Which resort?

[EvilVillainess]

I am heading down to Disney four nights ahead of my husband. I will be working from the room half days and will not be going to any of the parks. I am torn between the Swan/Dolphin or Saratoga Springs. I will be eating out once a day and using the pool and balcony. Given the Covid changes which hotel would you choose.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

“Eating out once a day” - what do you mean by that.... lunch, dinner?

Leaning S/D just given the various dining options there and within walking distance.

Temptingly close to Epcot though for a non-park stay....

 

[EvilVillainess]

Thank you. I will be having a late lunch/early dinner. Other meals will be yogurt and protein shakes.

 

[Carol_]

I think I’d go Swolphin. Both are good options. Swolphin has Blue Zoo which rocks hard, and nice walks to Boardwalk and Yacht and Beach Club. SSR has easy access to Disney Springs. Having just started a protein shake heavy lifestyle myself, I’d plan on Blue Zoo for fish and steak.

 

[kda]

Haven't been to Disney Springs in the COVID era, but there's multiple posts about much less mask compliance and how crowded it gets in the late afternoon/evening, so lunch/early dinner sounds like a better time to go. If you'd like the variety of dining options at Disney Springs, SSR would be very convenient, especially if you like to walk. SSR has a good QS but their TS restaurant isn't open yet. If you don't really care about the dining options at DS, then S& D certainly give you access to many nearby choices in that area. We've had some great stays at S&D, but really don't like the lack of balcony rooms, which is important to us. Sounds like you enjoy being on the balcony, too, so S&D may not be what you want.

 

[Jhondy]

I am heading down to Disney four nights ahead of my husband. I will be working from the room half days and will not be going to any of the parks. I am torn between the Swan/Dolphin or Saratoga Springs. I will be eating out once a day and using the pool and balcony. Given the Covid changes which hotel would you choose.

I do SSR. Lots of pools to choose from and easy walking access to disney springs for lots of food options and just nice atmosphere to walk around at.

 

[Wild4Walt]

Depending on when you go, my 1st choice would be the Swan/Dolphin. I know they have some construction with the new Swan Reserve area so I'd check into that to make sure it's not going to be 1. noisy and 2. that the pool will be open.

If the construction will be obtrusive then SSR all the way.

 

[Joe Brig]

I would do Saratoga Springs with a room near Disney Springs. Plenty of dining options at Disney Springs. The main pool is can be full, but the others are not. I found that many of the dining options were not open around the Boardwalk back in February, but most things were open at Disney Springs.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Most if not all of SSR will be fully renovated by fall. The new renovation is pretty nice.

 

[_19disnA]

If not planning to do any Disney parks, I would stay off-site at one of the non-Disney hotels. Part of the high price of Disney hotels is being close to a park.

 

[Marionnette]

Between the two, I would choose SSR. I don't think that many S/D rooms even have a balcony whereas all SSR rooms do. If a balcony is important to you, then you're at least guaranteed one at SSR.

You will also have all of Disney Springs for dining and shopping options when staying at SSR. And while there have been many reports of chin hammocks and nose slings that pass for masks, they really aren't any worse than what I encounter in grocery stores and large retail establishments in the Northeast. Of greater concern is the lack of social distancing that occurs just because of the crowd sizes and narrow passageways in some areas. Quite a few restaurants in the Boardwalk area are still closed and those that are open have limited seating, which will make it difficult for you to grab a TS meal when the mood hits.

As much as I love the Boardwalk area (that's why I own DVC there), I would choose SSR over S/D for a non-park stay.

 

[AnnaS]

Where will you and DH be staying once he arrives?

 

[dvc lover 1970]

Cant go wrong with either I would choose where you get the best deal

 

[Heather07438]

I don’t think you can go wrong either way. Swolphin sounds better to me. Each day you can do a mini adventure. Some possibilities:

Walk over to Skyliner and take a trip over to Riviera. Many food choices there... great QS, gelato, French pastry cafe, lounge, table service, etc.

Take the lovely boat ride to Boardwalk, or Ale & Compass at YC or Beach & Cream, etc. There are beautiful quiet areas in each resort to sit and work or daydream for a while. Or swing in the hammocks out by BC.


Then you also have Sean and Dolphin buildings to explore.

There’s just so many nooks and crannies around that area Disney Springs definitely has a stack of options too just not sure I’d keep wanting to return for 4 days.

 

[chasgeese]

S/D all the way. No need to pay the massive upcharge to stay at a Disney property if you aren’t going to the parks. Also the food selections at S/D are way better. While DS is nice, it’s very crowded, and relying on it for meals could get annoying. Finally, while not all rooms at S/D have balconies, their rooms with balconies are a separate room booking category so you can guarantee that you have one for typically $25-50 more than the cheapest room category.

 

[EvilVillainess]

Where will you and DH be staying once he arrives?

We are staying at Copper Creek and doing the parks.

 

[EvilVillainess]

Thank you everyone. I decided on SSR, with the 30% off I am saving money by using the little kitchenette microwave and full size coffee pot.