Hello fellow Disney lovers! Today’s post is going to be all about the resort we stayed at during our October 2019 trip – The Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa at Disney World! This is actually the 2nd time we have stayed at Saratoga Springs, and my parents third! We are Disney Vacation Club members and have a few points allocated here and at our home resort, the Boardwalk Resort.
In addition to the many perks you get from staying on site at a Disney resort, Saratoga Springs is a relaxing, tranquil resort in the heart of the Disney Springs resort area. So here is my complete review on the resort! What you can expect from the rooms, what there is to do, what you can eat and so much more!
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Overview
Saratoga Springs is a themed resort, copying the style of early 20th century New York. The name comes from the racetrack of the same name – which is why you’ll see lots of horse and racing themed decor around! The resort is broken up into different sections – The Springs, Congress Park, The Paddock, The Carousel, and The Grandstand. You can see what I mean about the racetrack theme!
Each section of the resort has its own bus stop, so you don’t have to worry about hiking 15 minutes in the sweltering Florida heat to get to a bus. The Carriage House, which is where you check in, is the main hub of the resort. You will be able to find the main pool here as well as shopping, dining, and information.
You can stay in standard studio rooms or villas – which is the usual lodging offered for Disney Vacation Club members. These villas generally have a kitchen and living area as well as two bedrooms and bathrooms. This makes this resort perfect for large families traveling together!
Food
There are two restaurants at Saratoga Springs – The Artist’s Pointe and The Turf Club Bar and Grill. The Artist’s Pointe is a great place to grab a quick service meal. I love taking a leisurely walk there in the morning to grab breakfast before the parks! The Turf Club Bar and Grill is a full service sit down restaurant. It’s a great option to use those dining plan credits if you don’t feel like battling the reservation line for those park restaurants!
As with any of the Disney resorts, room service can be ordered at any time as well!
Spa
If you’re feeling like you need some relaxation after a long day at the parks, you have to check out Senses. This spa on site offers all the classic spa offers – massages, facials, body treatments and more! It’s the perfect place to take some time for yourself after all those hours on your feet. Reservations can be made before you arrive or through your hotel room phone. Treat yourself to a little ME time on your vacation! You’ll be happy you did.
Leisure Activities
Sick of headed to the parks? Looking for something else to do instead of thrill rides? Be sure to check out the various leisure activities around the resort! The Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is one of the main attractions at this resort. If your idea of relaxing is playing a game of golf, be sure to reserve yourself some time to play! Additionally, there are two pools at Saratoga Springs – the main pool near The Carriage House, and the Paddock Pool. There are a few smaller pools scattered around the resort as well. These are smaller and meant to be quieter than the main pool, which is often full of screaming kids!
Transportation
Like all Disney resorts, the Saratoga Springs resort is part of the Disney Transportation system. Buses come every few minutes to the bus stops to pick up guests to go to the parks, Disney water parks, and Disney Springs. New developments in the My Disney Experience app even let you see what time the buses are scheduled to show up!
Additionally, due to the proximity to Disney Springs, there is a boat service that takes you the the Springs as well as other Disney Springs area resorts, like Old Key West. Personally, I prefer to take the scenic route and use the walkway to the Springs. It takes only about 10 minutes to walk there and you get a great view of the Springs as you do!
Treehouse Villas
While we have never personally stayed at the Villas, no review of Saratoga Springs would be complete without mentioning them! The Treehouse Villas are a separate part of the resort. These small, treehouse style villas all contain three bedrooms and are nestled away from the main resort. This means that, unfortunately, you have to take a separate shuttle bus from the main area of Saratoga Springs to the Villas. Additionally that means to get to the parks you have to get off the Villa shuttle and wait for your connecting bus at one of the main bus stops. We have never personally stayed at the Villas but I have heard great things about them! Personally I’m a bit too lazy to have to take a connecting bus – but if you’re looking for seclusion with world class lodging, be sure to check out the Villas when booking!
So there you have it! A complete rundown of the Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. Have you ever stayed at the resort? What’s your favorite area to stay at? I like staying at The Springs because of how close it is to The Carriage House.
For more information on Saratoga Springs, as well as other Disney resorts, be sure to check out The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. This guide gives you a complete breakdown of all the resorts and even gives you maps, and tells you which rooms to book if you want to be close to the action, away from loud noises, etc. It’s fantastic! I never go to Disney without a copy!
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