OKW vs SSR: which do you prefer and why?

[Mmw37]

My family and I (DH, DS4, DS1) are planning to buy DVC via resale sometime in the next few months. I've done quite a bit of research, and decided that we'd like to start with 125-150 points at either SSR or OKW. We enjoyed DS quite a bit during a recent stay at POR, and would plan to stay at our home resort on some trips while using others to try various near-park resorts (and consider add-ons later if we pick a favorite).

We plan to fly down for most trips and may or may not rent a car. We have no mobility problems and don't mind walking at all - in fact, the ability to walk to/from DS is a big perk for us at these two resorts. OKW points (non-extended) have a lower up front cost than SSR, while SSR has lower MFs. SSR points will last longer, but in 25 years we expect to be at or near retirement and likely living in FL again (we're in IN now). Our meals are generally TS with the exception of RD breakfast, and we appreciate high quality dining.

I'm thinking the pros of SSR are cheaper over time, larger/newer resort with more amenities including a QS (which we would rarely use), longer contract (pro or con??) closer/shorter walk to DS, nicer feature pool, and priority for THV if we ever go that route when the boys are older. For OKW, it's a lower buy-in, decor/theme that appeals to us more, Olivia's (sounds more up our alley than Turf Club), and larger rooms. I'm leaning OKW despite thinking SSR is the "smarter" decision on paper...

Which do you prefer and why?

 

[GoofyDisneyDaddy]

Recommend you do a search -- this has come up repeatedly. Here is just one recent example:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/advice-please-ssr-vs-okw.3492452/

 

[Anal Annie]

We prefer SSR. It is our home resort plus it's newer. We use studios and while OKW has 2 beds they don't have a split bath which slows us down when showering & getting ready. The studios at OKW are also just a weird shape. We like the dining options and pools at SSR over OKW as well. Turf Club is really good and the Artist's Palette takes the TIW card too. The lack of a real CS option at OKW is a negative for us. Not that we use it A LOT but it's nice to have available.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I think you also have to take into account that OKW has the oddity of the contract extension. Basically, Disney offered everyone an extension to 2057. Only about 20-30% of people took it. Any points Disney sells via ROFR are 2057, but contracts in resale can be either 2042 or 2057.

It is an open question what happens with the 2042 contracts at end date -- if Disney let them ride if dues are paid, try to re-sell the points on a 15-year cycle, or renovate the portion of the resort represented by those points and try to sell 50-year deals.

 

[msjprincess]

I own at both and like them each for different reasons. We're a family of 5, the one bedrooms at OKW are very spacious and have the sleep chair for the 5th person. But I like the pools at SSR better and being able to walk to Disney Springs. If I had to pick one I'd probably go with SSR.

 

[Mmw37]

Can you walk safely home from DS to SRS? I've read that it's not a great idea to OKW...

 

[davidl81]

I would buy at SSR just for the extra length of the contract. 95% of the time OKW will be available at 7 months and the same is true at SSR. Up front difference is minimal (maybe $1000 or so based on your contract size), and the dues lean in favor of SSR. My thinking is on the longer term resale value. 2042 is really only 26 years away, and although you may sell before then you have to think about how many years will be left at OKW when you sell. For instance if you keep DVC for 15 years your OKW will have 11 years left on it, as opposed to SSR which will still have 25 years left. At some point OKW resale will go down in value at the points get closer to expiration. Right now the purchase cost between the two resorts are close enough where I would just get SSR.

 

[Minniesgal]

We love SSR, close to DS and fairly new and modern. Kids loved the pools, resort is clean.

We didn't really like the rooms at OKW especially the bathrooms which to me need gutted and redone. Tired and old and mouldy. We did however love the resort itself, the pool the shop and Olivias.

 

[DenLo]

I like SSR. We prefer to stay in studios and want a room with a view. The majority of the studios at OKW are surrounded by 1BRs and therefore are set back so you see building to the left or right and the shrubs and trees have grown so large that you really don't see much of anything. Plus you have a very small balcony. It is a bit claustrophobic to me. Plus at OKW you often end up being in a building with no elevator and having a room on the third floor. Because of health problems walking up stairs 4 or more times a day is a killer. Sure I could ask for a first floor room with no guarantee but then I still have the problem with lack of a view.

At SSR it doesn't matter which floor on room is on as elevators are in every building and there is a chance we will have a fabulous view of the gardens or even a view of downtown DS depending on where you are staying. Artist Palette is a much better quick service than Goods to Go at OKW IMO and there are lots of places to eat indoors out of the heat and humidity. If you want to sit outside, the Paddock Grill at the Paddock Pool has good menu as well. I also think that the pools options are better at SSR with basically two feature pools both with QS. Both have similar bus situations now that SSR has a internal bus system, as well as boats to Disney Springs. But SSR has a much shorter walk to DS and you don't have to worry about being hit by a golf ball since the path from OKW is really for the golf carts, not for walkers.

The OP might want to consider, how well are you at carry your young children and their stroller(s) up 2 or 3 flights of stairs multiple times a day, especially in the rain? Until the kids are older and walk it even when they are tired, you will be carrying sleepy or cranky kids up the stairs regularly. The OP will also need to think what it will be like in 10 years for their family. Will they still be a family of four or will it be five? Children of a different sex will need separate beds when they are older. Sometimes kids just cannot sleep together, would the pull out chair be helpful at OKW? Would the larger rooms at OKW be beneficial? Will the lower point requirements per night help stretch your points at OKW? Although with the new point structure at SSR, the standard view rooms are as low, if not lower than OKW for some dates. And the longer contract could make a difference. But then if you purchase direct for OKW or purchase a resale OKW with the extended date your contract will expire after the SSR expiration date by a few years (2054 vs. 2057).

 

[WelcomeHome]

We went with Old Key West for the largest rooms of all the DVC resorts but I really don't think you can lose with either resort! We also love the distinctive original "charm" of Old Key West along with serenity and advantages of a resort that's smaller and more manageable in size that SSR.

 

[Judyat]

OKW is our home resort. We love it but having also stayed at SSR we love it there too. In fact given a choice we would pick SSR simply because we like it's closeness to DS. Either place is great. Just like being able to take a short walk to Disney Springs whenever we want.

 

[Dean]

My family and I (DH, DS4, DS1) are planning to buy DVC via resale sometime in the next few months. I've done quite a bit of research, and decided that we'd like to start with 125-150 points at either SSR or OKW. We enjoyed DS quite a bit during a recent stay at POR, and would plan to stay at our home resort on some trips while using others to try various near-park resorts (and consider add-ons later if we pick a favorite).

We plan to fly down for most trips and may or may not rent a car. We have no mobility problems and don't mind walking at all - in fact, the ability to walk to/from DS is a big perk for us at these two resorts. OKW points (non-extended) have a lower up front cost than SSR, while SSR has lower MFs. SSR points will last longer, but in 25 years we expect to be at or near retirement and likely living in FL again (we're in IN now). Our meals are generally TS with the exception of RD breakfast, and we appreciate high quality dining.

I'm thinking the pros of SSR are cheaper over time, larger/newer resort with more amenities including a QS (which we would rarely use), longer contract (pro or con??) closer/shorter walk to DS, nicer feature pool, and priority for THV if we ever go that route when the boys are older. For OKW, it's a lower buy-in, decor/theme that appeals to us more, Olivia's (sounds more up our alley than Turf Club), and larger rooms. I'm leaning OKW despite thinking SSR is the "smarter" decision on paper...

Which do you prefer and why?

IMO it's not an issue of which resort one likes but rather what the best choice is to buy in. IMO SSR is the best choice unless one wants OKW 3BR villas consistently and that's true even if one wants to stay at OKW most trips. Cheaper long term and removes the uncertainty or risk related to the extension issue.

 

[Disneypapa]

I own at OKW and love the atmosphere and theming of the resort. The larger rooms are a big plus. I have stayed at SSR once. I did not like the theming or the feeling of living at a huge condo complex anywhere in America. Only positive to me would be the ability to walk to DS. If I was trying to decide now, I would have to better understand how the contract extension or lack thereof would impact future sale price at the OKW, before pulling the trigger.

 

[spiceycat]

really like them both - would probably go with OKW you can spread out more. SSR is nice too. love walking to DD from both. don't know why OKW would be a problem now unless it is the construction going on at DS?

for trying the other closer to the parks DVC resorts - please be aware this is never a guarantee. So if you can, go for off seasons - May, Sept, Jan (not holidays) or Feb (before President's week) - if you can. Otherwise you will probably be disappointed.

 

[Perelandra]

Just stayed at both in September. Really liked SSR more. The room was way cleaner and newer. The exterior of the buildings at SSR was very clean and nice, while OKW was very dirty and full of cobwebs. SSR had elevator service, while I had to walk up 4 floors of stairs at OKW. Finally, proximity to DS is better at SSR.
Having said that, OKW was also a lot of fun and by no means a bad place to stay: It's nice, I just personally prefer SSR. 2054 expiration date and lower dues was main reason I bought into SSR myself (without having stayed there at the time), and now I'm really glad I did.

 

[BillPA]

OKW is to be remodeled starting next summer (2017) It will have the design as all the new referbs are getting. As one put it, they look like any downtown Dallas condo. No long any Key West theme, but very clean and modern look. Their are only 3 floors, about half only have 2 floors, it just felt like you went up 4 flights.
When it's just my wife and I we like the small studios with a sofa to sit on, in place of the 2 queen beds. With the family we get a 2BR or GV, depending if we have 5 or 8 going. Both have their pros and cons. We own OKW, BCV and VWL. Started with The Disney Vacation Club in1993 (now OKW) added BCV and VWL when we could no longer reliability get units at the 7 month mark for Flower/garden and Food/Wine fest or Christmas at VWL.

 

[spiceycat]

thanks BillPA - you reminded me to take off BWV and VWL - gave them to my nephew - he will definitely enjoy and use them.

 

[Perelandra]

OKW is to be remodeled starting next summer (2017) It will have the design as all the new referbs are getting. As one put it, they look like any downtown Dallas condo. No long any Key West theme, but very clean and modern look. Their are only 3 floors, about half only have 2 floors, it just felt like you went up 4 flights.
When it's just my wife and I we like the small studios with a sofa to sit on, in place of the 2 queen beds. With the family we get a 2BR or GV, depending if we have 5 or 8 going. Both have their pros and cons. We own OKW, BCV and VWL. Started with The Disney Vacation Club in1993 (now OKW) added BCV and VWL when we could no longer reliability get units at the 7 month mark for Flower/garden and Food/Wine fest or Christmas at VWL.

Ok, I couldn't remember if it was 3 or 4, but it definitely felt like 4 after 11 at night and long days in the park. Can't really complain about our location though, we were in a 2BR villa right next to the 1st bus stop and right across the street from the pool and we had a gorgeous view of the golf course from our balcony.

If I could do one thing over again when purchasing, instead of buying 325 points at SSR, I think I would have bought 3 100 pt contracts at 3 different resorts and done a 25 pt add on for perks at my favorite for the booking flexibility you mentioned in your post. Hmmm, if the 1 thing I would have done different thread hasn't been done in a while maybe this just gave me an idea for a new thread.

 

[lovin'fl]

Owner at OKW here.

Pros for OKW-
Can book the HH section which allows for great busing as 1st stop going and 1st stop coming is right there. HH section books up a little quickly (sometimes before the 7 month window).
Can get the cheapest 3BR GV and need to own there for that.
Quiet and relaxed.
Largest villas with great layout (real kitchen table and actual laundry room).
Cheaper point rooms.
If you buy extended than you also get longer contract life.
Can park at villa (same at SSR).
Studios with 2 real queen beds.

Negatives for OKW-
Shorter contract life.
No elevators (except in 2 buildings but are hard to get).
Spread out and have to walk outside to get to lobby/dining/store/etc (same at SSR).


Pros for SSR-
Newer.
Longer contract life.
Can walk to DS.
Park at villa (same at OKW).
Elevators in each building.

Negatives for SSR-
spread out and have to walk outside to get to lobby/dining/store/etc (same at OKW).
Looks like regular condo you might live in everyday.
EDIT TO ADD: Busing sucks there!!!!! AND easiest place to book at 7 months out or less.

 

[Brian Noble]

I would buy SSR. But I would be most likely to stay at OKW most of the time. I like the "island time" vibe, the lush landscaping, the large and well-equipped rooms, and the balconies are large enough that I want to spend time on them. And that's not to mention the Turtle Krawls at Gurgling Suitcase.

But, OKW is generally available at 7 months most of the year, so you don't really need to own there unless, as Dean mentions, you want Grand Villas in the Hospitality House area.

Caveat: I only stay in 1BR (for one or two people) or 2BR (with the kids) units. If I were thinking studios, I'm not sure I'd be as passionate.