am now leery after browsing threads after threads...

[ANTSS2001]

Is OKW and SSR a bad resort ? I have often seen this two on the same boat when compared to other dvc resort. Usually use in a sentence such as "if SSR or OKW suits you then it's ok for you to buy in with the present home resort sale." Isn't it SSR is the newest one ? Have you found anything wrong about it ( to all who had been to SSR ). Are there more disadvantage for this location ? SOme even suggested I wait for AKL Villas But then I am now an AKL type of person. If really would be given a choice ( even though I have not been there yet) I would like FWV since I love the WL !!! Am on it's last leg, all I need to do is sign and mail the papers back to the Disney Agent who helped us. Now am so lost

 

[tmt martins]

Haven't stayed at OKW

But we love SSR it's such a great resort and close to DTD giving you another bussing option.

We will try to stay at the other resorts but if we end up with just SSR then thats just fine.We also just stayed at POFQ and really liked that as well .We are NOT resort snobs by no means.

 

[Didney Daddy]

To cast dispersions about any DVC resort is a bit of a misnomer. Each one is fantastic, each one is also different from the other. I really disagree with the premise that one is better than another, I do agree though that differnet strokes for differnet folks does not mean one resort is superior just because of their personal preference.

We love BCV and VWL the most but we have stayed at SSR and OKW and enjoyed our time immensely. The 2 BDR's at OKW are large and spacious and cannot be beat if you are bringing friends or family. THe proximity of SSR to Downtown Disney is awesome if you love to shop and stroll the shops and take advantage of Pleasure Island. Usually the folks who do not like SSR do not really use these amenities.

The best advice is buy where you love. If you do not know where that it is, then take a trip to WDW and try the differnet resorts out. It will become readily apparent to you which one fits your family. DVC will still be there a year or two from now and your confidence should be restored.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Is OKW and SSR a bad resort ? I have often seen this two on the same boat when compared to other dvc resort. Usually use in a sentence such as "if SSR or OKW suits you then it's ok for you to buy in with the present home resort sale." Isn't it SSR is the newest one ? Have you found anything wrong about it ( to all who had been to SSR ). Are there more disadvantage for this location ? SOme even suggested I wait for AKL Villas But then I am now an AKL type of person. If really would be given a choice ( even though I have not been there yet) I would like FWV since I love the WL !!! Am on it's last leg, all I need to do is sign and mail the papers back to the Disney Agent who helped us. Now am so lost

Heck, no. OKW is a fantastic resort. The largest DVC rooms in the system. More like homes than hotel rooms. SSR and OKW are set up like small communities where you walk from building to building. VWL, BCV and BWV are set up like hotels with endless hallways (sorry, had to get that in ).

SSR is a beautiful resort within walking distance to DTD. A short bus ride to the themeparks. Lovely theming, almost stately with the horsey theme. Nothing in your face like a Pop Century or All Stars type theming (which some love, I don't care for it that much). It's growing and will be the largest DVC resort as soon as it is finished. OKW is the next largest.

VWL is the smallest, with BCV and BWV right behind. Not sure where VAKL will fit in there.

Both OKW and SSR have parking close to your villa. BWV has the furthest parking lot from the villas, then VWL. BCV has parking close to the villas, but not with valet parking close by (it's over near the BC).

If you like SSR, then buy there. It's a nice resort, lovely theming, beautiful rooms, it's just another DVC resort.

 

[brianm27]

It's like picking a favorite color. Try to convince someone else that yours is right and theirs is wrong.

There is the right resort for everyone - just pick the one that is right for you.

 

[JimC]

Own at OKW and have stayed at both. They are large resorts.

OKW is the original and only one done as a condo layout. Very laid back and relaxing environment. Very large villas and an excellent point/dues value.

SSR is the newest and will be the largest when complete. The location makes for great walking to DD from either side. I like walking it in the morning when DD is empty.

Both are very well themed and are really very enjoyable. That said if you like AKL, stay in peak DVC time and need 11 month booking advantage then wait for AKV to sell, but plan on the price being higher. Of course you could buy two small contracts -- one now to get into the program and one later at AKV.

 

[Sammie]

We have stayed at all the DVC resorts and enjoyed all of them for different reasons. None are perfect and none are bad. They all have their positives and their negatives, you simply have to decide what it is that appeals to you most.

We like the condo setup of OKW and SSR as we always have a car and don't want it far from us. We like outside entrances that both offer instead of long hallways and a lobby. We like the buses just fine and since no location is close to every park, the bus situation is ok with us. We prefer to ride than walk (we get enough walking at the parks) so the closeness to our villa of the bus stops at OKW and SSR appeal to us greatly.

I like the Counter Service at SSR best of any Disney resort DVC or non. I love the open airy sitting area at Artist Pallette and really like the food choices, and the service is great.

We like being near Downtown Disney because we want an alternative to the parks, as our group is mostly older and appreciate that option.

So basically it depends on what you want and less about what appeals to others. Just don't let anyone convince you that OKW and SSR are in the middle of nowhere, as that is simply not true, they are as close to MK, as BCV and BWV and only one mile to Epcot. Equal distance to AK and the closest to DD.

 

[ANTSS2001]

take a trip to WDW and try the differnet resorts out.

The opportunity had never occured for us. We were able to check out the outside of all the DVC resorts except for OKW and really thouhgt they are all great. And now we found this nest egg that we can use to buy into DVC. I was already sold about it but you know how it is when you read more fyi the more you get anxious about a certain something. I had waited 8 years to do this and I know I trully want to do it I thought I have done my homework right but one mistake I had was I never touched this part of DIS "DVC Boards" thinking I have no right to be here am not a member And I really thank each and everyone for all the inputs and advices. This really trully helps .

More like homes than hotel rooms.

SSR and OKW are set up like small communities where you walk from building to building.

SSR is a beautiful resort within walking distance to DTD.

A short bus ride to the themeparks.


Lovely theming, almost stately with the horsey theme.



Both OKW and SSR have parking close to your villa.

Ok I like all this pointers! Thank You !!! One more question ! DO they have a BBQ area, someone had mentioned you can BBQ at BWV and BCV near a pool or something...

We like the condo setup of OKW and SSR as we always have a car and don't want it far from us.

We like outside entrances that both offer

We like the buses just fine



We like being near Downtown Disney.

I like this too

 

[BCVOwner2002]

Is OKW and SSR a bad resort ? I have often seen this two on the same boat when compared to other dvc resort. Usually use in a sentence such as "if SSR or OKW suits you then it's ok for you to buy in with the present home resort sale." Isn't it SSR is the newest one ? Have you found anything wrong about it ( to all who had been to SSR ). Are there more disadvantage for this location ? SOme even suggested I wait for AKL Villas But then I am now an AKL type of person. If really would be given a choice ( even though I have not been there yet) I would like FWV since I love the WL !!! Am on it's last leg, all I need to do is sign and mail the papers back to the Disney Agent who helped us. Now am so lost

Perhaps you should look at resales. I know someone from the Disboards who is selling their VWL contract. I'm sure there are several others available as well. My attitude is buy where you want to stay. That will give you the 11 month booking/reservation window. Just my honest opinion. Annmarie

 

[Sammie]

Yes they have BBQ areas at both and I love the fact that both SSR and OKW are quiet resorts. We love the parks but when we are ready for bed we like the peace and quiet both offer.

I would say SSR has the quietest rooms I have ever stayed in. This summer we stayed on the first floor near the elevator and near the trash room and never knew anyone was near us, even though the resort was sold out.

You truly can not make a bad choice, you just have to narrow it down to what fits. I look at DVC like I do shoes. There are many very nice shoes, but they don't all fit me.

Any when you are ready for a change, you can always visit the neighbors and book there.

 

[Dean]

Both are great resorts overall, just not quite as high demand as BCV, VWL & BWV overall.

 

[ANTSS2001]

Yes they have BBQ areas at both.

One less thing for me to think about. We love to BBQ and when we are at the World, we miss BBQ and we thouhgt we have to be at the campgrounds to this! You Rock Sammie!!! Thanks!!!

We make yummy BBQ .. well thats what my neighbors always tell us

 

[Disney Doll]

I've been a DVCer since 1997 and on the DIS since 2000.

There is always a panic on the DIS when a new resort is built. Owners always think "Oh my God, more people, which means that my resort is going to be harder to book and I don't even like the new one as much so I am not going to want to stay there and all those people buying the new one don't like it either , they just want to have points so they can take up all the good Epcot views or Boardwalk views or woods views or golf course views or beach views at my resort, which everyone knows is the best resort anywhere".

My home resort is OKW. It is a lovely resort, well-designed, spread out, kind of like a little town. It has 3 quiet pools plus one main pool, and fishing, boating, shufflebaord, basketball, volleyball, golf and so forth. The CMs are generally lovely, the rooms are generally nice, if I have had an issue with a room it has always been addressed. I really have no complaints about it whatsoever. I have also stayed at BWV & BCV. They are just as nice...different in that they are hotel-style with interior hallways and entrances, rather than condo-style, with exterior walkways and entrances, but they are just as lovely overall. And I remember when BCV was built, all the BWV people were yammering about the people buying points at the BCV just buying so they would be able stay at the BWV, because the BWV had better views of the Boardwalk, the water etc. And then when VWL was built, I remember everyone saying that obviously people were buying there to be able to stay in the larger size OKW units, or to be able to stayat BCV and swim in SAB and walk to Epcot or to be able to stay at the BWV to have the Boardwalk views and walk to Epcot.

I have never stayed at SSR. I have seen it, walked around it, viewed the pool, viewed the main area, toured the sales center and seen the room. It is a lovely resort. It has busses to the parks, it has a boat to DTD, you can walk to DTD, you can walk/boat to OKW.

If you like the WL area and themeing, may I suggest that before you sign up for SSR that you look at the resale market and talk to Disney to see if there is anything available at the WLV (Wilderness Lodge Villas). Disney often has points at the earlier-built resorts (what do you think happens to all those ROFR points that they buy?), even though they don't "advertise" that, because obviously their desire is to sell the current one. I recall a post where the poster wanted BCV and wanted to buy from Disney, and the guide was trying to steer them toward whatever was the current "sell" at the time. The poster finally said to the guide "I want the BCV and if you do not have the points or desire to sell it to me, then I will go to the resale market". Amazingly enough, suddenly Disney found the points! Ultimately, they never want to lose a sale.

So to answer your questions...while every resort has different themes and locations, they are all equally as lovely.

 

[ANTSS2001]

I've been a DVCer since 1997 and on the DIS since 200.

There is always a panic on the DIS when a new resort is built. Owners always think "Oh my God, more people, which means that my resort is going to be harder to book and I don't even like the new one as much so I am not going to want to stay there and all those people buying the new one don't like it either , they just want to have points so they can take up all the good Epcot views or Boardwalk views or woods views or golf course views or beach views at my resort, which everyone knows is the best resort anywhere".

My home resort is OKW. It is a lovely resort, well-designed, spread out, kind of like a little town. It has 3 quiet pools plus one main pool, and fishing, boating, shufflebaord, basketball, volleyball, golf and so forth. The CMs are generally lovely, the rooms are generally nice, if I have had an issue with a room it has always been addressed. I really have no complaints about it whatsoever. I have also stayed at BWV & BCV. They are just as nice...different in that they are hotel-style with interior hallways and entrances, rather than condo-style, with exterior walkways and entrances, but they are just as lovely overall. And I remember when BCV was built, all the BWV people were yammering about the people buying points at the BCV just buying so they would be able stay at the BWV, because the BWV had better views of the Boardwalk, the water etc. And then when VWL was built, I remember everyone saying that obviously people were buying there to be able to stay in the larger size OKW units, or to be able to stayat BCV and swim in SAB and walk to Epcot or to be able to stay at the BWV to have the Boardwalk views and walk to Epcot.

I have never stayed at SSR. I have seen it, walked around it, viewed the pool, viewed the main area, toured the sales center and seen the room. It is a lovely resort. It has busses to the parks, it has a boat to DTD, you can walk to DTD, you can walk/boat to OKW.

If you like the WL area and themeing, may I suggest that before you sign up for SSR that you look at the resale market and talk to Disney to see if there is anything available at the WLV (Wilderness Lodge Villas). Disney often has points at the earlier-built resorts (what do you think happens to all those ROFR points that they buy?), even though they don't "advertise" that, because obviously their desire is to sell the current one. I recall a post where the poster wanted BCV and wanted to buy from Disney, and the guide was trying to steer them toward whatever was the current "sell" at the time. The poster finally said to the guide "I want the BCV and if you do not have the points or desire to sell it to me, then I will go to the resale market". Amazingly enough, suddenly Disney found the points! Ultimately, they never want to lose a sale.

So to answer your questions...while every resort has different themes and locations, they are all equally as lovely.

great information! thank you!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Obviously you haven't read many of my posts, because I LOVE OKW! I like the location of SSR as well. The posts you will read about folks not likeing OKW and SSR are often from those who have never stayed at either. They don't stay there because they think they are "too remote". Well, that is the charm for some of us. I don't even think SSR is remote enough. It is a bit like a city in itself, or at least a small town. That is kind of theme as well with the little "downtown" are etc. By the same token, I don't care for the LOOOONG hallways and hotel feel of the Epcot resorts. Transportation is so good and easy from OKW and SSR, while at BWV and BCV, your best bet is to walk. Transportation to MK can be difficult from the Epcot resorts, while OKW and SSR are a quick 10 minute bus ride. OKW has the largest villas of all, and are the only on-site DVC villas with the vacation home/townhouse feel to them. That makes them particularily attractive for those of us not too used to apartment or urban living. Until you have stayed at each of the DVC resorts, you will have no way of knowing what you do and don't like. I can tell you what my list of preference is.....yours and others will be different.
1. OKW-for size, solitude, theme, and vacation home feel.
2. VWL- theme is the big thing here
3. SSR- upscale amenities and decor
4. BCV- proximaty to Epcot
5. BWV- ummmm, don't care for it at all.

I suspect when AKV comes online, it will slip in there between OKW and VWL!

 

[CarolA]

The official DIS board rule is "we must TRASH the newest resort" LOL!

When BCV opened it was the WORST resort ever built... too small, no community room, no view, rooms too small, there was even a huge post on the "ugly" decor which included a post on how the dining seating was a danger to kids. This trashing continued until SSR was built when it moved into the place of honor. (And just as a clue, BCV resales seem to sell for HIGHER then most others so you have to wonder why the DIS thought it was just horrid! LOL!)

Hang on... in just a few months SSR will move OFF of the "worst resort ever" place of honor and be replaced by VAKL. (We have already seen some loss leaders, stinky animals, dark rooms, too far, no outside walking paths etc....)


The DIS DVC boards have a higher portion then your normal group of folks who think that "abuse" is a good..... (Just post that you don't like a resort and watch the flames that will be directed at you.) I actually had a poster on this board send me threatening PMs because I did not think getting a handicapped room to be something that should be the end of the world. His exact threat was that he "would break your leg so you NEED that room" ... along with some words you can't post here. (And yes, he is still around!)

 

[crisi]

OKW and SSR are condo style resorts: Buildings are more spread out, you can park in front of your door, atmosphere is a little quieter, they have exterior access to the rooms. Because they are larger than the other resorts, they have more availability late, so some people believe if you have a firm preference for hotel style resorts, you should own at a hotel style resort - chances are pretty good OKW or SSR will be available five or six months out.

The other resorts are hotel style resorts. They tend to feel busier, and offer hotel amenities like room service and valet parking. You have interior access to the rooms. They are attached to Disney Deluxe hotels, so you have the hotel amenties - including a better selection of restaurants and many people feel better park access to at least one park. Because they tend to be smaller, they can be harder to book if you don't take advantage of the home resort window.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Another thing I like about OKW, when you get to your home, you feel at home. No hustle, no bustle. Kind of a getaway from all the Disney madness. We know it's right there, just around the corner (plus sometimes you can see the fireworks from Epcot or Disney Studios and you can often hear them, too).

Whenever we have brought friends or family along, we have stayed at OKW in a two bedroom. They are amazed at all the room, the spaciousness of it all. And then, there's the porch....

 

[mickeysgal]

Absolutely not! Its just each caters to a different kind of vacation and vacationer. In our case, we bought into the DVC site unseen - way back when there was only OKW. It far surpassed our expectations when we first saw it in person. To this day, it is the place we feel most at home at. It truly feels like a home and I wish I could live there year-round.

 

[bpmorley]

Is OKW and SSR a bad resort ?

There is no such thing as a bad resort in Disney. Especially the DVC resorts. The reason that you always see these 2 together is that they are complete DVC resorts. The other DVC's were added onto already existing resorts. The complaints I hear about these 2 are they are not close to any parks. They are both close to DTD. I think they are a little more adult oriented. I've stayed at both and I personally like them both.