Part I – Downtown Disney/Saratoga Springs Walk

I went back to where I ended on the Old Key West walk, part II.

From this area, you can either go back towards Old Key West, or to Saratoga Springs, or Downtown Disney. I’ve done the Old Key West walk, so I’m going to head towards DD (coming back around in a full loop). I won’t see too many people on this walk for the first two hours, but there were plenty of golfers out!:

 

I am starting the timed portion of the walk here at 9:33am (I actually arrived at 8:30am to take photos, so this will be my 2nd of 3 1/2 trips around on this particular walk today). Here is the path after walking past the golfers:

 

The parking lot of the Westside – there is a sidewalk to the left, and I’ll take that. Normally I’d just walk across the parking lot, especially when it’s as non-busy at this morning.

 

Once into the Downtown Disney area, there is a water taxi dock behind the House of Blues:

 

The House of Blues is on the left:

 

DisneyQuest on the right – I get here at 9:40am (they have my favorite on-property burgers at the Cheescake Factory Express!):

 

Someone on a message board said that my walk photos looked like the day after the Invasion of the Body Snatchers (I hope he doesn’t mind me saying that!) I do like to get my walks in early or later in the day, it’s hard to get good exercise when sardined in with other people.

 

The Virgin Megastore is on the right hand side:

 

Wolfgang Puck on the left:

 

AMC is on the right:

 

To the left, after Bongos, there is a walkway to the waterfront (the areas next to the water make for a prettier walk):

 

Bongos is on the left:

 

Me, looking back down along the waterfront (I feel like Alfred Hitchcock!):

 

Across the way is the Saratoga Springs Resort, where I’ll be walking to:

 

I get to the first Pleasure Island walkway at 9:43am. I actually took the photo an hour prior, and it doesn’t open until 11am. So I’ll be back later for photos (no need to time the walk, it’s only about 3 – 5 minutes down the entire length of PI):

 

The other AMC entrance is over here as well:

 

Since I’m unable to go through Pleasure Island, I’m walking along the sidewalk that is between Pleasure Island and the parking lot. I get here at 9:47.

 

I liked the reflection in the water:

 

Raglan Road (Irish pub) has always been great when we’ve been, with entertainment in the evenings:

 

Cookes of Dublin is connected – that is their counter service restaurant, with items like batter fried chicken and fish (we like this one as well, though I don’t do a lot of batter dipped anything!)

 

The sidewalk continues to the Marketplace:

 

McDonalds will be on the right hand side:

 

And Fultons on the left:

 

Waking along the walkway towards the water:

 

Passing the Lego dragon:

 

And the World of Disney on the right, I get here at 9:50am:

 

There are shows occasionally in this area across from the World of Disney:

 

Ghiardelli’s often is giving out a free sample of chocolate!:

 

Extra tables across from Ghiardelli:

 

Guest Relations is on the right:

 

Passing Team Mickey:

 

and Summer Sands:

 

Once Upon a Toy is on the right:

 

Earl of Sandwich – front and center here, but it will be on my right as I walk by. Normally I’d write about their healthier food items, and they do have great food – one of the best for counter service on property, in my opinion. But the service has been bad the last few times I’ve been there and I didn’t go inside this time (I normally would have eaten there twice in the 8 hours I was down there). I’ve written a letter to them, I’d love to hear back…(I would like nothing better to get great service and say so here!):

 

Turning towards Wolfgang Pucks, which will be on my left. They have a GREAT Margherita pizza, and the other food that I’ve had there has been terrific too. I was going to have breakfast here today, but they were a few minutes late in opening during my first go-around (just after 9am). So I kept going – now 9:53am:

 

Passing Wolfgang Pucks, the walkway goes to the bus stop area. There will be bathrooms on the left (not shown, past the brick wall). If the bathrooms outside of Wolfgang Pucks are busy, that one likely won’t be:

 

The sign towards the buses (which is the direction I’m going):

 

Passing by the Christmas shop carolers:

 

And to the left, the fountains that kids like to play in:

 

And the pathway towards the buses:

 

Part II continues to and through Saratoga Springs.