Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa--Update

[Guest]

Disney Vacation Club Resort, Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Well, since we're breaking new ground, we figured there's no better place to begin than with the landscaping.

So we talked to Keith Bongirno, from the landscape architecture firm MSI, who's helping bring the look and feel of upstate New York to central Florida. MSI is the same firm that worked wonders with the landscaping at some of your other favorite Disney resorts (including The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Beach Club Villas) and Disney's own private island paradise, Castaway Cay.

In planning the landscape for Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Keith told us that he's looking to capture a late-1800s look. The architecture of the time will be complemented to create a romantic feeling reminiscent of this splendid era in Saratoga Springs' rich history.

Disney will magically bring the charm of Saratoga Springs to life in every detail including flowers, trees, rocks, fountains, and lakes. Guests will delight in daylilies, irises, and ferns—horticulture that's natural to Saratoga Springs and indigenous to Florida. Likewise, Red Maples, Sycamores, and River Birch trees native to upstate New York as well as central Florida will dot the landscape with beautiful foliage. And according to Keith, the beautiful Oak and Pine trees that are currently on property will work well within the resort's landscape.

Attention to detail will be evident everywhere you look. As in the town of Saratoga Springs, the formal gardens, patios, and courtyards will be situated close to buildings, while pastoral, forested areas are placed away from them. The rockwork will draw on the granite/sedimentary slate, stone, and river rock abundant in the Adirondack region.

But perhaps the most striking thing about Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will be its connection to water in various forms. To begin with, the many lakes (with their landscaped edges and dramatic, tall fountains that are lit at night) will transport you to Saratoga Springs. Other fountains will be spring-like with water bubbling up from the rocks. Some will even be covered by gazebos. Keith told us his favorite thing is the fabulous feature pool. Naturally-shaped, there will be a bubbling spring cascading over rocks before falling gracefully toward the pool—just like a spring-fed lake! The accompanying waterslide will create quite a splash as it weaves in and out of rockwork and passes under a stone bridge before reaching the pool.



Sounds cooooooooollllllll


jj...

[Carole]

It's the Disney institute, isn't it JJ?

[Guest]

As far as i know Carole yes


jj...