Saratoga Springs Resort with car or not?

[lukenick1]

How is the Bus system at Saratoga springs villas? Is it better to rent a car? Going in January.
Thanks

 

[Travel60]

We stay a few weeks at SSR every January. We only drive to church, theatre or shopping. We never drive to other Disney venues. So if you are doing only Disney, IMO you don't need a car.

 

[CarolynFH]

We had a car both times we stayed at SSR. Whether we drove or took the bus to the parks depended on our overall plans. We sometimes drove offsite to eat, then drove to the park. If we were staying onsite all day, we took the bus. The bus stops aren’t far from any of the buildings at SSR, and the ride through SSR isn’t long, so I wouldn’t feel that we needed a car to stay there. And now I’d rather skip a rental car and use that money for LLMP and LLSP.

 

[zavandor]

I've stayed at SSR twice for a total of 12 days and never had a bad experience with busses. Of course the car is more convenient everywhere not called Magic Kingdom, you can park right in front of your building. But I don't think it's necessary to enjoy your stay.

 

[byurick]

The buses are great and fairly quick (SSR has its own dedicated and doesn't share with other resorts). Save that car rental money for other fun stuff.

 

[zackiedawg]

I drive to Disney, so always have my car with me - yet I rarely use it. I stay at SSR frequently, and find it to be one of the better resorts for getting around without a car. First, you can walk into Disney Springs for dozens of restaurants and bars every night.

Second, the busses are usually pretty regular - it's a larger resort with 5 stops which sounds like it might be a problem but the larger resorts tend to get more busses serving them because of that size.

Third, you can actually use Disney Springs busses to get around too - it's a fairly easy walk, especially if you're in Congress Park section, to the DS bus stop, and you can catch busses to every resort property. If traveling to any theme park except Animal Kingdom, you can hop a resort bus to a neighboring resort (Beach Club for Epcot, Boardwalk for DHS, Contemporary for MK), then walk into that park. Even better in reverse when coming back from the parks - the theme park busses can be jam packed at closing, and I've seen people have to wait in line for a 3rd bus because they kept filling up. But if you simply walked over to a neighboring resort and hopped the Disney Springs bus, you can then just walk back to Saratoga.

 

[Brian Noble]

How is the Bus system at Saratoga springs villas? Is it better to rent a car? Going in January.

SSR's busses are no worse than most any other resort, and a little better than some. It is well-located to some major WDW arteries, so there aren't usually many traffic light backups/delays. It "feels" a little better than OKW, because there is only one turnaround, and otherwise the buses circulate efficiently.

You certainly don't need a car. I often have one, and will often drive to places not named Magic Kingdom, but not always.

 

[cmlnkb]

I drive to Disney, so always have my car with me - yet I rarely use it. I stay at SSR frequently, and find it to be one of the better resorts for getting around without a car. First, you can walk into Disney Springs for dozens of restaurants and bars every night.

Second, the busses are usually pretty regular - it's a larger resort with 5 stops which sounds like it might be a problem but the larger resorts tend to get more busses serving them because of that size.

Third, you can actually use Disney Springs busses to get around too - it's a fairly easy walk, especially if you're in Congress Park section, to the DS bus stop, and you can catch busses to every resort property. If traveling to any theme park except Animal Kingdom, you can hop a resort bus to a neighboring resort (Beach Club for Epcot, Boardwalk for DHS, Contemporary for MK), then walk into that park. Even better in reverse when coming back from the parks - the theme park busses can be jam packed at closing, and I've seen people have to wait in line for a 3rd bus because they kept filling up. But if you simply walked over to a neighboring resort and hopped the Disney Springs bus, you can then just walk back to Saratoga.

Awesome tip! Thanks

 

[cmlnkb]

I drive to Disney, so always have my car with me - yet I rarely use it. I stay at SSR frequently, and find it to be one of the better resorts for getting around without a car. First, you can walk into Disney Springs for dozens of restaurants and bars every night.

Second, the busses are usually pretty regular - it's a larger resort with 5 stops which sounds like it might be a problem but the larger resorts tend to get more busses serving them because of that size.

Third, you can actually use Disney Springs busses to get around too - it's a fairly easy walk, especially if you're in Congress Park section, to the DS bus stop, and you can catch busses to every resort property. If traveling to any theme park except Animal Kingdom, you can hop a resort bus to a neighboring resort (Beach Club for Epcot, Boardwalk for DHS, Contemporary for MK), then walk into that park. Even better in reverse when coming back from the parks - the theme park busses can be jam packed at closing, and I've seen people have to wait in line for a 3rd bus because they kept filling up. But if you simply walked over to a neighboring resort and hopped the Disney Springs bus, you can then just walk back to Saratoga.

Which section should we request for close proximity to the bus stops?

 

[CarolynFH]

Which section should we request for close proximity to the bus stops?

Every section has its own bus stop, so you’re not far from one wherever you are. You can request Near Bus Stop in hopes of having it in front of your building, if you’d like.

See SSR map here: https://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/SSMap.pdf

 

[zavandor]

Which section should we request for close proximity to the bus stops?

If preferred, Congress park puts you near the DS path and gives you a good chance for one of the best views on property. The Spring puts you near the central hub, restaurant and feature pool.

If standard, my favorite is Paddock: it has the second feature pool of the resort, just 5 minutes from the central hub (Carriage house) and still near-ish the DS walk.
If you have a scooter, better to request Grandstand, because it's the first bus stop so easier to get a spot. Also, better chance to be able to sit down.

Everyone agree that Carousel is the worst zone, no pool and a bit further away from everything.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

If preferred, Congress park puts you near the DS path and gives you a good chance for one of the best views on property. The Spring puts you near the central hub, restaurant and feature pool.

If standard, my favorite is Paddock: it has the second feature pool of the resort, just 5 minutes from the central hub (Carriage house) and still near-ish the DS walk.
If you have a scooter, better to request Grandstand, because it's the first bus stop so easier to get a spot. Also, better chance to be able to sit down.

Everyone agree that Carousel is the worst zone, no pool and a bit further away from everything.

We got assigned to Carousel last trip. For non-pool people who like to walk (went to DS daily) it's not that bad. And it is quiet!

 

[jennypenny]

I dunno, we sold our SSR contracts because of several bad experiences with the bus transportation there (and two bad housekeeping experiences). As with anything at WDW, YMMV.

 

[LAX]

A car would be necessary if you spend any time off Disney properties. It's sometimes nice to not have to wait for buses, too.

LAX

 

[AnnaS]

Just got back from a 9 day stay at SSR. I rode the busses 90% of the time. A few times I went in the car with my DD, SIL and grandson. It was easier for her with my 21 month old grandson. I did not wait more than 10 minutes for any bus. In the past/the times we have stayed here - we have had a car and no car (as well as the other resorts we stayed at). We only use the car to do a quick grocery shop and here and there dinner at another resort.

But waits......can happen at any resort.

 

[muppets3d]

Never had an issue with SSR's buses - we usually drive, and love being able to park right in front of my villa. But typically when visiting a Disney park or Springs, we use the bus.

 

[Road_Dog]

We just did a 6-night stay in September and I’ll be the devils advocate here… I was underwhelmed by the bus. But there’s a lot of factors that impacted how I felt.

We were at The Springs. We loved our proximity to the dining and feature pool. And our bus stop wasn’t far from our room. But as the last stop for the bus, we never got seats on our morning rides. Which was awful with folded up strollers and kids. And on the way back, you enter the front gates but still have what feels like a 10 minute loop as every location gets dropped off before getting to Springs.

So if you wait 10 mins at the park for your bus, spend 15 on the bus ride itself. And another 10 waiting for your stop—it adds up. Getting to the parks was quicker, sure. I’ll say that when we did go back for the 2nd half of the day, the bus was empty and quick. But I felt less motivated to go back to the parks because of the bus.

I think having an alternate transportation option is a must for going back to the parks. Sometimes it’s a mental hill to climb if you just don’t want to bus, but the monorail or zip line (or a short walk) can just pop you where you want to be.

SSR has ample parking practically right outside every room. I’d imagine it’s one of the best resorts for people who do like to drive themselves.

 

[Cfabar1]

To clarify not having a car is contingent on not staying in a treehouse.....

 

[Anthony1971]

We were at The Springs. We loved our proximity to the dining and feature pool. And our bus stop wasn’t far from our room. But as the last stop for the bus, we never got seats on our morning rides. Which was awful with folded up strollers and kids. And on the way back, you enter the front gates but still have what feels like a 10 minute loop as every location gets dropped off before getting to Springs.

I agree with what feels like a long ride coming back from the parks once you enter the resort. We always got seats in the mornings staying at the springs and the few times the bus was full and passed there was an empty one a minute behind but then the springs became the first stop.
I found Paddock to be a great location easy walk to Carraige house if needed as they have all at the pool and the bus stop was right in the middle never felt long either direction. I can also see Grandstand being a good location but never stayed there.