Resort Spotlight: Saratoga Springs

If I am ever blessed with the opportunity to stay a whole month at Disney, Saratoga Springs would be the place to stay. The resort feels like home – clean, comfy and reliable.

Themed after the famous New York retreat of the same name, Saratoga Springs is a Victorian-style resort. The outside is painted in beachy pastel colors. Inside the rooms are white and bright with faux-wood floors and décor that subtly nods to Saratoga’s horse racing history.

The campus of Saratoga Springs is large, but it has to be. As a resort that caters to Disney Vacation Club members, its rooms are all studios and one-, two-, or three-bedroom villas. Villas have full kitchens and washer/dryer units. Saratoga Springs is also the only Disney resort with both a golf course and a spa on its campus. But you don’t have to be a member of DVC to stay at Saratoga Springs. There is room enough for everyone!

A Saratoga Springs studio in Congress Park.

The Murphy bed by day and by night. It gives the studio much more space during waking hours. The coffee table top rises and can be used a a table.

The kitchenette has all that is needed for a quick breakfast. Paper plates, paper cups, and plasticware are supplied in the upper cabinet.

The sink and closet stand outside the toilet and tub/shower room. The closet contains a safe, iron and ironing board, vacuum, broom, and extra bedding.

The shower stocks H2O shampoo, conditions, and body wash in a wall unit, so unfortunately there are no small take-home bottles. A small bottle of H2O lotion is in the sink area.

The resort has four pools. The largest is the High Rocks Spring Pool feature pool that is located near the lobby and restaurants. The three other pools are spread out so that no guest needs to walk too far for a swim or a soak in a hot tub.

The High Rocks Springs Pool and hot tub opens at 10 a.m.

Senses Spa is a luxury retreat. Unfortunately, it is one of the few Disney locations that has not reopened since COVID.

At the crack of dawn, runners can be seen getting a workout on the 1.44 mile running trail. Guests can also rent Surrey bikes. Walking paths to Disney Springs give guests the ability to pop in on Disney’s Spring’s plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment options. Boat Docks for travel to the Port Orleans resorts and the Old Key West Resort is right on the edge of the property.

The view of Disney Springs can be enjoyed from many rooms or by using the walking/running path.

So, let’s break it down for you. Saratoga Springs consists of five locations: The Springs, The Grandstand, The Carousel, The Paddock, and Congress Park.

The Springs is where the action is. Here you will find:

The lobby;
The Artist’s Palette, a quick service restaurant where you can also pick up gifts or supplies for your room;
The High Rocks Spring Pool, hot tub, and On the Rocks bar;
Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course and Pro Shop;
Tennis, basketball and shuffle ball courts;
Community hall;
A fitness center;
The Turf Club Lounge, a sit down restaurant;
Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Café, a quick service locations;
A bus stop for free travel to the parks; and
Senses Spa (which hasn’t reopened since COVID).

The lobby, The Artist’s Palette, and the entrance to the Turf Club Lounge are all connected in The Springs area of the resort.

Congress Park is my favorite “neighborhood” to stay in. It sports a water view of Disney Springs and is closest to the walking path. The path takes me right into The Marketplace area of Disney Springs so I can pop in to Days of Christmas and Earl of Sandwich in minutes! This morning I woke to find a baby bunny hanging out on my patio. How can anyone not love this place?

Congress Park is a location that allows guests to quickly walk in and out of the Disney Springs shopping district.

The Grandstand is closest to the golf course. It also has a pickup location for free bus transportation to all the Disney Parks. It is a short walk from The Grandstand to The Springs area, so you close to most of the resorts offerings. The Grandstand Swimming Pool also has the Backstretch Pool Bar, which serves drinks and snacks.

The Paddock is large but thanks to a walking bridge across the water, it’s easy to walk to The Springs area. The Paddock has a large pool and The Paddock Grill, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you are situated in a building on the east side, you’ll be close to the walking path to Disney Springs.

The Carousel is right near the main entrance to the resort. If you have a rental car and desire to get in and out of the resort quickly (key, if you want to take advantage of early morning extra magic hours), The Carousel is the place to be!

In addition to all this, Saratoga Springs is also home of the secluded Treehouse Villas (three-bedroom condos nested up in the trees of a forest on the west of the golf course). The Treehouse area is a resort in and of itself, complete with its own entrance, pool, hot tub, and boat dock. Click Here to see our Resort Spotlight on the Treehouse Villas.

I hope this quick trip to Saratoga Springs was a good one. Click here to see our other Resort Spotlight postings