Walt Disney World With Kids (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [26]
The Riverside section is a bit more down-home, with a steamboat-shaped lobby, general stores run by gingham-clad girls, and a swimming area themed on Song of the South. Schizophrenic in architecture, with white-column buildings encircling fishing holes and cotton mills, Riverside manages to mix in a variety of Southern clichés without losing its ditzy charm. If Huck Finn ever married Scarlett O’Hara, this is where they’d come on their honeymoon.
Since the French Quarter is only half the size of Riverside, it’s a shorter walk to the lobby, pool, food court, and shuttle-bus station; at Riverside, getting around is a bit more of a headache. Both resorts have a fast-food court and a bar that offers live entertainment; Riverside also has a full-service restaurant called Boatwright’s.
Insider’s Secret
To go all princess all the time, check out one of the 512 castle-themed Royal Guest Rooms in the Magnolia Bend section of Port Orleans Riverside. The concept is that Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog has invited her royal friends on vacation. Rooms will have what one Imagineer described as “over-the-top” theming with fiber-optic art hanging over ornate gold-and-crystal beds, bright-colored banners on the walls, and elaborate draperies and bedcovers. At this writing room rates aren’t available but it’s safe to assume they’ll be higher than those for typical Port Orleans rooms. Ask when booking. And book early—anything princess-related is extremely popular.
Proximity to the Magic Kingdom:
Fair, via bus
Proximity to Epcot:
Fair, via bus
Proximity to Hollywood:
Fair, via bus
Proximity to the Animal Kingdom:
Fair, via bus
Pluses
+ Affordable, starting at $149 a night, and well-designed.
+ Great pool areas (especially at the French Quarter).
+ Both hotels have marinas with a selection of watercraft as well as bike rentals. The Sassagoula Steamboat offers easy water transport from both resorts to Downtown Disney.
+ Refurbished rooms now have flat-screen TVs, queen-size beds, and upgraded amenities. Riverside section upgrade includes 512 princess-themed Royal Guest Rooms.
+ Riverside has a two-hour pirate-themed adventure (young buccaneers seize a boat and follow clues to find treasure) three mornings a week for ages 4–12 ($34).
Minuses
− In the off-season these two resorts share a bus to all major parks, which means a slightly longer commute.
Overall Grade: You get a good deal here in more ways than one.
Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
407/827–1100
Map location 18
Saratoga Springs recalls the posh upstate-New York retreats of the 1890s, complete with a horse-racing theme. Villas here are numerous and roomy. The recently updated and very attractive Treehouse Villas, for instance, have raised decks and enough space to accommodate large families. They’re truly a home away from home.
Proximity to the Magic Kingdom:
Fair, via bus
Proximity to Epcot:
Fair, via bus
Proximity to Hollywood:
Fair, via bus
Proximity to the Animal Kingdom:
Fair, via bus
Pluses
+ Proximity to the restaurants and entertainment of Downtown Disney via water taxi.
+ Access to the biggest and best health club in WDW and a full-service spa.
+ The location is great for golfers—Saratoga Springs is adjacent to the Lake Buena Vista course.
+ A good choice for family reunion groups seeking larger accommodations and a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of space for the kids to play.
+ The grotto pool, complete with man-made hot springs, is one of the most dramatic hotel pools in WDW. Even the auxiliary pools are beautifully themed with great play areas for the kids.
Minuses
− With villas starting at $330, Saratoga Springs is more expensive than off-site villa accommodations. The larger, home-style villas can run as high as $1,370.
− Saratoga Springs is often used by corporations for retreats and conferences so you may