Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is not everyone’s favorite resort, but I definitely have a soft spot for this hotel. I spent a lot of time here during my teenage years, and I quickly fell in love with how big and peaceful the resort felt. One of the best perks is being so close to Disney Springs and being able to hop on a boat or use the walking path to get there. This means there are plenty of food options surrounding the hotel, but today, we are focusing on the food available at the resort.
The Artist’s Palette – Quick Service
The Artist’s Palette is a quick-service restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This dining location just got a few exciting menu items because the menu needed some new food. Lunch and dinner have a mix of gourmet sandwiches, salads, and grab-and-go items. They recently added new dinner-exclusive items to the menu and build-your-own entrees, which I would love to try.
The ambiance here isn’t the best, but I think it’s charming and cozy, even though it feels dated. Next to the restaurant, there’s a store where guests can buy Disney and DVC member merchandise.
I have never had a bad experience here. As I mentioned above, I stayed at the resort a lot during my high school years, and for me, it’s all nostalgic. When I eat breakfast here, it truly feels like I’m getting ready for a jam-packed Disney day.
The Turf Club Bar and Grill – Table Service
The Turf Club Bar and Grill is a table-service dining location, and reservations are accepted, but I don’t think those reservations disappear fast. The restaurant is described as a place where guests can savor classic American cuisine in a racetrack clubhouse setting. If you get seated before the sun goes down, you’ll have a beautiful view of the golf course and the lake.
The menu has seven different entrees at the moment and a great mix of options. Personally, I would order the Carrot-filled Agnolotti, which is made with house-made agnolotti pasta, carrot puree, royal trumpet, maitake mushrooms, and truffle onion “cream.” Doesn’t that sound delicious? Other items on the menu that might catch your attention are the pan-seared Salmon, grilled filet mignon, and grilled pork chop. The prices for the entrees range from $23 to $38, which isn’t too horrible. I do want to note that there is a plant-based item in each section of the menu.
The Turf Club Lounge
The lounge is in a space just outside the restaurant. Here, guests can look out the windows and see Disney’s Buena Vista Golf Course and Disney Springs. The menu features light food items, and according to Disney, the ambiance here will leave you feeling light on your feet.
The lounge menu doesn’t offer a lot of small bites, but at least they have some decent plates. The bar has beer, wine, a long cocktail list, and non-alcoholic beverages. The space isn’t the prettiest, but it does have large windows that look out to the golf course and the waterways, which is beautiful. I hope this entire area gets refurbished one day so it can feel less dated while still showcasing the resort’s theme.
Pool Bars
There are three pool bars that serve food: The Paddock Grill, On The Rocks, and the Backstretch Pool Bar. The one with the most to offer is The Paddock Grill, located toward the back of the resort (near Disney Springs), which is pretty far from Artist’s Palette, hence why they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner here.
On The Rocks is located in the main pool area, and they serve salads, sandwiches, chicken strips, and thin-crust pizzas. Over at the Backstretch Pool Bar (open seasonally), located by part of the golf course, they serve snacks like hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, pasta salad, sandwiches, and fruit cups.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is a huge Disney Vacation Club resort with over 1,000 rooms. It’s also a peaceful hotel with numerous walking paths and gorgeous views. The food here hasn’t also gotten the best reputation, but I suggest giving it a try at least once. If you could add another dining option to this resort, what would it be?
