Help me decide: SSR or OKW

[zavandor]

I have a reservation at SSR from 1/2 to 1/17. It includes the Marathon week end because I'm going with a friend to run our first Marathon!

However I though it would have been nicer if we both have a full bed and no one has to sleep on the sofa bed. And the OKW rooms are bigger, so for two adults it could be more confortable. So at 7 months I tried to get a reservation for OKW and with a WL and website stalking I finally got it. It's also 30 points less, a good thing as well.

So at the moment I have both reservations and I should cancel SSR. However I'm having many afterthoughts. My OKW reservation is not near hospitality house and I keep reading reviews about how spread out the resort is. We will have a car only for half of the time to go offsite and we'll use Disney transport for Disney parks.
Also, at SSR we can request to be near DTD, that is a big draw for me.

Which reservation would you keep?

OKW:
Bigger rooms
2 Double beds
30 points less

SSR:
Near DTD
Can have room near restaurants and amenities
Having a sofa during the day can be better

 

[Bojo]

We have stayed @ both resorts & I'd go with OKW and the two beds.

 

[amym2]

At OKW, you can request to be in an area that's closer to HH (we were in Old Turtle Pond and it was an easy walk). And you can take the boat to DTD. We haven't eaten at SSR, so I can't compare, but we love Olivia's at OKW. I'd stick with your original reservation.

 

[MarkF0wle]

It terms of room OKW beats SSR I think - bigger, two beds & I really like the laid back theming. However it's very spread out I think, as you enter you hit the main building then rooms extend further backwards. If you end up right down in Miller's Road it's going to be a TREK. We stayed in Old Turtle Pond & personally I found it too far to walk really. Doable, but too far for a casual stroll or to fill my mug.

At SSR it's more circular so the furthest building out is probably a 10 minute walk into the main building. Artist's Palette beats out Goods to Go for QS food. The other 2 restaurants are even.

Overall I prefered the room at OKW but all factors combined SSR edged it. However, you're on a winner with both!

 

[eeyoresmom]

Tough one. Okw studios are more comfortable for 2 adults not sharing a bed. How much time will you be in the room as opposed to the resort itself? I think SSR has a MUCH better food court and better pools. The sofa bed for sitting on I wouldn't even factor in as they are all u ncomfortable for sitting. Another nod to SSR is that in January the weather will probably be cool if not downright cold and SSR' s theming lends itself more to cooler weather. I know ....kind of weird, but it matters to me. ......I do not enjoy a tropical theme if I am wearing winter gear! BTW, I have slept on the sofa beds at almost every resort and they are perfectly comfortable. ....maybe have the smallest member take the sofa bed ? And congrats on the marathon. ..it was my first also and so much fun. AND FLAT !

 

[LoveOurDVC]

If we're going to parks, we go with OKW as we'd rather have 2 beds. However if we're doing a trip where we are at the hotel during the day, having the sofa is nice. Ultimately you have to decide which room set up you'd prefer, and if it's SS, is it worth the extra points to you. Bottom line you can't go wrong with either.

 

[zavandor]

Thank you all for the great feedback! Still torn, so please keep it coming

 

[mort1331]

Why not do a split stay? You have what looks like 15 days, I would split one week each. Then you can have both move on the 9th and reduce the points if staying at SSR first. If staying at OKW first move on the 11th. reduce the weekend surcharge. That long of a stay and only 2 I would split. Nice change of pace as well.

 

[nerderella]

As a marathoner, there's something to be said for having a bed to crash in and not a sofa bed post-race. I would go for OKW for that alone.

Sure, OKW is spread out, but I don't find it to be any more spread out than SSR. Just like you can request to be near DTD, you can also request to be closer to the main building at OKW. I never found the distance to be a problem, even if it meant hopping on a theme park bus that stopped closer to the main building to cut out a walk the morning after a race.

 

[Lynn57]

The bed is going to be worth it for a runner IMO. Put yourself on a waitlist for the near HH rooms. I've gotten it every time. Otherwise you can ask to be in a building closer to HH. The QS at OKW is definitely lacking, but other than that, I love OKW!

 

[jdmn2010]

SSR is my home resort and we love it there, but in your situation I would definitely pick OKW for the two beds. I have been near HH there and also probably one of the furthest locations away from HH on another trip and while it is great being near HH, I really didn't think it was a big deal to be far away. If you are exhausted, you can take a bus at least one way.

 

[bnk1120]

I love SSR, but agree with previous posters- Stick with OKW. I don't think two marathon runners will have any problem getting around a large resort!! And you will definitely appreciate the 2 beds and large space.

 

[jimmytammy]

OKW would be my choice.

 

[zavandor]

Thank you all for your feedback. I've finally decided to stick with the original plan and I've cancelled the SSR resevation. So I will stay in OWK!

Which request should I add to the reservation to stay as near as possible to HH, not having a "near hospitality house" studio? Can I request a specific building?

 

[eyor44]

Try to get as close as possible to the Hospitality House. I have stayed at both OKW and SSR for Marathon weekend and I will tell you that SSR is way better in terms of proximity.
At OKW we ended up at the back of Old Turtle Pond Rd. It is a bit of a trek at 4:00am to get to the main building. They do not run buses on race mornings through the resort to bring up to the main building, nor is there adequate parking to drive yourself. But the rooms and beds are very nice and it is a lovely resort.
At SSR, it is much easier to be in a building near the main building and not have to walk as far to the bus. Again, a bus will not be going through the resort for pickup, they only go to the main building.

I realize I am there for a race and should expect to walk a bit but that early in the morning, plus if it is cold, I would rather be close to the bus stop.

So far, I have found AKL Jambo House to be the best one for a race morning. Walk to the lobby and out the front door and there is the bus.