Old Key West or Saratoga Springs... or wait to see what else is opening up?

[LovesTimone]

So I have had sticker shock this morning... looking at the price of the resort that are opened now..

So for that price we are thinking about renting points and going this route... I really would like AK Savanna view.. but the price is just way way to much... so it would be either Old Key West or Saratoga Springs... preferred studio for sure... or maybe a one bedroom... We are celebrating a big birthday for me..so we might splurge for it...

Then I was reading where other resorts regular Disney Hotels are starting to open up, and most feel that by Sept. in time for the 50th birthday party, pretty much everything would be opened, and people will be jocking around... canceling and rebooking and that the price will settle down somewhat... over 400.00 for Caribbean Beach is a bit much... if you can get it...

So 2 questions...

1.) Which DVC between Old Key West or Saratoga Springs would you chose? and why?
We love pool time... so that is important... possible my grandson might come along for 2 nights... or even his parents which if that's the case we would have to have a one bedroom...

2.) What's everyone thoughts on Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter opening up by then? Which is our favorite resort for lots of reasons... and do you think that everything will be opened up by the 50th party?

Please I am all over the place on what to do...

Thanks as always..

 

[Kazi7]

I love both OKW and SSR. I don't do the pools much so I can't help you there. The QS restaurant at SSR is much better. It's inside with lots of seating and much more choice. The TS restaurant at OKW, Olivia's, is great! SSR preferred would allow you to walk to Disney Springs which is very convenient.

As for the rooms, OKW studio has 2 queen beds instead of a queen plus pull out, and the room is overall a bit bigger. The 1 bedrooms (at either resort) are awesome for a couple. Lots of room, and would be a nice splurge for your birthday. If you are intending to sleep an adult couple plus a child in the living room of a 1 bedroom, that's not ideal. You might be better off going with 2 studios to give everyone more privacy (and 2 bathrooms instead of 1). And the points cost of 2 studios vs a 1 bedroom are nearly the same. An even bigger splurge would be a 2 bedroom for 5 people, but that is certainly more costly.

 

[Brian Noble]

1.) Which DVC between Old Key West or Saratoga Springs would you chose? and why?
We love pool time... so that is important... possible my grandson might come along for 2 nights... or even his parents which if that's the case we would have to have a one bedroom...

If you are deciding primarily based on the pool, I think SSR is a better choice. the OKW pools always felt like a bit of an afterthought to me, though it's also been a while since I've stayed there.

Note that there definitely times of the year when a 1BR from Disney with applicable discounts is competitively priced with what you'd pay for a DVC point rental. That's because 1BRs cost about 2x the points of a studio, but the rate premium is closer to about 35% or so when paying cash. For example, a week during Value2 Season in a Standard 1BR at SSR, with a 25% discount (pretty typical for that time of year) would be a bit less than $3,150, including tax. That same time of year, a point rental at $19pp would run just a bit over $3,000. IMO, that makes booking via Disney a no-brainer because of the significant extra flexibility you have in cancellation.

 

[The Jackal]

You might have issues finding DVC studios for this September. Especially close to the 50th. SSR has 2 feature pools with water slides and 2 other smaller pools. OKW also has 4 pools, but only 1 has a water slide.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Even if they reopen PO I wouldn't expect them to be any cheaper than C*R for the same time periods. Disney have been able to charge that and get it and the demand is there.