Concerned about OKW

[jskelton83]

Just reserved at OKW for dec 17-22. Normally stay at home resort of VWL, but couldn't get rooms we wanted. We stayed at SSR in May and didn't feel as "magical" as VWL. Should we worry?

 

[Laurajean1014]

What made SSR not magical for you? It general isn't the place, but rather the experience you have from the place.

OKW is our favorite spot, but that doesn't mean it's everones. I'm not a fan of VWL, but many are.

I think if you go with an open mind, you will enjoy the amenities.

Have lots of fun on your trip.

 

[jskelton83]

SSR has too much concrete and pavement. Felt too much like a regular hotel. not as much disney planning.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We just finished a 4 night 1-bedroom OKW stay and it was fabulous. When we were looking to buy into DVC, we tried resale first, there were lots of OKW's for sale. DH just didn't want to hear about buying there. Well, OKW has a new fan.

Our stay was magical, and we didn't even have a balcony with Mickey's sillouette in it's bars! I did feed the ducks right from the balcony, and a bunny too! We were on the first floor, no noise from above. The villa was clean, spotless, beautiful, We needed a cutting board and 1 plastic juice glass, and they came in fine time.

The busses were fine, wonderful. Absolutely no complaints.

Bobbi

 

[dianeschlicht]

What size unit? If you are staying in a studio....maybe not so magical, but if you are in a 1 or 2 bedroom, you will LOVE it. It is quite different than staying at ANY of the other DVC resorts. Much less of a hotel, and much more of a vacation home and vacation resort. We stayed at PORS a couple nights in March to save points, and while I don't like the extra walking and the small rooms and the small beds, I made do, and loved that we were still at Disney. I even enjoyed looking at the different vegetation there from our usual OKW.

 

[Granny]

Hard to define "magical", but depending on your interests OKW can be either a beautiful, lush resort or "just another Florida condo". We love VWL and found OKW to be a great resort with attentive CM's and a charm of its own.

I fear that if you think SSR felt "too much like a regular hotel", you might find OKW to feel too much like a regular condo. Just being blunt...it is a fine resort but so is SSR.

There are tons of pictures of OKW on this and other sites. Most convey the feeling very well of the villas, the landscaping, the golf course, etc. You should be able to get a feel for the resort from those pictures.

As for comparing OKW to VWL during Christmas week, well they will certainly have different feels to them. But I'm sure you will have a very nice stay at OKW and assuming you are in a unit larger than a studio, you will really enjoy the extra space.

 

[seabright1]

SSR did not feel magical too me too when we were there last month. SSR is just too big and did not have that "resort" feel ( in my opinion). SSR felt more like a big apartment complex too me. Did you notice tha concrete hallways to the rooms. To me, SSR lacked some architectural details mos speciallly in those "boring" (my opinion) hallways. The stair rails too were made of those tubular metal pipes you see at home depot. I can't wait to checkout of SSR and move to OKW during our stay at WDW. OKW is definetly more magical to me. SSR on the otherhand is a loser (my opinion).

 

[byoung]

We love BWV, next on our list is OKW it's great staying there very relaxing.

 

[seabright1]

Try to get a room with a "waterway" view and watch the boats pass by your porch. Enjoy!

 

[MonkeyPants]

I'm a big fan of OKW...as for SSR not feeling magical, not sure what to tell you. I enjoyed it while I was down there last november, tho when I was talking to my aunt the other day she did say it didnt blow here away. But then she is from up north, the style of the resort is something she is quite familar with, so its not a massive change for her. It would be like someone from Key West staying at OKW and then not being all that impressed with its set up. Know what I mean?

 

[dznyacct]

Our home resort is VWL, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE OKW !! DS and I stayed there for the first time in March 2005. I stayed there again last June in a 1 BR with my mom, sister and niece. My mom STILL comments to me about how HUGE our room was and what a nice resort it was (and she is kind of difficult to please ). DS, DS's friend and I stayed there this past March and had a great time. It is such a deal (point wise) and is such a laid back beautiful resort. DH, DS and myself are headed down to the real Key West in about 5 weeks. I know I'll be thinking "hmmmm, this steet looks like Old Turtle Pond Road or Miller's Road". I think it has become my favorite "relaxing" resort.

 

[Dean]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In many ways SSR and OKW are similar, in other ways they are different.

• location - both are close to DD with SSR being much closer. Neither are close to the parks and that is big for many. A car can make a big difference for both but likely more so for OKW than SSR.
• Both are large and spread out. The common areas tend to be far away. Other than quiet pool access, I think this is worse at SSR than OKW.
• Both have similar parking access.
• The building feel is totally different for many. I find OKW more of a condo feel and I like that. I find SSR more of a suite motel feel, not that much different than when I stayed at a value resort (nicer rooms though).
• There are other items including unit size, decoration, restaurant choices, etc. I'm sure others will have their own list and a different take on these somewhat subject areas ant that's OK.

 

[Disney Fanatic]

There is definately nothing to worry about!!!

After we stayed at OKW, this is the reason we bought into DVC!!!

It is very relaxing and you will love it!

Have fun

 

[MiaSRN62]

OKW is "Key West" themed. The style of the villas.....the restaurant (Olivia's).....the lobby area (Papa's Den is in honor of Ernest Hemingway who lived in Key West)...there is a bridge near the pool styled after a bridge in Mallory Sqaure.......the Jimmy Buffet music piped in.......there is a small boardwalk and boat dock where you can rent watercraft (ps, don't rent the water mice though---slow at OKW).
I realize the WL has over-the-top themeing and I also love that resort. These resorts have two very different styles. One is attached to a hotel and the other is spread out. OKW has a "neighborhood" feeling to me. There are some very pretty water views which we love. Some buildings actually catch views of Illuminations. So if you go to OKW with an open mind and don't expect it to be like WL, I think you'll like it. You might not love it like I do, but I can't imagine you wouldn't like it. Have a wonderful stay !

 

[thelobstershanty]

We just returned from a visit to SSR and have stayed at OKW quite a few times. We find OKW and SSR to be very, very similiar. If you were not too thrilled with SSR, I am afraid you may feel the same way about OKW.