OKW or SSR by choice?

[Pea-n-Me]

We’ve enjoyed both, but we really loved OKW. We had a studio a few years back and this fall had a 1BR right on the golf course (both in good repair). We really felt like we were on vacation, finding the overall chill vibe of the resort best to our liking (of most resorts).

Both OKW trips were in the Miller’s Rd area, and we walked (with both older people and little kids) to the Hospitality House area, the bus stop and the quiet pool, etc. Not bad at all. (Friends of ours prefer the Turtle Pond area because the quiet pool there has a snack bar). We always have a car but we found the resort easy to get around. We biked to DS via the pathway from OKW through the golf course and SSR and that was fun and different. The boat ride to DS at night was really beautiful, too. We took advantage of a lot they had to offer including the Community Hall craft room, hammocks, and Olivia’s, etc. Didn’t mind Goods to Go, either. (They had honey for my tea which surprised me!) We found staff exceptional (and put one particularly stellar CM in for recognition).

At SSR the first night we tried to walk to DS, but got hopelessly lost and gave up. Later we figured it out and it wasn’t too bad. The boat was closed early when we were there so we never got to take it to DS. We stayed in Grandstand and the bus stop was right there (and first stop, if I recall correctly). We really liked The Artist’s Pallette quick service, but didn’t try the table service restaurant. DS has golfed from there before. Overall, it was ok, but not our favorite.

 

[Wedgeout]

Stick with OKW if the points are better than that SSR preferred. This would be a great time to NOT switch, just because you can.

 

[Girlstar30]

Like you, I havent stayed at either but when I do I def wouldnt stay at a favorite resort first. Id like to stay at SSR and OKW back to back when I finally do.

The huge sprawling aspect does scare me away, I dont want to have to rent a car or be super far from the lobby, I guess thats what preferred is for.

Since wdw isnt something I always get to do, its hard for me to not use my precious points at a favorite. But what if one of them becomes a favorite

 

[Simba's Mom]

Well, if it were me, I'd combine BCV with OKW. But that's because in our house, BCV is my favorite, with OKW second. And for DH, he'd stay at OKW every trip, has no desire to stay anywhere else (although he's "tolerated BCV" a few times).
And for all the people who say "I haven't stayed at OKW, but I've visited there" or just driven through, stay there-once-and see if it changes. We drove through OKW once, and agreed we'd never want to stay there. Then circumstances were such that a last minute booking gave us OKW as the only option. By the morning after that first night, DH was sold on the resort.

 

[Travel60]

You don't mention the makeup of your family or traveling party. We are resort-only people.... Only do parks when grand kids come. We love both OKW and SSR and stay several weeks every Jan/Feb.

When it's just two of us we get a one bedroom and for OKW especially, it is a big room. We both have room to work remotely. We walk to DS (even from OKW) or ride the boat to eat, shop, go to movies or bowl. The pools are nice and relaxing. For occasional "day trips" we will ride a bus to somewhere, eat or shop then ride a boat or the skyliner somewhere else. Rinse and repeat til we are ready to go "home".

 

[CastAStone]

Oh wow lots to take in here! As I read through the replies I found myself saying OKW yes...no wait SSR...no OKW. It's just three of us with a young child. We go a lot so taking it easy would be fine even though we aren't Disney Springs people...altho I guess it would give us the chance to try it out even more. I like the sound of both but we would probably lean more towards a pretty resort type feel rather than a neighborhood feel...maybe? Either way it sounds like OKW and SSR have their own charm worth staying at at least once...that's the feeling I'm getting from your replies.

You should definitely try them. I’ve stayed at both and in fact just got back from an SSR trip.

With a car the transit choices are very easy from either resort - drive to DHS, AK, and Epcot, and bus to MK. The DHS and Epcot drives will have you in either park faster than any non-crescent lake resort, and to DHS in the morning faster even than Riviera folks transferring at CB. MK is a hike but that’s true of any non-seven seas resort.

I don’t agree with some of the comments about the layouts and walking.

OKW is a spread out resort with no particular layout. The dining, shopping, and feature pool is all in one corner of the resort and is not close to 75% of it; you’ll find yourself driving there if you’re in one of those buildings. And the pathways are direct, but exposed, as someone noted.

SSR is a semi circle with all of the shopping and most of the dining at the very middle. Only the rooms in the carousel and maybe the farthest few rooms of Congress Park are more than a 5-6 minute walk to the Carriage House, on meandering but shaded and (mostly) far from traffic pathways.

OKW as I’m sure you know has larger and better designed rooms but with 3 you may not be pushed for space.

Ultimately the vibe at both is great and make for wonderful magical vacations.

And if you go and don’t feel that way, well, now you know. But I’d suggest giving it a go.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

You don't mention the makeup of your family or traveling party. We are resort-only people.... Only do parks when grand kids come. We love both OKW and SSR and stay several weeks every Jan/Feb.

Probably got lost in the shuffle but it's two adults and a 7 year old...well...8 by then. Even at this age he doesn't mind not hitting everything as he's "been there done that" level of spoiled lol...but he's not spoiled so we take him over and over again. Hence why I wouldn't mind trying out one of these slower resorts especially after a BC/park heavy start to the trip. I swear every post I read has me flip flopping between the two. We don't mind walking or need close proximity but I also don't like "old" rooms and it seems there might be a better chance that OKW could fetch us a run down room whereas SSR sounds like every room is refreshed...which we like. But there's an odd charm about the OKW vibe that I've felt even never having stepped foot in there. I like the slow Florida/island vibe idea. I dunno I think if I don't switch then I'm just going to roll the dice with OKW and see if we like it. It might give us a chance to go to the Springs as well as we never go there.

 

[juliebee]

There was recently a good video by Mammoth Club on YouTube about staying at OKW and it was a good look into staying there. It actually looked quite nice to me and I'd give it a try!

 

[Girlstar30]

Probably got lost in the shuffle but it's two adults and a 7 year old...well...8 by then. Even at this age he doesn't mind not hitting everything as he's "been there done that" level of spoiled lol...but he's not spoiled so we take him over and over again. Hence why I wouldn't mind trying out one of these slower resorts especially after a BC/park heavy start to the trip. I swear every post I read has me flip flopping between the two. We don't mind walking or need close proximity but I also don't like "old" rooms and it seems there might be a better chance that OKW could fetch us a run down room whereas SSR sounds like every room is refreshed...which we like. But there's an odd charm about the OKW vibe that I've felt even never having stepped foot in there. I like the slow Florida/island vibe idea. I dunno I think if I don't switch then I'm just going to roll the dice with OKW and see if we like it. It might give us a chance to go to the Springs as well as we never go there.

I feel the same way, im more drawn to the okw theme and the large rooms, but the rooms do look dated which worries me.

When did they start putting murphy beds in the refurbishment? Idk why okw seems to me like they havent refurbished it in a long time even tho I looked it up and it seems like they did in 2020.

Maybe waiting for the soft refurb is best, I read that was happening next year I think. To me it made a big difference for CCV, I never wanted to stay there again until I saw the one bedroom soft refurb

 

[PolyRob]

When did they start putting murphy beds in the refurbishment?

Riviera was the first DVC with the queen murphy pull-down. DVC had some... issues with the installation when the resort opened in 2019.

I believe SSR was the first DVC refurb to get them in 2021. VGF and PVB followed shortly after. DVC has been installing them with soft and hard goods refurbs at all properties that can accommodate them. Doesn't seem like OKW can with the living room window situation.

On the cash side, AoA had the queen murphy beds in the family suites since it opened in 2012. Instead of a couch, it's a table. The other values like Pop and All Stars all received the same murphy/table setup in regular guest rooms starting in 2017 and finishing in 2021.

 

[CastAStone]

I feel the same way, im more drawn to the okw theme and the large rooms, but the rooms do look dated which worries me.

When did they start putting murphy beds in the refurbishment? Idk why okw seems to me like they havent refurbished it in a long time even tho I looked it up and it seems like they did in 2020.

Maybe waiting for the soft refurb is best, I read that was happening next year I think. To me it made a big difference for CCV, I never wanted to stay there again until I saw the one bedroom soft refurb

OKW was redone in 2019 but idk how you would do the Murphy bed in that room layout without moving the kitchen clear across the room. I doubt it’s ever coming. Maybe it will get some new bed innovation.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I forgot to mention that one thing I love about OKW, more than the huge rooms, is the huge balconies in the 1BRs and larger. I love that you can all sit outside around the table, drinking coffee, eating breakfast, having an adult beverage, etc.

 

[Girlstar30]

Riviera was the first DVC with the queen murphy pull-down. DVC had some... issues with the installation when the resort opened in 2019.

I believe SSR was the first DVC refurb to get them in 2021. VGF and PVB followed shortly after. DVC has been installing them with soft and hard goods refurbs at all properties that can accommodate them. Doesn't seem like OKW can with the living room window situation.

On the cash side, AoA had the queen murphy beds in the family suites since it opened in 2012. Instead of a couch, it's a table. The other values like Pop and All Stars all received the same murphy/table setup in regular guest rooms starting in 2017 and finishing in 2021.

OKW was redone in 2019 but idk how you would do the Murphy bed in that room layout without moving the kitchen clear across the room. I doubt it’s ever coming. Maybe it will get some new bed innovation.

Thanks for the info, I had no idea it was setup in a way that isnt possible, I associated murphy beds with refurbishment. Now I dont have to wait for these murphy beds that will never come

 

[DeeBee3]

If a studio, I'd stick with SSR. I'm told the 1-bedrooms are much nicer than the studios at OKW. I would try that in the future after some sort of refurbishment. I think your child will like either resort/pool/fun areas. My kids liked both pools but the main pool at SSR has both a bigger slide and a little toddler slide at the pool. We liked both options and I went down both slides!

Grandstand "near pool" is a good spot to request and you are also near the "horse pool" as I call it.

Otherwise, go on youtube and look at the most recent room tours. Have to be within the last year.

 

[OKW Lover]

OKW was redone in 2019 but idk how you would do the Murphy bed in that room layout without moving the kitchen clear across the room. I doubt it’s ever coming. Maybe it will get some new bed innovation.

IIRC, the OKW studios are specified as two queen beds in the POS and can't be changed.

 

[zackiedawg]

I always get a kick out of the 'resorts of last resort' label that's always applied to OKW and SSR. As a Boardwalk owner, that resort is my favorite, but SSR is probably #2. I love the theming of Boulder Ridge and love to stay there, and the Fort Wilderness cabins are so quaint and relaxed with a golf cart to tool around, but Saratoga just has too many conveniences, especially when I travel solo, so it's my second choice and the resort I've stayed at 2nd most overall. I do also love OKW just for how laid back it is, and the huge rooms and balconies - the boat to Disney Springs is relaxing and fun. But being able to walk to Disney Springs from Saratoga is so convenient. When rating the food options at various resorts, I consider Saratoga Springs to have by far the most options, because Disney Springs is like part of its food court.

I stay in Congress Park 98% of the time - being closest to Disney Springs is my preference. I'll be there in 11 days, in fact. The sprawling grounds are not an issue for me, as I really only use two sections of Saratoga - Congress Park where I'm staying, and the main building which is a short walk away. I also often use Disney Springs as transportation to and from Saratoga, when going to parks...often it's more peaceful and often easier to get on a bus at park closing than the actual Saratoga bus...Leaving MK, I can walk to Contemporary to hop the DS bus, then walk back to my room at Saratoga. Leaving Epcot, I use Beach Club's DS bus. Leaving DHS, I often just walk to Boardwalk and hop their DS bus. AK is the only one it doesn't work for since there are no connected resorts, though I have on occasion seen a massive line at the SSR bus and an AK Lodge bus pulled up with no line that I hopped on and then transferred to the DS bus.

My last resort resorts are AK Lodge since they require a bus to get anywhere at all, and GF because the points value doesn't work out as well as other resorts. I prefer having either parks or restaurants to walk to - the maximum choice of restaurants and bars within walkable or alternate transportation (non-bus). Boardwalk is walkable to Epcot and DHS, and has the restaurants of 8 resorts within walking or Skyliner distance. Saratoga has all of Disney Springs' restaurants and bars a walk away. OKW has DS by a lovely boat ride. Boulder Ridge has boat access to 2 resorts (and soon, 1 more) and MK, with secondary added boat or monorail access to 2 more resorts. That's why they're all my favorites.

 

[Herding_Cats]

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.

Yes. You should try one of them. OKW feels more like a golf-course-neighborhood to me, and the preferred sections of SSR feel more like a resort (but there are standard sections that also border the golf course so ymmv.) We always have a car and only bus to MK and sometimes Epcot. We always request congress park at SSR because we like to be really close to all of the food options at DS, and if we want to resort-hop for any reason it's a not-too-long walk to the DS busses.

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.

The thing I like most about OKW and SSR is that they are just far enough removed that you can take a breath from park-mode and fully relax. There's a little bit of fireworks noise from Epcot, but not a whole lot. SSR is absolutely my go-to resort of limited-parks or no-parks stays because it has never felt crowded or cramped or chaotic. Even the main pool at the peak of spring break wasn't crazy like SAB can get. Where things are located is very straight-forward (food options) at the resort and there are no endless hallways to navigate and hope you don't take a wrong turn somewhere while looking for breakfast. And the fact that the point charts are a lot nicer usually means I can get more nights than something like the Poly or BCV. If feeling a little bit "out of the bubble" sounds horrible, maybe save staying at one of these for a shorter trip with less commitment. But at this point, I look at SSR *first* so I can have more vacation.

 

[Brian Noble]

IIRC, the OKW studios are specified as two queen beds in the POS and can't be changed.

I think @CastAStone was referring to potentially replacing the pull-out couch with a Murphy in the villas. The placement of windows makes that either very awkward or very expensive.