Why Saratoga Springs might be better than you think!

It’s safe to say Saratoga Springs is up there on the list of least appreciated Disney Resorts. It gets some harsh criticism online and a lot of members only own there because it’s an economical way to join DVC. I might be biased as it’s our home resort, but I think it’s massively underrated. I’d like to share why in the hopes that I can spread some Saratoga love!

It’s a great place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the parks

On a Disney vacation, you invariably spend a lot of time in the parks. It’s hot, it’s crowded and there are lines for everything. When I go back to my hotel I want to escape that. I want it to be quiet, peaceful and relaxing. Saratoga Springs is definitely that! The resort is huge, something I see as an advantage. You can walk around and hardly bump into anyone if you feel like a bit of ‘me time’.

The pools are actually pretty good

Ok, Saratoga Springs might not have Stormalong Bay, but it does have four pretty decent pools (well five if you include the Treehouse Villa pool). The main pool, High Rock Springs, which benefits from a couple of slides, a small children’s splash area and the usual Disney pool activities. On top of that, there’s arguably the best ‘second’ pool of any Disney Resort – the Paddock Pool. This also has a slide, a large children’s splash area and it’s own quick service food counter. Then you have the Grandstand Pool which has yet another fun splash area for the kids, along with a small quick service counter. If none of those take your fancy you can go to the quiet pool at Congress Park and enjoy the stunning views over at Disney Springs. And whilst we’re on the subject…..

The Paddock Pool

You can walk to Disney Springs

Saratoga Springs might not be next to one of the four main parks but, I actually think the benefit of being close to Disney Springs is greater. Being able to walk here you have a whole host of facilities right on your door step.

Fancy somewhere nice for dinner? Disney Springs. Want to do some shopping? Disney Springs. In need of a cocktail? Disney Springs. Fancy a movie? Yep, you got it, Disney Springs. What’s even better is that you don’t need a ticket to get in! So that sneaky trip you take where you don’t want to add on the extra cost of tickets? You’ve got a whole shopping and entertainment complex pretty much in your resort. Not only that, but there’s even more advantages when you’ve got a dining reservation at a different resort. You can just stroll over to Disney Springs and hop on a bus to that resort. No need to go through the hassle of multiple busses or paying for a Minnie Van to get there. Being so close to this bus stop opens up a whole range of extra options for you.

It has a spa

And a really good one at that! Remember that sneaky trip without any tickets? This would be a great little addition to get your park free vacation off to a relaxing start. There’s so many treatments to choose from along with the usual spa facilities and it’s all right there in the middle of the resort.

It’s beautiful

The theming might not be to everyone’s taste. A lot of people see it as half-hearted, which I do get. It’s not obviously Disney themed and there’s nothing over the top to transport you immediately to upstate New York. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that the rolling greens of the golf course and the quaint pastel-colored buildings make for a beautiful backdrop. It feels like a proper holiday resort. Which I love.

Yes, the rooms are in need of an update now, but what resort wouldn’t be at the end of its 14 year hard refurb period? Once these have been redone it really will be beautiful inside and out.

Saratoga Springs Resort at sunset

It’s easy to book

This might be because of the sheer size, or maybe it’s because of its popularity (or lack of). Either way, if you’re trying to book after your seven-months window opened you probably won’t find much availability elsewhere but chances are you might be able to secure yourself a sneaky trip to Saratoga Springs. When faced with no Disney trip or staying in a ‘less desirable’ resort I know what I’d go for. And as a little added bonus you’ll get a longer stay for your points compared to a lot of the other resorts.

So to all of you Saratoga Springs doubters out there, go on give it a go! You might just find you enjoy it more than you think.

12 thoughts on “Why Saratoga Springs might be better than you think!

  • July 1, 2019 at 7:46 am
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    WE hadn’t stayed at Saratoga in well over ten years as we love the Boardwalk. Kids had a sporting event in January in Orlando and we lucked out to get a DVC one bedroom for two nights at Saratoga. All I can say is wow! What a great stay! Our room was very, very quiet. It was also a beautiful room and very clean. The view was fantastic, we cold see the water so we sat out on our balcony a lot. We walked to Disney Springs for shopping and meals. We loved it so much that we booked again for December.

  • July 1, 2019 at 8:47 am
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    Well said. I have always loved SSR and can’t imagine staying anywhere else. The points you made are so on point. I totally get the ‘cons’ that many people have to the resort, but in the end I love it and no one can convince me otherwise. I’m also fine with people not booking it as a first choice, that just means more chances for me to enjoy this vast resort by myself and my family and feel like we ‘own the place’ 😛

    • February 23, 2021 at 4:24 pm
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      We stayed in Saratoga springs tree house. It accommodated nine of us comfortably. The Disney busses came about every 15 minutes to drop us at whatever places we were headed. We would definitely book a tree house again. Highly recommended!

  • July 1, 2019 at 9:26 am
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    We are currently at Saratoga Springs for a 10 day stay. Out of the SEVERAL trips we’ve taken to the World in our 12 years of ownership, Saratoga is ALWAYS the most relaxing. It’s quiet, spread out, and the Paddock is so underrated! I agree about the rooms needing updated, but in three years this place will be a HOT ticket!

  • July 1, 2019 at 10:17 am
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    I am a DVC member and often book less than 11 months out. I also have the luxury to be flexible when I go. So I’ve stayed at SSR more than once and I really enjoy it. I echo all the reasons cited.
    I would add that I like the options at the quick service and the boat service to DS is nice if you don’t want to walk. My home is Poly but I don’t always want to stay there and am actively trying to stay at all resorts at least once. I would never be disappointed if this was my only option.

  • July 1, 2019 at 10:54 am
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    I personally prefer Old Key West over Saratoga, in fact I really enjoyed our stay at Old Key West. The one area that Saratoga does beat Old Key West is in counter service offerings, but only by a little bit.

  • July 1, 2019 at 11:33 am
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    We love Saratoga Springs! Yes, it is our home resort and we have stayed there many since becoming a DVC member in 2008. We really enjoy being so close to Disney Springs. Stayed there last April, going back in October.

  • July 1, 2019 at 2:42 pm
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    I think my wife would rather we’d purchased more points at Saratoga and skipped Bay Lake Towers. I like them both, but no one messes with the missus.

  • July 1, 2019 at 4:30 pm
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    Nope. It one of my home resorts and I’d rather pay to stay off site than stay at Saratoga.

  • July 2, 2019 at 11:00 pm
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    We prefer old key west for the size of the rooms at for availability and ease of getting to downtown Disney whatever it’s called now and to your room and so forth just makes Saratoga so much nicer. The points are cheap, rooms are decent, it’s quiet, you park outside your room -are all good qualities

  • February 23, 2021 at 4:25 pm
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    We stayed in Saratoga springs tree house. It accommodated nine of us comfortably. The Disney busses came about every 15 minutes to drop us at whatever places we were headed. We would definitely book a tree house again. Highly recommended!

  • March 13, 2021 at 1:33 pm
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    We don’t own Property at Saratoga Springs but we love to wait for an opening & stay there. We are DVC OWNERS but couldn’t get property at Saratoga Springs as there was none for sale. We own property at Copper Creek & Riviera, which are very nice, but I like the solitude of Saratoga among other of its features like location. We need scooters because I am disabled & my husband of 50yrs. has bad knees. Saratoga is just a short ride to Disney Springs & has so much area to ride around leisurely with such beauty to see. The rooms are comfortable & being upgraded with handicapped ♿ people in mind. I love my vacations at Disney Saratoga Springs, I have one booked now for September! !

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