Old Key West or Saratoga Springs? (with 3 young kids)

[Mama23blessings]

Does anyone have any experience with Old Key West or Saratoga Springs? We have 3 kids ages 5, 3 and 1 and those are our 2 options. What do you think? We can get a better deal on OKW, but if it would be better at SS we can do that as well. Thoughts?

 

[Pakey]

What size room? Studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom?

OKW rooms are bigger. SSR buildings have elevators; many at OKW do not.

SSR has a zero entry pool which I would think would tip the scales seeing the age of your children, if you are planning to do pool time. SSR also has a great splash/play area in the Grandstand section. I have no idea if OKW has that since we have not stayed there with young children.

We have stayed at both resorts and enjoy them both. I like the pool/main area better at SSR. I like the building layout/extra space/grounds better at OKW. I like the TS restaurant better at SSR. I like CS options better at OKW.

Transportation is the same; multiple bus stops.

 

[kenny]

We have been to both with young kids and prefer SSR. We really didn't like OKW much but that had nothing to do with young kids.

OKW does have large rooms. If you are getting a studio OKW has 2 beds whereas SSR has a 1 bed and 1 pullout. Definitely something to consider.

From the kids aspect we like SSR. The main pool area was really nice. They have big slide and a small slide. Small slide was perfect for little ones. Plus they have the donald duck splash area. The quiet pool at grand stand also has a splash area. The main pool is also zero entry which is nice with kids.

We liked SSR also because of the view. We always stay in Congress Park and ask for a DTD view. When the kids go to bed we can sit on the balcony with a view of DTD all lit up and have a glass of wine. Nice to the adults. Congress Park also has its own quiet pool and playground which is nice.

SSR is also walking distance to DTD which is nice with the kids. Can go there for shopping, eating, etc and not have to take them out of the stroller.

They also have nice playgrounds for the kids. Not sure if OKW does or not but SSR has them near each section which is nice. You don't have to go all the way to the main pool/building.

We never took the bus from either so can't speak to that.

Restaurants are both were good, although we prefer the Turf Club.

Enjoy!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have stayed at both and enjoy both very much. I do give the slight edge to SSR. The main pool at SSR has a zero entry, two slides (one of them toddler friendly), a Donald Duck splash zone and its just a very nice pool. There is also the second feature pool in the Grandstand area, it has spray cannons and splashy things kids love. And beginning June 30th, there will be a second "main" pool in the Paddock that looks incredible from the mock up thing I saw on another site.

The OKW main pool is fun, it has a sandy area my dd always loved to build sandcastles in, but there is no zero entry and only one slide that is more for older kids who are strong swimmers. Also no splash area at the OKW main pool.

I also much prefer the dining options at SSR as far as counter service, but enjoy Turf Club and Olivia's about the same. I do like it that Olivia's at OKW serves all three meals, Turf Club only serves lunch and dinner.

We have used the busses at both, both with no problems although I do think SSR's bus route as it makes the various stops in the resort goes quicker.

OKW is more themed, and I do love the tropical theme, and the large units. I do have to say though, the lack of elevators can be an issue. We never thought it was when we were on the second floor but the last unit we got was on the third floor and that was not a lot of fun at the end of a long day. If we had a stroller, I would have been very unhappy. Be sure and request a first floor room (there are four bldgs that have elevators as well) if you have concerns with stairs.

I do agree that for families, if you are going with a studio, OKW with the two beds and a bit more space works better. We have done an SSR studio and an OKW studio for our family of four and while we do prefer SSR a bit over OKW as a resort overall, the studios at OKW worked so much better for us.

 

[alyssa810]

Here's another vote on your studio at OKW- the size of the room really makes a difference, but I'm taking a guess that you probably aren't going for a studio. I love OKW, but we're a family of 3 so the studios are plenty of room. I also prefer the bathroom set up at OKW over any other resort on site - I like having my sink in the same room as the toilet

I do prefer the SSR pool. My DS loves the kiddie slide and the zero entry. That being said, we pool hop to SSR fairly often.

If you'll have your own car, the parking is best, IMO at these 2 resorts over the other DVC resorts, with OKW having a slight edge in that you might be able to get a closer spot than what you can get at SSR. On our last trip at OKW, we enjoyed the boat ride from the resort to DTD. Unfortunately it was a foggy evening, and they stopped running boats so we had to take the bus back! (we are not bus fans)

I think Olivia's is good; I wish they had more quick serve options though. The quick serve at SSR sometimes looks good, sometimes it's just the same old-same old. We have not tried the sit-down restaurant there.

 

[tkgdisney]

SSR no other option! The rooms at OKW are soooo old and we have not had a good experience with rooms there. We have had a problem with each room and had very little help in getting the problem corrected.

Food at SSR has OKW beat by a mile. For fast food there is nothing to compare to at OKW.

For adults or children - go SSR you will not regret it. We took a chance on multiple occasions and regret each time we tried OKW for the room size. Never again!