Saratoga Springs Resort Guide
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Our tips and tricks to make your trip magicalFrom two feature pools and a walkable path to Disney Springs to the Turf Club and DVC perks, everything you need to plan the perfect Saratoga Springs stay from owners who know this resort best.
What’s In This Guide
- Resort Overview — Why We Love Saratoga Springs
- Finding Your Way Around — The Five Areas and Location Tips
- Room Types — Standard vs. Preferred and Which Areas to Request
- Room Sizes & What’s Included
- Food Options — Restaurants, Bars & Quick Service
- Activity Highlights & Transportation
- DVC Perks — What You Get When You Rent
Why We Love Saratoga Springs
This popular home away from home is located within walking distance of Disney Springs, and the relaxed equestrian-themed atmosphere makes it one of the most laid-back resorts at Walt Disney World.
Saratoga Springs Resort is themed after the famous horse racing town of Saratoga Springs, New York, and you can feel it in the architecture, the colors, and the unhurried pace of the property. This was our first DVC resort. We rented a one-bedroom here and knew after that week that DVC was absolutely for us.
Saratoga Springs is the only DVC resort with two feature pools, a standout amenity that sets it apart from every other property in the system. It is perfect for families who want more room for less money, and it is especially ideal if you have a car since parking is right outside each building. The resort also includes the Treehouse Villas area, but we prefer the main resort buildings. The treehouses require a separate shuttle to get to and from the main resort, which adds inconvenience to every trip in and out.
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Room View Categories
Saratoga Springs has two view categories — Standard and Preferred — with the key difference being your proximity to the main building and Disney Springs rather than a dramatically different view.
Like Old Key West, Saratoga Springs is a large spread-out resort where location within the property matters more than the specific scenery outside your window. Both categories offer similar outlooks of resort landscaping and grounds. The Preferred category simply puts you in a better-positioned area of the resort.
Farther from the main building or Disney Springs, but each area has bus stops close by. Mostly in the Grandstand, Carousel, and Paddock areas. The Paddock is our Standard pick thanks to the second feature pool and the early bus stop position.
Closer to either the main building or Disney Springs. Found mostly in Congress Park and The Springs areas. Congress Park Preferred is our top recommendation for the entire resort — short walk to Disney Springs and great access to everything.
If you have a car, Saratoga Springs is one of the most convenient resorts at Walt Disney World. Parking is located directly outside each villa building, so loading and unloading groceries is easy. A quick Publix or Target run becomes simple — a great way to stock the villa kitchen and save money on resort meals.
Room Sizes & Floor Plans
Saratoga Springs offers four room size categories, and the larger villas here are some of the best value in all of DVC for families wanting real space without a premium price point.
The Studio is a solid compact option for small parties. But where this resort really earns its reputation is in the One Bedroom and larger categories. These are generously sized, well-appointed spaces with full kitchens and separate living areas. The Two Bedroom comes in both a Dedicated layout and a Lock-Off configuration. The Three Bedroom Grand Villa spans two full floors with two separate living spaces, exceptional for large families or multi-generational groups.
- One queen bed and Murphy bed
- One bathroom
- Counter fridge, microwave
- Coffee maker, toaster
- Small supply of paper products
Studios can use the free 24-hour laundry rooms near High Rock Springs, Congress Park, Grandstand, and Paddock pools.
- One king bed
- One Murphy bed and trundle
- Two bathrooms
- Full kitchen (see below)
- Dining space
- Washer / dryer
- One king, two queens
- One Murphy bed and trundle
- Three bathrooms
- Full kitchen (see below)
- Washer / dryer
Available as Dedicated (two queens in second bedroom) or Lock-Off (One Bedroom plus Studio with connecting door). The lock-off can be rented as two separate units.
- One king, four queens
- Two floors
- Two living spaces
- Full kitchen (see below)
- Washer / dryer
Two full floors with two separate living spaces, ideal for large multi-generational families who want room to spread out and gather separately.
Kitchens include: sink, dishwasher, fridge and freezer, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, plates, cups, silverware, frying pan, sauce pan, and cooking utensils. Also stocked at check-in with one roll of paper towels, one dishwasher tablet, travel-size dishwashing soap, and a sponge. One Bedroom and larger villas include a washer and dryer with one box of detergent pre-stocked.
Studio guests can use the free 24-hour laundry rooms located near the High Rock Springs, Congress Park, Grandstand, and Paddock pools. No coin needed — just bring your own detergent or ask mousekeeping for supplies.
Restaurants, Bars & Quick Service
With Disney Springs just a short walk away from Congress Park, Saratoga Springs guests have access to more dining variety than almost any other resort on property without leaving on a bus.
When staying at Saratoga Springs, we tend to dine at Disney Springs as much as on-resort simply because the walk is so easy and the variety is unmatched. On-resort, the Turf Club handles sit-down dining and Artist’s Palette is our go-to quick service. The Artist’s Palette mobile ordering move is one of our favorite resort tips anywhere at Walt Disney World.
With so many dining choices just a short walk away from Congress Park, we tend to eat at Disney Springs frequently when staying at Saratoga Springs. From quick bites to signature dining, the variety here is unmatched anywhere on Disney property. Take the walking path from Congress Park or catch any resort bus and exit at the Congress Park stop.
Located in the main building, the Turf Club offers American and steakhouse-inspired dining in a relaxed equestrian-themed setting. A solid on-resort sit-down option for evenings when you want a proper meal without heading to Disney Springs or the parks.
Quick Service & Other Options
We love eating at Artist’s Palette or grabbing a quick bite at the Paddock Grill by the pool. Artist’s Palette supports mobile ordering — a great move to place your order on the bus ride home so it is ready when you arrive back at the resort.
- Artist’s Palette — The main quick service location in the main building. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts. Mobile ordering available through My Disney Experience. Place your order on the bus and it will be ready when you walk in.
- Paddock Grill — Quick-order dining at the Paddock Pool. Perfect for a casual lunch without leaving the pool area.
- On the Rocks — The poolside bar at the main High Rock Springs Pool. Cocktails, beer, and light snacks for resort days by the water.
- Artist’s Palette Store — The resort shop and convenience section with ice cream, cookies, snacks, drinks, and other essentials.
Artist’s Palette accepts mobile orders through the My Disney Experience app. Place your order on the bus ride back to the resort and your food will be ready to pick up when you arrive. It is one of the smoothest end-of-park-day routines at any Disney resort.
As a DVC / deluxe resort guest, you can make all your dining reservations 60 days before check-in. Turf Club is easy to get, but book any Disney Springs restaurants you have your eye on early, especially during EPCOT festival seasons when the area gets very busy.
Activity Highlights & Getting Around
Between two feature pools, a nightly campfire, a weekly movie under the stars, and a walking path to Disney Springs, Saratoga Springs has a relaxed resort-day energy that is hard to match.
Pools — Two Feature Pools
Saratoga Springs is the only DVC resort with two feature pools. The main pool is High Rock Springs Pool at the main building, featuring a water slide and a splash area. The second feature pool is the Paddock Pool in the Paddock area, also with a slide and splash zone but typically much less crowded than the main pool. There are also two quieter leisure pools in the Congress Park and Grandstand areas for a more peaceful swim.
Movie Under the Stars
A few evenings a week — usually Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday — Saratoga Springs shows a Disney movie under the stars in the courtyard near the High Rock Springs Pool. A great low-key way to end the evening after a full day at the parks.
Campfire & S’mores
Every night in the courtyard near the High Rock Springs Pool there is a campfire with s’mores available. Check the My Disney Experience app or ask at the front desk for the current time as it changes with the seasons.
Transportation — Disney Springs
From Congress Park, you can walk directly to Disney Springs — one of the best resort perks at Saratoga Springs. Alternatively, take any resort bus and exit at the Congress Park bus stop right at the Disney Springs entrance. You can also take the boat, but it is much slower than walking or taking the bus. If time is a factor, skip the boat.
Transportation — All Parks by Bus
All four Walt Disney World theme parks are served by Disney buses. Because Saratoga Springs is large, each of the five areas has its own bus stop, which spreads out the crowd and means you won’t always have to fight for a seat. Find estimated arrival times under “My Resort” in the My Disney Experience app.
Buses start arriving roughly an hour before the parks open each morning. The Paddock area is an earlier stop on the bus route, so guests there tend to have an easier time getting a seat compared to stops closer to the main building.
Perks from Staying at Saratoga Springs & Renting DVC
Renting DVC points unlocks a full suite of benefits that standard hotel bookings simply don’t include, and they’re all built into your rental cost.
What You Get
These perks apply to all guests staying at Saratoga Springs through a DVC rental, included in the cost with no extras needed.
