OKW; Kidani or SS?

[gregsbrat]

Due to lack of availability I am stuck choosing from only these 3 resorts...which one would you choose and why?? Thanks!

 

[marsh0013]

when are you going? what size room are you booking? what is the makeup of the group that is going? i can't give an opinion without knowing the answers to these questions.

 

[Geomom]

We had a choice of those 3 for October last year.

Kidani was one we hadn't stayed at and wanted to try someday. So...we did a savanna view studio and loved it. Loved watching the animals. Loved the cultural activities in the 'library', and loved that the community hall was inside the Kidani building (meaning we did not have to go out in the rain to get to it.) Also loved that the room service menu was unusual--it comes from Sanaa restaurant. (People will complain about the 'long' hallways...but stay there when it's raining and you'll be thankful you don't have to walk outside like OKW and SSR.) Didn't get to enjoy the pool too much, but they have a very cool spray playground for the kids near the pool.

OKW--stayed at once. Lots of space in the rooms, 2 queens in the studio. Liked the laid back feel of the place. Didn't like how spread out it was.

SSR--stayed at studios twice. Disliked it both times. SSR--people seem to either love it or hate it. No real reason why I dislike it, other than the decor was too 'dreary' for me. I don't like how spread out this one is either.

 

[gregsbrat]

Thanks for quick responses, keep them coming!! We are a family of 3 consisting of DH, 8 yo DS and myself...we are travelling for 9 nights during Easter break and will have studio accomadations

 

[Sammie]

We like all 3 and would never consider staying there as being stuck.

OKW, largest rooms, studios there will have two queen size beds. SSR and Kidani will have a queen bed and sofa bed. That would be the deal breaker for me. I would want two beds.

That said, OKW and SSR have the most central location to all things at Disney World. You are not that far to any park. Kidani on the other hand is a good bit further to every park except Animal Kingdom. It is the furthest DVC resort to the Magic Kingdom.

All have very nice, fun pools. SSR has a new themed pool at the Paddocks which is really nice. Kidani only has the one pool however you can go over to Jambo House. SSR and OKW have more pools.

Also Kidani does not have a quick service restaurant, you have to go over to Jambo House for quick service.

Of the 3, SSR has the best quick service, as they have a new one at the Paddock Pool and then the main one in the Carriage House.

SSR rooms are being redone and should be finished by your trip. They are being done with a Fox and Hound theme.

SSR is closest to Downtown Disney which is nice.

Kidani is hotel set up, SSR and OKW are Condo set up.

 

[Candy Orlando]

All DVC Resorts are beautiful.

 

[DrChuck23]

I'm sure you've looked at the point totals for each for your dates. OKW should be the least.
I have found the buses for SSR and (a slightly lesser extent) OKW tend to be very packed especially when the parks close at night and EVERYBODY is trying to get back.

 

[spiceycat]

Thanks for quick responses, keep them coming!! We are a family of 3 consisting of DH, 8 yo DS and myself...we are travelling for 9 nights during Easter break and will have studio accomadations

boy you are lucky to find anything this late for easter. it is WDW 2nd busiest season. the parks are open late. that means they will be crowded. so would want a good community hall for activities when the parks are just too darn full.

so that means either SSR or AKV. love OKW but its community hall is way to small and always noisey. ssr is better has 2 different sections - so it is definitely better organized. AKV have not actually used it.

SSR has more pools than AKV - although AKV does share with AKL and it pool is really big.

hard to say. would generally go with OKW because of the 2 queen beds - but you will be spending alot of time here. Now maybe wrong you might go to the parks and just stay all day and night.

 

[peacelover]

For nine days I would probably go with Saratoga. I like to spend a lot of time outside. Saratoga has the 4 pools, lots of activity going on at the main pool..(bingo, pool games for the kids, )a nice little bar area at the pool, they have bike rentals, community hall activities, the spa for your wife, 2 quick service places, a sit down, pool table, arcade, horseshoes, grill areas, easy access to downtown disney for movies, dining, and shopping, and convenient to the rest of orlando if you are venturing offsite. I stayed at saratoga 3x, was very pleasantly surprised the first time, I would definitely return.
EDIT for some reason i saw your name as Greg... sorry...not gregsbrat... so a nice spa for you is what i mean.

 

[gregsbrat]

If I was to choose Saratoga, which section should I try and request?? Leaning towards this bc we have never stayed here, we will have a car and my son loves popping in and out of Disney Quest

 

[DougEMG]

Due to lack of availability I am stuck choosing from only these 3 resorts...which one would you choose and why?? Thanks!

OKW has the largest rooms and cheapest points, great for laying about the room.

SSR you can walk to DD and enjoy the shopping and nightime entertainment.

AKV has great theming and animals.

I've stayed in all three within the last year and enjoyed my stay at each one.

 

[DougEMG]

Thanks for quick responses, keep them coming!! We are a family of 3 consisting of DH, 8 yo DS and myself...we are travelling for 9 nights during Easter break and will have studio accomadations

A big difference is that in the studios, OKW has 2 beds and AKV and SSR have a bed and a pullout.

My preference is to have the bed and the pullout.

 

[jimmytammy]

Stuck
OKW is a very nice resort IMO. Im not crazy about the studio layouts, but love the 1 beds. Never stayed at Kidani but imagine it being a wonderful place. It is big. There studios are very similar to VWL which is where we stay often, and I prefer that studio layout to OKW. SSR isnt our fav DVC resort, but has a some nice amenities.

So if I were choosing, I would go OKW or Kidani. But its DVC, you cant go wrong with whatever you choose!

 

[magicaldisney]

would never consider staying there as being stuck.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[iluveeyore]

If I was to choose Saratoga, which section should I try and request?? Leaning towards this bc we have never stayed here, we will have a car and my son loves popping in and out of Disney Quest

Our preference is the Grandstand - nice pool with refill station and kids play area, first bus stop to be picked up and dropped off, quick walk to the main hall and DVC ferry (1-2 minutes). Other guests have mentioned the Paddock is nice because of the new pool area, but we found Grandstand just as new and nice, only much quieter.

If you want to walk to DTD, stay in Congress Park - those rooms have had a 'soft' refurbishment (new linens, upholstery, lamps), and it's literally a two minute walk to the Marketplace, and they have a nice quiet pool (no play area at this pool). Since you have a car, you could drive up to the main hall whenever you needed to.

 

[majortom1981]

If I was to choose Saratoga, which section should I try and request?? Leaning towards this bc we have never stayed here, we will have a car and my son loves popping in and out of Disney Quest

Since you stated you will have a car keep in mind that at kidani you park underneath the resort. that might be a huge plus if you have a car.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We like all 3 and would never consider staying there as being stuck.

Sammie, I feel the very same way!

We have had wonderful vacation at all three of these resorts! It really depends on what the OP prefers, wants to experience, or what's important (like QS options)

SSR- Favorite location, COngress Park DTD View, spectacular at night, love to take the boat to DTD, and even enjoy walking to and from! Beautiful grounds, love the Turf Club! (Stufed mushrooms)

OKW- Favorite location, Turtle Pond #42-43 We like being near the quiet pool, my troup is grown so the allure of the main pool slide is gone but your children would enjoy it!

Kidani- I've never made requests, we always book a standard view 2br and we've been ever so lucky to get Pembeh savanna views! There is quite a bit of walking to and from the villa at Kidani but that's the layout of the resort to maximize the savannah views! It's a spectacular resort. View from our balcony!

 

[twinklebug]

You have an 8yo? No contest: go with Kidani!

Zebras, Giraffe... and too many more wonderful creatures to name.
Amazing pool/fantastic slide
short walk or van over to Jambo for QS if needed.
Good store inside of Kidani to help stock up the room
1st bus stop for the parks both coming and going
parking underneath
Fantastic community hall with a pool table, foosball, wii, games, coloring, button making... All right near the laundry if you need it
Zebra, Giraffe... oops, repeating myself....

 

[Geomom]

I agree with twinklebug.

In addition to the community hall, they have the cultural activities which includes nightly drumming lessons, animal talks, etc.

We had the savanna view studio. DH and I found it relaxing to go out on the balcony after the kids fell asleep and just sit, drink wine, and watch the animals at night.

 

[Disneyteers]

I'd choose Kadani. I just love the decor and having a up close and personal view of the animals is always a plus.