Free upgrade: Saratoga Springs or Old Key West

[magicalmemories]

In my email tonight, I got an email with a pin code for a FREE upgrade for our trip next month. Says it is for either Saratoga Springs or Old Key West ..... too late tonight to call, so I am posing the question: Which would you choose and why? This trip is just the two of us without children and we are currently booked at POP for 5 nights.

 

[slappy magoo]

OKW is more secluded. Both SSR & OKW have walkways to Downtown Disney (as well as boat access), but SSR is much closer. The most secluded section of SSR (excluding the treehouses) is closer to DTD than any part of OKW. At the very least, staying at SSR affords you closer proximity to more dining options; asking to stay in the Congress Park section would you you about a 5 minute walk to the Marketplace side of DTD, and still pretty close to the main house and themed pool (with a quiet pool right outside your door, too). This also makes it faster and easier to resort-hop or go eat at restaurants in resorts, since you can walk to the Marketplace bus stop and then hop a bus to any other resort.

One advantage OKW has (I'm pretty sure) is that they have watercraft rental on site. I've not seen watercraft rental at SSR, and according to allears.net, you can acquire about watercraft rental at SSR's "Horsing Around Rentals" where you can rent stuff like surrey bikes. Which means they probably get you to OKW or Riverside so you can rent a boat. Don't know if that's even a thing you want to do, but there you go...

SSR has the spa on-site. In case either or both of you want any sort of treatment, it's right there...

OKW is more secluded. Since it's just you two lovebirds, that may be advantageous.

Choose wisely.

 

[Rob562]

One advantage OKW has (I'm pretty sure) is that they have watercraft rental on site. I've not seen watercraft rental at SSR, and according to allears.net, you can acquire about watercraft rental at SSR's "Horsing Around Rentals" where you can rent stuff like surrey bikes. Which means they probably get you to OKW or Riverside so you can rent a boat. Don't know if that's even a thing you want to do, but there you go...

It's also possible that they either tell you or they bring you over to the marina at the Marketplace to rent the boats... Closer than going to either Riverside or OKW.

-Rob

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Is it common to get an upgrade via email? I thought this was something they did upon arrival at check-in?

Where were you originally staying? What a pleasant surprise!

(And FWIW..I would choose OKW. SSR feels like a "community for active seniors" to me. I just don't like the environment there. )

 

[wdw4brits]

I'd go for SS personally. Prefer the rooms as they're less antiquated, however I think you'd have a great time at either resort

 

[Yanks07]

I'm pretty sure OKW Studios all have 2 Q beds where as SS has 1 Q bed and a sleeper sofa. Since it's just 2 of you, I would rather have the sofa than an extra bed.

 

[lilclerk]

Is it common to get an upgrade via email? I thought this was something they did upon arrival at check-in?

They seem to do these emails during free dining when the values get way overbooked. I've heard of people getting them for the past few years.

 

[DougK]

Is it common to get an upgrade via email? I thought this was something they did upon arrival at check-in?

If they are upgrading you where you already have your reservation (same resort, better room or view) you find out at check-in time. If they are upgrading you to a different resort they will often do it via phone or email in advance so when you arrive at WDW you can go immediately to the correct resort, rather than having everyone show up at Pop and then having to get you all to OKW or SSR.