Walt Disney World Saratoga Springs Resort Hotel is located near the mammoth shopping, dining and recreation center known as Disney Springs. The resort offers guests an array of amenities that include a spa, fitness center, pool, and restaurant. The hotel also has a variety of rooms available, ranging from standard rooms to suites. Find out why we rate this resort nearly a 4.5 out of 5 in our Saratoga Springs Disney review.
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Getting to Know Walt Disney World Saratoga Springs Resort
One of my favorite things about traveling to Disney World is the opportunity to experience a diverse collection of hotel accommodations. I’ve stayed at a turn of the last century beachside resort, slept savanna side on an African safari, and during my last trip, traveled back in time again to Saratoga Springs, New York, the way it was when women donned big straw hats and men dressed in linen to attend the races.
Walt Disney’s Saratoga Springs resort offers all of the amenities of a Disney deluxe resort with a bolder feel of community, drawing together 5 distinct neighborhoods into a town of its own making. A nod to the New York town’s racing history can be seen throughout, marked with a bit of Disney flair.
In the lobby, you’ll find large illustrated portraits of some of Disney’s own famous equines, while a bronze statue outside the entrance to the Guest Services area welcomes guests. Equined themed prints can also be found in each of the Saratoga’s rooms.
Similar to Disney’s Old Key West resort, Walt Disney World Saratoga Springs was built as a Disney Vacation Club property. Disney’s Vacation Club (DVC) is similar to a timeshare, allowing guests to purchase stake in one of the DVC resorts in exchange for points. Points can then be used to reserve rooms. However, you don’t need to be a DVC member to stay here. Rooms at Saratoga Springs are often availale to the public.
Some of the more recent additions the DVC line up have been added to existing deluxe resorts, such as the Grand Floridian. These newer DVC offerings have adopted the theming of the original resort. It’s one of the things that makes Walt Disney’s Saratoga Springs more unique. Instead of sharing theming from an existing resort, it offers its own timeless appeal. Only two other DVC resorts can say the same, the aforementioned Old Key West and Disney’s Riviera Resort.
For some reason, this has left a lot of guests feeling that Saratoga Springs is somehow less Disney. It’s common to hear comments such as, “It just doesn’t feel like Disney” as people are researching Disney resorts. We were previously in this camp, but have since found that Saratoga Springs is every bit Disney when it comes to the richness of the theming and the hospitality of the cast members.
As mentioned previously, Disney’s Saratoga Springs is divided into neighborhods. In fact, there are 5 distinct areas to this resort known as:
- The Grandstand
- The Carousel
- The Paddock
- The Springs
- Congress Park
Each neighborhood is similarly themed, and with the exception of the Carousel, each has it’s own pool area for easy access.
Rooms at Walt Disney World Saratoga Springs
Thanks to a recent remodel, rooms at Walt Disney Saratoga Springs are light and airy. I immediately liked the bright feel of the white and gray accents. It felt homey with a touch of elegance. The equestrian touches were nice as well, combined with just enough Disney that we knew exactly where we were.
There are no view categories to discuss at Saratoga Springs as all rooms offer similar outlooks. Our room overlooked the golf course and waterway to Disney Springs, but most rooms will offer a similar view of green spaces and water. Some may overlook the pools at Saratoga Springs, meaning you’ll swap natural waterways for the manmade variety. However, the grounds are so richly landscaped that even a modest courtyard view at this resort was something to behold.
All rooms are also equipped with balconies or patios, so no matter where you are located, you can expect a nice place to sip your morning coffee or evening libation with a view to accompany it.
A reader recently commented on our review of Old Key West, lamenting the lack of elevators in many of the buildings. We can attest to the inconvenience after lugging luggage packed for a 10-day stay up two flights of stairs when staying at Old Key West.
Fortunately, Disney learned from this mistake and equipped each of the buildings at Saratoga Springs with elevators. You’ll find it easy to get to rooms on upper floors, though you may have a bit of a walk once you exit the elevator.
Deluxe Suite Rooms at Disney Saratoga Springs
Like most of Disney World’s vacation club resorts, the rooms at Saratoga Springs come in a variety of configurations. The smallest and least costly is the deluxe suite.
While this room is referred to as a suite, don’t let the name fool you. This type of accommodation in most ways resembles a standard hotel room.
You’ll find a sleeping area as well as separate vanity and tub shower area. However, there are a few differences.
First, you won’t find two regular beds in a Saratoga Springs deluxe suite. Instead, Disney has swapped the second static bed with the ingenuity of a murphy bed.
If you aren’t familiar with the concept, a murphy bed features a standard mattress placed on a platform. The entire base and mattress can be folded into a unit resembling a small armoire.
When the bed is folded, a small couch is revealed, allowing more space for daily use. We found the murphy bed to be every bit as comfortable as the regular bed in the room and enjoyed the ability to fold it away during the day.
Another amenity of a deluxe suite is the addition of a small refrigerator unit as well as a sink and a small collection of dishes, such as glasses. Touches like these provide a homier feel and give a nod to the fact that these rooms are indeed part of a DVC resort—your home away from home.
Deluxe suites at Saratoga Springs are on the smaller side when compared with rooms in this category at some other DVC resorts, such as the Grand Floridian or Old Key West. You can expect to spend your time at a deluxe suite within 355 square feet, making it ideal for two adults and 2 younger children or a smaller party.
We had 3 adult women, and while we were comfortable for the time we spent in the room, we did tend to use every bit of available space for luggage and the like.
Deluxe suites sleep up to 4, with very little room for accommodating a crib.
Other room types at Saratoga Springs include:
1 Bedroom Villas
A one-bedroom villa at Saratoga Springs is a delight in comfort. A spacious bedroom area with king bed adjoins a roomy bathroom as well as a separate kitchen and sitting area. Each kitchen area is equipped with a full-sized stove and refrigerator, a full set of dishes, cutlery and cooking utensils, as well as small eating area for families to gather.
The sitting area offers a small sofa and chair for daytime use. At night, a murphy bed can be pulled down from the wall, replacing the sofa with a comfortable sleeping space. One-bedroom villas are ideal for those who plan to eat in during their stay or groups where some members will be hanging back at the hotel during the day, as the room provides more space and comfort than a deluxe suite.
1 bedroom villas at Saratoga Springs are 714 square feet and can sleep up to 5.
2 Bedroom Villa
If you take the comfort and roominess of 1 bedroom villa and connect it to a deluxe suite, you have the 2-bedroom villa at Saratoga Springs. In fact, that’s exactly what Disney does, combining the two room types into a single unit.
Two-bedroom villas offer 1070 square feet of space, sleeping up to 9 guests.
3 Bedroom Grand Villa
If you’re traveling with a large group or have deep pockets of your own and really want to spread out, consider booking a 3-bedroom Grand Villa at Saratoga Springs. Grand Villas offer 2,113 square feet of space spread across 2 floors.
Upstairs, you’ll find 2 bedrooms, each with 2 queen beds and their own bathroom. Downstairs is a king bed master suite, living room, dining room and kitchen. A fourth full-size bathroom offers additional room for guests to get ready for the day.
Grand villas sleep up to 12.
Where Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Is Located and What It Means for Your Stay
Another common remark about Walt Disney’s Saratoga Springs involves location. When evaluating resorts, it isn’t uncommon to hear potential vacationers say that this DVC property is just too far from the main theme parks.
This is probably one of the truest criticisms that can be made about Saratoga Springs. Located directly across the waterway from Disney Springs, it can take quite a trek to get to any of Disney’s parks.
Distance between the Saratoga Springs Resorts and Disney World theme parks, according to Google maps:
- Magic Kingdom: 4.4 miles
- EPCOT: 3.7 miles
- Magic Kingdom: 4.2 miles
- Animal Kingdom: 7.1 miles
To put the numbers above into perspective, the distance between Disney’s Beach Club resort and the Magic Kingdom is only 3.6 miles, while Animal Kingdom is approximately 5 miles away, using available roadways and traffic routes
While it may not sound like there is a large variation when comparing miles between resorts, getting anywhere from Disney’s Saratoga Springs just feels longer. Maybe it’s the amount of traffic or the number of stoplights, but distances felt lengthy even when traveling by Disney’s internal transportation system.
Another drawback that often gets chatter is the distance between neighborhoods within Saratoga Springs. If you’re using Disney’s internal transportation bus service to travel to and from the park, this can add considerable time to your journey, depending on where your room is located.
The Pools at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
There are 4 pools at Walt Disney Saratoga Springs. You’ll find the feature pool located near the Carriage House, the building that supports guest check-in as well as recreation and dining opportunities.
The High Rock Spring Pool
The High Rock Spring Pool is closest for guests staying in the Springs neighborhood and offers a full pool bar and 128-foot slide, as well as a much smaller slide perfect for toddlers. You’ll also find a waterfall at this pool, cascading down from the High Rock Spring.
When we visited High Rock Springs Pool on a very hot afternoon, there was ample seating even in the shade. While there were a number of guests cooling off, we found plenty of space to settle in.
The Grandstand Pool
Three other neighborhoods at Saratoga Springs are also equipped with their own pools, offering various amenities. Since we were staying at the Grandstand, we spent a good portion of our swimming time here.
While the seating area here was smaller than you’ll find at the High Rock Pool, we never had a problem finding open chairs in the shade. You’ll also find a pool bar, featuring snacks and libations, as well as restrooms/changing rooms and a laundry facility. An equestrian themed splash pad rounds out the amenities at this pool area, offering little ones a chance to get off to the races.
The Paddock Pool
The Paddock Pool is the second swimming area at Saratoga Springs to feature a waterslide, and with the addition of a separate splash play area and smaller waterslide, may be the best pool for guests with younger children. It also may explain why this was one of the more crowded pools we visited.
Again, we had no problems finding available seating, and the bartender at the pool bar was fantastic, whipping up a custom non-alcoholic concoction on request.
The Congress Park Pool
The Congress Park pool was the only swimming area we did not get to visit, other than a brief stop for some photographs. Congress Park pool offers a beautiful view of Disney Springs and is the only true leisure pool at the resort. You won’t find waterslides or splash pads, which probably explains why we saw so many older adults enjoying this space.
Towels are available at all Saratoga Springs pools, so you can leave your bath towels in the room. Each pool area also offers a convenient drop off point where you can leave wet towels on the way out.
All things considered, we found Saratoga Springs to offer one of the better pool experiences that we’ve had at Disney’s deluxe resorts, providing plenty of variety and some of the most beautiful views around.
Review of Transportation in and Around Disney’s Saratoga Springs
No review of Walt Disney Saratoga Springs would be complete without discussing the transportation options available. As with all Disney World resorts, Saratoga Springs offers complimemtary transportation from your hotel to the Disney World theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs.
Transportation to all areas with the exception of Disney Springs is by Disney World bus.
Bus Transportation at Saratoga Springs
Guests can catch a bus at all 5 neighborhoods within Saratoga Springs, but keep in mind that this is a vast resort covering a lot of acreage. Each neighborhood houses a number of buildings as well. This means you could be left standing on the bus if you’re one of the later stops on the route, as the bus may fill up before it gets to your stop.
Buses serving Disney’s Saratoga Springs resort pick up and drop off at each neighborhood stop according to the following schedule:
The Grandstand
The Carousel
The Paddock
Congress Park
and finally The Springs
According to Disney, buses run every 20 minutes to each destination, but during our trip in May of 2022, we found that buses arrived much faster, usually every 5-10 minutes. In fact, it was rare that we had to wait more than 5 minutes after arriving at a stop for the next bus.
In most cases, it was even shorter. Our waits were minimal even in the afternoon when fewer people are traveling to and from the parks.
Once you’re on the bus, however, it may take you a long time to get off the Saratoga Springs property.
We stayed in the Grandstand area during our two stays at Saratoga Springs. The bus stop was the first in line for pick up, meaning we could easily get a seat, but we were treated to a very leisurely trip around the resort as the bus stopped at various neighborhoods for pick up.
On one afternoon, we clocked a fifteen-minute ride. This was probably the extreme, as the driver had to circle back to a previous stop to pick up a wheelchair passenger after other guests had departed the bus. Also, a guest engaged in what seemed like a lengthy conversation with the driver at another stop, trying to convince him to take her to a particular destination within the resort.
On average, it seems the trip around the resort takes between 5-10 minutes, but the duration is highly dependent on how many people get on and off at each stop and whether the driver needs to load or unload ECVs (electronic scooters).
Overall, we went with the mindset that travel to and from the parks would take longer, and adjusted our schedules accordingly.
Other Transportation Options at Saratoga Springs
A few times in the morning, we opted to order a Lyft to take us to the theme parks, thinking we’d save time. In each case, the bus arrived at the stop about 5 minutes before our driver picked us up, so the total travel time was probably about the same.
If you do decide to opt for a rideshare, keep in mind that the drop off point at some resorts will requires some walking or even a journey on a Disney form of transportation before you reach the park. This is the case at the Magic Kingdom where rideshare drivers are not allowed to drop guests off in front of the park. Instead, you’ll be left at the Transportation Ticket Center where you can catch the monorail or steamboat to the park.
The exception to the statement above would be Disney Minnie Vans. Minnie Vans are similar to ridesharing in that you order them through the Lyft app, but unlike regular rideshare rides, Minnie Vans are operated by Disney World and employ Disney cast members as drivers. As such, Minnie Vans are allowed to access the bus loop in front of the Magic Kingdom and even have a dedicated stop, allowing them to pick up and drop off passengers at a more convenient location.
Last, when traveling to Disney Springs, you will pick up a ferry boat near the golf center and take a short trip by waterway over to Disney Springs. Guests can also enjoy a short stroll to Disney Springs by utilizing the walkway joining the two locations.
A True Resort Experience
When reviewing Walt Disney World Saratoga Springs, it’s easy to classify this Disney property in a resort category given the breadth of recreational opportunities found onsite. In fact, we found that we spent a lot more time just hanging around this resort than we have at many of Disney’s other properties.
Saratoga Springs offers a number of recreational opportunities for families and indviduals in addition to the pool areas discussed above.
In the Community Hall, you’ll find ping pong, foosball, video games, board games and more, including arts and crafts led by cat members. The Community Hall is located adjacent to Horsing Around Recreation Rentals.
Speaking of Horsing Around Recreation Rentals, this is where you can rent bikes for a leisurely and satisfying exploration of the grounds. Also offered for rent are Surrey bikes. If you’ve nevered heard of these before, just picture a carriage on four wheels driven by the peddle power of its inhabitants. It’s a fun way for families to explore the resort and grounds.
We actually had planned to rent a surrey bike on our last trip to Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, but hot weather and multiple rainstorms put a damper on our plans. Additional recreation opportunitis can be found at the resort’s basketball, tennis and shuffleboard areas.
Golf at Saratoga Springs
Golf enthusiasts will enjoy the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. According to Disney, it’s a classic country-club experience with a course that winds through the pastel villas of Saratoga Springs as well as pine forests, palmettos and sparkling lakes.
According to multiple other sources, Golf Digest rated Lake Buena Vista a 4-star course, and it has even been the host site for several pro tours. Not being an experienced golfer myself, I can’t speak personally for the course, but it does seem to get adequate reviews from golf enthusiasts and was always in play during our stay.
If more sedentary pleasures are the epitome of relaxation for you, the onsite Senses Spa should be penciled in on your agenda while staying Saratoga Springs. Again, it isn’t something we had time to enjoy, but positive reviews are abundant across the web. If you have some time outside the parks to fill, and would like to slip away from the noise for a bit, the Senses Spa sounds like a great option for relaxation.
Dining at Disney Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Like many of Disney’s deluxe resorts, you’ll find dining options a bit limited. We enjoyed the food options and variety of the menu at the Artist’s Palette. However, as a quick service location, the rapidity of the service was a bit lacking. The food, however, was on par with any other resort quick service location we visited.
You can also pick up some grab-and-go items from the Artist Palette Shop. Again, the selection was on par with other resorts in this category, with plenty of bottled drinks as well as typically prepared options, such as yogurt and baked goods.
You can also find typical quick-service fare, such as burgers and sandwiches, at the poolside bars located in the Grandstand and The Paddock neighborhoods.
Unfortunately, we did not have the chance to experience the onsite table-service restaurant, but it’s a themed dining location, bringing to life the track-side experience of the country’s oldest operating racetrack in New York. The menu at the Turf Club Bar and Grill features typical steakhouse fare with some seafood and pasta dishes added for variety.
How We Rate Walt Disney World Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
In our Walt Disney World Saratoga Springs Disney review, we rated the hotel across a number of categories to help you better understand if this is the right hotel for your stay. Please keep in mind, ratings are subjective, but based on our experiences and preferences, we’d rate Disney’s Saratoga Springs accordingly:
Room appearance and comfort: 4.75
We love the new light and airy décor of the Saratoga Springs rooms and the Disney-inspired equestrian touches are the icing on the cake. Rooms were pleasant, comfortable and above all, quiet. In fact, this is one of the quietest resorts we have ever visited, with no late night footsteps overhead or down halls and no through-wall noise from next-door guests.
The only way we even knew someone was staying next door was because we heard them moving chairs on the balcony one morning while we were enjoying the view from ours. Deluxe rooms are a little on the small side, which is the only reason we could find for not providing a full 5-star rating.
Theming: 4.5
While several people complain about the lack of Disney theming at this resort, we found it to be on par with other deluxe experiences, easily evoking the time and essence of a bygone era. It may not scream Disney with over the top character representations, but we felt easily immersed in the world of Saratoga. Unlike our stay at Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace, a Disney Springs hotel we enjoyed earlier in the week, there was none of the sudden jarring feel of leaving Disney World when returned from the parks each day.
Recreational Opportunities: 5
When compared to other Disney World resorts, Saratoga Springs offers one of the most comprehensive lineups of onsite activities.
Transportation/Location: 3.75
Given that transportation to the 4 main Disney theme parks is provided only by bus, and that each bus must travel the length and breadth of the full property at each pick up and drop off, we gave Saratoga only a 3.5 transportation rating. Considering that several resorts in this category offer multiple modes of transport, this also seems a deficit on the part of Saratoga Springs. However, we never had to wait long for a bus, and for anyone planning to spend a lot of time at Disney Springs, this location is prime and within an easy pleasant boat ride or an enjoyable stroll.
Cast Members: 4.0
Since the advent of online check-in, we usually don’t have as many opportunities to interact with cast members at resorts as we once did. This trip was the exception. Thanks to linking trouble bewteen my credit card and the My Disney Experience app, I had a few opportunities to interact with cast members on this trip.
Rating cast members here is difficult as some seemed inexperienced or undertrained while others were top-notch and exuded the Disney hospitality. On the latter end of the spectrum were the cast members monitoring the pool bar area.
When I couldn’t process my purchase transaction on my MagicBand, they tried every trick in the book to figure out what was going on, before telling me to go and enjoy my vacation. They’d figure out how to process the charge on their end.
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However, the cast member greeting us at our initial check-in seemed confused and out of sorts, telling us that our room would not be ready until sometime between 3:00 and 4:00 or later. Since these seem to be issues of inexperience, the cast members on your trip could be quite different. We expect these issures to be ironed out as more resorts open post-pandemic.
I will say that the cast member answering the phone on the evening we had to call and report a hit and run in the parking lot (car, not person) was extremely professional, kind and exactly the type of cast member you expect to encounter at Disney World.
Dining 4.5
While the number and variety of dining options could be improved for a resort this size, what was offered seemed on par with other deluxe resorts at Disney World. Also, the fact that none of them were ever overly crowded seems to suggest that the offerings are adequate, and the two pool bars were also a nice touch.
Overall, that’s over 4 stars. Not bad for an out-of-the-way resort that some people say doesn’t feel like Disney.
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