Thoughts on Saratoga Springs

[Miss Bella]

I'm going on a cruise in February. I plan on spending three nights at WDW pre cruise. We are passholders and I'm finding very limited availability that week. My choices are a one bedroom at Saratoga Springs or a Savannah view at AKL. I've stayed at AKL the downsides are lack of running trails and limited access to restaurants. Other then that I loved the resort. I've never stayed at Saratoga Springs. I like the fact that you can walk to Disney Springs, but other then that it doesn't look very appealing. It's just myself and my teen so space isn't really an issue. Any thoughts on Saratoga?

 

[Epcotfan21]

I like it. The resort is very spread out though and has multiple bus stops.

I've stayed in Congress Park both times and we maybe had a 5-10 minute walk to Disney Springs.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

I enjoyed our stay there. We found it incredibly relaxing and love how close it was to DS.

 

[Miss Bella]

Thanks for the reviews. We are staying at the Boardwalk for three nights after the cruise. After the cruise I have my pick of any resort. The national cheerleader competition starts the day before our cruise which I assume is the reason for the lack of availability.

 

[Paper straw fan]

https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/thrilling-review-of-saratoga-springs.950934/

 

[correcaminos]

From what you're saying I think you might like it quite a lot. I'm kind of ho hum on the theme, but that's a totally personal thing. If you are looking for more places to walk to and easier access to restaurants, SSR really fits the bill.

 

[Jon81uk]

The only good thing about Saratoga Springs is being able to walk from the Congress Park area of the resort to Disney Springs.
The whole resort is bland, the quick service food place and main building feels an awkward location and you walk past a whole load of bland fencing to get there. Its a huge resort and feels like it takes forever for the bus to go to every stop.

 

[Miss Bella]

Problem solved. Grand Floridian became available at about 40 dollars more a night then AKL or SS. I've never stayed at the GF. I'm excited. A split between an Epcot and MK resort is optimal for us. Thanks for the replies I'll file that info if I ever need to stay at SS.

 

[Mrhappyplace]

My wife and I did a short stay at SS last December, neither of us were impressed. The easy access to and from Disney Springs is the nicest thing about it. The only other things it has going for it is the room was large and the price for renting points was reasonable.
I'd definitely take a GF room for $40 more per night even though the GF doesn't really appeal to me.

 

[DISR]

I've stayed there twice. The pros are the access to Disney Springs. With the much upgraded dining there, this is a more significant benefit than previously. If you have a car, the resort offers easy access to on-property and off property amenities....I could easily do an early morning grocery run while the rest of the crew was getting ready. The pools are very good and seemed less crowded than other resorts. Parking is usually convenient. The cons are the size of the property and it has more of a condo complex feel than a resort. There are multiple bus stops. We stayed in Grandstand both times and that is our preferred location. It is first on and first off for buses. It also has a good pool and is a close walk to the main pool and the boat to Disney Springs.

 

[officialtom]

We stayed there December 2017 for 10 nights. We liked how quiet the resort was, and it is very tastefully themed -- relaxed and tranquil. Being close to DS was nice but we only walked once or twice -- we actually got a bit lost the first time because it isn't well marked. It is definitely a doable leisurely walk, but we enjoyed the water taxis more. The room we got in the Paddock could definitely have used a reno. Not sure if other rooms have been renovated more recently, but ours was a bit "worn." The staff were lovely, of course, and the quick serv restaurant was good, although quite a bit smaller (and less selection) than POR, for example. The quiet pool is our area was quieter than the big central pool, but definitely more busy than the quiet pools we've enjoyed at OKW and POR. Our room was about a 30 sec walk from a bus stop, which was really great, but the waits for buses were definitely longer than we've experienced at OKW, CBR, and POR.

We are staying at the Boardwalk for 11 nights starting Feb 28 and can't wait. Based on all the reviews I've read, and my extended family's experience there before, I would probably recommend the Boardwalk or Beach Club over Saratoga. I would probably also stay at OKW again over Saratoga if given the choice.

 

[pax_65]

There is a running trail that goes from Saratoga Springs to Old Key West. It runs along the canal and Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. It's not super long (a mile or so) but if you run to the front of OKW and then back around Disney Springs you can get some decent mileage out of it. It's fun to run through Disney Springs in the early morning before anything is open. We've stayed at Saratoga many times - it's relaxing, the pools are nice and the restaurants are decent. Enjoy!

 

[WDWTrojan]

The gym is also very nice with full steam room and sauna amenities. It was actually run as a paid members gym for a long time during the waning days of the Disney Institute-era.

 

[JTT]

The only plus for Saratoga Springs is the proximity to Disney Springs.

It's very big. Depending on your location you could literally be a mile away from check in, gift shop and coffee. The theming in the lobby area is minimal, everywhere else it is non existent. The rooms are fine but it's definitely missing the Disney feel.