Saratoga Springs pros and cons?

[Dakota731]

We are debating between SSV and AKV. We’ve never been to Saratoga springs so can’t compare. Thanks!

 

[intamin]

Pros:
1. Close proximity/walking distance to Disney Springs and all of the shopping and dining that goes along with it
2. Great for golfing
3. Easy room availability
4. Typically cheaper from a DVC point perspective
5. The updated rooms are beautiful

Cons:
1. The food on site is pretty bad compared to whats offered at the Springs
2. The resort is huge and as such may need to take multiple stops before getting to the stop you need
3. In order for the walk to Disney Springs to be reasonable you probably need to be staying preferred in Congress Park, otherwise consider taking the bus
4. There is no other transportation to and from the theme parks besides buses; however, the good thing is you can pick either Disney Springs or Saratoga when leaving the park and stop by for dessert in the Springs and then go to your room after which is what we like doing

 

[PalmettoPath]

Personally we would go SSR over AKV no question. Even though both are somewhat isolated from a Disney Deluxe resort perspective, SSR proximity to Disney Springs (and golf, if that's your thing). Are big pluses for us. We stay in Congress Park, so a quick walk to Disney Springs. Also, we enjoy the calm and sprawling nature of the property, plus the five pools from which to choose. I don't find the onsite food bad at all, but of course you cannot compare that to the choice of Disney Springs. Plus, the recently renovated rooms are top notch.

 

[aerxo17]

I'm pro-AKL, because Kidani has 3 bathrooms in the 2-BR, the parking garage keeps cars out of the sun and we can take elevators straight up to our rooms, and the doors to the rooms don't face to the "outside" so less chance of bugs. Also I like the food and theming better.

Those who are in favor of SSR like the boat/proximity to Disney Springs and the refurbished rooms are newer and nicer. Plus, an extra queen murphy bed in the living room of the 2-BRs, vs. the dreaded sofa beds.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Probably best if you find a time to give SSR a try yourself! It's the only way you're really going to know which you like better. For us, personally, SSR is very low on our list of DVC resorts (less than stellar stays in the past for us), and AKL is at the top. That's obviously not going to be the same for everyone - so it will depend on your tastes and preferences. On any given trip, we're likely to only do DS once, so the SSR location isn't a big deal for us. Others might spend several evenings there, and the walk/boat will be a big convenience. If you get the chance, give it a try!

 

[Ellester]

We like both, actually having the same decision issue for our trip planned for January 2024!

SSR Pros:
-as others have said, proximity to Disney Springs. We haven’t every done “preferred” since it became its own category but don’t mind the walk and love the boat trip to DS.
-themeing (could be a con depending on your aesthetic). I love the bright open feel of SSR. I love AKV but it can feel so dark to me sometimes
-Artists Pallet. We actually love their QS and the dining area is much nicer that the Mara which feels so cramped to me.
-Ability to park near villa. At Jambo, you may have a 1/2 mile walk from your car to your room. Kidani does have the under-building parking which is nice but you can also be SO far from the bus-stop/lobby
-Lots of bus stops (can also be a con). If you are a rope-dropper, you just have to take a quick walk to the Grandstand busstop and you will be first in line
-Multiple pools, both family and quiet

SSR Cons:
-Only 2 bathroom in the 2BR vs the 3 in Kidani. This is probably the main reason we would do Kidani next since we will be traveling with all adults
-No animals! At least no savanah animals. Chances are you may see a deer, gator, turkey, turtle and many birds.
-Buses can be an issue, especially during the middle of the day. You may have a long wait, or a bus comes but no one gets off at your stop and it is still full. This can be an issue if you have a scooter/wheelchair in your party. The handicapped spots may be full already.

I definitely love both resorts, since you haven’t stayed at SSR I would recommend giving it a try. It really is lovely.

 

[tjkraz]

The two resorts are quite different thematically. They are both large resorts. They both have multiple restaurants and multiple pools. Animal Kingdom obviously has the draw of the savanna including public viewing areas if you don't want to pay for the better room view.

SSR rooms were renovated about 2 years ago so they are all fresh and new. Also the newer pull-down Murphy Beds were installed in all room sizes. Disney Springs is a pretty quick walk from rooms in Congress Park (preferred view) or The Paddock (standard.) SSR is also attached to the Lake Buena Vista golf course. SSR has two quick service restaurants (near the two feature pools) and Turf Club is good but often overlooked.

AKV has the extra bathroom in One and Two Bedroom villas at Kidani only. All rooms have the older style pull out sofa beds. Jambo + Kidani combined have three sit-down restaurants and one quick service. That includes the buffet at Boma and signature restaurant Jiko. The only quick service is at Jambo, so it can be a rather long walk from Kidani.

Biggest factors that would probably sway my decision:
- Plan to dine frequently at resort restaurants: Jambo
- Need extra bathroom in 1B, 2B: Kidani
- Want pull-down beds, walking access to DS or golfer: SSR

 

[Goofy4]

We are debating between SSV and AKV. We’ve never been to Saratoga springs so can’t compare. Thanks!

We just stayed at both (if the Treehouses count). The Savanna view will forever win us over to AKV.

Can confirm that the sofa beds at AKV have lost some comfort. You can ask for a foam mattress topper. They actually brought us a thin mattress to lay on top, and it really helped.

 

[kes601]

AKV - Kidani Savannah view 1 bedroom has been our favorite DVC stay so far. There are only 2 of us so no experience on the pull out bed, but it so relaxing and the bus service from Kidani was awesome.

 

[Disdreaming479]

If anyone will have to sleep in the living room, I would suggest SSR for the Murphy beds.

 

[Eviejim]

SSR- We love it! We stayed in The Paddock recently and walked to Disney Springs and didn't find it to be a difficult walk at all (maybe a little challenging to my biceps with shopping bags). It's really relaxing and peaceful there to me. I haven't stayed at AKV yet but I'm hoping to do so our next trip.

 

[zackiedawg]

I would personally prefer SSR. AK has lovely theming, and the animals are great to see, but overall I feel more separated from the rest of Disney World when there - bus is the only option out to anywhere. I like that SSR has a few different ways to get around, aside from busses, with the ability to walk to Disney Springs, and to take boats to other resorts.

I always request Congress Park as I strongly prefer the ability to walk to Disney Springs, though the end buildings of Paddock are right across the street, and even staying in Grandstand you can take a short walk to the boat dock and boat over.

While the on-site restaurants at SSR are limited - the addition of Disney Springs, OKW, and Port Orleans means dozens of restaurant and bar options within easy reach. DS is close enough for me when I'm staying at Saratoga that I've often done takeout meals and brought them back to my villa to eat - Rainforest, Deluxe Burger, T-Rex, Wolf's, Daily Poutine, Polite Pig, Raglan Road and others are right across the bridge.

Your mileage may vary on the other resorts for food - to me, taking a bus somewhere feels more like a slog, while taking a boat somewhere is a relaxing pleasure...so I wouldn't be excited about bussing to another resort for a meal, but taking a boat over is a pleasure. SSR doesn't have a direct boat to other resorts, but from Congress Park the boat docks of Marketplace are just a few hundred feet from building 1.

When heading to parks, I often like to walk over to the Disney Springs bus stop, and take the bus to a nearby resort. For example, heading to Epcot, I can take the Springs bus to Beach Club and walk in the international gateway. Heading to DHS, I can bus to Boardwalk and walk over. For Magic Kingdom, a bus to Contemporary and walk in from there, or to any of the MK resort areas and a boat over. Timing-wise, it can be around the same time, sometimes even faster, than the SSR bus to that resort which can get crowded going through 5 stops internally. Heading home from parks as mentioned, hop the Springs bus where available, or walk to a nearby resort and hop the Springs bus, then you can walk back to SSR, and stop in for some music, drinks, snacks, food, etc on the way back.

 

[Tenkawa]

For us, we booked SSR for our upcoming trip for a few reasons:

• Close to DS
• Wife loves taking water taxi type stuff
• Refreshed rooms with murphy beds (no sofa beds)
• We don't have a car with us
• Cheaper on points (especially compared to a savannah room)

Note though we are 5 people, needing 4 separate beds, getting a 2Bdrom, for a week.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I would agree with what others have said. While we spend most of our trips at BRV or BCV, SSR is our original direct DVC contract and it's still a strong contender for a resort-only stay.

There is ZERO doubt that the savannah is a one-of-a-kind experience, and no one can diminish it's incredible uniqueness, but after Jiko and Boma, there's really not much else over there to add variety to your stay. SSR offers you golf, DS, OKW, POR and POFQ, plus boat taxis, the Treehouse Villas and you're literally 5 minutes from Epcot and maybe a couple more minutes to MK.

Busses can be a challenge if you rope drop, but we've never had a really bad bus experience (if you want that, do a cash stay at Coronado Springs...)

 

[Ensusieasm]

Pros:
1. Close proximity/walking distance to Disney Springs and all of the shopping and dining that goes along with it
2. Great for golfing
3. Easy room availability
4. Typically cheaper from a DVC point perspective
5. The updated rooms are beautiful

Cons:
1. The food on site is pretty bad compared to whats offered at the Springs
2. The resort is huge and as such may need to take multiple stops before getting to the stop you need
3. In order for the walk to Disney Springs to be reasonable you probably need to be staying preferred in Congress Park, otherwise consider taking the bus
4. There is no other transportation to and from the theme parks besides buses; however, the good thing is you can pick either Disney Springs or Saratoga when leaving the park and stop by for dessert in the Springs and then go to your room after which is what we like doing

Bus service from the parks to Disney Springs, which used to be offered after 4pm, has not been available since March 2020. Bus drivers usually tell you to get on the Saratoga Bus, get off at Congress Park, and walk to Disney Springs.
You could also make your way to any resort nearest the Park you are leaving and get a bus to Disney Springs from any resort.

 

[intamin]

Bus service from the parks to Disney Springs, which used to be offered after 4pm, has not been available since March 2020. Bus drivers usually tell you to get on the Saratoga Bus, get off at Congress Park, and walk to Disney Springs.
You could also make your way to any resort nearest the Park you are leaving and get a bus to Disney Springs from any resort.

Thanks for the correction! Could’ve swore we did that in 2021 when we went but I’m probably delusional and mixing trips together

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

AKL for me because of AKL's theme. I rarely go to DS, so SSR proximity doesn't matter to me.

 

[Wakey]

You can walk to Disney Springs no issue from Grandstand, over the bridge, and it brings you into the end where Cirque is. We tend to get the boat over and walk back.
Its a beautiful resort. We like walking the extensive grounds. Lovely touches throughout the grounds.
I also think the theming is very good. Look at Grandstand pool, even the changing rooms/ bathrooms are like racing stables. The racing bugle on the hour really adds to the atmosphere.
We think the quick serve is one of the best.
The pools are some of the best on property.
We like eating in places like Boathouse.
Gym possibly best on property.
We much prefer it to Animal Kingdom but everyone has their own tastes.