I like OKW and I like SSR - but which is better? There's only one way to find out....

[DLPDreams]

Having read lots about it, and pondered, I am with Reid and would be requesting a villa near HH. The main pool will be a big draw for my children I think, and I like the idea of being near the main facilities, even if it is a little bit noisier (not saying it is btw, just it might be).

I think some people complain about bus stop noise, but as there are bus stops dotted around the resort, I think you could have this almost anywhere on there! Plus, in some ways, being near a bus stop has it's advantages too .

Torsie - are you any further forward on your decision?

 

[torsie24]

Torsie - are you any further forward on your decision?

Yes - I think we're going for SSR. Requesting to be in Congress Park (providing the bridge is open) or The Springs.

Location is the main factor. As I think with a 2.5yo we'll have a good few days where we won't rush around so being able to wander to DTD and having all those food options and also the pools being zero entry and having the CS all seem to make it the wiser choice.

That being said OKW looks more holiday like because of the palm trees and the YouTube video I watched had all beachy music going on. Made it seem really lovely. But I think SSR wins.

 

[wayneg]

Having read lots about it, and pondered, I am with Reid and would be requesting a villa near HH. The main pool will be a big draw for my children I think, and I like the idea of being near the main facilities, even if it is a little bit noisier (not saying it is btw, just it might be).

I think some people complain about bus stop noise, but as there are bus stops dotted around the resort, I think you could have this almost anywhere on there! Plus, in some ways, being near a bus stop has it's advantages too .

Torsie - are you any further forward on your decision?

Its something you won't know for sure until you have been, our fave location is Millers Rd, we have stayed at OKW 4 times totalling around 80 days, spent a total of around 30 mins in the main pool, never eaten at the CS, only been to the HH for check in and to sort a problem. So for us no reason to be near the busy HH, Millers rd with quiet pool is far more our type of holiday.

 

[DLPDreams]

Yes - I think we're going for SSR. Requesting to be in Congress Park (providing the bridge is open) or The Springs.

Location is the main factor. As I think with a 2.5yo we'll have a good few days where we won't rush around so being able to wander to DTD and having all those food options and also the pools being zero entry and having the CS all seem to make it the wiser choice.

That being said OKW looks more holiday like because of the palm trees and the YouTube video I watched had all beachy music going on. Made it seem really lovely. But I think SSR wins.

Well, at least you've made a decision - sounds good. I am really pleased you started this thread as it's helped me too .

Its something you won't know for sure until you have been, our fave location is Millers Rd, we have stayed at OKW 4 times totalling around 80 days, spent a total of around 30 mins in the main pool, never eaten at the CS, only been to the HH for check in and to sort a problem. So for us no reason to be near the busy HH, Millers rd with quiet pool is far more our type of holiday.

That's the point, I guess we won't know, so I can only go off previous holidays, where we like to be in the thick of it and near facilities - bar/CS for refills etc (I know turtle road has a small one but it has short hours). It could be different at WDW as we won't spend as much time on resort. I have heard very good things about Millers Road too. I think I'd rather be up that end than down the other. But it's all an 'exercise' anyway as room requests are not guaranteed especially in high occupancy! I am sure we will love wherever we are in OKW - it looks lovely .

 

[tinks_1989]

For me SSR is perfect DH and I have talk about staying at a different resort every time but always come back to SSR as we just love the place.

The fact you can walk to DTD is a winning vote for us. We visit other resorts often and being able to get a bus from any resort to DTD then knowing you are just a walk away from your hotel room is great for us. Especially with DD having to collapse the pushchair each time we get on a bus.

The rooms may be smaller but they are beautiful and decorated nicely. I actually love the bedroom in the 1 bed villa we had.

The pools are great Congress Park has just a quiet pool but has the childrens play park nearby which DD loved. The only thing that I find disappointing about CP is no mug refill station. Paddock has an amazing swimming pool with slide and water play area. Grandstand's water play area was good fun.

We stayed at the Grandstand last time and we were in block 8510-8836 MAP As you can see it isn't too far from the main building and walk way to West side DTD (over the golf course) We also loved it because we could get off the bus at the Grandstand 1st drop off and get on the bus at the Springs last pick up. So we never actually saw the rest of the resort this time. We never had a full bus we never even had to stand on the bus even at MK closing on a Monday (A non recommended day for MK) On more than one occasion we had our own bus to and from the resort.

I could go on and on why i love the place but I only think you can decide

 

[torsie24]

Thanks for the map link - I've been studying it and Bing Maps birdseye view.

I think my top choice for building might be 3101-3436.......but that is reliant on the bridge being done.

I do have 18 months to change my mind though.....which I will.....repeatedly....

 

[Hipster Meg]

The fact you can walk to DTD is a winning vote for us. We visit other resorts often and being able to get a bus from any resort to DTD then knowing you are just a walk away from your hotel room is great for us. Especially with DD having to collapse the pushchair each time we get on a bus.

Hmmm, that never occurred to me. We have a few meals planned at resorts and it'd certainly make things easier.

 

[tinks_1989]

Hmmm, that never occurred to me. We have a few meals planned at resorts and it'd certainly make things easier.

Yes we eat at a lot of other resorts. It's great for lunch and dinner only downside is I don't think the buses start leaving DTD till 9 so not good for any early breakfast ADRs

 

[Sam1]

I thought I'd decided on OKW, but now I'm swaying towards SSR again because of this thread. The only thing that puts me off is the sofabed.

 

[tinks_1989]

I thought I'd decided on OKW, but now I'm swaying towards SSR again because of this thread. The only thing that puts me off is the sofabed.

The sofa bed was very comfy in the 1 bed villa I am sure it is the same in the studio. X

 

[married2mm]

The sofa bed was very comfy in the 1 bed villa I am sure it is the same in the studio. X

I really don't like the idea of paying thousands of pounds to sleep on a sofa bed.
Makes me think back to our European hols-which were fun-but nowhere near as expensive.

 

[Sam1]

The sofa bed was very comfy in the 1 bed villa I am sure it is the same in the studio. X

We'll definitely be considering it. It'd be a 15 year old sleeping on it - he'd say he was fine, but I'd feel guilty if it wasn't that comfortable. If he was younger I'd have no problem with it.

 

[tinks_1989]

I really don't like the idea of paying thousands of pounds to sleep on a sofa bed. Makes me think back to our European hols-which were fun-but nowhere near as expensive.

Ok but then I feel if I am going to pay deluxe then I want the resort to feel deluxe. I don't get that feeling at OKW.

It's not the same as a cheap European holiday accommodation. I also like it can be folded away and you have some where to sit rather then sitting on a bed all the time as we do eat at our room.

 

[tinks_1989]

We'll definitely be considering it. It'd be a 15 year old sleeping on it - he'd say he was fine, but I'd feel guilty if it wasn't that comfortable. If he was younger I'd have no problem with it.

Lol if I can sleep on it then it must be comfy as I am quite fussy lol.

 

[Hipster Meg]

I thought I'd decided on OKW, but now I'm swaying towards SSR again because of this thread. The only thing that puts me off is the sofabed.

That's the one thing that's still making me hesitate about SSR. My husband has said that he'd much rather go for a one bed than a studio and if we did that then DS would be on a sofa bed at either resort. And to be honest he sleeps perfectly fine on a travelodge sofa bed which is basically a mattress on the floor so I think that comfort wise he'd be fine!

 

[married2mm]

Ok but then I feel if I am going to pay deluxe then I want the resort to feel deluxe. I don't get that feeling at OKW.

It's not the same as a cheap European holiday accommodation. I also like it can be folded away and you have some where to sit rather then sitting on a bed all the time as we do eat at our room.

They weren't all cheap,but there were 5 of us-and we'd never had a bedroom or even a "proper" bed each on holiday til we had our first trip to Orlando.

Initially,I felt offsite would be a step down for us (although more expensive?!) As we were losing the freedom of 4+ bedrooms,private pool etc which a villa provides..
However,we loved being on-site and as dd 1 was no longer coming on holiday with us-we all had beds-alas, not bedrooms!
We all want and like/need different things from our holidays-and we really liked okw.it ticks all our boxes.
I need Space,kitchen,bedrooms,bathrooms etc-others need simply somewhere to sleep-and others want luxury.

luckily,there's something for everyone.

 

[tinks_1989]

They weren't all cheap,but there were 5 of us-and we'd never had a bedroom or even a "proper" bed each on holiday til we had our first trip to Orlando. Initially,I felt offsite would be a step down for us (although more expensive?!) As we were losing the freedom of 4+ bedrooms,private pool etc which a villa provides.. However,we loved being on-site and as dd 1 was no longer coming on holiday with us-we all had beds-alas, not bedrooms! We all want and like/need different things from our holidays-and we really liked okw.it ticks all our boxes. I need Space,kitchen,bedrooms,bathrooms etc-others need simply somewhere to sleep-and others want luxury. luckily,there's something for everyone.

There sure is. My mum and dad don't understand spending the extra to stay in site and have less space, to share your pool but then like you said we are all different luckily lol.

 

[married2mm]

There sure is. My mum and dad don't understand spending the extra to stay in site and have less space, to share your pool but then like you said we are all different luckily lol.

My parents have no conception of a wdw holiday-at all.

They cannot understand us wanting to return,however they happily return to the same hotel several times!?

It's all horses for courses.

 

[higgy66]

We've stayed at both and we preferred OKW.

My main concern about OKW before we went was everybody saying how spread out it was but we were located in the furthest set of villas and it still only took a 10 minute leisurely stroll to HH

We were a two minute walk from a quiet pool (can't remember name) and then about 5 mins from the Turtle Shack pool which we preferred as they had the drinks refil station

I was also worried about the CS options but to be honest they were fine for the odd time we had a late night burger by the pool while the kids watched a movie. The burgers were actually one of the best in Disney - and I tried a few!!

Our favourite resort is the beach club but when we go with friends again next year we're all happy to go back to OKW.

The main reason I wouldn't go back to SSR is the sofa bed. My DDs called the bedroom as soon as we arrived and we decided to have the sofa bed in the lounge so we didn't disturb them on a morning when hubby gets up and makes coffee etc. I have to say I found it very uncomfortable and on the last night insisted we had the bed and the girls had the sofa bed but the next morning they complained they hadn't slept well! This was our main reason for trying OKW and I'm so glad we did!