Help :-) Upgrade from PO Riverside to either Old Key West or Saratoga Springs ?

[DisneyTardis]

Hi Hope everyone is good and having a great weekend

I have a lovely if somewhat hard to decide on problem. Myself and my girlfriend having booked 2 weeks in september for Port Orleans have now been offered an upgrade to Old key west or Saratoga Springs staying in a Studio or 1 bed apartment. Normally i would jump at the chance of an upgrade but having read trip advisor and a few other webites and forums im still not sure whether to except it or not. Time is ticking on this as i have to let them know prior to the 14th july.

Have visited Orlando numerous time and we both stayed for the first time on disney property at the Pop century in Nov 2008 and thought that it was brilliant. I really loved the theme of it. One of it's biggest selling points and something i found out once there was it's bus service, espcially as we didn't hire a car. Being that it had it's own dedicated service which was really quick (no pick ups from other hotels) with only one drop off and pick up point. We decided this time around having not had a dining plan to give it a go and see what it was like. So as much as we loved the PoP for the money the Port Orleans Riverside with dining plan actually worked out cheaper for us (because of the free dining plan) than when we just did the Pop Century without it and just paid as we went. Also the ease of not having to budget for food is great.

Anyway With the offer from Disney i'm not sure whether to stick or twist. For me i'd like a disney feel with a good bus transportation that gets to the parks pretty quick and is reliable. My girlfriend likes the idea of staying at deluxe resort having never done anything like that before. I know that port orleans has 4 pick ups and drop offs compared to the other 2 that have 5 and is closer to the parks having looked at maps of disney property. We are going to go to Universal while out in Orlando so that requires getting the lynx service next to downtown disney to I drive which obviously makes saratoga springs a good choice for that as its close to downtown.

Well as you can see im not entirely sure what to do??? i normally know exactly what i would like and what i can afford unfortunately disney have thrown me a lovely curve ball and i'm stuck

Anyway help would be greatly appreciated

Many thanks

Phil

 

[Rohais]

Personally, I'd stick to Port Orleans (either Riverside or French Quuarter) but thats just my opinion. I chose PO for the theming, proximity etc so an upgrade to either SSR or OKW wouldn't really interest me

 

[wayneg]

Its so difficult to advise, we all like different things in a resort, Previous post says stay, I say move to OKW in a 1 bed villa but I prefer OKW to POR.
THe 1 bed Villa is massive 942sq ft OR SSR 714sq ft compared to a room at POR 315 sq ft. Also get Whirlpool, full kitchen, lots more.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/old-key-west-resort/rates-rooms/

There was a thread about the upgrades here I started a few days ago.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2499747

Welcome to DISboards

 

[EvertonCJ]

We have stayed at both POR (twice) and SSR (once). We loved both resorts, but preferred SSR. My wife likes the fact that there is a balcony and it is within walking distance of Downtown Disney. SSR is more spread out than POR, but it is so picturesque you never feel that you are walking very far. With Disney UK offering 42% off SSR and OKW and giving you the free DDP there is very little difference in price between POR and SSR. We are staying again at SSR this August. Whatever you decide you will have a fabulous time.

 

[stephensmum]

One thing you may want to consider is the lack of cs meals at OKW, I believe there's a hatch to get some cs meals with outside seating. SSR does have a cs but with a smaller selection than POR.

 

[Sapper383]

We love POR, but we are tempted to stay at OKW next september because we will get the disney dining plan....if it wasn't for the better dining plan we would choose to stay at POR again!

If your still only getting the quick service Dining Plan, I would stay at POR as the food court is one of the best on property.

It's a hard decision and does depend on what you want from your resort

Sam

 

[iluvtot]

Hi,
Would you like the extra space? I love OKW, but if it is just the 2 of you, the studio in SS has a sofa bed, so it would give you somewhere comfortable to sit, instead of on a bed! Also, the additional benefit of a kitchette with a fridge is a plus
Of course the 1 bed villa is even better! As Wayne said, full kitchen, whirlpool bath etc, which is all good if (like us) you spend time in the 'room'. If that isn't such a deal breaker, then PO has the better food court, though you can walk to DTD frm SS for EofS, WGP, Raglan Road......
Sorry, you're probably more confused now!

Jules x

 

[2Tiggies]

I am booked at PO and will not consider changing.

You can still take the boat to DTD instead of the buses.

 

[DisneyTardis]

Hi Everyone

Just want to say a big big thankyou to all of you for getting back to me and helping with my lovely dilema. I really appreciate it.

I must admit having read everyone's opinions i'm still not sure whether to stick or twist ? and thats a definate YES jules (iluvtot)...i am slightly more confused but it is a nice confusion to have.

I will say it does seem to me, or at least the way i read it that most favour either sticking with Port Orleans Riverside or going to Old Key West. The majority seem to pick those 2 over Saratoga Springs. Which i actually find really interesting seeing as Saratoga Springs is a newer resort and therefore you would think less likely to have problems with the rooms and renovations required due to the age of buildings. I'm guessing that the character/disney feel of Old Key West and Port Orleans wins over the new but somewhat lacking in character Saratoga Springs. Saratoga is all new and shiny but just not much disney feel to it.

So i guess it's now down to 2...Old key west and Port Orleans. Ironically 2 resorts i always remember looking at since i was a kid and wondering how swanky those hotels really are ? will take some saving for but maybe nice to stay there and find out ?

I think mulling it all over...the question is...do we need an apartment/studio???

The amount of time we are going to spend at the hotel will be minimal its just a place to rest our heads after a day at the parks. Just want a decent hotel...disney feel/character to it and good bus service to and from the parks. I guess what myself and my girlfriend would like is something similar to PoP Century but just a bit more up market and nicer. So have i actually answered my question with that...ie...STICK to Port Orleans

Oh boy i'm going around in circles..still confused

Quick question...Out of those of you who have stayed at both OKW and Port Orleans...did you have a car or did you use disney transport? We aren't hiring a car so reliant on disney transport so which has the better bus service in your opinion? which gets you quicker to and from the parks?

Oh i guess while im at it...i am going to request a room close to the main buildings/lobby/food hall whichever hotel i stay at. But if they can't match that request and we get stuck out in the back of beyond which is less likely to have me walking miles to my room from those parts of the hotel out of Old Key West and Port Orleans Riverside?

Anyway excuse all my questions...a big big thankyou again to all of you for your help. I really do appreciate it

Many thanks

Phil

 

[2Tiggies]

Which i actually find really interesting seeing as Saratoga Springs is a newer resort and therefore you would think less likely to have problems with the rooms and renovations required due to the age of buildings.

I'm guessing that the character/disney feel of Old Key West and Port Orleans wins over the new but somewhat lacking in character Saratoga Springs. Saratoga is all new and shiny but just not much disney feel to it.
answered my question with that...ie...STICK to Port Orleans

You shouldn't have any problems at any of the resorts with rooms. Occasionally this can and does happen and it is simply a case of a phone call or stroll down to the front desk to ask if you can be moved which won't be a problem if there is another available room for you.

The theming is a personal thing. Some like the Disney theming and others want something a bit more "grown up". This is really more a matter of personal preference rather than age. As someone who doesn't hire a car there either I would think PO is safer if you really want to avoid the possibility of walking huge distances. I wouldn't discourage you from upgrading if you thought you would enjoy the experience but you need to decide which factors are most important to you if with the upgrade. How much time do you spend in your room? Do you go back and forth between your resort and the parks more than once a day? All things to consider.

 

[OrlandoMagic]

Hi Phil and welcome to the boards!

I must say I would find the decision very easy, upgrade to a 1 bed villa at OKW or SSR! The one bed villas are excellent, they come with a jacuzzi tub and a washer dryer (no need to pack so many cloths!).

We are booking OKW for next year (did SSR last year) and I wish I only had to pay the price for PO!

Trust me, go for OKW (I think you will enjoy the theming more) 1 bed Villa and you won't regret it!

 

[disney_princess_85]

The "Disney feel" is a funny one. I've visited most of the resorts and, to me, the most Disney-ish are Pop Century and the Grand Floridian. At Pop, it's probably because of the bright colours. At the GF, I guess it's because of the fairytale-like atmosphere. My point is, I don't think either OKW or POR are a great deal more "Disney" than SSR. Whatever you choose, you'll have a great time.

 

[hogwartsdropout]

We moved from POR to SSR last year and it was a huge regret. Can't comment on OKW though. If it was me, I'd stay at POR!

 

[crabbie1]

Have stayed at POR and OKW and the bus service was better at OKW. POR stops at POFQ first but only a matter of five mins. Both really nice resorts just comes down to themeing. Remember you will get the DDP and not the QSDP so you will be able to have TS credits as well. Have a look at the pictures on trip advisor for the one beds and studios for both resorts offerded and if you can get a 1 bedroom I would def go for that. OKW is very green and cosy where as I think SSR is more upbeat(though will tell you after staying there in sept).Anyway they are all nice resorts and im sure you will have a good time where ever you stay.
Just think though a nice jacuzzi bath after a long day on your tootsies would be tiggerrrifficcc

 

[disney_princess_85]

Remember you will get the DDP and not the QSDP so you will be able to have TS credits as well.

If they accept the upgrade to OKW/SSR, they will still get the QSDP. They would have to pay extra if they wanted the full DDP.

 

[crabbie1]

If they accept the upgrade to OKW/SSR, they will still get the QSDP. They would have to pay extra if they wanted the full DDP.

Oops sorry thought they would get the full DDp as well.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Oops sorry thought they would get the full DDp as well.

Apparently not. It's just the accommodation part of the booking that is upgraded.

ETA: If they were paying to upgrade then yes, they would get the full DDP. As it's a complimentary upgrade the OP is talking about, they would still get the QSDP. I hope I make sense!

 

[iluvtot]

Hi Everyone

Just want to say a big big thankyou to all of you for getting back to me and helping with my lovely dilema. I really appreciate it.

I must admit having read everyone's opinions i'm still not sure whether to stick or twist ? and thats a definate YES jules (iluvtot)...i am slightly more confused but it is a nice confusion to have.

I think mulling it all over...the question is...do we need an apartment/studio??? .......

Oh boy i'm going around in circles..still confused

Quick question...Out of those of you who have stayed at both OKW and Port Orleans...did you have a car or did you use disney transport? We aren't hiring a car so reliant on disney transport so which has the better bus service in your opinion? which gets you quicker to and from the parks?

Oh i guess while im at it...i am going to request a room close to the main buildings/lobby/food hall whichever hotel i stay at. But if they can't match that request and we get stuck out in the back of beyond which is less likely to have me walking miles to my room from those parts of the hotel out of Old Key West and Port Orleans Riverside?
Anyway excuse all my questions...a big big thankyou again to all of you for your help. I really do appreciate it

Many thanks

Phil

Hi Phil,
Sorry to add to your confusion
We have stayed at both resorts, with a car, but we used the buses for the parks.
I think the longest we waited for a bus at OKW last year was about a half hour. They seem to be pretty regular, and we didn't really have any complaints. I don't remember there being a problem at POR either; in fact the only resort we have stayed and really had probs was POP!
As for being away from things, we have always had good locations at OKW, and the one year we were placed a bit of a distance from the main building, I went and asked to be moved. and they did, no prob!
POR we did have a bit of a walk, but it wasn't too bad. We were there the same time as the cheerleaders, so it was a bit manic!

It seems to me,the choice you have to make is whether you are happy with a hotel room, or if you would like more space? You say it will just be a base, but is that ok? Is it a base because it is just a room, or would you actually want to spend more time there if you had more space/facilities? You still get daily mousekeeping at OKW and SS, so that's cool
There are 5 of us, 2 adults and 3 teens, 18 and 16 year old twins, so it's a no brainer for us! We need space, so we have a 2 bed villa However, if it were just me and DH, we would still prefer the space of a 1 bed, as we love sitting on the balcony, maybe having coffee or light breakfast before heading off; and then later when we get back we sit and have a drink before going out again! The studios in OKW are a decent size aswell, but the villas are more luxurious!!
Your call Phil, twist or stick?!!!!

Jules x

 

[DisneyTardis]

Hey Everyone hope you are all having a great day

Again let me say a big big thankyou to all of you for all your really helpful adivce

So am still stuck you ask??? in one quick answer yes but thanks to everyone i am starting to narrow things down a hell of alot.

It's definately a 1 bed villa at Old Key West or a room at PO riverside now. Having taken on board what all of you have said the vote is definately for a villa and not a studio at Old Key West. Also my girlfriend had a fairly big say on it but her reason..well let me explain....

This might make you laugh or not her reason is simple...the word jacuzzi You might have well have said DKNY or Radley or Mac make up it would have had the same effect. What made me laugh was as soon as she saw the word and looked up a picture she said thats mine and you can have the shower. I didn't even get a say in it ??????

So anyway i do have another question for anyone who has stayed at Old Key West...its about room locations. I read someones post on here who did a fantastically in depth review of her personal experiences of a trip at Old Key West and they requested rooms near the Lobby/food/main area and unfortunately ended up getting a room miles away which involved an 13 min bus trip to get to the lobby etc. The reason behind that was because they were told that the accommodation in that area called Hospitality House is for DVC members only. Her and her family went in November prior to thanks giving and she said the resort wasn't that busy..so as i am not a member i'm guessing i've got no chance of getting something there.

So whats the best location near to the food court/lobby etc if not Hospitality House region? My girlfriend and i really don't want to have to take a bus to get to the lobby...just want to use them to get to and from the parks. Really want no more than a 5/max 10 minute walk to the lobby etc

Wow i feel embarrassed you must think me such a fussy so and so...i can hear the words...should be gratefull he got an upgrade let alone being cheeky enough to start asking for specific room locations

I'm aware that PO riverside isn't a cake walk either and you can be chucked in the back of beyond there...so intended to request a room in one of the Manor houses nearest the food court/lobby...which is never a given either

Anyway...thanks again for all your help...you have all been brilliant and i'd quite happily buy you all a mickey mouse ice cream if could

Many thanks

Phil

 

[2Tiggies]

Sounds like you have made a decision! I can't advise on room locations for OKW, but just want to say well done.

I suppose when you put in your request for your upgrade you either get what you asked for or you stay where you wanted to be to begin with so in a way, now that you have decided which upgrade to ask for, the rest of the decision kind of takes care of itself. I hope you have a wonderful stay. Maybe you could post some pics of your room when you get back?

Oh and although I wasn't that helpful on here, I wouldn't mind a Mickey ice cream