Posts Tagged ‘Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa’

Familiar dishes, simply prepared; pleasant surroundings and prompt, cheerful service; the Turf Club Bar & Grill is another relatively unknown restaurant tucked away in a Disney Vacation Club property.

While it’s popular with the guests staying at Disney’s Saratoga Springs and Spa, the Turf Club is often seen as little more than a default choice when other, more popular, venues are not available.  In fact, the food is as good as, and often quite a bit better than, what is available at other locations in the Downtown Disney area.

Guests enter through a charming lounge that exudes a sense of clubby goodwill in keeping with the racing theme of the resort.  It features comfortable seating, a pool table, and the equestrian art and memorabilia found throughout the property.

Well-placed mirrors make the deceptively small dining space appear larger, and there is a covered, outdoor terrace which is a nice option during good weather.  Seldom busy, it offers a haven for those looking for a change from the chaos of character buffets.

Review: Dining at the Turf Club is an event that seems to polarize guests.  We seldom hear moderate reviews of this restaurant.  Instead, people are typically extremely positive or negative.  And yet, it is a moderate experience in almost every way.  The menu is strongly “American” with the somewhat bland offerings and seasonings that the term often implies.  The ambiance is relaxing while lacking the unique personality many of us look for in a Disney restaurant.  During my last visit, I found the service to be excellent and listening to others around us, it was clear that guests who made the trip more than once during their stay were greeted and treated like old friends.  If not for the food, it may be worth a special trip for the quiet, unhurried surroundings.

Menus

Lunch

Dinner

Dessert

The Turf Club Bar and Grill

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa

Lunch 12:00 p.m. to 4:55 p.m.

Dinner 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

With the lure and excitement of the theme parks, it’s easy to forget that the Walt Disney World resort hotels are, in and of themselves, vacation destinations.  Guests can step outside their room to view an African savannah at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge or lose themselves in the tropics at Disney’s Polynesian Resort; escape to the piney woods at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or frolic on the sandy beaches of Disney’s Yacht and Beach Clubs.  The color and fun of Mardi Gras, the tranquil beauty of the American Southwest, the Caribbean, even Andy’s Room:  with such wide range of styles, settings and décor, there’s something to suit every taste.  Although each has its own ambience, they all include the hallmark of the Disney experience – outstanding service.

Disney resorts fall into four “categories” – Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa.  While each property is unique, those sharing the same category will have many similar characteristics.

The Value resorts typically reflect the lowest prices of the four categories.  We say “typically” because sometimes a special offer can result in a normally higher-priced category costing less.  Your travel concierge will always be on the lookout for the best value during your vacation dates.

The standard room at a Value resort has the smallest square-footage with two double beds and exterior corridors.  The resorts themselves are very large and spread out with attractive, albeit basic, landscaping and a nice pool but one without a slide or extensive theming.  All four have amazing oversized structures around the property which highlight elements of the resort’s specific theme.  So, you’ll find giant memorabilia from the different decades at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, or enormous characters from the movies at Disney’s All Star Movies Resort.

Since there are no table-service restaurants at the Value resorts, the food courts are particularly expansive with many more options than those found elsewhere.  Bus service is available to all destinations within the Walt Disney World complex.

Moderate resorts, a bit more expensive, feature slightly larger rooms although they do retain the exterior corridors.  There are both “theme” and “quiet” pools, and the lovely grounds are an outstanding feature.  Perhaps because, unlike the Deluxe Resorts, they are not built on the limited land closer to the parks, the Moderate resorts boast extravagant landscaping, arguably more beautiful than any other resort category.  With the exception of Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter, the Moderate resorts are enormous and very spread out over the spectacular landscapes.  Plantings, design elements, and architecture are all chosen to enhance the sense that guests have truly escaped to the bayou, the desert, the Caribbean, or New Orleans.

Some Moderate resorts feature a table-service restaurant, and two have boat service to Downtown Disney, but otherwise, bus transportation is provided.

At the Deluxe Resorts, expect extensive theming and extraordinary public spaces with imaginative touches at every turn.  There are generally numerous activities and amenities coupled with at least one exceptional dining venue.

The standard rooms are the largest, although they do vary in size from one property to another, generally have two queen-sized beds and often include a daybed, as well.   Interior hallways give these resorts more of a “hotel” atmosphere and large lobbies and seating areas are invitations to linger.  All except Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge have multiple transportation options which may include bus, boat, monorail, and pedestrian walkways to other locations.  Bell services and room service are more comprehensive.  The grounds are meticulously groomed and the theme pools are especially elaborate.  Most also feature a lovely “quiet” pool.

Deluxe resorts also offer suites and concierge or club-level accommodations making them the most luxurious of the Disney properties.

Deluxe Villa resort accommodations are rooms allocated to retail sales from the Disney Vacation Club properties.   Room configurations include studios, one- and two-bedroom villas, and three-bedroom Grand Villas.  The studio is somewhat comparable to a standard deluxe-property room with the addition of a small kitchenette.  The other units include a full kitchen, washer and dryer, two- or three-room master bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and walk-in showers, and plentiful storage.  The Grand Villas add a dining room for family dinners and are wonderfully spacious.

Several of the Deluxe Villa properties are connected to existing hotels: Disney’s Boardwalk, Disney’s Beach Club, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.  Guests staying in these villas have full access to all the amenities of their sister hotel including the themed pools.  Disney’s Old Key West and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa are dedicated villa properties without any standard hotel space connected.

Of course, each Walt Disney World Resort hotel has features that are uniquely theirs!  Your travel concierge will be happy to provide in-depth information about each resort to assist you in making the perfect choice.

The spa experience, appreciated by other cultures for generations, has truly been embraced by the American audience over the past ten or fifteen years.  Disney has risen to the challenge, offering facilities at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa in Disneyland; Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa at Walt Disney World; the availability of in-room treatments at the Disney Resorts; spas onboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder; and even cabana massages on Disney’s beautiful private island, Castaway Cay. 

It is a highlight of many Disney park and cruise vacations, and we get such glowing reports from guests about their spa experiences that I wanted to be able share my own spa stories.  Alas, I was the last spa holdout on the planet.  

Now, the whole thing sounds so wonderful in theory: gentle, restorative massages; brisk, citrusy exfoliations; warm, petal-strewn baths; relaxed, limp-noodle results.  Say all you want, however, about professional draping, and professionals pursuing their professions with professional professionalism; the bottom line:  you’re in a room naked being rubbed by a complete stranger.  Relaxing; are you crazy?  I would leave with so much tension in my neck and shoulders, I wouldn’t be able to move my head for a month.    

Still, I did want to familiarize myself with the spa, so I decided to try a manicure – how traumatic could that be?  I made appointments at the Grand Floridian Spa and went with a friend.  We were ushered into a quiet and peaceful area with subdued lighting and shown through the treatment rooms, the lounge and locker areas, and the whirlpool room.  The atmosphere was hushed and serene and even a simple manicure was made special with a pampering hand and arm massage.  

I had a chance to chat with a number of different patrons in the pleasant lounge where cool drinks and herbal teas are available.  It turns out that almost everyone was fairly intimidated by the idea of their first spa treatment.  Each person had a story, but all agreed that the Disney cast members go out of their way to make the experience as comfortable as possible.  If you’re not thrilled with the idea of fully undressing, you can dip your toe in the spa waters by choosing a type of treatment, such as a facial or reflexology massage, that doesn’t require it.  Even full-body massages can be accomplished while wearing a swimsuit, although a better treatment can be provided if you are willing to disrobe.  Keep in mind that you will be left alone to undress and untreated areas are fully covered by a drape at all times. Also, you can indicate your preference for a male or female massage therapist.  Generally speaking, swim suits and/or robes are worn in most other areas such as the whirlpool.  Expect to tip about 20% and don’t be surprised at the sales pitch for the spa products.  

While I did find this all very interesting, and even somewhat reassuring, I still haven’t made the leap.  Meanwhile, current spa aficionados looking for a truly luxurious and inclusive spa vacation are invited to consider our Grand Indulgence itinerary.

For now, if you see a stiff, obviously unmassaged person (with nicely-manicured nails) walking around Walt Disney World – that would be me!!

To make a Walt Disney World vacation stand out from the rest, consider adding one of these enhancements:

Tours

From an hour-long stroll Behind the Seeds, to the all-day Backstage Magic extravaganza, guests can choose from a number of programs that offer an in-depth look at what makes Disney, well…Disney.

Designed for a variety of age groups and interests, tours might involve a treasure hunt through the Magic Kingdom, an overview of the holiday decorations, or a swim with the sharks.  Many provide a rare peek behind the curtain at the incredible infrastructure and efforts that support the onstage experience for millions of guests each year.

Cirque du Soleil

Few productions on earth are more mesmerizing than a Cirque du Soleil performance, and the show at Walt Disney World, La Nouba, may well be the very best of them all.

There are truly no bad seats in the dedicated theater at Downtown Disney and their somewhat expensive price tag is an investment in the extraordinary.  The swirling colors, music, and unbelievable physical feats will astonish and delight.

Private Car Service

While you can’t beat the price of Disney’s Magical Express (free!), there’s no better way to start your Walt Disney World vacation off on the right foot than an airport meet-and-greet.  As you wearily disembark from a long plane ride, your driver is waiting with a smile, a helping hand with the luggage,  and a private car ready to whisk you directly to your destination.

Our hands-down favorite is Sunray Transportation, a company which not only offers great pricing, but the very best service of its kind that we have experienced.  Prompt and friendly with meticulously-maintained vehicles and car seats for the kids on request, they will even schedule a complimentary 30-minute stop at the grocery store to stock up on snacks.

It’s one of those niceties that quickly become necessities!

Spa Treatment

Yes, Walt Disney World is all about kids but it’s also about adults – after all, it’s everyone’s vacation.  What better way to indulge than with a rejuvenating treatment at the Grand Floridian Spa with its citrusy offerings, or the Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs featuring decidedly woodsy themes. There are romantic couples’ massages, a variety of facial and body therapies, hand and foot treatments, even special experiences for guests as young as four.  After several frenetic park days, a spa appointment is something to be savored – indulge.

EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival Event

Each fall, the World Showcase at EPCOT becomes a tasteful showplace for world cuisine.  Booths and pavilions feature specialties from every continent, and visitors can sample the foods and beverages of many countries and enjoy complimentary demonstrations and tastings during the Festival’s six-week run.

Those guests looking for a really memorable experience can make reservations for some of the very special programs offered throughout the Festival.  Options include seminars with celebrity chefs, wine schools, and a variety of fabulous dining experiences.  The competition for the limited tickets to these exclusive events is fierce, and prices can be daunting, but they draw a devoted crowd year after year.