Opinions please - OKW vs.Saratoga Springs

[disneyholic family]

I'm trying to decide between the OKW and Saratoga Springs.
Has anyone stayed at both of them? Do you prefer one over the other?

Thanks in advance.

 

[DVC-Don]

I've done both. I still prefer OKW over SSR due to OKW's units being a larger and the parking a little closer. We stay in 2 bedrooms mostly, but if it was a choice of studio, I'd give the edge to SSR cause with the sofa bed, the room seems better or larger. When we do stay in studios there is just 2 of us and have no need for the 2nd bed.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have stayed at both on the same trip. I concur that OKW has my vote mostly because of the size of the units, and the vacation home feel of OKW over the hotel feel of SSR. The rooms are nice at SSR, but they are the same arrangement as the other hotel type DVCs, and that is not my preference.

 

[cheyita]

Of the two, I've only stayed at OKW. I would continue to stay there over SSR if possible because of room size. I still prefer BCV because of location. However, take that out of the equation, and OKW's room sizes are awesome.

 

[iluvflorida8]

We have stayed at both in a 1 and 2 BR. If you don't have kids with you and want to be closer to DD, stay at SSR.

If there are just 2 of you going and only need a studio, I would stay at SSR. Both places are great!!

 

[disneyholic family]

OKW's units being a larger and the parking a little closer.

How much further is the parking at Saratoga Springs?

 

[dianeschlicht]

How much further is the parking at Saratoga Springs?

This is really dependant on which room you are in at any given building. Each building has it's own parking, but the buildings are larger than the OKW buildings, and some rooms can be quite a ways from the parking lot.

 

[lllovell]

I am not disagreeing with Diane here, but "quite a ways" implies that it will take you 5-10 minutes to get to your room and that is not really the case.

The parking is closer (in my opinion) than the traditional hotels at WDW where you have community lots. There is parking in front of the buildings, but if your room is at the far end and you park at the other end of the lot from your room, it might be a walk. I haven't walked to the newly opened sections from the parking lot, so it might be a bit further.

 

[new_yawka]

I've stayed at both and think they are each GREAT...

Couple of points about SSR to keep in mind, which could push you to favor it over OKW...

- LBV Golf Course starts at SSR (although is snakes through OKW);
- SSR Spa;
- Nice walking distance to DTD (especially if you are staying in the Congress park section of SSR).

Although I give a slight edge to Olivia's over Artist's Pallet (you really cannot do a direct comparison, because they are so different), overall I give SSR an edge on restaraunts because of proximity to DTD.

I agree that parking is a little more convenient at OKW, but it is not enough of a difference to sway me one way or another.

Either way...you'll love them

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've also stayed at both SSR and OKW, and I'd chose OKW mainly for 2 reasons-the luch landscaping, lots more greenery; and the walk to the main building is much more pleasant. Over at SSR, I found myself tramping through big parking lots. SSR did have more enjoyable views (it was fun to watch the boats on the water), and I loved the convenience of the quick walk to DTD. And I agree that the studios at SSR are much more nicely laid out. But for a 1 BR or larger, that big OKW porch can't be beat!

 

[Disney Doll]

I'm an OKWer at heart, but I have to admit if it were just DH & I staying in a studio, I might give SSR a try because of the one bed with a sofa set-up.

If there's anything that bugs me about an OKW studio, it's the 2 beds. I like the room to seem as not hotel-like as possible, and it seems like having only one bed and then the little sitting area like the SSR studio has would be nice.

In general though, I don't htink you can wrong with either.

 

[eileenkeeney]

I have stayed at both.
I prefer OKW.

I don't mind the smaller rooms if I am getting something else I like, in return for the smaller room.

I do like SSR, but there is nothing there that is worth the room size trade-off.

With BWV and BCV, walking to Epcot and MGM is worth the room size trade off.
With VWL the theme and boat the MK may be worth the trade off (I have yet to stay there). I like wilderness theme.
It is not that I dis-like SSR theme, I just don't like it as much as the theme of OKW, VWL or BCV or even BWV theme

If it were a trip, where I planned on spending a lot of time (or make multiple trips to) DownTown Disney, I might find SSR worth the trade off.

If OKW were completely booked, SSR would be o.k. with me.

 

[MiaSRN62]

If there's anything that bugs me about an OKW studio, it's the 2 beds. I like the room to seem as not hotel-like as possible, and it seems like having only one bed and then the little sitting area like the SSR studio has would be nice.

The OP doesn't state how many are in the traveling party, nor which size accomodations they are considering.
I haven't stayed at SSR yet, but my kids MUCH prefer the 2nd queen size bed over sleeping in a not-quite-as-comfy double-sized sofa pull-out. But if it's just a couple, then I'd agree SSR would probably be nicer. But as long as we travel with the kids (or even another adult/couple), I truly value that second queen bed in the room. Much more comfortable imho. Also, the OKW studio bathroom will be larger than the SSR studio bathroom. I'd say it's much larger, but maybe it just feels that way to us.

 

[ddave]

I'm trying to decide between the OKW and Saratoga Springs.
Has anyone stayed at both of them? Do you prefer one over the other?

Thanks in advance.

We have stayed at both OKW and SSR. We own at OKW and VWL. The setup for SSR is similar to VWL.

OKW feels like Florida to me. It feels like it is away from civilization, parks, etc, like on a tropical island (Key West! ). That is what I like about it. SSR feels New Englandy, and being from there, it's like a different neighborhood, not getting away

We did enjoy our recent stay at SSR. It is a great place to be. Both OKW and SSR have great restaurants in their own way, both pools are that are great. But, we really prefer OKW.

And to whoever that "OKW feels like a retirement community" person is . just kidding.

 

[disneyholic family]

Actually, I originally posted this on a different board and it was moved to here. So I have two very similar posts going. I apologize for that.

thank you all for your thoughts. It's very helpful. And to answer your questions, we're in a 2 BR villa both at OKW and at SSR. I know that the SSR is smaller, but I thought it would be nice to try it out just to see how it is.

I mean, it's Disney, so it can't be TOO bad...right?....

 

[MiaSRN62]

but I thought it would be nice to try it out just to see how it is.

If you've stayed at OKW, I agree. Why not try out a new resort. It might become your favorite

 

[Sammie]

If you are staying in a 2 bedroom the size difference is most noticeable in the living room, kitchen and laundry room. These are areas you will use alot on your trip then I would recommend OKW.

We have stayed at OKW many times and truely like it. We have stayed at SSR last summer when it opened and loved it. The difference in spaces is in areas we don't need the extra space. The bedrooms and baths we found to be comparable in size. We loved the decor and furniture at SSR so luxurious.

As to the parking situation. That is a toss up too. If you have a unit at the front of one of the buildings at Congress Park and you are lucky enough to get a front row parking space you are really close. At OKW if you are parking area is crowded you might have to park further away from your actual unit than the distance at SSR. So I truely do not think it is fair to say the parking at SSR is further than OKW. It could truely end up being either way and you will not know until you check in.

SSR has a fabulous main pool and OKW has the new slide, which I have not yet seen so I can't compare. The quiet pool at Congress park is the best of any of the quiet pools at DVC in my opinion. It is large, beautiful and has a great view of Downtown Disney.

Some have commented on Artist's Palette, but this is the one of the main reasons we love SSR. We were thrilled to have a quick place to eat that offered something other than pizza, hamburgers and chicken tenders. We loved the food, the staff was so helpful, making adjustments to the menu as we wanted, and I love the sitting area, so light and comfortable.

You can not go wrong with either, they are just very different.

SSR is still a work in progress and OKW is a finished product. Truely that is the major difference.

 

[disneyholic family]

I just called up to ask for the 'dedicated" 2 BR at SSR, so I'm glad i saw these boards or i wouldn't have known to ask.

I wonder what the data line situation is at both resorts. I forgot to check that. But i think it's too late for us to make a change. My husband needs to connect for work.

 

[fishermouse]

Don't know about OKW but SSR has data hookup, I'm sure you'll love SSR, Like you said it's Disney. Happens to be my favorite ( as well as my home resort), Of course I have not yet stayed at all the resorts but we're working on it.. I prefer the condo feel over the hotel feel at BC and BW, not everyone does, I did like the location of BW and BC. Guess we can have a favorite and still love all the others, thats what makes DVC so appealing...

 

[thelobstershanty]

We have stayed at OKW quite a few times. We have yet to stay at SSR but did take the tour, ate at the foodcourt and walked around. All WDW resorts are great. We like them all. But since you asked for opinions of 1 resort over the other here is ours. For a 2 br villa we would definitely choose OKW. Both resorts are in essentially the same location and both offer the same methods of transportation. As for dining options we would give OKW the edge on that. We liked the food court at SSR but if we had to pick we would pick a sitdown restaurant over a foodcourt. We also happen to enjoy Olivias a lot. We find it to have good food in a relaxing atmosphere at reasonable prices.
Can't speak for parking at SSR but we have had quite a few times at OKW where we could not get parking in our building's lot so we had to park a lot or 2 over.
The big difference is in the size of the villas and the point cost. At OKW you will have a much larger lr/dr/kitchen and balcony vs SSR. And it will cost you less points.
If we were staying in a studio vs a 2 br then we would choose SSR. When we are in a studio it is 2 people who sleep in the same bed so we like the living room area in the SSR's studios.