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Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

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I try to stay at a different resort every time I'm at Disneyworld, and my October 2007 was no exception. It didn't hurt that there was a $100 dining card as a perk to Annual Pass holders. That rule was broken a couple of times in 2011, including a stay here when I was a pseudo DVC member, and rented points from a friend.

Saratoga Springs is themed to...Saratoga Springs, New York! Shame on me, I didn't even know a Saratoga Springs existed. My apologies. Anyway, I didn't care. I've yet to be at a Disney resort that didn't beg to be photographed, or explored. It's a picturesque resort, just a little big.

There are certain commonalities between resorts, no matter which one you're at. They all have a gift shop (this *is* Disney) some groceries; a video arcade; a food court (the non-value resorts also have table service restaurants); swimming pools (A main pool, and the non-values also have quiet pools, more local to your room.), a laundry, a Disney Vacation Club Information booth...

(There is a discussion of resort types (and amenities to each) on the general Walt Disney World Resorts page. There is also a discussion on lodging which leads to room types on my Walt Disney World Overview page.)

Map of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Click on the map for a larger view. (1250 x 950px, 327KB.) The old SSR map can be found here. Maps ©Disney

But the differences between the resorts is the themeing. The problem that I had here, was the unfamiliarity of Saratoga Springs, NY. So instead of feeling like an artist's lair or well known horse region it felt like a more opulent Caribbean Beach (without the beaches) or Port Orleans (without the swamps, but with 'gator themeing!)

SSR is indeed a DVC resort, so all the rooms here are villas. I had a studio in 2007 which comes with a 10 cup coffee maker, microwave, and a larger 'fridge. In September 2011 I had a dedicated 2-bedroom villa (with an accessible bedroom), which came with a full kitchen, two bathrooms, a washer and dryer and a whirlpool tub.

The place is huge. In 2007 we had a nice walk across a bridge and by the pool to get to the main complex, so it wasn't so bad. In 2011, we were in the springs, and right next to the main pool, so the walk was even shorter. But there are some rooms on property that are so far away I would be tempted to drive...

Entrance / Registration

Feature Pool Area

Resort Exteriors

I should add here that they remodeled/refurbished the quiet pool here, but I never got a chance to go back there and look at it. The Paddock, Oct 2007