Saratoga Or Old Key West??

[jndmommy]

My dh and I are planning on joining DVC after the holidays. We are still trying to decide on a home base. We are torn between Saratoga and Old Key West. (Leaning a little more towards Saratoga). Any thoughts on which would be best for a family of four with a dd(7) and ds(5). Only reservation about Saratoga is how spread out it is. I stayed with family friends in 94 at OKW. Just hoping that resort isn't started to look dated compared to the newer ones. Thanks in advance...

 

[Tigger031266]

Pretty much the same kind of resort. I love them both but they are both very similar. Big, same pool....

 

[LynnF0513]

DH and I own at SSR and have stayed at OKW as well. I will say that IMO I think the two resorts are pretty similar as they are both a bit "spread out", both have nice pools, and both have boat access to Downtown Disney. Out first DVC stay was at OKW and I really enjoyed it. We stayed in a 2BR w/a golf course view that was very private and gave us gorgeous view in the morning.

We stayed at SSR 2 months later for our anniversary and I will tell you, that was the best 4 (short) days I have ever spent on vacation. DH and I prefer the "feel" of SSR. We stayed in a 1BR in the Carousel area which I thought was great, it was super quiet and we had a view of the BBQ area which looks more like a small "park" than anything. I really like the decor as SSR (some can leave it but I like the soft colors etc). I don't know, to me SSR felt more like home but that's probably b/c it is our "home"

Something else to take into consideration is transportation. I can't chime in on this b/c DH and I have always had a vehicle to get us around.

You can't go wrong either way as they are both beautiful resorts. Good Luck!

Oh Also, I have pics of room, view, etc from OKW if you want to see them...no pics of SSR as I left my camera at home during the trip (oooops).

Lynn

 

[dvc at last !]

We have stayed at both resorts and love each them.

We own at OKW so that sums it up !

 

[gharrer]

We have stayed at both, I liked being within walking distance of downtown disney with SSR,since I had 2teens, but I also liked OKW, it was may be more secluded where we were. You can't go wrong IMO Nancy

 

[JimMIA]

This old thread may help a little: Advice for Prospective DVC Buyers

It was started several years ago to try to address some of the questions about DVC ownership, and the initial post talks about "home resort" and what that means.

You'll hear a lot of advice to follow the old cliche "Buy Where You Want to Stay," but I personally think "Don't buy where you would NOT want to stay" is probably better advice.

Keep in mind that the thread is several years old, so the prices, promotions, etc are way out of date, but the basic info is still valid.

As you can see, we own at both resorts. OKW is our personal favorite, but SSR is a very nice resort as well.

 

[castleri]

Own both OKW and SSR and am glad we have the 11 month window at OKW for busy times like Christmas and NY or Spring Break so that we can do a GV if we wish and the points are less than the other resorts for those time periods. Love both resorts with OKW being the favorite and each has it's own special things. Like the studios at SSR and the larger units at OKW. You can't go wrong with either.

 

[Mom B]

We own a small contract at OKW and most of our points at VB and we love them both. We are NOT big SSR fans. However, when it's just the two of us, we prefer the one bed with a pullout to the two beds in the studio at OKW, so we are staying at SSR for our next trip (unless my waitlists come through, LOL!) Maybe staying there for the second time will change our minds, but I'm not counting on it. Of course, WHERE we stay may make a difference as well. Our first time at SSR we were in the outer limits somewhere and had no car, felt like we had to hike across all of WDW to get to the bus stop! Believe me, we will request a different location this time and hope it all works out. But, if it were us, I'd buy at OKW...oh wait, we did!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Some things to consider:

Contract Length - Not sure if it matters to you, but most contracts via resale for OKW have a 2042 expiration date. SSR expires in 2054. If you purchase OKW through Disney, you'll get the 2057 expiration, but will pay a lot more per point. As for SSR, if you have the patience, I would never purchase it through Dis. You'll get a contract for around $79 per point, and last I heard, Dis was selling both OKW and SSR for $104 per point.

Layout - I've stayed at both and love both. I prefer the decor of SSR, but love the space, balcony and landscaping at OKW. Both are spread out, so if you get assigned a room far from the main building, it's going to be a haul at either resort. At OKW, you can actually reserve near Hospitality House, which will guarantee you certain buildings. At SSR, it is only a request (Congress Park, the Springs, Grandstand).

Point Structure - The point structure at OKW is more reasonable, so your points will go further. For example, I was just out playing with the points calculator for a trip this summer. A 2-BR at SSR for 5 nights (Sun arrival, Friday departure) is 180 points. A 2-BR at OKW is 150. A 1-BR at BCV is 150. So, point per point, your points will go further at OKW.

Maintenance Fees - The maintenance fees are close. There's not enough of a difference to sway me either way
(SSR = $4.21 per point versus OKW = $4.56 per point).

Unit Size - If you ever think you'll reserve grand villas on a regular basis, I would purchase at OKW. It will cost you 501 points to book a GV in the summer (Magic Season) at OKW, or 719 for the same week at SSR.

At the end of the day, the resorts are similar, and it's a personal preference. It was easy for us, because we cared about the contract length, and OKW (at the time) expired in 2042. If I were purchasing today, it would be tough for me, as I love OKW. It would be easier for DH and DS (13). They both prefer SSR. DD is too young to have an opinion...she's only 6!

Best of luck deciding. They are both beautiful resorts, and you will be proud to call either home!

 

[LIFERBABE]

My dh and I are planning on joining DVC after the holidays. We are still trying to decide on a home base. We are torn between Saratoga and Old Key West. (Leaning a little more towards Saratoga). Any thoughts on which would be best for a family of four with a dd(7) and ds(5). Only reservation about Saratoga is how spread out it is. I stayed with family friends in 94 at OKW. Just hoping that resort isn't started to look dated compared to the newer ones. Thanks in advance...

Now that OKW has extended contracts that evens things out.

We prefer SSR and now with the addition of the THV, that is a definite consideration for SSR. With 2 children, the only way your children will not have to share a bed or sleep on an air mattress is to book a 2 bedroom. I know that sounds like overkill and we haven't done it yet, but we are going that way. We have 2 boys and they are now 9 and 11. We have been using an air mattress last couple of trips, but want to reclaim the living area and give the boys their own beds. We spend alot of time at "home" so we want it to feel more like home. The THV will give us the option of booking a 3 bedroom with 2 bed points.

We also enjoy being close to DTD and enjoy the views that SSR offers.

We do have a small contract at OKW that we purchased for Grand Villa access, but I love SSR GV so we spent more points to stay there.

 

[jndmommy]

Thank you all for the great advice up to this point. We are still deciding.

 

[Yen Sid]

We own at SSR, we have stayed at OKW and loved it there too. To me the 2 resorts are pretty similar except for 2 things that make SSR a better choice, walking distance to Downtown and the Treehouse Villas.

 

[Dean]

Unless you are looking at OKW 3 BR units, I don't think it matters much. Both should be available most anytime at the 7 month window. SSR is likely a better value due to the longer length of membership. Also, the same thinking holds true for other resorts. You could own at BWV for example and still stay at SSR or OKW giving yourself an additional option. If you plan to try different resorts or even rent out your points, I'd definitely consider owning somewhere else that might be harder to get when you do want to stay there or to get to rent. Just consider what and how YOU will use it and see what's best for your situation. There are other issues besides just cost and the difference from the lowest to highest for on property isn't a make or break for most people.

 

[gingermouse17]

OKW with extended contracts.

I love the low points per room

 

[A_NY_Outlaw]

maybe i'm half following the questions, so forgive me if this is stupid as we just sat through the DVC presentation on Thursday afternoon at SSR. The way the guy was talking to us, I thought he told us the only available purchases for the DVC right now are for Animal Kingdom Lodge or Bay Lake Towers. How are people still purchasing home bases elsewhere?

We are considering joining after the holidays ourselves, actually maybe around March or April after the high heating bills have passed. We also want to do more reading up on the DVC....especially since our trips are about 1x per year for only a week to a time (I am not allowed by my company to take more than a week off to a time). We have to weigh if it is really worth it.

 

[chalee94]

maybe i'm half following the questions, so forgive me if this is stupid as we just sat through the DVC presentation on Thursday afternoon at SSR. The way the guy was talking to us, I thought he told us the only available purchases for the DVC right now are for Animal Kingdom Lodge or Bay Lake Towers. How are people still purchasing home bases elsewhere?

despite the other home resorts being labeled as "sold out", DVC is constantly in a process of repossessing and ROFRing older resorts' contracts - typically to sell to current owners as add-on contracts. you may have to be firm with your guide if you are only interested in buying in at BCV or VWL or OKW or whatever, but it can be done. (you may have to waitlist if they don't currently have any points in inventory, though.)

they also don't typically offer incentives on "sold out" resorts, so you'll definitely want to compare resale prices if you're not in a hurry.

We are considering joining after the holidays ourselves, actually maybe around March or April after the high heating bills have passed. We also want to do more reading up on the DVC....especially since our trips are about 1x per year for only a week to a time (I am not allowed by my company to take more than a week off to a time). We have to weigh if it is really worth it.

take your time, contracts will still be available. (and if the economy tanks, you might get a slightly better deal.)

if you are primarily interested in using the contract to visit wdw, it can be a good deal, but you might consider a resale contract if you don't need 160 pts each year.

 

[thesupersmartguy]

We just bought at OKW, so naturally I would suggest "Home".

 

[Tink6666]

Chalee94: I think they are referring to a resale purchase. Basically purchasing a contract from someone else. We are waiting to close on our re-sale contract for 200 points at SSR. We went throught the timeshare store who sponsors these boards. We have had a great experience so far and should be closed within the next week. At the top of the page if you click on DVC Resale Listings you can see what other resorts have available. You do not get the incentives that Disney offers, but you can get into a resort for less.

Good luck in your decision!!

 

[brack]

My dh and I are planning on joining DVC after the holidays. We are still trying to decide on a home base. We are torn between Saratoga and Old Key West. (Leaning a little more towards Saratoga). Any thoughts on which would be best for a family of four with a dd(7) and ds(5). Only reservation about Saratoga is how spread out it is. I stayed with family friends in 94 at OKW. Just hoping that resort isn't started to look dated compared to the newer ones. Thanks in advance...

We own at SSR and if/when we add on it will be OKW

 

[dvc-NE]

I like SSR vs OKW a little better. It's much newer, and if you have the dining plan, SSR is great for counter service breakfast. The breakfast flatbreads are yummy, IMO.