Saratoga Springs vs Swan Hotel?

[pothos]

Hi all. My boyfriend and I are AP holders and are visiting WDW for a 4 day, 3 night trip from Thursday-Sunday of this week. We originally booked at French Quarter, but Disney called this week and moved us to a deluxe studio at Saratoga Springs since Port Orleans resorts are still closed. I have not stayed there before but the rooms look nice and I like the proximity to Disney springs, but it is pretty far from the parks. I am paying $860 total for 3 nights.

I was looking into other options and found the Swan Hotel is offering AP discounts on rooms. I could book a balcony room there for $720 online. I like the fact you can walk to Epcot/HS so I’m thinking about rebooking there.

I’m currently undecided as I haven’t stayed at either Saratoga Springs or the Swan Hotel before. Any recommendations, especially during Covid? Thanks!

 

[MarcIsMe]

Can’t comment on Saratoga Springs, but I spent a night at the Swan last week and is was nice being able to walk to Epcot. You can also walk to Hollywood Studios or take the Skyliner from Epcot. I never once experienced any crowding at the Swan and out of the 6 times I rode the elevators (6 to a bank) - they never stopped at any other floors to let more people on, may have just been a coincidence. Room was nice and clean.

 

[iheartglaciers]

I love Swan since you can walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. And you also have access to dining at Boardwalk and Beach Club/Yacht Club, and Fantasia mini golf I would pick it over Saratoga Springs.

But if you think you'll be spending a lot of time at Disney Springs (especially since the parks are closing early), it would be nice to be able to walk there! And some of the Saratoga Springs rooms have been recently renovated.

 

[pothos]

Can’t comment on Saratoga Springs, but I spent a night at the Swan last week and is was nice being able to walk to Epcot. You can also walk to Hollywood Studios or take the Skyliner from Epcot. I never once experienced any crowding at the Swan and out of the 6 times I rode the elevators (6 to a bank) - they never stopped at any other floors to let more people on, may have just been a coincidence. Room was nice and clean.

Thanks! I was thinking the ability to walk places would be nice. My boyfriend was mostly worried the Swan wouldn’t limit its capacity since it’s not technically a Disney hotel, so it’s nice to know crowding is not a problem.

 

[pothos]

I love Swan since you can walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. And you also have access to dining at Boardwalk and Beach Club/Yacht Club, and Fantasia mini golf I would pick it over Saratoga Springs.

But if you think you'll be spending a lot of time at Disney Springs (especially since the parks are closing early), it would be nice to be able to walk there! And some of the Saratoga Springs rooms have been recently renovated.

Thanks! We have not been to the Boardwalk or Disney Springs before (we always just go to the parks all day), so I think we might want to head to those areas in the evenings. The Swan looks great and I would save some money, I just wasn't sure if it made more sense to stick with Saratoga Springs if I'm planning on visiting Disney Springs at all. I think I'm leaning towards the Swan now though after reading these comments.

 

[Lilsia]

I really like SSR. With the limited park hours, I imagine that I would be spending most evenings at Disney Springs and walking there is great. Epcot is also my favorite park and walking there is a bonus also. You really can't go wrong with either. But if you are flying in, you do not get magical express at the swan or dolphin so that would be a deal breaker for me. I also like having a microwave in the rooms at SSR. The free laundry is great for longer stays.

 

[KBoopaloo]

I would probably choose Saratoga Springs. Do you know if they put you in a Preferred category studio? My understanding is the preferred rooms have all been recently refurbished and the other rooms at Saratoga have not. I have tried the Dolphin and Swan a couple of times when other Epcot area resorts were not available or too expensive but while the rooms are fine and the location is great, I always find it feels less like a usual Disney vacation to me. But I know a lot of people love them.

 

[shoegal9]

Thanks! I was thinking the ability to walk places would be nice. My boyfriend was mostly worried the Swan wouldn’t limit its capacity since it’s not technically a Disney hotel, so it’s nice to know crowding is not a problem.

Disney resorts aren't limiting their capacity - they just aren't booked up (for the most part). I have stayed at both. The Swan definitely feels less "Disney" but it is nice being able to walk to 2 parks, plus the dining options at Swan, Dolphin, Yacht and the Boardwalk Bakery. Other than that, most places on the Boardwalk are still closed. We stayed there three weeks ago and it was DEAD.

We like Saratoga Springs mainly for the proximity to Disney Springs- which has more nightlife than the Boardwalk right now, but also "closes" at 10. The preferred rooms that were recently refurbished are gorgeous.

If parks are your main focus, I would go with the Swan. Cabana Bar at the dolphin is a sleeper hit for us if you do stay there!

 

[pothos]

Disney resorts aren't limiting their capacity - they just aren't booked up (for the most part). I have stayed at both. The Swan definitely feels less "Disney" but it is nice being able to walk to 2 parks, plus the dining options at Swan, Dolphin, Yacht and the Boardwalk Bakery. Other than that, most places on the Boardwalk are still closed. We stayed there three weeks ago and it was DEAD.

We like Saratoga Springs mainly for the proximity to Disney Springs- which has more nightlife than the Boardwalk right now, but also "closes" at 10. The preferred rooms that were recently refurbished are gorgeous.

If parks are your main focus, I would go with the Swan. Cabana Bar at the dolphin is a sleeper hit for us if you do stay there!

This is super helpful! I guess we just assumed resort capacities were limited along with the park. But it's great to know what is actually open right now and what is not. Parks are usually our main focus, but we have been 4 times in 2019 with our AP and only focused on parks so I kind of want to explore the other areas. I will have to think about which resort is a better fit for a bit longer, but this helps a lot with making an informed decision.

 

[SteveH]

Bit of a Swan/Dolphin fan, but the ability to walk to 2 parks would win out over having to bus to all four parks.

 

[pothos]

I would probably choose Saratoga Springs. Do you know if they put you in a Preferred category studio? My understanding is the preferred rooms have all been recently refurbished and the other rooms at Saratoga have not. I have tried the Dolphin and Swan a couple of times when other Epcot area resorts were not available or too expensive but while the rooms are fine and the location is great, I always find it feels less like a usual Disney vacation to me. But I know a lot of people love them.

Preferred is not on my reservation so it doesn't look like it, but who knows, maybe they would upgrade us?