Port Orleans Riverside or Old Key West

[Linda67]

Hi everyone

Can you help me choose a resort?

I'm already planning May 2012 and have booked a 7 night cruise already

My original plan was to book POR direct with Disney and the book whatever flights are the best price

Having looked at the 2012 prices on the Disney Website this afternoon POR is coming in at £784 and OKW is £945 (2 adults standard room/studio)

We haven't stayed at either resort before but we are going to be staying at OKW for the first time in October so I thought it would be nice to try POR for a bit of a change

Also with the free dining offer I would get the DDP with OKW and only the QS Plan with POR

So what do you think, is OKW worth the extra money

Or throwing something else out there - what about Saratoga Springs? same price as OKW

Thanks all

 

[dixonsontour]

We liked OKW but I know a lot of couples like SSR for the 1 bed/sofa set up in the studio and close proximity to DTD.

If you are already doing OKW i'd try SSR next time.

 

[disneyholic family]

if you're talking about free dining, then OKW is far better value for money than POR.....

also, in the OKW, you'll get a small kitchenette that you don't get at POR..

SSR and OKW are pretty interchangeable....either one is better value than POR (especially if you're talking about free dining)..

 

[crabbie1]

As there are just the two of u they are all suitable but if u like to try different places and hv Okw booked for this year then out the two i wld do POR but for a more romantic trip POFQ is lovely. Much smaller resort than riverside but very quaint. Iv stayed at all 3 and didnt like SSR at all. Sorry to all ssr lovers. No theme to it and room was tatty. Okw was lovely and so was por . If u stayed at POR wld u upgrade to full DDP? Just my opinion. Others will hv their own views but go for what u want in the end.

 

[STOCKYJIM]

To be honest for me this would be a no brainer. Not only do you get the extra dining (which several have mentioned) and the kitchinette, but I understand that the rooms are bigger and you get a balcony - which must make the place feel bigger!!

We personally love the 1 beds at OKW, which would be overkill for some couples, but give me a jaccuzi bath and ice on tap anytime!!!

have a fantastic trip wherever you end up staying!

Jim

 

[crabbie1]

To be honest for me this would be a no brainer. Not only do you get the extra dining (which several have mentioned) and the kitchinette, but I understand that the rooms are bigger and you get a balcony - which must make the place feel bigger!!

We personally love the 1 beds at OKW, which would be overkill for some couples, but give me a jaccuzi bath and ice on tap anytime!!!

have a fantastic trip wherever you end up staying!

Jim

Booked a one bed this time espec for tht jacuzzi

 

[Sapper383]

We love POR....but I suppose it would depend on what dining plan you want

 

[Linda67]

Thanks so much for the great advice everyone

I am finding it really hard to decide this time

Part of me is saying that I should try somewhere different as I will be at OKW in October 2011 so going to the same place in May 2012 seems too soon
That's why I had decided on POR but the 30% off SSR and OKW plus the regular dining plan has made me re-think

If I book POR but upgrade to the DDP it costs around the same as OKW & SSR so that seems a little pointess if I can get a bigger room/balcony etc at one of the DVC resorts

If there was no free dining or discounts this would actually be an easier decision

 

[dixonsontour]

If it is the same price i'd go for deluxe ssr or okw over moderate.

When the economy improves the 42% deal/free dining may disappear. Take advantage whilst you can - POR will wait.

 

[Linda67]

If it is the same price i'd go for deluxe ssr or okw over moderate.

When the economy improves the 42% deal/free dining may disappear. Take advantage whilst you can - POR will wait.

I think you are right, I am probably better going for one of the DVC resorts

Now I just have to decide between SSR and OKW. The fact that I am staying at OKW in October is making me think that SSR may be a good option but I don't hear much about it. Most people on the UK boards seem to stay at OKW

Have you been to SSR?

 

[2Tiggies]

If it's just the price you are wrestling with, have you priced up POR with the cost of upgrading to the regular DDP? I suspect it is going to be pretty close to break even.

 

[dixonsontour]

I've not stayed at ssr.

For us it was a non stater as we preferred 2 beds in a studio as we have DD and we love the real florida keys so the key west theme appealed.

The victorian ssr theme doesn't really do it for me but i've never visited the resort.

I've just read a review on the dibb of someone staying at ssr and they were walking distance to DTD which is very appealing. I think for just 2 of you the one bed/ bed settee set up would work well - you'd have extra room.

Hopefully someone will be along who has stayed at ssr.

 

[cooks]

Me and my DGF stayed at SSR last year in a one bedroom villa. Me 19 and her 20th while we were there. It was great. The studios have a small kitchen in which is good for storing nice cold drinks and milk for cereal (have to get my lucky charm fix ). Quite a big resort. We luckily got placed a stone throw away from the main pool and building. I stayed at OKW when i was younger with my family, been refurbed since then and thats were me and DGF are staying this year in a studio. Its worth the extra for the dining plan .
Youll have a great time at either, SSR is really nice late on when walking back from the bus stop, very quiet .

Phil

 

[disney_princess_85]

I agree with everything Phil said. SSR is a lovely resort! We stayed there for the first time last year and we'll be staying there again in September. I think it's ideal for couples as it's so pretty and peaceful, yet it's just around the corner from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Disney. It's the best of both worlds!

 

[disneyholic family]

Thanks so much for the great advice everyone

I am finding it really hard to decide this time

Part of me is saying that I should try somewhere different as I will be at OKW in October 2011 so going to the same place in May 2012 seems too soon
That's why I had decided on POR but the 30% off SSR and OKW plus the regular dining plan has made me re-think

If I book POR but upgrade to the DDP it costs around the same as OKW & SSR so that seems a little pointess if I can get a bigger room/balcony etc at one of the DVC resorts

If there was no free dining or discounts this would actually be an easier decision

ok - so i'll make the decision for you...
we're all agreed that with free dining, you'd be foolish not to stay at either OKW or SSR..
so the choice is between OKW and SSR..

and since you're already staying at OKW in october, i suggest you reserve SSR for a change of pace....
and since it's just the two of you, the SSR studio will be nice for you (one bed and one sofa, instead of 2 beds)...

there...it's decided....SSR for next year...

 

[Linda67]

ok - so i'll make the decision for you...
we're all agreed that with free dining, you'd be foolish not to stay at either OKW or SSR..
so the choice is between OKW and SSR..

and since you're already staying at OKW in october, i suggest you reserve SSR for a change of pace....
and since it's just the two of you, the SSR studio will be nice for you (one bed and one sofa, instead of 2 beds)...

there...it's decided....SSR for next year...

Thanks for making the decision for me

You know how sometimes you just over think things? well that's what I am doing!

I know we'll have a great time either way!

I've just spent the last couple of hours looking at pics of SSR and I am 99% sure it's the one now

I agree with everything Phil said. SSR is a lovely resort! We stayed there for the first time last year and we'll be staying there again in September. I think it's ideal for couples as it's so pretty and peaceful, yet it's just around the corner from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Disney. It's the best of both worlds!

Thanks so much for the feedback
If you liked it enough to go back it must be a great resort
I'm pretty sure that SSR is the one to go for
Have you ever stayed at OKW?

Me and my DGF stayed at SSR last year in a one bedroom villa. Me 19 and her 20th while we were there. It was great. The studios have a small kitchen in which is good for storing nice cold drinks and milk for cereal (have to get my lucky charm fix ). Quite a big resort. We luckily got placed a stone throw away from the main pool and building. I stayed at OKW when i was younger with my family, been refurbed since then and thats were me and DGF are staying this year in a studio. Its worth the extra for the dining plan .
Youll have a great time at either, SSR is really nice late on when walking back from the bus stop, very quiet .

Phil

Thanks Phil
It does seem like a good deal with the free DDP

I've not stayed at ssr.

For us it was a non stater as we preferred 2 beds in a studio as we have DD and we love the real florida keys so the key west theme appealed.

The victorian ssr theme doesn't really do it for me but i've never visited the resort.

I've just read a review on the dibb of someone staying at ssr and they were walking distance to DTD which is very appealing. I think for just 2 of you the one bed/ bed settee set up would work well - you'd have extra room.

Hopefully someone will be along who has stayed at ssr.

I must admit that it was the theme that was slightly putting me off SSR as I just kept thinking 'horses'

I've been looking at photos and it does look like a pretty resort though

If it's just the price you are wrestling with, have you priced up POR with the cost of upgrading to the regular DDP? I suspect it is going to be pretty close to break even.

If I upgrade the QSDP to the DDP the cost comes out about the same so I could do this but I thought that perhaps the DVC resorts would offer more space and nicer rooms

I've never visited SSR before but we did walk around POR on our last trip and I thought it was a really pretty resort

 

[cantwait!!!!!!!!!!!!]

We stayed at SSR last year and loved it, we didnt put any requests in but ended up at the grandstand which was ideal-couple of minutes walk from hospitality house and the bus stop (1st stop so always got a seat )

Buses were great, we never waited longer than 10 minutes for one.

The boat to downtown disney was great, one day it was quiet so he let us take the boat up to the treetops and back down to downtown disney which was very peaceful and relaxing.

Only reason we have gone with OKW this year was for a change

I dont think you will go wrong whichever you decide.

 

[2Tiggies]

If I upgrade the QSDP to the DDP the cost comes out about the same so I could do this but I thought that perhaps the DVC resorts would offer more space and nicer rooms

I've never visited SSR before but we did walk around POR on our last trip and I thought it was a really pretty resort

SSR doesn't appeal to me ONLY because of personal taste and preference (theming).

Most on here know I fell in love with POFQ last year, but must admit, having read all the reviews and seen pics of the refurbised rooms at OKW if I had to choose between Riverside and OKW it would be OKW without a doubt. Part of the reason I would not consider it during free dining is because I don't want the regular DDP and you can't downgrade, which is always a consideration for me, but if I ever do decide to go with the regular DDP, I would give OKW a try as it looks really lovely

 

[disneyholic family]

ok....i'm back and determined to keep you from choosing POR...

i should say that we've stayed at POR and OKW many many times and like both of them..

however, there is no comparison between the two...POR is a moderate while OKW and SSR are DVC resorts...
the studio at OKW/SSR is bigger than the room at POR...
and you'll get a little kitchenette at OKW/SSR...

regarding OKW vs SSR, we've only stayed at OKW because we always stay in a 2 BR and we like the layout of the 2 BR better at OKW....
other than that, they're both nice resorts with very pretty theming (one is key west, the other upstate new york)..

by the way, SSR has a really nice spa....definitely worth a spurge on a massage or pedicure etc...at least worth a visit to see what's there...

for ourselves we would pick OKW only because we wouln't want the studio with a sofa (as the set up is at SSR)....if i was just a couple, i'd prefer to have a sofa instead of a second bed..

i have to find our pictures of POR so you see the difference...
you're talking about a completely different level of resort...

 

[disneyholic family]

i should add however, that the studios at OKW are larger than the studios at SSR....so if you're staying in a OKW studio this time, you might be disappointed by the smaller size of the SSR studio..

so maybe you should stay at OKW again..

oops...so much for my decision for you...