Saratoga or Old Key West

[mkhc67]

Which is better? Family of 9 staying in two rooms which resort is better? Three kids six adults.

 

[DebbieB]

What size rooms? If you are staying in studios (9 is actually too many for 2 studios unless 1 child is under 3), OKW has 2 queens, where SSR has 1 queen plus a double sofabed.

 

[Deb & Bill]

9 is also too many for a two bedroom unless one is under the age of three. What kind of rooms are you looking at? Studios? They do not connect and are not guaranteed to be close to each other. One bedroom connects to a studio to make a two bedroom. Two bedroom sleeps 8 plus one under the age of three. OKW has larger rooms than SSR. SSR is newer than OKW.

 

[stingmom]

we've stayed in both. SSR is nicer and newer, but you will have more space in OKW.

 

[2kids1dog]

Stayed in Saratoga Springs in December 05, and OKW in December 06. We all preferred OKW even though it's not as new or as nice. The 2 bedroom layout was much better and the unit seemed more spacious.

 

[mkhc67]

we were thinking one two br and one studio or one br... just not sure which resort better. both have 4 pools, but ss has more rooms so potentially more people using pools, ss is new, but okw is more spacious. trying to get more opinions since have never stayed at either. thanks for all imput.

 

[tinkerbee]

OKW all the way. I have stayed at both and enjoyed OKW more by far. Our room at SSR was nice but I was not impressed. We were far away from everything. I just didn't feel like we were at a Disney resort just a nice hotel. Yes they say you can walk to DTD but if you are any where but the closest rooms to the walk way it is a hike to walk over there. We only used the pool once because it was always crowded and the q OKW I found to be relaxing and although we were away from the main building I didn't mind because we only ate at Olivias once and it was a nice evening walk. The busing at both seemed to be the same for they both have to make several stops within the resort before they head out. The rooms at OKW are much larger and the bathroom in the OKW studio is also larger. The one at SSR seem to be the same size as anyother regular resort. I LOVE the 1 bedrooms at OKW and I find the resort to be well just better. The cast members seem to be friendlier and still into the Disney spirt. Our castmembers at SSR were just plain rude.

 

[dclfun]

Hands-down OKW. As others have mentioned the larger units there are much more spacious. With that many guests you need room to spread out and the larger living/dining area. Most of the rooms at OKW have stellar views of either water or the golf course whereas you might get a parking lot view at SSR.---Kathy

 

[LSchrow]

"better" is relative
we would pick SSR over OKW without any hesitation (interestingly enough, a number of the "what i don't like about SSR" comments are exactly the reasons why we are extremelly unlikely to ever return to OKW ). we found the bus waits longer than any other resort (both DVC & non-DVC ~ the only resort we actually needed to use our rental car daily), theming/views not even comparable, the "apartment" of OKW vs the luxury condo feel of SSR, friendliness of CMs (or lack thereof ).

OKW room sizes are great , but SSR is easily the clear favorite in every other catagory for us.

different experiences & different tastes will yield different results tho, so i recommend checking them both out & deciding based upon your own needs/wants:
http://www.allearsnet.com/

hth

 

[blitzkrieg048]

OKW for me. The whole feel of OKW is more relaxing, SSR seems bustling. The food court at OKW is an outside window called Foods to GO, but I find it has a better selection than SSR's Artist Palete. Olivia's restautrant at OKW is excellent, although I have heard the Turf Club at SSR is also quite good. Can't beat the roon size at OKW as well as the balcony space which has a table and 4 chairs and can fit more if you wanted to, compared to SSR which barely fits 2 people. The game room at SSR is much better, but the Community Halls are about the same. The pools I would give a slight edge to maybe SSR but not by much at all. Overall OKW has that nice homey laid back atmosphere with great landscape that is comforting after a long day at the parks. I never got that at SSR.

 

[jennymouse]

We prefer SSR. At SSR there are elevators. It's newer, more pools, (two themed) better restaurants, a spa, a spa, a spa... It's just a beautiful resort....so is OKW. You have to carry luggage up flights of stairs at OKW unless you get one of the only two? buildings that have elevators there. Not a big deal if you're using ME tho. We found the CM's rude and the pool small and crowded. And, our room was filthy. We're not picky and I've stayed at almost all of the resorts at Disney and this was the first resort that I could say the room was filthy.

 

[Twitterpated Dad]

Another vote for OKW: bigger units, great parking, better kitchen, and, full size washer and dryer.

 

[Pakey]

Stayed at both and each have their pros and their cons.

OKW Pros. If you are planning to spend time together as a group, eating meals in the condo or sitting on your balcony, then you want OKW. OKW has a dining table with chairs and we were able to sit 6 adults easily at the table to play cards, eat, etc. You cannot do that at SSR. Also, the balconies at SSR are much larger; we also sat all 6 of us out there. OKW has a more private feel as the landscaping is fully grown and especially on the balconies, you feel secluded.

OKW Cons. It's older than SSR.

SSR Pros. It's new than OKW and you can walk to DTD if you like a good jaunt. Nicer main pool.

SSR Cons. The 2 bedroom condos are a lot smaller than they were at OKW. As a group of 6 adults we have felt cramped both times we have stayed in a 2 bedroom there.

I have found the bus transportation to be about the same at both resorts (having stayed at each during a slower season and a peak season). Also, both resorts are really spread out and walking from your building to the main pool/lobby/food areas can be a long walk depending on where you are located. Both resorts have boat shuttle to DTD and again, depending on where you are located at the resort, it can be a long walk. I did not find the CM's to be any friendlier at one over the other. They are the same distance from the parks.

Both have main pools and quiet pools. We've used all of them. I would give slight edge to SSR on main pool but not enough that it would determine where I chose to stay.

 

[hematite153]

OKW Cons. It's older than SSR.

I'd also add, as a con, that OKW has double beds instead of queen beds.

Otherwise, we're about to have our first OKW stay in about 2 weeks, so, I've enjoyed reading the info on this thread.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'd also add, as a con, that OKW has double beds instead of queen beds.

Otherwise, we're about to have our first OKW stay in about 2 weeks, so, I've enjoyed reading the info on this thread.

Nope, OKW has queen sized beds. Only queen sized beds except for the king in the master bedroom. Even the sleeper sofas are all queen sized at OKW.

 

[hematite153]

Nope, OKW has queen sized beds. Only queen sized beds except for the king in the master bedroom. Even the sleeper sofas are all queen sized at OKW.

I just checked the member website and it turns out we are both correct.

OKW has double beds in one of the rooms in the grand villa.

However, you are correct that for the OPs needs they would have queen beds--although someone should point out to them that they could spend fewer points on a GV than a 2-bdrm plus 1-bdrm, if they are lucky enough to get one.

I would have sworn we had floor plans upstairs that indicated double beds in more of the rooms. That's the main reason that OKW has been the last DVC home we've tried to stay at. Now that I know we'll have queen beds, I'm looking forward to it even more! Thanks for the info Deb.

 

[Skroops]

I've been fortunate to stay at both, too. They are very much alike. I like that SSR has a spa. OKW feels more laid back like the Florida Keys. SSR feels a little more polished and smells like fresh paint. The water play area of the pool at SSR was a hit for our little one.
You will have a beautiful vacation at either one of these resorts.
Good luck!

 

[SB in KY]

One more vote for OKW...if you have a 2BR then the second BR will have 2 queen beds instead of 1 bed and a sofa bed (although the sofa beds are very comfortable at SSR)....the living area is so much larger which would be nice for having everyone gather.
Personally, we have stayed at OKW at least twice a year for almost 15 years now and have never had big issues with the bus service....doesn't mean it could not happen, just hasn't happened to us.

Our kids have preferred the Community Hall/resort activities at OKW to those at SSR also if your kids will be spending anytime at the resort. We also love to be able to park close to the room at OKW and it can be quite a hike to the car at SSR (especially when lugging in groceries and luggage)

SSR is newer and the furnishings are more upscale than OKW....which is very Florida resorty, laid back....just a matter of taste I think...really can't go wrong either place.

 

[MinnieGi]

We have stayed at both. DH and I would say stay OKW. The rooms are large, lots of storage room, park right outside your villa, laidback feel. However our kids 7 & 3 would say SSR! They loved the Grandstand's water play area, High Rock Springs two slides one of which was great for 3yo DS and the horse theme to the resort.

Honestly both would be great for a large group. Maybe show pictures and see what everyone thinks?

 

[wild4dis]

We stay at OKW most trips because of our DVC....we just stayed at SSR recently.
While I do like the pools and food court at SSR...the rooms were also very nice. I do prefer OKW, as said numerous times in this thread, the size difference in the rooms is key.....with DW and 3 DK's the living room/kitchen area at OKW is much bigger and provides a more relaxing atmosphere when just resting, watching TV or resting with the family. We found it hard to find comfortable seats for all 5 of us in the LR at SSR (2 bdr).