trail Horseback Ride -- As we described it. $79 (ages 10 and up only). Maximum weight for riders 250 lbs. Departs 8:15am, 10:15am

Mountain Biking Piñones Reserve ­- Another winner -- Disney suggests you wear a swim suit under your biking attire. $65 (ages 10 and up only) Maximum weight for bikers 300 lbs. Departs 8:45am, 12:20pm

Party Boat and Snorkel -- Close enough! “Catamaran Sail & Snorkel” -- Buffet lunch provided, destination not named (but still seems to be Fajardo). $89/adults, $69 ages 5-9 Departs 8:10am, 11:10am

San Juan Shore Excursions not included in PassPorter:

Hyatt Dorado Beach Golf -- Play a round of golf at one of this resort’s two Robert Trent Jones Sr. courses. Bring your own clubs, or Callaway rentals are available for an extra charge. Greens fees and shared golf cart included. $159 age 10 and up only. Departure 7:45am 7-7.5 hours

Seven Seas Snorkeling Adventure -- Snorkel the reefs off the island of Icacos, near the east coast port of Fajardo. Beverages and snacks included. $79/adults, $59 ages 5-9. Departs 8:10am, 10:30am 5.5 hours

Nature Walk Through La Mina Falls at the Rainforest -- This visit to El Yunque Rainforest is longer and offers more walking than the above Rainforest Tour, with many of the same pleasures. “Nature Boy” Dave would probably choose this one. Wear a swim suit under your hiking togs. $39/adults, $29 ages 5-9. No strollers. Departure 8:10am Duration 6 hours

Bacardi Rum Distillery & Old San Juan City Tour -- Mix an Old San Juan bus tour with the Bacardi Distillery Tour and you’ve got this one nailed. $39/adults, $29 ages 3-9. Departure 8:00am Duration 4.5 hours

Condado Beach Escape -- What’s a port visit without a beach break? This sun and fun excursion takes you to the San Juan Marriott Resort on Condado Beach. Enjoy the beach, theme pool with water slide, lounge chairs and showers. 2 hours of beach time (bring your sun screen). $69/adults, $49 ages 3-9 Departure 8:30am, 12:10pm Duration 4.5 hours

To see the complete, official list of San Juan shore excursions, visit http://www.disneycruise.com, click Fun Onshore, click San Juan (under Special Cruise Ports), and then click Shore Excursions (or just go to this link). 

Page 191-192 -- Embarking on Shore Excursions in Antigua -- Disney has announced its lineup of shore excursions for this “special itinerary” port. We speculated on the offerings in the guide -- to get the complete and official list of Antigua shore excursions, visit http://www.disneycruise.com, click Fun Onshore, click Antigua (under Special Cruise Ports), and then click Shore Excursions (or just go to this link).   

Page 224 -- As previously noted, soda is now available with lunch at no extra charge.

Page 238 -- On the 7-night cruise, you have one formal night (day 2 on the Eastern Caribbean itineraries and day 3 on the Western Caribbean itineraries) and one semi-formal night (day 6 on both itineraries).

Page 244 -- Hand-washing is now an automatic part of kid’s club activities.
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Resort Feature:
Saratoga Springs Media Event

by Cheryl Pendry
PassPorter Guide, Disney Vacation Club forum
 

[Cheryl attended the May media event for Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort as the PassPorter representative, as your authors were away at the Disneyland media event. Below is her first-hand report on Disney’s newest resort.]

From the moment you arrive at Disney's newest resort, you step back in time to a country retreat of the late 1800’s.  


Saratoga Springs Resort (photo (c) Cheryl Pendry)

The theme for Saratoga Springs is health, history, and horses and all three are in evidence throughout Disney’s largest Vacation Club resort to date.  From the names of the buildings and roads to the artwork and furnishings, everything links back to the original Saratoga Springs, which is located around three hours north of New York City and became the place to be seen 100 years ago. That still holds true today, with the Saratoga Race Course, legendary healing waters and numerous historical sites, including the Saratoga Battlefield, said to be the turning point of the American Revolution. 

How does this all translate into a Disney resort? Extremely well. Next to the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course and overlooking Downtown Disney, Saratoga Springs is set between areas best known for relaxation and entertainment, but despite that, Disney has done a first class job of giving a real sense of space to the resort. The 65 acres that the resort takes up have been used to make visitors feel as if they are away from it all, in a country retreat. 

The driveway to the resort sweeps past the golf course, before giving way to the pale pastel colors of the buildings. In this respect, the resort is very similar in style to the Yacht and Beach Club, but was in fact designed by the same architect who worked on the DVC resort in Vero Beach. 

Your first stop on any visit is likely to be the Carriage House lobby, complete with images of Saratoga Springs from years gone by displayed on the wall.  Although you may be checking in or getting your bearings, it’s worth taking the time to appreciate the little details in the lobby. Disney Imagineering took a number of study tours to upstate New York to ensure the architecture, colors, and even the window design were completely accurate. 

Passing through Artist’s Palette, the unique setting for both dining and shopping at the resort, the first thing that strikes you are the amazing wall and ceiling lights. Custom made for Saratoga Springs, the wall lights incorporate Murano glass from Venice and provide a stunning setting for meals, although I can’t tell you if the meals match their stunning surroundings, as I never got to sample what was on offer there. 

There’s also a stunning setting for the Turf Club, where you can enjoy a drink from the bar, play pool or just settle down to chat to friends. This is part of the appeal of the Disney Vacation Club resorts. They’re designed to be a “home away from home” and the Turf Club contributes towards that feel. 

While it may be a “home away from home”, I doubt many people have a spa in their back yard, but Saratoga Springs can make that claim. With ten treatment rooms, a fitness center and a range of massages, facials and spa packages on offer, it’s operated by the same company responsible for the Grand Floridian Spa and, as you might expect, offers an extremely relaxing environment, where you can be truly pampered. 

If you prefer to be active on your vacation, then there’s plenty for you as well with two tennis courts, a two mile long jogging path, a basketball court and the neighboring golf course.  

Right outside the Spa is the resort’s main pool, High Rock Springs, which boasts an eighteen foot high slide and children’s play area with spurting water. It’s the location for the weekly pool parties, which take place on Sunday afternoon ­ the time when many DVC members arrive at their resort, as points for a Friday and Saturday night stay are a lot higher than for the rest of the week. Again, there’s history here, with the original High Rock Spring having been visited by General George Washington in 1783, who was rumored to have taken the “healing waters” for an injury. 

High Rock is not the only option for swimming at Saratoga Springs. So far, there’s also one quiet pool in the Congress Park area, which will be joined by another, as the development proceeds. But the first quiet pool can claim something quite unique ­ a stunning view of Downtown Disney, merely a few footsteps away from the water, where you can look out towards Pleasure Island and the West Side. 

Those views can also be seen from selected villas and studios at no additional cost. After the Boardwalk Villas were built, offering both preferred and standard views at different costs to DVC members, the decision was taken that Disney would not go down that route again. So it’s worth requesting a view of Downtown Disney when making your reservation. Of course, there is a downside to that ­ will the nightly fireworks from Pleasure Island wake you up? Disney says not. They carried out extensive testing while building the resort and say they can’t be heard inside the rooms. 

There are a variety of rooms on offer at Saratoga Springs. The studios and one and two bedroom vacation homes are similar in size and layout to other DVC resorts. If you’ve not had the opportunity to stay in a DVC resort, let me explain. Studios are equivalent to a resort room, but with some extras, such as a small cooking area, with microwave, fridge, small worktop, cutlery and crockery. It’s enough to prepare breakfast and perhaps a couple of microwave meals. Then there are the one bedroom villas, which have full size kitchens and washer/dryer. Other benefits include a whirlpool tub and DVD player. These villas are divided into two rooms, a bedroom with a king size bed and the living area with a sofa bed. The two bedroom villas simply combine a one bedroom and a studio together. 

Then there are the grand villas at Saratoga Springs, something not seen at the more recent DVC resorts at either the Wilderness Lodge or Beach Club. Sleeping a total of twelve people, the grand villas are set on two levels, with the main living area arching up to the ceiling and a balcony on the next floor overlooking it. There’s a dining room and full size kitchen, as well as three bedrooms and bathrooms, but availability of these may be limited in the near future. There are only a total of two in each building, although additional buildings are scheduled to open in July and August, by which time the whole Congress Park area will be open. 

Finally, a word about the new DVC sales center, based at Saratoga Springs, which may be your first introduction to not only the resort, but the Disney Vacation Club and all that it can offer. When you walk in, you’re greeted with a series of plasma screens, highlighting all the wonderful places that you can visit with your membership. Then Tinker Bell flies in with a dose of pixie dust, courtesy of 10,000 fiber optic lights in the dark blue ceiling to give the impression of stars in the night sky. It’s extremely impressive and I’m sure will add a number of new DVC members to the existing 80,000 member families from more than 60 countries. 

It’s been a long time since the Disney Vacation Club has built a brand new resort at Walt Disney World. The Villas at both the Wilderness Lodge and the Beach Club were additions, so the architecture and theming had to be in keeping with the existing architecture. At Saratoga Springs, the Imagineers have been able to create the first brand new “home away from home” resort in some time and they’ve made an excellent job of it. Reflecting themes from some of the other Disney resorts, Saratoga Springs ends up being strangely familiar, while at the same time, having its own very unique atmosphere.

I wasn’t sure what to expect of it and I certainly wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did. My tour was enough to persuade me that we should stay here when we return in December and I’m looking forward to the prospect of getting to know Saratoga Springs even better and enjoying all the facilities I toured that day. 

For full information on the Spa at Saratoga Springs, visit http://www.relaxedyet.com  

For more information on the Disney Vacation Club or to ask any questions, visit the PassPorter Message Boards.




 

 

 
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