The Resorts Gal Guide to Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Pools

When it comes to the pools at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, you have options. The resort has five pools. Given its grand size, spanning over 65 acres, it has two feature pools! The other three pools are considered leisure pools. However, one of those three pools is in the Treehouse Villas, a separate resort area.

Below, we’ll preview the pools at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort. As you read through, you might want to note a few things if you’re planning a stay. For instance, you’ll likely want to use the pool closest to your room assignment for a quick swim now and then.

But if you plan on spending an entire day or part of one at the pool, you might prefer one of the two feature pools. Each pool has unique features, so you might identify which one has amenities that will work best for your group.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of reviewing the map of Saratoga Springs before and during your stay. We visit the resort often, and I keep a map of the resort saved on my phone for reference. Even though I know my way around the resort, it’s easy to get deep within one of the sections and get turned around.

The 5 Pools at Disney’s Saratoga Springs

Saratoga Springs comprises five sections: The Carousel, The Grandstand, The Springs, The Paddock, and Congress Park. Additionally, Disney’s Treehouse Villas make up a separate area of the resort. Each section, except for The Carousel, has a pool. However, as a guest, you are not limited to the pool in your area.

Here is a list of the pools at Saratoga Springs:

• The Grandstand Pool
• The Paddock Pool
• High Rock Spring Pool
• Congress Park Pool
• Treehouse Villas Pool

Below is a map of the resort that shows the four pools. You can tell that each pool is pretty far apart.

Pool Details for Planning Your Vacation

Pool hours vary throughout the year. During the summer, Saratoga Spring’s feature pools are open between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. However, after Labor Day, those hours are usually reduced to 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

The quiet pools are generally open longer. We’ve seen those pool hours range from as early as 7:00 a.m. until as late as 11:00 p.m. You’ll want to check the exact hours during your visit. They’ll be posted at the pool’s entrance.

It is essential to mention that both feature pools at Saratoga Springs have lifeguard attendants. However, the leisure pools do not have lifeguards.

Thankfully, you do not have to worry about packing towels for a Disney vacation. Saratoga Springs provides complimentary towels for guests to use at each of its pools. So save the extra space in your luggage for something else!

Additionally, each pool has complimentary life jackets in various sizes. Towels and life jackets are available at every resort pool at Walt Disney World.

Per Disney, pool lifts and other access options are available for guests with disabilities or limited mobility. Pool hours and lifeguard availability vary by pool and are subject to change.

The Grandstand Pool Photos

While The Grandstand Pool is considered a leisure pool, it’s significant in size. It also has several features you won’t normally find at most quiet pools. Given that Saratoga Springs is a Disney Vacation Club Resort, the resort is unique.

The Grandstand is the first stop on the bus loop when you arrive at the resort. If you look at a map of the resort, this pool is on the far right side. It’s relatively separate from the rest of the resort and the closest area to the Treehouse Villas.

When you enter the pool gates, you’re first greeted by a splash pad area.

This is a fun feature that’s usually only found at feature pools.

A whirlpool hot tub sits between the splash pad and the pool area.

Here is a photo of the Grandstand Pool. While this pool is considered a leisure pool, it is often busy. It has been my experience that if the weather is nice, all the pools at Saratoga Springs are reasonably busy.

These photos were taken early in the morning to avoid people, and more than a few guests were already at the pool.

This pool has a maximum depth of 4 feet and 9 inches. Most pools at Disney World range between 3 and 5 feet deep.

Restrooms are available immediately behind the pool area. Lockers are available for guests to store personal items.

A laundry room is also available.

Related: Laundry at Disney’s Saratoga Springs

This pool is also home to the Backstretch Pool Bar, which is open seasonally per the signage. We’ve stayed at Saratoga several times, and it’s always been open during our visits.

Here is a look at the items available on this last visit. They have an excellent selection of menu items, and we have been impressed with all the dining options we’ve experienced at the resort.

The High Rock Spring Pool (Feature Pool)

From the Grandstand, we’ll move on to the heart of the resort, The Springs, to look at one of the two feature pools. High Rock Spring Pool is probably the most popular pool at Saratoga Springs due to its central location behind The Carriage House.

In case you’re unfamiliar, The Carriage House is the resort’s main lobby. You’ll find the check-in area, the resort’s gift shop, the main counter service restaurant, the spa, and the fitness center.

The High Rock Spring Pool sits at the bottom of a large spring that begins near the check-in area. A staircase leads down to the pool. Or you can take the sloping walkway down either side and enter at the pool’s base.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs is modeled after the original Saratoga Springs in New York, which is known for its mineral springs. Those springs made the resort a “health spa” destination in the 1800s. In addition to the springs, you’ll find Victorian influences and horse references throughout the resort, which are designed to mimic the original town.

Here is a view of the feature pool from the top of the springs.

Once you get to the bottom, you can see where the spring forms a waterfall that flows to the pool area. It’s a pleasant feature that softens the noise around the area.

On the other side of the waterfall, a staircase leads up to the 128-foot water slide.

When the light turns green, it’s your turn to go.

It looks like a fun slide.

Here is where the slide exits into the pool. The pool depth is 3 feet and 6 inches at the slide exit. We have an entire list of Disney Resorts with water slides.

Here’s a view of the pool area from the platform at the top of the slide. The birdhouses are a nice touch.

Speaking of nice touches, this kiddie slide is suitable for little ones who aren’t quite big enough to tackle the larger slide.

Unfortunately, Saratoga Springs does not have a formal kiddie pool. However, a splash pad is available at the base of the waterfall.

Additionally, the pool has a zero-depth entry on one end.

Two whirlpool spas are available at the High Rock Spring Pool.

Lastly, On the Rocks Pool Bar is available at the pool. This location mainly serves beverages and snacks. The Artist Palette, the resort’s primary counter service, sits at the top of the pool area. This location has an excellent menu and accepts mobile orders. So you can order food and bring it back to the pool. You can see the signage for the restaurant at the top of the waterfall in the picture below.

The Paddock Pool Photos

The Paddock section of Disney’s Saratoga Springs sits behind The Springs area. Here, you’ll find The Paddock Pool, the resort’s second feature pool. I tend to enjoy this pool area more than The Springs. However, the dining options at Artist Palette are hard to beat if you plan to enjoy a meal while you’re at the pool.

The Paddock Pool has a horseshoe-shaped whirlpool tub (it’s always packed when we visit) and a zero-depth entry on one side.

Perhaps the most recognizable feature is the water tower, which doubles as a 146-foot-long water slide.

It reminds me of the slide at the Samawati Springs Pool at Kidani Village.

Additionally, the Paddock Pool has an excellent aquatic play area for children with two mini water slides. This area is separately fenced, so you don’t have to worry about children wandering into the main pool.

Lastly, the Paddock Grill is the poolside bar. Its menu includes counter-service food items and beverages.

Congress Park Pool Photos

Before wrapping things up, we’ll head to Congress Park to look at Saratoga Spring’s other quiet pool.

The pool at Congress Park sits along the Saratoga Springs walkway to Disney Springs.

A hot tub sits a few steps away from the pool area.

Restrooms and a laundry area are immediately behind the pool.

Right next to it is the Congress Park playground. The playground looks like a Victorian dollhouse.

A picnic pavilion with a charcoal grill sits next to the pool.

While this pool doesn’t have the amenities of the other pool areas, it does offer a beautiful view of Disney Springs.

The Resorts Gal Spin on the Pools at Saratoga Springs

If you haven’t quite grasped it yet, Saratoga Springs is a tremendous resort. Its large layout and scenic grounds are a peaceful respite from the theme parks. However, the pools are almost always covered up when I visit. When I say pools, even the quiet pools are often fairly busy. On our last stay, I had difficulty finding a decent seat at the High Rock Springs Pool and ended up at The Paddock Pool. So, if you want to get a prime seat at the pool, get there early! Oh, and if you spend the day at the High Rock Springs Pool, mobile order from Artist’s Palette. They have excellent menu options!

Hopefully, this article gave you an idea of what pools are available at Saratoga Springs. The resort has beautiful grounds and is exceptionally convenient for anyone planning to spend time at Disney Springs.

If you are interested in learning more about Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, you might enjoy the following:

• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Review
• Preview a Deluxe Studio at Saratoga Springs
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Restaurant Guide
• Transportation Options and Tips for Disney’s Saratoga Springs

In the Comments

Do you have any questions or thoughts about the pools at Disney’s Saratoga Springs? Have you stayed at this resort before? Do you like that the resort offers so many pools, or would you prefer a resort with a smaller footprint? We welcome your thoughts and feedback in the comments below. They are helpful to not only us but to other readers.