The Spa at Walt Disney World's Saratoga Springs Resort

If you walk out of the Carriage House, the check-in/out area at the Saratoga Springs Resort in Walt Disney World, and go to your right, you will run into a dead end and face the door for the Spa and Fitness Center.

The Spa at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort, one of five pampering locations on this huge Disney campus, offers a large selection of relaxing services inspired by Saratoga Spring's "solas per aqua" or "healing through water." What is unique to this spa is the assortment of bath treatments, designed to improve both your mood and your health.

As an extra perk of being a Disney Vacation Club member, you can get 20% off select services. As of mid-July, the most popular services were published in the Portable Perks booklet as follows:

Radiance Aromatherapy Facial - $100
Hydro-massage Therapies - $92
Mystical Forest Body Masque and Wrap - $104
Mystical Forest Therapies - $104
Peppermint Pedicure - $52
Spa Manicure - $44
Spa Pedicure - $52
Swedish Massage - $92

All of these prices include the 20% discount. In addition to this price cut, the Disney Vacation Club members can enjoy a custom package, designed just for them, that includes Swedish massage, aromatherapy facial, and spa meni and pedi. This pampering session lasts three hours and costs $288. As a reminder, gratuity is extra.

As you walk in, the check-in area for the spa features a mini-store that sells Saratoga Springs Spa products (all of which smell like lavender to me, but I am sure there are very distinct differences). You will be escorted to the locker room, where you have a chance to take a quick shower (which is a nice courtesy for your massage therapist), change into a comfy robe, put on a pair of ugly plastic slippers, and head into the waiting area. They serve great tea here - make sure you try it.

After your pampering session, you can take advantage of the two saunas and a hot tub, located in the locker room. Here, you will also find a seating area, some bottled water, fruit and hot towels. Know this - don't rush outta there. You should relax before you change into your regular clothes and head back to reality (although, it is vacation reality, which is rarely bad).

The spa is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. For the most part, you can get an appointment for the service that you want the same day, but some notice is always nice.

As far as spas go, the prices (in comparison to those in Chicago, where I am from) are fairly reasonable. Leave the gratuity at the front desk. Oh, and don't be afraid to voice your concern if something is not to your liking. I once had a massage where the girl cut almost 15 minutes from what should have been a full hour treatment. If this happens to you, say something. Keep in mind, this is Disney - if everything else is top notch, your spa service should be as well. For the record, mine was. Enjoy!

For additional details on visiting this resort, as well as visiting Walt Disney World, please check out my other articles titled "Walt Disney World Travel Series."