Saratoga Springs Resort is part of the Disney Vacation Club and is considered a Deluxe resort. Our love for this resort had a rocky beginning. We did a split stay for our first trip here, and when we originally booked it, we were told we could easily walk to Disney Springs. Technically, you can walk there; however, some buildings are located a long distance from Disney Springs. Unfortunately, we were located in one of those buildings, so our walk took about 30-40 minutes. Not the easiest of walks when it is 90-plus degrees outside and you have a sit-down dinner reservation. Our other issue was the theming and the bed. The room felt outdated, and we would have slept better on the sidewalk than on that mattress. Needless to say, we were not impressed and were looking forward to our new resort. Fast forward to our next trip, with a little bit more research, we booked a preferred room in “Congress Park.” These rooms were updated and right next to the entrance to Disney Springs! Now, this is what we were looking for! Ever since then, we have booked Saratoga Springs several times, and each time we love it even more! Now let's get into some of the things that make this resort one of our favorites and why we keep coming back!
Amenities
Saratoga Springs is a sprawling resort with multiple pools, several internal bus stops, surrounded by golf courses, and located right next to Disney Springs. Some of the pools have been updated, and on our last trip there, we were able to go to the splash pad and the main pool. Our toddler loved the main pool as it had a miniature water slide for him, and we could not keep him off of it. The waterfall was a big hit as well! If the pool isn’t something that interests you, there are plenty of other recreational activities to do! You can rent surrey bikes to ride around the resort, play an 18-hole golf course, and enjoy numerous kids' activities, including crafts and games, and wonderful playground located in Congress Park. If you are looking for something more slow-paced, then you can venture to the Senses Spa for some relaxation.
Not to be overlooked, the Health Center located at Saratoga Springs has one of the best, if not the best, gyms located on Disney properties. If you are not aware, the only gyms located on Disney property are at Deluxe resorts. I have been to each gym at the Deluxe resorts we have stayed at, and the one at Saratoga Springs is by far the best. It is the largest one I have used and has the most equipment of any of the gyms. If you are looking for a great workout, don’t skip the gym at Saratoga Springs. Now, in our opinion, the location to Disney Springs is the best “Amenity” that Saratoga Springs has to offer. This provides a great segue into our next favorite thing about Saratoga Springs: Disney Springs.
Disney Springs
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When we talk about what our favorite resort is and why it is Saratoga Springs, we always come back to Disney Springs. Over the years, we have fallen in love with Disney Springs and the vibe it has. It has that Disney magic and feel every time we enter. From the smells of food, the fire from the volcano at Rainforest Café, to the live music, we just can’t seem to get enough. As most of you know, we are big foodies, and what better place to go to fulfill that need than Disney Springs! With over 68 different restaurants, there is something for everyone. We are on a mission to try every one of them, which will take a while, but that’s part of the fun! Food isn’t the only reason Disney Springs is amazing; it has the world’s largest Disney Store. If you are into Disney merchandise, then there is no better place to shop than Disney Springs. We usually leave Disney Springs with at least one shirt and some kind of toy or magic band.
The live music scene at Disney Springs is second to none. Their main stage is right across from World of Disney, right on the lake. Just about every night, there will be some band or music artist playing, making the scene there magical! If you are looking for a more personal music scene, Disney Springs has smaller stages located throughout. Our favorite is located right next to Boathouse restaurant, which, if you have not tried, is amazing!
Other than food, shopping, and live music, Disney Springs has some fun activities to do, such as the balloon ride, bowling, and you can take a Vintage Amphicar ride on Lake Buena Vista. If you are not familiar with these “cars,” they are small-looking cars that drive and are also a boat! It’s quite the experience! You can take in a movie at the AMC if you are looking to relax and catch the latest Disney movie.
The possibilities are endless at Disney Springs, which makes it one of our top spots to go every time we visit Disney World. There is so much to do for everyone of all ages, and we recommend that you go at least once during your Disney trip.
Serenity
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Now to slow things down a bit. Saratoga Springs offers what seems like endless places to walk and lose yourself in the moment. One of our favorite things about Saratoga Springs is the walk along Lake Buena Vista. Whether you are on your way to a dining reservation at Disney Springs or just looking to take a leisurely walk along the lake, Saratoga Springs Resort has the best of it! Being such a big resort, it was surprising how peaceful and quiet it is, which is a great thing after the hustle and bustle of a park day. There is a nature trail that starts at Congress Park and ends at the bridge to Disney Springs. It is open from sun up to sun down and is a nice change of scenery on your way to Disney Springs.
These are just a few of the many reasons why we love Saratoga Springs Resort, many of which I will save for another blog, such as the food, more on the pools, and the transportation. But if you are looking for a quiet, beautiful resort located within walking distance to Disney Springs, then we highly recommend Saratoga Springs Resort. We’ve always said that if we ever become DVC members, then Saratoga Springs would be our home resort.
As always, if you have any questions about Saratoga Springs, Disney Springs, or anything Disney-related, reach out on social media or here, and we would be happy to answer your questions.