DVC Studio comparisons: SSR vs. OKW: UPDATE FROM CM

[DrTomorrow]

One more comment about the "exterior" hallways at SSR: If you look at these floor plans, you'll see that the hallways actually do become "interior-ish" (new word alert!), with rooms on either side. This should address ptrbryant's question about balconies....

 

[CarolA]

My impression is that you are not sure about either resort. What do you expect/want? If your experience is at Deluxe resorts and you want room service, interior corridors etc. you may not be saying at the right resorts.

Having stayed at both of these I can say that both of them are very laid back places.

 

[ptrbryant]

Well, we never use room service and are used to interior corridors, but we could manage without them. We DO want peaceful, attractive accomodations and surroundings. We always use a car, so transportation isn't even an issue.

I guess I'd had in my mind that we were going to stay at either VWL or BCV, so I'm having to rethink my envisioned vacation quickly since there's no availability at either one. We very much want to stay on-site and our budget won't allow for over $150/nt. I think we'd much rather stay at either SSR or OKW than a Value or MOD. Of course, I've done searches on both properties now and am trying to figure out how much of the negative views are just "everyone can find something they don't like" or what seems like a consistent problem. I'm also enjoying each positive comment that's made.

So, having just found out this morning that my initial plans won't work and having a short time to make up my mind before maybe NO DVCs will be available, I'm just trying to cover as many bases as I can.

Karla B.

 

[drusba]

Have you checked to see if there are any BWV rooms available -- if one of your choices was BCV, BWV is in the same area.

As to OKW and SSR:

1. Studios are a bit larger (not much) at OKW; BCV, VWL BWV, and SSR all have about 360 sq. ft studios; OKW is about 370. Where OKW is really larger is the 1BR-- close to 1100 sg ft in comparison to about 720 at others.

2. The buildings at SSR have elevators. Most at OKW do not because they were built before the modern rules relating to access by those with disabilities (but they added a few buildings in 1999 which have elevators).

3. All rooms at both OKW and SSR open to the outside. Those "interior" hallways (and all hallways) you see at SSR are outside but covered overhead. The rooms at SSR all view "out" away from the building, meaning you will have a decent view no matter where you are.

4. Not sure what impacts asthma. At SSR, you really are not likely to be that close to any construction but you are likely to go past it when taking the bus, but I have been over there several times and never witnessed an issue of dust flying in the air. OKW has lots of bushes and trees and many units are right next to a golf course, which will have chemicals applied like any golf course.

5. The interior of the rooms at both places are nice with SSR having the newer amenities and furniture simply because they are new units.

6. If you are renting at a price per point, OKW costs less points per night than SSR. BWV "standard" view, about 25% of the BWV resort, costs close to OKW and less than SSR. The rest of BWV and all of the remaining resorts cost the same and are higher than SSR. In other words, you may want to check to see if you can get BWV standard view -- not likely available but it is worth asking to see if you can get lucky.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Suffering from asthma myself, make sure the reservation is made with (non-smoking for medical reasons) on the request. That way you will be most assured of getting a non-smoking unit. I don't think I would stress too much over the differences between OKW and SSR. They are both lovely and definitely on site, and deluxe in everyway compared to the value resorts.

 

[Sammie]

Two comments:

1. Sounds like you got some pretty bad CMs. For what it's worth, I've heard it mentioned a number of times that all WDW resorts use a "virtual" front desk. Even when you pick up your phone and call the "Front Desk" while in a WDW resort room, you don't really get anyone at the front desk or even the resort itself. The staff is supposedly trained to deal with the types of issues that guests would raise, but I'd be lying if I said this was the first time the responses came across as totally ignorant. I've even had my own (bad) first-hand experiences.

Not trying to justify the quality of the response you received--rather to perhaps shed a bit of light on why they seemed so clueless.

2. Someone else will have a much better answer on the elevators than this, but I'll give it a shot anyway. Suffice it to say that there are SOME buildings with elevators. Bell services is available if you want help with your luggage, but you will probably have to walk up the stairs daily if you get a second or third floor villa. You could always request first floor. I wouldn't necessarily count on being able to get one with an elevator.

I tried once to explain the phone concept and literally got flamed to a crisp. I still do not understand why anyone would think I would make any of this up, what purpose would it serve.

Disney uses a Central Call Center now. This is "not" to be confused with Central Reservations, CRO, they are not, I repeat not the same. The Call Center is a central switchboard that answers all the phones for all the resorts and then funnels them to the appropriate location if necessary. They did this to try and free up front desk personnel from answering phones with questions that someone else could answer. Such as what time does the MK open. Now granted most have never even set foot on the property of many of the resorts and will not do a good job of answering specific questions that they can not find on their computer screen. They do know which resort is being called and will answer with that resort name. You can literally turn right around and call another resort number and possibly get the same CM. I have actually had this happen. They can transfer your calls to any location on WDW property. When they answer OKW they are not at OKW but at the Call Center taking calls for OKW but they are authorized to speak on the behalf of OKW.

I have friends that work there so I am very much aware of the procedure. As TJ stated sounds like you got some new trainees that need further training.

 

[pediatric-rnp]

I tried once to explain the phone concept and literally got flamed to a crisp. I still do not understand why anyone would think I would make any of this up, what purpose would it serve.

I can certainly confirm you are not making this up - it amazes me that you would actually be flamed for mentioning the central call center!! On our last trip we stayed at the BC. I called what I thought was the BC front desk, to ask a question - it was a rather confusing call, until the CM I spoke with explained to me she was not in the BC, but in a central call center. I was surprised, but then once I thought about it, it made perfect sense. And I recalled that on checking in, I never heard the front desk phone ring like you do in regular hotels. I actually think it's a good idea, and she spent more time on the phone with me, answering my question, than a front desk person probably could have. And I didn't have to worry that I was interfering with someone's check-in process.

 

[mjkaferle5]

After looking at the map of Saratoga Springs.................It looks like there is only a main pool area and no quiet pools near the building themselves. Is this true? If so, it seems like OKW would be better because of the multiple pool options.

 

[spiceycat]

this post is 6 months old and the person was talking about May.

So why do you pull out such an old post?

there is a quiet pool in each section of SSR. Not as many as OKW but they are within a 2 minute (okay sometimes 5 minu) walk from your room.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Actually, there is a neighborhood pool at SSR, and we stayed right outside it last fall.

I didn't care for the bathroom arrangement at SSR (or any of the other post OKW) studio. The sink surrounded by doors was an issue. I like the roomier OKW studio bathroom with the extra sink outside the closet over the small tub/toilet room at SSR with closet doors and toilet doors making it impossible for someone to use the sink when others are wanting to get dressed or exit or enter the toilet.

 

[lenshanem]

My DD7 has mild asthma (not as severe as your child it sounds) and we stayed at SSR in June. Although there was construction going on we didn't notice any dust, etc. We stayed in the Congress Park area. Like others have mentioned make sure you mention the asthma on your ressie so you can hopefully get a non-smoking room. I'd also maybe request an area away from construction.

I also agree that there are worse areas to worry about at WDW as far as the asthma goes. My DD wheezed heavily during IllumiNations in April and we had to give her the inhaler and pick her up and boot it out of there before it ended. That was a first for us. I'm scared to take her back to see that again now.

Good luck. I really think you'd be fine at SSR.

EDIT - OOPS! Sorry, just noticed this was an old post.