Saratoga or Wilderness Lodge for Christmas week

[NYMommy80]

Help! We are booked at Saratoga Springs 12/21-27 and I am having doubts due to its proximity so far from the parks. We won't have a car and will be relying on Disney to get us (two adults and a 3 year old) to parks and dining reservations. Wilderness Lodge isn't much of a price difference. Can anyone offer any guidance? I am a newbie!

 

[dansdad]

Saratoga is much closer to Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom than Wilderness Lodge. The only park Wilderness Lodge is closer to is Magic Kingdom. So depending on how many days you have scheduled for Magic Kingdom, Saratoga may be best for travel times.

However, the Wilderness Lodge lobby is spectacular when decorated for Christmas. Even if you decide to stay put at Saratoga I would recommend taking a peak at the lobby at Wilderness Lodge.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Apparently DTD is a huge mess too. So if you plan to go there at all, having the boat from SS would be a huge advantage.

 

[WDWFan06]

Hands down Wilderness Lodge at Christmas.

 

[NYMommy80]

Thanks for the responses! I know WL has better theming, especially during the holidays. Can anyone comment on the transportation convenience factor?

 

[mickeynut1]

Help! We are booked at Saratoga Springs 12/21-27 and I am having doubts due to its proximity so far from the parks. We won't have a car and will be relying on Disney to get us (two adults and a 3 year old) to parks and dining reservations. Wilderness Lodge isn't much of a price difference. Can anyone offer any guidance? I am a newbie!

My choice would be the WL.

Thanks for the responses! I know WL has better theming, especially during the holidays. Can anyone comment on the transportation convenience factor?

We've had 2 great stays at WL and visit every trip and we have always had great experiences with transportation. The boat is convenient to MK, as is the bus as it's direct with no stops. With that said, we have yet to have a bad experience going to any of the other parks. This is not to say that others haven't had problems, but in our experience, the WL transportation has always been great.

 

[2infinityandbeyond!]

WL..hands down! Never had a transportation issue there. Have fun

 

[nkereina]

We prefer WL. The boat to MK gives you easy access to the monorail, so the monorail resorts become good options for dining. There's also a boat the goes direct to FW and CR which is also good for dining options. The bus to Epcot is probably faster, but the boat to MK and monorail to TTC is another option for days you're not in a hurry.

SSR only has bus options and I think the distance to the other parks from SSR vs WL would be negligible. As PP said, one advantage SSR has is the walking path to DTD, which I believe is closed now due to the construction.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Wilderness Lodge for sure. It's our home resort and I've been there for Christmas. The decorations are beautiful. Never had any problem with transportation.

 

[thelobstershanty]

WL is a much, much, much more impressive and unique resort than SSR, ESPECIALLY at Christmas!
Transportation from all the Disney resorts is good, they ALL have their bad moments and their stellar moments but considering the # of guests that are transported in any given day, they all do an awesome job.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Wilderness Lodge hands down -- not just for the decor. Transportation is easy -- Ferry Boat to MK or Ferry Boat to CR to Monorail to TTC to Monorail to Epcot (8 minute ride and it beats a busride any day.).

Tom

 

[clapton]

Definitely WL!! Enjoy!!

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I've stayed at both and WL wins for transportation, but not by much. But if you enjoy DTD like we do, SSR's proximity to DTD makes it very desirable.

As for the crowds, during that time of year is some of the absolute worst, which I'm sure you're aware of. It'll be more convenient to be at WL when going to MK but in reality, it won't matter much if you don't go there early. Think potential capacity closures on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. So I would worry more about making sure you have plans to be in the parks early rather than where you're coming from.

I mean really, MK is good for WL, DTD for SSR, and this is largely because there are multiple ways to get from the resort to the destination. Everywhere else is only a difference of a few minutes, if anything.

 

[dawgfan]

Absolutely Wilderness Lodge. Theming is perfect for Christmas. The transportation options are very good. This would be hands down my choice.

 

[NYMommy80]

Thank you everyone! I really appreciate you taking the time to respond! I took your advice and switched to WL!

Enjoy your trips!

 

[Wendybird55]

A transportation plus for WL is the boats. There are 3 different boats that leave from pier one goes to MK another to Contemp and the other to Fort Wilderness.

Some days when were we're going to MK and Contemp boat came first and we didn't see MK boat in site we took CR boat and then monorail or walk way to MK. And if you go to hoop de doo or backyard BBQ the Fort Wilderness boat is helpful.

Also the CR boat helps with easier access to restaurants of monorail resorts like Chef Mickey's.

One note however...the only boat big enough to wheel on a stroller is MK boat - other boats you need to fold stroller when you get on.

I love the theming of WL and it is beautiful for holidays. I've heard good things about SR (never stayed there), but with a 3 year old chances are you will go to MK more then once during your trip and WL is more convenient for that.