Old Key West vs. Saratoga Springs Disney World Resort Guide 2023

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World can be complicated — especially when you’re trying to choose between 25 resort hotels. If you’ve narrowed down your choices to the two original Disney Vacation Club villa properties, how do you make your final selection?

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort

Well, we’re here to walk you through the differences between Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.

Whether room size, location, pools, and/or restaurants are most important to you, we share the information that you’ll need to make an informed decision. After all, we want you stay at the hotel that is best for your family!

Let’s get started and look at all the details so that you can plan your Disney trip with confidence.

Old Key West

There’s no doubt that Disney vacations are expensive, and no one wants buyer’s remorse when it comes to what can usually be the most EXPENSIVE part of your Disney trip. We’re approaching this chaos-agent of a decision with as much logic as possible, so we’re breaking it down into five categories:

Common Ground
Theme/Rooms
Pools
Food
Transportation

Welcome Home to Saratoga Springs

Common Ground

Before we mention their differences, let’s take a look at what Old Key West and Saratoga Springs have in common. First, both are Deluxe Villa Resorts, so they offer many of the same perks. In addition, you’ll find that room sizes and nightly rates are very similar. These hotels can be booked by Disney Vacation Club members or cash-paying guests, and because of their immense size, rooms are often available!

What a view from Saratoga Springs!

Each have a large resort layout that consists of a central lobby building with outer buildings housings the actual hotel rooms. The themeing at both locations is subtle when compared to other resorts such as Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Cornhole at Old Key West

For Old Key West, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $457 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $3,081 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit.

For Saratoga Springs, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $451 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $3,477 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit.

Extra Theme Park Hours Benefits for Disney World Resort Hotel Guests

Theme/Rooms

Old Key West and Saratoga Springs both offer villa-type accommodations with studio, 1-bedroom (sleep up to five), 2-bedroom, or 3-bedroom layouts. Furnishings are generally a little bit more on the higher end.

Speaking of spacious accommodations, the 3 Bedroom Grand Villas at various Disney Vacation Club properties can sleep up to 12 people! These rooms typically come with 3 bedrooms, 3 (or more) bathrooms, a (very large) full-sized kitchen, living area, dining area, and a balcony. These rooms are available first for DVC members to book, so they’re pretty difficult to score and pricing is not readily available to the public (unless you call Disney to book for a specific date).

Old Key West Resort

At each resort, studios have two beds and a kitchenette. The one-to-three-bedroom villas have a full kitchen, as well as washer and dryer. If you’re looking for convenience, these amenities might make your trip a whole lot easier!

Lounge at Old Key West!

Both are large resorts with beautiful landscaping, but they do have some differences!

Old Key West

Opened in October 1991, Old Key West features a relaxed, beach vibe (minus the ocean). Picture yourself vacationing at a Caribbean-style guest house in small neighborhood-type structures. Exteriors are painted in soft hues reminiscent of the Florida Keys. Guests return here year after year because of the laid-back atmosphere and large rooms.

Old Key West Resort — Deluxe Studio Room.

Yes, this resort offers generous square footage in each studio or villa. Studios are furnished with two queen beds. Two-bedroom villas sleep up to nine people. Rooms were last renovated in 2019.

Saratoga Springs

Here, you’ll escape to a 19th century equestrian resort, although there aren’t any horses! Opened in May 2004, the quaint gardens add to the peaceful atmosphere.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Studio

Studios at this resort are smaller providing a queen bed and pull-down bed. Two bedrooms sleep up to 8 people.

Treehouse Villa

However, the unique but very remote treehouse villas can accommodate up to nine guests.

Results

What type of accommodations do you prefer? Both offer a relaxing atmosphere in large, spread-out resorts. If you need space, Old Key West wins out. If you want the most recently refurbished rooms, try Saratoga Springs as they were renovated in 2021. However, if you want the resort with the best thematic details, Old Key West wins hands down! There is a sense of Victorian community at Old Key West.

NEWS! MAJOR HOTEL CHANGE Announced for Disney World

Pools

When the weather is HOT or you just need a break from park queues, head to your resort pool! After all, the pools have their own unique features and special theming. Feature pools at Walt Disney World hotels usually have at least one slide and also offer poolside activities. Look at the hotel’s recreation schedule for more information. Some Disney resorts are so spread out that they also offer leisure pools. These swimming spots are family-friendly with at least one whirlpool spa. Leisure pools are quieter than the more crowded and active feature pools.

You can take some time to relax at your hotel!

Note that poolside towels are always complimentary.