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Spotlight on Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

saratoga-disney
Credit: Disney

One of the many decisions facing Walt Disney World Guests is where to stay during your magical vacation.  

If you choose to stay on property, there are dozens of Disney Value, Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels to choose from – and that can be pretty overwhelming.

Today, we turn the spotlight on one of the lesser-known Resort Hotels on property: Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Could it be the right Disney Resort for you?

Theming

This Resort Hotel takes its thematic cue from the late 1800s resort in New York by the same name that became famous for horse-racing and spas.  

Fittingly, Disney’s Saratoga Springs embraces Victorian style with a dash of horse racing, but the overall theming is subtle enough to charm – or at least avoid offending – just about everyone.

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Credit: Disney Tips

Note that you will not encounter any larger-than-life, multi-colored Disney characters anywhere in the Resort, which is typical for Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts.

Disney Deluxe Villa

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is a Disney Deluxe Villa Resort Hotel. But what exactly does that mean?  

Disney’s Deluxe Villa Resorts are typically booked by Disney Vacation Club members (DVC is Disney’s version of a timeshare), and they offer the same level of luxury and comfort as Disney Deluxe Resorts (in fact, they’re often located next to Deluxe Resorts), with a few extras.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t stay here if you’re not a DVC member! Anyone can book a stay at Saratoga Springs, given enough availability.

Location

As we all know, location is everything. And the location of Disney’s Saratoga Springs is pretty great, especially if you’re planning on hitting up the shops, restaurants, and entertainment of Disney Springs during your stay!  

The Resort is a quick 10-minute walk (maybe less, depending on the section you’re staying in) from Disney Springs.

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Credit: Disney

If you’ve done more than enough walking around the parks, you can always jump on a water taxi and cruise to Disney Springs.  To get to the theme parks, you’ll need to rely on bus transportation.

Studios/Villas

When you stay at Disney’s Saratoga Springs, the most basic room type you can choose is a Studio, with a queen bed and a double pull-out sofa bed, kitchenette with microwave and fridge, and porch or balcony. 

Studios are great if you don’t have a large family, and they give you the option of preparing your own meals while in Walt Disney World.  

Larger families or groups will want to choose a Villa for the extra space it provides. Each Villa includes a full kitchen, and depending on the Villa you choose, may have a washer and dryer, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, and a dining area.  

At Saratoga Springs, there are Villas of varying sizes (and even an elevated Treehouse Villa), all the way up to a 3-Bedroom Grand Villa that sleeps up to 12 adults.

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Credit: Disney Dining

Dining

With Disney Springs so close, you’re spoiled for dining options when staying at Saratoga Springs! But if you want to stay closer to home, you can enjoy a table service meal at The Turf Club Bar and Grill, with a view of the golf course and lake.  

Grab a quick bite to eat at the counter service restaurant The Artist’s Palette, and relax after a long day, with a drink and appetizer at The Turf Club Lounge. There’s also a café and pool bars to make sure you’re properly fed and watered throughout your stay.

Pools

If you’re a Guest who picks your Disney Resort Hotel at least partially because of its pool options, you’re not alone!  

Disney’s Saratoga Springs boasts not one, but two large feature pools. The High Rock Spring Pool has a 128-foot-long water slide, waterfalls, whirlpool spas, and beach entry, plus a fun Donald Duck-themed children’s play area.  

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Credit: Disney Tips

The Paddock Pool contains an even longer waterslide that Guests can ride out of a huge water tower, zero-depth entry, a whirlpool spa, and a kids’ area with two miniature water slides.  

If quiet pool time is more your thing, you can relax at one of the Resort’s three leisure or quiet pools.

Golf

Golfers, rejoice – you’ve come to the right place! Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course, which has hosted the PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour, and USGA events, calls Saratoga Springs home. Play a round of golf, or take a private lesson from a PGA instructor.

Painting Class

While you’re on vacation, why not learn a new skill? Take a painting class led by an expert, and learn how to create your own Disney masterpiece to take home. Check with the Front Desk to find out about availability, and to book your spot.

Sunrise Yoga

There are only a few Disney Resorts that offer Sunrise Yoga, and Saratoga Springs is one of them. This 30-minute gentle yoga class is the perfect way to start a day at Walt Disney World! All ages and fitness levels are welcome, and towels and mats are provided.  Spots are limited, so be sure to get there early to snag a spot.

Saratoga-springs

Credit: Disney Tips

…And More

Looking for even more activities to keep you busy in your downtime from Disney’s Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom Parks?  

Saratoga offers a variety of recreational activities to Guests. Some are complimentary, like evening campfire and marshmallow roasting, basketball, and movies under the stars. For others (bike rentals, surrey bike rentals, fishing, tennis), there may be a rental or excursion fee.  

If you encounter some rainy weather on your Walt Disney World vacation, you can head indoors to the Community Hall to check out the board games, DVDs, ping-pong, and arts and crafts, or challenge a friend to a video game at the Win, Place or Show Arcade.

Bottom Line

Though it tends to fly somewhat under the radar, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa has a lot going for it – especially since its recent renovations which gave it a much-needed update.  Could Saratoga Springs be a contender for a home base on your next Walt Disney World vacation?

About Stacy Milford

Stacy has lived in 4 countries on 3 continents, and travels whenever humanly possible. Passionate about music theatre, dessert, and adventure in the great wide somewhere, she visits Walt Disney World every year, usually during Halloween! Stacy currently divides her time between writing and teaching English as a second language to children in China, and is pretty sure growing up is over-rated.