Saratoga Springs vs. Old Key West?

[swanwed6206]

Hello, I was just wondering the pros and cons of Saratoga Springs and Old Key West? Which is preferred and why. Trying to make a decision and it's tough!! Help!

 

[FreeTime]

My DH prefers OKW over SSR due to the size of the villas. Here is my opinion of the pros/cons of the resorts.

OKW Pros: Size of villas, quiet, lower point cost
OKW Cons: Not close to parks (like our BWV home), pools are not always close to villas, outside entrances

SSR Pros: newer villas, can walk easily to DTD, themed pool, Artist Palatte
SSR Cons: outside entrances, furniture is too large for the room, long walks to the pool

 

[kikiq]

SSR Pros: newer villas, can walk easily to DTD, themed pool, Artist Palatte
SSR Cons: outside entrances, furniture is too large for the room, long walks to the pool

If you stay in Grandstand, Springs, and Congress Park, I would hardly call that a long walk to the pool. We were on the 1st floor of CP and only had to walk out the door, down to the end of the hallway (past 2 doors) and the pool was right there. (We could have walked out our patio through the plantings/lawn but that would have destroyed plants.) Now there are some Carousel and Paddock buildings that are maybe a little further, but maybe it seems longer because you are walking outside and not inside an ac building.

We own SSR because it's lay back but close to DTD. Love the grounds for our active family. We spent the day with friends who own OKW, HUGE 2 bdrms, large balcony with a decent table to sit at, and the pool didn't seem that far away from their unit. Both have nice TS and there's the Gurgling Suitcase at OKW. Both are away from the hustle bustle if that's what you're looking for. If you are bringing lots of folks or bigger kids, OKW might be nicer with the larger rooms. If you are planning non park days, SSR might be nicer with the community hall, spa and bike rentals.

 

[Chuck S]

OKW Studios all have 2 queen beds, no sofa sleeper.

SSR studios have a queen bed and full sized sofa sleeper.

That could make a difference, depending upon what size unit you reserve, and the demographics of those involved.

 

[Greg K.]

SSR has elevators.

 

[5forDiz]

Some feel exterior entrance is con at OKW & SSR but many find this to be a definite plus for convenience & also ability to park car in close proximity.

OKW & SSR are similar in many regards; particularly they're condo/golf resort style. OKW's main feature pool is well themed & has a fun sand castle slide and entire Hospitality House area has a laid-back island village feel to it as does the areas where the villas are located. Quiet pools are an easy walk from most locations.

Both OKW & SSR are : walking distance to DTD (walk from SSR is somewhat shorter), boat is available to DTD as well, transportation to parks is via bus, Epcot - Typhoon Lagoon - DHS would be closest parks.

We like SSR very much too but would have to give edge to OKW because it really makes us feel like we've been transported to a tropical oasis & size of villas & balconies are hard to beat.

 

[Sammie]

OKW Cons: Not close to parks (like our BWV home)

How is BWV closer to MK than OKW and actually OKW is probably just as close to the front Gate of Epcot is BWV is to the front gate of Epcot.

We have stayed many times at OKW and SSR and had friends at the BWV who took the boat to Epcot and the Studios and we always beat them there.

So while visually the perception of being close to the parks exists at the BWV but in reality, I am not sure time wise there is much difference.

All 3 resorts offer a lot and are fun places to stay but I really do not get the park advantage at any resort except the new BLT to MK.

 

[Brian Noble]

We've always chosen OKW over SSR given the option. We like the larger rooms, the larger balconies/patios, and the better-developed landscaping. The theme "works for us" a little bit better at OKW.

SSR is a bit more sophisticated and upscale in tone, the pool areas are a bit better developed, the proximity to DTD is a nice plus, and it has a bit more in terms of local amenities.

If you're looking at a studio, the two queens vs. one queen and one double sleeper might matter, too---the lattter is a bit more flexible for a couple.

These two are more similar than they are different. They are both spread out (aka "spacious"), have exterior entrances (aka "close-by parking"), and are a bit removed from the center of the action (aka "peaceful retreats"). Both have decent-to-pretty-good full service restaurants, and both have not-quite-average-for-Disney quick service locations. I would pick the one with the theme that speaks to you.

 

[magicaldisney]

We do not own at either OKW or SSR so there is no bias in my opinion. We have stayed at both and with out a doubt, given a choice I would stay at OKW before SSR.

Here's what we prefer about OKW:

Room size
2 beds, not a sleeper sofa
lower points
lush, greenery
Olivias
better bus service (our opinion)
pool (we prefer)

 

[dgaston]

And then there's the Treehouse option at SSR.

 

[NancyIL]

How is BWV closer to MK than OKW and actually OKW is probably just as close to the front Gate of Epcot is BWV is to the front gate of Epcot.

We have stayed many times at OKW and SSR and had friends at the BWV who took the boat to Epcot and the Studios and we always beat them there.

So while visually the perception of being close to the parks exists at the BWV but in reality, I am not sure time wise there is much difference.

All 3 resorts offer a lot and are fun places to stay but I really do not get the park advantage at any resort except the new BLT to MK.

From BWV you can WALK to the International Gateway entrance of Epcot in 5 minutes and to Hollywood Studios in 15 minutes. The boat takes longer than walking.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

For us is a matter of decor and ambiance, lush tropical landscaping, larger accomodations (because it was the 1st DVC), and the Key West theming /(Pastel) coloring. OKW really transports me to my "vacation place" the one in my head. I also love Olivia's turkey sandwich, I have one in very near future, June 7th to be exact and my son loves Olivia's Grilled Pork Chop. The balcony's and the views, check out a concurrent thread on Misc.Old key West, more than cheap points (sorry I don't link well). I like parking my car in front of the villa compared to trudging my groceries down the hall at Jambo or Boardwalk.

There's nothing wrong with SSR, it's just not OKW! and as far as the treehouse's I think one stay in those will be enough to satisfy me!

 

[Mississippian]

We have stayed many times at OKW and SSR and had friends at the BWV who took the boat to Epcot and the Studios and we always beat them there. ...
All 3 resorts offer a lot and are fun places to stay but I really do not get the park advantage at any resort except the new BLT to MK.

I'm trying to figure out why someone would take a boat from BWV to EPCOT. It is much quicker to walk! Plus you don't have to wait on the boat. I wouldn't use that boat unless I was injured, had a nasty blister, or it was raining.

Likewise, one should never take the boat from Boardwalk to Studios. Simply take a few steps to the Swan/dolphin boat ramp and go from there. This gives you a very quick ride because you don't have to stop at the Yacht and Beach club dock.

I personally wish they would get rid of the Boardwalk and Yacht & Beach docks and build a new dock to serve all of the resorts, so that there would be just one stop between EPCOT and Studios. It would better serve the customer.

p.s. As to the OP's question, I think SSR and OKW are quite a lot alike, but OKW has larger rooms and super-low point charts, so anyone thinking of buying in resale would be wise to buy at OKW if choosing only between those two. Of course, if walking-distance access is wanted, that's another matter.

 

[PurpleTurtle]

Hi there - I've stayed at both and prefer SSR. We have young kids and thought the main pool was much more fun at SSR. The food situation was much better at SSR for us, too. We loved Artist's Palette.

 

[mom2rb]

When I am in my room or on my balcony, I prefer OKW. When I am strolling the grounds or walking to Downtown Disney, I prefer SSR. I am very happy to stay at both.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Two words: Grand Villa! Where else but OKW can you rent a grand villa for 38 pts per week- night Sept-Jan(not the holidays)? The two upstairs bedrooms are HUGE, easily enough room to add an air mattress, if you like that sort of thing, and there are 4 bathrooms. Our first home resort is BW, but after staying at OKW, we bought in there! And they have the largest patio, too.

 

[sgtdisney]

We stayed at SSR for the first time last summer, after staying at OKW since '92. We liked SSR, enjoyed our stay and everything, but it just wasn't OKW to me. I missed the tropical feel and seeing palm trees outside of my room.

To me, the size of the main living area was a really big disappointment at SSR. We had 8 people with us (2BR) and the size of the kitchen/living room just felt small to me. The furnishings were nice, but the kitchen seemed small, and I missed the icemaker that we have at OKW. The sofa also seemed smaller, only seating 2 people. One of the other cons I felt there over OKW was the view. We were in the grandstand section right next to the pool area, but our room was in the back, in the courtyard section of the building. We had a nice view, if you looked out to the side, but it felt like being in a fishbowl when we were on the balcony as all the rooms faced into that area. Finally, I missed the short walk from the car to the room door. At OKW, it just seemed like a shorter walk from car to room, at least compared to the room/building we were in at SSR.

Don't get me wrong we enjoyed our stay at SSR, and will probably stay there again some time in the future, but this summer we're going back to OKW. I just (personally) feel I get a better value for my points at OKW and I prefer the spaciousness and tropical feel of the resort.

 

[LSchrow]

the two resorts are so similar that any preference is going to be based on personal likes/dislikes.

we prefer SSR for its location & upscale decor (just our opinion: while as beautiful as any DVC resort, we agree with the OKW "rest/nursing home" dissenters).

there is no concret answer to which is better, rather "to each their own"....

 

[gkrykewy]

We were presented with this choice recently when we added on 50 points to our membership, and so wanted to add 4 nights in a studio to our August stay. SSR and OKW were the only two resorts with availability. We went with SSR (incidentally, I checked yesterday and now only SSR is available for our dates), but I would be curious about people's impressions -- which of these resorts is better if you *never* have a car?

This is one of the main reasons we went with SSR - easier walking access to DTD, plus great bus transfer options at the DTD bus stops.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

Although I go to DL 3 or 4 times a year, I have only been to WDW twice so my experience is very limited compared to most of the other posters. Our 1st trip was to OKW and I thought it was very nice. We stayed in a studio on cash (we weren't members then). The pastel colors made my DW sick (she is very visual and sensitive to her surroundings. I thought the room was a good size and I liked the tropical feel of the resort. But due the color thing I don't think we will ever stay there again.

Our second trip was to SSR. Very peaceful setting. I loved the Swans floating on the ponds. The dining options were a little better IMHO than OKW. The rooms were newer and there were more options for the DGC to do stuff at the resort. I like the condo style of both resorts and don't miss the whole "hotel hallway" that some like. SSR is big and if you get stuck on the outskirts you will have to do some walking (doesn't bother me-I like to walk). Overall (even putting the color thing aside) I think I like SSR a little better.

CMs at both resorts didn't seem to up to the level that we get at DL. Like I said my experience is very narrow. I am going to AKV in a few weeks and am looking forward to trying out the East Coast one more time!