Saratoga Springs - useful information and photos - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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There are other changes as well.
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It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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Contained in this post is some useful information about Saratoga Springs. Now it's over to you - can you add any other helpful hints or do you have some photos you can share with us of the resort? If so, please post away with your thoughts and experiences!
The biggest addition to the DVC resorts on Walt Disney World property is the Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, which opened in May 2004. It’s inspired by Saratoga Springs, New York in the Victorian era and covers 65 acres of the former Disney Institute site. In total, it offers 1,320 villa style acommodations, including the unique Treehouse Villas.
The resort is located opposite Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney) and is divided into six districts, Congress Park, which is directly opposite the Marketplace at Disney Springs, the Springs, the Paddocks, the Carousel, the Grandstand and the Treehouse Villas.
The main swimming pool is the High Rocks Pool, offering a 125 feet long slide, two hot spas and a separate children's play area with fountains. Each area of the development also has a leisure pool, hot tub and two barbecue grills.
Because the resort is so close to Disney Springs, with all its restaurants, the resort only offer limited dining options on site:
- The Artists’ Palette a neighbourhood eatery and market, offering hot meals, sandwiches, salads and bakery items. You have a choice of how items are delivered to you – either to your Vacation Home, taking items back to your Vacation Home or eating at one of the indoor or outdoor tables there. There is no table wait service here.
- On the Rocks pool bar
- The Turf Club Bar and Grill a table service restaurant, offering wholesome American fare, although it is only open for dinner.
Groceries, bottled wines and merchandise are also available at a retail area at the Artists’ Palette. Despite the limited dining options, there's plenty to do at the resort.
If you want to be more active, you can rent surrey bikes, play basketball, tennis at one of the two clay courts, shuffleboard or pound the jogging path around the resort. There's also the opportunity to enjoy a round at the neighbouring Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.
If your idea of a vacation is relaxing, then the Senses Spa offers a fitness centre and a full range of massages, facials, body treatments and hydrotherapy.
For the youngsters, there's a play area and a programme of entertainment at Community Hall, designed to appeal to all ages. It's the place to go to make a kaleidoscope, decorate a T-shirt or take part in a video game tournament.
The Disney Vacation Club ferry service operates to Disney Springs and Old Key West, while buses take guests to all the Disney parks and Disney Springs. It's also possible to follow the walking paths over to Disney Springs.
Options here are studios, one and two bedroom vacation homes and three bedroom grand villas.
Re: Saratoga Springs - useful information and photos
Thanks Cheryl. I like how you have consolidated many sources of information about SSR into this page. I too look forward to adding some information after I return in August.
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
Re: Saratoga Springs - useful information and photos
Laura, I just checked out your website and I simply have to say that your photos are fabulous - you're one amazing photographer. We're currently booked into Saratoga Springs for two weeks next December but are considering changing our ressie once the seven month window opens up for the other resorts. Your photos are going to be a big help to us in this decision-making process.
I was there for open house and took over 100 pictures from all around the resort. SSR Open House.
There are links at the top of the page that will show you around the resort.
Re: Saratoga Springs - useful information and photos
I know a lot of photos have already been posted here of Saratoga Springs and a lot of links provided to more, but I wanted to contribute mine from my media visit there on 5 May. Apologies for taking so long to get this posted, but it's taken me this long to get through my photos and get them re-sized for the boards!
Please bear in mind that these were taken prior to opening, so you may notice some differences to more recent photos.
My first view of Saratoga Springs and High Rocks Pool
The lobby
The pictures of the real Saratoga Springs in the lobby
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