OKW vs SSR--which is better?

[monorailmom]

Hi again, everyone. We've pretty much decided to buy into the DVC thru Disney, and the offers for SSR make the price better than the ones listed thru resale. My question is, where do you think is better to stay, OKW or Saratoga? We have four kids, twin DD's who will be 14, DD who is 10, and DS who will be 8. We'd like some choices when it comes to counter service eating. Also, I know it says that OKW has jacuzzis built for two, but do the SSR ones also hold two people? How is the bus service at these resorts? We've usually stayed at POR in the past, and I know they can get crowded. Any advice you can give would be great--thanks!

 

[Sheribo]

When we bought at SSR, we looked at the ages of our children. At the time, our youngest daughter was still very into swimming, crafts and organized activities. Our sons were young teens and old enough to go off on their own and spent many hours at DTD for DisneyQuest or to visit the shops. We thought about our family vacations in years to come and decided that SSR was closer to the action for us. It still allowed Mom & Dad to hang out by the pool and the kids could do their own thing as well. The proximity to DTD for teens was the deciding factor.

As for tubs, I'm not sure if they are meant for 2 but we definitely got 2 in the tub. Bus service was good and I did notice that even during spring break, SSR did not give me the feeling of being crowded.

Think about what you'll be doing on your vacations 5, 10 or even 15 years from now and who will be coming with you. I am looking forward to going 'home' with just my DH. I realize to some that a no kids trip sounds a bit odd but the day will come....

 

[fkj2]

The jacuzzis at OKW are larger than those of the other DVC, as are the rooms themselves.

While it is a good idea to consider your vacationing habits, now and in the future, you also need to consider than you are (evidently) looking at purchasing into the two largest DVC resorts. Even if you bought at OKW, I would think chances are good you could book SSR more easily than the other DVC resorts at the 7 month window.

 

[vandy]

We love both resorts. I LOVE the bigger 2 BR villas at OKW. We could spread out much better there than at SSR. Yet, it seemed that our family liked the atmosphere and options at SSR. DTD really wasn't much of a factor because it is just a short boat ride from OKW. (In fact it stops at SSR). It was also easier to get around SSR since there were more walking trails and sidewalks than there are at OKW. I guess I would suggest SSR based on your post.

 

[starbox]

The one thing that I really don't like about OKW is that they only have a take-out window with a very limited menu for CS. There's no inside seating - which would be fine if you travel in fall or early Spring when the weather is nice - but we are summer travelers and sitting on a picnic table with a burger in the sun does not make for an enjoyable meal in July.

So if CS options are high on your list - I think that's something to consider. I actually love Artist's Palatte - some people complain about the way the line is set up but it's got lots of indoor seating and a nice, open atmosphere. Also, staying at Congress Park, you'd be a short walk from CS dining at DTD Marketplace.

OTOH - with four kids, the extra space you'd get (and cheaper points) in an OKW 2-bedroom may be worth their weight in gold.

And I agree with the PP - you'll probably have no problems making 7-month reservations at either location - so I'd go with whichever one was the best deal. (Of course - some of us think SSR is going to eventually include the treehouses, which will make 11-month advantage super-important...... )

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Hi again, everyone. We've pretty much decided to buy into the DVC thru Disney, and the offers for SSR make the price better than the ones listed thru resale. My question is, where do you think is better to stay, OKW or Saratoga?

I love both resorts. I honestly don't think you can go wrong. When we purchased at SSR, OKW expired in 2042, so it wasn't a decision for us. Had OKW expired in 2057 (like it does through Dis today), I'd be posting the same question on these boards!!!

We purchased via resale and paid $84 per point with no closing costs (you can get it slightly cheaper than that now). We got the previous year's points and all current UY's points when we purchased. We negotiated for the seller's to pay closing costs, so it was a better deal than Dis, but buying resale takes some patience. If you're not a patient person or need the points soon, buying resale is not for you. Otherwise, you can get a good deal and can usually beat buying direct even with the incentives.

We have four kids, twin DD's who will be 14, DD who is 10, and DS who will be 8. We'd like some choices when it comes to counter service eating.

Personally, I think SSR has more counter service options. They have places by the pools and AP is right by the main pool. We at lunch there several times while there a month or so ago. OKW has a burger/hot dog type place by the pool, but it's more limited.

Also, I know it says that OKW has jacuzzis built for two, but do the SSR ones also hold two people?

You could put all of your kids in the OKW tub!!! Seriously, they are huge!!! As for SSR, yes, two people can fit, but they are more of what you'd see in your home.

SSR Jac Tub

How is the bus service at these resorts?

Some have complained of slow bus service. We stayed at the Springs during spring break, which is the last stop and one of the busiest times of the year. Our longest wait was 15 mintues.

We've usually stayed at POR in the past, and I know they can get crowded. Any advice you can give would be great--thanks!

OKW and SSR, regardless of how crowded, don't feel crowded. Here are a couple of pics at the main pool, beautiful sunny day at 2:00-ish, during spring break. The resort was totally sold out.

Main Pool - Spring Break

Quiet Pool - Spring Break

Check these out for more pics:
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/okwss.htm
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/ssrss.htm

Honest to goodness, you just can't go wrong. I love them both!

 

[OKW Lover]

We love the spread-out (ie less dense) way the units are located at OKW. And the size of the units at OKW are much larger than at SSR.

 

[El&Asmom]

We own at SSR, and are happy to stay there. We stayed at OKW for the first time in Jan and fell in love. I think with the size of your family, OKW would have a definite advantage. The living room and balcony at SSR are much more compact, and we didn't love the bathroom layout there. We stayed with my parents and our family with two dds ages 2 and 4 at OKW, and we had plenty of room. I love how the master bedroom feels isolated by the hallway at OKW. Plus the big balcony and full size laundry room are so great to have.
CS options are more limited at OKW, but we don't like CS and tend to eat lunch in our room so it wasn't much of an issue.
Either way you can't go wrong.