OKW or SSR?

[heimlichfan]

DH and I feel we know many of the WDW resorts fairly well, but one thing we're not familiar with are the DVC properties. Next February we plan on going to The World with the whole family and staying at a two-bedroom villa either at OKW or SSR. I'm not sure which is a better pick for our family so here are the things I'm wondering about:

1. Transportation time to the parks
2. Internal transportation time, including walking distances
3. Best buildings to stay in to be close to busses, check-in, etc...
4. Overall space in a two-bedroom villa
5. Overall impressions


Thanks!

 

[pinkteacup]

We stayed in a 2BR at SSR last January and were very happy. We stayed in the Congress Park section, which has the shortest walk to DTD which gives a lot of options for shopping and dining. We had a quiet pool right outside the door which was really nice. We did not use Disney transportation as we rented a car, but there was a bus stop right by the building. I have never stayed at OKW, but we liked SSR so much we purchased our DVC there a few months after the trip.

 

[iluveeyore]

DH and I feel we know many of the WDW resorts fairly well, but one thing we're not familiar with are the DVC properties. Next February we plan on going to The World with the whole family and staying at a two-bedroom villa either at OKW or SSR. I'm not sure which is a better pick for our family so here are the things I'm wondering about:

1. Transportation time to the parks
2. Internal transportation time, including walking distances
3. Best buildings to stay in to be close to busses, check-in, etc...
4. Overall space in a two-bedroom villa
5. Overall impressions


Thanks!

Both resorts are beautiful, and actually located practically next to each other, so they each have the same transportation time to parks. SSR you can walk to DTD if you stay in the farthest units from the main hall. OKW and SSR have a DVC ferry to DTD as well.

We prefer OKW for the space in the units, especially the one and two bedroom. The views from the extra-large patios at OKW are prime as well, depending on which building you get - we always request a water view so we can feed the ducks, and also in the center of the building gets the best views and privacy.

You can visit www.dvcfriends.com to view 360 degree tours of each of the units at each resort to give you a good idea of the space.

SSR has five internal stops, OKW has three plus Hospitality House (main hall). Building 26 was the first bus stop at OKW and had great views of both golf green and water in our 2 bdrm last year, plus quick walk over the bridge to Community Hall and the main pool. Building 11 is right across from Hospitality House and has golf views. Building 46 is a bit further, but has great views of the river and the boats going by (ducks and otters as well). At OKW you can get on any bus and it stops at the front before leaving anyhow, and it really didn't take long to get around at all.

SSR is beautiful as well, but they don't have full dining tables and the extra love seat in the main living room and the buses seemed to take forever to go around to each stop when we waited there two weeks ago after eating at the Turf Club.

I think you'd like both of them, it is DVC after all - we just prefer OKW for the space (plus less points as well). Check out the room photos and there are many threads on here about each one - we all have different views and experiences - have a great trip whichever one you choose!

 

[OKW Lover]

We've stayed at both places. As you might guess from my screen name, OKW is the better choice.

There is much more room in the OKW units compared to any of the other DVC units. Location wise these two are located essentially next to each other - OKW is probably a little closer to the parks but its not a significant difference. We like the more spread-out layout of OKW because it gives you a more relaxed, away from the crowd feeling. You'll also find that OKW takes fewer points.

 

[shortypots]

We have stayed at both, and while we like the location of SSR with being so close to DTD, we preferred staying at OKW due to the size of the rooms. They seem much larger.

1) Time to the parks wasn't bad for either, but we found the busses dismal at SSR. We waited for 25 mins at SSR for a bus to Epcot and never saw one. We decided to take our own car instead. At OKW we never had a problem.
2) SSR is larger than OKW so it will take you longer to walk to various locations.
3) SSR - Congress Park in my personal opinion since it is the closest to DTD
OKW- I cannot recall where we stayed (I think it was 51) but we had a 1 bd with a patio on the river. It was heaven
4)SSR- felt very small in the living space. Seemed like too much space in the bed rooms for what little space you had in the living room.
OKW- Loved the amount of space in the room and we only had a 1bd. The patios are fantastic in a 1 or 2 bd.
5) Hubby and I are from NY, and did not like the decor of SSR. We just didn't feel like it resembled Saratoga enough. OKW was very relaxing and homey. We loved OKW- so much so we debated on a 230 pts contract there vs the 150 pts contract at VWL that we are getting ready to purchase.

 

[Amy&Dan]

The two bedroom at OKW will definitely be more spacious. Having a full sized dining table vs the drop leaf at the SSR might make a difference depending on how often you will eat in the unit. The balconies at OKW are also larger by quite a bit. I loved the way our balcony in our one bedroom at OKW had a ceiling fan.

I love both resorts, they are similar yet different as well. SSR is newer, the units are just beautiful and still very new. I have stayed in two, two bedroom units at SSR on extended family trips (six of us total) and we were fine. It is still a lot of space, just not as much as the OKW units.

SSR is large but to me the bus route at OKW is weird and seems to take forever. I didn't notice that so much at SSR.

SSR has better counter service, Goods to Go is fine but after you have eaten there a couple of times it gets old, SSR's Artist's Palette is one of my favorite cs options in all of WDW.

I think SSR's main pool is better, not that I don't love the main pool at OKW (esp. the large hot tub) but the zero entry at the High Rock Springs Pool as well as the spray jets are nice, esp. for kids.

Again, I love them both, I own at SSR but have to say, the lower points and larger units at OKW are very nice. I don't think you can make a bad choice.

At OKW it is nice that they now will guarantee being near the Hospitality House (if its available for your visit). At SSR I think any area but the Carousel is close and easy to the main area. Carousel is nice but it is the furthest out. Of couse sometimes being away from the action is nice and I would imagine those units are peaceful.

My favorite section at SSR is the Grandstand. First on the bus route, very close to the Springs (main area) and its pool is very neat with spray cannons and its own pool bar. At OKW I have always been near the Hospitality House so I don't have as much input. At both resorts, regardles of what section you end up in, you will have a pool, a bus stop and something pretty to look at out your balcony! I also love the Paddock section, its quiet and a bit removed but still very close to the main area. And its pretty early on the bus route as well.

Again, I don't think you can make a bad choice, they are both very lovely resorts with lots to offer.


Okay, I just realized you asked this on the resorts board so I had already answered your question over there! There have been several OKW vs. SSR threads the last couple of days, I am getting my repsonse down pat! I should compare my responses and see if I am being consistent!

 

[icydog]

OKW hands down!!