Saratoga Springs v Old Key West

[Sapper383]

Hi Guys

We are planning our September 2011 trip and are extremly tempted by Complete Orlando's 40% discount on SS and OKW.

The problem we have is that we can't decide on which resort to go for.....so this is where we need your advice please.

Which resort would you chose and why?

We have 2 children, who will be 12 and 6 when we go.

thanks

Sam

 

[dixonsontour]

We've booked an OKW studio for this October

Our reasons for choosing this over saratoga -

Like the theming - we've visited real key west several times and love it. Saratoga doesn't appeal at all (personal preference)

Liked the look of the resort when we visted it Dec 09

OKW studios have 2 beds, Saratoga 1 bed and a bed settee - there are 3 of us so need 2 proper beds.

I know saratoga is newer but OKW is currently being refurbished - should be complete by early 2011.

I think either resort would be fine, it's a great deal - it's just personal preference. From the tickers on here I think it is a pretty even spilt.

 

[wayneg]

2 things swung it for us, OKW has 2 beds, SSR has 1 bed & 1 sofa bed. Other was the size of a studio OKW 390sq ft, SSR 355sq ft.
On the other hand SSR is a newer resort/rooms although we couldn't fault the OKW studio last year.
Only been to SSR for a meal so don't know much about it but we are doing OKW for 2nd time this August.

http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/...d=ProspectsOldKeyWestResortAccommodationsPage

http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/...id=ProspectsSaratogaSpringsAccommodationsPage

 

[wilma-bride]

We have stayed at both (and we own at SSR) however I would personally choose Old Key West over Saratoga Springs for the folowing reasons:-

Although OKW is spread out, it is not as vast as SSR
I actually prefer the main pool at OKW to the main pool area at SSR
There are 2 beds in the rooms at OKW (as opposed to 1 bed, 1 pullout in SSR rooms)
Rooms at OKW are much larger

Personally, I think the counter service options at both places leave a lot to be desired (considering they are deluxe resorts)

 

[disney_princess_85]

I chose SSR rather than OKW simply because it is a newer resort. Once OKW has been fully refurbished, I'd be happy to give it a go.

Personally, I don't think either resort is particularly suited to children. I have visited SSR several times and the atmosphere is very 'adult'. I get the same impression from OKW. If I had to suggest one, I think SSR would be your best bet due to its proximity to Downtown Disney.

 

[irongirlof12]

agree with above- the 2 beds at OKW really swung it for us as opposed to a sofa bed at SSR . The relaxed atmophere is lovely. dining options were
a bit rubbish but I think that s becuase a lot of americans only stay for 3-5 nights and self-cater.

My girls were 12 and 7 at time of travel and loved to pool and spa area. there is also a games room and you can borrow games etc. but we didn't spend a lot of time on site and if we did we were in the pool or relaxing on the balcony...ahh the balcony i can see the view now- lovely

Whichever you pick you will find your own good and bad points. i have some piccies in my dining TR if that helps.

 

[Twilight Terror]

Other was the size of a studio OKW 390sq ft, SSR 355sq ft.

Personally, we didn't find that at all. Yes, the physical sq ft per studio might be more, but is doesn't feel like that. The OKW studios are corner units, so while the space is physically more, the use of that space is not good, so it feels squashy. We've just stayed at AKV, in a studio that is supposed to have 365 sq ft, but it felt a whole load bigger than the OKW studio we stayed in last year.

However, while we were at OKW, we did go and have a look at a 1-bedroom villa, which was huuuuuge compared to the 1-BD we had just stayed in at SSR. So, if you're looking for studio, I'd go with SSR. If you want a 1-BD, I'd go with OKW!!!!

As a family, we would not go back to OKW unless it was the absolute last opinion. But having said that, there are definitely pros and cons to each location, and it really is a personal thing.

A bug bear about OKW is that while they have a CS restaurant, it is outside! On a September afternoon it's no good having to sit outside and eat your dinner while it's hammering down with rain, and thunder and lightning! Yet, on the other hand, two beds over a bed and sofa is definitely a bonus, since you don't have to pull it in and out every night. However, my mum and sister normal just sleep on the sofa, as a sofa, instead of pulling it out for a bed!

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Haven't stayed at or even been to either resort! However we have chosen SSR over OKW because it is walking distance to DTD. We spend a lot of time there and will be great to able to get there under our own steam, rather than waiting for a boat or bus, or DH having to always drive everywhere!

 

[luke]

Haven't stayed at or even been to either resort! However we have chosen SSR over OKW because it is walking distance to DTD. We spend a lot of time there and will be great to able to get there under our own steam, rather than waiting for a boat or bus, or DH having to always drive everywhere!

We've chosen SSR for the exact same reason, although OKW does (from pictures etc) seem to have more 'charm' than SSR

 

[iluvtot]

We all just love OKW, and I know it sounds corney, but when we drive through the gates, we all really feel like we are coming home!!
2 years ago we tried SS and didn't like it. It felt reall impersonal, and it's got no 'soul'!
The limited counter service doesn't really bother us as if we want something else we just go get it somewhere else!! (DS would like to be able to get a hot choccie though, even in Aug temps!!)

Jules x

 

[Sapper383]

Thanks Guys, we appreciate all your advice, it seems like OKW would be the best option for us. One of the main resons would be that it has the two beds.

thanks again

 

[stephensmum]

We chose SSR last year & again this year. Although, it's counter service options are limited, it does have indoors seating & it's closeness to DD means we have that option too. We have one son so the beds are not an issue for us.

 

[Mrdudecool]

Hope you don't mind, but I thought I would add my 2 cents

We are DVC members, with SS being our home resort. However, we tried OKW due to the size of the rooms with there being 5 of us.
But, this was the first time we went as DVC and thought we would try SS also.

We found, as someone else said, that OKW has that real 'Welcome Home' feeling and the charm about it. It is like a neighbourhood, really peaceful. We felt that SS was more of a hotel feel, really full on.
It was nice to go back to OKW and it to be really peaceful.

Some say OKW is out dated now and SS is more up to date. While thats true, the refurb being done on OKW should bring it up to date and even if not, would pick OKW over SS any day. A note too for the kids, OKW buses seem a lot quieter even at peak times compared to SS ones.