okw vs. ss

[oldmancurtis]

ok looking for comments pro and con on which of these two do you prefer old key west and Saratoga springs.

 

[hakepb]

OKW studios have (2) real queen beds, but no couch, so that arrangement can be a positive or a negative (if you like to sit and watch TV or read)

The 1 BR+ units in OKW are much larger than SSR. (And have the additional sleeper chair). OKW 1BR+ also have large balconys with a table and 4 chairs.

OKW has the nice, relaxed tropical landscaping.

SSR is much closer to Disney Springs (has 2 walking paths, plus a boat.) OKW has a boat to DS. Technically you can walk from OKW but it's quite long.

All SSR buildings have elevators. Most OKW buildings only have stairs.

SSR has (2) QS locations (including AP with indoor seating) while OKW only has a QS ordering counter

SSR has (2) feature pools with slides, and a much better young kid water play area.

SSR has, perhaps, the best spa on property (fighting with Grand Floridian)

The golf course begins in SSR.

Depending on vacation style, one resort may be much better, or they might be about the same.

 

[Donna M]

To me, the space of the living room at OKW is the biggest advantage going for it along with the tropical theme. SSR is closer to Disney Springs, and has beautiful grounds, but it looks too much like where I come from.

 

[Deb & Bill]

OKW studios have (2) real queen beds, but no couch, so that arrangement can be a positive or a negative (if you like to sit and watch TV or read)

The 1 BR+ units in OKW are much larger than SSR. (And have the additional sleeper chair). OKW 1BR+ also have large balconys with a table and 4 chairs.

OKW has the nice, relaxed tropical landscaping.

SSR is much closer to Disney Springs (has 2 walking paths, plus a boat.) OKW has a boat to DS. Technically you can walk from OKW but it's quite long.

All SSR buildings have elevators. Most OKW buildings only have stairs.

SSR has (2) QS locations (including AP with indoor seating) while OKW only has a QS ordering counter

SSR has (2) feature pools with slides, and a much better young kid water play area.

SSR has, perhaps, the best spa on property (fighting with Grand Floridian)

The golf course begins in SSR.

Depending on vacation style, one resort may be much better, or they might be about the same.

OKW has both the Turtle Shack at the Turtle Pond village and Goods to Go at the Hospitality House for counter service. True, Turtle Shack is only open seasonally, so it might not be open when you want it open. Both have seating outside, nothing indoors.

 

[Dean]

ok looking for comments pro and con on which of these two do you prefer old key west and Saratoga springs.

It depends, we like both for different reasons. The easy answer is no car definitely SSR, or for a 3 BR GV definitely OKW otherwise it depends on the needs of the group for sleeping arrangements.

 

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

I love the little facts I learn on these boards! I never would have thought a Disney hotel wouldn't have elevators. I'd be so disappointed at the end of a long day to have to haul my stroller plus sleepy kids up a flight of stairs. Guess we won't be trying out OKW for awhile.

 

[Dean]

I love the little facts I learn on these boards! I never would have thought a Disney hotel wouldn't have elevators. I'd be so disappointed at the end of a long day to have to haul my stroller plus sleepy kids up a flight of stairs. Guess we won't be trying out OKW for awhile.

Getting first floor by request isn't difficult if you don't make other difficult requests. I wouldn't let that deter you if it's just preference.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I love the little facts I learn on these boards! I never would have thought a Disney hotel wouldn't have elevators. I'd be so disappointed at the end of a long day to have to haul my stroller plus sleepy kids up a flight of stairs. Guess we won't be trying out OKW for awhile.

Ground floors aren't bad. And your kids running around the villa on the ground floor won't disturb other guests like they might if you were on a higher floor. Caribbean Beach also has no elevators. POR also has no elevators that I remember.

Plus, OKW isn't a hotel. It's a timeshare -100% timeshare.

 

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

Ground floors aren't bad. And your kids running around the villa on the ground floor won't disturb other guests like they might if you were on a higher floor. Caribbean Beach also has no elevators. POR also has no elevators that I remember.

Plus, OKW isn't a hotel. It's a timeshare -100% timeshare.

We like the balcony and tend to request upper floor as we don't find it near as relaxing being ground floor with people walking right past and the kids being able to wonder off. So I just never would have thought my typical request would be a bad request in this instance. Thankfully, now I know if I get OKW for a last minute or cheap point trip.
We have never stayed at a moderate as we don't care for the lack of balconies and the more motel feel with the windows being at the front where everyone walks by.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We like the balcony and tend to request upper floor as we don't find it near as relaxing being ground floor with people walking right past and the kids being able to wonder off. So I just never would have thought my typical request would be a bad request in this instance. Thankfully, now I know if I get OKW for a last minute or cheap point trip.
We have never stayed at a moderate as we don't care for the lack of balconies and the more motel feel with the windows being at the front where everyone walks by.

Just about every porch whether upper or lower floor at OKW is on the golf course or canal side. The only people you'd have walking past your porch would be the occasional golfer who hit his/her ball in the wrong direction or too hard. Plus all the first floor porches are enclosed with a wall, just like the upper floors, so there is no wandering off from the porch. They don't have open patios on the first floor at OKW.

 

[kanga5roos]

It depends, we like both for different reasons. The easy answer is no car definitely SSR, or for a 3 BR GV definitely OKW otherwise it depends on the needs of the group for sleeping arrangements.

What is the difference btwn the 3 BR GV at OKW and SSR? Size? lay-out? location?

 

[bumbershoot]

I like both equally. I would never walk to DS and I don't like malls all that much, so that's not important to me.

But they are both pretty, I like the pools (Paddock at SSR is my fave, and I really like the quiet Turtle Pond pool at OKW), I like the rooms. Service has been good at both. SSR has the better quick service place IMO, but we always have a car so that doesn't actually matter.

The OKW ground floor patios are encapsulated, and the kids in our group in December had a great time hanging out out there looking at the birds. We've actually never once had a higher floor at OKW (my aunt has knee issues) and it has always been great.

 

[Deb & Bill]

What is the difference btwn the 3 BR GV at OKW and SSR? Size? lay-out? location?

OKW is much larger. It has one bedroom with only two double beds instead of two queen beds because that room is smaller. OKW has a very large kitchen, dining room and living room.

 

[alldiz]

Ok I do love both SSR and OKW, but I haven't "met" a Dvc I didn't love!

So here is the breakdown for me in no particular order...

Location... SSR is better for me.
You can walk to Downtown Disney(still for me) and any resort bus for quick access to dining at other resorts.
If you don't have a car this is great access. If you have a car both resorts have parking near room so a tie.

Food..... quick service SSR definately better.
Table service. I give this to Olivia's. It is awesome for bkfst , lunch, and dinner. I did really enjoy my dinner at the PAddock grill though!
There is just something about Olivia's that tugs at the heart.... casual, great friendly service and good food!

Pool area.... I give this to SSR zero entry and nice slide.(haven't been to Okw in while so if this has changed forgive me)

Ambience..... I give this to OKW. Mature landscaping and tropical feel is on point.

OKW gives you a reason to be on a scenic boat ride to DTD.
And last but not least.....
Bigger rooms and PRIVATE balconies... For LESS points! What I mean by private is the way rooms are set up balconies are staggered. Not like SSR and every other hotel/ Dvc ( a row of rooms)

With all of that said they are both great
Kerri

 

[BobNed]

I love the little facts I learn on these boards! I never would have thought a Disney hotel wouldn't have elevators. I'd be so disappointed at the end of a long day to have to haul my stroller plus sleepy kids up a flight of stairs. Guess we won't be trying out OKW for awhile.

But, you see, it isn't a hotel. It's a timeshare. When Disney built it, the ADA laws barely existed and didn't require elevators. The buildings are either 2 or 3 stories tall. When they added the last 3 building, the ADA had been revised and elevators were required which is why those buildings (62, 63, and 64) have them.

 

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

Just about every porch whether upper or lower floor at OKW is on the golf course or canal side. The only people you'd have walking past your porch would be the occasional golfer who hit his/her ball in the wrong direction or too hard. Plus all the first floor porches are enclosed with a wall, just like the upper floors, so there is no wandering off from the porch. They don't have open patios on the first floor at OKW.

This is nice to know. Thank you!

 

[Disney Doll]

To me, the space of the living room at OKW is the biggest advantage going for it along with the tropical theme. SSR is closer to Disney Springs, and has beautiful grounds, but it looks too much like where I come from.

This goes for me too. It's a lovely resort but it looks too much like home.

 

[bbn1122]

Stayed at both.

OKW in 2014, 2bedroom and 1 bedroom. Both close to the action, pool, QS and Olivia's. I thought the villas at OKW as others have mentioned, so spacious in main living area. And views from balconies were beautiful. Boat ride to DS was nice. We really like OKW. I did not find resort too big. We did the surrey bike, fun! We ate Olivia's, enjoyable. We did not use bus service, no parks, pre-cruise and Vero Beach. We actually came back after our cruise and stayed one night in the 1 bedroom.


SSR in 2016, 2 bedroom ground floor, Congress park. Main living area tight compared with OKW. View was blah! Location to DS was fantastic. I personally did not go to the rest of the resort after the first day. I only used pool at CP, that was because it was hot and I found resort huge. DH and boys used the gym and arcade.

We did go to the parks. The bus service was decent. We love the electronic board that told you when to expect your bus, very helpful.

We absolutely love the walk ability to DS. We ate at DS often. From Congress Park you can take a boat to the other end of DS. My sons did this to get to the movies with out walking the whole length of the Springs.

Okay, loved both for different reason. Would staty at both again in a heartbeat. I would only want CP though if I was staying at SSR.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[jburggraf]

Just got back from 2 bedroom at OKW (room 5113). Love the size of the rooms. Not the greatest location in terms of distance to parks but that is about the only negative other than one freak incident. While sitting on the deck I got drilled in the leg by an errant golf ball. I'm guessing this is a rare occurrence but something to be aware of.