Saratoga Springs vs Old Key West

[Jamie J]

OKW! The resort is so laid back and the rooms are very spacious! And although the resort is large, we have had the best bus service here compared to other resorts. Ask to stay near Peninsular Road - if you see a bus pass you, you can walk to Hospitality House which is the last stop for park buses and catch it.

 

[jim1051]

slight preference for OKW because the villas are larger.

 

[Lets Respect]

OKW had a lot of road noise. Maybe it was the buildings they put us in

 

[Disneyfreak Jen]

T


There is a path to DS from OKW ??? I didn't know that, I don't mind walking at all.

Yes, walk past the pool near building 55 and it's called the Conch Flats Nature Trail.

 

[DfromATX]

Saratoga was our first trip! To date, it is still our favorite resort. I haven't stayed at OKW, but to me, it looks too old fashioned. It reminds me of the Golden Girls.

 

[officialtom]

... we have been at both and have never once had the thought while there that we wished we were somewhere else, so I guess we are easy to please and happy to be at either one.

Amen!!! When you're at WDW, whether at a value or a deluxe villa, relax and enjoy it! There are far worse places to be.

 

[DfromATX]

Amen!!! When you're at WDW, whether at a value or a deluxe villa, relax and enjoy it! There are far worse places to be.

Like at work!

 

[BigRedDad]

I can't speak for OKW yet, but we did stay at SSR during our first Summer trip. I was dreading it. Didn't want to be in the heat. Didn't want to be with the crowds. Didn't want to be at a resort so far out there. There were so many things I was negative about before getting there. Turned out to be one of the best trips we had. We relaxed at the resort more to stay out of the heat. We went to DS more since it was right there. Tons of families so my DD had someone to play with and team up with for the pool games.

Now, there is not a ton of Disney theming there. You will find places named after Princess horses. This is themed after Saratoga race tracks. We were in a great location that was a 5 minute walk to the main pool and lobby. Hopping on any bus gets you there quickly too. Buses were slow, but we had a car.

 

[DfromATX]

I can't speak for OKW yet, but we did stay at SSR during our first Summer trip. I was dreading it. Didn't want to be in the heat. Didn't want to be with the crowds. Didn't want to be at a resort so far out there. There were so many things I was negative about before getting there. Turned out to be one of the best trips we had. We relaxed at the resort more to stay out of the heat. We went to DS more since it was right there. Tons of families so my DD had someone to play with and team up with for the pool games.

Now, there is not a ton of Disney theming there. You will find places named after Princess horses. This is themed after Saratoga race tracks. We were in a great location that was a 5 minute walk to the main pool and lobby. Hopping on any bus gets you there quickly too. Buses were slow, but we had a car.

It was our first resort too and we loved it and still think it's one of the best ones we've stayed at.

 

[officialtom]

OKW had a lot of road noise. Maybe it was the buildings they put us in

That's the biggest complaint (and one of the only ones) I had while staying there. We could hear trucks all night on the highway.

 

[J03Y]

I prefer OKW aesthetically imo, makes the high price a bit more worth it imo

 

[Disneykristi27]

I've stayed at OKW, but not SSR. I had a great experience at OKW, I had a studio in the Turtle Pond section right next to the quiet pool and snack shack.
I loved it!! The bus was less than a 2 minute walk, the laundry and food was right next door at the pool, and I just loved the low key vibe!
Remember that you can easily catch the boat from OKW to DS, or you can walk...I think it's a mile on the path near the golf course.

Do you remember which room/bldg you were in?

 

[slappy magoo]

OKW - bigger rooms which could make a big difference if you're talking about a studio versus a 1BR or bigger; studios have 2 queen beds (or did that change with the refurb?); quieter resort; the on-site sit-down restaurant (Olivia's) serves all 3 meals; the counter-service restaurant (Good's Food To Go) seems to have really limited indoor seating; 1 big pool and 3 smaller quiet pools. I don't think there's an interactive water-play area there but I could be wrong.

SSR - rooms are smaller (though studios are still bigger than value or mod rooms...or BLT studios for that matter); the on-site sit-down restaurant (Turf Club) only serves dinner but the food court (Artist's Palette) is bigger, much bigger indoor seating, and because you're closer to DS it's that much easier to have other dining options (some, depending on where your room is) are easily within a 10 minute walking distance, maybe even 5 depending on how fast your party moves). 2 big themed pools, each with an interactive water-play area and (I think) 4 quiet pools. There is the on-site spa if you're into that sort of thing.

Both resorts have bike rentals, arcades (I think OKW has 2), physical fitness centers, bars/lounges.

This isn't make or break, but one cool thing about Artist's Palette is that the souvenir shop is combined to it, so you have things to look at while waiting for your food to be ready. I'm sure other people find it an inconvenience to have looky-loos so close to where you're eating.

Pretty sure both main pools at SSR are bigger than OKW's big pool.

I've not stayed at OKW, but I have stayed at SSR a few times and it's my home resort. I think if what I wanted is a low key trip with lots of down time, where I know I'll spend ample time in the room itself, I might opt for OKW. But I really like SSR, I like being that close to Disney Springs (even if the relatively new "Preferred" Location category makes it a PITA to stay at Congress Park). Neither resot is as elaborately themed in that magical whimsical Disney way as other DVC resorts like Wilderness or Boardwalk, but they're very nice and I had no complaints my times spent at SSR.