Looking to the experts :) AKV, SSR, OKW!

[Dizfan4life]

Hi all! I just talked my husband into DVC so it is looking like next year we will buy into a home resort. However, I am very torn on which one I'd like and after looking at several pictures and talking with other DVC owners in our area I have somewhat narrowed down my options. Our family consist of DH, myself, DD (9) and DS (3) and picking a "home" resort that my kids will love is HUGE to me! We have been to Disney SEVERAL times so I would like a resort that would be enjoyable to just stay and not do the parks once in a while.

Anywho... on to my resort choices ! DH and I stayed at AKL last year and I it, but DH thought it was a little too dark for his liking and he wasn't fond of the African music all the time, however, we both enjoyed our Savannah view and the pics of the pool area at Kidani looks great for kids! I have saw pics of Saratoga Springs, including an art sketch of their new pool area, and the interior and grounds look absolutely beautiful, but not sure if there is much for the kids to do there? Old Key West, might have to buy resell??? because I am not sure we can buy into it through Disney, but that resort looks VERY relaxing, but looks like it could lack a little in being kid-friendly. We all LOVE Beach-Yacht Club but I would guess it would be impossible to attempt to get in their because of it's popularity! Any feedback from you experts would be HUGE to me... thanks for helping me out!!

 

[ckquan]

I've never stayed at AKL and only once at OKW. Our home resort is SSR so I will give you that perspective. SSR is a really nice resort. The main pool area is really nice with a fun water feature for the little ones. I'm looking forward to seeing the new pool area. This will help because SSR is a huge property. Turf Club Bar and Grill is a really good restaurant on site. Artist's Palette is a market and has counter service. There's also a spa which I've used every stay. We have a little one and have also used their community room where there are board games and a ping pong table. The one great thing about SSR is that it is walking distance to Downtown Disney. This easy access increased our restaurant options. Also if we didn't want to go to the parks one day, we could just walk over and do some shopping. Another option at SSR is to stay at the Treehouse Villas. It is far from almost everything. But if you don't mind, then you'll get to enjoy staying in a treehouse! Here's a link to a bit more info on SSR:

http://allears.net/acc/faq_ss.htm

We have been members since 2005 and we love it! We think this is a great investment. Best to you!

 

[La2kw]

My kids pretty much grew up at OKW every summer over the past 15 years, so we find it very kid friendly. The rooms are huge and offer plenty of room to spread out. The resort is built like a neighborhood and is perfect for bike riding (the resort rents bikes). There is also a community hall and a shuffleboard court, basketball court, volleyball court, board games, arcade, movie rentals, etc. SSR is similar, though much larger than OKW, but we also enjoy that resort and being right near DD. Our new favorite is Kidani Village, so I don't think you can go wrong there either.

 

[disney dumbo]

I'm not an expert... but just wanted to give my 2 cents!

For me... AKV!
You said it best when you said you loved the view! Can't get that anywhere else. I do love the entire theme of the property too. But if your husband doesn't like it... hmmm.

It seems that SSR & OKW usually are the two that are more frequently open for availability. So... with AK points... good chance you can still reserve at SSR & OKW at 7month window.

All of them have some good perks....
I might pick the longer contracts on OKW second...
because I might want to book the lower point grand villa's some. And I do like the 2 beds in the studio there too.

But SSR... getting a tree house would be fun.

Parking right next to your door at OKW... and SSR is a plus...

Yikes!

Looks like you'll be a winner anyway you go! Good luck deciding!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I don't think you can go wrong no matter which you choose, but if it was me, I would choose OKW or AKV. That's why I own both of those! SSR is nice, but I can't get past the apartment complex nature of it, and the decor isn't my favorite. We've stayed there and had a DTD view, and while that is considered the best view, I still longed for my OKW views.

AKV has some great Pros...animals, decor, embiance... It also has some cons...long hallways, darkness and bathrooms that are difficult for putting on makeup, and it can seem to be a long ways from everything else at Disney. For some of us, that's a pro, not a con.

OKW has lots of pros...Large rooms, parking outside your door, great views, easy access, fantastic bus service, 4 pools and spas, a sauna room, and a total community. The cons there are the lack of room service, and for those who don't like to cook even breakfast, the lack of a food court. Funny, but those are NOT cons for me.

 

[Dizfan4life]

Well, I am doing a chart of pros and cons and so far SSR and OKW are out weighing AKV. I'm actually leaning slightly more towards SSR because of the easy access to DTD and International Blvd for shopping and other meals, but OKW is hitting the top of the list too because of its smaller size and their bike rentals. However, I am wondering where OKW is from SSR... I looked at allears.net and it said that you can walk a 1 mile trail, that is not light, to DTD??

 

[Hubbs]

We own at SSR and really enjoy staying there for the main reason of easy access to DTD. Some people though don't like it and I've even heard it referred to as a senior living facility. OKW does have a walking path to DTD and it is not lighted so you couldn't use it at night. But keep in mind that they also have boat service to DTD.

AKV does have a lot of kids activities but also has the highest annual fees due to higher maintenance costs.

I would go with resell for either OKW or SSR. Which ever you can get the best deal on. Both are great resorts.

 

[Hubbs]

Oh.. Another thing about Kidani is the covered parking.

 

[nolanboys]

We are in the process of closing on a SSR resale contract. We almost bought AK direct from Disney, but waiting and searched for a good resale contract. We've never stayed there, but are looking forward to it. We've stayed at OKW twice and loved it. The reasons we choose SSR:
1) Longer contract than OKW - unless you buy extended contract
2) Considerably cheaper than AK
3) Dues are less than both resorts
4) Don't think we will be able to plan early enough to make the 11 mo booking window work

Just our reasoning. Hope it helps!

 

[disney ny]

I noticed that you said you didn't think you could get at some of the resorts? That is not the case. Resale you can buy into any of the resorts including BC. If that is what you are interested in then you can get it. Disney also sells some of the "sold out" resorts too so if you want to buy from them they may have availability. I just bought into VWL which is "sold out" because it was my first choice. Don't rule out any of them- I bet you can get what you want even if it is popular.

 

[La2kw]

Well, I am doing a chart of pros and cons and so far SSR and OKW are out weighing AKV. I'm actually leaning slightly more towards SSR because of the easy access to DTD and International Blvd for shopping and other meals, but OKW is hitting the top of the list too because of its smaller size and their bike rentals. However, I am wondering where OKW is from SSR... I looked at allears.net and it said that you can walk a 1 mile trail, that is not light, to DTD??

OKW is located next to SSR, but closer to Bonnet Creek Drive. You can walk from OKW to DD or SSR, but as already mentioned, the path closes at dusk. There is also boat service from OKW to DD. If you aren't interested in AKV, I would go with OKW. As much as I enjoy SSR, it is very spread out and I prefer the tropical feel and the large rooms. SSR's grounds are beautiful but definitely not tropical and it is very spread out.

 

[dvc4life]

We own at SSR and have stayed there many times. We have stayed at OKW once and though it was nice we thought it was a very spread out resort. I know many are saying that SSR is spread out but we thought OKW was really spread out.

For us, when we don't stay at SSR it feels like we really haven't been to Disney. That is our home away from home.

A big thing for us is the pool areas. We like a pool area that has a bar/food stand at them. A kids play area and hot tubs. SSR is now going to have three areas like this. The main pool area, the Grandstand (our favorite) and now the Paddock. So with young kids you would have three fun areas to be able to use. Also, SSR has many amenities like tennis, basketball, movie checkouts, games, horseshoes, and just so much.

Oh yeah, we have never stayed at AKV, that resort just doesn't appeal to us.

We love SSR and can't wait to get there again in May. Good luck in your decision making.

 

[starbox]

Between those three, I'd ask myself which reservation would I potentially want to make?

AKV value category
AKV concierge
SSR Treehouse Villa

All three of those are reservations that will be easier with the 11-month window. The treehouses are really attractive - it's a 3-bedroom for 2-bedroom points and they are stunning. You really need 11 months to get one. I'd buy SSR just for the option of taking occasional family trips w/grandparents and getting the treehouse.

We own at AKV and SSR. I've stayed at BCV for the past three Junes without having to waitlist.