Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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including a stretch of beach along a lagoon dotted with hammocks and palm trees, a
volcano-themed swimming pool, and watercraft rentals. An on-site child-care facility
makes it a good choice for those traveling with kids. Its landscaped and torch-lit walk-
ways, along with its longhouse-style thatched-roof buildings, give the resort a South
Pacific ambience. Rooms underwent extensive renovations a couple of years ago and
include space-conscious furnishings, a muted earth-toned color scheme, and upscale
amenities such as flatscreen TVs and refrigerators. Rooms can accommodate up to five
people; some rooms have patios, while others have balconies. Many rooms have views of
the grounds or Seven Seas Lagoon; some lagoon-view rooms offer great views of Cinder-
ella Castle (at a higher price, of course), so request your desired view when making your
reservation. See the review of the
'Ohana
restaurant on p. 154 and the
Spirit of Aloha
Dinner Show
on p. 332.
1600 Seven Seas Dr. (P.O. Box 10000), Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000.
&
407/939-6244
or 407/824-
2000. Fax 407/824-3174. www.disneyworld.com. 853 units. $355-$900 double; $610-$2,910 suite. AE,
DC, DISC, MC, V. Extra person $25. Children 17 and younger stay free in parent's room. Valet parking $10;
self-parking free.
Amenities:
3 restaurants; cafe; 2 lounges; dinner show; character meals; babysitting;
bike rentals; supervised children's program; concierge; concierge-level rooms; golf course (nearby);
health club & spa (at the nearby Grand Floridian); 2 heated outdoor pools; kids' pool; room service; water-
sports equipment; WDW Transportation System; transportation to non-Disney parks for a fee.
In room:
A/C, TV, DVD (select rooms), fridge, hair dryer, Internet (fee), microwave (free, upon request).
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
The first phase of this Disney
Vacation Club resort opened in May 2004; its final phase—or so everyone thought—was
completed in 2007. In 2009, however, after sitting idol for several years, Disney's Tree-
house Villas were resurrected—adding 60 new and very unique Vacation Club villas to
Disney's lineup of ownership-based resorts. Saratoga Springs transports guests back in
time to the heyday of upstate New York's 19th-century resorts. It resembles the resort
town of Saratoga Springs, and you'll find lavish gardens, Victorian-inspired architecture,
and bubbling springs. The resort's main pool brings to mind its namesake's natural
springs, with “healing” waters spilling over the rocky landscaping. The renowned spa
offers a wide array of services and treatments meant to invoke the healing powers of
Saratoga's springs themselves. Accommodations resemble those of the other Disney time-
share properties and range from studios that sleep four to grand villas that can sleep up
to 12 people more than comfortably.
The
Treehouse Villas
are, however, quite unlike other Vacation Club villas—elevated
some 10 feet up off the ground by pedestals and beams in an effort to create the feeling
of being nestled amongst the treetops. The three-bedroom “cabin casual” villas sleep up
to nine and, like other vacation club resorts, feature all the comforts and conveniences of
home. Downtown Disney is a short ferry ride across the lake (or you can hoof it, if you
so desire), but getting to the theme parks will require a bit more effort. This is another
resort where a car would definitely come in handy.
Tip:
The accessible rooms at this
resort are also equipped for the hearing impaired.
1960 Broadway St., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830.
&
407/827-1100
or 407/934-3400. Fax 407/827-1151.
www.disneyworld.com. 828 units. $285-$410 studio; $380-$875 villa; $1,170-$1,645 grand villa.
Children 17 and younger stay free in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Self-parking free.
Amenities:
Restaurant; cafe; lounge; babysitting; bike rentals; concierge; concierge-level rooms; golf course; health
club & spa; Jacuzzi; 4 heated outdoor pool; kids' interactive pool & play area; room service; sauna; 2 tennis
courts; watersports equipment rentals; free WDW Transportation System.
In room:
A/C, TV, DVD/VCR
(villa), movie library, hair dryer, Internet (fee), kitchen (villa), kitchenette (studio), microwave, washer &
dryer (villa).
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