Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is a Disney resort modeled after the tranquil town of Saratoga Springs, New York in the late 1800’s. New York’s Saratoga Springs was known for horse racing and its mineral spas. The resorts’ beautiful Victorian architecture is modeled after many buildings in the Saratoga Springs, NY area and the muted color palette speaks to relaxation and rest. The setting of the resort is a nice, quiet, somewhat romantic retreat; Not your typically themed Disney Resort. Quiet nods to horse racing are witnessed throughout the property and High Rock Springs Pool is an acknowledgment of the many mineral spas in the Saratoga Springs area in New York. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is the perfect resort for a quiet getaway conveniently located in walking distance to Disney Springs.
A Large Resort with Plenty of Rooms
Saratoga Springs is expansive. There are 1260 rooms available in this resort. It is a fantastic resort for larger parties, Bachelorette or Bachelor parties, Family Reunions, College Reunions (Sorority & Fraternity), etc. The resort boast, studios (with a kitchenette), one, two and three bedroom villas. The villas have a full kitchen and living room area. This is a DVC (Disney Vacation Club) Resort. It is also home to the Tree House Villas (great for parties of 9). There has been ongoing room refurbishment and upgrades throughout the resort and the rooms are outstanding. Carpets have been removed and furniture and décor have been updated to bring a modern and classy look to the resort.
The resort rooms are broken down into sections: The Springs, The Paddock, The Grandstand, The Carousel and Congress Park. Each section has its pros and cons. For example, The Springs is close to the Carriage House (main building with food and shopping), Community Hall, and High Rock Springs Pool. Congress Park is close to the walking path to Disney Springs. Your travel planner will be able to help you decide which section would be most suitable to meet your vacation needs. At the time of writing, rooms in the Grandstand and The Carousel are still in the process of being refurbished.
Dining Around Saratoga Springs
The Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is home to a few restaurants.
The Artist’s Palette is a quick service restaurant. Pre-Covid, this was one of the BEST quick service restaurants on property, in my opinion. I am praying they go back to the original menu when this is all over. You can also fill your refillable resort mugs here.
The Turf Club Bar & Grille is a Table Service restaurant, featuring steak house fare. We enjoyed many meals at the Turf Club Bar & Grille prior to Disney’s shut down. While it is currently running on an extremely limited menu, the food is still particularly good. We enjoyed an unbelievably delicious burger on our last stay.
On the Rocks (High Rock Springs Pool), The Paddock Grill, and The Backstretch Pool Bar are all pool side quick service fare with limited cocktail service. (you can refill your refillable resort mugs here as well). These pool bars are a great place for my favorite: Chicky Nugg Nuggs.
Where to Play
Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa boasts a whopping FIVE pools. Two are Feature Pools- High Rock Springs Pool and The Paddock Pool- and they both have a slide and play areas. High Rock Springs Pool features bubbling geysers and the Donald Duck Play Area.
The Grandstand Pool has a quiet pool, public BBQ and a hot tub. The Paddock has the slide, children’s play area and a hot tub. The Carousel has more BBQ’s and a Playground. Congress Park has a quiet pool and hot tub.
Win, Place or Show Arcade is in the High Rock Springs Pool area. It is currently closed, due to Covid restrictions. In the past, on rainy days they have been known to make all arcade games free play for the resort guests.
Horsing Around Recreation Rentals is where you can rent some bicycles or the Surrey Bikes which are fun for the whole family. You can cruise around the resort on a bike or a Surrey Bike, borrow some paddles for ping pong or pool cues.
There are also tennis, shuffleboard and basketball courts. Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is nearby. Two New Balance Running Trails are located on this property. One is .75 mile, and one is 1 mile.
Visit Community Hall for crafts, movie rentals, fun activities for the whole family.
You can also look forward to campfires by Community Hall and poolside movies at High Rock Springs Pool.
Where to get Pampered
One of my favorite splurges is located at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa: Senses- A Spa.
Currently Closed due to Covid, this spa, in typical times, is a fully operational spa offering a full menu of treatments. Click here for more information
Your travel planner will have more information on when this becomes available again so be sure to let them know if this is a priority for you.
Transportation
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa primarily utilizes buses to get you to the parks and Disney Springs. Buses during regular times tend to fill up quickly, especially now with social distancing measures. Typically, there are boats available to take guests to Disney Springs. These, however, are not currently running due to Covid. There is also a convenient walking path to Disney Springs. There is also an internal resort shuttle bus that will bring you to The Springs section where you disembark and head to the Carriage house or pool and back to your section of the resort.
Your Disney Girl’s Review
I love staying at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. This resort in the past has been unpopular for some due to its distance from the parks. I disagree. Saratoga Springs to me is a premier location due to its short commute to Disney Springs. We do not do parks from open to close. These days we take a little more time to enjoy the experiences in and around all of Disney World. We are empty nesters and enjoy the restaurants and nightlife at Disney Springs. The dining options there are fantastic. I enjoy the calming colors of the resort and lesser Disney-centric theming in this resort. With so much to offer, this resort could the perfect spot for your next resort-only visit. Relax and enjoy or go-go-go, you set the pace. I highly recommend this resort. From multi-generational vacations to a couple’s getaway, this resort really has it all.
Have you stayed here in the past? What were your experiences? What are your favorite amenities at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa? Please share them with us below in the comments.
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