Saratoga Springs vs. Riviera Disney World Resort Guide

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World can be complicated — especially when you’re trying to choose between 25 resort hotels. If you’ve narrowed down your choices to these hotels, how do you make your final selection?

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort

Both resorts offer villa accommodations and while they have many of the same amenities, there are also some differences that you should know about.

We want to help stretch your vacation dollars because trips to Disney World can be costly. Not surprisingly, hotel expenses can take up a big portion of your travel budget. How do you make the right decision for your family? We give you all the details, so you can choose wisely between Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and Disney’s Riviera Resort.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

Whether room size, location, pools, and/or restaurants are most important to you, we share the information that you’ll need to make an informed decision. After all, we want you stay at the hotel that is best for your family!

Let’s get started and look at all the details so that you can plan your Disney trip with confidence.

What a view from Saratoga Springs!

The best way to tackle such a massive decision like this is with as much logic as possible, so we broke down this comparison into five categories: Common Ground, Theme/Rooms, Pools, Food, and Transportation. Let’s get started on your vacation research.

COMMON GROUND

Before we mention their differences, let’s take a look at what Saratoga Springs and Riviera have in common. First, both are Deluxe Villa Resorts offering many of the same perks. These hotels can be booked by Disney Vacation Club members or cash-paying guests.

Both resorts offer bus transportation as well as one other mode of Disney transport.

Disney bus

The most expensive rooms at both resorts are large villas. You’ll see that starting rates are very similar, but least expensive accommodations at Riviera Resort only sleep two people.

For Saratoga Springs, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $451 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $3,477 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit. (Based on 2023 rates)

For the Riviera Resort, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $443 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $5,165 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit. (Based on 2023 rates)

Beautiful Mosaic at Riviera

Let’s dig a little deeper to see what you can get for the money at these resorts!

Extra Theme Park Hours Benefits for Disney World Resort Hotel Guests

THEME/ROOMS

Saratoga Springs and Riviera both offer villa-type accommodations with studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, or 3-bedroom layouts.

Speaking of spacious accommodations, the 3 Bedroom Grand Villas at various Disney Vacation Club properties can sleep up to 12 people! These rooms typically come with 3 bedrooms, 3 (or more) bathrooms, a (very large) full-sized kitchen, living area, dining area, and a balcony. These rooms are available first for DVC members to book, so they’re pretty difficult to score and pricing is not readily available to the public (unless you call Disney to book for a specific date).

Grand Villa Kitchen at Riviera

Studios have a kitchenette. The one-to-three-bedroom villas have a full kitchen, as well as washer and dryer.

The Murphy bed at Saratoga Springs

If you’re looking for convenience, these amenities might make your trip a whole lot easier!

Saratoga Springs

Here, you’ll escape to a 19th century equestrian resort, although there aren’t any horses! Opened in May 2004, the quaint gardens add to the peaceful atmosphere. The large resort layout consists of a central lobby building with outer buildings housings the actual hotel rooms. Saratoga Springs is a huge resort and thus, rooms are often available!

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Studio

Studios at this resort provide a queen bed and pull-down bed; these rooms sleep four. Two bedrooms sleep up to 8 people. (Remember that a child under three does not count toward maximum occupancy.) As of 2020/2021, rooms have been renovated.

Treehouse Villa

However, the unique but very remote treehouse villas can accommodate up to nine guests.

Riviera Resort

Disney’s Riviera Resort, which opened in December 2019, is Walt Disney World’s newest Disney Vacation Club Resort! The European Riviera inspires the architectural design and decorative touches. The theme translates into a refined and elegant space that is simultaneously bright and airy. Of course, Riviera Resort is not without touches of Disney whimsy! The overall effect is stunning while also being relaxing and welcoming.

Riviera Resort Tower Studio Pulldown Bed

Riviera Resort offers1-, 2- and 3-Bedroom Villas as well as Tower and Deluxe Studios. The least expensive accommodations are Tower Studios (255 sq. ft), which only sleep 2. Deluxe Studios sleep five (423 sq. ft.), however the rates are about $200 more per night.

Grand Villa Master Bedroom

Inspired by Europe — and, in fact, by Walt Disney and his wife Lillian’s own travels along the French Riviera — deluxe amenities, memorable Resort activities, a wide range of fantastic and flavorful dining (including Character Dining), lovely and relaxing pools, and much more are all part of the Riviera Resort experience.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

The overall effect is stunning while also being relaxing and welcoming.

Results

What location and price point do you prefer? If your focus is spending time at Disney Springs, Saratoga Springs might be the best pick for you. If you need space AND a cheaper starting rate, Saratoga Springs fits the bill. However, we prefer the charm and appeal of Disney’s Riviera Resort where European elegance is featured in the theme and room decor.

NEWS! MAJOR HOTEL CHANGE Announced for Disney World

POOLS

When the weather is HOT or you just need a break from park queues, head to your resort pool! After all, the pools have their own unique features and special theming. Feature pools at Walt Disney World hotels usually have at least one slide and also offer poolside activities. Look at the hotel’s recreation schedule for more information. Some Disney resorts are so spread out that they also offer leisure pools. These swimming spots are family-friendly with at least one whirlpool spa. Leisure pools are quieter than the more crowded and active feature pools.

Pool Area

Note that poolside towels are always complimentary.