Hi Jill!
You'll really enjoy Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside. It's such a beautiful property in an ideal location.
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is located in close proximity to Downtown Disney, off of the same waterway system as the Port Orleans Resorts. Room set-up and pricing is completely different here since the smaller, Studio Villas include a kitchenette and Queen bed with double sleeper sofa. If that accommodation set-up suits your travel party, I'd definitely recommend that you pay a visit during your August stay! The best way to visit Saratoga Springs would be to take a bus directly there at the end of a shorter park day - perhaps on a day that you plan to visit Animal Kingdom. Tour the property and visit the dining and recreational areas while you stroll around. If you're very intrigued about the accommodation set-up, stop by the concierge or front desk and inquire about visiting a room, as you're considering the property for your next Walt Disney World vacation.
Following your visit to Saratoga Springs, hop on a boat and for the short ride across the water to
Downtown Disney and enjoy some dinner and shopping! The perfect way to end a Disney day! You'll be able to board a boat back to POR at the end of your evening.
This way, you'll get a first-hand account of the resort, enjoy a fabulous evening and be able to decide how you think the property compares to Port Orleans Riverside. If you're lucky enough to have a bounce-back offer in your resort room in August, you may be able to reserve your 2013 stay at either resort at a great discount, and be able to make an informed decision about where you'd like to stay next!
Wishing you a simply Magical time on your August vacation to Walt Disney World Jill!
Kirsten