OKW or SSR 2BR for my crew?

[lovesdumbo]

I'm thinking of planning a trip to WDW for the last week of August 06. On our last trip my DH was a real crank. He's not a Disney fan but doesn't want me to travel with all of our children without him. I did take just DS last August and then took oldest DD 2 days early last Oct. I told him he'd have to stay in the room if he didn't behave better than last trip(he did have an undiagnosed thyroid problem on our last trip so he assures me he'll be better). So the crew will be me, DH, DD(7), DS(5 1/2), DD(3 1/2), and DFriend who travels with us. So now that my youngest is over 3 we can no longer stay in one room at the Poly. I want a resort that I could leave my DH at if the parks aren't his thing. He's not interested in golf or sports. He is very interested in plants. He liked the photos of both SSR and OKW. I was originally thinking SSR but now I'm leaning toward OKW. I liked the decor of SSR but I prefered the look of the layout of the kitchen/living area of the OKW villa. It looks like the table at OKW would be more convenient to use than the one at SSR. I would be making a reservation through CRO so I guess I'll have to see what's available. Any comments on those 2 resorts. I've read both positive & negative about SSR but I've also read lots of negatives about the Poly and we love it there.

TIA and Happy New Year!

 

[momsgoofy]

I think either would be a good choice, since as you stated both have good and bad (though really not bad, just negatives).

OKW has a table service restaurant, Olivia's, where SSR has Artist Palette which is counter service, though very good.

If DH is into the flora then he might be better suited for OKW as it is very well developed being the oldest DVC property. I do expect SSR to be very attractive in this regard in a few years...right now all the plants are still small compared to OKW...no palm trees blocking the view from your balcony though.

Something to consider with the kids might be an elevator...OKW has only a few buildings with them while every one at SSR has an elevator.

We stayed at both resorts during 2005 and were pleased. When I posed a similar question to DH today, he chose a return trip to OKW, while I chose SSR. I still think either would be great!

 

[cobbler]

Well OKW is a bit larger than SSR. Personally I like the decor of SSR better than OKW. To ME it looks like the decor of a retirement home, snow birds, etc. But that is just me. SSR has a more muted sophisticated decor.

SSR is getting a sit-down restaurant. The Turf Club will now be a sit down restaurant.
But like the prev poster said, SSR is still new and the foliage hasn't had time to really grow and mature yet.

It is nice to be able to walk to DTD though.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Laura and Cobbler,
Thanks for your input. I keep flipping back & forth. I hadn't thought about OKW not having elevators. Is the pool at OKW a zero entry pool?

Laura did you have a preference in the living room set up at the 2 resorts? I was thinking OKW looked substantially bigger but maybe its nice to have the island table at SSR.

DH knows that I LOVE Disney so he's thinking we should consider DVC and he would probably only feel comfortable buying from Disney so I guess that would mean SSR. Maybe we should just stay there.

If I leave DH at the resort one day he could walk from SSR to DD to OKW right?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I recommend OKW. There's nothing more relaxing than stretching out on that big porch, sit in one chair, feet up on the other, overhead fan going, drink on the table next to you, maybe a pair of binocculars to get a good look at the golfers/flowers/birds/wildlife-whatever he wants to look at. I could stay at OKW all week and never leave "my village" (as we call it)

 

[rosamindy]

I really loved SSR. The decor fits my personality to a "T". (as a matter of fact, I have some of the very same lighting fixtures and color scheme in my home!). It is SOOO relaxing and quiet. Mousekeeping is wonderful, the whole staff is very responsive to requests. Artists Palette has kick-butt cheesecake, and the flatbreads are good, too. Bell services are bend-over-backwards accommodating...they even give you a ride to your room if you can't make it!

Everything I've mentioned might be the same at OKW...I wouldn't know. I've never stayed there. Just wanted to put in a plug for a much maligned resort.

 

[La2kw]

I'm thinking of planning a trip to WDW for the last week of August 06. On our last trip my DH was a real crank. He's not a Disney fan but doesn't want me to travel with all of our children without him. I did take just DS last August and then took oldest DD 2 days early last Oct. I told him he'd have to stay in the room if he didn't behave better than last trip(he did have an undiagnosed thyroid problem on our last trip so he assures me he'll be better). So the crew will be me, DH, DD(7), DS(5 1/2), DD(3 1/2), and DFriend who travels with us. So now that my youngest is over 3 we can no longer stay in one room at the Poly. I want a resort that I could leave my DH at if the parks aren't his thing. He's not interested in golf or sports. He is very interested in plants. He liked the photos of both SSR and OKW. I was originally thinking SSR but now I'm leaning toward OKW. I liked the decor of SSR but I prefered the look of the layout of the kitchen/living area of the OKW villa. It looks like the table at OKW would be more convenient to use than the one at SSR. I would be making a reservation through CRO so I guess I'll have to see what's available. Any comments on those 2 resorts. I've read both positive & negative about SSR but I've also read lots of negatives about the Poly and we love it there.

TIA and Happy New Year!

We own at both resorts and really have enjoyed our stays at each. You have a large group, so I would recommend OKW. The extra space really does make a difference.

 

[2giddy4wdw]

We own at SSR, but if you want more space in your room go with OKW. Stayed at SSR in 2004 and OKW in 2005. I wish that we had planned it differently because we had 2 bedrooms both times but 8 in 2004 and only 4 in 2005. We would of been better off with OKW with the 8 of us. Both are great resorts. We can't wait to check out all of them eventually. Trying to get BWV for this November. Keeping my fingers crossed now!!!!

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Artists Palette has kick-butt cheesecake, and the flatbreads are good, too.

And Olivia's at OKW has a Key Lime Tart that's out of this world.