We own at OKW and stay there most often, although we have stayed at SSR also.
SSR is very large and new, and has kind of upscale furnishings. It is near DTD, but for some reason seems to take just as long to get there as it does from OKW. We have walked to DTD from both resorts, and find it a similar experience. OKW is a bit farther, but if you are staying on the south end, seems to take not much longer than walking from parts of SSR.
OKW in general is not really showing its age because Disney maintanes it quite well. We have been members for 10 years, and have seen appliances replaced, beds replaced, apholstered furniture replaced etc, in all the units we have stayed in. Only once did we have a unit that seemed overly worn, and when inquiring at the desk, we were informed that it was due for rehab as soon as we checked out (that was a GV building).
We liked SSR okay, but we generally don't care for the layout of rooms in the non/OKW resorts. They all seem to have too many doors. That being said, we did find SSR very comfortable and quiet.
The things we like better about OKW (compared to SSR) is that the units feel a bit more casual and homey. SSR seems a bit stuffy to us. We love the large open spaces at OKW and in the OKW units. It feels like a vacation home to us rather than a hotel (like many of the other
DVC resorts) or an apartment complex like SSR. We like the real community feel of OKW too, and love being able to park right outside your door. Love the wildlife that abounds outside the large deck too. That was the thing we missed most at SSR.
and really don't think you could go wrong either way. To us, they are very different & we like them each for different reasons.
