Found just across the lake from Downtown Disney, Saratoga Springs is the fifth Disney Vacation Club Resort built at Disney World. It opened in 2004 and construction just finished in 2007 to make this Resort the largest DVC to date. Victorian architecture and the historic influence of horse racing are accents to the Resort’s theme of Upstate New York in the 1880s.
Breathtaking views, bubbling fountains and fragrant gardens bring a touch of magic to this home away from home. The units at this Resort are used by DVC members but are available to Disney World guests when room permits.
Resort Layout
Guest Rooms
Services & Amenities
Check-In & Check-Out
Dining
Recreation
Transportation
Resort Layout:
Twelve buildings house the 840 units found at this Resort. Arranged in subdivision style, connected by roadways, Saratoga Springs is surrounded by golf courses on three sides and is the only resort to have direct access to these links.
The guest services area, casual dining, fitness center, spa, High Rock Spring Pool and boat docks are all located within the Carriage House area. The Resort is constructed as a peaceful oasis and sits right in the heart of Disney World. This lakeside community is definitely worth staying at or just checking out.
Guest Rooms:
Units at the Resort are decorated with furnishings that are upscale giving the feel of sophistication and peacefulness. All units have a private balcony or patio which may overlook the lush and beautiful landscaping, water, or Downtown Disney.
There are four types of units available at the Resort. The Studios are approximately 355 square feet and up to four guests and one child under the age of three in a crib are allowed per room. The Studio rooms are very similar to a regular hotel room with the acceptation of the kitchenette. Rooms include one queen size bed and one double size sofa bed, armoire, table and two chairs, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, data port for a laptop computer, a wall safe and vacuum cleaner. The kitchenette is equipped with a toaster, microwave, under-counter refrigerator with small freezer, coffee maker, a sink, dishes and utensils. Everything needed to prepare and eat meals.
The One-Bedroom Villas are typically 714 square feet and up to four guests and one child under the age of three in a crib are allowed per room. The master suite has a king size bed and a queen size sofa bed can be found in the living area. Units include a love seat, chair and ottoman, dining table and chairs, whirlpool tub, and laundry room. A full kitchen is also included in this unit and is fully equipped with small appliances, full size refrigerator with ice maker, dishwasher, stove and double sink with disposal. The laundry room has a full size washer and dryer, iron and ironing board, broom, dust pan, mop and vacuum cleaner.
The Two-Bedroom Villas are approximately 1,075 square feet and up to eight guests and one child under the age of three in a crib are allowed per room. The Two-Bedroom Villas have all the comforts of the One-Bedroom Villas plus either one queen size bed and double size sofa bed, or two queen size beds in a separate bedroom with private bathroom.
The beautiful Grand Villa is approximately 2,113 square feet and up to twelve guests and one child under the age of three in a crib are allowed per room. Located on the first floor is a full kitchen, large dining room, TV, DVD player, living room with a queen size sofa bed, private balcony or patio, and a large master suite with a king size bed and private bathroom with whirlpool tub. The second floor has two bedrooms each with two queen size beds, TV and private bathroom. The second floor is also where the washer and dryer are located. These villas are hard to get so reservations made early are beneficial.
Services & Amenities:
- Lobby Concierge desk
- Health Club
- Babysitting and child services
- Pak-n-play crib available
- Room and facilities for guest with disabilities
- Self parking
- Laundry facilities and services
Check-In & Check-Out:
Check-in is at 4 pm. It is possible your room may be available prior to that time, but it is not guaranteed. If it is not ready, you can leave your luggage with the Bell Services where it will be stored and then delivered when you are in the room. If you decide to wait around until your room is available, you are welcome to take a dip or relax by the main pool area. There are lockers, changing areas and public restrooms for you to use. You can also head out to a theme park and start enjoying the Disney World magic while your room is being prepared.
Check-out is at 11 am. When paying with a credit card, you will not have to go to the desk to check out. An itemized bill will be hung on your door by 8:30 am on your departure day. If the bill looks fine, you’re all set to depart. Your electronic room key will be deactivated at 11 am. Don’t forget to use Bell Services to help you with your luggage, filled with souvenirs, to your car. If you are taking a bus or taxi to the airport, or leaving later in the day, Bell services will keep your luggage until your transportation arrives.
Dining:
The Artist’s Palette is fashioned after an artist’s loft where guests can eat-in or take-out meals such as sandwiches, salads, pizzas, calzones and family size entrees such as lasagna and meat loaf.
The Boardwalk Bakery offers cappuccino and espressos, as well specially made fresh baked goods.
The Turf Club Bar and Grill
This table service restaurant has seating inside and out for views that overlook the water ways and greens of Buena Vista Golf Course. It is located near the Artist’s Palette at the Carriage house and offers a menu of spiced salmon salad, burgers, steaks and other American favorites.
On the Rocks Pool Bar is located next to the main pool area and serves a variety of beverages.
Tip:
The best beverage deal at the resorts are the refillable mugs. Available for approximately $13, these sturdy plastic mugs can be purchased through any food court vendors and pizza delivery. The mugs are refillable for the length of your resort stay at any self-serve beverage island found in the food court area. Beverages include soft drinks, coffee, tea, iced tea and coffee and hot chocolate. Milk, fruit juice and alcoholic beverages are not included. The mugs are not refillable at any of the theme parks. This is a very economical deal if you are an avid pop or coffee drinker.
Recreation:
Pools
High Rock Spring Pool is a great place to cool down. Watch the water fall down the rock into the free form swimming pool. Hop on the waterslide and zip around the rockwork and whirlpools on the water slide. There are also two quiet pools situated within the Resort building areas.
Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
It’s time to be pampered. Enjoy facials, body treatments, and a variety of massages. Free weights and exercise equipment is available, make an appointment for a personal training session, or take advantage of the dry saunas, steam room and more.
Lake Buena Vista Golf Course
Enjoy the links which are just situated on the outskirts of the Resort.
Playground
There is a play area where kids can climb, slide and play on a 24 hour playground.
Arcade
Play a variety of pinball and video games at the Win, Place Or Show Arcade which is found near the Carriage House.
Horsing Around Recreation Rentals
Located near the Carriage House, this is the place for all rental needs. Rent a bicycle or sporting equipment for basketball, tennis and shuffleboard.
Community Hall
Located near the Carriage House, hear guests will find board games, arts and crafts and other fun activities.
Tennis
Resort guests can use the Tennis Courts which are found at sport courts. Rental equipment is available at Horsing Around Recreation Rentals.
Basketball Court
Shoot some hoops at the courts found at the sport courts.
Barbecue Pavilion
Charcoal grills are available for guests near the quiet pools. These grills are first-come, first serve.
Shuffle Board
Play a relaxing game on the shuffleboard court.
DVD Rentals
Rent a movie and enjoy it in the comfort of your vacation villa.
Shopping
Artist’s Palette is located in the Carriage House and is the place to shop for resort and Disney merchandise, grocery items, books, newspapers, jewelry and basic necessities.
Transportation:
To get to any Disney Resort or theme park you can drive yourself, take a taxi or use the wonderful Disney Transportation System. Disney Transportation includes buses, boats, the monorail and the Magical Express Service.
By Bus:
Theme Parks, Water Parks, Disney Resorts and the Downtown Disney area are accessible by the bus system. Buses travel on routes throughout the Resorts but do not provide direct service between all destinations and require transfer from one bus to another.
Bus service to the Theme Parks begins approximately two hours before opening. Generally buses will run every 20 minutes throughout the day and continue to operate until two hours after park closing. During peak times, buses can get a little crowded, but there is usually another bus that arrives quickly after so guests are not waiting long periods of time. Magic Kingdom is not accessible by bus from the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Polynesian Resort. These Resorts provide monorail transportation to the park.
By Boat:
The Disney ferryboats connect the Magic Kingdom to the Transportation and Ticket Center, which is adjacent to the parking lot. Entering the park by ferryboat gives guests a chance to float by some of the Deluxe Resorts. This is also the best way to get the first glimpse of Cinderella Castle. If guests are staying at the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Polynesian Resort, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground or Wilderness Lodge, the Magic Kingdom is accessible by boat at their own water launches.
Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are accessible by boat from BoardWalk Inn and Villas Resort, the Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels.
Downtown Disney is accessible by ferryboat from Disney's Port Orleans Resort and Disney's Old Key West Resort.
By Monorail:
There are three loops to the monorail system. Loop A runs counterclockwise connecting Magic Kingdom and the Ticket and Transportation Center. Loop B runs clockwise along side Loop A and stops at the Ticket and Transportation Center, Polynesian Resort, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Magic Kingdom, Contemporary Resort and back to the Ticket and Transportation Center. Loop C runs from the Ticket and Transportation Center to Epcot including a quick tour inside the park around Spaceship Earth. Service generally starts an hour and a half before opening and ends two hours after closing.
If you bring or rent a car, there is plenty of free parking at the Resorts and parks. Depending on your room location, you may or may not be able to park close to your room. Ask when room selection is made.
