OKW or SSR?

[coachb]

I'm looking at a 2br next Summer at either OKW or SSR. Both seem lovely and have their supporters. We be staying for a week with maybe 4 days at the parks. 5 of us, 2 teenagers and an 11 year old. We enjoy Downtown Disney very much so we are intrigued with SSR. We also do some cooking in our unit so the size of OKW is appealing. Thinking of not renting a car for this trip, not sure if that's recommended with these resorts. Not concerned with points values etc. Also, not sure about bed configurations in the rooms. Not sure if I'm over thinking this or not but I'd welcome all opinions. Thanks.

 

[magicaldisney]

We never rent a car and I think bus service is a toss up between the two. Rooms will be larger at OKW and you have a larger balcony. OKW does not have elevators in all of the buildngs so be prepared to walk up the stairs.

We love both resorts, but it sounds like you won't be spending all of your time in the parks. For that reason I would go with SSR. Walking distance to DTD is awesome. Quick service on site is a plus if you're spending more time at the resort.

 

[mom2rb]

When I am in the room or on the balcony, I love OKW more. When I am walking around the resort or want to go to Downtown Disney, I prefer SSR.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

Personally I love OKW. The amount of room that your party will have would make the choice for me. As for DTD, I really enjoy the boatride from OKW. SSR does have the better quick serve food option but for me that is it's only bonus.

 

[Duffy Lover]

I recently stayed at SSR, and I have stayed at OKW quite a few times, and I can say that I love, love, love OKW. There was nothing wrong with SSR, I just felt it lacked charm. It felt cold to me. I love OKW's laid back feel and how lush it is. It seems like I am truly on vacation.

But I do have to say that SSR has better pools, and a true counter service restaurant, which OKW does not. I had the most delicious lobster roll at Artist's Palette. Overall I would ask yourself what is more important: a laid back ambiance, lots of palm trees, Jimmy Buffet music, a larger room and balcony OR a good counter service, pools with fun slides and splash pads, walking to DTD and a more refined atmosphere?

Good luck! I love "tough" decisions like that...

 

[dadoftwoboys]

I agree ssr is very cold

 

[Mickeygolf]

I think you may find OKW 2 br villa more to your liking with the teenagers and the 11 year old. You'll get 2 queen size beds in the second bedroom and the couch or chair pullout is pretty comfy according to my teenage kids. The extra rooom is always the added plus at OKW, but the convenience to DTD from Saratoga is hard to argue.

Good luck!!!

 

[papertraveller]

We just returned from our first stay at SSR. It was very nice and we enjoyed the room and the resort itself.

We have also stayed at OKW, and I confess I prefer the laid back ambience there more.

At SSR initially we felt almost stranded without a car. We were in the Carousel section, and had to walk considerable distances just to get to a pool or to buy some food. If the weather had been worse, this really would have been a drawback.

OKW is also spread out, and you will have to walk for food. But we found the pools were more accessible.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I like SSR more. We usually ask for and stay in Congress Park...I like the pool in that section.

 

[magicaldisney]

We just returned from our first stay at SSR. It was very nice and we enjoyed the room and the resort itself.

We have also stayed at OKW, and I confess I prefer the laid back ambience there more.

At SSR initially we felt almost stranded without a car. We were in the Carousel section, and had to walk considerable distances just to get to a pool or to buy some food. If the weather had been worse, this really would have been a drawback.

OKW is also spread out, and you will have to walk for food. But we found the pools were more accessible.

Just so OP knows, both resorts are spread out but you can take internal buses to get around.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

We have stayed at OKW 4 times and SSR twice. Although we love both of them, we prefer SSR. The amenities and food options are just better IMHO. We also really enjoy the walking paths and nature there. Good luck with your decision.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We love OKW and dislike SSR. SSR feels too spread out for us. We love OKW because of pool area, great kids activities, tennis courts, etc. also we love Olivia's restaurant. We always reserve one close to hospitality house so it's easy walk to pool, busses and boat to downtown Disney. But we go mainly for resorts and rarely go to parks. We hang out at pool, work out and play tennis and go to downtown Disney for dinner. Perfect for us.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

It's really a matter of taste, as you can see from the varied responses here. SSR is my favorite of all the DVC resorts. As they're in a similiar location and have somewhat similiar layout, you'd think I'd also therefore like OKW. I can't put my finger on exactly why, but I just didn't enjoy it as much as other resorts. I wasn't a fan of the decor in the room or the vinyl floor instead of carpet. I will admit that the larger rooms and balconies are a plus. Also, it's the only location where a studio has two beds vice a bed and pull-out couch. Perhaps it was that I didn't know my way around there as well as I know SSR, but I also felt more cut-off at OKW than at SSR.

It wasn't that we didn't enjoy our vacation at OKW, but with all the other choices, we've chosen not to go back again since our first stay.

 

[hakepb]

We love OKW and dislike SSR. SSR feels too spread out for us. We love OKW because of pool area, great kids activities, tennis courts, etc. also we love Olivia's restaurant. We always reserve one close to hospitality house so it's easy walk to pool, busses and boat to downtown Disney. But we go mainly for resorts and rarely go to parks. We hang out at pool, work out and play tennis and go to downtown Disney for dinner. Perfect for us.

FWIW, SSR is the only WDW resort with clay tennis courts (since VGF was built on the others)
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/tennis/

 

[Ashlotte]

We stayed at both resorts this summer, and I greatly preferred our OKW room because of the extra space. It felt so relaxing to come back to after a long day. I did like the SSR pools more, however.

 

[Dean]

I'm looking at a 2br next Summer at either OKW or SSR. Both seem lovely and have their supporters. We be staying for a week with maybe 4 days at the parks. 5 of us, 2 teenagers and an 11 year old. We enjoy Downtown Disney very much so we are intrigued with SSR. We also do some cooking in our unit so the size of OKW is appealing. Thinking of not renting a car for this trip, not sure if that's recommended with these resorts. Not concerned with points values etc. Also, not sure about bed configurations in the rooms. Not sure if I'm over thinking this or not but I'd welcome all opinions. Thanks.

Personal choice. OKW has larger rooms but is more spread out functionally and is further away from DD. It also has 2 queens in the second for all villas where SSR will only have them for a dedicated villa. For a points stay I'd go with SSR dedicated (if the occupancy # matters for bedding) with OKW second and SSR lockoff last. If you have several meals at DD and walking is an option, I'd move SSR to the top for all options and request congress park. No bad choices as long as no one has physical limitations and even then they 2 resorts are fairly comparable.