Keep an eye on your rearview mirror when you are out on the road today because Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is officially old enough to drive!
Saratoga Springs became seventh Disney Vacation Club Resort on May 17th, 2004, and at that time looked a whole lot different than it does today. Built in a series of four stages, the resort originally opened in 2004 with just 184 vacation home units in the section known as Congress Park. Over the next five years, it would grow into what we know today with 888 units, making it the largest Disney Vacation Club Resort property.
In scouring The DIS archives a bit, I found these photos from about a week before the resort’s grand opening:
Check out the entire gallery here!
Earlier this year, we featured the Saratoga Springs as part of our DVC “7 in 7” series, reviewing the resort, rooms, restaurants, and more!
Saratoga Springs – DVC Resort Review
Like many others who own at Saratoga Springs, we hadn’t stayed there prior to our last visit this February and March. We did a split stay starting at Saratoga Springs and then at Boardwalk. We stayed in Congress Park in a refurbished room wish we really enjoyed and, of course, the short walk to Disney Springs was wonderful. Two things really stood out to me though.
First, the service was the best I have experienced at a Disney resort in years. The cast members in baggage, housekeeping, quick service, and guest services were phenomenal. I left feedback via the comment card and was called that day by the resort manager thanking me for doing so.
Second, my husband and I are frequent gym goers and the facility adjacent to the Senses Spa at Saratoga Springs is by far the nicest facility we have used on property. We also ran the trails through the property. I know this isn’t a big deal to a lot of guests, but to us, it was a highlight.
We were scheduled to stay again this month prior to the closure, but that obviously didn’t happen. Needless to say, we are looking forward to our next visit.
Troy Hootman