Need a referee!

[RDP]

Looking at booking 2014. My DW wants to try OKW, I don't like the look and would prefer SSR, as I feel it has more facilities. Need objectivity please!

 

[wayneg]

Going on past threads I will guess the replies.
Those who have only stayed at SSR will say there.
Those who have only stayed at OKW will say there.
Anyone stayed at both will usually say either depending on what you want from the resort.

We stayed at OKW 4 times, only looked around and eaten a meal at SSR but didn't like the feel, compared to OKW where we felt at home as soon as we first arrived.
There are a few plus points for SSR like better CS food and you can walk to DTD easier, well plus points if they are of use to you, not to us.
Rooms are bigger(30%?) at OKW.

100% OKW for us but don't think you can go wrong with either.

 

[disney_princess_85]

I've stayed at SSR twice and I'm staying at OKW for the first time in October. I'd agree that SSR has more facilities, plus you can walk to DTD from there, as Wayne said. However, OKW is supposedly very tranquil and relaxed, which sounds nice.

Both resorts get great reviews on here and I'd echo again what Wayne said- you can't go wrong with either!

 

[MrRomance]

I know this is not going to help you in your decision making at all, but I agree with Wayne. You will get differing opinions depending on where people have stayed! I'm in the other camp to Wayne, I have stayed at SSR twice, I'm staying there again in October and I've just booked for next year at SSR. We did consider OKW this time and we have been over there to get the scoop but as Wayne said about SSR, we didn't like the feel of the place and it didn't feel right to us.

You will not be disappointed with either choice, both are fairly evenly matched. To settle your dispute, I would base the decision on the factors that are important for you.

Would a slightly bigger room work better for you? (Often the case if you have little ones who like to run around) Then pick OKW.

If you would like to be able to walk to Downtown Disney and want a resort that has a decent counter service? Then SSR is your winner.

Personally, I'm in the SSR camp, but I have nothing "bad" to say about OKW other than it didn't have the right feel for us.

 

[Laurafoster]

We have stayed at both and im sure you'll be happy at either. Im in the SSR camp for a few reasons.

1. Paddock Pool area. We have 2 little kids and this pool is great for us. Its zero entry, has a seperate kids splash area and has kids games going on in the afternoon which my little girl loves. Theres also a reasonable bar that serves food which is handy if we have afternoons round the pool.

2. Sometimes our kids are tired and so we spend a bit more time at the resort. I find SSR has more playgrounds and stuff that suit our family and the Quick Service place is better i think.

3. We like having the sofa bed. Its perfectly comfy to sleep on but i like that we can fold it away and have somewhere to sit rather than the bed.

If you do choose OKW just be aware most buildings dont have lifts. Our stay last year at OKW we were stuck in a room on the 2nd floor - not bad except we were in a building without lifts and with a pushchair. Not ideal as i was pregnant too. unfortunately we were told we couldnt be moved so it wasnt the best start. It was a lovely tranquil resort though.

 

[tinkerpea]

We have only stayed at SSR but we have looked around OKW and had the same decision to make last year,
We have 3 boys and so we wanted a decent QS area incase they was too tired to go out 1 day, we stayed in 2 areas due to a flood in our room 1st area was the springs right opposite the pool and the views was great!
Bus stop really close, then we got a huge flood from the bath tub which required them knocking down part of the wall!! So we had to move we got moved to the paddock area in fact very lucky again as our room over looked the paddock and was only about 30 second walk from the QS bar!

The paddock pool is amazing great slide, kids water play area pool bar serving really great food, close to the bus stop again!

I felt that SSR from the pictures looked very cold and sterile but when I got there found it to be really great place, the theme wasn't overly exciting but my boys did love the place, walking to DTD at night was a great perk and one we did frequently during the 16 nights.

 

[Ian.Whiteley]

We own at both resorts so I won't knock either. Our two most recent stays have been at SSR and both were very enjoyable. In just over a weeks time we are going back to OKW so you see we really aren't biased

I would agree with what has been said previously. The 1 & 2 bed rooms at OKW are markedly bigger than SSR and for us that has made our decision easier with 5 in our party this time. We also like the 'relaxed key west' atmosphere at OKW.

I would definately say the pools are better at SSR and the counter service vastly better. For me the landscaping at OKW has the edge plus the boat ride to DTD is lovely.

Whichever you chose will not disappoint!

 

[RDP]

Thanks guys, lots of food for thought, may negotiate a deal with DW, whereby we stay at OKW but I get to try out the spa at SSR!

 

[Elise79]

Have a look at the photos of both rooms and see which you prefer.

Personally we love OKW however there are some things I like better at SSR.

I don't think you can really go wrong at either

 

[spm23]

Looking at where you have stayed before then you have been to SSR so why it try OKW or is that DW argument?

Nice to stay somewhere else.

 

[RDP]

Looking at where you have stayed before then you have been to SSR so why it try OKW or is that DW argument?

Nice to stay somewhere else.

Yes, we have stayed at SSR before , DW not keen to go back , it's her least favourite of all the places we have stayed ( I found it ok, in fact better than expected) looking at how the costs have risen they are realistically our only on site options for next year, which is a non DVC points stay for us .

 

[married2mm]

We've stayed at both,and okw gets our vote.

Nothing wrong with ssr,but it just didn't have the same vibe.
The gym was bigger though.

Okw is really lovely,but we like space,and 2 beds are crazy prices.

 

[UKDEB]

Both are similar in that they feel like communities rather than hotels. The downside is that neither is close to a park. We're DVC owners and we're drawn to OKW for all the reasons it's loved so much, but when it's a toss-up between the two, we always opt for SSR for one reason — its proximity to Downtown Disney. We love the sprawling, relaxed vibe of both, but, even if you wanted to (and I doubt anyone would in all honesty) you can't walk back to OKW after dark because they close the path. Neither has got a decent bar or restaurant, which is a huge bugbear of ours, but at least with SSR, you have easy access to DTD. I agree with Wayne that once you've thrown your hat into the ring with one, it's difficult to tear yourself away. OKW is just too far away from anything to cut if for us. It's the same with Animal Kingdom and Kidani Village — beautiful resorts, but so far from the action that you almost wonder whether you'd be better off saving money by staying offsite.