Old Key West or Saratoga Springs

[Elliott22]

Hi

We're members at Saratoga Springs and will be taking the extended family to WDW in May 08. We're very lucky to have booked a Grand Villa at Saratoga Springs for the last 2 nights of the vacation. We could though afford an extra night in a Grand Villa at Old Key West. We'd like to know from Forum members:

A. Do you prefer Old Key West or Saratoga Springs?
B. We know that the Grand Villa accommodation at both resorts will be spectacular but is there any preference for the Grand Villas at either resort?
C. Can anyone recommend a particular Grand Villa suite at either resort.

We know these are simplistic questions but your opinions will help us to decide this autumn about whether to ask about a Grand Villa at Old Key West. We're looking forward to a truly special and memorable vacation.

Enjoy the magic,

 

[vandy]

We have not stayed in a Grand Villa, but have stayed at both SSR and OKW. Even though they are very similiar in style, they do have some differences. We do prefer the newness of SSR, the styling and quality of the rooms and the close proximity to DD. At OKW, we enjoyed the fact the resort is a little older and the grounds have "grown up". It is a very pretty resort and I preferred the bus service at OKW when we stayed in June. It might even have a few more activities as well. As far as the GV, we are looking at booking one at OKW next year simply because we do like the resort and the points are more affordable. SSR though, looks more elegant and more enticing. If the resort itself isn't an issue, and points were not an issue, I would like to try the SSR GV myself.

 

[Davey48]

I like the fact that SSR is new and everything SHINES here....OKW is an older resort but is still very nice....If you can get a view of Downtown Disney or overlooking the pools @ SSR it will enhance your stay here even more..

 

[dianeschlicht]

I prefer the roomier layout of the OKW GV. While both are spectacular, the OKW villa is not only larger, but is a more open unit. The advantage at SSR is the fact that the second story of the GV is reachable by elevator, but that's the only edge I would give SSR. All other pluses go to OKW.

 

[veenstra56]

I'd go with OKW. SSR may be newer and some might say nicer, but OKW is still great, and far 'cheaper' point-wise.

 

[MrsNick]

I can't comment on Grand Villas, having never stayed in one, but I would say that DH and I love SSR.

We love being able to walk to DTD. We love SSR's newness and elegant decor, and especially the soundproofed rooms. It's a very pretty resort, and the fact that it has two main pools with a pool bar is priceless. If HRS gets too busy, you can hop over to the Grandstand pool and still have the advantages of a main pool/pool bar.

Not as familiar with OKW. We stayed there on cash for a few days in a studio in 2000 at the suggestion of a CM, who neglected to tell us that it was condo style and spread out (so we had no idea what we were in for). It turned out to be inconvenient since we didn't have a car and didn't really like all the internal busstops the bus had to make. Now that we are more well informed about WDW, I'd stay there again if I needed the larger space. I'd just bring a car. However, that's not likely to be a common occurrence since DH is pretty much a SSR groupie.

For us, given a choice, we'd choose SSR but if we needed more space/less points, we would absolutely return to OKW.

 

[Mtnman44]

Don't you have the same issues at SSR?

I can't comment on Grand Villas, having never stayed in one, but I would say that DH and I love SSR.

Not as familiar with OKW. We stayed there on cash for a few days in a studio in 2000 at the suggestion of a CM, who neglected to tell us that it was condo style and spread out (so we had no idea what we were in for). It turned out to be inconvenient since we didn't have a car and didn't really like all the internal busstops the bus had to make. Now that we are more well informed about WDW, I'd stay there again if I needed the larger space. I'd just bring a car. However, that's not likely to be a common occurrence since DH is pretty much a SSR groupie.

For us, given a choice, we'd choose SSR but if we needed more space/less points, we would absolutely return to OKW.

 

[Saratoga Souris]

We have stayed in Grand Villas at both resorts. The GV at OKW is MUCH bigger and the layout is more open. Since I like the OKW GV soooo much better and it is soooo much cheaper (points) this is an easy decision for me!

I like the secluded feeling of OKW. There is a much more relaxing atmosphere there. It really depends on the type of vacation I want. SSR is much more "on the go".

If you want to go to DTD from OKW you can always take the boat - very nice ride.

 

[LSchrow]

absolutely SSR if the points were comparable.
(& not sure if just one additional night would be enough to sway us to stay at OKW).

 

[jimmacmn]

Both are home resorts for us and we have stayed in both Grand Villas. The OKW GV is much larger and is very casual. It has plenty of closet and drawer space in the master BR. The units at SSR are much more formal and elegant. They also have the seperate entrance for the upper level bedrooms so the late night portion of the group can come in through those doors. My biggest complaint about the SSR GV is the drawer and closet space in the master bedroom. Not nearly enough room for a couple to store their duds.

My preference would be OKW for most of our stays. In October, we will be using most of our OKW points for a combined trip in a 2br for 7 days and a GV for 5 days at OKW. We plan to go again in Dec 08 and get a GV, so we will probably use our SSR points for that and stay at SSR. Might at 7 mos try to get an OKW GV, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[sharond150]

I just got back from my first stay at OKW....No amount of point difference to me would make me choose it again over SSR. It seemed "worn" to me. I didn't like the store, the lobby area, the activity area, or the pool compared to SSR. The room...not a Grand Villa... but a studio was awful. Without a car, it was a horrendous walk to the bus stop, let alone the pool and restaurant. NEVER again!

 

[patelaine1953]

I know you're asking about the GV but I would never stay at any resort other than OKW for a Studio. There is so much more room in that studio than in any other DVC resort studio. Two queen beds vs. 1 queen and double sleeper sofa. Plenty of room to spread out. Who cares if it's older. Do you really spend much time in your room other than to sleep? And the points allow us to take two trips per year rather than spending most of our points and the other resorts.