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

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

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

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

At a Glance

Tier

Saratoga Springs

Deluxe

Walt Disney World Swan

Deluxe

Area

Saratoga Springs

Disney Springs Resort Area

Walt Disney World Swan

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

Saratoga Springs

Boat, Walk, Bus

Walt Disney World Swan

Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Saratoga Springs

1 restaurant

Walt Disney World Swan

5 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Saratoga Springs

6 locations

Walt Disney World Swan

3 locations

Pool Amenities

Saratoga Springs

Pool

Walt Disney World Swan

Pool, Water Slide

Extended Evening Hours

Saratoga Springs

Yes

Walt Disney World Swan

Yes

Top Highlight

Saratoga Springs

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

Walt Disney World Swan

Same Crescent Lake location and EPCOT walking distance as the Dolphin

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 Swan

A Marriott-operated on-property resort between Epcot and Hollywood Studios, with walking and boat access to both parks.

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 Swan

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Water Slide
  • Volleyball
  • Tennis Courts
  • Jogging Trail
  • Arcade
  • Playground
  • Camp Dolphin for children ages 5-12 from 4PM to 11PM with themed activities, video games, arts and crafts
  • Swan watercraft rentals on the white sand beach; Boat Rental in Activities

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa

Other

  • Child Care
  • Boat launch courtyard between Swan and Dolphin for Friendship launches
  • Disney Cabanas store at Swan; Resort Essentials boutique at Dolphin

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 Swan

  • 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 Swan

  • Same Crescent Lake location and EPCOT walking distance as the Dolphin
  • Marriott Bonvoy points eligible for stays and redemptions
  • Access to Dolphin's extensive dining and amenities via shared complex
  • Swan Reserve and Swan combined offer over 2,000 rooms in the complex
  • Competitively priced relative to Disney-owned Deluxe resorts nearby

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 Swan

  • No Disney on-site Early Entry or advance Lightning Lane booking
  • Resort fees and parking fees add significantly to the nightly rate
  • Shared amenities with Dolphin mean crowded pools during peak times
  • Design is less Disney-immersive than Disney-owned resorts
  • Limited transportation compared to monorail or Skyliner resorts

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 Swan

  • Chill

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Garden Grove

    Table Service

    American

    breakfast

    View menu

  • Il Mulino

    Table Service

    Italian

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Il Mulino Lounge

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Java

    Quick Service

    Quick Service - Coffee

    snack

    View menu

  • Kimonos

    Table Service

    Asian, Japanese, Sushi

    dinner · snack

    View menu

  • Kimonos Lounge

    Quick Service

    Asian, Japanese, Sushi

    snack

    View menu

  • Splash Pool Bar and Grill

    Table Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

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