Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Dating back to 2004, Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is a massive resort property modeled loosely on Saratoga Springs, New York. It's spread out over around 65 acres, with rooms and facilities found throughout the property, with rooms divided into The Grandstand, The Carousel,The Paddock, The Springs, and Congress Park. The look is vintage, and unabashedly artificial -- in true Disney style -- with a huge octagonal multistoried lobby area crowned with a wrought-iron chandelier plus sprawling lakeside grounds covered with perfectly manicured grass.The bulk of guests here are naturally Disney fans, oftentimes members of the Disney Vacation Club timeshare program. Most guests at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are families, though couples do stay here too. 

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is located in the Lake Buena Vista area, in the massive Disney Springs section of Disney World and west of the Interstate 4. It sits adjacent to Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course right on a manmade lake, and there are Disney-operated buses that stop at the different sections of the property. These shuttles connect Disney's Saratoga Springs to the theme parks as well as boats to the shopping and dining area of Disney Springs. The location is best-suited to visitors who plan to devote the bulk of their time in Orlando to Disney-related activities, and it's a good half-hour drive to get to downtown Orlando, without traffic. SeaWorld is a bit closer, around 15 minutes away by car without traffic, while Universal Studios takes about 20 minutes to reach by car. Budget 30 to 45 minutes to reach the Orlando Airport from Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, without traffic.

Rooms at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort run the gamut from entry-level Deluxe Studios to Grand Villa's and even the property's signature Treehouse Villas. Villas range from one to two bedrooms, while Disney Saratoga Springs' Treehouse Villas are standalone octagonal rooms are set on stilts. These have forest-themed interiors and views out over the woods. One-Bedroom Villas have consistent floor plans, while the Two-Bedroom Villa layouts vary, with the option to get "lock-off" rooms, which are essentially a Deluxe Studio and a One-Bedroom Villa connected to one another. Standard amenities at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, coffee- and tea-making facilities, microwaves, safes, irons with ironing boards. All but the Deluxe Studios add DVD players (in the living rooms) and kitchens with stoves. Housekeeping comes by daily to take out the trash, but full daily service costs extra. Also, note that some past guests have complained of cleanliness issues and dust in rooms. Decor is homey and not quite as modern as some of the other Disney properties, with oak coffee tables and hutches, green carpeting, brown-and-tan herringbone pattern sofas, and turquoise and sea-foam green accents in upholstery and kitchen shelving. Bedrooms feature two-poster beds and blue accent walls and all units have big glass doors that lead out to furnished balconies. Bathrooms are spacious, with walk-in showers, granite countertops, and whirlpool hot tubs (in all but studio units). Toiletries and hairdryers are provided. 

Facilities at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are extensive, with a great variety of restaurants along with plenty of recreational activities for all ages. Breakfast at Saratoga Springs Disney is served at the all-day Paddock Grill, an American-style restaurant that looks out over the Paddock Pool, as well as a The Artist's Palette, a casual option with lots of grab-and-go items. Snacks and light meals are available at both restaurants throughout the day as well as at Chip'n Dale's Cafe and the Backstretch Pool Bar. For something snazzier, the equestrian-themed Turf Club Bar and Grill serves steaks at dinnertime; there's also a bar here. A second bar, On the Rocks, is situated near the High Rock Spring Pool. Room service is also available around the clock, with pizza delivery until late at night. Leisure facilities are abundant here, with five pools (one with a 146-foot-long waterslide), playgrounds, barbecue grill areas, basketball and tennis courts, shuffleboard, and an 18-hole golf course that sits adjacent to the resort. There's also a community hall with games, ping-pong, and foosball plus an arcade. Bicycles and bass fishing trips can be arranged for a fee. Yoga classes are available and there's a spa, Senses, with an extensive spa menu of treatments and massages. Spa prices are on the expensive side, but they include access to a steam and whirlpool facilities as well as a relaxation space. Disney's Saratoga Springs also has jogging trails along with a 24-hour fitness center that includes a huge range of cardio and weight-training equipment. Valet and self-service laundry, a gift shop with sundries and souvenirs, babysitting, grocery delivery, and free Wi-Fi are all available. Valet and self-parking are available, but both cost extra.