should I switch from OKW to SSR

[M2DD's]

I was thinking about switching from OKW to SSR.I need to make my mind up ASAP.So I need lots of help.The main reason I think I should change is the whole transportation and elevator issues. I know that there are only a few bld. with them. We will have 2 girls and a double stroller.My DH also ways carries the stroller on the bus. My girls our 3 & 6 so they are old enough to walk. Last yr we were so exausted after walking in the park all day.I hate the thought of having to carry the stroller up stairs(my dh will not go back to the resort for an afternoon bk)another topic for another day.
My next concern is that on Mousesavers web site Mary mentions that if you stay at OKW a car is a must. This gets me worried that we may need a car even though they have disney transportation to a from the park.
The food is also a concern. We usually get bk at the food courts and there isn't many choice at OKW.At least SSR has a place were you can sit down inside and eat.
If we stay at SSR do you think we will still encounter these problems?
Any help would be wonerful
Laura

 

[Deb & Bill]

I was thinking about switching from OKW to SSR.I need to make my mind up ASAP.So I need lots of help.The main reason I think I should change is the whole transportation and elevator issues. I know that there are only a few bld. with them. We will have 2 girls and a double stroller.My DH also ways carries the stroller on the bus. My girls our 3 & 6 so they are old enough to walk. Last yr we were so exausted after walking in the park all day.I hate the thought of having to carry the stroller up stairs(my dh will not go back to the resort for an afternoon bk)another topic for another day.
My next concern is that on Mousesavers web site Mary mentions that if you stay at OKW a car is a must. This gets me worried that we may need a car even though they have disney transportation to a from the park.
The food is also a concern. We usually get bk at the food courts and there isn't many choice at OKW.At least SSR has a place were you can sit down inside and eat.
If we stay at SSR do you think we will still encounter these problems?
Any help would be wonerful
Laura

SSR is limited for counter service and nothing like the food courts at the Value resorts. OKW has Goods to go, as well as the store to purchase food to microwave if you want to do that.

Only Bldg 62, 63 and 64 have elevators at OKW. Most of the buildings are three stories tall. Request a first floor villa. You can take a bus from any bus stop back to the Hospitality House. You can also take the Internal Bus (also the DTD and TL bus) from the Hospitality House back to any bus stop - it stops at the HH both first and last.

The two queen sized beds at OKW would be worth it over the one queen sized bed and one double sleeper sofa at SSR in the studio.

Rent a stroller at the park for the little one and teach your older one to walk the parks. Leave your big double stroller at home. Take breaks - bus rides are short and you can still hit the park again later in the day.

 

[DVC Grammy]

IMHO, I think you'd find SSR to be a bit easier. No matter which section you're put in, or which floor, you'll always have elevator access.
Also, Artist's Palette has really nice offerings, and yet has kid-friendly food too.

Of course, there is the sacrifice of the other bed, but if your children are okay with the (very comfortable) sofa, you'll be gaining a sitting area in the daytime (the sofa is unbelievably easy to put back together!).

I can understand you using a double stroller. Many adults can't take a full day's walking in the parks, much less a 6-year-old. As long as your DH doesn't want to take mid-day breaks rolleyes1 ), it can be too much.

BTW, we enjoy both OKW and SSR equally; either is terrific for my DH and me. But when we have family with strollers or other gear along, we'll opt for an elevator resort, just to avoid the hassle.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I agree SSR would be easier to get around in ,but OKW does have the bigger rooms.


OT Deb how was your trip , I hurt my back right before leaving and my computer went down later that night so I never contacted you. We did have a great time at BCV and will be staying there again for sure.

 

[spiceycat]

are you getting a studio or 1-bedroom?
a 1-bedroom definitely OKW.
the studio with your kids I would still go for OKW.

the stairs at OKW aren't hard to climb. You can do it easily even with a stroller. Or you ask for first floor.

first floor can be handicapped - and that with kids again won't work for me - no shower in the studio. you can ask for non-handicapped first floor - but these have pretty grumpy views.

now if a view is not important these will be fine - but if a view is important then I would go with 2nd floor.

OKW you can do fine without a car. It has slightly better transportation than SSR does. and is smaller than SSR.

remember at OKW or SSR for that matter, you will have kitchennett if a studio or a full kitchen if a 1-bedroom.

you can order groceries either from the resort (expensive) or wegoshop or garden grocier.

you need to either bring laundry detergent and fabric softenor - or put it in your grocery order. WDW only has tide. I am allergic to tide. So not certainly if your girls are. a 1-bedroom will have a washer/dryer in the villa. for studios the laundry mat is at the pool. So you can swim and wash clothes.

 

[M2DD's]

thanks for the help.We have a 1bdroom and perfer ground level. Do that handicap rooms still have whirpool in the master brdroom? Transportation is at the upmost importants to us. My DH will be home soon and we will have decide ASAP because rooms are filling up. I still can't make up my mind but will be happy on what ever I choose.It Disney you can't go wrong
Laura

 

[disneyfanUSA]

I just did the upgrade to SSR from value on Friday. I got a studio at SSR. I have tried to get a one bedroom and have been told there are none available. You may not be able to switch from a 1 BR at OKW to SSR.

 

[byoung]

I rather stay at OKW, myself.

 

[SueM in MN]

thanks for the help.We have a 1bdroom and perfer ground level. Do that handicap rooms still have whirpool in the master brdroom?

Yes.
The handicapped 1 bedrooms with a roll in shower still have the whirlpool tub.
There are many 1st floor rooms. Only a small number of them are wheelchair accessible with a roll in shower. And all of them do still have a whirlpool tub.

 

[TinkTatoo]

I'd prefer OKW too

 

[momof2minnies]

We have stayed at both-OKW hands down, do not care to return to SSR but have and will stay at OKW many times!

 

[brittsmum1998]

We are DVC members and have stayed at all of them except BCV. OKW hands down!! Especially w/ kids. My DD9 is a very picky eater and always finds something at OKW to eat. The pool is great and the space in the villas (one bdrm) is awesome. They also have TONS of activities for the kids. We have actually spent a week down there JUST so that she could do the resort things. We are mostly Boardwalk fans but OKW is ALWAYS our second choice. We tried SSR once and won't be going back again, just didn't have that disney feel and the resort is sooooo spread out. I prefer the OKW transportation to SSR transportation anyday. JMHO

 

[spiceycat]

with a 1-bedroom - OKW all the way.

It is that much bigger!!!

yes all 1-bedroom has whirlpool. It is the shower that will be different. in a non-handicapped room the shower is surrounded, in a handicapped room there is only a short shower curtain. So if you get one tell whoever uses the shower to be carefully or the bathroom will flood

the whirlpool here is also much bigger than in the other WDW DVC resorts.
It is big enough for at least 2 adults. So on a rainly day your kids could use it for a pool. (and no I am not kidding)

OKW is not harder at all to get around than SSR. the bus stops are closer and less crowded and there are more of them. the only problem is the bus stops some guests think the bus should immediately (after picking them up) go to the parks.

I like the multiple bus stops at OKW - means no one will have a long walk to a bus stop no matter where they are in the resort.

all OKW buses will stop at HH before they leave the park. to get back to your room just walk up to Pensicular road and take that bus stop. (if you aren't at HH or Pensicular road -- I would also walk back to Miller road myself)

 

[spiceycat]

I know you are probably on the dinning plan - but you might consider ordering some groceries from either

www.wegoshop.com

www.gardengrocer.com

I would go with the one with the cheapest deliver charges.

put the detergent and fabric softenor you are used to using. If Tide you will be fine with what OKW provides. otherwise I would use an order delivery service.

get some snacks for everyone.

OKW has an ice maker in the refrigerator (SSR does not).

 

[spiceycat]

OKW pictures
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/545/page/3/sort/1/perpage/12

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_okw.htm


ssr pictures
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/547

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_ss.htm