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

[torsie24]

Lock off is a good point.

But I can't see it'd be too much of an issue. They'll only be with us for a week (leaving us in a huge villa by ourselves after - and with their food credits- whoop) and I think I'll let them have the master for that week anyway as Aibee can then sleep on the fold out bed in with us.

 

[Elise79]

Hi Torsie

I haven't been yet but one observation I can make is, if your parents do go with you, would it be better to have a 'lock off' 2 bed at OKW? Meaning your parents have their own self contained unit, with front door etc as well as the facility to be in the main part of the villa too. This may not be an issue you to you at all, but the way I sold us sharing a villa for almost 3 weeks to my DH, was with this 'lock off' option (I really hope we get one - will request but will have to wait and see! ).

I believe (but could be wrong) that SSR don't offer this option. I think it's kind of nice for my parents to have their own front door and their own balcony too so they can come and go without feeling they are encroaching on us etc.

Probably a wee bit different for us though as my girls will be older, so the plan is they sleep in the master bedroom and DH and I have the sofa beds! I don't fancy having my parents walk in on us on the sofa bed each morning - so the lock off works well . I keep wondering if we could put the girls in the sofa bed, but I do think they'll end be more settled in their own room, and it means DH and I have a bit of breathing space at night if the girls have an early night.

Sorry this is longwinded! Have to say, I like the look of both resorts so would stay in either, but it's the lock off at OKW that swung it for me.

Both OKW & SSR have lock offs.

Here are the numbers and types of rooms at each:
OKW - 0 Dedicated Studios - 0 Dedicated 1Bdrm - 274 Dedicated 2Bdrm - 230 Lockoffs - 27 Grand Villas = 531 Villas / 761 Max. Available

SSR - 0 Dedicated Studios - 0 Dedicated 1Bdrm - 360 Dedicated 2Bdrm - 432 Lockoffs - 60 THV - 36 Grand Villas = 888 Villas / 1320 Max. Available

On that basis SSR actually gives you a better chance of a lock off than OKW. SSR also has the bonus of the studio having a sofa bed that your parents could use if they were up before or after you.

 

[Cyrano]

The twice we have stayed at OKW we got our preferred option of accommodation near Hospitality House. Building 62 has lifts and I think the CM at checking said a couple of the other newer buildings had lifts.
Thought this might be of interest if lifts factor into the equation.

 

[DLPDreams]

That's useful to know about the lock offs - I was actually told by a TA (Florida one) that SSR didn't have them, only OKW had them . Have to confess I hadn't looked online as I had trusted what this TA had said....

It also puts a spanner in the works for us too then as I had my head around OKW being for us for that reason! It will probably purely come down to cost for us then! The counter service options in OKW did worry me somewhat.

Elise - as you point out, we may have more luck with a lock off at SSR as there are more! And yes, I guess the sofa would be good for them in their room should they need it.

Sorry to butt in on this thread, but is there any difference in the time travelling to the parks between SSR or OKW by bus? And how long would it take to walk to DTD from SSR? And finally, is it safe to walk that route at night?

I am too wondering between the two now... thanks for posting this Torsie!

 

[torsie24]

That's useful to know about the lock offs - I was actually told by a TA (Florida one) that SSR didn't have them, only OKW had them . Have to confess I hadn't looked online as I had trusted what this TA had said....

It also puts a spanner in the works for us too then as I had my head around OKW being for us for that reason! It will probably purely come down to cost for us then! The counter service options in OKW did worry me somewhat.

Elise - as you point out, we may have more luck with a lock off at SSR as there are more! And yes, I guess the sofa would be good for them in their room should they need it.

Sorry to butt in on this thread, but is there any difference in the time travelling to the parks between SSR or OKW by bus? And how long would it take to walk to DTD from SSR? And finally, is it safe to walk that route at night?

I am too wondering between the two now... thanks for posting this Torsie!

You're not butting in at all. I'd think travel times are v similar as they're pretty close to each other.

The walk to DTD from SSR is very quick and safe any time. Although I know at the moment the route we took (quicker route) is closed because of all the construction. I keep meaning to try and find out when it'll all be done by. Off to google now.

 

[Elise79]

That's useful to know about the lock offs - I was actually told by a TA (Florida one) that SSR didn't have them, only OKW had them . Have to confess I hadn't looked online as I had trusted what this TA had said....

It also puts a spanner in the works for us too then as I had my head around OKW being for us for that reason! It will probably purely come down to cost for us then! The counter service options in OKW did worry me somewhat.

Elise - as you point out, we may have more luck with a lock off at SSR as there are more! And yes, I guess the sofa would be good for them in their room should they need it.

Sorry to butt in on this thread, but is there any difference in the time travelling to the parks between SSR or OKW by bus? And how long would it take to walk to DTD from SSR? And finally, is it safe to walk that route at night?

I am too wondering between the two now... thanks for posting this Torsie!

SSR & OKW are on the same road so the travel time difference is minimal.

The walkway to DTD from SSR is lit so it can be used at night and only takes about 10 minutes I believe (never done it myself but know where it is). There are also boats to DTD.

Cost will be the same for both so that's not going to help you

SSR has a greater number of lock offs than OKW but more importantly it's a higher number than the dedicated. The lock offs serve 2 purposes - they are used as a complete unit but everyone who books a studio or one bed is also splitting a lock off. This why SSR gives you the better chance as the studio/one bed bookings take first priority with the lock offs along with DVC members that have booked them (it's an actual category for DVC not a request) only any thing left will be available to cash booking requests.

 

[Elise79]

The twice we have stayed at OKW we got our preferred option of accommodation near Hospitality House. Building 62 has lifts and I think the CM at checking said a couple of the other newer buildings had lifts.
Thought this might be of interest if lifts factor into the equation.

Yes - there are 3 building with lifts 62, 63 & 64. The other 40 ish buildings don't have them.

Also technically near HH is buildings 11-14 & 23-26. These are the ones in HH booking category for members.

Others are close but considered to be other areas of the resort

 

[torsie24]

If this image is to be believed then they're putting a bridge in from SSR to DTD to make the walk even quicker.

(Brown line top right - and you can see some of the SSR buildings and a pool (congress park) at the top of the picture)

 

[Chilly]

With little ones I preferred our stay at SSR. The Ability to walk to DTD - even the furthest away rooms from downtown are still walkable. This was great for evenings when one child was tired. We could eat/shop and stroll back whilst DD or DS was asleep in the pushchair.

Pools - SSR pools (especially the paddock pool) suited my kids better. The zero entry and shallow play areas were great and both of mine have loved every minute they spend in them. They also have the kids entertainment.

The one thing that massively put me off OKW was that we were put in a lovely room on the 2nd floor of a block over looking the golf course - all great until we were told that building didn't have an elevator! Not the best with a 18month old and stroller, unfortunately we were unable to be moved which certainly took away a little magic.

Well that's sold me on SSR if that's the option we go for but I'm also going to check out Wyndham Bonnet Creek to see what works out better for us as I think DH would prefer it there.

 

[DLPDreams]

Thanks for replies

Torsie - that bridge looks interesting but like anything, who knows when it will be up and running. I had read about the quicker walkway being closed at SSR right now.

Elise - every time I have priced up OKW, SSR has always been less, granted not by much mind you?

I had a good look at the photos last night and I think for 6 of us, the kitchen/lounge area and larger balcony in OKW would swing it for us. I also think they look lighter and more airy. I know we won't spend much time in our accom, but the time awake in there is going to be spent in those areas so they are important. Kitchen/lounge in SSR looks a squash for 6 people! But would work well for Torsie with 3 of them .

I think if it were just us going without my parents we would possibly try SSR as like the idea of short walk to DTD and it's food options. So, if it were me Torsie, I'd go for that! Especially as Aibee will probably want to use the pool a fair bit and the one at SSR looks more toddler friendly in my eyes!

 

[married2mm]

Thanks for replies

Torsie - that bridge looks interesting but like anything, who knows when it will be up and running. I had read about the quicker walkway being closed at SSR right now.

Elise - every time I have priced up OKW, SSR has always been less, granted not by much mind you?

I had a good look at the photos last night and I think for 6 of us, the kitchen/lounge area and larger balcony in OKW would swing it for us. I also think they look lighter and more airy. I know we won't spend much time in our accom, but the time awake in there is going to be spent in those areas so they are important. Kitchen/lounge in SSR looks a squash for 6 people! But would work well for Torsie with 3 of them .

I think if it were just us going without my parents we would possibly try SSR as like the idea of short walk to DTD and it's food options. So, if it were me Torsie, I'd go for that! Especially as Aibee will probably want to use the pool a fair bit and the one at SSR looks more toddler friendly in my eyes!

Just a quick note on the pools-main pool and quiet pools at both were great.

 

[Azza1987]

I loved SSR last year! Mind you is have loved anywhere I stayed!

It was perfect as we didn't have a car so we could stroll to DTD in less then 5 mins!

The room was lovely, we had a quiet pool which was never busy! The room was great for us 2 & lovely & clean! The CS offering was great & I loves that it was a bit spread out but we didn't mind a 5/10 min walk here or there! It might be different with little ones!

 

[luchamouse]

We're staying in a 2 bed at OKW next June

We walked round both of the resorts last year and we loved them both. The room size swung it for us at OKW.

I really loved the CS option at SSR and in fact only ds13 was pitching for OKW, (he felt it was more of a holiday vibe, compared the more sedate SSR).

When we checked out the room layouts OKW won

 

[married2mm]

We're staying in a 2 bed at OKW next June

We walked round both of the resorts last year and we loved them both. The room size swung it for us at OKW.

I really loved the CS option at SSR and in fact only ds13 was pitching for OKW, (he felt it was more of a holiday vibe, compared the more sedate SSR).

When we checked out the room layouts OKW won

Just being nosy-have you already booked?
If so, What kind of deal did you get?

 

[dixonsontour]

We've stayed at OKW twice and loved it.

If you do opt for OKW then i'd recommend turtle pond pool area.

I thought the pool was great for younger ones - lots of shallow areas and a play park right there plus the snack hut to get drink refills.

Had a lovely friendly family atmosphere. My DD was 4 first time we stayed there.

 

[luchamouse]

Just being nosy-have you already booked?
If so, What kind of deal did you get?

Not yet! Holding out for free dining and (hopefully) discounts this month.

 

[Hipster Meg]

I've heard good things about this part of the resort but as we won't have a car I'm worried that we'd be too far away from the main building. Is the resort really as spread out as people say it is? For example how long would it take to walk from the Turtle Pond area to Olivia's?

 

[dixonsontour]

I've heard good things about this part of the resort but as we won't have a car I'm worried that we'd be too far away from the main building. Is the resort really as spread out as people say it is? For example how long would it take to walk from the Turtle Pond area to Olivia's?

I'd say 10 mins at a fairly easy pace

 

[Hipster Meg]

I'd say 10 mins at a fairly easy pace

Thanks, that's good to know.

 

[Sarah28]

We stayed in the turtle pond area of OKW too and loved how chilled out it was - yes being near the bus stop and pool was very helpful! The CS was a bit lacking there though, that was my only issues but loved it otherwise