Cast Member’s Corner: Sleeping in the Canopy

For those of you that are not exactly up to date on your Disney History here’s a short and sweet little lesson on one of the resort options.  From 1975 to 2002 Walt Disney World offered Treehouses as an option for guests to stay.  Come 2002 though they shut these Treehouses down to the public and for a short time they housed Cast Members.  Again after this short stint Disney closed them down.  This time they closed them down to preform a major renovation. 

In July 2009 the Treehouses were incorporated into part of Saratoga Springs and the result is that there are 60 new Treehouses that guests have the opportunity to stay at.  Luckily my most recent visit allowed me to stay in one of these Treehouses.

To get access to the Treehouses you still need to go to Saratoga Spring’s Carriage House to check in.  They then give you your parking pass and keys that grant you access to the Treehouses down the road.  The Treehouses are in a heavily wooded and shady peaceful area.  You drive around until you find your Treehouse and then park.  There are handicap accessible treehouses but we did not need one and therefore did not get one.  Ours was towards the back right by the second pool and bus stop.  We were also located by the trail that you could walk to get to the Saratoga Spring main property. 

Up a two flights of stairs you arrive at your front door, which also has a deck with a table and chairs for you to enjoy the scenery and fresh air.  When you first walk into the actual villa there is a hall closest for you to put your shoes and coats in.  There is also the dining room table directly beside you.  The kitchen has a breakfast bar and full stove and refrigerator.  Down the hall to the right of the kitchen is a bedroom with bunk beds, a dresser, and closet.  The room beside it has a queen size bed, dresser, closet, tv and two night stands with a view of the woods.  These two rooms share a bathroom that is located at the end of the hall with a shower tub.  There is also a washer and dryer unit in the hall closet.  On the opposite side of the kitchen is the master bedroom.  This room has a queen size bed, closet, dresser, desk, tv, and private bath.  This bathroom has a tub, a standing shower, and his and her sinks.  The toilet is in it’s own little alcove.  Stepping right out of the master bedroom is the living room.  This has a pull out couch, pull out chair, and tv along with a coffee table and end tables.

The whole theme reminds me very much of the Wilderness Lodge, being very dark but very much in tune with nature and the forest.  The wood used for the tables and chairs are a darker stain of wood.  The floor in the hallway and kitchen are stone and the marble countertop is grey as well.  The bedspreads are tan with different patterns on them with visions of forests and forest creatures.  It is a very peaceful and quiet place to stay and sleeps nine comfortably. 

I did enjoy it there.  There are a few things that I was not exactly fond of for my vacation this time though.  I was glad for my location, right by the bus stop.  But I could see being a little frustrated if we were not as close.  There are only two stops for the treehouses one and the beginning and one at the back, if you are in the middle it is a bit of a hike and the road can be a little dark at night.  Also the pathway to Saratoga Springs takes you to a bus stop there not the Carriage House or the pool and the walk itself is about ten minutes.  The buses for the parks do not stop at the Treehouses at all.  You have to take a bus to Saratoga Springs and then wait for a bus to go to the parks from there.  The same thing occurs when you get home, you have to get off the bus at Saratoga Springs and wait for a bus to the Treehouses from there.   There is a boat dock but that is also out of the way if your treehouse is not close to it.  Also you are only allowed to have one vehicle at the treehouse.  If you are travelling with others in separate cars you’ll have to leave one at Saratoga Springs.  This can make things a little tricky. 

Now if I was not going into the parks and just relaxing and looking for a quiet get away to relax and spend time with the family in our villa this would be a wonderful place.  But for those who are out and about constantly coming and going it makes it a little difficult to come and go quickly.  If you have a large group and don’t mind though it is worth the price since it can fit everyone comfortably.  Next time you’re looking into accommodations for your trip to Disney World take a second look at the Treehouses.  Until next time have faith and trust, and believe in Disney’s pixie dust!

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Jess was born and raised on Long Island, New York but once college began so did her adventures. She’s lived in Florida, Wisconsin, and now South Carolina. Her family is part of the Disney Vacation Club and has been visiting since she was a little girl, and continuously goes every year. Besides being a big Disney fan she has also been a Disney Cast Member working in Magic Kingdom, and she counts it as one of the most magical experiences. She worked with everyone’s favorite elephant Dumbo, Cinderella’s Carousel, and Mickey’s Philharmagic. Jess has also visited Disneyland, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, and gone on two Disney Cruises. She has so many great memories from Disney besides running half marathons and 5ks, birthday parties, and family reunions. If asked where she would want to go it is almost always Disney, and when asked why, it is almost always because she can eat awesome gluten free food! And it doesn’t hurt that there is always faith, trust, and pixie dust with magic in the air!