sczarnecki
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2007
I've stayed at AKL, WL, Poly, Port Orleans Riverside, and the Yacht Club. Saratoga Springs Resort was not even on my radar because I had heard nothing but lukewarm reports at best about this place. However, my family took a last minute vacation there in May so we could attend Disney After Hours combined with some pool days; SSR had availability. We were amazed at how much we loved this lush and gorgeous resort! My 15-year-old daughter's comment was "Mom, can we just sell the house and move here?" Then later she told me that she loved this best out of all the resorts we have tried - 100% better! Why?
.
* It's LOVELY: the buildings are so pretty. Because the resort is spread out, it has the look and feel of a grand resort not just another hotel. Live oaks dripping with spanish moss, lakes everywhere, flowers, plants, seemingly miles of walking paths -- a walker's dream. My family went into relax mode as soon as we saw the place. That leads to..
.
* It's RELAXING: There are high energy places if you want them. The main pool, for example! There are activity enough places -- community hall, main buildings. Then there are places that seem so remote and peaceful like .. you know, a spa and nature retreat! (our first night in Grandstand gazing out across the golf course toward a woods, for instance.) It has a SPA! It has massage chairs in the main building (DD and I checked these out twice!)
.
* It's NATURE at it's finest: in addition to lakes and plants already described -- lovely wildlife! On our walks, we saw several kinds of turtles (incl. a huge Florida softshell turtle); numerous waterbirds including my favorite anhingas; birds of prey incl. kites, hawks, falcons; etc.
.
* It's got a wonderful THEME: Yes, my family is in the minority here I guess. But we totally got the horse and spa theme. Maybe since we're from the deep south it seemed different and interesting to us? But I felt transported to another world: peaceful, fun, spa...and I loved all the horses everywhere including my Disney horse pillows in our one bedroom! The old fashioned photos of horse racing, horse jockey curtains, carriages... Very fun and immersive theming to us.
.
* It's got YUMMY FOOD: So why isn't the Turf Club better rated? I found my Caesar salad (lightly grilled with I think balsamic vinegar incl. with dressing) to be delicious. My husband was very happy with his venison over perhaps cream couscous. Venison had a stronger flavor, but not at all "gamey." And the price was quite reasonable for Disney. We will be back. The Paddock Grill had a perfectly nice spice encrusted fish sandwich for $11 and very good cheeseburger for $12.
.
* It's got The BEST POOLS: "Pool hopping is a theme park" another quote from my daughter, as we hung at a different pool every day! My personal favorite was Congress Park Pool ahhhhh. Most reviewers pan it as nothing to attract anyone. How about this? True, no bar, special kids water toys, etc. but also it is actually QUIET. Most kids are elsewhere. Some kids are here (and welcomed of course). They splash about and have fun but there are just a very few, generally no more than 2 or 3. Most people are quiet adults. You can actually SWIM in the pool as it's not too crowded. Some light jazz music serves as background noise but so very relaxing. The view can't be beat. Beautiful buildings and lush vegetation on one side. The "river" and a lovely view of Disney Springs on the other. Watched the balloon go up and down all day. The pool itself is elegant, shaped, has water spouts shaped as sculptured frogs. All is pretty! And drinks are available from machines. Right in front of the pool, there is an area with rocking chairs where one can rock and gaze at Disney Springs and watch the boats go up and down the river. so HOW ON EARTH can anyone not find anything at this pool? It's about my favorite anywhere! Even my husband loved it! My daughter raved about them all and truly enjoyed what was unique about each pool. She loved the "happy vibe" and the waterslide at the Paddock Pool; she loved all the things to do, being more spread out at the main pool, and Artist Palette's flatbread; she felt like "nature girl" and spent a happy morning at the treehouse pool -- we just sadly ran out of days before she could try out the Grandstand pool but next visit!
.
* It's got so many FUN THINGS TO DO: My teenage daughter loved family time doing morning yoga in front of gorgeous Congress Park Pool with Disney Springs in the background. We all loved the Derby Dash and getting our cutie horseshoe medals. We drew with an illustrator at the community hall and got our special trading pin "Animating the Springs." Next time, we'll paint ceramics -- they have a kiln and many options of things you can make which are fun for all ages. Mom spent more money than she cares to admit at the arcade (hit it daily). We enjoyed walking, boating, taking the bus to Disney Springs at night. And we can hardly wait to come back and try out the spa, the way cool workout room... and play some board games when we get back.
.
I think this is the best place at Disney to spend non-park days actually relaxing, while having plenty of fun things to do. And it's soooo pretty! I'd love to hear your thoughts. Or is it just my odd family who loves this place so much?
.
* It's LOVELY: the buildings are so pretty. Because the resort is spread out, it has the look and feel of a grand resort not just another hotel. Live oaks dripping with spanish moss, lakes everywhere, flowers, plants, seemingly miles of walking paths -- a walker's dream. My family went into relax mode as soon as we saw the place. That leads to..
.
* It's RELAXING: There are high energy places if you want them. The main pool, for example! There are activity enough places -- community hall, main buildings. Then there are places that seem so remote and peaceful like .. you know, a spa and nature retreat! (our first night in Grandstand gazing out across the golf course toward a woods, for instance.) It has a SPA! It has massage chairs in the main building (DD and I checked these out twice!)
.
* It's NATURE at it's finest: in addition to lakes and plants already described -- lovely wildlife! On our walks, we saw several kinds of turtles (incl. a huge Florida softshell turtle); numerous waterbirds including my favorite anhingas; birds of prey incl. kites, hawks, falcons; etc.
.
* It's got a wonderful THEME: Yes, my family is in the minority here I guess. But we totally got the horse and spa theme. Maybe since we're from the deep south it seemed different and interesting to us? But I felt transported to another world: peaceful, fun, spa...and I loved all the horses everywhere including my Disney horse pillows in our one bedroom! The old fashioned photos of horse racing, horse jockey curtains, carriages... Very fun and immersive theming to us.
.
* It's got YUMMY FOOD: So why isn't the Turf Club better rated? I found my Caesar salad (lightly grilled with I think balsamic vinegar incl. with dressing) to be delicious. My husband was very happy with his venison over perhaps cream couscous. Venison had a stronger flavor, but not at all "gamey." And the price was quite reasonable for Disney. We will be back. The Paddock Grill had a perfectly nice spice encrusted fish sandwich for $11 and very good cheeseburger for $12.
.
* It's got The BEST POOLS: "Pool hopping is a theme park" another quote from my daughter, as we hung at a different pool every day! My personal favorite was Congress Park Pool ahhhhh. Most reviewers pan it as nothing to attract anyone. How about this? True, no bar, special kids water toys, etc. but also it is actually QUIET. Most kids are elsewhere. Some kids are here (and welcomed of course). They splash about and have fun but there are just a very few, generally no more than 2 or 3. Most people are quiet adults. You can actually SWIM in the pool as it's not too crowded. Some light jazz music serves as background noise but so very relaxing. The view can't be beat. Beautiful buildings and lush vegetation on one side. The "river" and a lovely view of Disney Springs on the other. Watched the balloon go up and down all day. The pool itself is elegant, shaped, has water spouts shaped as sculptured frogs. All is pretty! And drinks are available from machines. Right in front of the pool, there is an area with rocking chairs where one can rock and gaze at Disney Springs and watch the boats go up and down the river. so HOW ON EARTH can anyone not find anything at this pool? It's about my favorite anywhere! Even my husband loved it! My daughter raved about them all and truly enjoyed what was unique about each pool. She loved the "happy vibe" and the waterslide at the Paddock Pool; she loved all the things to do, being more spread out at the main pool, and Artist Palette's flatbread; she felt like "nature girl" and spent a happy morning at the treehouse pool -- we just sadly ran out of days before she could try out the Grandstand pool but next visit!
.
* It's got so many FUN THINGS TO DO: My teenage daughter loved family time doing morning yoga in front of gorgeous Congress Park Pool with Disney Springs in the background. We all loved the Derby Dash and getting our cutie horseshoe medals. We drew with an illustrator at the community hall and got our special trading pin "Animating the Springs." Next time, we'll paint ceramics -- they have a kiln and many options of things you can make which are fun for all ages. Mom spent more money than she cares to admit at the arcade (hit it daily). We enjoyed walking, boating, taking the bus to Disney Springs at night. And we can hardly wait to come back and try out the spa, the way cool workout room... and play some board games when we get back.
.
I think this is the best place at Disney to spend non-park days actually relaxing, while having plenty of fun things to do. And it's soooo pretty! I'd love to hear your thoughts. Or is it just my odd family who loves this place so much?
Last edited:
Really excited for the trip in whole, but more so now!! Thanks!
