OKW vs.SSR

[FANOFDSNY]

We are new DVC members and own at SSR. Over the past few months I have read comments on poor bus service at SSR and that it just felt out of touch from "Disney" because of location. I have tried changing ressie but because we are going Dec 1-9, availability is limited. The only thing open is OKW and was wondering if anyone could give me advice/comments (good or bad) on OKW??
Any info would be appreciated.
FANOFDSNY

 

[Mary Anne]

I have never stayed at SSR but I do own there. That said, we're staying at the OKW next month for a week. We love it there.

 

[tomandrobin]

We had just stayed at SSR last week. We had no problems with the buses at all. Not crowded, never waited more then ten minutes for a bus. We had breakfast at Boatwrights at Port Orleans (love the banna stuffed french toast). The bus service to and from Port Orleans was extremely crowded. Too many people, not enough buses.

As far as being out of touch with Disney because of location. Its right across from DTD, which is one of the major attractions of Disney. Second, its located next to OKW, seperated by the whats left of the treehouse villas. So staying at OKW is not much different then staying at SSR, except there are NO attractions at all. The walking path leaving DTD to OKW is shared by SSR. It does not have that hotel feel........because its not a hotel.

 

[utahkennedys]

We stayed at OKW last Sept. and had no issues with the buses at all. In fact, we stayed at Poly last April and had SO many bus issues we were very frustrated! The OKW buses were fast, uncrowded and ran close together. We were able to walk to the Hospitality House and catch them b/c our building was pretty close. We love, love, love OKW! Someday I am sure we will try SSR, and it would be nice to walk to DTD, although I do love taking the boat from OKW to DTD, especially at dusk.

 

[Dean]

I don't think OKW will add anything in the areas of concerns that you have. In many ways it is similar to SSR.

 

[disneygal58]

The bus issue is hit or miss each time we go no matter where we stay. Our worse experiences were at Boardwalk when trying to get to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom.
With that said, OKW is our favorite resort for many reasons. Don't discount SSR - when we stayed we have fabulous balcony views of DTD. You can't go wrong - you're at Disney!
Dawn

 

[Deb & Bill]

We've stayed at SSR twice and who knows how many times at OKW. Both are wonderful. You get to park close to your villa. The bus transportation is good. Both give you a community feeling rather than a hotel feeling. I don't think you can go wrong with either resort. Enjoy your trip.

 

[cobbler]

Busses are hit and miss no matter WHERE you stay.

I don't think I have ever had terrible bus service at SSR or any other resort for that matter.

I don't know if it is because I am lucky or I just don't pay attention and take that time to relax or plan what I want to do.

 

[Chuck S]

I think all WDW resorts have their fair share of bus problems from time to time...overall bus service is pretty equal everywhere. The physical location of SSR vs OKW are pretty equal in relation to the parks, both are "condo" style quieter resorts as opposed to the combined hotel/villa type complex...neither OKW or SSR offer valet parking or room service dining. Personally, I prefer the relaxed condo style of resort as opposed to the hustle and bustle of the combined resorts...but everyone has their own preferences.

 

[crisi]

We stay at BWV, never rent a car. Last trip bus service was near perfect - never stood, bus always there in five or ten minutes. Previous trip we took a lot of cabs. One of the reasons I like the hotel style resorts compared to the condo style resorts is because the cab stands are usually close to the bus stops - so if a bus is pulling out as you are running up, you can say "hummmm- cab". But I agree with Dean that OKW and SSR are very similar resorts - part of their charm is being a little away from the action.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

I have stayed at both SSR & OKW and loved both.

For me, the bus service is a little slow at SSR. But only by a few minutes. Heck, I'm on vacation so what do I care if I sit at a bus stop for a few extra minutes? I certainly would not change a reservation over it. If I had some sort of time constraint I would just take my own vehicle.

The one thing you would like about OKW is the rooms are huge. We get a 2-bedroom villa and it is just short of amazing.

 

[jdvm]

I think you will find as many answers to this question as there are people who answer it......and the only person who can answer it for you.....is YOU.
Weve been DVC members since forever and my suggestion is that you systematically try all of the resorts. only then will youi be able to decide what's best for you. And if you want my opinion, we stay at Old Key West time after time after time. It's what's right for us.

 

[byoung]

Love it at BWV, but really like going to OKW.

 

[Cinderella]

I have stayed at both and love both - but SSR is my favourite. We did have bad luck with the buses when we were there. But other posters said their experiences with the buses were fine.

Old Key West is fantastic, but I love the theming and amenities at SSR. It is so relaxing, with a lovely pool, nice community hall etc. The Turf Club is great and it will be even better once the full service restaurant opens. And the spa is out of this world. Only two Disney resorts have a full service spa, and the Grand Floridian is the other one. But, SSR spa is the best.

As far as being out of it - SSR is just a short walk to Downtown Disney, so it really isn't out of the way at all, and it doesn't take long to get to the parks - especially Epcot, and MGM. You will love it.

If it makes you feel better, I am a die hard WL fan, and I too tried to change my ressie from SSR. I'm so glad I didn't. I loved it so much that I added on 250 points there, and I'm spending half my honeymoon at SSR.

 

[JimMIA]

Both OKW and SSR are "park-at-your-door" apartment complex style resorts. Both are lovely, and both have a rather spread-out, relaxed ambiance. Both are quite near Downtown Disney, with SSR being within easy walking distance of DTD Marketplace (the East side of DTD). Both share boat service to DTD, again with SSR being closer.

If you have a car, in many ways either resort is convenient, depending on where you are going. From OKW, I'd bet I can beat a BCV'er to anywhere in Epcot except maybe France or England. And I know for a fact that I can beat them to MK or AK. They'll probably beat me to MGM, but not by much.

I don't claim to be a bus expert, but the busses you rarely hear complaints about are OKW. You do hear complaints about SSR, BCV, and BWV busses. You just have to read and evaluate each of those complaints on their own merits. I personally tend to agree with Doug's comment, "Heck, I'm on vacation so what do I care if I sit at a bus stop for a few extra minutes?"

BCV, BWV and VWL are attached to luxury hotels, and enjoy the hotel amenities. [ETA: BCV and BWV are in between Epcot and MGM, and if that's where you are going, great! If not, OKW or SSR might be more convenient.]

YOUR decision is basically not what you WANT, but what you can GET. You'll be fine with either OKW or SSR. We took Grandma and Great Aunt to OKW last Dec 4-9, and they were totally blown away. We just got back from 5 nights at OKW, and loved every minute of it. I'd personally probably go with OKW because a) it's finished, not under construction, b) Olivia's, and c) if you have a car, it's a little closer to where you want to go.

 

[Sarnia]

We are new DVC members and own at SSR. Over the past few months I have read comments on poor bus service at SSR and that it just felt out of touch from "Disney" because of location. I have tried changing ressie but because we are going Dec 1-9, availability is limited. The only thing open is OKW and was wondering if anyone could give me advice/comments (good or bad) on OKW??
Any info would be appreciated.
FANOFDSNY

My advice would be to decide for yourself by staying at SSR.

We were there for two weeks at the end of April/start of May, and the buses were fine. Yes at times we had to wait a few minutes, but what does anyone expect with a bus service??

Being so close to DTD, it feels very much in touch with Disney to me. If that is a concern to you then OKW won't help.

Honestly though, if you've bought at SSR don't you think it makes sense to try it for yourself right at the start of your membership, rather than panicking about something negative you read on the boards?

It's amazing to see how many people buy SSR, read some negative coment, and haven't yet stayed there. What's even more interesting is how many recent posts there are where people have finally stayed there, and loved it against their expectations.

Personally I would rather stay at SSR than any other DVC resort, the place is absolutely stunning, and being so close to the restaurants etc at DTD is excellent.

 

[FANOFDSNY]

Honestly though, if you've bought at SSR don't you think it makes sense to try it for yourself right at the start of your membership, rather than panicking about something negative you read on the boards?

You are right, I am going to keep my ressie at SSR and not worry about the negative comments I've read.

Thank you all for your comments.
FANOFDSNY

 

[Ksp]

We've stayed at OKW and enjoyed our time there--the rooms are much larger than all the other DVC resorts, so that is definitely a plus for us. --Laid back and quiet,yes, but still Disney, which is what is so lovely about OKW.

SSR is nice also; but a bit more in the mainstream than OKW and the rooms are "normal-sized" as the rest of DVC resorts are. And they have the SPA!! I don't feel the same type of privacy as I do in OKW, but you do get the chance to wind down at SSR.

In terms of bus service, I think that Chuck S is right; bad bus service seems to strike all the resorts at one time or another--it's more a driver scheduling issue than one resort vs. another. Over the years we've spoken w/drivers who had to stay on for a second shift, etc., due to coverage problems, or scheduling mistakes (not enough buses scheduled for a certain time frame--more guests than were expected).

Have a wonderful time in December--the decorations are awesome all over the property, and SSR and OKW are no exception to that.

 

[MonkeyPants]

Busses are hit and miss no matter WHERE you stay.

this is true, I will say having stayed at both (OKW numerous times) that the bus service definitely seemed much slower at SSR. However the property has been and continues to be a work in progress and I hope once that it is complete they will get the total bus rotation up to full 'clockwork' speed. Disney is getting so big I think they need moe buses in general or a dream come true of monorails everywhere

 

[HUFF590]

We just got back from a week long stay at SSR, there was no bus problem at all for us, the longest wait was 15 min but most was only 10 min, stay at SSR you wont be dissapointed.