Old Key West vs SSR

[Dizznee Freak]

Trying to decide whether to stay with our current ressies to SSR or try out OKW. We have been to SSR 3 years in a row and lie it but may want to try something new. With that I am kinds skeptical about OKW being a bit more primitive in the food and refreshment area. Can anyone help me out with this? Thanks in advance!!!

 

[DebbieB]

Trying to decide whether to stay with our current ressies to SSR or try out OKW. We have been to SSR 3 years in a row and lie it but may want to try something new. With that I am kinds skeptical about OKW being a bit more primitive in the food and refreshment area. Can anyone help me out with this? Thanks in advance!!!

If you are in a studio, OKW will have 2 queens, SSR will have 1 queen/1 double sofabed. So depending on the number in your family/group, that could be a big difference.

 

[BobNed]

Trying to decide whether to stay with our current ressies to SSR or try out OKW. We have been to SSR 3 years in a row and lie it but may want to try something new. With that I am kinds skeptical about OKW being a bit more primitive in the food and refreshment area. Can anyone help me out with this? Thanks in advance!!!

http://www.disboards.com/threads/dvc-resort-comparison-okw-vs-ssr.3438996/

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ssr-vs-okw.3472213/

 

[jimmytammy]

IMO, I like SSR studio layout better than OKW, but the 1 beds and larger at OKW beat every other DVC property, period. The food at Olivias, very good, Goods Food to go, not as good as CS at SSR. I wouldnt let that be a judgement for me. I tend to like OKW better than SSR overall

 

[SpaceMountain77]

We prefer OKW because we enjoy dining at Olivia's and the resort's overall tranquility.

If the quality of the quick service location matters most, then go with SSR because of Artist's Palette.

 

[southerngirl528]

OKW vs. SSR is such a personal thing IMHO. They have similarities but I much prefer OKW to SSR for the reasons JimmyTammy & SpaceMtn77 mention. As others mentioned what size villa you would be booking definitely plays into that choice I think. Artist Palette has never been a big draw to me and my family but then, that's just us.

 

[Brian Noble]

With that I am kinds skeptical about OKW being a bit more primitive in the food and refreshment area.

As noted, Olivia's is quite good, and unlike Turf Club it is also open for breakfast and lunch.

How many/which meals do you tend to eat at SSR's QS locations now?

 

[cedricandsophie]

OKW is our favorite resort. And we love Olivia's. I just don't like the layout of Saratoga.

 

[DvcDoc]

I'll chip in with another vote for OKW. I much prefer the larger size of the rooms as well as having Olivia's so convenient. The counter service is ok, but as others have said, nothing special. Good luck with your choice.

 

[DenLo]

I doubt if we will ever book OKW again. Both are beautiful resorts. Many of the studios that are situated between two 1BRs often do not have any view to speak of because of the trees and shrubbery have grown to block the view of the studios between. But what really stops us from booking at OKW is that only a few buildings have elevators. The other 50+ buildings do not have elevators. I have severe knee problems and climbing the stairs multiple times a day is too hard on my knees. And it is not worth hoping that I might get a building with an elevator or a first floor.

Since we are both quite happy with SSR and all the buildings have elevators there is no worry, so I'd much rather go with SSR.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I doubt if we will ever book OKW again. Both are beautiful resorts. Many of the studios that are situated between two 1BRs often do not have any view to speak of because of the trees and shrubbery have grown to block the view of the studios between. But what really stops us from booking at OKW is that only a few buildings have elevators. The other 50+ buildings do not have elevators. I have severe knee problems and climbing the stairs multiple times a day is too hard on my knees. And it is not worth hoping that I might get a building with an elevator or a first floor.

Since we are both quite happy with SSR and all the buildings have elevators there is no worry, so I'd much rather go with SSR.

We have been requesting ground floor for that reason. Stairs with stuff are getting harder to do.

 

[BobNed]

We have been requesting ground floor for that reason. Stairs with stuff are getting harder to do.

Me too and I have (so far) always gotten ground floor.

 

[southerngirl528]

Ground floor request (and I would make it clear that you have a physical/medical reason to need a ground floor when reserving) is a pretty simple fix if one wants to stay at OKW. If one really needs an elevator and wants a higher floor then SSR would probably be a better choice.

Many of the studios that are situated between two 1BRs often do not have any view to speak of because of the trees and shrubbery have grown to block the view of the studios between

For this complaint I always recommend requesting a 2nd or 3rd floor villa. But if one has bad knees and cannot do stairs, that's another story. We never stay on the ground floor so tropical lushness is not a problem. Bad knees are no fun.

 

[disneymd33]

I personally like OKW because I feel it has a better theme than SSR. I also like the boat ride to DS especially at night. As far as food, Turf Club is one of my favorite places to eat and the views from the outdoor balcony can't be beat. However, I've never had a bad meal at Olivia's and, unlike Turf Club, it is open for all 3 meals.

I always say you will never pick a bad Disney hotel! Enjoy your trip no matter which resort you choose!

 

[disneynutz]

OKW is the oldest DVC and it feels like it to us, not a bad thing, just more dated than SSR. We have also had mold issues more at OKW, it feels damp to us plus the vegetation is more mature and sometimes blocks your views. Might be the other guests but we notice the neighbors talking next door more at OKW and if you are on a bus route, we notice the bus noise. We got hit a couple of times by golf balls at OKW.

SSR is more spread out IMO and has a different vibe than SSR.

I am all for trying each resort at least once before crossing it off my list.

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

When my knees were bad, I always requested an elevator building or first floor and I always got an appropriate villa at OKW. ( I have new knees that work great, now!). However, I much prefer SSR for the pools and Artist Pallate. They both have Community Halls that satisfied our grandkids when they were with us.

Bobbi

 

[luckyman_apd]

OKW is definitely 2nd to SSR in our choices. I LOVE Olivia's and the gurgling suitcase by the pool, but I prefer SSR. The biggest issue for me at OKW is the lack of good walkways. If you are not at the hospitality house section but also not too far from it, it's just not a convenient walk for me. To me, it feels like you are meant to have a car at that resort. I love walking around SSR far better than OKW, and the boat ride to the springs is much faster from SSR. I don't dislike OWK, but I prefer the pools at SSR. Paddock pool is nice, and the main pool is a short walk from the CS at Artist point. If you use TiW it is very handy to use it at SSR for CS. I also agree with Bill above that I hear the busses non stop at OKW.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

OKW is by far our favorite. That being said we have only spent one night at SSR and that was before 4 nights at OKW so I probably didn't give it a fair chance. We love Olivia's and tend to eat there at least 1-2 times per trip. The 1 and 2 bedroom suites seem to have more room. I can't speak to the studio as I have never stayed in one. We also really like the grounds and have found that other than Southpoint (we haven't stayed in that section) all of the resort is perfectly "walkable"

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Trying to decide whether to stay with our current ressies to SSR or try out OKW. We have been to SSR 3 years in a row and lie it but may want to try something new. With that I am kinds skeptical about OKW being a bit more primitive in the food and refreshment area. Can anyone help me out with this? Thanks in advance!!!

You'll never know unless you try it.

I like quick service at SSR better (OKW is just sad in that area) but prefer Olivia's as the sit down dining. I'm good that the quiet pools are pretty standard at OKW but can see how the pools at SSR that have more features would be the preference. I do not really care for the OKW studio layout but the 1&2BR's are preferred at OKW. Gurgling Suitcase - my favorite little bar at WDW resorts.

 

[Murron]

OKW was our original contract way back when in the dino age (Disney Vacation Club Resort). We've since sold that contract in favor of contracts with a bit more theming, restaurants and amenities. We still go back for quick trips using less points, but always come away bored. So I guess we are just not the laid back type of people who are devoted to OKW. Oliva's is really good....but loud. The acoustics are horrid. The noise really bugged me last time there. I must just be getting old! All that being said, I will say that we reserved a Grand Villa on the 5th hole in OKW and it was just beautiful. Oh well...guess I'm just rambling with mixed messages. To answer the original post....I prefer SSR over OKW.