836: Resort Wars: Old Key West vs. Saratoga Springs

Main Street Magic - A Walt Disney World Podcast

Jeremy Stein

Disney Springs, Disney World, Citywalk, Magic Kingdom, Society & Culture, Universal Dining, Walt Disney World, Islands Of Adventure, Universal Studios, Universal Orlando, Disney Resorts, Disney, Hollywood Studios, Places & Travel, Walt Disney, Disney Dining, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Wdw, Kids & Family

4.6 • 783 Ratings

🗓️ 9 January 2026

⏱️ 41 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

We’re putting Disney’s Old Key West Resort head-to-head with Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa to see which laid-back villa resort comes out on top. Both resorts offer spacious accommodations, boat access to Disney Springs, and a slower, more relaxed pace than your typical theme park hotel—but they go about it in very different ways. Old Key West brings Florida Keys charm, oversized villas, and that “this feels like home” energy that longtime DVC fans love. Saratoga Springs counters with elegant Victorian theming, newer-feeling rooms, Treehouse Villas, and one of the best locations for easy Disney Springs access. We break things down round by round, comparing theming and atmosphere, room size and comfort, dining options, transportation and walkability, recreation and amenities, and overall value for your vacation dollars or DVC points. As always, we leave the final decision open during the episode so you can play along at home and decide which resort deserves the crown. Is bigger always better? Does location beat nostalgia? And which one truly delivers the best Disney resort experience? Grab your scorecard, settle in, and let the Resort Wars begin.

Transcript

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0:00.0	On this episode, we go head to head in another round of resort wars, comparing Disney's
0:03.9	Old Key West Resort and Disney Saratoga Springs Resort.
0:06.9	Today's January 9th, 2026, and this is episode 836 of the Main Street Magic podcast.
0:12.9	Jeremy and Rhonda are more than a little fond of Disney World, so they made this podcast
0:18.6	to share it all with you.
0:21.3	Reports and resorts.
0:23.0	Top ten lists of all sorts.
0:25.2	Main Street Magic's bringing it home for you.
0:30.4	Hello and welcome to another episode of Main Street Magic.
0:33.2	I am your host, Jeremy Stein, and as always, I'm joined by my lovely wife, Rhonda.
0:36.7	Hey, guys.
0:54.4	If you want to be part of the community and join the conversation, get the latest theme park news, as well as live streams from the parks and resorts, head to Facebook and search for the Main Street Magic community and ask to join. Make sure you check us out on the web at Mainstimagic.com as well as follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at Maine ST Magic, and on TikTok at MSM podcast.
0:58.0	Planning a trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World can be overwhelming and at times just
1:01.9	downright frustrating.
1:03.2	But don't worry because mouse dining removes the frustration of booking Disney dining
1:06.7	reservations, alerting you when they spot availability for your desired
1:09.9	restaurant, date, meal, and time.
1:12.8	Visit MSMFriends.com to use this free service.
1:16.5	And don't forget to hit the subscribe button so you can get brand new episodes every Tuesday
1:20.3	and Friday.
1:21.2	Are you ready for your bucket list trip?
1:23.0	Our trusted partner, MEI Travel, will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories.
	...

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