OKW vs. SSR

[Disfamoffour]

We're currently looking at two resale contracts and deciding which one to purchase. They're both 100 points and similarly priced. The big difference is Saratoga is 12 years longer. What are the pros and cons of each resort? Also if we purchased at Saratoga could be book a trip there at the 11 month window then at the 7 month window book at OKW instead? We really like the room size at OKW and are hoping to stay there the first week of October every other year. The catch is that we really like the extra years and lower maintenance fees of Saratoga. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[jelwallace]

In my mind both resorts are very similar in concept. They are both very spread out and have lots of inventory so you can usually get a room even at a couple months out. I had to make the same choice as you a couple of years ago and I chose SSR because of the extra length of the contract. Another extra bonus to SSR is you have the 11 month booking window for the treehouse villas. I have stayed at OKW multiple times and never had trouble booking there. I love OKW and would have to say it is my favorite DVC resort. However be forwarned that the first week of October is a very popular time for DVC reservations and if you have your heart set on OKW at tha time every year then buy there. However, if you like OKW I think you would like SSR and be fine with staying there if OKW is booked at the 7 month window. I think both are lovely resorts.

 

[Sandisw]

If you really want to stay at OKW, I would buy there. Yes, both SSR and OKW typically have rooms at the 7 month window but if you are buying at SSR with no desire to stay there, then to me, it is not worth it.

Yes, 12 years is a long time, but that doesn't come in to play for another 30 years!!!

I really believe people should invest in the place they want to be. I started out thinking I could own at my 2nd choice resort (VWL) and then just add on extra points at my 1st choice (BLT), but after only two months, I realized I just did not want to chance not getting what I want at the 7 month mark. I sold VWL (took a small loss) and just bought everything at BLT.

It was wonderful being able to book exactly what I wanted at BLT at 11 months. We did decide to try a few nights at BCV and switched 3 of them at 7 months, but had that not been possible, I would have been fine as I had BLT secured.

Good luck!!!

 

[Candy Orlando]

If you buy okw from dvc you get the longer contract. The price is pretty good because they cost more as a resale and I think they are selling them without closing costs right now. Plus you get 2009 pts.

 

[drusba]

Personal view is that the extra 12 years makes a large difference for determining which to choose particularly if you are a younger family. Though you might face some issues for Dec time including early in the month and Christmas week, you will usually find that SSR and OKW are easy to get at 7 months out. Both are large spread out, condo like resorts. OKWs major advantage is lower points per night, huge 1BRs (and thus 2BRs) and larger porches but at 100 points you are probably focusing on studio accomadations for which OKW is somewhat larger and offers two queen beds rather than queen and pull-out double couch at SSR. SSR is soon to have two major theme pools rather than just one and if you want the treehouses you should own there. It also has some rooms (Congress Park area) with some fantastic views of the lake and Downtown Disney. Majority of buildings at OKW do not have elevators, all at SSR do.

 

[JimMIA]

If you buy okw from dvc you get the longer contract. The price is pretty good because they cost more as a resale and I think they are selling them without closing costs right now. Plus you get 2009 pts.

If I'm not mistaken, the direct price for OKW is $90 per point. OKW resales are selling typically in the low $60's, although a small contract (100 pts) will probably go for a couple of bucks more. By my math, that's $9000 vs roughly $6500 + $322 closing = $6832. I'm not sure how $9000 is better.

Also, you get 2009 points if you are buying a contract with an August, September, October, or December use year only. You get 2009 points because you are buying in that contract's 2009 use year. You are just getting the points you are paying for - they're not GIVING you anything!

 

[JimMIA]

We own both, have stayed at both, and like both. We prefer to stay at OKW because of not only the extra space, but because the rooms are laid out better. But both are great.

I personally would rather pay for more points now and the next 32 years than pay for points I won't receive for 32 years -- so the extra 15 years is not important to me.

And this may change a few years down the road, but we're not seeing much price differential between OKW 2042 contracts and OKW 2057 contracts. Folks who paid $15 per point extra for those extra years are certainly not getting much of that back.

What I think is a nice advantage with SSR, though, is the 11-month booking advantage at THV. You can get into either resort at 7 months except in really busy times, but I doubt that's true of THV.

 

[Brian Noble]

The conventional wisdom is "buy where you want to stay." I prefer a slight variant of it: "Don't buy where you wouldn't want to stay." If you wouldn't want to stay at SSR, you shouldn't buy there. On the other hand, if you'd *prefer* to stay at OKW but SSR would be okay too, then it's worth considering both on their merits.

The 12 years probably only matters if you foresee yourself using those years, or you expect to sell near the end of the OKW contract's lifetime. At 42, I don't imagine I'll need to keep coming to WDW at 72 and beyond---by that time, I might well have retired to Orlando. On the other hand, it's hard to predict the future. Even though you might not plan to sell now, your circumstances or vacation preferences might change. If so, SSR's longer time horizon gives you a little more value on the market.

It's also worth noting that OKW is a little easier on the point budget than SSR. So, while it's true OKW dues per point are higher, SSR requires more points per stay, so it can come out pretty close in the wash. For example, I usually travel in Magic season. A 2BR at OKW for a week then is 296 points; SSR is 315 points. At OKW's current dues level, the 2BR week comes to $1,441.52. At SSR's current dues level, the 2BR week comes to $1,404.90.

 

[staceymay00]

We briefly considered SSR instead of OKW because resale prices were similar and the contracts are longer, but we chose OKW. I'm sure we would enjoy staying at SSR well enough, but OKW is where we want to stay. I am 40 and the extra years when I'm in my 70s don't matter to me. There is a good chance that we will not want the points (and MFs) after 32 years and who knows if any of our children will want them because they still have to pay for travel and park tickets to use them.

We have not stayed at either resort yet, but we've seen SSR passing by and we've visited the OKW property. I prefer the larger size and layout of the rooms at OKW. I prefer the theme at OKW over SSR and while the points for 1 and 2BRs are similar at each, the grand villas at OKW require significantly fewer points. This is all personal preference, but for us we think we'll prefer OKW over the years.

I would actually buy OKW direct from Disney (assuming you can't find an OKW extended contract resale, and they are harder to find) if you really prefer OKW and you feel strongly you will use the extra years. I'm not one to want to worry about whether we'll be able to switch at 7 months, though. Some people don't mind that situation. I also would not buy SSR if I had no interest in staying there. Now if you like both resorts and really want the extra years then SSR makes sense. I'm sure you will have opportunities to switch to OKW at 7 months.

 

[dudelydude]

The money is a huge consideration, but let's put that aside for just one moment. If you don't know which resort to go with, I gotta ask if you've been to either of these....one of them must speak to you.

Saratoga is newer, fresher with longer contract and spa and within walking distance to DTD. Plus, Treehouse Villas if you want that.

OKW has those big units, but you must take a bus or boat to get anywhere.

With all of that said, however, I simply like OKW better as the theming is better in my opinion.

 

[AirGoofy]

We're currently looking at two resale contracts and deciding which one to purchase. They're both 100 points and similarly priced. The big difference is Saratoga is 12 years longer. What are the pros and cons of each resort?

We own at SSR and really enjoy the resort. We have stayed at OKW as well. They both have similar layouts, good restaurants, and boat travel to DTD. With the new pool addition at SSR, I think they will have the better pools. I agree with the about THV - if that is something you are interested in, then you need to buy at SSR. As for booking at OKW at the 7 month window, there are certain times a year that DVC resorts are busier than others, that don't correspond with park peak hours or point charts. OKW has contracts that end now in 2057 (or some later year) - not sure if they are on resale market.

 

[ToddyLu]

You could own 50 points at both and alternate staying at each one every other year. That way you would have 100 points at OKW and 100 points at SSR.....but does that in essence really serve a purpose for you? I am lucky, DH wanted points only at AKV, he is like SandiW he always wants to have a reservation there....and maybe one of these days I can get him somewhere else at 7 months. I didn't care which resort we purchased, since we would be in Disney somewhere. But since our first visit it was the best choice for us and I couldn't imagine not being able to stay there often.

 

[Disfamoffour]

Thanks for all of the input. As of 45 minutes ago we bought 100 points at OKW Feb UY with the 2057 expiration directly from Disney. We can't wait to plan our first trip.

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks for all of the input. As of 45 minutes ago we bought 100 points at OKW Feb UY with the 2057 expiration directly from Disney. We can't wait to plan our first trip.

Congratulations!!!!

 

[dudelydude]

Thanks for all of the input. As of 45 minutes ago we bought 100 points at OKW Feb UY with the 2057 expiration directly from Disney. We can't wait to plan our first trip.

Well heck...you didn't waste any time, did ya? Good for you. Congrats!

 

[Candy Orlando]

Congratulations! Welcome Home!