Sell me on SSR & OKW

[Raenstoirm]

My goal has always been to stay at every resort, but we tend to get into ruts and stay at the same resort for years. We have only stayed at one value..movies.. (value is just not our thing), but have done all but FQ in mods (dh is not a big fan of mods) and GF, yacht and AKL in deluxes (but we are booked at akl) and have not tried either of the dvc specific resorts (SSR & OKW). A few weeks ago we rented points for the first time and we got lucky and got boardwalk during star wars weekend no less at three weeks out! We just got lucky again and got Jambo Savannah grand villa for our December trip. But we are coming in 3 days before everyone else, so we need somewhere to stay. The only things open are AKL, SSR and OKW if we rent points. Since we are already staying at AKL, I would like to stay somewhere else, but I am just not feeling SSR or OKW for some reason. Maybe because they are too big? I am thinking at this point of just booking a regular hotel room at beach or something (our current favorite resort).
It will be just dh and I and our then 10 month old twins. We are fairly commando, but we did bring the twins back for nap about half of the days this past trip (so being so far away the entire trip is tough). Maybe we would use the pool, but just for a quick dip and I know we wont do the nighttime stuff since we like to be in the parks at night The one redeeming factor of course is the price tag. Is there some great thing I am missing? side note- we are planning on becoming members this year, but waiting on a beach or boardwalk resale that fits our needs.

 

[hakepb]

An OKW 1BR is huuuuuge (which makes for a nice "bang for the buck"). Some people have used the laundry room as a small nursery (vs most 1BR that just have a closet that barely fits a stackable)
OKW studios have 2 queen beds and no (pullout) couch, but that may be a disadvantage for you.
FYI, most OKW buildings lack elevators, so lugging a stroller upstairs might not be too fun.

With the new Springs bridge, walking to DTD from SSR is the one of the easiest ways to enjoy DTD with the current construction/parking mess.
OKW also has boat transportation to DTD.

SSR now has some nice kids water play areas. If DTD proximity doesn't appeal to you right now, I think I would hold off booking SSR. It is a great resort...when you intend to use its advantages, but intending to use it as a park commando often results in a negative impression.

 

[dallastxcpa]

You don't want to stay at SSR..... it is terrible. No just kidding. It truely is a great resort as long as you are okay with just hanging out sometime as it is not directly next to a park. We specifically bought there to be close to Down town disney and Pleasure Island before they mutilated it.

 

[Minniesgal]

We really like SSR but didn't think much of OKW.

SSR is fairly new modern and a great location close to DTD and great for EPCOT, HS and offsite.

OKW isn't as good a location but it is old and tired and the Villas really need redone.

 

[MarkF0wle]

OKW has enormous rooms, we stay in a 2BR & it was BIG. Lots of personal space.
I loved the theme of OKW, it's very relaxed & peaceful - I felt very at home here.

The down side of OKW is the resort itself is massive & branches out like a tree, so only a handful of rooms are really within a easily walkable distance to the main building. Personally I don't like the food options at OKW, Olivia's was just OK but there was VERY limited fast food options.

SSR again is a peaceful resort, the theming isn't as "in your face" as every other resort, it's well themed but you could miss it if you weren't so inclined. The rooms are smaller than OKW for the same cost but the resort is more circular around the main building so most rooms are within a decent walking distance to a themed pool (2 of them) & the main building. The restaurant is really good, so many fantastic options to eat. DTD is a stone throw away too, can be walked to from the resort no bus or boat required.

The only downside to SSR is it's lack of obvious theming, some people say it feels less of a Disney resort because of it.

 

[jimmytammy]

Years ago when SSR was fairly new, I would have steered you away, not now. Stayed there recently, and its very nice IMO. Its big, but with that comes a lot of amenities. OKW, is not as big, therefore, amenities a little more sparse, but I love the peacefulness of it. Both have boats to DTD. Not real crazy about the studios at OKW as it feels more like a hotel room, but the 1 bedrooms are huge! Love em! So given choice, I would go for OKW

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

We have stayed at both resorts multiple times and love them both, but have to say that in recent years we do prefer SSR over OKW. Here are our reasons:

1. Food availability is very important to us and SSR has many more options. You have a sit down, a really nice food court, and the Paddock pool offers some decent pool food as well. Then, you also have all the restaurants at Downtown Disney. They clearly win on that factor.
2. A more relaxed pool area--OKW's main pool is a bit more crowded and the layout makes it difficult to get a poolside chair to watch the kids. Your children are very young so will have to be with them, but ours are older and we have the luxury of sitting on our butts.
3. Finally, we love the grounds and nature at SSR. My kids love the turtles, frogs, snails, lizards, birds, bunnies, and otters they encounter. It has a lot to offer to families.

Have fun on your vacation! AKV is awesome too!

 

[Nanajo1]

We go to OKW for a laid back vacation. We go to the neighborhood pools. The rooms are spacious. The first time I saw a 1Br I said I could retire here! We did find SSR a bit overwhelming our first time. It is vey spread out but once you get you bearings it makes sense.

 

[amym2]

We love OKW and the laid back Florida feel. Olivia's is a great restaurant, and our kids love the main pool. We've only stayed at a THV at SSR (although we own SSR) but have used the Paddock and Springs pools at SSR. SSR is a beautiful resort. Now that we've visited WDW so many times, we aren't as commando and enjoy the resorts that are more condo-like. We had a car for both resorts, so I can't comment on transportation, but both SSR and OKW are centrally located to all of the parks. Both have good access to DTD.

 

[southerngirl528]

Since you have tiny twins, I think SSR might be better this trip just because of the elevator situation. I do not find OKW "tired" and Olivia's has some great food, so much so that it continues to be a popular place for WDW managers to go to for lunch. There's an internal bus that runs constantly throughout OKW, you just hop on it and hop off at Hospitality House. PLUS, you can just hop on any bus going anywhere as the last stop it makes is a HH! Super convenient. OKW's rooms are substantially bigger. Did you mention what sized villa you are looking to book?

My brood prefers the Old Turtle Pond area. Big pool, playground, and a snack bar open seasonally.

SSR is slightly larger than OKW in total "keys". I find them equally spread out, particularly that one part at SSR that is to the right as you just come through the security gate ( I never can recall the name of that area). As said, both OKW and SSR have great transportation options. And when my kids were little, I much preferred having what was always a fairly close walk to a bus stop to a super long walk from a bus to a hotel setting and down looooooong hallways at the end of a wonderful and exhausting day!

 

[Simba's Mom]

One thing I love at OKW is the size of the balcony. I'm not sure if it's the only resort that has a full size table on the balcony. The number of times DH and I took our entire meal out there while he watched the golfers go by and commented on their swing (DH is a golfer, and he's sure people have made fun of him sometimes too). Don't discount OKW-we almost did. About 15 years ago, we drove through OKW, and came to the conclusion that we'd definitely never want to stay there. A few years later, we joined DVC and had the goal of staying at every DVC resort. The night we were looking for, the only resort available was OKW so we took it, but boy, were we disappointed-that is, until after we stayed there. The next morning, DH got up and announced that OKW was his favorite resort and the one he wanted to stay at every vacation. What a switch!