OKW vs SSR

[thanxfornoticin]

We've done both over the years, and for us - OKW is a much better experience that SSR. The bigger, nicer rooms at OKW, along with the balconies and peaceful feel - definitely a place we enjoy staying. We've had a couple way below par experiences at SSR. That being said, the lack of an elevator at OKW, if you can't do stairs, is a big negative. I agree with requesting a newer building with an elevator, or a first floor room. There are times we've gotten a 3rd floor room (the highest floor in any of the buildings) - and while we don't have issues with a couple flights of steps, we did get Bell to deliver the bags and also collect our bags when we were leaving. It wasn't a big deal to have younger knees handling our bags on the stairs!

Be aware that over the past year, the boat from OKW to DS (which is an awesome option, btw) has periodically been shut down due to water levels. It's not 100% that it will be running and an option to DS.

 

[Brian Noble]

We are between booking OKW and SSR. What is important to us is the food, pool, activites and transportation to Disney Springs. We also love a good view. We want to spend more time in the room because we will be tired from two weeks of park days already.

SSR wins on pools, food, and proximity to Disney Springs. The OKW "feature" pool is...okay, I guess. But it is not particularly interesting in any way. The one possible exception to this is that OKW has what I think is the only sauna at a WDW pool. (There are others, but they are all in fitness centers.) OKW's counter service location (Goods to Go) is my least favorite resort CS location, and it is not close. I happen to like Olivia's, but SSR's proximity to DS over-rides all of that. I think DS is easily walkable from any location in SSR, thanks to the fact that there are bridges at either end.

For me, OKW has a slight edge on views---the landscaping is lovely. The OKW villas are much larger, including more functional living/dining space plus a full-size veranda with a table and seating for four. I often have breakfast outside here, but that's not really doable at most other places in the same way.

 

[Girlstar30]

SSR wins on pools, food, and proximity to Disney Springs. The OKW "feature" pool is...okay, I guess. But it is not particularly interesting in any way. The one possible exception to this is that OKW has what I think is the only sauna at a WDW pool. (There are others, but they are all in fitness centers.) OKW's counter service location (Goods to Go) is my least favorite resort CS location, and it is not close. I happen to like Olivia's, but SSR's proximity to DS over-rides all of that. I think DS is easily walkable from any location in SSR, thanks to the fact that there are bridges at either end.

For me, OKW has a slight edge on views---the landscaping is lovely. The OKW villas are much larger, including more functional living/dining space plus a full-size veranda with a table and seating for four. I often have breakfast outside here, but that's not really doable at most other places in the same way.

This is helpful, Thank you!

 

[The Jackal]

I thought they shut the sauna down at OKW during the pandemic and haven’t opened it up yet? The last time we were there it was closed still. It’s been a while since we went to OKW. It might have opened. But I thought they wanted to close it permanently.

 

[byurick]

I know you're looking at 1 bedrooms but a big turnoff for me is the studios at OKW, they're big but I really like having a couch to chill on before going to bed. I hate sitting in bed to watch TV.

Having said that I don't think you'll be unhappy at either resort, I mean its Disney for cryin out loud....

 

[Girlstar30]

I know you're looking at 1 bedrooms but a big turnoff for me is the studios at OKW, they're big but I really like having a couch to chill on before going to bed. I hate sitting in bed to watch TV.

Having said that I don't think you'll be unhappy at either resort, I mean its Disney for cryin out loud....

That's good to know about the studios because we could have easily switched in the interest of saving points but after hearing what everyone has to say about studios we're definetely not doing that.

 

[Girlstar30]

I thought they shut the sauna down at OKW during the pandemic and haven’t opened it up yet? The last time we were there it was closed still. It’s been a while since we went to OKW. It might have opened. But I thought they wanted to close it permanently.

I really hope it's open

 

[Brian Noble]

OKW studios do not work particularly well for a couple, for sure.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

Really like both resorts. Regarding pools, the smaller Turtle Pond pool at OKW is nice, but there is no life guard and when we have been there we always run into a bunch of older folks who come at opening just to ‘reserve’ chairs and then leave and don’t come back to use the pool until later in the afternoon - to the point there are hardly any open spots. I know this isn’t allowed, but it’s a pool without any lifeguards and no enforcement. Don’t have that problem so much at SSR. But again, think you would like both.

 

[Anthony1971]

I would try for a 1BR at SSR in the preferred Cat.
There are 2 sections. The springs which is directly across from Carriage house which by it own right has good CS food. It is close to the boat which is behind Carraige house and maybe a 10 minute walk to DS. The main pool is closer than Carraige house. I will note that the boats seem to be slow. The bus is always an option if you want to be near Towne center. We have found walking to be the fastest. There is also as mentioned above Congress park which also has its own pool minus a slide and bar but will be closer to DS.

I have 0 against OKW but if food and a pool are priority well SSR fits that bill far better than any other DVC resort. We do like Olivia's as well.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I know you're looking at 1 bedrooms but a big turnoff for me is the studios at OKW, they're big but I really like having a couch to chill on before going to bed. I hate sitting in bed to watch TV.

Having said that I don't think you'll be unhappy at either resort, I mean its Disney for cryin out loud....

Funny, I'm just the opposite. I'm always the one who gets the hideous sleeper sofa at night. I LOVE having a real bed in a studio! The Murphy Beds at some resorts are a step in the right direction, but OKW with 2 queens is awesome.

 

[byurick]

Funny, I'm just the opposite. I'm always the one who gets the hideous sleeper sofa at night. I LOVE having a real bed in a studio! The Murphy Beds at some resorts are a step in the right direction, but OKW with 2 queens is awesome.

I didn't mean sleeping on the pullout, I meant just having a place to sit on a couch for a little while before going to bed.

 

[Wedgeout]

OKW is terrible...just kidding. We own there and love the vibe. Having a vehicle won’t matter what building you get, parking directly in front. One bedroom is the way to go to enjoy the size of the villas here. Two of us go studio more now with our current trips being shorter stays, before & after a cruise. Outdoor covered patio space is large. Only five buildings have one bedrooms & studios on third floor. (14,18,35,38,64). Most buildings are “type A” with dedicated two bedrooms on that third floor. The stairs are a piece of cake. (Get a landing half way to each floor to rest lol). Think they are dredging the canal which should help with the boat service. Been too many shutdowns with water level issues lately. There is also a scenic daylight walking path to Disney Springs. Everyone will have preferred areas to stay. When we not “near hospitality house”, like South Point near that bus stop and along the canal is a nice bonus spot.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I didn't mean sleeping on the pullout, I meant just having a place to sit on a couch for a little while before going to bed.

No, I know what you meant. I just prefer no couch and a real bed to the sofa bed - for sleeping.

 

[Girlstar30]

I would try for a 1BR at SSR in the preferred Cat.
There are 2 sections. The springs which is directly across from Carriage house which by it own right has good CS food. It is close to the boat which is behind Carraige house and maybe a 10 minute walk to DS. The main pool is closer than Carraige house. I will note that the boats seem to be slow. The bus is always an option if you want to be near Towne center. We have found walking to be the fastest. There is also as mentioned above Congress park which also has its own pool minus a slide and bar but will be closer to DS.

I have 0 against OKW but if food and a pool are priority well SSR fits that bill far better than any other DVC resort. We do like Olivia's as well.

Thank you so much for your response, what is the name of the "main pool" and to be close to it I would request to stay near or at carriage house?

 

[Girlstar30]

I

Funny, I'm just the opposite. I'm always the one who gets the hideous sleeper sofa at night. I LOVE having a real bed in a studio! The Murphy Beds at some resorts are a step in the right direction, but OKW with 2 queens is awesome.

I do like the two queen option as well, if we didn't get the one bedroom and it was down to studios, OKW would win for me in that regard

 

[Girlstar30]

OKW is terrible...just kidding. We own there and love the vibe. Having a vehicle won’t matter what building you get, parking directly in front. One bedroom is the way to go to enjoy the size of the villas here. Two of us go studio more now with our current trips being shorter stays, before & after a cruise. Outdoor covered patio space is large. Only five buildings have one bedrooms & studios on third floor. (14,18,35,38,64). Most buildings are “type A” with dedicated two bedrooms on that third floor. The stairs are a piece of cake. (Get a landing half way to each floor to rest lol). Think they are dredging the canal which should help with the boat service. Been too many shutdowns with water level issues lately. There is also a scenic daylight walking path to Disney Springs. Everyone will have preferred areas to stay. When we not “near hospitality house”, like South Point near that bus stop and along the canal is a nice bonus spot.

Is there a certain patio request or view that you recommend requesting? View wise is it better to be on a higher floor? Thank you

 

[Simba's Mom]

Request “elevator building or ground floor villa,” and specify it’s for medical reasons (ECV).

Recently, I've heard reports from a couple people at OKW who were unable to get a first floor or elevator building even though they had put "for medical reasons" on their request. Because of that, we've just started booking HA 1 Bedrooms to be sure to get the first floor (for some reason there are no HA 1 Bedrooms in the elevator buildings, even though they're the BEST buildings. And we requested "elevator building" several times and didn't get one). However, we do love the golf course views and general vibe of OKW.
We walked around SSR one time and it's so huge! It actually makes OKW look small by comparison. Also, at OKW, if you have a car, you park right outside your building, literally a few steps away. At SSR the parking lot is further away-and did I mention how huge SSR is?

 

[Girlstar30]

Recently, I've heard reports from a couple people at OKW who were unable to get a first floor or elevator building even though they had put "for medical reasons" on their request. Because of that, we've just started booking HA 1 Bedrooms to be sure to get the first floor (for some reason there are no HA 1 Bedrooms in the elevator buildings, even though they're the BEST buildings. And we requested "elevator building" several times and didn't get one). However, we do love the golf course views and general vibe of OKW.
We walked around SSR one time and it's so huge! It actually makes OKW look small by comparison. Also, at OKW, if you have a car, you park right outside your building, literally a few steps away. At SSR the parking lot is further away-and did I mention how huge SSR is?

What does HA mean? I don't do well with too huge, Disney springs is actually overwhelming for me, I always feel lost i couldn't find the bus stop last time so I just took Uber, I clearly have no patience

 

[Simba's Mom]

Is there a certain patio request or view that you recommend requesting? View wise is it better to be on a higher floor? Thank you

I just saw this question. No, view-wise upper floor really isn't better. When I first needed an ECV, I was disappointed because I thought that high floors had given us better views, and now we'd get less desirable views because we had to have first floors. Yes, views are a little different, but certainly no less desirable.