OKW vs. SSR vs. POR Royal rooms for 8

[jvossler85]

I'm beginning to plan an 8 night family vacation for June 2018. Let me start by saying that my husband and I will be staying at POR in Aug and hoping for another free dining bounceback, so 3 bedroom villas are not an option. For the June vacation, it will be me, DH, 4 kids (14, 11, 7, 4, oldest 3 are girls), my mom and my brother. The price between these 3 resorts (admittedly from this year, so they'll go up) is pretty comparable. Two royal rooms at POR would be slightly cheaper, but I like the idea of an in room washer and dryer at the other resorts. We have stayed at CBR, so dealing with longer bus waits is not a huge deal, though a shorter wait would be nice. With all that said, I need opinions on these resorts. Which would you choose and why? Are the royal rooms a must do with the kids, or would having the balcony, kitchenette and large tub be preferable for you? How about pools? Thanks!

 

[VAfamily1998]

How old is your brother, and how do you envision the sleeping arrangements? Even if two rooms at POR are cheaper than a 2 bedroom villa, you could probably make up the difference with having a couple meals in the kitchen of a villa-especially if you are unable to get free dining.

 

[jvossler85]

My brother is 28. My family is used to tight quarters and little privacy on vacations (growing up with 4 siblings does that to you!). For POR, my mom and brother would share a room with my two youngest kids. For the 2 bedroom villa, DH and I would have a room with the youngest, my brother would have the sofa, and my mom would share a room with the 3 oldest kids. I honestly like this sleeping arrangement better. I guess my biggest questions are, will the kids enjoy OKW or SSR? Would we be missing out if we skip the Royal rooms? I have read on some websites that those two deluxe resorts are subpar, which makes me nervous. But you bring up a good point, we like to eat breakfast before hitting the parks and a kitchen would allow for more (and cheaper) options.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

My 14 year old and I just got back from PORRR. It was beautiful and great location. We have stayed at OKW, and it was nice and spacious. It was more apartment style and not as Disney to us.

 

[Deb & Bill]

... I have read on some websites that those two deluxe resorts are subpar, which makes me nervous. But you bring up a good point, we like to eat breakfast before hitting the parks and a kitchen would allow for more (and cheaper) options.

Those other websites were wrong. SSR and OKW are not subpar. They are both DVC resorts, Disney's timeshare. OKW was built in 1992 and opened in 1993. SSR was the location of the Disney Institute and Golf Villas and opened somewhere around 2002/2003. Both have had renovations. But what you need to understand is that Disney doesn't pay to renovate DVC resorts. DVC members pay to renovate these resorts. OKW is getting ready to start a major renovation project sometime in the near future (had been noted as Jan, then June, now not sure). SSR being newer has had soft goods renovations, but not major total rehabs yet. OKW will have one king bed, two queen beds, one queen sleeper and one twin sized sleeper chair. SSR will have one king, two queens (or one queen and one double sleeper sofa) and a queen sized sleeper sofa. The difference here depends on whether you have a dedicated two bedroom or lockoff two bedroom (combination of one studio and one one bedroom villa with a door between the two units). You'll want to go over to the DVC Resort Board to find out more about these two resorts. Ignore those other website.

 

[jvossler85]

It was more apartment style and not as Disney to us.

That's what I was concerned about. I like to be immersed in disney, but those bigger rooms with more amenities sound so good too!

 

[jvossler85]

Those other websites were wrong. SSR and OKW are not subpar. They are both DVC resorts, Disney's timeshare. OKW was built in 1992 and opened in 1993. SSR was the location of the Disney Institute and Golf Villas and opened somewhere around 2002/2003. Both have had renovations. But what you need to understand is that Disney doesn't pay to renovate DVC resorts. DVC members pay to renovate these resorts. OKW is getting ready to start a major renovation project sometime in the near future (had been noted as Jan, then June, now not sure). SSR being newer has had soft goods renovations, but not major total rehabs yet. OKW will have one king bed, two queen beds, one queen sleeper and one twin sized sleeper chair. SSR will have one king, two queens (or one queen and one double sleeper sofa) and a queen sized sleeper sofa. The difference here depends on whether you have a dedicated two bedroom or lockoff two bedroom (combination of one studio and one one bedroom villa with a door between the two units). You'll want to go over to the DVC Resort Board to find out more about these two resorts. Ignore those other website.

Thank you for all of the info! I hope I didn't offend anyone. I will check out the DVC board.

 

[Deb & Bill]

That's what I was concerned about. I like to be immersed in disney, but those bigger rooms with more amenities sound so good too!

There is being immersed in Disney and being themed. The deluxe resorts tend to theme the surrounding of the resort. So at OKW you feel like you are staying at Key West. But the interior of the villas has changed over the years making them more vanilla and less themed. OKW used to have pickled wood in the living room and master bathroom. Greens and pinks, like Key West. Now the theming is more like Old Beach Club (but Beach Club villas are more like Hampton Inn theming now). So you don't get in your face Mickey Mouse or Cars or Mermaids, but you get theming based on a location in the US, Key West, Saratoga Springs NY, Cape May NJ, Coney Island, NW US National Parks, Old Time SW Florida, Polynesian Islands, African Savanna. Deluxe resorts aren't themed to cartoons, their theming is more sedate.

 

[sharadoc]

OKW has great bus service, the largest rooms and great activities and public spaces. The main pool area also has a Community Hall which has all day indoor activities, board games, crafts and fun. Outdoor pool activities go on most of the day, and are run by terrific cast members. There's a nice counter service (not extensive, but just fine), the best pool bar on property, the boat to Disney Springs, volleyball court, air hockey, basketball, shuffleboard, campfire and movies.

Turtle Pond has a shuffleboard court and a snack bar.

The quality of the service at OKW is fantastic, and I highly recommend it.

 

[jvossler85]

OKW has great bus service, the largest rooms and great activities and public spaces. The main pool area also has a Community Hall which has all day indoor activities, board games, crafts and fun. Outdoor pool activities go on most of the day, and are run by terrific cast members. There's a nice counter service (not extensive, but just fine), the best pool bar on property, the boat to Disney Springs, volleyball court, air hockey, basketball, shuffleboard, campfire and movies.

Turtle Pond has a shuffleboard court and a snack bar.

The quality of the service at OKW is fantastic, and I highly recommend it.

Thank you! After discussing the answers here with my family, and really weighing the pros and cons, we have decided to go with OKW. The extra space, washer/dryer in room, option to eat in the room, balcony, and good reviews here outweighed the pro of staying in a princess room. Thank you so much everyone for your help!

 

[spiceycat]

I owned at OKW (sold it to buy BLT) - think you will be happy with your selection.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thank you! After discussing the answers here with my family, and really weighing the pros and cons, we have decided to go with OKW. The extra space, washer/dryer in room, option to eat in the room, balcony, and good reviews here outweighed the pro of staying in a princess room. Thank you so much everyone for your help!

It will be a full sized washer and dryer (not stackables) and not HE.