Just got back last Thursday from our first stay at Saratoga - my first trip to WDW. We checked in on Sunday, June 11, so we were there for 13 days. We had a one bedroom villa. Our party consisted of two adults and two teens, ages 13 and 17.
Resort:
Accommodations were great! We loved having the washer/dryer and there was plenty of space for the four of us to spread out. The room was clean and comfortable. We were in The Springs, room 4214. Very quiet, and a short walk to the pool, Carriage House, and the bus stop. We had breakfast one morning at The Artist’s Palette and dinner one evening at the Turf Club. Both meals were good and on par with other Disney restaurants.
Parks:
As I mentioned, this was my first trip to WDW. Last park I’d been to prior to this trip was Fiesta Texas in San Antonio back in 1993. Overall, I loved the parks. The main reason I hadn’t gone to WDW before was the price. However, having been to all four parks, I’d say the price of admission is reasonable. I loved the interactive attractions – Turtle Talk and Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor - and thought the PhilharMagic show was great. We actually saw that one twice. The grounds were amazing, most of the cast members very friendly. The kids don’t like water rides – sugar melts, you know
– so I missed out on those. I only had two complaints: 1. Some of the attractions are a bit dated. 2. I’d like to see more rides like the Rock ‘n Roller Rollercoaster or Expedition Everest. We watched “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream” at Hollywood Studios and saw/heard Walt talk about keeping the parks “new”, so I was a bit puzzled that the rides haven’t been updated. The one that stands out the most is Carousel of Progress, which I know was one of Walt’s creations. I know some of you may hold that particular ride dear, so apologies for offending anyone! 
Food:
We had breakfast at the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom and Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary, and lunch/dinner at Le Cellier in Epcot, the Garden Grill in Epcot, Ohanas in the Polynesian, the Grand Floridian Cafe, Whispering Canyon Café at the Wilderness Lodge, and Sci-Fi Dine-in Theatre in Hollywood Studios. Ohanas was our absolute favorite, and we will definitely be going back. The bread pudding was downright sinful! We were on the DDP, and we had plenty of food.
We took the BLT tour, and those rooms are beautiful! Sales pitch was very low pressure, so I’d recommend it for no other reason than to see the new resort and get chocolate dipped cheesecake on a stick.
We’re planning a return trip in late October without the kids, so we’ll hit some of the attractions we missed this trip, and dine at some different restaurants.
Resort:
Accommodations were great! We loved having the washer/dryer and there was plenty of space for the four of us to spread out. The room was clean and comfortable. We were in The Springs, room 4214. Very quiet, and a short walk to the pool, Carriage House, and the bus stop. We had breakfast one morning at The Artist’s Palette and dinner one evening at the Turf Club. Both meals were good and on par with other Disney restaurants.
Parks:
As I mentioned, this was my first trip to WDW. Last park I’d been to prior to this trip was Fiesta Texas in San Antonio back in 1993. Overall, I loved the parks. The main reason I hadn’t gone to WDW before was the price. However, having been to all four parks, I’d say the price of admission is reasonable. I loved the interactive attractions – Turtle Talk and Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor - and thought the PhilharMagic show was great. We actually saw that one twice. The grounds were amazing, most of the cast members very friendly. The kids don’t like water rides – sugar melts, you know
– so I missed out on those. I only had two complaints: 1. Some of the attractions are a bit dated. 2. I’d like to see more rides like the Rock ‘n Roller Rollercoaster or Expedition Everest. We watched “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream” at Hollywood Studios and saw/heard Walt talk about keeping the parks “new”, so I was a bit puzzled that the rides haven’t been updated. The one that stands out the most is Carousel of Progress, which I know was one of Walt’s creations. I know some of you may hold that particular ride dear, so apologies for offending anyone! Food:
We had breakfast at the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom and Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary, and lunch/dinner at Le Cellier in Epcot, the Garden Grill in Epcot, Ohanas in the Polynesian, the Grand Floridian Cafe, Whispering Canyon Café at the Wilderness Lodge, and Sci-Fi Dine-in Theatre in Hollywood Studios. Ohanas was our absolute favorite, and we will definitely be going back. The bread pudding was downright sinful! We were on the DDP, and we had plenty of food.
We took the BLT tour, and those rooms are beautiful! Sales pitch was very low pressure, so I’d recommend it for no other reason than to see the new resort and get chocolate dipped cheesecake on a stick.
We’re planning a return trip in late October without the kids, so we’ll hit some of the attractions we missed this trip, and dine at some different restaurants.
