Saratoga Springs or OKW?

Wendybird55

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Hi. Trying to decide between one-bedroom at Saratoga or OKW - any advice re location to other WDW attractions, location, etc.? When making reservations any suggestions for making specific requests on room location?
 
I've never been to OKW but it's on my list. Both are large, very spread out resorts.

SSR - I recommend Grandstand, it's first on and first off for the buses, there's a quiet pool and drink station right there and the main building is only about a 5 minute walk away, 10 if you're going at a very leisurely pace. SSR is also adding an additional themed pool which is either open already or almost open.

OKW has just gone through a major room referb. so that's a big plus for me; we're trying to decide if we want to stay there for our trip in 2013.
 
OKW- Lush, tropical and relaxing ambiance! Park in front of your villa building, 1 to 3 stories, elevators only in 3 buildings if necessary for handicapped access! OKW has the largest amount of living space of all of the resort as it was the first and the balcony/patio area is the best on property! Love cocktails and/or breakfast out on the balcony!

SSR-A more refined theme and decor. Beautiful grounds, favorite area, Congress Park, Downtown Disney view! You can walk to DTD. Park in front of your villa building, and take elevators!

Love both resorts for different reasons, both have nice quiet pools and main pools with slides. SSR has the better resort restaurant, The Turf Club, though I still enjoy Olivia's at OKW as well. SSR has the better QS (The Artist Palette) better than Good to Go at OKW! OKW has The Guirgling Suitcase by the pool, they make a mean Pina Colada!

Both have boats that can take you to and from DTD, wonderful at night. Only OKW has boat rentals of all kinds, pontoon, paddle etc.. Both resorts are close to DTD (restaurants, movies and ice cream). These two resorts are very close to Typhoon Lagoon which we love in the summer.

OKW has always been my favorite resort but I enjoy SSR (as long as they don't put me in Carousel (otherwise known as "No Man's Land") The only negative for me about SSR!

Good luck!
 

Given the choice of a 1 bedroom at OKW or SSR, I'd choose OKW simply for the larger villa size and open feel of the space. We've stayed at SSR, and there are certainly nice things about it there, but for less points and easier to use accommodations and buses, I'd choose OKW every time.
 
As long as you don't have young children about 5 and under with you for the pools... I suggest OKW.... We went there in September and our only complaint was about the pools. The link in my signature has pictures of a renovated one bedroom... its at the end of the TR.
 
I prefer SSR, DH would prefer a 1 bedroom at OKW.:) The size of OKW's 1 bedroom isn't a selling point for me, as it is for some others. I like the grounds and pools at SSR more. I like the food court and the Turf Club at SSR and if I'm lucky, the view of DTD from either the villa or the pool at Congress Park!
 
SSR is my favorite resort, so I put a plug in for it. But as others have said, SSR and OKW are pretty close to one-another when it comes to the main things to look at.

They're both large resorts in the Downtown Disney area. Both are large enough that they require internal buses (or a 5-10 minute walk) to get between different sections of the resort. Both are WONDERFUL if you have a rental car because you can park right by your room.

Turf Club and Olivia's are both on our "must do" list for just about every trip. For bar and quick-service options, I prefer the choices at SSR.

I personally prefer the decor of SSR over OKW's, as well as the overall theming of the resort. I also like the pools better at SSR.

Ok, I'll raise my hand and admit to being lazy, but lack of elevators in the OKW buildings was a turn-off for me. We've learned to request a first floor room. (At all other resorts, our preference is for top floor to get the view.)

The large porch at OKW is wonderful!

The 1 bedroom units at OKW are larger (1005 sq ft as opposed to SSR's 714 sq ft).

OKW is slightly less points that SSR. (I think amypetecar meant to say it's 1-to-3 points less per night. It certainly is 1/3 less.)

We've tried every location at SSR except Carousel. (I may be crazy, but I'm going to actually request it next time just to say I've done them all.)

Grandstand: Nice quiet pool with a water play area, bar and drink station. Has a community BBQ area. Relatively close to the Carriage House (location of the front desk, Artist's Palette restaurant, Turf Club, store, spa, and main pool). First bus stop on the theme park route means you're usually guaranteed a seat when going to the park, and first one home at night.

Springs: Closest to the Carriage House. Very convenient to the main pool, shopping and dining. Short walk across the bridge to the Paddock and the new pool and quick-service restaurant there. Last stop on the bus route, though, so may experience some standing-room only buses during busy hours. From the Springs, you're close to the bar and drink refill station at the main pool.

The Paddock: Has the newest themed pool and QSR. There's no bar, but they do have bottled drinks and a refillable mug station that includes both sodas and hot beverages. If you're in one of the buildings close to the pool, it's also convenient to walk across the bridge and get to the main pool or Carriage House. This is a very large section, so be specific with your request (if you can do that any more) and ask to be close to the pool.

Congress Park: Closest to Downtown Disney. Very nice to be in the Marketplace one minute, and your room a few minutes later. The pool here is truly a quiet pool, and has a neat view of Downtown Disney while you're swimming. This section has a nice playground and BBQ area.

Carousel: If you're into a really quiet location, this is for you. Out in the middle of nowhere, this section is conprised of a couple of buildings fit into a back corner of the resort. You need to cross the street to get to the bus stop, and need to walk to get to a pool, as there's not one in the section.
 
As others have pointed out, they are similar in many ways. It would be hard to go wrong either way. For me, the point difference might be enough to sway me to OKW. As with many others, I like the units at OKW more (functional balconies!), but the common amenities at SSR more. My advice: go with the one whose theme "speaks to you."

When making reservations any suggestions for making specific requests on room location?
At OKW, buildings 29 and below do not have a door from the living area to the bathroom; you have to go through the master bedroom to get to it. At buildings 30 and above, there is such a door, through the laundry room. If you have someone sleeping on the pull-out, that can matter. Otherwise, we normally request a "quiet water view", and have been happy just about anywhere.
 
We've done both and would choose OKW for a one bedroom no question - the extra square footage, the layout, and above all the oversized balconies (it's like an extra room for us to use, and we do use it often!), and the lush views - no palm trees at SSR, and I love me some palm trees!!! The full size laundry room is great too instead of a stackable in the closet - so much more storage, and a nice large dining area instead of a bench with two chairs against the wall like SSR. Our favourite is Turtle Pond area because of the great water/golf views, the quiet pool with the Turtle Shack (you can get refills there), and you can hop on any bus to take you to the Hospitality House. Plus the bonus of the walk through the laundry room to the bathroom in Buildings over 30. I'm sure you'd enjoy either resort, but OKW is our favourite!:love:
 
Saratoga is our home resort and we love it, we especially love that we are able to walk to/from Downtown Disney. My parent's home resort is OKW and we also love staying there. OKW has slightly larger rooms, so that is a benefit if there are more than 2 people staying in your room. OKW also uses less points. Both resorts are located near Downtown Disney, and take about the same amount of time to get to the parks by bus.
 
Hi. Trying to decide between one-bedroom at Saratoga or OKW - any advice re location to other WDW attractions, location, etc.? When making reservations any suggestions for making specific requests on room location?

Stay at OKW this trip and SSR the next, problem solved. :goodvibes

:earsboy: Bill
 
What screened-in porch?
No screened in porch at OKW, but the fact that it's huge and has a ceiling fan and a table with 4 chairs perhaps makes it feel like such to some. We use our porch/balcony at OKW much like another room. It's always our favorite place to eat.
 
My bad. I must be confusing it with Marriott. Maybe not screened in, but I do remember it was huge in comparison to other DVC balconies.
 
My bad. I must be confusing it with Marriott. Maybe not screened in, but I do remember it was huge in comparison to other DVC balconies.

Haha! After over 20 OKW stays, I was thinking how'd I miss a screened porch??? :confused3 We, too, enjoy those large balconies.
 
I would suggest SSR (only because I want fewer people to discover how nice OKW really is ... oops!)
 
Thanks everyone! We decided on OKW , mainly due to larger room as we usually get 2-bedroom (it's me, my son, DH and my sister and 2 bedroom offers a bit more privacy) so the OKW 1 bedroom sounds better for us.

We usually stay at BWV because we love the convenience to EPCOT, DHS and other resorts (BC & YC), but I'm sure OKW offers it's own charms...I just added another thread asking for advice on OKW - should i request an area, fun things to do, etc.

Just finished getting dining reservations taken care of...this is last minute to me...just booked this week for August usually book at least 7months out...we didn't think we would go this year but found some good airfares and couldn't resist!

Thanks again for all your input!
 



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