Help us choose! OKW or Saratoga?!

[Figaro's paws]

Hi All, me again

We are looking to take advantage of the 50% off offer for Old Key West or Saratoga Springs.....but which should we choose? Both look great and in about the same area, but we cant decide!

Anyone stayed at both or one of them and can share their experience?

Many thanks in advance!k

 

[luke]

Stayed at SSR this year and loved it.
We had a great room with a view of DTD and it was such a friendly resort, although I guess the main criticism levelled at it is 'lack of theming' (well, Disney theming) but that's no factor at all for us.
We also visited OKW and really liked the look of it too, its much prettier than SSR in some senses.

I think if the offers are still on for next time we go (probably not for a few years) we'd like to try OKW for a change (they're so close and we always drive so location is just as good) but wouldn't be disappointed with either SSR or OKW, even after visiting all deluxe resort this time, with the exception of maybe Yacht and Beach/Boardwalk there's no other Disney hotels I'd really like to stay in

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Hey you!

From what I have read SSR is closer to DTD so you can walk there. OKW the rooms are slightly bigger. SSR you get a bed and a sofa bed; OKW is two beds! Think thats the main differences!

Hope you're booking an xmas trip . . .Christmas together is Disney!!!

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Stayed at SSR this year and whilst it was a nice resort and we didn't find anything wrong with it, I wouldn't stay there again. The food "court" was waaaaaaay busy and very tiny with not much choice - also items in the bakery area were not replenished often. Also resort was huuuuge, we had to drive to get to the main pool. However pool was lovely for our 21 month old with a little slide and fountain playing area. Lots of people i know love this resort, but it just wasn't for us!

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Stayed at SSR this year and loved it.
We had a great room with a view of DTD and it was such a friendly resort, although I guess the main criticism levelled at it is 'lack of theming' (well, Disney theming) but that's no factor at all for us.
We also visited OKW and really liked the look of it too, its much prettier than SSR in some senses.

I think if the offers are still on for next time we go (probably not for a few years) we'd like to try OKW for a change (they're so close and we always drive so location is just as good) but wouldn't be disappointed with either SSR or OKW, even after visiting all deluxe resort this time, with the exception of maybe Yacht and Beach/Boardwalk there's no other Disney hotels I'd really like to stay in

That is so spooky, that is exactly what I/mum said - re beach/boardwalk

 

[eeyorefanuk]

We stayed at saratoga, just come back.

We loved it.

Yes it is huge, but some of the hotels we visited felt claustropobic. We liked the space, we liked the fact the car park was close to your room, yes we did end up driving to the pool but hey it does not take long.

We could not decide on saratoga or old key west, we ended up with saratoga as felt it looked "brighter".

Yes the counter service could have more choice but most of the time you are not at the resort anyway.

In our two bed villa, because I booked it a year out, I requested in the second bedroom, two "proper" beds and this is what we got.

I felt it was very roomy, and kept walking into the walk in wardrobe rather than the bathroom the first day

We eat at Olivia's at OKW and liked the theming of the restaurant, felt we would not mind trying OKW if ever went again.

I think whichever you decide you will be happy with.

 

[luke]

Agree with all of that, except we didn't drive to the pool and just stuck to the Congress Park 'quiet oool' which was great

 

[Disneymad]

Stayed at both - this pretty much sums it all up...

From what I have read SSR is closer to DTD so you can walk there. OKW the rooms are slightly bigger. SSR you get a bed and a sofa bed; OKW is two beds!

Both are lovely resorts, OKW has a more cosy feel to it (despite being spread out!) SSR is brighter and has better counter service options...and bar (bit of a weak spot for OKW as I think the concept of it is that the DVC owners would mostly be eating and drinking in their units when at the resort).

SSR is closest to DTD though you can actually walk from both resorts if you're feeling perky!

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Old Key West was wonderful for us this summer. I haven't stayed at SSR so can't compare though. Our bus stop always seemed less crowded though (but keep that a secret!! )

 

[scarletlancer]

While we have not stayed at OKW we stayed at SSR last year and adored it so much that in planning to go to Disney next year we would not think of going anywhere else. Having read many of the reviews on here before we went I was a little concerned about the size of the resort but I have to say that while it is large I certainly did not find anything to be beyond walking distance. We were in the carousel section and regularly walked to the main pool area and to DTD with a fairly slow moving five year old who seemed intent on stopping and marvelling at every lizard, and it was never a problem. The counter service place is fairly small but quite pleasant, however, since you are a stroll from DTD ther is no shortage of choice on your door step. We also very much enjoyed a meal at The Turf Club, and found the boat trip to DTD to be an enjoyable diversion.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Old Key West was wonderful for us this summer. I haven't stayed at SSR so can't compare though. Our bus stop always seemed less crowded though (but keep that a secret!! )

welcome back, have not seen your posts yet, did you have a great time, and you have booked again for next year - very jealous

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Thanks! We had the most wonderful time. Loved the resort, the transport and the free dining was just perfect for us. So happy to be booked again. Only 18 nights next year but have gone for a 2 bed as some family are joining us. Now just flights to find - will probably use continental via Newark. They were very good. Hope all is well with you.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Thanks! We had the most wonderful time. Loved the resort, the transport and the free dining was just perfect for us. So happy to be booked again. Only 18 nights next year but have gone for a 2 bed as some family are joining us. Now just flights to find - will probably use continental via Newark. They were very good. Hope all is well with you.

Have no idea where you live but we flew FC/Thomson in premium and it was brilliant, found them to be £2K cheaper for 8 of us

We all want to go back, and def do saratoga with free dining or OKW if did it again.

 

[DFD]

just chiming in from a SSR Fan...

SSR:

- stays at Congress Park and have the DTD view, 2 birds with one stone Busses wise... if you have ADRS for the Parks... you can get the bus by the Congress Park Bust stops, If you have ADRS or have a need to visit other resorts.. it is about a 5 minute leisure walk to the DTD Bus Stop, No need in hopping busses like if you want to enjoy the nightlife at the Boardwalk... the bus at BWV runs to DTD and the latest I had caught it was at 2:30AM

Yes the foodcourt is small... but it is the same distance to go to Wolfgang Puck and Earl of Sandwich Plus Turf Club have great burgers (IMO am sorry if you had a lousy meal there though) and Yummy Milkshakes and wonderful CMs!

if you have a car and would go out to get some stuff... have a grill night by the pool a very relaxing thing.


OKW:

love the options of having 2 beds in a Studio, Great food and service (again not everybody agrees with this ) at Olivia's.

and loved the Turtle Pond Area for a wonderful peaceful location.

on a slow day... we usually get a CM who would offer to drive us with their Golf Mobil from SSR to OKW and vice versa...

I hope you find the best suited place for your need and have a wonderful trip!

 

[luke]

Yeah we saw several people using the BBQ by the pool, very cool!!

 

[UKDEB]

SSR is brighter and has better counter service options...and bar (bit of a weak spot for OKW as I think the concept of it is that the DVC owners would mostly be eating and drinking in their units when at the resort).

That depends on your definition of a bar. The bar at SSR is nothing more than a hatch in the wall. At least the Gurgling Suitcase at OKW (whilst more of a pool bar than a grown-up affair) is a proper bar with stools. If bars are your thing (and they're certainly ours), then neither is anything to get excited about.

It's probably worth bearing in mind that the "new" units at SSR are getting older and that those at OKW are undergoing a refurb. Having always written off OKW simply because the accommodations were tired and had dated decor, that would make the conundrum trickier for me. If you really can't decide, SSR to DTD is much more easily walkable and that's not to be sniffed at, IMO.