AOA, Saratoga , or Old Key west?

[Repeates]

We are trying to decide between Art of Animation ( family suite), Saratoga Springs ( 2 bedroom villa), or Old Key West ( 2 bedroom villa). It looks like the advantage of AOA is the Skyliner , but the advantage of the other two are larger accommodations and more space for our family of five. Is it going to take a long time to try to get to the parks in the morning ( specifically HS)? Thanks!

 

[Robbie Cottam]

I would go with Saratoga…..
I can’t stand the art of aggravation…..
and OKW is just not what I would call nice, personally just does not feel Disney like or DVC

SSR is a little bit of a ride to the MK and the bus stops at all the villages, but it is not bad 20 to 25 minutes total….

SSR is closer to the other 3 parks,

and really close to the springs

 

[Carol_]

LOVE THEM ALL. Whatever you decide will be great, with hiccups. Enjoy!
If I had a free trip I’d take AOA because I have DVC already and I miss the over the top theming there.

 

[Repeates]

I would go with Saratoga…..
I can’t stand the art of aggravation…..
and OKW is just not what I would call nice, personally just does not feel Disney like or DVC

SSR is a little bit of a ride to the MK and the bus stops at all the villages, but it is not bad 20 to 25 minutes total….

SSR is closer to the other 3 parks,

and really close to the springs

How long of a commute do you think it would be to Epcot or HS From SSR?

 

[Robbie Cottam]

just a guess 10 or 15 minutes
I have never found it objectionable and have owned at SSR for 17 years

 

[cedricandsophie]

We love OKW. If driving it’s not long to drive to any park. Busses run often. We go to OKW every year. The rooms are huge. Try to get close to hospitality house room. Just across street from pool, restaurant, tennis etc. lots of activities for kids.

 

[elvispursley]

I love SSR. We stayed there before the retheme in a 2-bd with our family of 6 (DH, 2 teen DS, mom, and MIL--OY, never again with mom and MIL ). We had plenty of space and we were right next to the paddock pool. I think if we go again with my mom, we'd definitely do SSR. I love the look of the new retheme, especially with the new Murphy bed in the living room. But we tend to rent a car and only use the bus for our MK day(s).

I'd probably choose OKW over AoA just on size and beds alone. The beds at AoA look so uncomfortable with the pull-down murphy beds onto those tables. At least with OKW there are the boats that you can take to DS. I know people love the Skyliner, but that thing looks like such a hassle in the morning rush to get to Epcot/HS, especially from AoA/Pop (anywhere except CBR).

 

[Repeates]

LOVE THEM ALL. Whatever you decide will be great, with hiccups. Enjoy!
If I had a free trip I’d take AOA because I have DVC already and I miss the over the top theming there.

Have you stayed at SSR, and is it a good choice?

I love SSR. We stayed there before the retheme in a 2-bd with our family of 6 (DH, 2 teen DS, mom, and MIL--OY, never again with mom and MIL ). We had plenty of space and we were right next to the paddock pool. I think if we go again with my mom, we'd definitely do SSR. I love the look of the new retheme, especially with the new Murphy bed in the living room. But we tend to rent a car and only use the bus for our MK day(s).

I'd probably choose OKW over AoA just on size and beds alone. The beds at AoA look so uncomfortable with the pull-down murphy beds onto those tables. At least with OKW there are the boats that you can take to DS. I know people love the Skyliner, but that thing looks like such a hassle in the morning rush to get to Epcot/HS, especially from AoA/Pop (anywhere except CBR).

Thank you for the information! Did you just drive yourself to the parks for early entry?

 

[Carol_]

Have you stayed at SSR, and is it a good choice?

Thank you for the information! Did you just drive yourself to the parks for early entry?

I own at SSR and have stayed there a few times. The treehouses are great, and so are the 1BRs. Being close to Disney Springs is nice. The food at the Paddock pool is good. Great service.

 

[maryblanchard49]

I would vote Saratoga Springs because you get more space for your family in a villa and you have the advantage of being next to Disney Springs. Also it's just a beautiful resort over all.

 

[elvispursley]

Thank you for the information! Did you just drive yourself to the parks for early entry?

We didn't because 1) we fly in from the west coast and have horrific jet lag, 2) trying to roust 2 teen boys out of bed early enough for early entry is impossible (even though DH and I are up early enough) and 3) my MIL is chronically late for EVERYTHING!! We have to tell her we have to be somewhere 30-60 minutes ahead of the actual time. So sadly, we never did rope drop. I would've been happy to leave the "late" risers/and those who can't be ready on time to meet us at the parks using the buses except that my MIL also has ZERO sense of direction, even though my boys do, she also is beyond bossy and would overuse them and they all would be hopelessly lost at WDW. Just not worth it, LOL!

 

[CarolynFH]

We are trying to decide between Art of Animation ( family suite), Saratoga Springs ( 2 bedroom villa), or Old Key West ( 2 bedroom villa). It looks like the advantage of AOA is the Skyliner , but the advantage of the other two are larger accommodations and more space for our family of five. Is it going to take a long time to try to get to the parks in the morning ( specifically HS)? Thanks!

I'm a DVC owner so admit to some prejudice. But I'd consider AoA my last choice of those three. Some additional information:

OKW buildings are 3 stories and have no elevators (except for a very few buildings). SSR and AoA do have elevators.

SSR and OKW have king size beds in the main bedroom. SSR has a queen Murphy in the living room, but OKW has a queen sofa bed (not as comfortable).

The secondary bedroom at SSR will have a queen bed and a double Murphy bed if it's a lockoff or another queen size bed if it's a dedicated 2BR. At OKW the secondary BR will have 2 queen beds.

At OKW in many of the buildings, the main bathrooms can only be entered via the main bedroom. So those sleeping in the living room have to go into the main bedroom to use the bathroom. At SSR there's an entrance to the bathroom from the living area in all of the 1 and 2BR villas.

As far as your question about getting to parks, SSR and OKW will be roughly the same due to having multiple internal bus stops. AoA only has one bus stop, and for getting to DHS the Skyliner will be faster than the SSR/OKW buses, even though you have to transfer at CBR. However, no matter where you're staying, if you want to be near the front of the crowds going for Early Entry rope drop, you need to be at the bus stop or Skyliner station 90 minutes before Early Entry begins, in order to catch the earliest transportation to the park!

 

[Repeates]

I'm a DVC owner so admit to some prejudice. But I'd consider AoA my last choice of those three. Some additional information:

OKW buildings are 3 stories and have no elevators (except for a very few buildings). SSR and AoA do have elevators.

SSR and OKW have king size beds in the main bedroom. SSR has a queen Murphy in the living room, but OKW has a queen sofa bed (not as comfortable).

The secondary bedroom at SSR will have a queen bed and a double Murphy bed if it's a lockoff or another queen size bed if it's a dedicated 2BR. At OKW the secondary BR will have 2 queen beds.

At OKW in many of the buildings, the main bathrooms can only be entered via the main bedroom. So those sleeping in the living room have to go into the main bedroom to use the bathroom. At SSR there's an entrance to the bathroom from the living area in all of the 1 and 2BR villas.

As far as your question about getting to parks, SSR and OKW will be roughly the same due to having multiple internal bus stops. AoA only has one bus stop, and for getting to DHS the Skyliner will be faster than the SSR/OKW buses, even though you have to transfer at CBR. However, no matter where you're staying, if you want to be near the front of the crowds going for Early Entry rope drop, you need to be at the bus stop or Skyliner station 90 minutes before Early Entry begins, in order to catch the earliest transportation to the park!

Thank you for the detailed information : ) If we were to put in a building/room request, which area would be best at SSR (especially with older teens)?

 

[CarolynFH]

Thank you for the detailed information : ) If we were to put in a building/room request, which area would be best at SSR (especially with older teens)?

If in the Preferred section, your choices are Springs, to be closer to the feature pool and main building QS and boat to DS, or Congress Park, to be closer to walk to Disney Springs. If Standard, I’d recommend Paddock - it has the other feature pool, which also has a QS - although Grandstand is notable for being first bus stop for the parks and a short walk to the main building.

However, no matter which section you’re in it’s easy to get around on foot or by hopping on a bus.

 

[dobball23]

I'm a DVC owner so admit to some prejudice. But I'd consider AoA my last choice of those three. Some additional information:

OKW buildings are 3 stories and have no elevators (except for a very few buildings). SSR and AoA do have elevators.

SSR and OKW have king size beds in the main bedroom. SSR has a queen Murphy in the living room, but OKW has a queen sofa bed (not as comfortable).

The secondary bedroom at SSR will have a queen bed and a double Murphy bed if it's a lockoff or another queen size bed if it's a dedicated 2BR. At OKW the secondary BR will have 2 queen beds.

At OKW in many of the buildings, the main bathrooms can only be entered via the main bedroom. So those sleeping in the living room have to go into the main bedroom to use the bathroom. At SSR there's an entrance to the bathroom from the living area in all of the 1 and 2BR villas.

As far as your question about getting to parks, SSR and OKW will be roughly the same due to having multiple internal bus stops. AoA only has one bus stop, and for getting to DHS the Skyliner will be faster than the SSR/OKW buses, even though you have to transfer at CBR. However, no matter where you're staying, if you want to be near the front of the crowds going for Early Entry rope drop, you need to be at the bus stop or Skyliner station 90 minutes before Early Entry begins, in order to catch the earliest transportation to the park!

Quick question about OKW...I know it is possible to walk to Disney Springs from OKW, using the golf course paths. But is it allowed?

 

[CarolynFH]

Quick question about OKW...I know it is possible to walk to Disney Springs from OKW, using the golf course paths. But is it allowed?

Not via the golf paths. There is a walkway to DS that goes alongside the golf course but isn't actually on the course. And it's open only during daylight hours!

 

[Moliphino]

If you'd be using resort buses to get to parks, I'd go with AOA. The internal bus routes in OKW and SSR drive me nuts.

 

[RoseGold]

SSR and OKW also get the late extended hours. If you think your family can hang with those, they are incredible.

 

[JodyK]

Are there kids in your family of 5? I'd probably choose SSR and if the kids are out of car seats just budget the $20 for a rideshare to my HS rope drop day.

 

[dkbnyc]

SSR is most recently renovated. That would be my choice. And preferred locations are nice too