I almost didn’t write this article as it is so tempting to keep this wonderful resort a secret but… I think my favorite Disney resort so far is Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort. 

It isn’t close to any theme park. It isn’t “in your face” Disney. It isn’t right on the beach. But it is right on the marsh, relaxing, cozy, and fun. It had something for everyone in our party – and boy, we did have a party! 

There were 17 of us in all, ranging from 1 to 66 years young. We stayed in three, two-bedroom units, generously paid for through points by my sister who is a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) member. The units were very nice. They aren’t quite as big as those of Old Key West, but bigger than Saratoga Springs or the Beach Club villas. She had tried to get a Grand Villa and a two bedroom but there was no availability of Grand Villas during the time we were there. However, the three units were all in one building and worked out wonderfully.

There was a bedroom with a King Bed and second bedroom with two Queen Beds. There was a full kitchen, complete with stove, microwave, full size fridge, dishwasher and dishes and pots enough for six people. There was also an apartment size washer and dryer in an alcove. The dryer left a little to be desired but it did dry the clothes in a second run. In our unit we had four adults, a “tween” and a teenager and we never felt on top of each other. We all fit around the table for a meal and we could all sit and watch TV together comfortably.

Our unit was in a fabulous location. We had a wonderful view of the marsh. We were close to the community hall and the pool. We were not close to the main building but the only one who spent a lot of time there was my teenage son who played a lot of pool. Because the resort is small, it is not a long walk.

There are tons of activities at the resort. In the main lodge, there is Ben Murggie’s den where my son played pool. In the den, there is also checkers and a TV with some very comfy couches. There is a nice playground for the younger set. There is a shuffleboard court, horseshoe pits, a basketball court, foosball table and Ping-Pong. There is a very nice pier with a fishing area at the end. And of course there is the Big Dipper pool and water slide. (I went up and down several times!) There is also a kiddy pool and a large hot tub.

Aside from all this, there are also many scheduled, guided activities. Some had a charge but nothing was outrageous. The most expensive were the kayaking trips which were $25 for adults and $15 per child which is a reasonable rate for activities of this type at a resort. One thing to remember is that for almost all activities, you had to register in advance. You can do this at check-in. The more popular activities do fill up.

Since we were there with such an age range, we were able to experience a number of the activities offered. Some of the activities we attended: Toddler Time crafts ( ages 1-5), Lady bugs ( ages 3-5), Dinosaurs (ages 7-10), Capture the Flag (Teens), Geo-caching (families),  Mickey Tie Dye (8+ - $15 DVC, $18 guests), Shark Teeth Necklaces ($10 DVC, $12 Guests), and Secrets of the Marsh (families). On the last activity we even had a surprise visit from a dolphin! 

There is a campfire every other night (one activity that did not require registration). Unfortunately the rain didn’t seem to want to cooperate on the night we attended and it was cut short but the kids still got S’mores. On alternate nights, there is Sweet Goodnights. In this, children listen to a bedtime story and have cookies and milk. 

Because we were there over New Year’s there were additional parties. My son participated in the Teen party ($25 DVC, $30 Guests) and had a blast. He played Dance, Dance, Revolution, and pool and had pizza, pop and candy. He met many friends which made his time on a family vacation much more fun.

If you aren’t the type for group activities, there are still many other options. Disney does have a private Beach House located right on the beach across the main drag from the resort. It is a short drive over there or you can take a shuttle. We rented bikes for the week so we rode over and it was a beautiful ride. Once there you use your room key to access the Beach House. Inside there is a warm pool and a seasonal snack bar (which unfortunately was closed while we were there due to the fact that it was winter). There is an arcade and a nice warm area where we sat, watched TV and warmed up while the younger ones played a bit longer on the beach.

For the golfers in our party, Hilton Head is a golfing Mecca. If you are off season like us, the prices are reasonable and you can always use Last Minute Tee times to try and book a tee time for the next day if you aren’t picky about where you play. Our guys tried two courses and they enjoyed both immensely. We also tried our hand at mini-putt golf. We visited Pirate Island golf that was very well themed and that would not have been out of place at Walt Disney World. 

Finally for the ladies in our group, there was shopping! Just off the island there is a good-sized outlet mall (Tanger Outlets). We all found many bargains there.

One complaint I have heard about this resort is that there is no full-service restaurant on site. There is a snack bar, but nothing sit-down. We didn’t find this an issue. Since we had the full kitchen, we purchased enough groceries at the Piggly-Wiggly (love the name!) for breakfast and another meal and then ate out for the third. This plan worked out well for us. I don’t like eating breakfast out and we like to experience a variety of restaurants so we didn’t miss an on-site restaurant. But you do need a car or at least bikes to get around as the Island isn’t tiny.

We had to go for seafood once and ended up at the Crazy Crab. It had decent prices and the seafood was well done. We also visited the British Open Pub with relatives who live in the area and the food there was very, very good.

Unfortunately for us, it was rather cold when we were there. We were told that there are maybe two cold snaps a year and unfortunately we hit one of them.  The day we got there it was very nice and had it been that temperature for the whole of the vacation, it would have been fabulous. We could have hung out on our deck enjoying the marsh view and spent more time around the pool but unfortunately it was freezing. I guess that is the chance you take when visiting in winter.

We rented bikes for our stay and again, we didn’t use them as much as we would have liked either because of the cold. But for the first couple of days it was tons of fun to zoom around and see the sights at a slower pace. There are designated bike paths all over the island so there is much less concern about accidents. I would definitely recommend them. You can rent right from Disney but they have limited availability and are more expensive. We stopped by one of the many rental places on the island and they dropped them off at the resort for us. My sister booked hers beforehand and got a discount for using the internet and for booking two weeks in advance. Hers were there ready for her when she checked in.

So if you decide to visit, be sure to get your activity guide when you check in and don’t be afraid to join in. Like any Disney resort, the Cast Members were super friendly and made everyone feel welcome and part of the group. You can relax and do nothing or have a vacation as busy as at any resort in Walt Disney World.

When you think of Saratoga Springs, you may think of a quiet sleepy town in upstate New York, nestled between beautiful mountains and lush meadows. You think of the mineral springs that made Saratoga Springs famous. If you are a history buff, you may even know that the Battle of Saratoga is considered a pivotal turning point in the war for Independence! And, of course, you think of how the town comes alive every August with the elegance of horse racing!

Disney Vacation Club (DVC) has recaptured this amazing slice of American culture right in Orlando. Of course, there are no mountains; no race track and no battles, but there are plenty of touches of that famous New York town!

When you first arrive at Saratoga Springs Resort (SSR), you are greeted by the Carriage House check in, which is representative of classic Victorian architecture. The lobby soars above you in beautiful muted pastels surrounding an intricate carousel horse centerpiece. The check in process for us has been quick and easy each time we have stayed here.

The theme continues as you make your way toward your room. You will pass statuary of horses, beautiful fountains, and places like “Horsing Around Rentals” and the “Win, Place and Show” arcade.

Saratoga Springs is divided into five sections. The Grandstand is the newest, and close to the Carriage House and amenities. It has a quiet pool, and overlooks the golf course. Congress Park is closest to the resort entrance. The Paddock (our personal favorite), flanks Saratoga Lake and also has a quiet pool. The view from your balcony is magnificent! Congress Park overlooks Village Lake and has views of Downtown Disney. It also has a quiet pool. And the Springs are closest to the Carriage House and the main themed pool. You can drive to your villa and park right outside. If you don’t have a vehicle, bell services will be happy to assist you.

One complaint that some guests had is that the doors to all villas are outside, only accessed from exterior walkways. We did not find this to be a problem at all, but others felt it gave the resort a “cold” feeling.  However, when you open your villa door, that feeling will instantly evaporate with the beautiful décor. Decorated in more pastels, you get a sense of richness as soon as you enter. Your accommodations will include a flat-screen TV, DVD player, lap-top size safe, and starting this year, free internet. A studio has a small refrigerator, microwave, sink and coffeemaker, while the 1 and 2 bedrooms have a full kitchen, whirlpool tub and a washer and dryer. If you are lucky, you may get a towel animal shaped like a horse when you arrive!

Once you have settled in, it’s time to go exploring! If you are hungry, SSR offers several options. The Turf Club offers full service dining as well as cocktails. For a quick bite, The Artist’s Palette serves meals cafeteria style, as well as a variety of snacks and bakery/breakfast items. This is where you would purchase your refillable mug. If you are thirsty, in addition to the above options, there are two pool bars, The Rocks and The Backstretch. You can rent surrey bikes, play tennis or shuffleboard, and of course, play golf at the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. Sadly, Disney did away with the horse-drawn carriage rides around the resort.

If you’d rather relax than play, head for the Saratoga Springs Spa. While you might not be able to exactly “take the waters” like in days of old, you can work out, get a manicure, or go for a full line of spa treatments from a facial to a massage. If you are more of an outside type, SSR offers a nice jogging/walking path. And if you would like to swim, might I suggest the High Rock Springs pool? I am not a water slide person, but my husband is, and he spent a good part of our swim time heading down the rock slide. He said it was a really great slide! I relaxed with a Blue Mai Tai from the pool bar, and then we both went in the hot tub. We also tried the quiet pool and the hot tub near the Paddock, and both were very nice.

And if you are ready to party, it is just a short walk or ferry ride to Downtown Disney. If you head out behind the Paddock and Congress Park, you will find the footpath to Downtown Disney. It’s a short and relaxing walk to Disney’s answer to fun and nightlife. We took this walk back from Downtown Disney, and it was a beautiful late night stroll. The DVC ferry also runs between Old Key West, SSR and Downtown Disney. You can board right behind the Carriage house for a relaxing trip. The ferries run about every 20 minutes or so up until 11 PM. The Downtown Disney ferry drops you off at the boat dock near Captain Jack’s, and the Old Key West ferry drops you off at the Hospitality House (the main building at Old Key West).

Our only complaint about SSR is that we feel the signs are a bit confusing. The resort is large and spread out (DVC’s largest resort yet!) and the signage could be a little more concise. After Day 2, we were comfortable enough getting around, but before that, more than once we ended up in a loop around the golf course entrance.

Bus service has not been a problem. The bus makes several internal stops, as is normal with a resort of this size, and then heads straight out to your destination. The bus stops are well laid out, and just a short walk from most villas.

I love staying at Saratoga Springs Resort. It brings back memories of a peaceful easier time, and gives you that relaxed feeling as soon as you walk in. I am very happy that we took the plunge and added points at this resort!

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