Hi, Claire!
I'm so excited that you've chosen
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa [SSR] to experience your first stay at a Walt Disney World Resort! You will just love the absolutely gorgeous grounds and colorful buildings...I sure do! There are fabulous walking paths all throughout the property and the views of the Downtown Disney Area are just awesome, especially at night! There is a walking path to Downtown Disney, even though it doesn't show on the online map of the Resort. You can also get there by either hopping on a bus or taking a short ride on a water taxi. The walking path is just to your right as you approach the boat launch which is very close to the main lobby.
There are 5 bus stops throughout the Resort [not including the
Treehouse Villas], so you'll have one close no matter which building you are staying in. When my family has stayed at SSR in
The Grandstand, we would hop on the bus and get off at the main lobby bus stop to take the water taxi ride to Downtown Disney. This property is very large and the buses make it really convenient to get all around within the Resort as well as out to all of the Theme Parks.
The Springs are the closest buildings to the main lobby. You mention
The Paddock, the pool there has a 146-foot-long waterslide! The leisure pools are located at the
Treehouse Villas,
Congress Park and
The Grandstand sections. I really
love staying in
The Grandstand because the pool there is themed to make
you feel as though you're at the horse races! We love the hot tub there
after a long day of Park touring too!
I hope this helps, Claire! Thanks for stopping by the Moms Panel with your question and please let us know if we can help with any others.
Wishing you Pixie Dusted vacation planning!
~Jackie