Please help me decide on OKW vs SSR.

[bunny]

My husband and I are disagreeing about where to spend our first trip home. We stayed one night last summer at OKW in a 1 bedroom to see how we liked the DVC before purchasing 150 pts at SSR. We are going for 8 nights in October- Sat through Sunday. We can either stay 8 nights at OKW using 131 points for Sat to Friday and then paying $680 for the weekend or stay at a moderate on Saturday and switch to SSR for Sunday to Sunday. I have 196 pts currently available. So essentially it is the same money. I will rent some points to cover the weekend at OKW. So the bottom line is for the same cost which is better- OKW 8 nights or SSR 7 nights preceded by night at a moderate? I loved OKW. We had a waterview first floor room. We ate breakfast on the huge balcony while the kids feed the ducks bread. It was beautiful. And with two small children we appreciated the size of the unit. However, we just bought at SSR and have never stayed there. DH would like to try it. He loves the new rooms and new furniture, the food court, the pool, and the location. I think it would be better to settle in than to switch rooms. But on the other hand, we anticipate doing a lot of swimming and I didn't think the OKW pool was that great for a three year old. Lastly we will not have a car if that makes any difference. Any feedback would be helpful. TIA.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

I agree... switching rooms is a hassle, but one night in a moderate might make you appreciate what you've got even more!

I'd opt for SSR, simply because you've never stayed there before. I think the kiddos will enjoy the pool. Request the Springs to be close to the feature pool and other amenities.

 

[NYMomof4]

For the swimming, SSR has the zero entry pool for little ones and the pool is very nice! I think either choice sounds like a great vacation but it really depends on what you want to try on this trip (keeping in mind that you will have many future DVC vacations now ) Disney will transport your luggage if you stay somewhere else the 1st night and we have done this before. The first day of travel for us is sort of a day of rest anyway (we have learned from experience).

There are advantages to both. Downtown Disney is close to SSR-many walk there but both resorts have the boat and bus too. Best of luck with your decision!

 

[HUFF590]

I would like to stay put, no moving, but with no car SSR has a lot to offer at DTD walking distance and you can walk over to OKW. The pool at SSR would be best for small kids ZERO entry, but still I wouldnt want to move after being settled in, either way have fun.

 

[spiceycat]

I own at OKW and I love OKW dearly. that say.

SSR is your home resort. I definitely understand your husband need to try it out....

no pool at OKW has Zero entry (although there are more pools at OKW)...

there is something about your home resort that no other resort has - okay my opinion...

it just feels more like home.....

besides you will need the more space at OKW when you kids are teens - now that they are little I would stay at home (SSR)....

 

[byoung]

OKW has my vote.

 

[Granny]

Your home is SSR and this will be your first extended trip in a DVC villa.

Stay at SSR and begin the bonding process with that resort. I really think that your first DVC stay should be at your home resort to begin to establish that special connection there to make it "home". I don't think one night in OKW has already spoiled that chance.

Just my opinion. Besides, making the hubby happy is a good thing!!

 

[Muushka]

Good one Granny!

Let the bonding begin!!!

I agree, by the way

 

[disneybride96]

We just bought 200 at SSR. We have stayed at BWV, YC and All Stars in the past. Never seen SSR or OKW other than to drive by. We are splurging for our first trip "home" in a 1 BR at SSR. We will do the "save your points" thing in January at OKW in prep for a GV (hopefully) at OKW in Sept. I told my DH we will stay at every resort eventually - but he wanted to start at our home.

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd probably stay at my home resort because it is my home resort.

Moving is a bit of a pain, but if you're only at POR for one night, you're not going to get all that "unpacked" anyhow, so it wouldn't be too bad. Maybe when you are packing, you could try and pack one suitcase for the POR night, with clothing, bathing suits and underwear for everyone in an easily accessible spot, so you'd only have one bag that you were going in and out of. That's probably what I would do.

 

[bunny]

My husband was thrilled to hear all your responses. He already thinks he is always right, so this just reinforced his view. Anyway I called MS this morning and switched. I am really looking forward to our first trip home. I have one question, though, about switching resorts. Could I ask bell services to hold my luggage after taking the ME instead of delivering it to our room? That way I could carry a small overnight bag as a carry-on for our first night. Then in the morning I could just ask them to switch the luggage to SSR. It would be easier than bringing it to the room, taking it down to bell services, etc. the very next day. What do you think? Would this work?

 

[ocd4disney]

Hi, my dd and I made a mother daughter trip in December. We used ME. Our flight in was a very late flight so we stayed that first night at All Star Movies. It was almost 1 am before we made it to our room. I had an overnight bag that I carried on the plane and had ME deliver our luggage straight to AKL. (my little yellow ME tags were marked for the animal kingdom lodge) They have a little storage room for all the luggage. I do have to warn you though that my bags were almost lost. They had been put on a shelf because we didn't have a room number for AKL that night. When my dd and I finally made it to AKL the next night (luckily it was around 7 so it wasn't really all that late) our luggage was not in our room. I had to go down to bell services (I guess that is what it is called) to see if they had my bags. They let me help look in the storeroom. Our luggage was on a shelf pushed behind some other bags. It was scary for a moment....I was afraid we would not find them.
Anyway....hope this helps you decide what you want to do. I guess my point is that they should be willing to hold your luggage. Be sure to tell them what you want them to do.
Have a great trip!