Okw or Saratoga?

[maryp]

We are a grandmother and two teenage grandsons, no car, going end of February. We have never stayed at either resort, only Boulder Ridge which is not available. I am very nervous about bus transportation and the size of these resorts.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[BillPA]

They both have bus service, what are you nervous about?

 

[TCRAIG]

OKW - Only a few buildings have elevators and they do try and hold those for guests with mobility issues - so if you have trouble with stairs and you don’t want ground floor (which is request only - no guarantee) - go with SS.

 

[mom2rb]

My boys love to walk to Disney Springs at night. If your grandsons would enjoy that, then I would chose SSR.

 

[SB in KY]

Not sure what size unit you are staying in but if it’s a studio there are 2 queen beds and no sofa at OKW and at Saratoga only 1 queen bed and a sofa bed. Not sure which set up would work better for the boys but that might influence your decision. We love OKW. Good bus service and none of the units are that far from a bus stop. Don’t think transportation will be a problem at either place.

 

[Ms.Minnie]

I have never stayed at either resort but have often thought about it. That being side I think as pp said the size of unit you want may help make your decision. Do you want 2 queen beds (OKW) or 1 queen bed and a sleeper sofa (SS).

OKW has the boat to DS, that is a fun way to get to that location.

SS is either a walk or boat to DS.

I think your DGDs may enjoy spending time at DS so both resorts have fun transportation options to that location. If you do stay at SS and get a room in Congress Park you may get a room with a very nice view of DS. Whatever you decide I hope you have a great time.

 

[Gary Carter]

Something that we haven't done but have heard of other people do and think is a great idea is staying in the congress park area (Preferred) of Saratoga Springs and then walking to Disney springs and using the busses there. We own at Saratoga Springs and love it for the most part, but the buss situation gets annoying and we usually end up taking our own car. We will be trying this strategy next time we go.

 

[js]

With two teenage grandsons, I would opt for SS (I own there). You could give them the freedom of walking to DTD
in the evenings, even if you wanted to stay back (although not sure how old the teens are).

I haven't stayed yet at OKW and know there are boats to DTD but if DTD is in the play, I would go with SS.

 

[DVCKev]

SSR all the way!

 

[MICKIMINI]

We're OKW since 1996, we bought and sold SSR as it just isn't appealing to us. OKW is a great laid back, resort with beautiful views and a boat to DS. You'll have to take buses at either resort and you can take the boat to DS from SSR as well. I agree, the advantage at SSR is being able to walk to DS if the teens are bored - that might be a life saver.

 

[CJGamer]

We have owned at Saratoga for 13 years and stayed there on half of our stays. One of those stays included FIL on a mobile scooter. The bus situation is not that bad. Honestly- there are no perfect bus situations. Tree-Houses are a pain because you have to transfer, but in the regular buildings it's not an issue. The resort is pretty quiet overall though which is pretty nice. We use the secondary pools as much as the main one.
But being next to Disney Springs is fantastic for non park days- or early park days then back at SSR for the evening. We have stayed in congress park a bunch and walked over to DS which is easy. However- last year we stayed in the 8500 building of the Grandstand. It's standard points I think. There is a bridge over there towards the golf course where you can walk to DS. It's also very close to the main pool- as well as the grandstand pool. Plus- it's a 2 minute walk down to the boat to Disney Springs if you don't want to walk. No-the view is not out across the water- but the choice to take the boat or walk- was wonderful in our opinion.

 

[maryp]

Thank you for your opinions! All I need to do now is decide!

 

[SL6827]

Go with SSR.

 

[js]

Thank you for your opinions! All I need to do now is decide!

If you really dont care, show the teens. Send them the links or give them the names of the resorts and have them decide.

 

[Wakey]

I always say the worst bus system a I have used is the one from Boardwalk to MK, via Swalphin- it took forever, but strangely no one really complained much about that one!
Busses at OKW and SSR are in my opinion no worse than anywhere else and in fact because of the location being central, no bus ride is too long.
If I was going end of Feb I would pick OKW simply because the refurb is only just underway at SSR and I do not care for the old rooms. The new rooms though, they are a different proposition all together and nicer (but smaller) than the OKW refurb.
OKW refurb is now fully finished, and is nice, but aside from the bathrooms is not much of an upgrade in many respects. It’s nice though. It’s just that SSR’s refurb is superb.
If I was going in 18 months when SSR will likely be finished, I’d pick SSR.

 

[clm10308]

The quick service is better (more choices) at SSR if that is important. Also my teen likes the game room, main pool, and community center better at SSR