Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Review (We Love It, But It’s Not For Everyone)
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is considered a deluxe villa resort within the Disney Springs Area at Walt Disney World. This review will discuss the pros and cons of staying at Saratoga Springs. We’ll also go over options for dining, transportation, recreation, and other resort amenities.
When I visit Saratoga Springs, I always have a silly smile on my face because I forget how much I love it. In addition to being a resort gal at heart, I am an outdoors person, and Disney’s Saratoga Springs is an outdoorsy place.
How outdoorsy? The resort is spread out over 65 acres. So, right away, you’ll want to know there is plenty of room to roam. This also means that you will likely incur a significant amount of steps traveling around the resort. You might even consider it a hike to get to the lobby or pool, depending on your room location.
Therefore, you’ll want to consider whether or not you’ll mind the extra walking. I would hate to go on about all the positives of the resort and have you fall in love with the place only to arrive and be miserable because you read over the part where I mentioned the enormous resort size.
As we continue, we’ll discuss a few more important aspects you’ll want to know when planning your stay. The resort has so many positives. You could genuinely spend a week exploring the grounds, visiting the pools, taking bike rides, and sneaking over to nearby Disney Springs for a meal or two. Saratoga Springs is one of those resorts where you could have an entire vacation without ever setting foot in a theme park. So we’ll consider those days as icing on the cake!
Is Saratoga Springs a Deluxe Resort?
Yes and no. Saratoga Springs is a deluxe villa resort or Disney Vacation Club Resort (DVC). Members of Disney’s Vacation Club have timeshares and use their points to stay at these types of resorts. Additionally, Disney rents these rooms to regular guests.
Most of the deluxe resorts at Disney World are home to a separate DVC resort. For instance, Disney’s Grand Floridian is home to Disney’s Grand Floridian Villas. Saratoga Springs, however, is solely a DVC Resort. So there are a few differences.
Most deluxe resorts are close to a theme park. Saratoga Springs sits across the lake from Disney Springs. Guests can walk, bus, or boat to Disney Springs. Unfortunately, Saratoga Springs is not near a theme park like most deluxe resorts. As a guest of a deluxe villa resort, you will be privy to Disney’s early theme park entry, where you’ll receive an extra 30 minutes in each park every day. This perk is extended to all guests of Walt Disney World Resorts.
Additionally, deluxe and deluxe villa resort guests will have access to extended evening theme park hours. So you’ll get a few extra hours in select parks on select evenings of your stay. The link above details what nights and which parks these evenings are held. During your stay, you can check the park hours section of the My Disney Experience app to identify the exact dates and times.
When we stay at a deluxe or deluxe villa resort, we enjoy taking advantage of extra hours in the parks. So, if you stay at Saratoga Springs, you’ll likely want to plan your days to incorporate these extra hours. For some, that might mean having a pool day and doing a late afternoon to late night in the parks instead of trying to go all day and all night.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Theming
This Disney Resort was fashioned after the late 1800s Saratoga Springs Resort in upstate New York. That famous resort was known for its spas, horse racing events, and Victorian charm. So you’ll find a nod to all these aspects throughout the resort. For instance, the resort’s lobby is called the Carriage House. Outside the lobby, you’ll see a statue of a jockey on a horse in an area called the Winner’s Circle.
At the lobby’s entrance, an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage bears the name of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa.
Saratoga’s lobby, which was entirely redone a few years back, offers a nod to Disney horses. Each panel in the lobby features a different horse. Here are a few photos.
The Sections of Disney’s Saratoga Springs (including Preferred)
Disney’s Saratoga Springs comprises five sections:
- The Springs
- Congress Park
- The Grandstand
- The Carousel
- The Paddock
Preferred rooms at Saratoga Springs are located in The Springs and Congress Park. The Springs is the resort’s central hub. Those who stay in a preferred room at Congress Park are privy to being near the walking path to Disney Springs. It’s a short five-minute walk to Disney Springs from most of the preferred rooms in the Congress Park area.
For most of us, the final decision will come down to budget and availability. But rest assured, the preferred rooms will fill up faster than the other sections of the resort.
The Springs
As noted above, The Springs is a preferred section of the resort. It’s home to the resort’s lobby, dining, gift shop, gym, feature pool, and spa. Additionally, it’s the closest section to the boat dock for Disney Springs and the first hole on the golf course.
The Springs is also the last bus stop at the resort. So when you leave the resort on a bus, you won’t have any more stops on the way to a theme park. However, upon return, you’ll have to wait through the other stops to return to The Springs.
This section of the resort is an excellent choice if you plan to spend time at the pool or Community Hall. Community Hall has recreational activities and crafts for guests to participate in every day. It’s almost like going to summer camp—kids love it!
Congress Park
Congress Park, also a preferred area, is close to Disney Springs. Given its proximity, it’s considered the most desirable location at the resort.
When planning a stay at Saratoga Springs, a preferred room in Congress Park is worth considering. Disney Springs has a number of excellent dining locations. Unlike other resorts, you’ll find the trip to Disney Springs effortless and enjoyable. You won’t have to wait on a bus that will take 20-30 minutes to get there.
If you decide on Congress Park, you’ll want to read our list of the best restaurants at Disney Springs. It includes our favorite restaurants with photos of the items we’ve tried.
The Paddock
The Paddock sits below Congress Park. A large lake centers The Paddock, The Springs, and Congress Park. A bridge crosses the center of the lake that provides a shortcut back and forth to The Paddock from The Springs. Or you can circle either side of the lake, but it will be a much longer distance.
The Paddock is a substantial section of the resort. It’s also home to the resort’s second feature pool and a poolside bar that doubles as a counter service for the area. So, if you’re staying in The Paddock, you’ll be at the middle bus stop between the other four stops. But you will have a decent walk to The Springs.
The Carousel Section
The Carousel is probably the most boring section of the resort. It sits toward the resort’s main entrance and is the only resort area that doesn’t have a pool. This section of the resort is pretty, like the rest of the resort. But outside of your room and a bus stop, there’s nothing else to do here.
The Grandstand
The Grandstand is the first bus stop when you arrive at the resort. This resort section is to the far right side of the resort, almost entirely to itself. It backs up to the golf course.
On our last stay, we received a room assignment in The Grandstand. We were at the last building on this side of the resort in what some might call the back forty (a faraway place). When we arrived, I immediately wished I had spent the extra money on a preferred room. But by the end of the trip, I found that I loved the privacy and serenity of The Grandstand–it was very unexpected.
We had a third-floor room with a view of the golf course. It felt like a treehouse, and I enjoyed relaxing on the balcony. It was the perfect retreat after a long day in the theme parks.
Rooms at Disney’s Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs has a variety of rooms that were last updated in 2021. During that time, they were completely refurbished and received upgrades like solid-surface flooring and a fresh, clean look.
Since Saratoga Springs is a Disney Vacation Club Resort, several room types are available. They are:
- Deluxe Studio
- One-Bedroom Villa
- Two-Bedroom Villa
- Treehouse Villa
- Three-Bedroom Grand Villa
Except for the Treehouse Villas, all the above rooms are offered in standard or preferred locations. The Treehouse Villas are in a completely separate area with their own boat dock and bus stops.
On our last visit, we stayed in the deluxe studio. A deluxe studio at Saratoga Springs sleeps up to four guests and has two queen-size beds. One is a traditional bed, while the other is a Murphy bed that pulls down from the wall.
Here is a photo of the Murphy bed when it’s retracted.
Our guest bath had a vanity area separate from the water closet, which featured a tub and shower combination.
Since this is a DVC Resort, the deluxe studio has a kitchenette. Standard resort rooms at regular resorts do not have this upgrade. So, if you decide on a studio, it’s convenient to have extras like a microwave, mini-fridge, and a few small appliances.
One-bedroom and larger units are significantly larger than the deluxe studio. They will have a full kitchen, a separate living area, multiple bathrooms, and a washer and dryer.
Laundry rooms are located near the pools for those staying in deluxe studios. There is no charge to do laundry at the Disney Vacation Club Resorts.
For reference, one-bedroom villas sleep up to four guests, two-bedroom villas sleep up to eight guests, three-bedroom grand villas sleep up to twelve adults, and Treehouse Villas sleep up to nine adults.
Recreation at Disney’s Saratoga Springs
One of the biggest perks of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is the amount of recreation the resort offers. From swimming to bike riding, there’s plenty to do without leaving the resort.
Additionally, Saratoga Springs is home to Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. This 18-hole course is operated by Arnold Palmer management and has hosted the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, and USGA events.
Formerly, Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa had a spa called Senses Spa. As of this update, the spa has not reopened.
Pools
As we discussed earlier, Disney’s Saratoga Springs has five swimming pools, including two feature and three leisure pools! That’s five pools spread out over the resort. However, one is at the Treehouse Villas, so it’s unlikely you’ll use it during your stay. The Grandstand has its own pool area. Although this pool is considered a leisure pool, it has a splash pad, a hot tub, and a significant-sized pool.
The Congress Park Pool offers a view of Disney Springs and is considered a leisure or quiet pool. A playground is nearby, but it’s mostly a no-thrills area.
The Paddock Pool is my favorite pool at the resort. It serves as a second feature pool. One end of the pool has a zero-entry area. The opposite side has a children’s aquatic play area that’s separately fenced. It also has a fun 146-foot-long waterslide!
Related: Disney Resorts with Water Slides
The High Rock Springs Pool is the largest pool at the resort and the main feature pool. This pool has waterfalls, a water slide, and a zero-entry area. Additionally, cast members provide a few extra poolside activities for children in the afternoons.
Saratoga Springs Resort is home to Horsing Around Rentals, where you can rent a bicycle or other sporting equipment. They also have the items you’ll need for the resort’s basketball, shuffleboard, and tennis courts.
On a recent visit, we rented a bicycle at Saratoga Springs. The resort offers miles of trails, and you might even venture down to Disney’s Old Key West on the Conch Flats Trail. We rented a regular bike, but 2-seat and 4-seat Surrey bicycles are also available.
Or you might enjoy jogging over renting a bike. Saratoga Springs has some of the best jogging trails at Disney World. You can run a long distance along the water and enjoy the stunning views.
If you prefer to work out indoors, The Health Club is in a large building adjacent to Senses Spa. However, the spa is closed. Saratoga Springs gym is the largest hotel gym I’ve seen to date. However, all of the fitness centers at Disney World have plenty of equipment.
Win Place or Show Arcade sits behind the pool at The Springs. It’s a large arcade with a variety of games.
Community Hall offers activities throughout the day. A pool table is also available near the Turf Club Lounge.
For those who want to do a little shopping, The Artist Palette gift shop is located off the resort’s lobby. The store has an excellent selection of resort-branded merchandise.
Dining Options at Saratoga Springs
When it comes to dining at Disney’s Saratoga Springs, the options are okay. However, one could argue that with so many dining options at nearby Disney Springs, it’s pointless for the resort to have more restaurants.
We have also become big fans of dining at Artist Palette, the resort’s quick-service restaurant. Since we moved to the area, we’ve eaten here quite a few times. It’s become one of our go-to’s when picking up resort recreation calendars.
Here is a brief overview of your options. We discuss these restaurants in more detail in our Saratoga Springs Dining Guide:
- The Turf Club: The Turf Club Bar and Grill is a table-service restaurant only open for dinner. It’s located near the Carriage House at The Springs.
- The Artist’s Palette: This is the resort’s primary quick service located adjacent to the lobby of Saratoga Springs at The Springs. Artist’s Palette serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- The Paddock Grill: The Paddock Grill is a quick-service dining location at the Paddock Pool. It serves items like Cobb salad, burgers, and shrimp tacos. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Backstretch Pool Bar: a pool bar located at The Grandstand Pool. This location is typically open from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Expect a full bar and a few food options like pizza by the slice, pretzels, and ice cream.
- On the Rocks: This is a pool bar at The Springs Pool. It mainly has a cocktail menu. Most will want to mobile order or walk into the main building to order quick service from The Artist’s Palette, which is nearby.
Transportation
While we’ve already discussed transportation, I felt it was important to give you an idea of how bus transportation works at Saratoga Springs. Since the resort is so large, it has an internal bus system.
That means each section of the resort has its own bus stop. Having multiple bus stops is a positive because you won’t have to walk so far from the room to your stop. However, the negative aspect is that you’ll spend extra time riding through the resort during your stay.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Getting To and From Saratoga Springs
Disney offers complimentary parking to its resort guests. Resort guests can park at the resorts and theme parks at no additional charge.
Saratoga Springs offers bus transportation to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs. You’ll have to take a transfer bus from the resort to the water parks.
Water taxis are also available from The Springs to Disney Springs. You can also take a water taxi from Disney Springs to Old Key West, Port Orleans French Quarter, or Port Orleans Riverside.
Unfortunately, Disney’s Magical Express service ended a while ago. However, guests can now check with services like Mears Connect to arrange transportation from Orlando’s airport (MCO) to their Disney Resort.
Saratoga Springs Pros and Cons
Before we finish, I wanted to reiterate a few pros and cons of staying at Saratoga Springs. On the negative side of things:
- It’s a large resort that can require a good deal of walking in addition to the walking you’ll do in the parks.
- Saratoga Springs is not within walking distance of any theme parks.
- Saratoga Springs does not have a ton of dining options at the resort.
- This is not a fancy interior access hotel.
On a positive note:
- Saratoga Springs is absolutely gorgeous in a charming small-town kind of way.
- Saratoga is within walking distance of Disney Springs, where there’s a plethora of excellent dining options.
- This resort offers tons of recreational activities. So, if you enjoy exploring or outdoor activities, you’ll likely love it here.
Final Thoughts on Saratoga Springs
As we wrap up this review of Saratoga Springs, I felt I hadn’t entirely portrayed the resort’s beauty. If you enjoy walking and spending time outdoors, you’ll enjoy a stay here. There’s so much to see and do.
But this is not a “we paid a lot of money to stay in a fancy hotel” kind of resort. It is not cushy or luxurious. If you’re looking for that, you’ll want to consider Disney’s Riviera Resort.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is a classy, high-end place all the same. You’ll never know you’re in Florida! Here are a few more photos of the resort.
For more information about Disney Vacation Club Resorts, you might enjoy the following:
- Kidani Village Review
- Disney’s Riviera Resort Review
- Bay Lake Tower Review
- Copper Creek Villas Review
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What Do You Think?
What did you think of this review of Saratoga Springs Resort? Have you visited before? Are you considering this resort for a future stay? We would love to know your thoughts on the resorts and appreciate you leaving a comment below. Everyone’s unique perspectives help us and other readers who visit the site.
