Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Review and Details
Is Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort the right Deluxe Villa resort for your family’s Disney World vacation? In this review, I’ll walk you through the rooms, dining, pools, recreation, amenities, and transportation so you can decide if it’s a good fit.
Overview
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is a Deluxe Villa property and a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort. It originally opened in 2004 and has been refreshed over time, keeping it one of Disney’s more spacious resorts. Saratoga Springs is the largest Disney Vacation Club resort.
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Saratoga Springs is a huge resort; it is actually the largest Disney Vacation Club Resort with over 1,260 rooms plus 60 Treehouse Villas. It is spread out and even has an internal bus service to help you get around the resort.
Theme & Atmosphere
The resort is inspired by the historic Saratoga Springs in upstate New York, and horse racing. You’ll find Disney horses from several animated films throughout the resort, including several huge portraits in the lobby. I noticed several other nice touches of this theme throughout the resort, like the jockey shirts displayed by the Turf Club Bar and Grill and carousel horses in one of the gazebos on the property.
Disney always does a good job with theming, but I do think that for a deluxe resort, Saratoga Springs could have used more of this theming in the room that we stayed in. There were several bare walls with no artwork; there was plenty of room to add more themed decor.
Saratoga Springs is also known for its proximity to the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course, which is right beside the resort. You can rent or purchase in the Pro Shop right inside the resort.
Because of the theming and golf course, this resort has a very relaxed feel. It was quiet and tranquil. It did not have much theming that would be very appealing to younger children who might enjoy a more traditional Disney theming, like what you will find at some of the other resorts, like Pop Century or Art of Animation Resorts.
Location of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Saratoga Springs is located in the Disney Springs area, making it a great option if you are planning on spending time at Disney Springs for shopping and dining. You can walk to Disney Springs from the Congress Park section or hop on a boat for a scenic ride. There is also a bus that will take you over to Disney Springs.
The resort has five main sections: The Grandstand, The Carousel, The Paddock, Congress Park, and The Springs (where the lobby and main amenities are located). Preferred rooms and villas are closer to The Springs or Disney Springs, while standard rooms may be farther out but often quieter.
We stayed in the Springs, which was a great location. it was a quick walk to the dining area at the Artists Palette, pool, arcade, etc. The bus stop was also just around the corner.
Below is a list of the different buildings that you can stay in:
- The Grandstand
- The Carousel
- The Paddock
- Congress Park
- The Springs
The Rooms at Saratoga Springs REsort
The rooms at Saratoga Springs are divided into Standard and Preferred locations. Preferred rooms are closer to The Springs or Disney Springs, while Standard rooms may require a longer walk. The Villas available at Saratoga Springs Resort include the Deluxe Studios, plus larger 1, 2, and 3-Bedroom Villas. You can even stay in a Treehouse Villa that sleeps up to 9 guests!
Deluxe Studio Rooms at Saratoga Springs Resort
For this trip, we stayed in a Deluxe Studio with a preferred location at Saratoga Springs. These Deluxe Studio rooms can sleep up to four people, with one queen bed and one double-sized pull-down bed.
Our room had a queen bed and a pull-down queen bed where the couch is. It did not have a table, however the coffee table’s top lifted so it could be used as a table if you sit on the bench. There was no other seating area or table to use if the pull-down bed was set up.
The Bathroom was nice. The toilet and tub/shower combo is located behind its own door, and there is a single sink, counter space, mirror, and shelving outside of the bathroom area. This worked well and allowed someone to be in the shower or use the bathroom at the same time as someone else getting ready for the day.
Since deluxe studios are used by DVC members, they include a small kitchenette. In the kitchenette, are you will find a mini fridge with freezer – this is a true fridge, not a beverage cooler like at most other resorts, so you can safely store milk or other items that require refrigeration. The kitchenette also has a sink, microwave, coffee maker, and paper products for you to use.
Storage in the Deluxe Studio Room
Storage in the rooms was pretty good. The dresser had 6 medium-sized drawers, the bench had 2 large drawers, and the coffee table had some room for storage when you lift the top. There were 2 bedside tables with small drawers, and the bathroom and kitchenette area had plenty of storage.
Other DVC Villas at Saratoga Springs Resort
The Villas at Saratoga Springs Resort also have 1, 2, and 3-Bedroom Villas. Each includes a full kitchen, washer and dryer, and a soaker tub. These are perfect for families who want more space and the ability to cook. If you are not a DVC member, you can always rent points to save money if you would like to stay at one of the DVC villas at Saratoga Springs.
Saratoga Springs also has really unique accommodations at their Treehouse Villas. These large treehouse cabins are tucked away in the woods and sleep up to nine. They come with full kitchens and laundry. Treehouse Villas can sleep up to 9 people and have 2 Queen Beds, 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa, 1 Bunk Bed, and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair.
Dining
There are several options for dining at Saratoga Springs: quick-service options, a sit-down restaurant, a bar and lounge, and several pool bars.
The Artist’s Palette
The Artist’s Palette is the quick-service spot near the lobby, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You’ll find everything from Mickey waffles to sandwiches, flatbreads, and grab-and-go groceries. Mobile ordering is available. We grabbed a quick bite to eat one night and really enjoyed our meals. I ordered the Sautéed Garlic Shrimp, and my friend ordered the chicken rice bowl; both were really delicious! Don’t forget you can mobile order your meals to save you time!
The Paddock Grill
The Paddock Grill sits by the Paddock Pool and serves breakfast in the morning and burgers, salads, and cocktails later in the day.
The Turf Club Lounge
The Turf Club Lounge, On the Rocks Pool Bar, and Backstretch Pool Bar all serve drinks and light snacks.
The Turf Club Bar and Grill
The Turf Club Bar and Grill is the table service restaurant at Saratoga Springs Resort. They serve up delicious steak, seafood, great appetizers, and is a great choice for a date night or special dinner.
Chip ‘n Dale’s Café
Chip ‘n Dale’s Café, located at the golf course, is a quick spot for sandwiches and snacks.
The variety here covers the basics, and having Disney Springs right next door means you’ll never run out of dining options.
Pools & Recreation
Saratoga Springs has several pools spread across the resort.
High Rock Spring Pool
High Rock Spring Pool is the main pool by the Carriage House and has waterfalls, a 128-foot waterslide, a Donald Duck splash area for kids, and two whirlpool spas. There was a ton of seating and, surprisingly, lots of umbrellas.
The Paddock Pool
The Paddock Pool features a 146-foot waterslide, zero-entry access, a kids’ play area, and a whirlpool spa. The Paddock Grill is located right next to this pool.
Leisure Pools are located in the Treehouse Villas, Congress Park, and The Grandstand. Each has a whirlpool spa, and Congress Park and The Grandstand also have playgrounds and BBQ grills. The resort also hosts daily poolside activities at High Rock Spring Pool, including trivia, games, and themed pool parties.
Golfing at Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course
There is a golf course right beside the Saratoga Springs Resort. You can book a tee time to golf at nearby Buena Vista Golf Course on Disney’s site here and rent equipment right at Saratoga Springs Resort.
Recreation
- The Community Hall offers several arts and crafts that you can participate in. Some do have an additional fee. Mickey Tie-Dye is also available several times a week (this also requires an additional charge)
- Disney Fit Yoga and Story Time Yoga take place in Congress Park
- You can rent bikes or surrey bikes from Horsing Around Rentals.
- At night, you will find campfires with marshmallows, Movies Under the Stars three nights a week, plus trivia and bingo nights.
- You can also try the Find a Friend activity and search for the hidden Maximus photo prop at the resort.
- For an extra fee you can also sign up to participate in the Winner’s Circle Mosaics activity or the Win, Paint, Show at the Turf Bar and Grill Patio once a week. These are fun activities to add to your stay at Saratoga Springs Resort.
- The fitness center at Saratoga Spa seemed nice, with plenty of equipment that is available to guests .
(Now Closed) The Senses Spa at Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs was well known for its full-service spa, Senses. Unfortunately, since the park closed down temporarily in 2020, the spa has not reopened. This was a big disappointment, as many spas are no longer as open at Disney resorts. Who know’s maybe it will open up again one day.
Shopping at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Shopping is available at The Artist’s Palette, which doubles as a quick-service location and retail shop. Here you’ll find groceries, Disney merchandise, and Saratoga Springs–specific souvenirs.
Transportation
Transportation at Saratoga Springs is mostly by bus and boat. Disney buses run to all four theme parks, with stops at Grandstand, Carousel, Paddock, Congress Park, and The Springs. Digital boards at each stop show estimated wait times.
You can catch a bus to the parks from all of the internal bus stops in Saratoga Springs Resort. If you are heading to Disney Springs or Typhoon Lagoon, you can take the boat. All other locations require you to take the Disney Bus transportation.
How to get to the Parks from Saratoga Springs Resort
- Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom: take the bus marked for the park.
- Disney Springs: buses are available, or you can take the water taxi for a more scenic trip.
- Blizzard Beach: take the Animal Kingdom bus, then transfer to the Blizzard Beach bus.
- Typhoon Lagoon: board the Disney Springs / Typhoon Lagoon bus.
Cost
Because Saratoga Springs is classified as a Deluxe Resort, room rates are typically higher and range from the high $500s per night for a deluxe studio to well over $2,800 per night for a Grand Villa. The pricing at Saratoga Springs is on the higher end, mostly because this resort is designed for longer stays and larger groups, with kitchens and laundry.
These are perfect for families who want more space and the ability to cook. If you are not a DVC member you can always rent points to save money if you would like to stay at one of the DVC villas at Saratoga Springs.
Our honest reivew of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort was really nice. I loved the peaceful location and the property was beautiful. Having a kitchenette and extra bathroom space was a big plus. The room finishes were fine, the beds were very comfortable. We stayed in a preferred location so we were right next to the dining, pool, and transportation. If we had to stay at oe of the other locations like the Paddock, or Grandstand I don’t think we would have enjoyed our stay as much as we did.
My overall review of Saratoga Springs Resort is about a 7/10. The location, property, dining, pools, and ambiance were great. The buildings and rooms, however, made this resort feel more like a moderate, instead of a deluxe resort. The flooring was tile and not very clean.
The doors opened to an exterior hallway, exposed to the elements, weather, etc. Several other deluxe resorts have rooms that open into an internal carpeted hallway. I prefer the internal hallways; I think they keep the rooms cleaner, quieter, and just make the whole experience feel a bit more deluxe.
This is best for families or groups who want extra space, kitchens, and laundry while staying on Disney property. It’s quieter than many other resorts, with a relaxed vibe and direct access to Disney Springs. While it doesn’t have the Skyliner or monorail, its villas, pools, and activities make it a solid pick for longer stays or guests who want a mix of park days and downtime.
Our Review of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
We enjoyed our stay at Saratoga Springs Resort. The property was beautiful. The pools were fantastic, with great seating, plenty of hot tubs, and play areas for kids. Transportation was good, however, while the interanl busing is necessary for such a big resort it did add nearly 15 minutes to our time when we were returning from the parks since The Springs building was the last drop off. The bus did head right to the parks from our bus stop, so getting to the parks was not as much of a hassle.
The buildings and our room… here’s where I have the most criticism. The rooms did not feel deluxe. While they had the amenities of a Deluxe Studio Villa, they felt very moderate. There was barely any decor in our room, and our tiled floors were very dirty, this may have been because the door to our room went directly out to an exterior hallway; I’m not sure. We did not reach out to housekeeping to clean the floors, and I’m sure they would have if we asked. The table service dining was limited to a very pricey steakhouse, which was not very kid-friendly. The resort was huge! If we had not purchased a preferred room, we would have had to do a lot of walking to get to the main buildings.
There were lots of positives about Saratoga Springs, and because of those, I would definitely stay here again. It tends to be the most affordable resort to offer villas, so that makes it a bit more appealing. It does seem like a nice resort if you want to golf, spend lots of time at Disney Springs, or are looking for a
I hope you found this article and our review of Saratoga Springs helpful. Have you stayed at this resort? What did you think? Did we miss any important facts in our review? Let me know in the comments.
