OKW vs SSR

[Girlstar30]

So I'm hoping our contract closes this month and points loaded next month and then we have a decision to make. 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.

I am wondering which pool is considered nicer (bigger, more activities, etc)? I know that SSR was refurbished more recently, but are the OKW rooms very dated and uncomfortable? Which one wins for food quality/taste? We're thinking of renting a car and driving to vero beach afterwards, Is one better for having a car?

We are looking at the one bedroom, but since the points chart is cheaper than other resorts and I'm not getting my first choice, I was thinking of spoiling ourselves with a 2 bedroom. Is this a total waste because there is only two of us? Any input is appreciated

 

[eticketplease]

My opinion yes that’s a waste of points unless you’re past your banking deadline.

They are very similar resorts in terms of amenities.

I prefer OKW however, I will probably get yelled at but, we are not fans of Olivia’s.

SSR has 2 feature pools with slides.

Both offer boat transportation to Disney Springs and bus only transportation to parks.

I would just go to DS for food to be honest from both locations.

 

[Girlstar30]

My opinion yes that’s a waste of points unless you’re past your banking deadline.

They are very similar resorts in terms of amenities.

I prefer OKW however, I will probably get yelled at but, we are not fans of Olivia’s.

SSR has 2 feature pools with slides.

Both offer boat transportation to Disney Springs and bus only transportation to parks.

I would just go to DS for food to be honest from both locations.

From what I've seen i feel like I'm vibing more with OKW as well. I thought maybe I was missing something because I hear people talking about SSR so much more.

 

[Girlstar30]

My opinion yes that’s a waste of points unless you’re past your banking deadline.

They are very similar resorts in terms of amenities.

I prefer OKW however, I will probably get yelled at but, we are not fans of Olivia’s.

SSR has 2 feature pools with slides.

Both offer boat transportation to Disney Springs and bus only transportation to parks.

I would just go to DS for food to be honest from both locations.

The fact that people rave about the fried chicken was a selling point for us

 

[ckb_nc]

My opinion yes that’s a waste of points unless you’re past your banking deadline.

They are very similar resorts in terms of amenities.

I prefer OKW however, I will probably get yelled at but, we are not fans of Olivia’s.

SSR has 2 feature pools with slides.

Both offer boat transportation to Disney Springs and bus only transportation to parks.

I would just go to DS for food to be honest from both locations.

I am not a fan of Olivia's NOR Tur Lounge. We like both - the sheer size of the 2 bedroom at OKW is crazy.

 

[Girlstar30]

I am not a fan of Olivia's NOR Tur Lounge. We like both - the sheer size of the 2 bedroom at OKW is crazy.

I think it would be cool, we have always stayed in Disney studios so to go from that to a 2 bedroom, i would feel really fancy Maybe I should get more people on board

 

[4luv2cdisney]

I'd only splurge on the 2 bedroom if you want separate bedrooms or bathrooms.

I would definitely get a preferred room at SSR, though. We only stay if we can get the preferred. We've mostly had views of DS and a very quick walk gets you to all the food and entertainment at DS.

Had lovely views at OKW as well. Could have literally stayed on the balcony all day.

They're different vibes. Like them both. OKW seems more "isolated" to me, but that's not necessarily bad. I kind of like the OKW vibe more.

However, overall, I tend to prefer any resort that allows you to walk to something. So, edge to SSR on that. Technically, you can walk to DS from OKW (we have done it) but it is FAR. lol

 

[Girlstar30]

I'd only splurge on the 2 bedroom if you want separate bedrooms or bathrooms.

I would definitely get a preferred room at SSR, though. We only stay if we can get the preferred. We've mostly had views of DS and a very quick walk gets you to all the food and entertainment at DS.

Had lovely views at OKW as well. Could have literally stayed on the balcony all day.

They're different vibes. Like them both. OKW seems more "isolated" to me, but that's not necessarily bad. I kind of like the OKW vibe more.

However, overall, I tend to prefer any resort that allows you to walk to something. So, edge to SSR on that. Technically, you can walk to DS from OKW (we have done it) but it is FAR. lol

Is it far to walk to the boat that takes you to DS from both hotels? I'm assuming staying at hospitality would be the way to go for OKW im not really sure what that means, but it seems to be mostly taken on dvc availability tool so it's probably better Is that big sand castle pool at hospitality? Thank you

 

[eticketplease]

Is it far to walk to the boat that takes you to DS from both hotels? I'm assuming staying at hospitality would be the way to go for OKW im not really sure what that means, but it seems to be mostly taken on dvc availability tool so it's probably better Is that big sand castle pool at hospitality? Thank you

Yes the boat dock, main pool, Olivia’s, goods to go, gurgling suitcase, the store and the lobby are in the hospitality house area.

We try to book building 62 which is not a hospitality booking category but right across the street. It is one of the only buildings with an elevator. (SSR has elevators in every building)

 

[Sandisw]

I have not yet stayed at OKW and can’t bring myself to! lol

Lack of elevators is a con for me, but what I enjoy about SSR is the walking to DS.

Since they are pretty close in points, SSR wins if I have to stay there a night or two.

 

[Girlstar30]

I have not yet stayed at OKW and can’t bring myself to! lol

Lack of elevators is a con for me, but what I enjoy about SSR is the walking to DS.

Since they are pretty close in points, SSR wins if I have to stay there a night or two.

Question about the lack of elevators, does this mean that some of the rooms can't be reached with an ECV? One of the people that usually travels with us uses one so this would be a concern if we get a room that he can't easily access.

 

[leebee]

We prefer SSR- and that's from 2 folks who love Olivia's! We usually eat at DS every night when we are at WDW, and you can walk or take the boat from SSR. Yes, you can take the boat from OKW, BUT... if it's raining, no boat. If the water in the river is too high, no boat. If the water in the river is too low, no boat. This tips the scale to SSR for us every time. Also, we prefer the atmosphere at SSR. Staying at OKW feels like staying at any generic, off-site FL condo development to us. At SSR, it feels like we are staying on a golf course. Not a big deal but a different feel from the generic FL condo feel.

 

[Girlstar30]

We prefer SSR- and that's from 2 folks who love Olivia's! We usually eat at DS every night when we are at WDW, and you can walk or take the boat from SSR. Yes, you can take the boat from OKW, BUT... if it's raining, no boat. If the water in the river is too high, no boat. If the water in the river is too low, no boat. This tips the scale to SSR for us every time. Also, we prefer the atmosphere at SSR. Staying at OKW feels like staying at any generic, off-site FL condo development to us. At SSR, it feels like we are staying on a golf course. Not a big deal but a different feel from the generic FL condo feel.

This is really good to know, since our plan while staying there is to go to DS at least twice, SSR seems to be the better one for this. I would also love to utilize their Spa but it seems like it's closed indefinitely.

 

[Girlstar30]

We prefer SSR- and that's from 2 folks who love Olivia's! We usually eat at DS every night when we are at WDW, and you can walk or take the boat from SSR. Yes, you can take the boat from OKW, BUT... if it's raining, no boat. If the water in the river is too high, no boat. If the water in the river is too low, no boat. This tips the scale to SSR for us every time. Also, we prefer the atmosphere at SSR. Staying at OKW feels like staying at any generic, off-site FL condo development to us. At SSR, it feels like we are staying on a golf course. Not a big deal but a different feel from the generic FL condo feel.

It seems like the boat is even shut down now until end of April, not very reassuring that it shuts down like that

 

[Girlstar30]

Where should we request for OKW and SSR to be as close to Disney Springs as possible? Is there a particular building that is closest?

 

[Travel60]

We stay 2-3 weeks every January/February at either OKW or SSR. Love them both. Don't do parks so that is not a concern.

We love the vibe at OKW - very Florida laid back, relaxing. Love the river and enjoy activities at the main building. Rooms are big - love them! We like the main pool but the neighborhood pools are nice for an early morning dip. Almost secluded. Olivia's is ok, not wonderful.

SSR is newer and bigger but I don't love the internal hallways that just seem bland and long. Seems like they could fix that with decor. There are more dining options but we usually either fix for ourselves or go to DS. All the pools are nice. I do wish they would reopen the spa.

We usually don't request any specific location at either and don't mind the walk from where ever they put us. (We are walkers). Have never been when the boats did not run. That would be a bummer but the walk to DS isn't bad even from OKW. Would take a bus if raining.

When I it's two of us we get a one BR. Two if grandkids are joining. We got an unexpected upgrade this year to a two BR and just closed the door to it.

 

[Girlstar30]

We stay 2-3 weeks every January/February at either OKW or SSR. Love them both. Don't do parks so that is not a concern.

We love the vibe at OKW - very Florida laid back, relaxing. Love the river and enjoy activities at the main building. Rooms are big - love them! We like the main pool but the neighborhood pools are nice for an early morning dip. Almost secluded. Olivia's is ok, not wonderful.

SSR is newer and bigger but I don't love the internal hallways that just seem bland and long. Seems like they could fix that with decor. There are more dining options but we usually either fix for ourselves or go to DS. All the pools are nice. I do wish they would reopen the spa.

We usually don't request any specific location at either and don't mind the walk from where ever they put us. (We are walkers). Have never been when the boats did not run. That would be a bummer but the walk to DS isn't bad even from OKW. Would take a bus if raining.

When I it's two of us we get a one BR. Two if grandkids are joining. We got an unexpected upgrade this year to a two BR and just closed the door to it.

Seems like we will be fine with either one because we're not doing parks. The OKW Florida theme isn't tired for us because we're not from Florida and have never been to key west. I just have a feeling that my wife is really going to like that one. She is all about relaxation on vacation. I am more the one that likes to see and be everywhere

From the room tours I've seen, i am more drawn to the look of the OKW rooms. The "horse" theme of SSR doesn't excite me and seems a bit out of place to me. But I'm a Riviera girl so I love a more luxurious, refurbished room Now I'm also an AKV girl and did not mind those rooms at all like others do so I think I'll be just fine at either. If the spa was open at SSR I think I would end up there, but I think I'm going to give OKW a go this time around from what I've been reading, great input, thank you it really helped me to narrow it down!

 

[Girlstar30]

Yes the boat dock, main pool, Olivia’s, goods to go, gurgling suitcase, the store and the lobby are in the hospitality house area.

We try to book building 62 which is not a hospitality booking category but right across the street. It is one of the only buildings with an elevator. (SSR has elevators in every building)

I'm going to request one with an elevator as well

 

[CarolynFH]

I'm going to request one with an elevator as well

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

 

[han22735]

Absolutely SSR....We don't like anything about OKW other than the cheap point chart. Better pools, better food and walkable to Disney Springs.