GF or SSR Spa Which one to pick?

[OregonDisneyFanatic]

Hi everyone! I am hoping that you can help me! I want to get my mom a gift certificate to either the Grand Floridian or Saratoga Springs spa for x-mas to use for our trip in March. But I have no idea of each one to pick. Any help and ideas would be GREATLY appreciated since I am clueless.

Thanks!

Kristi

 

[goofyfordisney]

I need to know the same thing!

I want to treat my mom to a spa treatment for her birthday when we go in February!

 

[OregonDisneyFanatic]

goofyfordisney, I think we are on our own on this one.......Let me know what you find out and I will do the same. Maybe somebody will still post and let us know?

 

[twojo21]

where is your mom staying? that might make a difference for getting there.

we have yet to try ssr but we love the spa at the grand floridian. the treatments are great, the facility is nice, large rooms, nice hot tub/sauna/lounge, etc.

all the spa's at wdw with the exception of the new mandara spa at the dolphin are run by niki bryan, you can view info about the spas & healthclubs at disney at relaxedyet.com

 

[zmichele]

I read very recently on either this board or another Disney Board that GF was recommended over SS due to the following:
(1) At SS the waiting area for men and women are combined which the posters did not find relaxing. At GF, men have one waiting area and women have a separate waiting area.
(2) The posters found the GF set up to be provide a better overall feel.
(3) The posters did say that SS was new and pretty, however, they felt that GF was also beautiful with nice decor/ambience.

 

[ufgator]

I haven't been to SSR's spa but I just went to GF's last week with DH and my mom. All of us really liked GF. I had a marine algae wrap (great and my skin is still soft) and a manicure and pedicure (love the massage chair I sat in). After my stuff, they gave me the body brush from my wrap and the tools from my manicure. DH had a massage and gentlemen's facial, and he liked both. My mom had a massage and manicure and pedicure. My mom liked both and said the massage table was heated, (she's had a lot of massages but never had that before), which she loved. The locker room and waiting area were smaller than I thought they would be, but they were nice. There was a whirlpool, sauna and steam room. Men and women are separate for everything (I've heard SSR has a coed waiting room). The treatment rooms were nice. The staff was friendly and made me feel comfortable. We'll be back. Hope this helps.

 

[CharlesTD]

SSR would be my choice by far GF is just way to stuffy and uptight a place for me and my family. We like to have fun and run around while on holidays and you just don't get the feeling it is acceptable at GF and I know we would be looked down upon for having fun the way our family likes to have fun.

 

[OregonDisneyFanatic]

Thanks everyone for the help! We are staying at OKW so I was leaning towards SSR since she could take the DD boat if she wanted and it is closer to our resort. But without knowing much about either one I am hesitant not knowing if it worth going to the GF or if the two spas where pretty much the same. I would hate to go with SSR because it is closer, and then find out that GF is much much better. Can someone please tell me more about the coed waiting rooms? Are you in the coed waiting room at SSR in your "street" clothes or maybe after you check in with robes on etc. That could make a huge difference right there!! Thanks again everyone!

Kristi

 

[zmichele]

The co-ed waiting room is after you've changed into your robes, while waiting for your treatment providers to come or while waiting inbetween treatments. The posters that commented said it felt quite awkward to them.

 

[goofyfordisney]

where is your mom staying? that might make a difference for getting there.

we have yet to try ssr but we love the spa at the grand floridian. the treatments are great, the facility is nice, large rooms, nice hot tub/sauna/lounge, etc.

all the spa's at wdw with the exception of the new mandara spa at the dolphin are run by niki bryan, you can view info about the spas & healthclubs at disney at relaxedyet.com

We are staying at POFQ, so I was leaning towards SSR as well. I will check out the info on relaxedyet.com too.

Thanks everyone!

 

[mark smith]

My wife just tried the new spa at the Dolphin for the first time and enjoyed(although not inexpensive). She has used the GF several times before and has found the staff associated w/ scheduling, reception etc. to be snotty at times. She has enjoyed her treatments however at thr GF.

 

[CareBear05]

I went to SSR's spa in March of this year. The waiting rooms are co-ed and it's after you're in your robe. There was a man in the waiting room, but the robes cover everything and I didn't feel uncomfortable at all. I got the "Relaxed Yet" spa package and loved it. I had a massage, a facial, and a pedicure. It was a nice package, relaxing and didn't take up my entire day. I was staying at OKW and it was very convenient to get to. It was a great day and I plan on going back. One other thing you should consider is the feeling you have when you leave the spas. I read a post awhile back from a person who had done both. She said that when she left SSR she was completely relaxed and mello, but when she left GF she was rejuvinated with all sorts of energy. I lean towards SSR, but then again...I'm biased

 

[Sammie]

Unless I was staying at one of the Monorail resorts I would chose SSR due to ease of getting to the Spa and parking.

My family and I have used both and like them both, but SSR would get the edge for friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere.

The lounge after you change into your robes (while waiting for your attendant) is coed and we did not find this to be a problem at all.

 

[OregonDisneyFanatic]

Thanks again everyone for the great information!

CareBear05, did you take the DD boat to SSR or a taxi, how long did it take to get there?

I am off to go read realxedyet

 

[beccawes7471]

I am planning on getting sil a gift certificate for our stay in January. We are staying at SSR but my son is doing the Adventures in Cooking class at GF one morning, so I was thinking we could use that time to get a massage or facial. I am still torn but thanks for posting this very question that I was having....I'll stay tuned....

 

[CareBear05]

Thanks again everyone for the great information!

CareBear05, did you take the DD boat to SSR or a taxi, how long did it take to get there?

I am off to go read realxedyet

I took a bus over, I was running late, and had hurt my ankle somehow earlier in the week and the bus stop was across the street from my room (thank goodness for that!!), I jumped on a DTD bus I believe, and then took the SSR bus from there. That place is HUGE and the bus driver on the way over took pity on me and dropped me off in front of the spa so I had no clue where the bus stop was and had a hard time limping around to find one. In all reality, I stumbled upon the dock for the boat to OKW which was a life saver for my poor foot. If I remember correctly it took about 20mins give or take. It was a nice relaxing ride after a nice day at the spa. I would highly recommend it. Otherwise, the bus to DTD wasn't too bad at all either, I'd say it took about the same amount of time as the boat all in all.