OKW or SSR by choice?

[TheDailyMoo]

So I have the second leg of a split stay booked at an OKW studio near hospitality with my newly bought OKW contract. My 7 month is coming up and I'm looking at many great options that are still open...all of which I've stayed at. In fact been at each of the resorts at least once except OKW and SSR. I have this weird desire to just let it ride and try it out. We rent a car each time so bussing and travelling isn't an issue. So two questions I guess:

1) Between OKW studio near hospitality and let's say an SSR preferred (assuming the preferred is still available) which is the one to stay at if I want to go ahead and try one of the two "resorts of last resort" on purpose.

2) Am I being stupid forgoing a Poly, or a VGF, or Wilderness for one of those two? Am I viewing this with Rose colored glasses and will regret my decision when staying there? First half of the trip is BCV.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Did my first SSR stay a couple weeks back. It will likely be my last. Too dang spread out and we were preferred by the Lobby. (I can’t speak to OKW.) Cannot imagine going BCV to SSR, what a downgrade- unless you like Disney Springs and stay in the preferred section where you can walk to DS. That’s pretty special.

I tend to be in the try anything once camp for repeat visitors but I’d wait on trying this trip and instead try on a trip when you can OKW/SSR first and then move onto a property you know you like. Best case you love your whole trip, worst case you learn a lesson but are left with the best feelings since you liked the final hotel.

 

[Cfabar1]

All depends on what you like. OKW has a lot of appeal to me. Take the boat to DS and enjoy the quiet, peaceful environment.

We stay at VGF because it is actually pretty calm over in the villas building.

 

[Jonnnyap]

OKW and SSR are lovely and great for a resort-focused stay. Between the two, I find SSR more walkable and better laid out, but you might prefer one theme over another. To me, OKW feels like a neighborhood with side streets (and in some places, no sidewalks/paths, so you're walking in the road); SSR feels more like a resort and has sidewalks/paths everywhere.

While OKW and SSR are often referred to as SAP or "last resort" options, they each have their charm depending upon what your focus is. Coming from park-heavy/BCV days to more relaxed non-park days could work well for you. One of the beauties of DVC is that each resort is different, and over the years we can stay in each and experience their unique variety. In my opinion, there's no wrong choice, which is quite liberating.

Hope you have a great trip wherever you decide to stay!

 

[muppets3d]

I have not stayed at OKW yet but have been on the resort property a few times. I'll stay there eventually but am not in a hurry just yet.

The only reason I'd pick SSR over VGF or Wilderness Lodge is to save points. Disney Springs isn't really my thing.

Don't get me wrong, I like SSR a lot and have stayed there several times, and will again. But I typically only stay there if I'm booking something last minute and need the availability, or if I'm traveling with family and need a bigger villa (SSR is economical on points and easy parking).

It's good you're driving because even though SSR usually has plenty of buses, they are often full because the resort is so big - especially if you're a rope dropper or like to stay until park close.

 

[RuntheMouse]

I prefer SSR to OKW. I don’t mind how spread out it is, in fact we rarely have a car there and never book preferred.

I don’t think of it as a last resort, we book it intentionally. We even have it booked in January as part of a three way split stay. RIV/SSR/BWV. I think you should give them each a try. You already have OKW booked so I say keep it so you can check it off your list!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

From our own experiences, we'd choose the peace and comfort of OKW over SSR any trip. We owned at OKW for many years and spent a lot of time there. We also stayed a few times at SSR, and it's not a resort we need to return to. If you have a studio near HH, I'd say keep it. The only advantage SSR gives you is if you plan to make a couple trips to Disney Springs - you can walk. But most of the year a boat runs back and forth from OKW, so it's not a problem to get there.