Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Review for Families: Is It Worth the Deluxe Price?

Choosing the right Disney resort can make a huge difference in your family vacation, and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is often one that sparks curiosity! Marketed as a deluxe villa resort, it offers large villas, multiple pools, and easy access to Disney Springs. But after staying here, I found it to be a bit of a mixed experience… Some elements felt deluxe, while others reminded me more of a moderate resort like Port Orleans – Riverside.

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We’ll share the details about our recent experience at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.

What stood out, where it fell a little short, and how it stacks up against other Disney resorts like Port Orleans – Riverside, Port Orleans – French Quarter, and popular deluxe favorites such as Beach Club Resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

First Impressions of Saratoga Springs

Saratoga Springs has a calm, charming atmosphere inspired by upstate New York’s horse racing culture. The pastel buildings and sprawling grounds make it feel more like a peaceful community than a traditional hotel. Inside the lobby, there was some adorable artwork featuring Disney’s equine stars.

It’s conveniently located just across the lake from Disney Springs, making it one of the best resorts if your family loves dining, shopping, and entertainment outside of the theme parks.

That said, the layout can be confusing! The resort is very large and spread out, which can make getting around feel like a challenge, especially for families with younger kids or strollers. We met more than one frustrated group of people that couldn’t remember which section to get off the bus at night. (Definitely get a preferred location here!!)

It felt like one the largest resorts we had stayed at on Disney property. However it is only home to 1260 rooms, while Disney’s Pop Century Resort has 2880! (Disney’s Pop Century Resort feels easier to navigate, notably.) There is an internal bus at Saratoga Springs that can get you around the resort and from one side to the other. 

We luckily had a Preferred Room in The Springs section, which was close to both the High Rock Spring Pool, quick service restaurant, and a bus stop. 

Saratoga Springs Resort is also home to the Treehouse Villa Rooms. These are in the top tier for pricing at Deluxe resorts.

They didn’t seem to be busy when we were there, because a bus driver was consistently on stand by at The Springs station to pick up guests staying there. We never saw him move the bus during our times at the bus stop. As a positive note, that also means that buses to get out to the location seemed readily available if you are considering those accomodations.

Rooms and Accommodations

The rooms at Saratoga Springs are spacious, especially the villa options, which are great for families who want extra space, a kitchen, or even laundry in their room. These are perks that feel deluxe in nature.

However, when compared to the newly refreshed rooms at Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, the style and decor at Saratoga Springs feels less themed and a bit plainer. French Quarter’s rooms now feel slightly more upscale, with thoughtful touches and more immersive design. At Saratoga Springs, the updates were clean and modern, but not particularly memorable.

Our Room at Saratoga Springs Resort

We had a Deluxe Studio – Preferred Room type. Which had one main queen bed, as well as a pull down double Murphy bed.

The decor has recently been refreshed and I would call it a “neutral modern” take on Disney decor. There isn’t much in the way of Disney IP inside of the room. With the exception of some Disney horse silhouettes over the bed and image when you pull down the Murphy bed.

The rest of the room is nice… but feels more like staying in someone’s apartment than being at Disney World. It should be noted at this point in the review, that I love staying in a room where you KNOW you’re at Disney.

I’m also likely not in the age bracket they are attempting to appeal to with this resort. This resort does seem like it would be a good fit for retirees or a multi-generational trip.

The bathroom area was nicely refinished. However even compared to the Port Orleans Resorts, the configuration felt like they had just had to retro fit the new finishings into the space allotted.

There was only one bathroom sink, leaving me to use the small bar sink as my toothbrushing area. (I let my Disney pal I was staying with have the main sink!) And we also had to use this kitchenette area to house toiletry items. As there wasn’t quite enough space on top of the vanity area.

Given that all of the Moderate Resorts have double bathroom sinks. It was confusing why this particular area seemed like a step down. The shower area was fine, but again given the recent updates at Port Orleans – French Quarter, that resort actually feels more upscale than the room at Saratoga Springs.

For families, having the extra space would be a bonus, but a suite at Art of Animation would be a less expensive option, and a suite at a location like Riviera Resort seems better themed, along with being more conveniently located. 

Resort Amenities and Perks

One of the standout features of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is that it’s home to Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. Making it one of the few Disney resorts with a golf course right on property. For families traveling with golf enthusiasts, this can be a huge perk. 

You can enjoy a round of golf in the morning while the rest of the family relaxes by the pool or heads to the parks. It’s a unique amenity that sets Saratoga Springs apart from many other Disney resorts.

Beyond golf, Saratoga Springs offers a variety of amenities that families will appreciate. There are several pools throughout the resort, with the High Rock Spring Pool serving as the feature pool, complete with a waterslide and fun water play areas for kids. 

There is a second feature pool with a 146 foot waterslide in the Paddock area. It includes a splash area for younger children and The Paddock Grill pool bar.

You’ll also find quiet pools scattered in different sections of the resort, perfect for families looking for a more relaxed swim. 

Other amenities include bike rentals, a full-service spa, walking trails, playgrounds, and the convenience of being just a short stroll or boat ride away from Disney Springs, giving guests endless dining and shopping options.

Learn more about boat transportation at Disney World. 

High Points of Saratoga Spring Resort for Families

Here’s where Saratoga Springs shines:

• Solid Quick Service Option: I found their quick service to be comparative to the other resorts in the Disney Springs Resort area.
• Access to Disney Springs: A nice way to change up your trip or have additional dining options.
• Multiple pools:  Including the High Rock Spring Pool with its waterslide, are great for kids. It’s nice to have two pools with water slides, which is unique to this resort.
• Spacious villas: An advantage for larger families or those wanting the convenience of a kitchen.
• Recreation options: Bike rentals, surrey bikes, playgrounds, and walking trails make this a relaxing resort.

While these are all fantastic amenities, many are very similar to what you’d find at a moderate resort.

The pools are fun, but not as heavily themed as those at other deluxe resorts. The overall atmosphere feels more “community like” than “immersive Disney.”

How It Compares to Other Disney Resorts

• Port Orleans Riverside: Similar in layout and size, with a charming Southern theme. Riverside feels a bit easier to traverse. If you like the spread out feel but want a slightly lower price point, Riverside is a great alternative.
• Port Orleans French Quarter: Smaller, easier to navigate, and with newly updated rooms that feel more stylish. For smaller families who prefer elegance and convenience, French Quarter wins.
• Deluxe Resorts like Beach Club Resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Polynesian Village Resort, Wilderness Lodge, and Riviera Resort: These all offer more immersive theming, standout dining, and unique experiences that set them apart from Saratoga Springs. For a similar deluxe price point, these resorts feel more “worth it.”