Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa vs Walt Disney World Dolphin

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Photo: Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Deluxe Disney Springs Resort Area
Walt Disney World Dolphin

Photo: Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Saratoga Springs

Deluxe

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Deluxe

Area

Saratoga Springs

Disney Springs Resort Area

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

Saratoga Springs

Boat, Walk, Bus

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Saratoga Springs

1 restaurant

Walt Disney World Dolphin

7 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Saratoga Springs

6 locations

Walt Disney World Dolphin

3 locations

Pool Amenities

Saratoga Springs

Pool

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Pool

Extended Evening Hours

Saratoga Springs

Yes

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Yes

Top Highlight

Saratoga Springs

Boat service to Disney Springs is the most convenient of any resort

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios

Overview

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Inspired by historic Saratoga Springs—a late-1800s’ New York retreat famous for its spas and horse racing—this charming, Victorian-style Resort hotel is nestled between rolling golf course greens and the shimmering Lake Buena Vista. Delight in stately Studios and multi-bedroom Villas, dazzling pools and a spa.

Walt Disney World Dolphin

A large Marriott-operated convention resort on Crescent Lake with Disney benefits and direct access to the Epcot-area walkway network.

Amenities

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Recreation

  • Pool
  • disney's lake buena vista golf course
  • Children's themed interactive wet play area with pop-jet fountains
  • Tennis Courts
  • Running Trail listed in Activities & Recreation
  • Boat Rental listed in Activities & Recreation; information from Horsing Around Rentals

Wellness

  • Spa

Other

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Artist Palette shop and merchandise at Carriage House

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Tennis Courts
  • Jogging Trail
  • Arcade
  • Playground
  • Camp Dolphin for children ages 4-12 from 5pm to midnight with themed activities, video games, arts and crafts
  • Swan paddleboat rentals on the white sand beach

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa

Rooms

  • Club Level

Other

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Child Care
  • Business Center
  • Boat launch courtyard between Swan and Dolphin; Friendship launches to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
  • Gift Shop

Transportation

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

  • Boat

    Disney Springs

  • Walk

    Disney Springs

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walk

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Boat

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Pros

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

  • Boat service to Disney Springs is the most convenient of any resort
  • Largest Disney Vacation Club property with extensive room variety
  • Treehouse Villas offer a unique and secluded resort experience
  • Congress Park section has rooms literally adjacent to Disney Springs
  • Full spa and fitness center on property

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios
  • Can be booked with Marriott/SPG hotel points for potentially free nights
  • Crescent Lake location with boat service and BoardWalk access
  • Shula's Steakhouse and Il Mulino are top-tier dining options on property
  • Often cheaper than equivalent Disney-owned Deluxe resorts

Cons

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

  • Very large resort with extremely long walks between some sections
  • Primarily a DVC property with limited cash booking options
  • Dated theming compared to newer Disney resorts
  • Bus-only transportation to theme parks; boat and walk options limited to Disney Springs
  • Pool complex is spread out, with multiple smaller pools instead of one standout

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Not a Disney-owned resort, so no Early Entry or advance booking perks
  • Resort and parking fees are high in addition to the nightly rate
  • Dated exterior design with the iconic dolphin statues divides opinion
  • Rooms were historically smaller and less updated than Disney Deluxes
  • Bus service to non-walkable parks is less reliable than Disney buses

On-Site Dining

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

  • Backstretch Pool Bar

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Chip 'n' Dale's Café at Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course

    Quick Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • On the Rocks Pool Bar

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • The Artist's Palette

    Quick Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • The Paddock Grill

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • The Turf Club Bar and Grill

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • The Turf Club Lounge

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Bourbon Steak - A Michael Mina Restaurant

    Table Service

    American, Steakhouse

    dinner

    View menu

  • Bourbon Steak Lounge

    Quick Service

    American, Steakhouse

    snack

    View menu

  • Cabana Bar and Beach Club

    Table Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Fuel

    Table Service

    American, Quick Service - Coffee

    snack

    View menu

  • Phins

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano

    Table Service

    Mexican

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano Lounge

    Quick Service

    Mexican

    snack

    View menu

  • The Fountain

    Table Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo

    Table Service

    Seafood

    dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo Lounge

    Quick Service

    Seafood

    snack

    View menu

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