Saratoga Springs Question

[Jpavey88]

Hello,

My wife and 3 young kids and my grandma are going to Disney World and are choosing between a family suite at AOA or 2 bedroom villa at Saratoga. We’ve never been to either and we’re leaning towards Saratoga for the extra privacy in the villa but I’ve read that Saratoga is run down and feels like a regular apartment complex and isn’t very Disney-esq. can anybody suggest one or speak on the quality of Saratoga?

 

[DisneyJoe]

Hello,

My wife and 3 young kids and my grandma are going to Disney World and are choosing between a family suite at AOA or 2 bedroom villa at Saratoga. We’ve never been to either and we’re leaning towards Saratoga for the extra privacy in the villa but I’ve read that Saratoga is run down and feels like a regular apartment complex and isn’t very Disney-esq. can anybody suggest one or speak on the quality of Saratoga?

Saratoga definitely doesn't have the wow of a theme like Art of Animation has, and the few times that I have been to SSR the rooms have been in excellent shape. It is a very large and spread out resort too.

 

[StefDisney]

Hello,

My wife and 3 young kids and my grandma are going to Disney World and are choosing between a family suite at AOA or 2 bedroom villa at Saratoga. We’ve never been to either and we’re leaning towards Saratoga for the extra privacy in the villa but I’ve read that Saratoga is run down and feels like a regular apartment complex and isn’t very Disney-esq. can anybody suggest one or speak on the quality of Saratoga?

For me, it would come down to two things, location and themeing like @DisneyJoe mentioned above.

Saratoga Springs is right across the water from Disney Springs, so if you're planning on spending quite a bit time there (for dining, shopping, walking around etc.), I would stay there. You can either take the walking path or ride the boat, instead of a traditional bus ride.

If it's not a concern to you, then again, it depends on how much themeing you want.
Saratoga does have some Disney touches here and there, but nothing that compares to those of the value resorts, including AOA.

I haven't stayed at either of these resorts, but I heard consistently good things about both. Hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[epcotisbest]

Hello,

My wife and 3 young kids and my grandma are going to Disney World and are choosing between a family suite at AOA or 2 bedroom villa at Saratoga. We’ve never been to either and we’re leaning towards Saratoga for the extra privacy in the villa but I’ve read that Saratoga is run down and feels like a regular apartment complex and isn’t very Disney-esq. can anybody suggest one or speak on the quality of Saratoga?

I like it when I read stuff like "Saratoga is run down and feels like a regular apartment complex and isn't very Disney-esq" (whatever that is). If we can keep up these rumors, there will be more availability for us who know the truth.
SSR is a beautiful resort with four wonderful pools, very roomy, comfortable accommodations, beautifully landscaped grounds, a good spa and workout area, and good restaurants too.
The location is great, being very close to Disney Springs (an easy walk or boat ride), which we visit several times each trip.
We have stayed at SSR multiple times and have never once been disappointed.
SSR is a large resort and is quite spread out, with multiple bus stops, and depending on which section you are in, will probably require a lot of walking. If that is a problem, it may not be a good choice, but for us, we drive and like being able to park right outside our unit and we spend a lot of time at the resort vs. in the parks and we like SSR just fine. The proximity to DS is a big plus to us. If you don't care for DS, then location may not mean anything to you.

 

[slappy magoo]

AoA is cute. There are statues to gawk at. The rooms are whimsically themed especially the suites (the individual Little Mermaid rooms, not so much). Your kids might wind up feeling they wish their rooms at home could be like that, where tables convert to beds. The pools are nice, but no slides. The food court has variety, but there is no sit down restaurant and precious few other amenities.

People think Saratoga feels like an apartment complex because it's not as whimsical, the exterior walkways dont feel as "high end" as deluxe resorts. I've never found them to feel run down, I think they're awesome. The two main pools are great, both with slides, and there are a few scattered quiet pools too. A 2br villa will have twice the space of a suite at AoA, with one of the bathrooms having a whirlpool tub. Your kids might like the look of a suite at AoA more, especially at first glance, but over the course of an exhausting Disney trip, I'll bet the extra physical space will do wonders to maintain sanity. You will have a kitchen at Saratoga. You will have in room laundry. There are more on site amenities. There is a spa. The food court is smaller than AoA, and the one sit down dinner is only open for dinner...but that's because you're walking distance and/or a boat ride away from an embarrassment of dining options at Disney Springs.
Bottom line, at AoA, you get more eye candy. At Saratoga, you just get more.

 

[Jpavey88]

I like it when I read stuff like "Saratoga is run down and feels like a regular apartment complex and isn't very Disney-esq" (whatever that is). If we can keep up these rumors, there will be more availability for us who know the truth.
SSR is a beautiful resort with four wonderful pools, very roomy, comfortable accommodations, beautifully landscaped grounds, a good spa and workout area, and good restaurants too.
The location is great, being very close to Disney Springs (an easy walk or boat ride), which we visit several times each trip.
We have stayed at SSR multiple times and have never once been disappointed.
SSR is a large resort and is quite spread out, with multiple bus stops, and depending on which section you are in, will probably require a lot of walking. If that is a problem, it may not be a good choice, but for us, we drive and like being able to park right outside our unit and we spend a lot of time at the resort vs. in the parks and we like SSR just fine. The proximity to DS is a big plus to us. If you don't care for DS, then location may not mean anything to you.

Im not saying its true, just asking based on what I have heard. In the end we decided to go with AOA simply because we have a 4 and 8 years old boys who will love the cars/lion king theme, and we only plan on going to Dis springs once so not a huge deal. I do wish though that AOA offered 2 bedroom suites also instead of just 1, or at least a pocket door seperating the living area with the pull out couch.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Im not saying its true, just asking based on what I have heard. In the end we decided to go with AOA simply because we have a 4 and 8 years old boys who will love the cars/lion king theme, and we only plan on going to Dis springs once so not a huge deal.

I think this is smart. My wife and I would never stay at Art of Animation just the two of us, but our daughter is OBSESSED with Cars so it's one of her favorites. We like it well enough where it's not a major sacrifice to stay there over one of our other favorites.

I do wish though that AOA offered 2 bedroom suites also instead of just 1, or at least a pocket door seperating the living area with the pull out couch.

What do you mean? The bedroom at AoA is completely separate from the living area. There's a proper door.

 

[Jpavey88]

I think this is smart. My wife and I would never stay at Art of Animation just the two of us, but our daughter is OBSESSED with Cars so it's one of her favorites. We like it well enough where it's not a major sacrifice to stay there over one of our other favorites.


What do you mean? The bedroom at AoA is completely separate from the living area. There's a proper door.

What I mean is a curtain or something for privacy for someone sleeping on the pullout in the living room area.

 

[crawale]

Hello,

My wife and 3 young kids and my grandma are going to Disney World and are choosing between a family suite at AOA or 2 bedroom villa at Saratoga. We’ve never been to either and we’re leaning towards Saratoga for the extra privacy in the villa but I’ve read that Saratoga is run down and feels like a regular apartment complex and isn’t very Disney-esq. can anybody suggest one or speak on the quality of Saratoga?

Saratoga Springs is the least 'Disney like' hotel. I stayed there with my grandsons (5 and 6) two years ago and it was horrible. Staff didn't seem to care and most of the areas are too far from the main pool and restaurants to be convenient if you don't have a car. AofA on the other hand is themed really well - the pools are great and my grandson loved everything about the resort.

 

[slappy magoo]

I like it when I read stuff like "Saratoga is run down and feels like a regular apartment complex and isn't very Disney-esq" (whatever that is). If we can keep up these rumors, there will be more availability for us who know the truth.

I think I figured out why so many people (NOT EVERYONE, so no one should take offense) think SSR seems run down, and of course it has to do with the exterior walkways. But it's not just that "deluxe resorts shouldn't have exterior walkways," it's that those exterior walkways are more susceptible to the elements. So dirt accumulates in the corners, spider webs get constructed in the crevices, wind can blow errant trash into your path. I've got more critters and crap (and probably critter crap) in my backyard quite frankly and my backyard is the size of a postage stamp. But when you're walking from your car to your room, lugging your bags, exhausted from travel and your first impression is the dirty water at the bottom of the steps because it rained a few minutes ago, the perception gets set in stone.

 

[Lensman]

I agree with the previous poster who said that the main things that a Saratoga Springs 2-bedroom villa has over the AoA family suite are:
1. Full kitchen
2. Almost double the room size: 1070 sf vs 565 sf. It's bigger than most people's Manhattan apartments!
3. Table service restaurant
4. Walking distance to Disney Springs (or boat across the lake)

The theming at AoA is obviously much more Disney, but Saratoga Springs is ok if you actually want a "equestrian-themed, Victorian-style Resort hotel".

We like the space and having a full kitchen but we're kind of biased towards SSR being DVC owners.

 

[nickys]

I agree with the previous poster who said that the main things that a Saratoga Springs 2-bedroom villa has over the AoA family suite are:
1. Full kitchen
2. Almost double the room size: 1070 sf vs 565 sf. It's bigger than most people's Manhattan apartments!
3. Table service restaurant
4. Walking distance to Disney Springs (or boat across the lake)

The theming at AoA is obviously much more Disney, but Saratoga Springs is ok if you actually want a "equestrian-themed, Victorian-style Resort hotel".

We like the space and having a full kitchen but we're kind of biased towards SSR being DVC owners.

Plus two of the pools have water slides. Only 1 area doesn’t have it’s own pool. And it has a bus service to get to and from the central “hub”.

But again, it comes down to personal preference. Saratoga is a DVC resort and therefore more like a condo type resort than somewhere like AoA.

 

[slappy magoo]

I don't think it's run down, I just think it resembles any mid range apartment complex in Florida (same with OKW to an extent) - It seems more like off-site, Airbnb style rentals than anything Disney has to offer (which is why it's the absolute last choice/only thing available when someone drags their feet booking DVC rooms)

To me, its a matter of what is more important to you- the rooms on the inside (where SS has the edge over any moderate resort/4 star and under hotel) or the resort grounds (where SS maybe only beats out All-Star Resorts, and sleeping under an overpass)

Well there is another corresponding reason as to why Saratoga often seems to show last minute availability which is just how freaking huge it is. The more rooms a resort has, the better the odds it'll have rooms available on any given night. Yes, the perceived lack of a theme and the location also doesn't help, but still with over 1200 rooms available (plus the treehouse villas), it's bound to have more availability than all of the smaller DVC resorts.

I also think the grounds are lovely, it's just that, like most of the moderate resorts and all of the values, it's a potential hike to get anywhere else on grounds from where you are. But the landscaping is usually great, it's a beautiful resort for a stroll or bike ride.

 

[epcotisbest]

Well there is another corresponding reason as to why Saratoga often seems to show last minute availability which is just how freaking huge it is. The more rooms a resort has, the better the odds it'll have rooms available on any given night. Yes, the perceived lack of a theme and the location also doesn't help, but still with over 1200 rooms available (plus the treehouse villas), it's bound to have more availability than all of the smaller DVC resorts.

I also think the grounds are lovely, it's just that, like most of the moderate resorts and all of the values, it's a potential hike to get anywhere else on grounds from where you are. But the landscaping is usually great, it's a beautiful resort for a stroll or bike ride.

Yeah, we bring our bikes with us most trips and enjoy riding all around SSR and alongside the canal over to OKW. We also take them over to Ft. Wilderness and ride over there around the campsites and over to WL as well. Since we drive, it is easy to bring our own bikes, but rentals are available too.

 

[epcotisbest]

 

[slappy magoo]

I guess I would just liken it to having some nondescript townhomes in a country club community. The grounds are fine, just lacking any sort of character. The theme seems to be "um, well something horses, kinda" but there really isn't any prevailing sense of it when you walk (who are we kidding, drive) through the grounds.

But I guess, if there isn't really anything exterior-wise that separates this resort from the moderate/value resorts, it just makes you question whether the extra space in-room is worth it or not. When I was there with a large group, half of which weren't even going to the parks, it was great- when it's my wife and I, I could honestly live with the smaller rooms at AOA or POR just for the added value of the more interesting resort common areas.

If you want some quiet, however, after a day at the parks, and are a fan of half-hearted horse racing themes, SS is good.

I hear you. As well maintained as the grounds are, there's not much about them that screams OMG I'M AT DISNEY!!!

But of course for some people that is a selling point. Not everyone wants the "Disney magic" to be so full frontal (no innuendo intended).

 

[slappy magoo]

Well you 2 do it right! I've walked around there a bit, but after doing 7-8 miles of walking at parks during the day, plus however long to get to D Springs at night, I haven't canvassed the SS property in anything but a car. Looks like I'm missing out



I hear you too! And that is what I have suspected, that some people like the quiet, sprawling aspect of it. That said, most DVC people I know for the price, would rather stay at Kidani or Wilderness Lodge

I also think for some people the proximity to Disney Springs - and that there's an onsite spa - are also pluses. SSR was developed right around the tail end of that Disney public relations push of "we're not just all about theme parks and character meals, you know." You've got a member of your party that prefers taking it easy and shopping and fine(ish) dining more than getting up at crack of dawn to be first on Space Mountain, getting a facial in the afternoon as opposed to desperately defending a piece of hot sidewalk for the 3:00 parade, Saratoga's going to be way more their speed than some of the other deluxes or DVC resorts.

 

[epcotisbest]

I also think for some people the proximity to Disney Springs - and that there's an onsite spa - are also pluses. SSR was developed right around the tail end of that Disney public relations push of "we're not just all about theme parks and character meals, you know." You've got a member of your party that prefers taking it easy and shopping and fine(ish) dining more than getting up at crack of dawn to be first on Space Mountain, getting a facial in the afternoon as opposed to desperately defending a piece of hot sidewalk for the 3:00 parade, Saratoga's going to be way more their speed than some of the other deluxes or DVC resorts.

As we have gotten older our visits to WDW have changed drastically. We used to be rope drop to goodnight kiss every day. Then we started cutting back on park visits after they dropped the 10 day no expiration tickets.
We started enjoying more resort time. Yes, we can go anywhere and just relax by the pool, but we still like doing that at Disney resorts, but we do that at offsite places as well. And we enjoy SeaWorld and Discovery Cove.
We have actually stayed at a Disney Resort (Kidani, SSR and WL) and never set foot in a park, or only one day out of the week. This May we stayed offsite at a Marriott timeshare and spent most of the week just hanging out by the pool. Now we did go to Epcot for the Flower and Garden Festival one day because we love the Flower and Garden Festival.
People ask why go there if you are not going to the park and we say, "Why not?" We go to other places too, but we like WDW and there is much more to it than just theme parks.
And yes, when you are not spending a lot of time in the parks, and just hanging at the resort, relaxing and rejuvenating, proximity to DS is a nice plus.

 

[BuzzLIghtYear2010]

With kids at Saratoga, request a room in the Paddock near the pool. It has large and small slides, a quick service counter, and its own bus stop. It worked great for our grandchildren, and we will be back there next year.

 

[epcotisbest]

I hear you. As well maintained as the grounds are, there's not much about them that screams OMG I'M AT DISNEY!!!

But of course for some people that is a selling point. Not everyone wants the "Disney magic" to be so full frontal (no innuendo intended).

You can count us as being a little overwhelmed at the in your face theming of AoA. The grounds are whimsical, the big blue pool is nice, but for us old fuddy duddies, it is a bit much.