Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
er Disney World resort. Except for dining and convenience, its offerings and amenities are
comparable to those at Disney deluxe resorts, which is why we discuss it here.
Saratoga Springs is themed to recall the vacation, spa, and horse country around
Saratoga Springs, New York, and it does do this a bit here and there. But with large three-
story buildings winding among water and fairways, it mostly feels like a golf condominium
development. You really could be anywhere.
Saratoga Spring's almost 20 accommodations buildings (all with elevators) are scattered
in several named areas across a large expanse, with the main services—dining, shops,
check-in, and the main pool—located near the center of the resort, and distant from many
accommodations buildings. Uniquely, Saratoga Springs has two full-service pools with
slides, bars, food and such: the High Rock Spring pool in the central Springs area, and the
Paddock pool in the Paddock area. Another pool, the Grandstand pool, has no slide but is
otherwise sound, and two smaller pools with few amenities are in the Treehouse and Con-
gress Park areas.
SS is located just east of OKW and is identified in Disney way-finding material as a
Downtown Disney Area Resort. Often derided for being remote, it's actually not that far
from Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom, but is the most isolated re-
sort after the Animal Kingdom Lodge. What makes it particularly inconvenient is the walks
to the central services and the five bus stops needed to serve its sprawl (plus two more at the
Treehouse Villas—don't even ask). All transportation to the theme parks and water parks
is via bus; there's also a boat and a walking path to Downtown Disney (soon to be renamed
“Disney Springs”, but the boats don't care). A car is handy here—we wouldn't stay at SS
without one.
Of the four types of accommodations available at SS, its studios are most comparable
to standard rooms at the deluxe resorts, so they are the focus here. All Disney studios are
distinguished from deluxe standard rooms by having a microwave and toaster in addition
to the standard coffeemaker and mini-fridge found in both studios and deluxe rooms. Most
are also different by having a queen bed and a fold-out couch. SS studios are much like
most other Disney World studios, except at about 355 square feet are a little smaller. They
sleep four and have, beside the bed, sofa bed and kitchenette appliances, a table and chairs,
TV, dresser, and a closet. The divided bath has a sink and closet in one part, and toilet and
tub in their own room. Studios also come with a patio or balcony.
Larger spaces are also available at SS. One Bedroom Villas hold four in about twice the
space of a studio and Two Bedroom Villas hold eight in three times the space of a studio.
Grand Villas at SS hold 12 in about five times the space of a studio. These are among the
smaller of these room types at Disney World, so another DVC venue will be a better choice
for most. A unique additional offering at SS is the Treehouse Villas—woefully isolated,
with their own buses that go only to Saratoga Springs itself, but a great three-bedroom op-
tion for a group of nine with a car or two.
First-timers are often surprised by how thin the dining is at SS. However, everyone stay-
ing here either has a kitchenette, as in the studios, or has the full kitchen that the other
SS accommodations come with. The gift shop is also well-stocked with food. SS has only
one table service restaurant, The Turf Club. Much loved among golfers and romantic for
couples, it's less interesting for kids. There's a small counter service venue in the gift shop
so that you can apply mustard directly to your stuffed Mickey rather than waiting to stain it
by chance, and several of the pools have substantial bar and grill menus. Dining in Down-
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