3 weeks at Animal Kingdom Villas/Saratoga Springs/Old Key West Resort

[moustradamus]

So I'm staying at Animal Kingdom Villas, Saratoga Springs, and Old Key West Resort, for a week each. First time at Disney World, so I figured I'd resort hop, to keep the experience "fresh." Wrote the resorts on paper and drew those 3 out of a bowl, in case you were wondering how I decided on those, lol. Booked in February....I already have reservations at Narcoossees, Space 220, Yachtsmans, Topolinos, Tiffins, Le Celier, and trying to secure other dining. A friend said Cirque du Soleil is a must, so I got tickets there too. What am I missing? Is there a one stop resource to help me plan and make the most of this trip? Any must see attractions that need advanced booking? Thanks in advance.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Look into Raglan Road at Disney Springs!

 

[moustradamus]

I'll definitely look into that, thank you!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We enjoyed Steakhouse 21.

We have breakfast at Kona once each trip when we can get it!

 

[The Jackal]

Best fried chicken at WDW is at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’. There are a lot of good restaurants at DS. We enjoy Olivia’s at OKW.

 

[BamaGuy44]

I admire your sense of adventure to pick your 3 resorts at random, but... to really get the most of your first WDW trip, I would strongly recommend taking a look at the different resorts and picking the ones that really get you excited. Plenty of info here on the boards about all the resorts to weigh the pros and cons, and lots of resort and room tour videos on YouTube to really get a feel for what they're like. 3 weeks sounds like an amazing first trip and you can't go wrong with any of the DVC resorts!

 

[moustradamus]

Thank you for all the great advice and recommendations! I will see if there is any availability at those spots, since I'm definitely bringing my appetite, lol. My resorts are already booked, but I plan on exploring them all to get a better feel for the entire DW property.

 

[Dizzydizney]

AKV/Kidani has a great community hall. Love the pool table there. Not sure if they still do the night vision goggles on the back deck to watch animals (COVID). Check out the resorts weekly activities. Most resorts have nightly marshmallow roasts and movies under the stars.

And I’m not sure if they are doing the backstage tours again yet. Keys to the Kingdom is a good one and there used to be a DVC discount. AKV also had a special safari...not sure if that came back yet.

I liked the “balloon” ride at Disney Springs.

You can also book a fishing thing but not sure if it’s available at OKW or SSR.

You can also book fireworks cruises for MK and Epcot.

Rose and Crown pub has a nightly dinner/fireworks package as does California Grill but reservations can be hard to get.

A trip to Fort Wilderness can be fun. They just redid the stable. Horseback riding used to be offered and bike rentals.

Boardwalk Villas has surry bike rentals some fit six people and you can pedal around the lake like maniacs.

That’s all I can think of right now. Make sure you have park tickets and park reservations too.

 

[bp2412]

Oh wow, super jealous of your upcoming trip- 3 weeks!! I would agree with above about Raglan Road at Disney Springs, my wife and I have eaten there probably 5 times and always have had a good meal- we've sat both inside and outside but if you go for the first time I would recommend inside for the vibe and music on stage.

Our home resort is SSR and we love it so I would take advantage while there being walking distance to Disney Springs and enjoying the food and shopping options there while your week there.

I haven't visited all the resorts just yet so can't comment on too many but on our last trip in September we ate dinners at Sanaa at AKV and 'Ohana at Poly and now we want to try to eat at those 2 spots every trip going forward! Sounds like you have some great dinner reservations already so maybe future trips I would recommend both for sure.

Enjoy the trip!

 

[BamaGuy44]

Thank you for all the great advice and recommendations! I will see if there is any availability at those spots, since I'm definitely bringing my appetite, lol. My resorts are already booked, but I plan on exploring them all to get a better feel for the entire DW property.

If you decide to try Raglan Road, be sure to ask to be seated in the "main dining area" if you want to be able to easily see the performers. There are several side areas that don't have a view of the stage,

 

[moustradamus]

If you decide to try Raglan Road, be sure to ask to be seated in the "main dining area" if you want to be able to easily see the performers. There are several side areas that don't have a view of the stage,

Thanks I'll be sure to do that!

 

[moustradamus]

AKV/Kidani has a great community hall. Love the pool table there. Not sure if they still do the night vision goggles on the back deck to watch animals (COVID). Check out the resorts weekly activities. Most resorts have nightly marshmallow roasts and movies under the stars.

And I’m not sure if they are doing the backstage tours again yet. Keys to the Kingdom is a good one and there used to be a DVC discount. AKV also had a special safari...not sure if that came back yet.

I liked the “balloon” ride at Disney Springs.

You can also book a fishing thing but not sure if it’s available at OKW or SSR.

You can also book fireworks cruises for MK and Epcot.

Rose and Crown pub has a nightly dinner/fireworks package as does California Grill but reservations can be hard to get.

A trip to Fort Wilderness can be fun. They just redid the stable. Horseback riding used to be offered and bike rentals.

Boardwalk Villas has surry bike rentals some fit six people and you can pedal around the lake like maniacs.

That’s all I can think of right now. Make sure you have park tickets and park reservations too.

Lots of great recommendations here...very much appreciated! The only challenge now is the availability/reservations. Doing my best to book as much as I can. Thank you!

 

[moustradamus]

Oh wow, super jealous of your upcoming trip- 3 weeks!! I would agree with above about Raglan Road at Disney Springs, my wife and I have eaten there probably 5 times and always have had a good meal- we've sat both inside and outside but if you go for the first time I would recommend inside for the vibe and music on stage.

Our home resort is SSR and we love it so I would take advantage while there being walking distance to Disney Springs and enjoying the food and shopping options there while your week there.

I haven't visited all the resorts just yet so can't comment on too many but on our last trip in September we ate dinners at Sanaa at AKV and 'Ohana at Poly and now we want to try to eat at those 2 spots every trip going forward! Sounds like you have some great dinner reservations already so maybe future trips I would recommend both for sure.

Enjoy the trip!

Thank you! I got reservations at Sanaa...can't wait to try it! I was looking at the map, and noticed the short distance from SSR to Disney Springs. I am very excited to explore what it has to offer.

 

[zavandor]

There is no direct Disney transportation between resorts (with exception of monorail and skylines, not those for your trip, though), so don't be be bothered with buses and changing, just take a Uber or Lyft, money well spent.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Given the 3 resorts you picked, I’d suggest having access to a vehicle. Parking at MK is a pain but those 3 resorts are probably my least favourite in terms of buses.

 

[SteveAZee]

It may be too late at this point, but if variety (keeping it interesting) is the goal, I'd probably replace either SSR or OKW with one of the MK/monorail resorts.

 

[RoseGold]

Jaleo is the best restaurant on Disney property IMO, but it isn't "Disney" at all really.

 

[Blondie58]

So I'm staying at Animal Kingdom Villas, Saratoga Springs, and Old Key West Resort, for a week each. First time at Disney World, so I figured I'd resort hop, to keep the experience "fresh." Wrote the resorts on paper and drew those 3 out of a bowl, in case you were wondering how I decided on those, lol. Booked in February....I already have reservations at Narcoossees, Space 220, Yachtsmans, Topolinos, Tiffins, Le Celier, and trying to secure other dining. A friend said Cirque du Soleil is a must, so I got tickets there too. What am I missing? Is there a one stop resource to help me plan and make the most of this trip? Any must see attractions that need advanced booking? Thanks in advance.

You have a fantastic trip in the planning!! Have a great time. I think for a first time Disney visitor to stay at three different resorts is great. You will build a feel for what you like best. And you may have time to visit other resorts to get a feel for them too even though not sleeping there. The only thing I might do is trade one resort out for a monorail resort - Poly, Grand, or Contemporary. That would give you a feel for a monorail resort. We have enjoyed every dining place you have listed except Space 220. Not a complaint about any of them. Victoria and Albert's is a great dining experience too.

 

[moustradamus]

You have a fantastic trip in the planning!! Have a great time. I think for a first time Disney visitor to stay at three different resorts is great. You will build a feel for what you like best. And you may have time to visit other resorts to get a feel for them too even though not sleeping there. The only thing I might do is trade one resort out for a monorail resort - Poly, Grand, or Contemporary. That would give you a feel for a monorail resort. We have enjoyed every dining place you have listed except Space 220. Not a complaint about any of them. Victoria and Albert's is a great dining experience too.

Thank you for the information. It's a little late to switch resorts, but I plan on exploring a lot to get a feel for the entire property. Testing out several pairs of shoes in preparation for the amount of walking lol. Victoria and Albert's looks really cool. I'll see if I can get a table, but looks like they haven't opened yet. I'll see what I can do!