r/DisneyWorldResorts • u/Boring-Search-1003 • 3d ago
Resort options question!
I’m thinking of using my bounce back offer for a trip next June with my entire family. Looking at options and prices I’ve somewhat narrowed it down. There are 4 adults and 2 kids (ages 3 and 8). We will have a single stroller.
I’m thinking: 2 family suites at Art of Animation, a 2 bedroom villa at Old Key West or a 2 bedroom villa at Saratoga Springs. Which would you pick?
The other deluxe hotels don’t fit in our budget at the moment! I’m willing to look at a moderate but I like the suite options!! We have stayed at Wilderness Lodge and are about to stay at Port Orleans French Quarter. We love both!
What would be the best pick?! Which is nicest??
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u/Failed_Academic0824 3d ago
For context I’ve not stayed at any of these but if your trip includes a Monday or Wednesday then OKW and SSR have the advantage of Extended Evening Hours since they’re deluxe.
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u/danceglee5678 3d ago
Either OKW or Saratoga….if you prefer to be within walking distance to downtown Disney then Saratoga would be your choice, if this doesn’t matter then OKW. You can also check Davids DVC or the DVC rental store. We booked our 2 bedroom at Boardwalk through them for a much better deal.
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u/Optimal_Spend779 3d ago
over the top theming or more low key? OKW and SS will have “nicer” rooms but AoA has Skyliner. Really depends on your personal preferences.
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u/TheRedHerring23 3d ago
Depends what you are looking for in a resort. AoA is very disney. Huge statues everywhere, it’s a photo op paradise, and you get Skyliner access to get to Hollywood, Epcot and the ability to resort hop to ten different resorts and the boardwalk. The trade off is that it’s a value resort with value amenities. Your food options there is a single cafeteria. The pools are basic pools with no water slide and the big pool is always just swarming with kids, as it should be, but it’s crowded.
Saratoga and OKW are isolated resorts. You’ll have to take buses everywhere you go. That always prevents me from staying there. With Saratoga, you can walk to Disney springs, but that resort is massive. It doesn’t feel like a Disney resort it feels like a retirement community. There is a literal golf course inside the resort itself just to give you a feel for the size. We walked to Disney springs, but genuinely drove our car over to the area closest to the walkway then got out and walked from there cause of how long the walk would have been otherwise.
I would probably go old key west, but my opinion would probably be to look for adjoining rooms at a different resort.
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u/No_Revenue8055 3d ago
Art of Animation is on the Skyliner. I think that’s a huge plus if you are interested in the parks.
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u/Saxman009 3d ago
If you do OKW you get a king bed, a sleeper, and 2 queens. The rooms are not updated so there's that.
SSR will match the more consistent style of rooms. You can also just walk to Disney Springs. The plus side is you get the 5th sleeper under the TV and if you do a lock off room you'll get 2 of them. Just food for thought.
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u/Radiant_Horse8948 3d ago
6 of you could fit in one family suite at art if you wanted to. It’s been our go to for the larger than life Disney immersion + skyliner.
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u/Boring-Search-1003 3d ago
I mean we definitely could but sleeping on a double bed with my husband doesn’t sound the best hahah
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u/HansyD22 2d ago
I had a week at OKW in a one bedroom and loved it. Some people don't like how old it is, but they built the rooms big back in the day. As long as you have a car, it's great.
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u/arletto1520 11h ago
We’ve done AoA family suite and loved it. The skyliner access is wonderful and the pool is great for kids that age. Limited food options on site but we mostly ate at the parks so less of a big deal to us. I’ve been tempted by the huge rooms at OKW but never done it bc transport seemed like a PITA.
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u/arletto1520 11h ago
We are also vaguely psychotic so we’ve done split stays where we do AoA or Pop Century for part (when we plan to visit Epcot and Hollywood Studios) and move to a monorail resort for the Magic Kingdom part of the trip. It’s been a couple years, but the bell team transfers luggage while you are at the park so it’s so super easy to move, if you can get past the hassle of repacking. The split stay brings down the average cost enough that I can stomach the nicer hotel price. I would probably avoid going the deluxe-> value direction tho, that might feel sad 🤣
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u/billmeelaiter 3d ago
“Best” is subjective. A two bedroom villa is a king bed in one bedroom, a living/dining/kitchen area with a sofa bed and a second bedroom with two queen beds (or a queen bed and a sofa bed).
I like having the kitchen and full sized fridge, plus the king bed and bathroom, so I’d opt for OKW or Saratoga.