Saratoga Springs vs. Old Key West

[vowens82]

If we change from Beach Club 2br to either Saratoga or Old Key West we'll save a little over $3000. So I for sure want to change, but which one? I'd love opinions. Do they have good restaurants? Pools? Kids activites (like movies/bonfires)? Thanks!

 

[sweetdana]

SSR
walking to dtd, there are elevators, pools within walking dist from every room, the splash park (if you have little ones) really 3 of them, 1 with a kiddie water slide, water guns ect, 1 with Donald, and 1 with horses. nightly movies by pool, views. 2 very large walk in pools with walk in.


There is nothing I don't love about SSR.


Only thing to love about OKW is the space the rooms are MUCH bigger, if you are close to max comp i'd go for OKW.

They both have 1 good food option. (I forgot both names but both good). (well SSR has all of DTD..kind-a ?)
The market place at SSR (1 of 2 QS location) is called Artists Pallet, and it sooooooo lives up to the name.. though the food is like everywhere else. the ambiance is unbelievable, and at breakfast there are little artists pallets for the kids to use, and hang pics up while you drink your coffee. I love SSR.

... I am selling myself here.. haha!

 

[sharadoc]

Neither are near a theme park, so you'll miss that "excitement". Plus Beach Club is a destination, with Cape May Cafe, Beaches & Cream, plus the Boardwalk right across the water with all that goes with it.

Old Key West is a relaxed, resort with a nice restaurant and a fun pool. I believe they do a movie once or twice a week, and they do have a bonfire in the evening. Community Hall has a full day of activities for the kids, plus there's also lots of games and activities around the pool.

SSR has a few really good pools and proximity to DTD, a food court and nice restaurant.

Just checking - are you comparing a 2 BR at all of them? A $3000 savings seems off to me, unless you are moving to a 1 BR at OKW and SSR.

 

[vowens82]

No, it would be changing to a 2br. We would be able to get FD for our party (4 adults and 2 kids) plus the nightly rate is less so altogether it's a little over $3000.

 

[OklahomaTourist]

We love SSR, and in fact plan to be there next month

SSR is a nice "in between" place if you want a really nice, relaxed resort that isn't just knee-deep in the intense Disney theming, yet is still very much a Disney resort hotel. The pools are wonderful, and I get a kick out of the "dive in movies" they have each night. My family loves the convenience of the in-room washer/dryer and full kitchen so we can do breakfasts in-room each morning.

About the only nitpick I have with SSR is that sometimes bus transport to the parks is, at times, a little bit less than optimal, so give yourself plenty of lead time in the mornings if you have any breakfast ADR's and allow for some crowds late at night after the parks close. DTD is walking-distance close, but you can still ride a bus over there if you like.

Artist's Palette is one of the underappreciated gems in all of WDW IMHO. Its a simple grille-type counter service restaurant with breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, and they make a really tasty omelette for breakfast. The prices are very reasonable, too, which is a great plus. When we were there last a couple of years ago, they were experimenting with order delivery to your table (don't know if they kept that practice) - its otherwise set up more like a seat-yourself cafe with what you might call a very roughly Panera feel to it.

Highly recommended.

 

[Antonio]

Saratoga gets my vote. It's very pristine looking and has a lot of charm. I love the bar there too. OKW was very nice but I'd do Saratoga in a heartbeat over it.

 

[Shellandscott]

We love SSR, and in fact plan to be there next month


About the only nitpick I have with SSR is that sometimes bus transport to the parks is, at times, a little bit less than optimal, so give yourself plenty of lead time in the mornings if you have any breakfast ADR's and allow for some crowds late at night after the parks close. DTD is walking-distance close, but you can still ride a bus over there if you like.

SSR has a bus that runs through the whole resort with multi stops. BCV stops at BW, Swan and Dolphin. I find that more painful, stopping at a resort, then going to another and then another.

I have stayed at both and I would say SSR over OKW unless you need the extra room that OKW provides.

 

[darkwing818]

We've stayed at both & enjoyed each, but push come to shove, we'd go with OKW. Rooms are larger, love the master suite. Very quiet & laid back.

 

[vowens82]

I'm so indecisive I'm going to let DH pick tonight. I'm sure we'll love either one and this way I can stop stressing about it.

 

[abdgeek]

I've stayed at both and prefer SSR. I usually stay in a studio, so I don't cook meals.

1) OKW has a TS(B,L,D) and QS(Good's to Go) restuarant for breakfast. Good's to Go doesn't have much of a breakfast selection--they have a scrambled egg, potato & biscuit platter, but the rest is what I would call snack items. SSR has a true QS restaurant(adult bounty platter, etc.). Both have grocery stores and you can pick up most of what you would need for meals. Both QS restaurants also serve lunch and dinner, but SSR has the best selection. SSR has a TS restaurant, but it only serves dinner.

2) In the studio, OKW has two queen beds. SSR has a bed and a couch. See what it is for the 2 bedroom.

3) Most of the sections of SSR are within walking distance of the main building. At OKW you would need to take one of the buses to the main building unless you are staying in the hospitality house section. You can walk to the hospitality house, but it can be quite a walk depending on where you are staying in the resort. If you don't plan to visit the hospitality house often, this won't be a problem.

4) SSR is close to DTD. This is a blessing and a curse. You can walk to DTD from SSR, but it can be a bit of a walk. You can also take the bus, but sometimes the buses take a while to pick up when you want to return to SSR.

I hope this helps. You may want to look at the menus on Allears.net for both resorts and the resort maps on wdwinfo to get a feel for the resorts. You can also visit the WDW website and look at the info there.

 

[Pakey]

I've stayed in 2 bedrooms in both. With 6 people, I would pick OKW. OKW has a full sized dining table that will seat 6. SSR you are going to have a little table that seats a few plus a bar area that seats a few. It's really nice to have a table where you can all sit together.

The balcony at OKW is going to have a table and chairs, plenty of room for all 4 adults to sit out and relax. The balcony at SSR is going to have 2 chairs.

OKW is more of a condo set up whereas SSR is more of a motel set up with long hallways. I found OKW to be a little less noisy.

I think the pools are better at SSR. I like the TS, Turf Club, at SSR better than Olivia's at OKW.

I like the grounds better at OKW but SSR's are nice enough.

SSR does give you the option to walk to DTD from some sections, it's a bit of a hike from some sections also.

Bus service is similar in both.

 

[Tink415]

I've stayed in 2 bedrooms in both. With 6 people, I would pick OKW. OKW has a full sized dining table that will seat 6. SSR you are going to have a little table that seats a few plus a bar area that seats a few. It's really nice to have a table where you can all sit together.

The balcony at OKW is going to have a table and chairs, plenty of room for all 4 adults to sit out and relax. The balcony at SSR is going to have 2 chairs.

OKW is more of a condo set up whereas SSR is more of a motel set up with long hallways. I found OKW to be a little less noisy.

I think the pools are better at SSR. I like the TS, Turf Club, at SSR better than Olivia's at OKW.

I like the grounds better at OKW but SSR's are nice enough.

SSR does give you the option to walk to DTD from some sections, it's a bit of a hike from some sections also.

Bus service is similar in both.

I just about agree with everything Pakey said!

Except:
I'd choose OKW if space was the priority and SSR if more restaurants and activities were the priority.
We manage to get 6 around the SSR table (its tight).
The pools at SSR are MUCH nice IMHO.
OKW grounds seems like FL (vacation in my mind) and SSR's seem like upstate NY (beautiful, but not FL!).

 

[vowens82]

Thanks so much!! I'm leaning towards SSR. I think the pool and more restaurants and activites will be better for us. I'm hoping to not use the kitchen/table too much anyway. My parents will more than us because they'll be watching the baby while we take our girls out a couple nights, so it doesn't have to be huge.

 

[Deb & Bill]

All the buildings at SSR have elevators. Only three buildings at OKW have elevators and those are usually reserved for medical needs. So you will be hiking the stairs at OKW.

OKW kitchens are really fullsized compared to SSR which is a smaller galley style kitchen. OKW has full sized washer and dryer; SSR has stackable units. OKW has an ice maker in the refrigerator. You'll have two ice trays and will need to hit the ice machines in the buildings if you want more ice than two trays.

Both OKW and SSR have Community Halls where there are activities for the family. SSR has three themed pools that are great for kids. OKW has one themed pool that is great for the entire family and three neighborhood pools that are not themed. SSR has one non-themed pool at Congress Park.

 

[brertoad]

Gosh, hard choice! They are both really nice. We love OKW because of the two beds set up in the studios. SSR is our home resort, it's also lovely. Great pools, close to DTD. I'm sure the 2 BR villas must be fantastic.

OKW has a smaller cozy feel with lots of trees, and Key West theme, Gingerbread house type buildings. SSR is quite large and spread out into different areas, with more open spaces, the buildings are pretty too, but different. I'd start looking for photo galleries and see if you can decide that way.

 

[hygienist999]

We've stayed at both multiple times. My family of 5 prefer SSR. We can walk over to downtown disney or ride the boat. The buses are very quick and we love the lakes and bridges on the property. I never paid attention that the rooms were smaller, we've always gotten a two bedroom villa and have been very satisfied.
We are scheduled to stay there at the end of July this summer.