Have to choose between OKW &SSR

[Cmbar]

Can you please give me pros and cons to the difference between OKW & SSR...

We are 4 adults, 4 children (3, 5, 7,8) We will be using the DDP and would like to try and use credits for some breakfast items. We will be staying in a 2 bedroom.

Things like, bus service, distance to/from buses, pools and restaurants is what I am most interested in. Thanks for any information.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

These are our 2 favorite resorts so I think either would be great.

OKW has more space. Considering you will have 8 that is reason enough for me to say go to OKW.

Both SSR & OKW have great pools & community hall activities for the kids.

Both SSR & OKW are very laid back & relaxing.

My only real complaint with OKW is Good's (counter service). The options are extremely limited. Pre-DDP you could get Olivia's menu to go from the Good's counter (they share a kitchen) but no more. Also, there is no indoor seating for Good's. Olivia's is great, although they changed their menu since DDP also & got rid of some of our traditions/favorites.

SSR has Artist Palette, which we love, and Turf Club, which was still under construction during our last visit in May but has received solid reviews so we are anxious to try there. Also, DTD is close enough that you also have WPExpress & EoS not to mention McD's for the little ones.

As for busses, we always have a car so I can't comment on that.

Like I said, we love both & are staying at SSR next month but with 8 I would without question go with OKW for space.

Have fun!

 

[Steamboat Bill]

seriously, just flip a coin...they both are great.


SSR has elevators and OKW has stairs....something that may come as a surprise if you get the penthouse

 

[starbox]

We had a split stay between OKW and SSR.

Bus service is going to be about the same at either resort. On our trip, we experienced a much faster check-in and more frequent bus service at SSR, but I honestly think that sort of thing ends up being luck of the draw.

OKW has larger rooms. I liked the balcony at OKW better.

OKW is cheaper in terms of points.

On our trip, housekeeping and room cleanliness was better at SSR - but again, that may be luck of the draw.

Restaurants were MUCH better at SSR. Eating CS lunch from Goods on a sunny picnic table in late July mid-day heat was not very appealing - and the dining options were pretty much hot-dogs and burgers. This is my biggest complaint with OKW. I want a nice place to sit down and eat, if not in air-conditioning, at least give me a nice shady pavilion. I'd also like a change from theme park-type food when I'm back at the resort.

The menu at Olivia's did not tempt me, so I can't comment on the TS dining at OKW, but I was pleasantly surprised by how good the food at Turf Club was. I honestly thought the steak rivaled Le Cellier. We had eaten at O'Hana earlier in the week and our waiter there (not knowing we had reservations) said that Turf Club was his recommendation for a good steak.

Community Hall - we were traveling with a kid with broken arm, so we used the activities at both OKW and SSR. I don't think there is much difference in the arts and crafts - although SSR Community Hall does offer cooking classes (which we did not try) and pool games (which we played and loved).

Pools - both resorts have a very nice large slide. SSR has an additional small slide and water play area for little (toddler/preschool) kids.

Playground - I did not see the playground at OKW. SSR has a themed playground.

Boat Service - both resorts offer boat service to DTD.

Recreation - Carriage Rides can be reserved at SSR. Bike and other rentals seemed to be the same both places.

 

[I Love DVC]

seriously, just flip a coin...they both are great.


SSR has elevators and OKW has stairs....something that may come as a surprise if you get the penthouse

SSR has elevators in the grand villa?!

 

[bzzelady]

For the grand villas at SSR, the elevator is the shared one in the hallway and there is a separate keyed entrance into the second level of the grand villa. The elevator in the building is right where the grand villa is. You could use either the stairs inside...or if you have lots of luggage or relatives/friends who have difficulty navigating the stairs, go out the door, up the elevator, and in the upstairs door.
Very good selling point for me since I'll be 88 when my contract ends at SSR

 

[thelobstershanty]

We have stayed at both resorts and both are very nice. They are both very much alike in location, atmosphere,, transportation, etc.
Between the 2, for a 2 br, we would pick OKW, solely for the fact that OKW has bigger 2 br villas for less points than SSR.
Either resort is wonderful. Have a great trip!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Playground - I did not see the playground at OKW.

There are two playgrounds at OKW (one at the main pool and the other at the Turtle Pond pool).

Recreation - Carriage Rides can be reserved at SSR. Bike and other rentals seemed to be the same both places.

OKW has boat/watercraft rentals.

Both are very nice resorts, but we prefer the larger rooms and larger balcony at OKW. Also, if you have a car, you can park right outside your door at OKW. I will admit SSR has better onsite dining options. OKW has one sit down restaurant and 2 snack bars. SSR has a nice food court which is a nice addition.

 

[thelobstershanty]

........ I will admit SSR has better onsite dining options. OKW has one sit down restaurant and 2 snack bars. SSR has a nice food court which is a nice addition.

We must be one of the few families that prefers the food at OKW much more than SSR. We were not impressed with the food at Artist Palette at all. For a few days the wraps, salads and flat breads were fine but after that we wanted good old hamburgers, hot dogs and fries. We tend to eat healthy at home, but on vacation we do like our junk food, now and then.
We also like Olivia's more than the Turf Club. Olivia's has a more varied menu and it's more of a family restaurant atmosphere vs a pub/bar atmosphere.
We are not real happy with the menu changes that were recently done at Olivia's but this was done at mostly all the WDW restaurants. I still can not believe there are no longer conch fritters at OKW! What is up with that??? I was heartbroken to read this. Duh, conch and Key West go hand and hand--wake up Disney!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I still can not believe there are no longer conch fritters at OKW! What is up with that??? I was heartbroken to read this. Duh, conch and Key West go hand and hand--wake up Disney!

I know ! And agree 100%. We actually had to go to SSR to get a real slice of key lime pie as well ----what's up with that too ? Olivia's has key lime tarts, which are good, but they should also offer a good 'ole slice of key lime pie as well It's nuts having to go to SSR for that ????
As for the hamburgers and hotdogs....I do like that Goods offers this, just wish they had an indoor sitting area for that. There's only like 5-6 picnic tables outside and in the 95 degree heat, we didn't feel much like eating outside.

 

[byoung]

OKW get's my vote.