We have recently stayed twice at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa and I wanted to share all the details. This is one of a few Disney resorts that you really don’t hear much about so I’ll cover off on the rooms, property, dining and amenities.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Inspired by historic Saratoga Springs—a late-1800s’ New York retreat famous for its spas and horse racing—the resort has a charming, Victorian-style. It is picturesquely situated between golf course greens and lakes and overlooks Disney Springs. Saratoga Springs is in the deluxe resort category and is often the most affordable option in that category.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Recreation
Saratoga Springs is a large resort with MANY things to do outside of the theme parks.
Community Hall
A few deluxe resorts have Community Halls and my boys really enjoy them. These kid-of-all-ages playrooms usually feature complimentary ping-pong, foosball, arts and crafts, video games, DVDs, board games, pool tables and more. Check the Community Hall for special activities like the Jockey’s Hideout event on Friday nights with games, music and refreshments OR the Walking League power walk around the resort on Tuesdays at 10 AM.
Bike and Surrey Bike Rentals
Saratoga Springs is a lovely and expansive resort to explore on bike! Rentals happen out of the Horsing Around Rentals located next to Community Hall.
Tennis
Check out complimentary racquets and tennis balls and play on 2 clay courts located in the sport courts area.
Basketball Court
The basketball court is located in the sport courts area. Complimentary basketballs can be checked out from Horsing Around Rentals.
Jogging Trails
Every morning you will see early risers out enjoying a run along the manicured golf course greens and lakes on 1.44-mile and 0.8-mile jogging loops. If you go before 10AM, you can take an even further loop through a quiet Disney Springs.
Playgrounds
In addition to one regular playground, there are two wet splash areas!
Win, Place or Show Arcade
Arcades are not complimentary so I try to avoid them, but this one is located near the High Rock Spring Pool.
Swimming Pools
Saratoga Springs has FIVE pools, including two feature pools and three quiet pools.
The Paddock Pool has a waterslide, horseshoe-shaped whirlpool spa and zero-depth entry point. In the kid play area there are two more miniature waterslides.
High Rock Spring Pool is located near the dining and lobby and has waterfalls, a zero-depth entry point and a waterslide built into the rocks. The Donald Duck play area has bubling geysers and a minitaure waterslide.
Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course
Saratoga Springs overlooks the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. It is rated 4 stars by Golf Digest and has 18-holes.
Sunrise Yoga
Start your day in a revitalizing way with a 30-minute gentle yoga class. Offered on Monday and Wednesday mornings at 7:00 AM, Sunrise Yoga is complimentary and is held in a tranquil atmosphere near Congress Park Pool overlooking Disney Springs.
Saratoga Springs Campfire and Movie Under the Stars
Toast marshmallows over a crackling fire and then gather together under the stars to watch a complimentary Disney film classic.
Derby Dash
Sign up for a family fun run Thursday mornings at 8AM. (cost $15)
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Senses Spa
A full-service spa and health club inspired by the 19th century wellness retreats of upstate New York is located at the Saratoga Springs Resort. The other full service spa on property is at the Grand Floridian. I love both!
Honey and I had appointments here at Saratoga Springs after our race. The relaxation room is shared between women and men at this location, which was nice that we could enjoy champagne and relaxation together. At Grand Floridian it is separate.
The locker room areas are still separate and have eucalyptus steam rooms, whirlpool spas, showers and zero gravity heated loungers. They are truly relaxing.
Saratoga Springs Dining
Saratoga Springs has a sit down restaurant, quick serve restaurant and pool-side dining. The quiet pools also have grills for use by guests.
Turf Club
The table serve restaurant, Turf Club, is a hidden gem. It has a wonderful lounge area with tvs and a pool table. The restaurant is just off of the lounge and has a wonderful covered patio overlooking the golf course. Now, I would not travel over here specifically to dine at Turf Club but it is a nice option when staying at the resort.
The Artist’s Palette
The Artist’s Palette is the quick serve location serving standard quick serve fare. Be sure to look for the exclusive blondie brownies – they are SOOO good! One cute thing to do with the kids is to ask the cashier for paper and coloring supplies. Have them complete their art work while you dine and then turn it in to entered into the Artist of the Day contest.
Disney Springs
Now, the real upside to Saratoga Springs is its proximity to Disney Springs. On both recent trips when we stayed here I enjoyed a quiet morning walk over for Joffrey’s Coffee. There is wonderful shopping, unique entertainment like movies, bowling and The Void, great nightlife until 2AM and so much more. Disney Springs is accessible by boat and a walking path.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Rooms
The resort rooms here are standard. Outside of Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Copper Creek, Animal Kingdom Savannah View rooms and Yacht Club, I feel like most Disney rooms are. That being said, they are among the biggest on property and do have a great variety to choose from.
The studios sleep four with a queen bed and sleeper sofa. We love this set up because it gives us more room on the floor when we aren’t sleeping to move around comfortably.
Studio rooms have not just the standard fridge in all rooms, but also feature a microwave, toaster and bar sink.
The bathroom vanity areas are spacious but the shower/toilet rooms are most dated.
Now, in addition to studios, Saratoga Springs also has 1-bedroom, 2- bedroom and 3-bedroom villas that can sleep up to 12 with full kitchens, laundry and the amenities of home. There are also extremely unique 3-bedroom Treehouse Villas that sit 10 feet up off the ground surrounded by trees and the river.
My Take on Saratoga Springs
The upside… The resort has wonderful amenities and the proximity to Disney Springs can’t be beat. Given that and the golf and spa, I think this resort is well suited to families with older kids or parties of just adults that want recreation outside of just the theme parks. And, with most theme parks closing by 9 PM, having a place to go for night owls is great. With the villa style accommodation options, this is also a great option for large families or multi-generational trips.
The downside… The resort is sprawling and, while we had not trouble at all with the timeliness of buses, you do have to hit multiple stops before heading on your way to the parks. While the resort is lovely, it does not scream DISNEY like some others, nor does it feel like you are in a particularly special place or having an experience you haven’t had before. (For some guests, that is a pro as they like to retreat to a quiet place after a day in the parks.) The rooms are dated, but that is not unique to this resort.
My take is that I don’t seek out a stay here with my family BUT had a fine stay when we did! I booked it in January because it was a rather last minute trip and was the only thing available that appealed to me. On the flip side, we intentionally chose this resort for our adult race weekend because we wanted the spa and easy access to Disney Springs.
I am happy to answer any questions!!
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