Old Key West vs Saratogo Springs. quiet pools, grounds, feel

[markpenske]

We are trying to decide between OKW & S.Springs.
We will be driving, so transportation is not an issue.
We will be eating our meals off site.
We spend a good amount of time at the quiet pools, going for walks.....just relaxing.
We've never stayed at either one of these resorts. I think we passed through them years ago.
Which one has better quiet pools and a nice setting?
Thanks in advance.

 

[WDWOswald]

Old Key West has a lot to love if you enjoy a leisurely experience. Both are a distant second to all the other deluxe resorts.

 

[ABZDisneyFan]

We spent 10 nights in a two bedroom villa at OKW a few years ago & loved the resort & would go back anytime.

 

[disneynutz]

OKW has more of an condo community feel while SSR is much larger with a resort feel.

Bill

 

[Tar_Heels_Love_WDW]

Going on feel alone, I prefer OKW. The foliage is more mature around OKW and makes for a more secluded experience and better waking around the resort. However, SSR has walking paths to Disney Springs and is bigger, so has more walking to be done. I haven't noticed a big difference between the quiet pools other than theme.

If you were eating some of your meals at the resort, there'd be more to talk about. Either way, I don't think you can really go wrong.

 

[jcanary]

one of the things we like about SSR's quiet pools is that most of them have some type of food service that has a variety. the only quiet pool at OKW that has food offered is turtle pond and it is very very limited to choices. We love OKW for the size of the rooms and the quietness. When we go we usually do not do the parks every day so the roominess is important to us. But now with the walking paths from SSR to Disney springs we have started to drift over to SSR over OKW after 25 years of Disney timesharing.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

We loved staying at OKW (2 BR). Our rooms overlooked the golf course and were very peaceful, EXCEPT DD in bedroom #2 complained about bus noises at night. I imagine rooms overlooking the road could be quite noisy.

 

[spiceycat]

depends - OKW studio has 2 queen beds, SSR has 1 queen bed and double sleeper sofa. OKW too me is more relaxing than SSR. SSR you can get to Disney Springs - walking, boating, buses, or even biking(you rent the bike) - OKW is boating or buses - now there is a back path to DS at OKW - but the one from SSR is much more convenient. (my opinion).

now if you stay in a 1-bedroom or up - then OKW is slightly bigger.

 

[StuckinPA]

I've stayed at both and really prefer OKW. I feel it's more intimate and prefer the atmosphere there. SS, it took me a good 3 days to get even somewhat oriented and our experience with the staff there was not great. Maybe just a one-time thing.

 

[DisMomof2Princesses]

We love OKW. It's just a relaxing atmosphere! Lots of walking can be done - can even walk to Disney Springs. I do have to admit that we have never stayed at SSR, although it is our home resort, but have heard some sections can be noisy due to the proximity to Disney Springs and the boats going by. Turtle pond pool at OKW is quiet and out of the way.

 

[bumbershoot]

Both of them are very nice, IMO.

 

[Terra_K]

I personally prefer OKW, every time my family has stayed there, we've enjoyed it. The quiet pools are nice and when we go swimming or hang out there, we more times than not have the pool to ourselves. Also the grounds are very nice, quiet and the atmosphere is very laid back and go with the flow.

 

[jorgote]

The pools and grounds of saratoga are very nice, but the rooms reminded me of the 70s/brady bunch. Just ok. It is also a huge resort and resembles an apartment community. Old key west has bigger rooms and feels more like vacation to me.

 

[Harambe]

Old key west has bigger rooms and feels more like vacation to me.

This. OKW = Florida to me!!!

 

[JessyP]

We've stayed both places and had a great time at these resorts.

At SSR we requested the Granstand section which had a quiet pool right outside our room and was also only a 2-3 min walk to the carriage house, main pool and water taxi to Disney Springs.

At OKW we stayed near the hospitality house. Short walk to main area and water taxi to Disney Springs. I would say this resort had a more welcoming feel and the community hall was great for my 7 year old. I felt the staff there really made an effort to get to know us.

Either way I don't think you can go wrong. Good luck!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Most of the buildings at OKW do not have elevators. If you can't go up stairs, you'll want to stay at SSR.

 

[rteetz]

I have only stayed at SSR but I really enjoyed it. I had no issues and loved being so close to Disney Springs.

 

[SwanVT2]

OKW has more of an condo community feel while SSR is much larger with a resort feel.

Bill

Is the quick service at the Turtle pool open in February (2022 not now)? We like having a pool bar nearby and enjoy the quiet pools.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Is the quick service at the Turtle pool open in February (2022 not now)? We like having a pool bar nearby and enjoy the quiet pools.

Turtle Shack is only open seasonally. It might not be open in February. And you might try posting your own thread instead of posting on a dead thread from 2017.