Opinions please - OKW vs.Saratoga Springs

[MiaSRN62]

lobstershanty says : 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.

not doubting you at all.....but, boy do we feel lucky ! After 5 stays there (ranging from 3 nights to 7 nights each), we have NEVER had a problem finding a space to park close to our room. We may not have gotten right in front of our door every time (but we did most of the time !), but never did we have to park in an adjoining lot. And we have always stayed there in the busy summer months (July/August) as well as end of October (Halloween) into the first week of Nov (for Food & Wine).

Sammie says : 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.

True, we haven't always gotten directly in front of our door, but the furthest was maybe 3 or 4 doors away.
OKW was sold-out last November the week we were there ---I specifically asked. And still we always got very close parking to our front door. Don't know how we've gotten so lucky. We were even laughing that it was the Sims family reserved parking space
Can't speak for SSR because we've never stayed there (but would like to).
Like I said....not doubting anyone's experiences, just never witnessed this personally in 5 years of stays there.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We just returned from SSR. It is a beautiful resort. We would return there. We also love OKW. And we love them both for similar reasons (1) the spaciousness of the resort, more like a community than a hotel (2) close in parking (3) great castmembers.

OKW rooms are larger, so if we have a larger group, we'll stay there. If we only have the three of us, we would stay at either resort.

 

[thelobstershanty]

not doubting you at all.....but, boy do we feel lucky ! After 5 stays there (ranging from 3 nights to 7 nights each), we have NEVER had a problem finding a space to park close to our room. We may not have gotten right in front of our door every time (but we did most of the time !), but never did we have to park in an adjoining lot. And we have always stayed there in the busy summer months (July/August) as well as end of October (Halloween) into the first week of Nov (for Food & Wine).


True, we haven't always gotten directly in front of our door, but the furthest was maybe 3 or 4 doors away.
OKW was sold-out last November the week we were there ---I specifically asked. And still we always got very close parking to our front door. Don't know how we've gotten so lucky. We were even laughing that it was the Sims family reserved parking space
Can't speak for SSR because we've never stayed there (but would like to).
Like I said....not doubting anyone's experiences, just never witnessed this personally in 5 years of stays there.

I guess it is similiar to your parking experience at BWV. Something out of the norm. But we have stayed at OKW quite a few times, at all times of the year and have had this problem on several trips. In all fairness we do find the problem to be when we are returning to OKW at park closing times when many others are also returning. Because the DVC villas are large enough to fit 4-12 people there are often multiple cars for the same villa. When you are competing for the closest space to your villa, this can be a problem.
The hotel DVC resorts, as some call them, do not have this problem. Whether you self park or valet park nobody is in front of their villa.
There is somthing for everyone at WDW and DVC.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I guess it is similiar to your parking experience at BWV. Something out of the norm.

That is the good thing---it is out of the norm for OKW not to get a parking space very close or reasonably close to your villa. This has always been considered a perk for OKW. And I agree.....the other resorts are good for those who prefer valet.

 

[disneyholic family]

the nearby parking is one of the great things in my eyes, vs the hotel style villas. And i love the condo feel as well.

We haven't stayed in any of the villas for the past two years. Instead we did the rounds of the various hotel concierges. But I came to the conclusion that i much prefer being able to spread out. Plus being able to have breakfast in comfort and cook some of our other meals as well, is a great convenience.

Thanks for all the information. I'm really really really really really looking forwards to our vacation this year....ok....i admit it.....i always look forward to our annual WDW pilgramage

 

[momsgoofy]

I've been reading the posts in this thread because we just stayed at OKW studio and own at SSR where we'll stay this Christmas for our first trip there, one bedroom villa. This was our first stay for our family of 3 at OKW and we really liked the 2 queen beds...we'll see how DS13 likes the sofa sleeper at SSR. I'm thinking having a bit of privacy will win over the sofa sleeper concept. We had a great time at OKW...don't know about the parking comparisons since we haven't had a car with us since our stay at the Poly in 1999...flying is so much nicer in our book. But I did notice the lot outside our building (18) did get full at times.

We loved Olivia's and aren't sure about Artist Palate at SSR having never eaten there, but we are going to give it a shot.

Like someone else posted...try them all. That is exactly what DH, DS and I talked about doing during our recent trip...OKW tried, SSR soon, next trip WLV or BCV or BWV...did I leave one out? Who knows we may find that our favorite isn't our home resort...drats that could make for a planning challenge...how to get the best room when not at our home resort...ah, I know ya'll will help me then.