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Upgrade opinion for the board...
Posted: Jul Thu 23, 2009 11:43 pm
by bamafan19
As mentioned in previous posts, my wife and I are taking my 4 yr old son and 9 month old daughter to WDW for the first time. We made reservations for All-Star Movies. Out of the blue today I received an email from Disney offering an upgrade to a studio room in either Saratoga Springs or OKW at no additional charge. My first instinct is to stay at AS Movies because I think my son would enjoy the theme better. What do you think? TIA

Posted: Jul Fri 24, 2009 12:41 am
by Len90
Well, honestly the upgrade to Old Key West I think would get you the largest room. Either Saratoga o OK will offer you a larger of a room and some more amenities. The kids might get a kick out of the large statues at the All Star Movies, but I personally would take the upgrade. You never know if an offer like that will ever come around again.
Posted: Jul Fri 24, 2009 6:13 am
by MW1218
Absolutely take the upgrade, without question. Going from basically a value to a deluxe for no charge? You just hit the lottery!
Posted: Jul Fri 24, 2009 6:33 am
by skull
Take the upgrade, then if you want to show them the statues and theming at AS Movies, hop on a bus, and head over!

Posted: Jul Fri 24, 2009 7:25 am
by timekeeper
We would take the upgrade just to have the washer/dryer with a child and some privacy. Many people received 1 bedrooms and that would be heavenly!
Our first trip was POFQ, DD didn't know the difference because she had not seen the other resorts. Once she saw Pop Century she was hooked and we have had to stay there ever since.
Posted: Jul Fri 24, 2009 7:58 am
by agingerbugg
You won't have the washer and dryer in a studio (at least at OKW), it is basically an efficiency apartment. Two double beds, bathroom, microwave, mini fridge. But YES absolutely take it. It sounds though, since they are offering you only OKW and Saratoga Springs that this is a marketing gimmick to get you to join DVC. Old Key West is very nice. My parents have stated at SS and said the rooms were small in comparison.
Posted: Jul Fri 24, 2009 8:11 am
by sandi
Take it!! He's 4 and all those statues may put him into over-load!!!! Remember this is your vacation too and I image it'll be a little calmer at SS than at the All Star with all the families and small kids!!!
Posted: Jul Fri 24, 2009 8:28 am
by WVParkfan
MW1218 wrote:Absolutely take the upgrade, without question. Going from basically a value to a deluxe for no charge? You just hit the lottery!
Amen! Take the upgrade.
Posted: Jul Fri 24, 2009 8:32 am
by swede375
We would take the upgrade. Definately. As skull said, you can always take a bus to any of the resorts to check them out. Have a good trip!
Posted: Jul Fri 24, 2009 9:00 am
by PureDisney
I have to vote with everyone else and take the upgrade. All that extra space can really help when you want to relax. Especially with kids along.
Posted: Jul Fri 24, 2009 9:46 am
by Mr.ToadWildRider
Well, IF there are no catches take the upgrade. Since those are DVC resorts I would first make sure they aren't expecting you to take some 3 hour+ long timeshare tour which may carve out a hearty portion of your trip.
Posted: Jul Fri 24, 2009 11:46 am
by metsofny
Take the upgrade. It could be there is construction at allstar and that's why they want to move you.
Posted: Jul Fri 24, 2009 12:03 pm
by boilerbabe
If there is NO catch, then take the upgrade!!! Like others have said, you can always take your son to see the big statues.
Enjoy!!!
Posted: Jul Fri 24, 2009 1:13 pm
by 99Soulz
Absolutely take the upgrade!!! Studio rooms at the DVC resorts are basically just hotels rooms so you won't get much more out of the room itselt but to be at one of the resorts has lots of benefits. While they are big resorts, there are less people due to it being spread out. So, fewer people in the pools, fewer people at the bus stops. And when you leave the park you'll be in a bus line with 20 people instead of 200 waiting for the All Stars.
As for which one to pick (Saratoga or OKW), it's really a matter of personal opinion. OKW has a tropical feel while SSR is upstate NY/Pine Tree sort of feel. OKW studio rooms seem dark and a little old vs. SSRs are newer and just seem cleaner/bighter. We've stayed at both properties and they both have good things about them. OKW has a great pool half the rooms overlook Lake Buena Vista GC but SSR is right across from DTD and most rooms have a view across the water to it. Both are about the same size property and have 4 or 5 bus stops within the resort. The main OKW pool has a giant sandcastle slide vs. the main pook at SSR has a splash area with the cushioned bottom floor that you walk into the pool from.
Honestly it's a toss up, and if we were given the option I think we would take OKW because for some reason whenever we stay there we really feel relaxed when away from the parks. I would suggest going on the web and checking the 2 resorts out to see which one is more your taste.
Good luck, and have a great trip!
Posted: Jul Fri 24, 2009 2:38 pm
by spodie
Wow, that sounds almost too good to be true! I would definately take the upgrade if this isn't a way for them to try to get you to buy into the DVC program with long tours and stuff (unless that's what you want!). I wish I would get an email like that!