OKW, SSR, or CBR?

[sl_underwood]

The group consists of hubby and I, dd age 18 and her boyfriend, possibly 1-2 other friends age 18-20, dd 14, possibly dd 14's bff also 14, and ds 7. We are looking at OKW and SSR primarily but would do 2 rooms at CBR. The kids like the tropical feel. DS likes the pirate stuff at CBR but my understanding is that the pirate rooms make it quite a walk to everything else. I like the idea of a two bedroom villa because I understand that I cannot be guaranteed rooms next to one another and I like the in house washer and dryer. Kids musts are a cool pool but nothing else. With the 40% off code attached to my name, I can get a 2 br villa at OKW or SSR for around the same cost as 2 rooms at CBR. Which would you suggest?

 

[Amy&Dan]

Those are all great resorts!

No question, I would do the two bedroom unit at OKW. Simply for the square footage, you have a big group. The fact you are getting such a great deal seals the deal. And because you are cash, you will get daily maid service at both SSR and OKW (DVC members staying on points do not get daily maid service).

At OKW your unit will be huge at 1395 square feet. At SSR, the two bedrooms are around 1070 square feet.

At CBR, you'll get two rooms that are around 340 square feet each.

In a two bedroom you'll have a King in the master, a jucuzzi tub in the master, a balcony (and the balconies at OKW are huge, more like porches with tables that seat four, and a ceiling fan, at SSR balconies seat two, no celing fan on those). You'll have a full kitchen and the laundry. At OKW the laundry is in a separate, nice sized laundry room with a full size washer and dryer. At ssr, its a stackable in a closet.

I love all these resorts, but having a two bedroom unit will give you a lot of space, a balcony and a lot more total square footage. Also, both of those resorts are close to DTD which is a nice perk.

You asked about the Pirate rooms at CBR, those are the furthest out, however the walk is roughly 8-10 minutes to the main area and you have a quiet pool and bus stop right there in your village.

The best pool scene of the three is probably SSR's, High Rock Springs pool is amazing, they have a second feature pool in the Grandstand and another main pool being built in the Paddock area (not sure when that will be done). CBR's pool is great, but I think its best for kids 12 and under. My two teenagers were sort of bummed with that pool, it was always packed with little kids and some areas are gated off for older kids. Which is great if you have little kids of course!

OKW also has a really nice pool, my kids love the sand castle slide.

I'll also add that both SSR and OKW have community halls with ping pong, air hockey, games, pool games, SSR has crafts and classes offered (for a small fee, I think I paid $3 each for my kids to make ice cream one time and they had a ball), poolside games and contests and movies shown several nights a week on a big inflatable screen.

You'll also have a DVD Player in the living room of either SSR or OKW and they have free movie rentals at the gift shop at SSR and at Community Hall at OKW.

All three resorts are spread out, and you can have as much a ten minute walk to the main area at any of them if you get a building that is removed. CBR is the only one where you can book an actual preferred location (between 25-30 per night extra) that guarantees you a close in spot. All three of them do have quiet pools (or a main pool) near each section and a bus stop in each section.

Hope that helps!

 

[mickey&minniealways]

OKW for sure it is much larger. On the DVC boards under mouselaneous. One of the moderators has a posting of the sizes of all dvc units. It states the 2 bedroom at OKW as being 1410 sq. ft. I don't care for the themeing at SSR, but that is just me. Love the piped in Jimmy Buffet music at the HH at OKW. Puts me in a relaxed mood right from the start.

 

[magicaldisney]

Another vote for the two bedroom at OKW. Watch your occupancy though...if I counted correctly, you're already at a possible 9 nine people. You won't be able to go over that number.

 

[let'sgo]

We had a one bedroom unit at OKW and loved it. Have also stayed at SSR and CBR but I think that you'll really love OKW with all of the space you have and the great theming.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you have nine, you'd have to get a GV at SSR or a THV. And the THV are rather small. You can't have nine in a 2 bedroom at SSR.

And two CBR rooms would also only sleep eight.

 

[magicaldisney]

If you have nine, you'd have to get a GV at SSR or a THV. And the THV are rather small. You can't have nine in a 2 bedroom at SSR.

And two CBR rooms would also only sleep eight.

Deb, could they have 9 in the newly renovated OKW two bedrooms that have the sleeper chair added in the living room area? That would be ok, right?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Deb, could they have 9 in the newly renovated OKW two bedrooms that have the sleeper chair added in the living room area? That would be ok, right?

Yep, as long as they got a renovated two bedroom. But there still might be problems booking a two bedroom for nine, even with a renovated two bedroom through Disney Reservation Center.

 

[Sammie]

Per the Disney website, maximum occupany for both OKW and SSR in a two bedroom is 8.

Until Disney changes that for OKW due to the addition of the sleeper chair; I do not think you will be allowed to book OKW with 9 and definitely not SSR.

 

[sl_underwood]

Our total is 8 max. We will have 4 young adults all 18-20 years old, dh still is unsure if he can go, dd 14 decided against bringing a friend. We have narrowed it to OKW and CBR. I know, two very different resorts. I voted for OKW and so did dd 14. DS voted for CBR. DH doesnt care one way or another, he just wants to go to Disney. The young adults have yet to cast a vote. DD 18 likes both, but she really liked the beach area and hammocks at CBR. Does OKW have a nice beach area? That might bring her to OKW. She thought OKW looked a little stuffy for some reason whereas CBR looked more fun in her opinion. The only real plus to OKW for her was the access to DTD as they want to explore Pleasure Island.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Yeah, it's stuffy. That's why it's known as the DVC Retirement Home - it was the first DVC and many of the original owners still own there.

 

[Amy&Dan]

OKW is not stuffy at all! Its probably the most laid back resort in all of WDW. It does not have a beach however. But it has a very tropical theme to it.

If you haven't already, check out www.allearsnet.com and look at the slideshows of both resorts.

Having stayed at all three, I just keep thinking about the extra space you'll have (twice what you have with two rooms at CBR) and those incredible balconies.

If you compare them as a resorts as a whole, I think CBR comes out evenly with OKW. They both have a tropical feel, are spread out, have nice pools and good restaurants (although CBR has a much better counter serve since it has a food court, but Olivia's is hands down better than Shutters and serves all three meals, not just dinner).

However, if you compare the actual accomodations you will get, OKW knocks that out of the ballpark several times over.