Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is a Disney Vacation Club resort at the Walt Disney World Resort. The resort is the seventh Disney Vacation Club resort and is situated on the former site of the Disney Institute..^[1] It first opened May 17, 2004 and was built in three phases. It is now the largest Disney Vacation Club resort. The resort was inspired by the city of Saratoga Springs, New York.

The 65-acre (260,000 m²) resort was designed by Graham Gund Architects of Cambridge, MA. There are a total of 18 Villa Buildings providing 828 Vacation Home Units (1260 guest rooms).

• Phase 1: 4 Villa Buildings in one section called Congress Park opened with 184 Vacation Home units (280 guest rooms) on May 17, 2004
• Phase 2: 8 Villa Buildings in two sections called The Springs and The Paddock started opening in Spring 2005 eventually adding an additional 378 Vacation Home Units (560 guest rooms)
• Phase 3: 6 Villa Buildings in two sections called The Carousel and The Grandstand completed the (then) final phase of this large resort in Summer 2007.
• Phase 4: Treehouse Villas built in natural forest glens with 60 three-bedroom homes opened on June 1, 2009. These stand-alone structures—elevated 10 feet off the ground on pedestals and beams—are nestled unobtrusively into natural glens alongside the Sassagoula River.^[2]

Available rooms range from single room studios to three bedroom extended family suites on two floors (Grand Villas). Like other Disney Vacation Club resorts, the studios offer kitchenettes, bathrooms, one queen bed, and one sleeper sofa.

In October 2007, the resort received designation in the Florida Green Lodging Program.^[3]

A view of Congress Park, the first phase of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa which opened in May 2004.

Dining

The Artist's Palette is a market-style counter service eatery that offers both hot and cold meals and food grocery items including a bakery and wine selection. The restaurant is themed after an artist's studio. The Artist's Palette also offers a gift shop adjacent to the eatery with Disney merchandise, resort merchandise, sundries, and other convenience items for guests.

The Turf Club Bar & Grill offers a full service restaurant and lounge area. The lounge area is known as the "Turf Club" which offers a full-size pool table and full service bar. The Turf Club Grill restaurant serves lunch and dinner.

On The Rocks Pool Bar is the main poolside bar located at the High Rock Springs Pool. The bar offers alcoholic drinks and beverages, soft drinks, light snacks, and a refillable mug station. The Back Stretch Pool Bar is a similar poolside bar at The Grandstand pool. In addition to drinks, this poolside bar will offer small meals.

Spa and recreation

The Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa offers recreational activities. Recreational activities includes the main pool, three additional pools, a spa and fitness center, bike and surrey rentals, an arcade, a "Community Hall" (arts, crafts, and entertainment center), and the Lake Buena Vista Golf Club.

The Spa at Saratoga Springs offers professional spa treatments and packages. The center features relaxing mineral pools and private treatment rooms for spa guests.

Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is a golf course. The golf club entrance is located on the lower level of the Carriage House lobby building and is only accessible behind the Carriage House lobby building below the Turf Club Bar & Grill. The course has been a host to PGA and LPGA events.^{[citation needed]}

Transportation

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is served by Disney Transport bus and watercraft transportation. For bus service, there are five bus stops located throughout the resort. The bus stops are The Springs (Guest Villa 3101 - 4436 & The Carriage House), Congress Park (Guest Villas 1101 - 2836), The Paddock (Guest Villas 4501 - 6836), The Carousel (Guest Villas 7101 - 7836), and The Grandstand (Guest Villas 8101 - 9836). Buses at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa have direct routes to all theme parks and Downtown Disney. Watercraft service is available to Downtown Disney, with connecting service to Disney's Old Key West Resort and Disney's Port Orleans Resort at Downtown Disney. Transportation to a Walt Disney World Resort Golf Course is also available by taxi, which will be arranged by the Bell Services Desk, located at the Carriage House. Upon return to Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, the Pro Shop at the golf course will arrange a return taxi. This service is free of charge.

Disney Vacation Club Preview Center

The Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa contains the Disney Vacation Club Preview Center, the official open house and sales center for the Disney Vacation Club. The center includes a preview lobby and several full-scale model villas of the latest Disney Vacation Club resorts.