OKW and SSR

[Chic]

I'm new to DVC and had a question regarding SSR and OKW. We booked a last minute trip for October and the only resort available was OKW. I've heard mixed reviews regarding both OKW and SSR. I would love to hear input, positive or negative regarding these two resorts. Should I be concerned about having to stay at OKW?

 

[bcsmom]

We stayed at OKW for christmas, & I thought it was just great. I was trying to save some points, so that is why I initially booked there. The room was quite large, & the kids really enjoyed it. Olivia's is also a really good place to eat, & it was never busy. If you feel like eating dessert you have to try the key lime tart with raspberry sauce!!! I did not think the bus service was that bad, & we were there over Christmas. I did have my car, & we used it quite a bit because it seems easier.

I also stayed at SSR this past May, & it is a very pretty resort. The room was very nice too. The only thing I did not like was there wasnt much of a choice of restaurants on site. I did not use the bus service here, it seemed kind of long since it had many stops. My DD loved the play area by the pool. I would definitely stay at either of these resorts again.

 

[utahkennedys]

We LOVE OKW and that is why we bought there after evaluating all of the available resorts at the time. We love how it is laid-back, quiet, tropical and has a great feel. We loved the main pool. The buses were great, although we do drive to the resorts and occasionally to parks. I don't think you should be concerned at all -- it's always our first choice!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We LOVE OKW! PLease stay away so we will have more available to us!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

We consider OKW to be among the best of any WDW Resorts.

The atmosphere, accomodations, and transporation make it one of our favorites!

Have fun!

 

[Anthony1971]

All of the DVC resorts are nice and offer something that is unique from the others.
I Prefer OKW or SSR over the rest as they have a much more relaxed atmosphere.

 

[sharond150]

just got back fro my first (and LAST) trip to OKW. DIdn't like the lobby, food, pool, store, layout, rooms, community center,distance to everything. I love SSR!

 

[Tiggery]

When we first bought DVC 5 years ago I thought we would never stay at OKW as it was the resort that appealed to me the least. We had the chance for a last minute trip to WDW in 2004 and the only resort available was OKW so we booked it.
I'm so glad we did. I fell completely in love with it. The atmosphere and feel of the place was so perfect for us that it's now our favourite DVC resort.

 

[Daggett]

Love them both. OKW is (IMHO) the best run and best staffed resort of them all. SSR is nice if you like doing the DTD thing.

One note: You don't have to drag your bags up the stairs at SSR, they have elevators!

 

[vandy]

We love OKW as well. I think one reason some may not like OKW or SSR is the fact they are a different style of resort than the others. BWV, BCV, VWL and now AKV are all "hotel" style resorts. Rooms are accessed from an inside hallway, multiple rooms in one large building, the pools and other features close by and parking in one big lot. OKW and SSR are more spread out, much like some apartment or condo buildings. Each building has only a handful of rooms and parking is next to the building, thus the resort is spread out and some buildings are farther away from the pools, etc.

We love the atmosphere, surrounded by a golf course and mature trees, access to DTD via boat and the larger rooms.

 

[rj3x]

We split a week in 2006 between SSR and OKW. OKW had larger rooms and seamed to have better bus service to the parks than SSR. Can't go wrong with either.

 

[Snookies]

We LOVE OKW! PLease stay away so we will have more available to us!

The units at OKW are dilapidated with chipped and broken furniture and mold in the bathroom and air conditioning. You'll also have to clean the bathroom at check-in before you can even think about using it. Unless you want to wash the sheets before retiring for the evening, you'll have to sleep on the couch.

Diane, this should leave leave plenty of room for us at OKW.

 

[bababear_50]

just got back fro my first (and LAST) trip to OKW. DIdn't like the lobby, food, pool, store, layout, rooms, community center,distance to everything. I love SSR!

Good!!! all the more space for us OKW lovers !!!

 

[wdw4us2]

OKW is and always has been our favorite DVC resort since '97!

Saratoga has nicer furnishings, but we love the bigger rooms and more intimate feeling at OKW.

 

[dianeschlicht]

In all seriousness (ignoring my previous post), the thing we like best about OKW is that it truly feels like a vacation "HOME". I always come away feeling like I have been in a stand alone home, and I like that. The size of the 1,2, and 3 bedroom units are unparallelled at any other WDW resort. It is true that the "lobby" is not exactly central to the resort, but it has never been a problem for us, because we DO know how to use the bus to get there. Very simple. If you don't want to walk, you can catch ANY bus, and it will stop at the lobby just before leaving the resort.

 

[dwelty]

After a crazy crowded hot day in the parks, you cannot beat OKW or SSR for the relaxing laid back feel. OKW is like a tropical island, SSR is like a country club.