OKW / SSR Second Rate?

[Madhattr]

Into heavy info gathering stage now. Just curious about OKW and SSR. I often see wording in posts like "you may be left with just OKW or SSR" Having seen both resorts they don't seem that bad. A resale contract for much less $$ can be had for both as a home resort. What are your thoughts on this?

 

[culli]

Depends and lots of similar type posts. I like SSR and assume I would like OKW too (have not stayed yet) and for the $$ diff I went with a few loaded SSR contracts. First you have to detemine if DVC is right for your family and if so then it is a do you have a must stay place? SSR is a huge resort and doesn't have the wow factor of walking to EPCOT, MK, or DHS so people are harsh on it. SSR is understated and in my mind a wonderful resort with walking distance to DTD. With that said and having 3 little ones we try to get BCV, BWV or BLT, not because I like the resort better just that I'm impatient and prefer to walk to the resorts. My ideal location would be picking up SSR and setting right next to EPCOT. Here is what I posted on a similar post:

Do you have a place you really really want to stay? If you truely don't mind whatever resort that happens to be open, it is hard to beat SSR resale. The difference in price between SSR and BLT I would think far out weight your price savings in MF over the life of the contract (I admit I have not done the finance math on it). Plus you can probably get a loaded SSR contract where as with BLT you will only get the 2009 pts.

We own a bunch of SSR pts that we got loaded at a good price, low MF. For the most part we don't mind any of the resorts and so far have not had an issue getting where we wanted to stay.

However with that said DVC has changed (allowed) our travel habits and we will go 2-3x's a year. If we add more pts it will be at BCV, BLT or BWV becasue for at least once a year we want to be pretty much guarenteed to stay walking distance to a park especially if we have to go in a high demand time of year.

I'm a bang for the buck kinda guy but if you have a fav resort that if you don't stay there will decrease the fun factor of your vacation BUY WHERE YOU WANT TO STAY. If not SSR is one heck of a deal especially if you can get a loaded contract.

 

[littlestar]

We actually got tired of the "busy" DVC resorts after 7 years of membership. We sold our VWL and BWV contracts and now only have SSR points. I like the peacefulness of SSR and the golf course and the option to reserve a 3 bedroom treehouse for the same points as a 2 bedroom.

I also like being able to walk from Downtown Disney to the Crossroads shopping center (about a 20 minute walk) to some of my favorite restaurants - Flippers Pizza, Fridays, Goodings Grocery store, etc. - especially if I don't want to rent a car. SSR works out great for me and it's a terrific value right now with the recession.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

It's all a matter of preference.

The features some love about OKW and SSR, others hate. Parking outside of your unit is one of the items most mentioned. While I've enjoyed that option while staying at both the resorts, I've also learned that I prefer staying in a hotel resort much more than a condo style. On the flip side, some don't like the self parking set up a the other resorts, and find waiting at the valet stand for their car, and tipping the CM an inconvienance and unnecessary expense.

Not to say we will never stay at OKW or SSR again, but they will be our last choice rather than our first.

Moral of the story, buy where you would like to stay the most to take advantage of the 11 month booking window. If you like the style and location of SSR and OKW, the deals can't be beat. But don't purchase there with the assumption that you will be able to get the resort of your choice at 7 months.

 

[ldo]

I prefer DVC that are hooked to hotels, like VWL, BCV, BWV and AKV vs. condo style of SSR and OKW. However, when I was "taking orders" for next Easter. My kids said OKW or SSR are their top choices for me to request. Also, I think you pretty much have to own SSR if you want to book the new treehouse villas. So, consider that, if THV interests you. Elaine

 

[rentayenta]

We just stayed at the OKW and AKV and enjoyed the OKW more. I like the condo style vs hotel style of accommodations. We just bought at SSR, with a loaded (assuming that means we get this year's points too and then a UY of December) contract through Disney, and couldn't be happier! I am so looking forward to the uniqueness of the TreeHouse villas and my guess is, at first anyway, unless you own at SSR, the TreeHouses will be next to impossible to book.

 

[5forDiz]

You will get nearly as many different opinions as there are posters here.

In our opinion OKW & SSR are NOT second rate; not by a long shot.

We own OKW and it !! SSR is DVC that's closest in styling to OKW and it's a wonderful resort too. OKW & SSR are condo/golf resort type & have large number of villas compared to most other DVC resorts at WDW. OKW & SSR feature spread out buildings containing villa units, multiple pools in addition to their main-feature pool, multiple bus stops throughout resort property with all buses stopping at ' resort center ' area where check-in/community hall/workout facility/restaurant/counter-service etc. & main pool area are located. Other DVC resorts at WDW are more hotel-like in atmosphere - attached to existing hotel resorts (BWV, BCV, VWL, AKV & soon to open BLT)

 

[Donald is #1]

Let's see, I have stayed at both OKW and SSR and loved both of them. That being said, I decided to buy at AKV because I prefer a hotel style resort (maybe because I live in a townhouse so I see the condo style all the time) and of course the animals.

I don't consider either OKW and SSR to be second rate and would love to stay at either of them again. I think that you hear them as an after thought for 2 reasons:

1) They require a bus to all of the parks
2) (maybe more importantly) They are the largest resorts and therefore have the most availability. Therefore people tend to book them while waiting for their waitlists to come through for other resorts.

 

[CarolMN]

..... I often see wording in posts like "you may be left with just OKW or SSR" ......

SSR and OKW are the two largest DVC resorts. Thus, they generally fill up more slowly (but they do fill up, lol) than the other smaller resorts. That's the main reason you see the comments you do - the larger resorts are just most likely to have space once the 7 month window opens.

 

[Mouse511]

We own at SSR and love it....we have also stayed at OKW and love it as well.

We do not have children and love the quietness of both resorts and also like the condo style with parking right outside of the room as we drive our rental car everywhere.

This october will be our 3rd DVC trip since we have joined and we like OKW so much - we booked our vacation there.

We originally were going to try all the DVC resorts, but we enjoyed OKW so much we decided to stay there again.....plus we really love the huge living room and I really love the garden tub - after a long day at the park - I grab a Basin bath bomb and I am in heaven.....while DH is in the living room watching Sports Center........sucker.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We just spent one night at SSR before heading to the beach for four nights, then it's back to WDW and BCV. But both Bill and I were wishing that we had booked SSR in stead of BCV for our nine night stay. SSR and OKW are our two favorite resorts, along with VWL. At VWL, it's the theming we love so much, not the hotel atmosphere.

 

[Dizny Dad]

At least once a week I somehow find myself involved in a thread defending SSR as a great place to stay. I am always at a loss to completely understand why there seems to be a continuous rumor that SSR (or OKW for that matter) has something wrong with them.

I give up. I think I will just let it continue on its own. I love the peace and quiet - why convince more to show up.

 

[jctwizzer]

IMHO there are no "second rate" options among the DVC resorts....There are
differences, all of which appeal to different people....we've stayed at all of the resorts and had not had a bad experience. Fortunately, we still like
our home resort best.......

 

[AllyBri]

Our home resort is OKW and we are quite fond of SSR. I know people that have never stayed anywhere but OKW and would never consider staying elsewhere.

 

[kikiq]

Into heavy info gathering stage now. Just curious about OKW and SSR. I often see wording in posts like "you may be left with just OKW or SSR"

A phrase most uttered by folks who prefer the hotel style DVC resorts. My take is at least you still have a DVC to stay at AND you are still at WDW. My most recent experience with last minute ressies (less than 3 months) was that there was only 1 studio available and it was at AKV not OKW or SSR.

 

[Crystal_27]

SSR and OKW are both beautiful resorts, and I don't think that you can go wrong with either of them. Why I personally would prefer to stay at other resorts before either of them is only because of transportation issues. If you stay at either, you are forced to take Disney busses everywhere, whereas at most of the other DVC resorts, you are either within walking distance to a park or you have alternative (monorail, boat) transportation options. Since DD is still stroller-bound (at least while we are at Disney), it's just a pain in the neck to have to fold the stroller up every time we get on a bus, and it's nice to have the option to either walk to a park or get on the monorail and not have to deal with the stroller. However, once she gets a bit older, I'm very much looking forward to staying at both SSR and OKW. Again, they are gorgeous resorts, and they have a lot of great activities for families.

 

[littlestar]

One of the main things I like about SSR is the wide amount of restaurant choices when I stay at SSR. I get so tired of Disney's generic fast food - pizza, hamburgers, and french fries.

When I stay at SSR without renting a car, I have the option of Downtown Disney's restaurants and then if I walk 20 minutes down Hotel Plaza Boulevard (it's a pretty walk with trees that remind me of Hilton Head Island), there are numerous name brand restaurants to choose from. I can't do that from any other DVC resort. After being a member for over 7 years, I want more than pizza and hamburgers for counter service. Our grown kids can't bare staying at the other DVC resorts without a car because of the counter service food choices. "Trapped" is the word they use (laughter).

 

[Madhattr]

Thanks for everyone's responses. I too don't really think anything at Disney is second rate, I just wondered why when you read these posts over time there really does seem to be a bias. I think given what is happening with the resale market right now we may buy at SSR or OKW trying to find a loaded contract. We tend to always visit during value or regular season, so if we wanted to book elsewhere we mignt have some measure of success at the 7 month mark.

 

[littlestar]

Thanks for everyone's responses. I too don't really think anything at Disney is second rate, I just wondered why when you read these posts over time there really does seem to be a bias. I think given what is happening with the resale market right now we may buy at SSR or OKW trying to find a loaded contract. We tend to always visit during value or regular season, so if we wanted to book elsewhere we mignt have some measure of success at the 7 month mark.

I think you're making a smart choice. SSR is a hidden gem (especially for the price). If you buy OKW, try to find an extended contract so you get the extra years.

I'm hearing complaints on numerous boards that AKL at Kidani doesn't have much of a choice at all for a quick service meal unless you head over to the main lodge. Check out this thread on Intercot:

http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=154229

 

[pearlieq]

We tend to always visit during value or regular season, so if we wanted to book elsewhere we mignt have some measure of success at the 7 month mark.

I will say, that while this is no guarantee for the future, for us this has been the case. We've owned at SSR for 5 years and we have yet to stay there.

Not that I would mind--it looks like a really nice place. We just happen to have made other choices for previous trips. If you travel in more off-peak times and are flexible about where you stay, there's almost always something to choose from.

As always, though, if you have your heart set on a particular place and tend to travel at peak time, buy where you want to stay.