Experience the Magic of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa: Virtual Resort and Room Tour

6 Things You Need to Know about Saratoga Springs Resort

This resort has a walkway to Disney Springs so that you can skip the drive or bus ride over to this shopping, dining, and entertainment district
One of the most desirable areas to stay in this resort is The Springs for its proximity to the Carriage house, which houses the resort’s restaurants, shopping, and the main pool
The other most sought-after area to stay in this resort is Congress Park because of its proximity to the Disney Springs walkway
When open, this resort is home to one of just a handful of full-service spas on Walt Disney World property, the Senses Spa.
This is one of those resorts that only has access to bus transportation. Keep this in mind as you will not have the option to travel to and from the parks by monorail or Disney Skyliner in addition to the bus, and may increase your travel times
Recreational activities are plentiful here, making this resort a prime contender for a resort-only stay

Location and Overview of Saratoga Springs Resort

Disney's Saratoga Springs is a sprawling resort designed to evoke the feeling of Saratoga Springs New York at the turn of the century and its rich horse racing history. This Disney resort sits on the Sassagoula River right across from Disney Springs, making it the ideal location for access to this shopping and dining hub.

The resort has 6 areas to choose from for your stay. They are:

The Grandstand
The Springs
The Paddock
Congress Park
The Carousel
The Treehouse Villas

More in a moment about which of these areas we prefer and why.

If you're driving, the address you'll need for your GPS is 1960 Broadway, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-8446.

Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Resort

Disney's Saratoga Springs is a part of Disney's Vacation Club, which is Disney's version of a timeshare. The resorts that are a part of the Disney Vacation Club are often referred to as deluxe resorts due to the rooms having a home away from home feel and the amenities.

Saratoga Springs is also home to the Disney Vacation Club preview center. If you are interested in purchasing or "buying into" the Disney Vacation Club, you are likely to be transported here to speak to a salesperson and have a look at the various styles of rooms that are available at the resorts that are currently being sold.

For instance, when we purchased our Disney Vacation Club, we were staying as hotel guests on the Disney Vacation Club side of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge in Kidani Village. We stopped by the Disney Vacation Club kiosk in the lobby (more than once) and eventually, set-up an appointment to see a sales rep to get more information about Disney Vacation Club and how it works.

As a part of that process, they arranged transportation for us to the Saratoga Springs Resort, where we met with a rep and made that fateful decision to become Disney Vacation Club members. Prior to making that decision, we were able to tour the facility and have a look at how the rooms are designed at most of the DVC resorts.

Getting a look at the options available helped us decide what type of room we were most likely to stay in when we would visit Walt Disney World, and by default how many points we would need to purchase for our average stay.

Checking-In at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa

When you arrive at Saratoga Springs, you will check in at the Carriage House with its buggy and the Winners Circle with its beautiful sculpture of a horse and jockey.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Carriage House Check-in

If you are driving, you will find a small lot for you to park while you handle the details of check-in at the front desk if you've decided not to use the My Disney Experience App.

The check-in area was recently refurbished and is dotted with comfortable seating for you to wait for family at check-in. As with all Walt Disney World hotels, you will find an area designed for the littles where they can sit and watch Disney cartoons while you check in.

A concierge desk is available in the lobby if you need assistance with purchasing tickets or reservations for dining or experiences.

Amenities and Activities at Saratoga Springs Resort

As a DVC Resort, Saratoga Springs is considered a deluxe resort and comes with the amenities you might expect with such a designation.

Saratoga Springs Resort Pools

Saratoga Springs Resort has 5 pools dotted across the property. 3 of the 5 pools offer pool bars. Here's what you will find:

High Rock Spring Pool is the main pool and is available for use by anyone staying at the resort. It's located right near the Carriage House, Artist's Pallette, The Turf Bar and Grill, and Senses Spa. It's the largest of the pools and has the largest of the pool bars, the On the Rocks Pool Bar. This pool has two slides and two hot tubs
The Grandstand Pool is located in the Grandstand area of the resort and offers the Backstetch Pool Bar, hot tub, splash play area, and BBQ grills
The Paddock Pool is located in the Paddock area of the resort and offers a pool, a splash play area for the littles, and the Paddock Grill
The Congress Park Pool is located in the Congress Park area of the resort and offers a pool, a dry playground, and BBQ grills
Treehouse Villas Pool is located in the Treehouse Villas area of the resort and offers a pool and hot tub

Saratoga Springs Main Pool High Rock Spring Pool

Saratoga Springs Resort Sports Activities

If you'd like to be more active than not on your vacation, this resort has a number of options for you to consider. Throughout the resort you will find:

Saratoga Springs Congress Park Playground

Some of these activities will come at an extra cost, like the bike rentals and Lake Buena Vista Golf but others are complimentary. For instance you can use the tennis courts without an extra fee and can even check out complimentary rackets and balls for your tennis game.

Other Saratoga Springs Resort Activities

You will also be able to find less 'strenuous' activities for the family

Saratoga Springs Resort Amenities

As with the activities, you'll find that some of the items listed below are complimentary and others are available for a fee

Disney Transportation is available by bus and water
Parking is now included with your resort stay
Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services
Senses Spa at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort is currently closed. It shut down with the pandemic and unfortunately has not yet reopened

Saratoga Springs Restaurants, Shopping, and Other Nearby Attractions

Saratoga Springs Resort is home to two main dining options. Artist's Palette, the quick service option, and The Turf Club Bar and Grill, the table service restaurant.

The Turf Club Bar and Grill

During our stay, we did not have the opportunity to dine at the Turf Club Bar and Grill but this location is open for dinner from 4:30 pm - 9:oo pm. The prices here appear to be middle of the road and range from $15 to $35 before taxes. The restaurant does have a lounge that has a relaxed sports bar atmosphere and has been decorated with vintage horse racing memorabilia.

Saratoga Springs The Turf Club Bar and Grill Entrance

Saratoga Springs Turf Club Bar and Grill Lounge

The Artist's Palette

As the resort’s quick service option, Artist’s Palette is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm daily. Similar to other Walt Disney World hotels you will find your standard fast and easy options here.

Saratoga Springs The Artist’s Palette Food Court

You'll also find basic grocery items for those who are interested in either microwaving or cooking more of a meal if you have a full kitchen. There's also an assortment of adult beverages to choose from.

Saratoga Springs The Artist’s Palette Groceries and Food Court

This location shares space with the gift shop, which while on the small side does have a nice selection of merchandise including everything from bathing suits to over the counter medicines in case you need them.

Disney Springs

One of the real draws to this resort is its proximity to Disney Springs. If you're not familiar, Disney Springs is the shopping, dining, and entertainment hub for Walt Disney World. Here you will find over 150 shops and restaurants. There is a really nice selection of restaurants brought to you by celebrity chefs and every variety of Disney shops that you could imagine.

If you've not been before, we highly recommend spending an afternoon or evening here exploring all that Disney Springs has to offer. One of the perks of staying at Saratoga Springs Resort is that the two areas are connected by a walkway.

The walkway is most easily accessible if you are staying in the Congress Park area of the resort.

Accommodation Options at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

As a Disney Vacation Club resort, Saratoga Springs has been built with the intention of giving you a home away from home feel. You can choose to use your Disney Vacation Club points for a stay here or pay cash at the hotel rates for a stay.

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort's Rooms

The accommodations at Disney's Saratoga Springs range from studios to multi-bedroom villas to Treehouse Villas.

Deluxe Studio

The Deluxe Studios sleep up to 4 adults and come with 1 queen bed and 1 double-sized Murphy bed. Your standard view will be of the Garden, Lake, Pool, Woodland, or Fairways. The preferred view will have you located in The Springs, which is closest to the Springs and the main shopping and dining area of the resort. Or you will be located in Congress Park, which will put you closest to the walkway to Disney Springs.

The nice perk of having a studio is that you will have a tiny kitchenette with a microwave, sink, and a small refrigerator. This will come in handy if you'd like to have breakfast in your room or bring back and reheat leftovers.

Villas

1 Bedroom Villa

The 1 Bedroom Villas are also available in standard and preferred views. The distinctions are the same as the deluxe studio. If you choose this room you will be able to sleep up to 5 adults. The configuration here is 1 King Bed that is located in a private bedroom, 1 Queen sized Murphy bed in the living room, and 1 Twin sized bed that pulls down from a cabinet under the television in the living room.

The real perk of this room and the larger bedroom villas is that you will have a full sized kitchen that comes equipped with all of your necessary kitchen items, a full refrigerator and dare we say the most important item in the room, a stackable washing machine and drier. Nice!

2 Bedroom Villa

The 2 Bedroom Villas are also available in standard and preferred views. The distinctions are the same here as the studios. We've personally stayed in this style of room twice and can vouch for the accommodations here. Be sure to watch the video linked in the article for a full room tour of our Saratoga Springs 2 Bedroom Villa.

This room can sleep up to 9 adults and comes in the following configuration. There is 1 King sized private bedroom that has a soaking tub and sink. On the opposite side of the room, you will find another private bedroom that has 2 Queen sized beds, and a full bathroom with a shower and tub combo. Outside of the bathroom there is a double sink and plenty of storage underneath.

In the living room you will find a Queen sized Murphy bed and a twin sized bed in the cabinet under the television. Similar to the 1 Bedroom Villa you will find a full kitchen and the stackable washer and drier.

3 Bedroom Grand Villa

The 3 Bedroom Villas are also available in standard and preferred views. The distinctions are the same here as the studios. This room can sleep up to 12 adults and comes in the following configuration. There is 1 King sized private bedroom and 2 bedrooms that have 2 Queen sized beds each, and 1 Queen sized Murphy bed in the living room.

The extra perk here is that there is a dining room and full kitchen combination. Unlike the 1 or 2 bedroom villas, the living room is separate from the kitchen area. You will find a stackable washer and drier in the room as well.

Treehouse Villas

The Treehouse Villas are located in the Woodlands area of the resort and are stand-alone elevated units or houses dotted in this area of the property.

These villas sleep up to 9 adults in 3 bedrooms, 1 King sized bedroom, 1 Queen sized bedroom, 1 bedroom with bunk beds and 1 sleeper sofa. You will find a full kitchen, a dining area, and a washer and drier.

The perks here are the outdoor patio or seating area where you will find a table and chairs for dining or relaxing. The Treehouse Villas are set up as private homes, which give the ultimate home away from home feeling and a level of privacy that you won't find in most accommodations on Walt Disney World property.

Pros and Cons of Staying at Disney's Saratoga Springs

As with most accommodations on Walt Disney World property, Saratoga Springs comes with its share of pros and cons. Here's a list of each that we considered before deciding to stay here (in no particular order):

Pros

The level of relaxation that's possible here. The sheer size and theming of the resort give you the sense that you are truly in any place other than a theme park hotel. Particularly in the larger rooms, there is enough space to spread out and spend unhurried time with family and friends
The number of recreational activities available. There are over 10 different complimentary and fee-based activities to choose. You will definitely be able to find something for everyone to do here and dare we say, never set foot in a theme park
Senses Spa. While currently closed, this is the one perk that will bring us back to this resort should it reopen. We love a spa and like the option of having a rest day and spa treatment after early mornings and late nights at the parks
Proximity to Disney Springs. The ability to walk over to Disney Springs to grab a meal or window shop is enticing. We typically find ourselves visiting this area 3 or so times in a typical 7-day trip and can't overstate the convenience of being able to walk over instead of driving or waiting for a bus, there and back

Cons

The size of the resort. Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort is huge. And we mean huge. Each of the 6 areas has its own bus stop, which means that getting to and from the resort via bus can be daunting. You'll need to factor in the travel time to get from your bus stop to the theme parks, particularly if you need to make a dining reservation.
Relying on bus transportation. Going hand in hand with the con above, this is one of the resorts on Walt Disney World property that has only one mode of transportation available to get back and forth. With the addition of the Disney Skyliner, more hotels now have two ways to move around property (bus and skyliner or bus and monorail), and gives you more options to choose from as your trying to get to early entry as a resort guest or get back to your resort after a long day
The dining options. While there are two main dining options and a few pool bars, the food options are limited as the food court is small and the Turf Club Bar and Grill doesn't open until 4:30. This is where being so close to Disney Springs comes in handy.

Final Thoughts on Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort

In the end, would we stay here again? Yes, we would. However, we will not rush back, but not because there's anything wrong with the resort. We've stayed here twice and thoroughly enjoyed both stays. Now that we've experienced Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort we'd like to experience other resorts, particularly other Disney Vacation Club resorts.

We've recently had a chance to experience Disney's Beach Club and will share our thoughts on that resort soon.

Until next time, enjoy the journey!