Need info on SS versus OKW

[Shelly]

I've been looking at the pictures and reading the information pages, but I can't see any major differences. They are both on a golf course? Which one? Hubby wants to be near golf. They both seem to have good pools SS is the only one with a slide, correct? Anything else I should be aware of.
Could use some help deciding. Thankyou

 

[Deb & Bill]

OKW has a slide at the main pool. Looks like a big sandcastle.

Both SSR and OKW are on a golf course - Lake Buena Vista course - the the club house over at SSR.

OKW has larger rooms and larger porches.

 

[Dina]

OKW has a slide as well. To me, the difference is the theming. Old Key West has a very laid back, comfortable feel, and to me, really feels like you're in Florida. While, SSR has a more formal, resort-like feel IMO. Love'em both. Villas at OKW are also a little larger.

 

[vandy]

I've been looking at the pictures and reading the information pages, but I can't see any major differences. They are both on a golf course? Which one? Hubby wants to be near golf. They both seem to have good pools SS is the only one with a slide, correct? Anything else I should be aware of.
Could use some help deciding. Thankyou

More buildings at OKW are around the golf course. Only the Grandstand area at SSR is. SSR has sidewalks and walking trails throughout. These are limited at OKW. In a 1BR or 2BR villa at OKW, the older units in buildings #30 and below do not have a bathroom access from the living area. They are only accessible from the bedrooms. As stated, rooms at OKW are MUCH bigger than other resorts. Elevators in all buildings at SSR, but only in a couple at OKW. SSR has the washer/dryer stack unit while OKW has full size washers and dryers.

These are some of the differences between the two resorts. Even though they are similar they do have quite a few differences. We love them both!

 

[Disney_Villain]

The difference in pools: SSR has a zero-level entry family pool (great for toddlers), and a children's "splash" play area at Grandstand. As mentioned previously, both OKW and SSR have several satellite pools and a lovely family pool with slide.

Other amenity differences not previously mentioned: OKW has a marina for boat rentals. SSR has the spa.

We really love both OKW & SSR!

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

Love them both !

For us:
SSR has the spa, we love the sauna and steam room !
SSR is a little closer to DTD, we love that for our teenagers
OKW has parking right close to the villas but no elevators
OKW rooms are significantly larger, the two-bedroom is much better sized for a full group of eight
OKW is more themed to Florida

 

[5 for WDW]

Our biggest reason for preferring SSR over OKW, is it is newer. We stayed at OKW earlier this month and we were not impressed with our Studio at all. Even after we moved from our first one due to some housekeeping issues. Both seemed to show more age then SSR.

It just could have been where we were though. I know some rooms are being refurbed.

We will just stick to SSR for now. We were bummed by our OKW stay, we heard so many wonderful things about it. We will probably give it a try again in the future.

 

[Amy&Dan]

The spacious units at OKW and the larger balconies in the one and two bedrooms are really nice. Although we own at SSR, we absolutely love OKW. I do have to say, SSR has better dining in my opinion. Artist's Palette is one of my favoite cs options in all of WDW, whereas Goods to Go gets very old after a day or two. SSR is also very close to DTD (OKW is too, but not quite as convenient as SSR). I think both pool areas are great, although if I had little kids I would love that zero entry at SSR's pool and the new themed pool at the Grandstand area is also a winner.


I can't really pick a favorite between the two, they are very similar yet very unique. I don't think you can make a bad choice!

I do agree, that the newer, fresher units at SSR are really nice, I've never had any major issues at OKW but our recent studio there did have some worn edges. But I sitll loved every minute we spent there and the laid back charm and spacious units can't be beat. Again, you can't make a wrong decision in my opinion!

 

[alldiz]

I've been looking at the pictures and reading the information pages, but I can't see any major differences. They are both on a golf course? Which one? Hubby wants to be near golf. They both seem to have good pools SS is the only one with a slide, correct? Anything else I should be aware of.
Could use some help deciding. Thankyou

This makes the decision easy The golf store/place where you get the golf carts etc....is ON SSR property. I know this because my boss loves the WDW golf tees and I had to take a boat over from OKW to SSR to get them. I like both of these resorts....but to golf...I think it would be easier from SSR.
Happy planning
Kerri

 

[starbox]

A couple of other differences:

OKW = two queen beds in the studio/ SSR=1 queen and a pull-out sofa

Both SSR and OKW are spread-out condo/style - but the walkways from building to building are on pathways through green spaces at SSR and are on sidewalks along the main streets at OKW.

SSR has a CS restaurant with indoor seating and an indoor bar. OKW's bar and CS have outdoor seating.

And this may be just my perception - but it seemed like the bulk of the community-hall based recreation at SSR is centered around the pool and outdoor pool-type activities while OKW has lots of arts & crafts and a more "game-room" style community hall.

 

[JimMIA]

We own at both OKW and SSR, and we like both resorts. But OKW is our clear favorite because of the differences in room size. OKW villas aren't a little bigger, they're about 30% bigger, and that is a huge difference.

We recently stayed in a one-bedroom at SSR and found the layout of the villa really awkward. It felt like they tried to cram OKW features into a too-small space and some things just didn't work.

The bathroom door arrangement had us laughing all week. I almost brought my GPS in from the car, just so we could find the room we intended -- we kept going into the bathroom, no matter where we meant to go!

The other thing we really like about OKW is the points structure. SSR costs roughly 25% more points per night, and most of the other resorts cost 40% more points per night. For comfortable accommodations, OKW gives us more room -- and more functional room -- at a substantially lower points "price."

 

[JimMIA]

A couple of other differences:

OKW = two queen beds in the studio/ SSR=1 queen and a pull-out sofa

Which is better probably depends on your family. A couple might prefer SSR because of the sleeper sofa (although I find them UNcomfortable to sit on). For us, with 2A/1C, we prefer two queens because the sleeping arrangements are better.

When we get a 2 bedroom, it's because we're taking Grandma and Great Aunt, and again, the two queens in the second bedroom (studio portion) are a big plus.

Both SSR and OKW are spread-out condo/style - but the walkways from building to building are on pathways through green spaces at SSR and are on sidewalks along the main streets at OKW.

Good point. Both are pretty, relaxing resorts, but I have to admit that SSR is probably prettier.

SSR has a CS restaurant with indoor seating and an indoor bar. OKW's bar and CS have outdoor seating.

And this may be just my perception - but it seemed like the bulk of the community-hall based recreation at SSR is centered around the pool and outdoor pool-type activities while OKW has lots of arts & crafts and a more "game-room" style community hall.

True, and these may be OKW's only real weaknesses other than the lack of elevators.

And two more, not-so-major OKW positives:

The jacuzzi tub in OKW is also MUCH bigger than the tubs in other resorts. The OKW tub holds two adults, the others hold two kids under 10, or one adult comfortably.

And the laundry room is huge and contains full side-by-side washer and dryers, not the stacked apartment W/D's like the other resorts. Not a biggie, but much more capacity and easier to use.

These two features are not totally unrelated. The laundry room is large enough to lock your kids in without guilt, while the adults enjoy the XL jacuzzi.