Disney’s Saratoga Springs vs Old Key West Resort – How to Choose a Disney World Resort

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Disney’s Old Key West Resort are the original Disney Vacation Club properties at Walt Disney World. Since they were first built to serve guests who preferred a villa type of resort, they have become very popular for both cash and DVC guests alike! These resorts are literally a “home away from home”.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs and Old Key West offer guests accommodations for nearly any party size. They offer guests studios, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom grand villas.

RELATED READING: Disney World Resorts for Large Families and Groups (5 – 12 People)

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort even offers Treehouse villas which can accommodate up to 9 adults – so fun! I am excited to share the details on each of these Walt Disney World Resorts with you today.

Where are Disney’s Saratoga Springs and Old Key West Resorts Located?

These resorts are located in the Disney Springs area. Both Saratoga Springs and Old Key West are considerably quieter than the other Deluxe resorts as they are further away from the theme parks.

Saratoga Springs Resort guests can walk to Disney Springs which is about 10 to 15 minutes depending. Guests can also access Disney Springs via a Disney motorcoach or a water taxi from both of these resorts.

Who Would Enjoy Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort or Old Key West?

I think that anyone would enjoy either of these resorts. Guests who are looking for a Deluxe resort at a more wallet-friendly rate would love either of these. Amongst the Deluxe Villa Resorts, Saratoga Springs and Old Key West price the lowest.

Also, they have incredible inventory, as they are rather large – so they have a lot of villas or studios available most any time of the year. The availability and pricing are great, but these are very advantageous for families who want more of a “condo” set up for their vacation – these definitely fit that description.

RELATED READING: Are Disney Deluxe Resorts Really Worth It?

What is the Theming of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort?

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is themed after the actual New York town of Saratoga. Once a popular vacation destination in the 19th century, Saratoga is full of quaint gardens, beautiful landscaping, and a slightly Victorian feel to it. It also has touches of horse racing and spring spas, hence the name Saratoga Springs. Disney’s Saratoga Springs is an extremely relaxed, peaceful resort.

What is the Theming of Disney’s Old Key West Resort?

Disney’s Old Key West Resort is Florida theming…in Florida! It is definitely indicative of the Florida Keys, with bright colors and a very relaxed vibe to it. The Caribbean vibe and atmosphere make it very fun.

One thing that is great about either of these is how spread out they are. While this may be a “con” to staying at either of these, it really allows you to be relaxed and in a peaceful environment. The walking paths at both, as well as the privacy of the villas, gives you the tranquil atmosphere you need after a day in the parks.

I would consider both resorts to be very relaxing and quiet. If this is the type of Disney vacation you’d like to have, Saratoga Springs and Old key West should be near the top, if not at the top, of your list.

*Note from Cheryl – Our most recent WDW vacation included a stay at Saratoga Springs and every time we went swimming, we had the pool all to ourselves. It was wonderful. So relaxing!

Room Options at Disney’s Saratoga Springs and Old Key West

Both resorts offer studios, at the minimum. They do not offer just rooms with two beds and a bathroom. They start with studios and go all the way up to 3-Bedroom Grand Villas.

Disney’s Old Key West Resort actually has the larger of the villas, as far as square footage. Their studios have two Queen beds, whereas the studios at Saratoga have a Queen and a pull down bed.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort is unique in that it offers Treehouse Villas for guests, that sleep up to 9. These are literally tree houses, located in a separate, secluded area of the resort. They even have their own internal bus system. That said, while they are so cool and offer a unique experience, their location is not that great. It is not convenient to access the main area of the resort.

Saratoga Springs also recently underwent a massive villa refurbishment. This included updating all the fixtures, flooring, and bedding. Guests now have a king in the master, a pull down queen size Murphy in the living room, and a small pull down bed under the television. These now sleep 5 guest, whereas they only slept 4 previously.

All studios at each location have two beds and a kitchenette. The 1, 2, and 3 bedroom villas have a fully equipped kitchen, as well as washer and dryer.

One bedroom villas sleep up to 5, Two bedroom sleep up to nine at Old Key West and 8 at Saratoga Springs. Three bedroom grand villas sleep up to 12 at each location.

Pools & Other Amenities at Saratoga Springs and Old Key West

Both resorts offer several pools for guests to enjoy. They each have a feature pool, where guests can find a water slide as well as pool side games and activities.

Saratoga Springs features two “feature pools” – one in the Paddock area, and one in the Springs. The one in the Paddock area does have a very large water slide, as well as a splash area for children and a small pool bar. You cannot go wrong with either!

Old Key West is home to 4 pools. Sandcastle Pool features a 125-foot-long waterslide, a sand beach, a whirlpool spa and a kiddie pool. The other 3 leisure pools are all-ages and feature a whirlpool spa. These pools are great for families who want some relaxing, quiet time between park visits.

Since these are both Disney Vacation Club Resorts, guests can also access the Recreation Hall. This is where you will find board games, Wii, foosball, ping pong, etc to enjoy as a guest of this resort.

RELATED READING: Tips for Staying Cool When It’s Hot at Disney World

Dining Options at Saratoga Springs and Old Key West

Both resorts offer great dining options. They have a variety of pool bars, lounges, and quick service locations. While they are all great, the stand out is Olivia’s Cafe (see the menu here, read the reviews here) at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.

RELATED READING: Lunch Review – Olivia’s Cafe at Disney’s Old Key West Resort

One thing to note about Old Key West is while they do have some Quick Service options, there is not indoor seating. So you do need to take your food outside to the tables. This is keeping with the theming of the Keys.

On the opposite side, Saratoga Springs has the Artist’s Palette, which offers a great quick service menu, grab and go items, AND quite a bit of indoor seating for guests.

Having some of the amenities of home and extra space to spread out can be great for many families. We have enjoyed the villas at Saratoga Springs several times, and find that resort to be excellent for a longer stay and when we want some comforts of home. If you’re looking for a Disney World resort that isn’t as “busy” as those closer to the theme parks, you cannot go wrong with either Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort or Disney’s Old Key West Resort.