Saratoga Springs vs Wilderness Lodge

[FSU Girl]

The boat ride from MK to Copper Creek is delightful and so easy. With two young children I'd choose Copper Creek. But then I'm biased - it's our home resort and our favorite by a mile. Would your 3 year old want to go over to Fort Wilderness to see the horses? After 3 PM there is another boat that runs between WL, FW and the Contemporary. There is also a bus that runs back and forth between the Lodge and the Fort.

We've never stayed at Saratoga but have stayed at Old Key West which is similar in that it's multiple buildings spread out over a large area with an internal bus loop. It got the job done, but I'd only stay there again if I had no other choice and that's basically how I feel about Saratoga. Still, $700 a night is a good chunk of change, so I understand the dilemma.

My 3 year old loves horses! It’s her favorite animal. I’ll definitely look into that

 

[Miffy]

And pony rides at the fort too!

 

[FSU Girl]

And pony rides at the fort too!

She’s only seen horses from afar so I’m not sure if that would scare her or not but maybe

 

[CastAStone]

So, SSR has a bunch of QS options and they’re scattered about, and the rooms that are the furthest from them are the closest to Disney Springs. I don’t think it’s a disaster to stay there. But I also would suggest WL. BRV is a separate building too though and also will involve a bit of a walk from the farthest rooms.


My real suggestion for anyone with a baby is go to Disneyland instead, it’s approximately 100 times easier for children under 3, with its smaller parks, very close hotels and dining, plus with zero on site perks of importance, you’ll way more than make up the difference in flights with the hotel savings. There’s at least 30 hotels within the same walk to the 2 parks as Grand Flo is to MK. And it has the same number of attractions in 2 parks as WDW has in 4 (seriously that’s true).

 

[CarolynFH]

So, SSR has a bunch of QS options and they’re scattered about, and the rooms that are the furthest from them are the closest to Disney Springs. I don’t think it’s a disaster to stay there. But I also would suggest WL. BRV is a separate building too though and also will involve a bit of a walk from the farthest rooms.


My real suggestion for anyone with a baby is go to Disneyland instead, it’s approximately 100 times easier for children under 3, with its smaller parks, very close hotels and dining, plus with zero on site perks of importance, you’ll way more than make up the difference in flights with the hotel savings. There’s at least 30 hotels within the same walk to the 2 parks as Grand Flo is to MK. And it has the same number of attractions in 2 parks as WDW has in 4 (seriously that’s true).

Interesting idea - I’ll pass it on to DD. Maybe we can do a family visit to DL in 2026 (if our 2025 WDW trip comes off ok).

 

[FSU Girl]

So, SSR has a bunch of QS options and they’re scattered about, and the rooms that are the furthest from them are the closest to Disney Springs. I don’t think it’s a disaster to stay there. But I also would suggest WL. BRV is a separate building too though and also will involve a bit of a walk from the farthest rooms.


My real suggestion for anyone with a baby is go to Disneyland instead, it’s approximately 100 times easier for children under 3, with its smaller parks, very close hotels and dining, plus with zero on site perks of importance, you’ll way more than make up the difference in flights with the hotel savings. There’s at least 30 hotels within the same walk to the 2 parks as Grand Flo is to MK. And it has the same number of attractions in 2 parks as WDW has in 4 (seriously that’s true).

The quick services are in the room buildings around the property? We also have Copper Creek booked so we’d be in the main building at Wilderness Lodge.

We will within a few hours of Disney World so it’s a lot easier to get there for us. I’ve been probably over a thousand times I’ve been going since I was a baby. I went once to Disneyland but not sure when I’ll be going back

 

[kilik64]

The quick services are in the room buildings around the property? We also have Copper Creek booked so we’d be in the main building at Wilderness Lodge.

We will within a few hours of Disney World so it’s a lot easier to get there for us. I’ve been probably over a thousand times I’ve been going since I was a baby. I went once to Disneyland but not sure when I’ll be going back

No, at the pools. Paddock pool has pretty good qs food.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/saratoga-springs-resort-and-spa/paddock-grill/

 

[zavandor]

WL is one of the best themed resorts, many think is the best. And it's super convenient to MK.
But, plenty of families stay at SSR or OKW daily, it's not like you'll be in the middle of the desert or in a shed with a leaking roof and wolves outside. SSR has beautiful grounds and a super convenient walking path to DS, where you'll find some of the best food options at WDW.
If the reservation is for a standard room, request the Paddok which puts you near a feature pool with a good pool quick service and not too far from the path to DS. If it's preferred, even better.
Even if you pay for 4 rideshares a day, it's still around $550 cheaper per night. You can buy lightning lanes for the whole family and have money left for a sundae at Girardelli and ribs at the polite pig for the whole family.

 

[zavandor]

WL is one of the best themed resorts, many think is the best. And it's super convenient to MK.
But, plenty of families stay at SSR or OKW daily, it's not like you'll be in the middle of the desert or in a shed with a leaking roof and wolves outside. SSR has beautiful grounds and a super convenient walking path to DS, where you'll find some of the best food options at WDW.
If the reservation is for a standard room, request the Paddok which puts you near a feature pool with a splash pad for the little ones, a good pool quick service and not too far from the path to DS. If it's preferred, even better.
Even if you pay for 4 rideshares a day, it's still around $550 cheaper per night. You can buy lightning lanes for the whole family and have money left for a sundae at Girardelli and ribs at the Polite Pig.

 

[kilik64]

Such a good post he said it twice!

 

[tx911]

WL is one of the best themed resorts, many think is the best. And it's super convenient to MK.
But, plenty of families stay at SSR or OKW daily, it's not like you'll be in the middle of the desert or in a shed with a leaking roof and wolves outside. SSR has beautiful grounds and a super convenient walking path to DS, where you'll find some of the best food options at WDW.
If the reservation is for a standard room, request the Paddok which puts you near a feature pool with a splash pad for the little ones, a good pool quick service and not too far from the path to DS. If it's preferred, even better.
Even if you pay for 4 rideshares a day, it's still around $550 cheaper per night. You can buy lightning lanes for the whole family and have money left for a sundae at Girardelli and ribs at the Polite Pig.

I agree 100% with all of this.
I just found SSR slightly less convenient getting to the food/drinks at the resort, and of course with the internal bus route.

But it's no slouch for sure. These are hard decisions and it just comes down to what the OP values more, Magic or Money

 

[JulieBeeRN]

We stay at SSR at least once a year and really enjoy it, but we don't have small children who need a mid-day nap. And CCV is very convenient for a MK-centric stay. But if the $700/day savings means more than convenience, SSR is a nice resort. Parking is right by the building, the grounds are well maintained, great pools and close to DS.

 

[FSU Girl]

I agree 100% with all of this.
I just found SSR slightly less convenient getting to the food/drinks at the resort, and of course with the internal bus route.

But it's no slouch for sure. These are hard decisions and it just comes down to what the OP values more, Magic or Money

It’s hard. It’s a special trip it’s my baby’s first visit to Disney and she’s turning one so I want the trip to be magical for her.

 

[kilik64]

Nothing says magic like BLT with a baby. You can’t beat walking back to there with a stroller.

 

[zackiedawg]

I'll not say anything bad about WL - I love it - always been one of my favorite themed resorts and still is.

But I'll add some comments on Saratoga since it seems most find negative aspects about it but I think some of it may be situational and depend on you.

First - as far as convenience for food options - I find Saratoga to be one of the top 2 resorts - this of course depends on your aversion to walking a bit - but with Disney Springs right next door, especially when staying in Congress Park section, that essentially becomes your food court...dozens of restaurants and quick serves of every type and from Congress Park the walk into the heart of DIsney Springs is not too different from the walk inside Saratoga from the farthest buildings to the main building.

Second - again if walking isn't too big a deal, when traveling back to your resort for mid-day breaks, three parks offer another option - when leaving the park, walk to the nearby resort (from MK, you can walk to Contemporary, boat to GF or Poly - from Epcot, you can walk to Beach/Boardwalk - from DHS you can walk to Boardwalk), then catch a Disney Springs bus...then you can walk back to Saratoga. Again, this is most convenient staying in Congress Park, and the walk from the DS bus stop to Congress Park is 1/2 mile. I'm a walker so again this may not be convenient to everyone - if you don't mind walking, this can make SSR much more convenient than it's often portrayed.

 

[DisTravels]

You may save money by moving to Saratoga but that's because of all the amenities you will be giving up. Overall size of the resort, Interior hallways, food options within steps away, that boat ride to Magic Kingdom the amazing lobby area. Theming, both resorts are nice but Wilderness Lodge is a favorite of many for a reason.

I don't personally care for the food options at Saratoga, if we choose to book there it's because we are either walking to Disney Springs for meals or driving off property to eat.

Treehouse villas (now part of SSR) may be top of the list for what you're giving up

 

[FSU Girl]

Nothing says magic like BLT with a baby. You can’t beat walking back to there with a stroller.

I had booked it for a minute but then ended up changing because of the fireworks. Both kids go to bed early and most of the nights are Christmas party nights so fireworks are at 10 which is long after they go to sleep. Probably wouldn’t bother my toddler but the baby is a very light sleeper and 4th of July was an awful night with her from neighborhood fireworks

 

[FSU Girl]

I'll not say anything bad about WL - I love it - always been one of my favorite themed resorts and still is.

But I'll add some comments on Saratoga since it seems most find negative aspects about it but I think some of it may be situational and depend on you.

First - as far as convenience for food options - I find Saratoga to be one of the top 2 resorts - this of course depends on your aversion to walking a bit - but with Disney Springs right next door, especially when staying in Congress Park section, that essentially becomes your food court...dozens of restaurants and quick serves of every type and from Congress Park the walk into the heart of DIsney Springs is not too different from the walk inside Saratoga from the farthest buildings to the main building.

Second - again if walking isn't too big a deal, when traveling back to your resort for mid-day breaks, three parks offer another option - when leaving the park, walk to the nearby resort (from MK, you can walk to Contemporary, boat to GF or Poly - from Epcot, you can walk to Beach/Boardwalk - from DHS you can walk to Boardwalk), then catch a Disney Springs bus...then you can walk back to Saratoga. Again, this is most convenient staying in Congress Park, and the walk from the DS bus stop to Congress Park is 1/2 mile. I'm a walker so again this may not be convenient to everyone - if you don't mind walking, this can make SSR much more convenient than it's often portrayed.

How far of a walk is it? We don’t mind walking but not miles and miles type of walkers especially when we do a lot of walking at the parks

 

[Disneylover99]

It’s hard. It’s a special trip it’s my baby’s first visit to Disney and she’s turning one so I want the trip to be magical for her.

Your baby won’t care or remember, so choose the resort that will make it special and magical for you, because you are going to be the one holding all the memories.

 

[zackiedawg]

How far of a walk is it? We don’t mind walking but not miles and miles type of walkers especially when we do a lot of walking at the parks

For walking out of parks to nearby resorts, most are under 1/2 mile...MK to Contemporary, and Epcot to Beach Club. For DHS to Boardwalk, it's a little longer around 1 mile - there are boats you could take instead.

From Disney Springs bus stop to Congress Park section of Saratoga, it's 1/2 mile. Add 1/4 to 1/3 mile if you're staying in Grandstand, Springs, or most of Paddock sections.

For walking over to Disney Springs restaurants from Congress Park, it will run anywhere from 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile depending on the restaurants (closest are Rainforest, Earl of Sandwich, Eet, then BB Wolf, TRex, Paddlefish, Terralina, Cooke's, Raglan Road...then Boathouse, Morimoto, Wine Bar George, Jock Lindsay's, Paradiso, Frontera Cocina...a little farther are DLuxe, Blaze, Homecomin, Edison, Maria & Enzo, Hideaway. And the farthest would be the west end restaurants.