Old Key West or Saratoga Springs?

[bookgirl2632]

Out of a studio at Old Key West or Saratoga Springs, which would you choose? I’m leaning towards OKW, but the bathroom setup concerns me. It appears that the vanity is on the inside of the bathroom and that could be problematic when we are getting ready for the day. On the other hand, the rooms at SSR look dated. I’ve never stayed at either, so any advice or insight would be appreciated.

 

[Rschall]

We just returned from SSR. I don't know about the studios, but the room we had was fine. The resort itself doesn't feel very Disney. Could be because I am from New York so the theming didn't do it for me. I would have preferred OKW

 

[Marionnette]

Out of a studio at Old Key West or Saratoga Springs, which would you choose? I’m leaning towards OKW, but the bathroom setup concerns me. It appears that the vanity is on the inside of the bathroom and that could be problematic when we are getting ready for the day. On the other hand, the rooms at SSR look dated. I’ve never stayed at either, so any advice or insight would be appreciated.

OKW is currently being rehabbed and SSR is scheduled for a rehab in 2019.

I like both of them about the same but they are on the bottom of my DVC list. Not because there is necessarily anything in particular wrong with them but because I like the other resorts better. Flip a coin. They are both nice but I would give the edge to OKW's studios for 2 real beds and being fresh from a sprucing up.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

OKW. It is mid-refurb, and you have a shot at a new unit. SSR starts refurb late this year.

Note that OKW is 2 queens, and SSR is a queen and a sofa bed. SsR can be better for a couple for this reason.

 

[Darkside]

Keep in mind that OKW is the first DVC and if you don't get a refurbished unit, you will know what dated really is, I believe SSR was built around 2004. My 2 issues with OKW is that only a few of the buildings have elevators, lots of fun when you are dragging luggage to the third floor and some of the units are quite a distance from the hospitality house, I hated getting in my car or ride bus just to get a drink refill or what not. I do love OKW's pool, the ferry to Disney Springs and Olivia's is one of my favorite restaurants at WDW.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

Rooms at OKW are larger. By a lot. Bed configuration is 2 queens vs a queen and sofa bed.
If an elevator is not an issue, I’d pick OKW.

 

[piratepride]

I'd go with OKW because of the queen beds and the size of the rooms.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

I prefer OKW. Don't care for the theming at SSR. I grew up in NY and have lived in New England since highschool, so a long time. SSR just seems to much like what I am used to. Doesn't scream a FL vacation to me. That being said it also seems to me the last time we were there the vanity was outside the rest of the bathroom. Also the rooms at OKW are bigger. You are going to have an internal bus system at either resort. If you don't like stairs request a ground floor.

 

[stephanielovesmickey]

I’ve done both and I prefer SSR. That being said, I truly enjoy the amenities of the resort rather than the room itself. SSR offers a lot of great “morning walk” opportunities along the golf course. It’s walkable proximity to Disney Springs is great if that something you enjoy. Lastly, while SSR doesn’t have a lobby per se, it does have Artist’s Palatte with quite a few QS dining options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I do agree with the others, the theming isn’t great at SSR. Another benefit with SSR, which another poster mentioned, is that the buildings do have elevators, which is great for luggage and those with mobility issues. I also feel the pools at SSR have better theming.

My issue with OKW are the few options for QS dining if you return to your resort during the day. However, the larger size studios are nice. As the previous poster noted, you are going to have an internal bus system at either resort. If you have a car, there is ample parking at each resort just a short distance from your room, which is nice.

Either are great, hope you have a nice trip!

 

[Upatnoon]

SSR has better food options. They have a food court where OKW does not. SSR has two pools with slides. SSR has an easy walk to Disney Springs and a ton of food options. I like the "side gate" at SSR as we drive and often go off-site to eat or go grocery shopping.

OKW has bigger rooms.

Thus, my conclusion is I would always stay at SSR unless I just wanted something different or got a great deal.

 

[Deb & Bill]

SSR has better food options. They have a food court where OKW does not. SSR has two pools with slides. SSR has an easy walk to Disney Springs and a ton of food options. I like the "side gate" at SSR as we drive and often go off-site to eat or go grocery shopping.

OKW has bigger rooms.

Thus, my conclusion is I would always stay at SSR unless I just wanted something different or got a great deal.

It's not really a food court like the moderates or value resorts have. More like a nice upscale counter service. OKW has two smaller outdoors counter service, both at pools. No indoor quick service at all other than your villa.

 

[katyjeka]

W enjoyed them both...I don't think you could go wrong with either. We did feel a little removed at SSR but its a beautiful resort.

 

[donnishobson]

SSR has an easy walk to Disney Springs and a ton of food options. I like the "side gate" at SSR as we drive and often go off-site to eat or go grocery shopping.

Could you describe the "side gate"? Do you go out Broadway to Disney Vacation Club Drive?

 

[Deb & Bill]

SSR has an easy walk to Disney Springs and a ton of food options. I like the "side gate" at SSR as we drive and often go off-site to eat or go grocery shopping.

Could you describe the "side gate"? Do you go out Broadway to Disney Vacation Club Drive?

You exit the resort from Broadway onto East Buena Vista Drive, kind of near the Reedy Creek Fire Department. It's between the Paddock and Congress Park

 

[Micca]

We have DVC contracts at both and would prefer OKW. SSR is nice though, no bad choices here.

 

[DieHardJoe]

Not that it's a slam dunk, but we would more often pick OKW over SSR. We have stayed at both a number of times. Staying in Congress at SSR (though requiring extra points/night due to Preferred staus) makes the walk to DS very reasonable, and after our last trip in November we became big fans of DS. We enjoy the peace and quiet of an early (as well as very good and inexpensive) breakfast at Earl of Sandwich before everything else opens, as well as a number of other new eating options available during the day and evening. That said, we like the roominess of an OKW room, and Olivia's is probably our favorite restaurant at WDW. Keep in mind that, while the walk is long, you can walk to Disney Springs from OKW (I repeat, it is a long walk). But there is also a very nice and relaxing boat ride to DS from the main building. As far as the room quality, as previous posters have mentioned, it is somewhat of a crapshoot right now due to the current ongoing renovations at OKW. Overall, they are both resorts that we have gone back to a number of times. And we think that being able to add more nights (comparing OKW and Saratoga Standard to a night at our home resort of BLT) because of the lower points/night makes either of them a good deal.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If we were saving points and doing a studio, we'd be at OKW for the two queen beds and no sleeper sofa. We don't share a single queen bed very well and despise the sleeper sofas for either of us. Our son will do the sleeper sofa.

 

[larissawbb]

In our experience, Old Key West has better bus service. At the end of the night there’s always a short line at OKW bus and a mob of people at Saratoga’s bus. I’m guessing you have more people driving at OKW or something.

 

[Deb & Bill]

In our experience, Old Key West has better bus service. At the end of the night there’s always a short line at OKW bus and a mob of people at Saratoga’s bus. I’m guessing you have more people driving at OKW or something.

All us old people are already home at OKW and in bed.

 

[DizzyStitch]

In our experience, Old Key West has better bus service. At the end of the night there’s always a short line at OKW bus and a mob of people at Saratoga’s bus. I’m guessing you have more people driving at OKW or something.

Haha If you are there when I am there I swear the mob is always at the resort I am staying at. OKW this year so I am hoping for short lines