Help me choose OKW or SSR?

[Summer-Caitlin]

Okay so I have been trying to decide whether or not I should book for next year. Initially I looked at prices for POFQ for 10 nights and WL for 5 nights and was going to go for the DDDP when I got to WL (would love it for the whole trip to be honest)

So decided to have a better look today and for only a little bit more I can go to Old Key West Resort or Saratoga Springs and get the DDDP for the whole tripMy plan would be either OKW or SSR for 10 nights and WL for 5.

Now I have never stayed in any of these resorts. When we had our wedding we stayed 3 nights CBR, 4 nights POFQ and 7 nights GF. We both loved all the resorts, esp GF but can't justify the cost of staying there again. My main concern is that OKW and SSR won't have the 'magic' of the actual resorts, don't know why. Can anyone put my mind at ease?

We are two adults, 28 and 32 (no children) and loved being in the centre of the magic. Can anyone recommend which resort would be best OKW/SSR? At that price I just can't pass it up. We have always wanted to do deluxe dining since they changed it as we loved it first time round, so having the chance to do it at this price is outstanding.

Thanks in advance

 

[orangetiggs]

Hey Summer how are you!

We are staying hopefully at SSR next year as its only a bit more than POFQ which is where we are staying this year, i like that ssr has balconies and from what i have read about OKW not all have.

We are going to get a studio and like the fact t has a mini kitchen

 

[dolphingirl47]

We own at OKW and love it. The rooms at OKW are much bigger than any of the other DVC resorts. All rooms at OKW either have a balcony or a patio and again those are bigger than at Saratoga Springs. We have only been over to Saratoga Springs once for a meal and found it very stiff and formal, whereas OKW is seriously laid back.

Corinna

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Hi Sarah

How are you and the little ones coming along?

I'm fine, just trying to get things organised. As we aren't going to the concert anymore our Disney trip has all of a sudden become more probable.

I did notice that you planned on going to SSR and I know it's the newer of the two. Where about is SSR? Is it in the same area as OKW? It does look like a really nice resort, would definitely get a studio as we would be on the DDDP so won't really need a full kitchen. I am getting excited at the thought!

Do hope we come away with a little disney souvenir...

 

[Neoshoegal]

SSR is next to OKW, so pretty much the same location nearly. SSR is walking distance from Downtown Disney.
We had to choose as well, similar ages. We decided on SSR over OKW. SSR has a bed and a sofa vs OKW which has 2 beds, so thought the sofa would be nicer. Also, SSR is a newer resort, not that that mattered all that much. They both seem like great places, but in the end had to decided and from a "couple" point of view, SSR seemed to be the better choice.

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Corinna - Thanks for that. I must admit I prefer the look of OKW, probably because we loved the CBR and POFQ feel and I have a feeling that OKW is quite similar, am I right?

 

[orangetiggs]

ssr is new dtd as most have vews over the lake towards it i think

The sofa is what swung it for us as we will have two 8/9 month olds to cater for as well so a bit more room for cots!

I hope you come home with one as well Summer!

 

[PudseyChancer]

Hi, I looked at both OKW and SSR as they were both similarly priced with the dining offer, we decided to go for OKW as we thought that it looked nicer, and we read loads of really positive reviews about the ambience and 'feel'. With two little 'uns we really need a place that's a bit less 'in your face' and somewhere where it will be easy to chill out with tired kids, for some reason OKW just seemed to have the edge, with plenty of feedback about guests feeling really relaxed.

Can't wait to go and find out first hand!

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Hmm really confused now. OKW has a marina and bike trails and from what I can see SSR doesn't. The marina isn't a biggie as we intend to stay at WL so could always hire the sea raycers there. OKW also looks like they have more dining options (mainly for breakfast as will have the DDDP) don't know if SSR maybe has a better breakfast? The location is similar so don't need to worry about that. Love the idea of a patio or balcony so definitely want one of them, would I request that?

 

[dolphingirl47]

Corinna - Thanks for that. I must admit I prefer the look of OKW, probably because we loved the CBR and POFQ feel and I have a feeling that OKW is quite similar, am I right?

I have never been to either of the resorts you mentioned. OKW has a lovely tropical feel with pastel colours and lush vegetation. The staff there are fantastic and nothing is ever too much trouble. The have a nice main pool with slight and a sauna in a light house. There are also three quiet pools. The biggest one is in the Turtle Pond Road area and that one is virtually empty all day. I swam there once after spending the day in the park and there was me and one couple. DH does not really do the parks and during the day he always had the pool to himself. There is also a hot tub and a beautiful children's paly area next to the pool.

Corinna

 

[dolphingirl47]

Hmm really confused now. OKW has a marina and bike trails and from what I can see SSR doesn't. The marina isn't a biggie as we intend to stay at WL so could always hire the sea raycers there. OKW also looks like they have more dining options (mainly for breakfast as will have the DDDP) don't know if SSR maybe has a better breakfast? The location is similar so don't need to worry about that. Love the idea of a patio or balcony so definitely want one of them, would I request that?

As all studios and villas have either a balcony or a patio, there is no need to request this. Olivia's Cafe is really nice. We only made it to breakfast there once and really enjoyed it. I am not sure if the Turf Club at Saratoga Springs offers breakfast. We had dinner there once, but found the menu there very similar to Olivia's. The counter service at OKW is apparently pretty dire. DH had some lunch there one day and was not impressed. Olivia's does have a nice lunch menu with soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers though. If you end up staying at OKW, you have to try their Key Lime Tart, which is to die for.

Corinna

 

[Lizzybear]

I think a lot of it comes down to which theming you prefer. Personally I like the OKW theme but am not so keen on SSR (especially not for this trip as we're visiting the area of the US that the theme is based on before WDW anyway! ) I extended our CSR stay from 7 to 9 nights and it would have been the same price to upgrade to SSR as to stay in a king room at CSR but we chose not to switch because of the theme as I mentioned and also the fact that it's a queen bed plus a sofa (our bed at home is super king size so we find the queen size too small to share comfortably for more than a few nights) OKW wasn't available for our dates even when I first booked or I may have considered switching.

 

[crabbie1]

Like you we have styaed at POR,CBR and OKW. Was in this termoil last year but decided to opt for OKW as love the layed back feel and that it truly was.Great big rooms and the balcony was lovley.We had a studio in building 25 and we looked onto the golf course yet it was less than a 5 minute walk to the main area.A very large resort so study the map if you do book and ask for a room near the main area.Good luck but it is a romantic place and we had a 5 year old with us

 

[paulh]

if your on the DxDDP SSR the best option for its proximity(walking distance) to DTD to all there restaurants to eat and no need to drive

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Leaning towards OKW now, but Paul came in and spoiled it We won't be drivng and having close proximity to DTD would be a good thing, walking would be ideal, I take it we can't walk from OKW?

Like the sound of OKW being a romantic spot too. We will be going to celebrate our 3 year anniversary and we see this as our last big holiday before family.

So does everyone agree that the 'magic' is still at these resorts? It doesn't feel different because it's DVC?

What is the cut off date to book this deal? Don't want to miss it because of my indecision!

Off to check out the hotels again then...

 

[crabbie1]

It doesnt have the mickey mouse in your face theme no but it is still disney themed in a subtle way.You can get the boat to DTD and takes 10 mins and it is lovley at night.We usued to get the internal bus there and get the boat back.It is still a 10 min walk from SSR and tht depends which area you are staying in. For the romance part and as it is your anniversary I would def say OKW i HAVE LOOKED FOR NEXT YEAR AND TO GO IN LATE AUGUST SEPT FOR THE 3 OF US IT IS CHEAPER TO STAY AT okw/ssr THAN POP. (SORRY CAPS LOCK STUCK!!) £1845 AT OKW WITH FREE DINING AND TICKETS AND OVER £2000 FOR POP. NO COMPARRISON REALLY THOUGH DD LOVES POP

 

[dolphingirl47]

We love the boat service to Down Town Disney. OKW now has its own dedicated boat service. Last year they shared with Saratoga Springs. The boats from OKW now dock at Pleasure Island so you are nice and close to restaurants like the new Paradiso 37, Fulton's, Raglan Road and Portobello. T-Rex is also on the border between Pleasure Island and Market Place. This also puts you in a better position for the Westside restaurants. There is also a boat that links the three parts of Downtown Disney.

Corinna

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Hmmm, OKW sure does sound like it is more the resort for us. We both loved the tropical laid back feel of CBR so I guess that's why my first thought was OKW. I also loved the DTD boat from POFQ and would gladly have used that as transport every day if I could. A concern I do have about OKW is that it is the oldest of all the DVC resorts and wondered if there is a newer wing to OKW, or were they all built at the same time?

My thought are to go with a studio as I think upgrading to a 1 bedroom would cost too much. Can anyone tell me what the bathroom is like in a studio? Shower over bath, shower on it's own?

 

[dolphingirl47]

OKW was built in phases with the Miller Road area being the most recent. However, they have a rolling refurbishment programme and the unit we stayed at on Old Turtle Pond Road was in great condition. The main difference is that the newer buildings have lifts and the older ones have only stairs. However, has the buildings have a maximum of three floors including the ground floor, the stairs should not be too much of an issue unless you have an infant or mobility issues.

We are studio people. The bathroom was spacious, but had a combined shower/ bath tub.

Corinna

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

I would always request a high floor when booking as prefer that for the views so would you recommend Miller Road or Old Turtle Pond Road when I book?

I have just had a look at prices again and to have 15 nights in OKW or SSR would cost £2548 including DDDP and 14 day tickets. If I had 10 nights in OKW or SSR and 5 nights in WL, then it rises to £3528, so almost £1000 extra for the 5 nights in WL Have never stayed at WL but loved the look and feel of it when we had dinner at Artists Point, plus we loved using the sea raycers when we stayed at GF. Can I still use the sea raycers in this area if I have my whole stay at OKW? Don't know if I can justify an extra £1000 for 5 nights at WL... That £1000 would hopefully cover the flights!