Should I consider SSR and OKW?

[krmlaw]

I didnt have them on my list to consider for our next trip, because I really wanted the Disney theme and feel, and these resorts dont seem to have it.

It will be our 1st DVC stay, so I wanted to make it special.

Your thoughts?

 

[chalee94]

I didnt have them on my list to consider for our next trip, because I really wanted the Disney theme and feel, and these resorts dont seem to have it.

both are nice resorts, but their theming and location tend you give you a little bit of a breather from all-disney-all-the-time. some people prefer that but it doesn't sound like what you are looking for.

i'm assuming that you are renting so if you have a preference for a resort like BLT or BCV that is more in the middle of the action, you should plan to have an agreement in place by the 11 month window from your trip.

 

[Tink&PirateMama]

Hmmm... well I'm biased but our family LOVES SSR! My daughter liked it better than the Poly! There is plenty of disney!. And you can walk to downtown disney. And, our first DVC stay is coming up in September- and we're doing a week at OKW! We're really excited, it looks wonderful!! It was my 4 year olds son's top choice from going through all the pictures!

Honestly, all the DVC resorts are disney theming, and the only place you're going to get giant statues of all the disney movies is at all stars movies.

However, all that being said, I think with a baby, I'd be thinking about nap times, strollers, etc, in which case, being at BLT, or BWV/BC seems like it might make life easier for you?? I've not stayed at those resorts, so I'm not sure, but we did stay on the monorail with our kids when they were smaller, and it was very convenient, and I really think the way to do it when they are small! This last trip at SSR mine were 4 and 5, and riding the buses was just fine by that point.

 

[Telcogirl]

Our first DVC stay as owners was at SSR and we LOVED it!!!

We stayed at the Beach Club last year and that was nice too. The one thing I don't understand is when people comment about "Disney Theming" and that SSR does not have it.

What makes the beach theme at BCV more a Disney theme than Saratoga Springs? Or what makes the Wilderness Lodge more of a Disney theme than feeling like you are in Key West?

We have enjoyed the same great Disney service at every resort we have stayed in. We tend to choose our resorts based on what we think our plans will be for a week.

If we think we are going heavy on the parks, we will select BCV. But, if we think we may want to relax a bit, we choose SSR.

Good luck in your decision, I don't think you can really go wrong. You'll be at Disney!

 

[JimMIA]

We stayed at the Beach Club last year and that was nice too. The one thing I don't understand is when people comment about "Disney Theming" and that SSR does not have it.

What makes the beach theme at BCV more a Disney theme than Saratoga Springs? Or what makes the Wilderness Lodge more of a Disney theme than feeling like you are in Key West?

I agree completely. I actually don't think any of the Disney resorts -- DVC or otherwise -- really have that much of a Disney theme. They each have a distinct theme, but I don't think it's strongly Mickey/Minnie.

There are three things I look at in selecting which resort to visit. One, as others have said, is which parks we plan to hit (although we drive everywhere, so it really doesn't matter much to us). Another is whether or not I want to be in a deluxe hotel setting with the amenities that offers, or whether I want to have a relaxing condo-style vacation for a LOT fewer points. And the third is whether there is a specific resort that I want to try for the first time.

Most of the time, that calculus brings me back to OKW because we really love OKW and our points go a lot farther there (40% farther). But we are also looking forward to trying VWL and BLT in the future...probably all of the WDW resorts eventually.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I too read about a "Disney" theme a lot so I have to ask what it is that you are really looking for with that theme? Mickey and the gang? For me I don't think there is much of a blatant theme like that in any of the resorts except maybe the values (don't really know since I haven't tried them, only moderates and up). For me I think of each resort as having it's own theme and then it just depends on what you enjoy and the location you want to be.

We really liked the theme of OKW and will be seeing SSR in more detail when my sister stays there in a couple of weeks.

 

[krmlaw]

Ya know, youre right ... nothing too Disney about BCV or the others ...

Im going to add SSR and OKW to my search. Hopefully Ill be able to get one for the week we want next June/July!

 

[barlitz]

We've stayed at most of them and the SSR is our favorite, just got back from our first stay at the BWV's and it was okay the rooms are dated and the boardwalk got old after the first few nights I would much prefer downtown disney.

 

[hakepb]

I wil start out saying that every DVC resort is wonderful if you take advantage of what that resort does very well.
SSR is wonderful for going to DTD or spending long relaxing days in the resort, or golfing or going to the best spa at WDW. (but trying to hit a character breakfast, got to a park, come back for a nap, than hitting another park becomes a transportation nightmare from SSR. I think similiar busy plans cause a lot of negative SSR comments) BWV/BCV are wonderful for many quick trips into EPCOT or DHS, or enjoying their pools...

As far as "Disney Themeing" to me that means a complete, unique, full sensory experience, sights, sounds, feel (could be different walking surfaces), smell...

From AKV Jambo, every time you arrive or leave your room, you go through the lobby and see the grand exotic, yet calm space, hear the themed music, smell the fireplace and restaurants, feel the dark, glossy wood floors or inset medialions. AKV Jambo is a complete Disney theme that I get to experience several times a day.
At SSR, I think the total theme is perfect at the check-in lobby, correct style, numerous horse design elements and whimsy, landscaping, smells from AP/TC, music... but I only experience that lobby at the beginning and end of my trip. Several times a day I walk into the individual resort building elevator lobby, but there is too few horses and whimsy (compared to the lobby) no music, no smells.. Decor is almost there, but It is not a complete theme. The SSR pool areas are better, which completes my point, spend more time at the pools, walking around, or other public areas and SSR is a better experience.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I didnt have them on my list to consider for our next trip, because I really wanted the Disney theme and feel, and these resorts dont seem to have it.

It will be our 1st DVC stay, so I wanted to make it special.

Your thoughts?

Why would you NOT consider them????? SSR is themed like Saratoga Springs, NY, and I think it is very true to the theme with the decor, common areas, and even the small town feel of the place. OKW looks EXACTLY the pictures I have seen of early 20th Century Key West, right down to the missmatched (on purpose) decor and gingerbread architecture. Even the music is themed to the resorts. I think ALL DVC resorts have excellent themes. They are true to details right down to the bedspreads and wall colors. Sure, AKV and VWL are more heavily themed than the rest, but they all are themed to a specific "story".

 

[krmlaw]

I think maybe thats why we want to avoid SSR, we are 20 minutes from Saratoga and spend the whole summer there!

But I think we better add them anyways, with OKW too, for a better possibility of getting what we want.

 

[La2kw]

I didnt have them on my list to consider for our next trip, because I really wanted the Disney theme and feel, and these resorts dont seem to have it.

It will be our 1st DVC stay, so I wanted to make it special.

Your thoughts?

What makes you think these resorts don't have a Disney theme and feel? You've never stayed at any of them?

 

[disnefile]

Both wife and I do not like SSR at all. OKW is beautiful and has much much larger accomodations. We do short trips on short notice and always avoid SSR. OKW is also less points. You cant beat the relaxing atmosphere.

Pete

 

[krmlaw]

just from pictures, and i dont that wont really giv eme the whole feel. but for us SSR isnt at all attractive, we live 20 minutes from Saratoga and I think we definately want something different ...

but i think i judged OKW too quickly. We've added that to the list.

 

[Disney lovin' senior]

Both wife and I do not like SSR at all. OKW is beautiful and has much much larger accomodations. We do short trips on short notice and always avoid SSR. OKW is also less points. You cant beat the relaxing atmosphere.

Pete

I was going back and forth which one to stay at in November - do you know if OKW has had recent updates? I seem to remember reading that. We've stayed at SSR a few times, and enjoy it. Just looking for a change of scenery.

 

[La2kw]

just from pictures, and i dont that wont really giv eme the whole feel. but for us SSR isnt at all attractive, we live 20 minutes from Saratoga and I think we definately want something different ...

but i think i judged OKW too quickly. We've added that to the list.

If you have ever been to Key West, OKW is very authentic, just a lot cleaner and without the drunks! We love the real Key West and the OKW resort.

 

[krmlaw]

we love key west ... so we definately have to add OKW.