Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa takes you back to the late-1800s upstate New York resort of the same name with its equestrian theme and Victorian style. Walking onto this sprawling resort and being greeted in the lobby by friendly cast members dressed in their finest as if they’re about to attend the horse races provides instant relaxation. Being a Disney Vacation Club resort, Saratoga Springs offers a wide variety of villas – anything from a studio villa to a three bedroom villa in a treehouse! Saratoga Springs is one of my home resorts and buying here was one of the best decisions my husband and I have made! This past January we invited some family to spend the week with us at the Treehouse Villas and we are now hooked! In fact, our second little boy is due at any second and already he has his first reservation to stay at the Treehouse Villas in May!
Pros:
- Saratoga Springs is a large and sprawling resort that sits on 65 acres. Similar to it’s namesake in Upstate New York, this resort offers plenty of places to relax, whether it’s by strolling by gurgling water fountains, discovering the different walkways, buildings and their views, or spending time at the spa.
- The staff is simply outstanding. In no other Disney resort have I experienced such wonderful service. From the managers to bell service, each has gone the extra mile to make my stay pleasant. The service at this lovely resort is top-notch.
- When you stay at Saratoga Springs, you are within walking distance to Downtown Disney! Staying at the Congress Park section gives you the shortest walk to Downtown Disney. Being so close to the wonderful entertainment, shopping, and dining options is a wonderful perk of the resort, plus you’re just a short walk back home to the peace and quiet of your resort – truly the best of both worlds. And if walking isn’t your cup of tea, you can take a lovely ferry ride to Downtown Disney (ferry boats run approximately every 20 minutes)
- You have a bunch of swimming choices when you stay at Saratoga Springs! From the 161,000-gallon High Rock Spring Pool, featuring beautiful rockwork with cascading water, a unique water slide, and zero entry to the newly opened Paddock Pool section with it’s own slide and food options to the quiet pool at the Treehouse Villas, you could spend all day at the resort and not feel like you’ve missed a thing! The pools are beautifully maintained and sure to delight all ages. Zero entry and slides are great for the kids and the hot tubs and whirlpools are fabulous for us adults who might actually get a chance to relax with a delicious fruity beverage offered at the pool bars.
- Food. Besides having the multitude of dining options across the lake at Downtown Disney, Saratoga Springs resort has quite a few dining options that are quite nice. The food at the main building at Artist Point has a decent selection (try the flatbreads, you won’t be disappointed) and the Turf Club Bar and Grill is a really great steak restaurant that offers some beautiful golf course views.
- Speaking of golf, this resort is a golfers dream with the Buena Vista Golf Course right on the property! The views are amazing, the course is great, and there really is no such thing as a bad day on the golf course at Disney!
- There are so many activities for the kids at Saratoga Springs. In addition to 4 pools, there are also 2 playgrounds, a high-tech game room, tennis, basketball, shuffleboard and bike rentals. Community Hall offers ping pong, foosball, arts and crafts, and a variety of board games
Cons:
- The size of the resort may be a con for some. I’ve read in a few different places that some people find the walk from certain areas to the resort to places like High Rock Springs pool and the main house can be long. Having stayed in the Grandstand area before (one of the farthest from the Springs section), I don’t find this holds to be true. Then again, I’m a walker.
- The resort has multiple bus stops. That may mean a slightly longer commute to the parks. If you stay at the Treehouses, it will take you two buses to get to the parks – one to get you to the Springs stop and the next to take you to the parks. That being said, you can always plan ahead – if you stay at the Grandstand section, you will be the first bus stop on the way to the parks AND the first stop coming home. If you stay at the Treehouses you can request a villa in the southern part of the Treehouses section. That way, you can skip the Treehouses bus and just walk directly to the Grandstand area.
Overall I think Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is a real winner. The friendly staff, beautiful accommodations and gorgeous grounds make it a great choice for anyone coming to Walt Disney World. Being so close to Downtown Disney but still being able to enjoy peace and quiet of a lovely resort is the perfect combination!
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