Old Key West vs Saratoga Springs?

[dumbo71]

Dumbo,
Rich was a very colorful/animated poster on the DIS. He truly loved OKW and would sing it's praises every chance he got. He often got himself in hot water though with other DVC'ers......particularily BWV owners. His posts were fun and interesting to read and he often got into some very heated debates with other DVC/DIS'ers.
Sadly, he passed away a couple years ago. Even though he could get under your skin at times, many people still miss him and his thoughts and ideas. Many of his posts would really give ya a good chuckle. Here is a link on the Memorium board here on DIS :
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=641599
Hope this helps explain who Rich was.
Take care,

Thanks, I feel like I miss the guy and I never met him. I will enjoy looking through those quoes and posts.

I'm sure he is missed here on the Dis. He sure loved his OKW.

 

[tor]

If you don't have a car, you can always use these services:
http://www.gardengrocer.com/

http://www.wegoshop.com/index.html

Gardengrocer seemed expensive compared to walmart but when you factor in the cab it is a wash, and can you really put a price on the hassle factor saving the time and aggravation of shopping yourself.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Gardengrocer seemed expensive compared to walmart but when you factor in the cab it is a wash, and can you really put a price on the hassle factor saving the time and aggravation of shopping yourself.

I agree, you will definitely pay more for the service of having someone shop for you and deliver it to your villa. They even unpacked and put the food away for friends of mine. But it will cost you more. It's just an option for those that find a cab or walking too much of an inconvenience.

 

[redsox1924]

We are DVC members and SSR is our home resort. As stated by others it does have nice rooms and grounds. The walking distance to DTD is awsome as well. The only downside is food. The Artist Palet is the only choice for quick food. We stayed in a two beroom unit and never heard our friends two children at all during the time frame in the other room. We perfered to eat at Earl of sandwich if we were in DTD and in the park other wise. We got sick of the flatbread that is offered 24/7 at the artist pallet. We never tried the Turf club that had just reopened shortly before we arrived. The menu looked great but with three kids we didn't want to ruin anyones evening. Ha, ha..

 

[BroganMc]

A couple more questions on SSR,
1) If I was to stay there, and it seems like the most recommended part would be "Congress Park" (although I probably would have picked "The Springs", do to the location of the onsite resturants, etc), which building would be the best in Congress Park?

I found a map at: http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/Saratoga.htm

Here's a more current map of the resort. Grandstand section is scheduled to start opening something this spring. The pool and buildings nearest are mostly complete, according to recent guest reports.

The one on the far right? Or any? Closest to the bus stop? Is there really much difference in walking distance no matter which one? (No scale on the map, so I don't know if it's 100 yards or 1/2 mile.)

If you want to be nearer the sitdown and counter service food places (as well as zero entry pool), you're better off in the Springs. You can always take the ferry over to DTD to save walking.

Someone did a great route map with distances marked on this forum but I can't find the blasted thing. (Whoever did it, could you post it again? Or give the link to that thread. Stupid search won't work right for me.)

I believe the distances were something like .25 mile to DTD from that edge of Congress Park, and .75 mile from the Springs.

You can get a bird's eye view of the place with distance marker here:
http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=28.376683~-81.522422&style=o&lvl=1&scene=3950094

It's a bit out of date though. The Paddock buildings (top center) as well as Carousel (top left) are complete and open -- not dirt fields or partial buildings as the images show. And the Grandstand area (to the left of the main pool buildings) has actual buildings, pool and poolhouse. Not sure how far along all those buildings are but the ones nearest the Check-In area are standing.

2) Does SSR have high speed internet like OKW for $9.95/24 hours or what ever the charge is. More simply, Does SSR have high speed internet available in the villas?

Yup.

 

[DMKEDM]

SSR's table service restaurant is the Turf Club, and we like it very much (they have great milkshakes and smoothies!)...Artist's Palette is the counter service--and since you'll be in a 2-br w/a kitchen, you might want to look over the "groceries" section...it has microwaveable meals and sandwich makings, and pastas & sauces and that sort of thing...you can please most kids who are tired (if the resaurant lines/waits are long) that way, too...

We've stayed at both OKW and SSR and love both, but SSR is hands-down our favorite...the pool area is great, the walking/strolling is wonderful, and being able to see DTD (as well as the very short walk over there) appeal to us...

I tend to think in terms of OKW when we're bringing guest...point count is less and space is bigger...when it's "just" my family, we head either to SSR (almost always my first choice) or to BCV...we love being able to walk to Epcot and BC Inn was our favorite place to stay pre-DVC...

If you're looking to try something new, SSR is a good choice...if you loved OKW, you'll almost certainly really like (if not love) SSR, too...happy vacation.

 

[castleri]

If you are getting the food plan you probably won't be doing much cooking so the smaller kitchen at SSR should not be an issue. I think the washer/dryer is one of the stackable types that fit in a closet instead of the full size ones you had at OKW before. If you go to the Disney vacation club website you can compare the floor plans for both places. Choose the accomodations section and you can do a virtual tour and see the room layouts. Both resorts have much to offer and what is important for me may not be for you - I really like the extra room and the big balconys of OKW for 1 BR and bigger and the sofa in the SSR studio as well as the proximity to DTD. We also like Wolfgang Puck Express at DTD for counter service meals. Were at OKW and SSR over the Christmas/NY period and did not eat at either TS place. Turf Club menu just didn't work for our group but that's us not necesssarily others and we were eating in the parks most days when at OKW so skipped Okivias. Don't know what kind of groceries you need but you can get the basics for breakfast and snacks at the resorts. Some people also pack a separate bag with items and then just buy milk, juice, eggs at the resort. Then they use the bag for all the extra stuff they have to take home. We stayed in the middle building in CP overlooking the parking lot and bus stop and really like the location. My DH said last night that he hopes we get the same room (not one most people would choose). He likes to sit on the balcony and watch and listen to the people coming and going and at the bus stop, We were also able to see fireworks from there. I think they were the MK ones. I too found the SSR bus route seemed to be smoother than OKW in that there are not all the turnarounds but would not even consider that in my decision as to which place to stay.

You really can't go wrong at either location and I think it's very wise of you to be doing your research before you make a choice and then end up saying "I wish I had known that"

for the amount you spend to stay at either of these places you may be a candidate to become a DVC member if you plan on trips every year or so.

Good luck with your decison - you will have a wonderful trip no matter what you decide.

 

[Brer_Mike]

i've stayed at each about three times and i will say that ss seems to be a little more current but okw is def more peaceful

 

[weluvslinkydog]

I agree with this post totally.

Also I DO NOT find SSR to be upscale in any way shape or form. The resort is a generic cookie cutter Disney Resort. What makes SSR upscale??? It might as well be the BCV just moved over near DTD. The theme stinks, really.

OKW wins hands down over SSR. Why go all the way to Florida to stay in a resort based on an unknown upstate NY destination. I don't want to visit upstate NY let alone go to WDW and stay there.

OKW is the best built DVC Resort to date. It also has the lowest popints and largest rooms, enough said.

Before the flames start, yes I own SSR but I don't stay there. I don't book more than 7 months in davance so the "buy where you want to stay" doesn't apply to me. I kept this resort for the longer contract and because I feel that longer contract will mean higher return say 10 years from now when I'll likely dump my remaining points.

SSR isn't bad per say but to act like it is superior to OKW is comical in my view.

I couldn't agree more about the NY theme...TOO MUCH LIKE HOME!!!...but then again, DH and I live in CT, so we are looking for more of a vacation feel to our resort.

My question is, however, that I have heard OKW is as spread out as SSR...is this true? does it have the same "Condo" feel to it, or does it feel more like a resort?

thanks for any input!

 

[starbox]

My question is, however, that I have heard OKW is as spread out as SSR...is this true? does it have the same "Condo" feel to it, or does it feel more like a resort?

thanks for any input!

I've stayed at both, and both resorts are spread out. The main difference to me is that at SSR, you can see all the buildings and at OKW, the buildings are more separated/isolated from each other.

For me, this made SSR "seem" smaller - but I think it could easily have the opposite effect - OKW could "seem" smaller since you can't see it all at once.

 

[Safari Queen]

SSR TS is the Turf Club. It is fairly new.

 

[kileybeth]

had never been to/stayed at either prior to this January 2007 when I stayed at SSR for 3 nights. just lovely.

did a resort tour just for fun which included OKW as well as all the deluxes and a few others.

I remember feeling SSR was way more upscale than OKW but still not a snobby feel at all. definitely made everything at OKW look a little older and used.

just my newbie opinion. We also have 4 children and after seeing the room available at SSR in a 2 bedroom can't imagine needing more room than that?

loved option of walking to DTD for more meal selections. . .

just my 2cents. enjoy whatever you decide, hey! it's all Disney!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Kileybeth says :I remember feeling SSR was way more upscale than OKW but still not a snobby feel at all. definitely made everything at OKW look a little older and used.

I find SSR more "formal" than the laid-back OKW. I'm not a formal person, so I prefer the relaxed/tropical feel at OKW. SSR definitely has the more upscale decor/furniture (Thomasville) and it is newer---it should look this way. It's difficult to compare a resort that is brand new to one that has been around for about 15 years. Despite her age, I think OKW is holding up well and can hold it's own compared with the other DVC resorts.

wdluvslinkydog :My question is, however, that I have heard OKW is as spread out as SSR...is this true? does it have the same "Condo" feel to it, or does it feel more like a resort?

I find them both spread out ---in actuality, SSR has alot more rooms. I guess I feel OKW is more like a "neighborhood" feel with the white picket fences and all. I felt more of a resort feel at SSR.

 

[kimsuenew]

We absolutely LOVED SSR! It is a beautiful resort with many amenities and wonderful decor. The Artists Palette is a nice CS choice, with good food, and several choices. There is also a nice little giftshop inside. The pools are amazing! I would like to live there!

 

[foxlore]

"1) SSR units are smaller than OKW units, but they are also brand new with upscale furniture (more "country club/estate" than "beach cottage" decor/theme). OKW has 2 queen beds in a studio. SSR has the new tempurpedic mattress and fold-out. OKW has more "nature views". With SSR you can request a view of DTD."

Is this true? Do all SSR rooms have tempurpedic mattresses?!?! If that's true then I'm totally kicking myself for not staying there next weekend and I will DEFINITELY make it my next destination. This mattress would make our stay much more comfortable...

 

[hematite153]

Is this true? Do all SSR rooms have tempurpedic mattresses?!?! If that's true then I'm totally kicking myself for not staying there next weekend and I will DEFINITELY make it my next destination. This mattress would make our stay much more comfortable...

I'm not certain which brand they are (I didn't pull back the sheets to check), but, the beds and sofabeds are both very comfortable--I almost never say that.

 

[foxlore]

I'm not certain which brand they are (I didn't pull back the sheets to check), but, the beds and sofabeds are both very comfortable--I almost never say that.

Well I think I'll have to try SSR next... We just went to CSR and boy the beds were hard... They're new and the updated room was nice, but honestly the new bed wasn't as comfortable as the old one... We opted to go back to CSR instead of WL after being unable to get a king at WL and hearing people complain of sinking into old mattresses there... It would sure be nice to have a truly comfy bed...

 

[hematite153]

Well I think I'll have to try SSR next... We opted to go back to CSR instead of WL after being unable to get a king at WL and hearing people complain of sinking into old mattresses there...

Just so you're aware...you'll only get a Queen at SSR unless you book a 1-bdrm (or larger) villa.

 

[tidefan]

I couldn't agree more about the NY theme...TOO MUCH LIKE HOME!!!...but then again, DH and I live in CT, so we are looking for more of a vacation feel to our resort.

OK, what about us Southerners? OKW feels waaaay more like home than SSR. SSR is the more unfamiliar theme for us.

Honestly though, we love both (we love all the DVC's). I have to say that the biggest plus for OKW, though, besides the huge rooms is the lower point chart...

 

[Coach81]

Thanks for this post, we stayed at OKW for our first trip with DVC and loved it, now in a few weeks we'll be checking out our "home resort" for the first time. We are very excited, and are looking foward to it!!!