Please help me with picking a spa in Disney

[northwenald]

Not sure if this is where I should post this question but I am trying to decide where to go for a massage on our upcoming trip. We will be staying at the BWV for the first 4 nights and then going to AKV for the last 4 nights. I have never been to any of the spas at Disney so I am not sure which one I should l book. I was thinking Saratoga Springs but then remembered that there is a spa at the Swan/Dolphin. Can anyone recommend a spa for me? Does anyone have any reviews on either place?
Thanks for any input!!!!

 

[Reddog1134]

My wife and I got massages at Jambo House. I enjoyed it but it was my first and only massage so I have nothing to compare it to.

http://www.relaxedyet.com/animal_kingdom_resort.asp

 

[northwenald]

My wife and I got massages at Jambo House. I enjoyed it but it was my first and only massage so I have nothing to compare it to.

http://www.relaxedyet.com/animal_kingdom_resort.asp

Wow!!! That looks great!! I didn't even think of the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Thank you !!!!!!

 

[DizBub]

Last year my son-in-law got a massage at the Swan/Dolphin spa. I think it was just convenient because we were staying at BCV. He still hasn't told DD (or us) how much it cost including the tip.

The Spa at SSR is highly rated and they give a 20% discount for DVC members.

 

[juncker]

I thought that I read that the Spa at the Grand Floridian was temporarily closed due to the new DVC construction. We've visited the Spa at SSR and it looks great, but we've never used it yet. I also heard that it got the best ratings for Spa's on Disney property.

 

[holleypie]

I've had massages at SSR and AKL and enjoyed both of them. Since you'll already be at AKL, I would recommend that one. I also think it would be nice to schedule it during the second part of your trip so you'll have something relaxing to look forward to!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The Mandara spa at the Dolphin is very nice and I believe they also offer a discount to DVC members. We went there when staying at BWV. If you book there it will be more of a spa experience than at the other hotels. AKV and all the other hotels have massage's available but it don't have the other little nifty waiting rooms etc. I have not gone to the spa at SSR so I can't give a comparison between it and the Dolphin. I have also done a massage at VWL which was great because you could take the elevator down and there you were, but it was not like getting a treatment at a spa facility.

 

[gmi3804]

The AKL "spa" is really just a "massage and fitness center." The only three full-service, full-facility spas on property are at GF (closed during the DVC construction), Mandara at the Swan/Dolphin, and the Spa at Saratoga Springs. SSS is by far the most comprehensive and best equipped. The GF spa may be much nicer than it was before if they expand it, but before it closed it was a fairly small facility.

 

[chiclet]

The Saratoga Springs Spa is wonderful. I have had massages, facials, manicures, pedicures. All were excellent. They have a lovely quiet room where you wait in between procedures and there is lemon water, tea, fruit, etc. Very peaceful and relaxing. The locker room has a jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath. It would be easy to spend a day or an afternoon at the SSR spa.

 

[crisi]

This is an odd suggestion, but its what I do now.

I take an extra day off work and have my spa day locally before travel. To me, the inside of spas are very pleasant, and I'm a connoisseur - I've been to quite a few spas, but its the inside of a spa. And I have lots of things to do on a Disney like vacation other than spa. I arrive for vacation "pre vacationed" - with a pedicure and manicure, massage and facial. And I can usually get a good deal at a local spa - several I have relationships with and there are almost always Groupon or Living Social deals for spas.

There are exceptions - we spent a week at a resort in Mexico and part of the deal was that I spent a day in their spa - but it was a hanging out at the beach sort of vacation, giving up a day in the spa wasn't a loss (and it had a wonderful spa). But I had planned to do the same in Hawaii and we got too busy and I never got my spa day.....but at Disney I know I'm going to be too busy to take time for spa-ing (and frankly, I'm not really at Disney to relax).

 

[northwenald]

Thanks everyone for all the replies!!!! All this info is great.
We will have a car this trip so that is why I was thinking of Saratoga Springs and I heard it gets great reviews. My DH and myself were just in Disney in Nov. for 8 nights and we are going again in Dec. for a 4 night trip so I thought that Maybe on this trip I could plan 1 relaxing day. I always say that and I never do. We are both really hoping for a more relaxed trip this time but still planning on going to the parks. I really don't need anything real fancy I just want a nice massage.

Thanks again!!!!!