SSR or OKW.......save my marriage please!

[Jake & Crew]

Sure this has been asked before......but not this year!!

We are taking our first trip as DVC members and bringing the inlaws so we will have 4 adults and 2 girls ( ages 5 & 7). We are booked at BWV for the first four nights and SSR for the next four nights.

BWV is a done deal because it is a great location and place we have always wanted to stay at.

However we are wondering if we should switch from SSR to OKW due to the larger room size.....may need a little space on the second leg of this journey.

Have you stayed at both SSR and OKW? Which would you recommend.

We love the SSR proximity to DTD and the newness of the resort. We love the idea of the Florida feel and the space at OKW, just concerned it might be a little dated.

Oh, and one last newbie ? which I know I will laugh at in years to come.....we know you have to do your own housekeeping.....does that include putting the sheets on your bed on arrival?

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Inlaws? First visit?

Go with OKW. No, you don't have to put on sheets upon arrival.

When do you go? Keep the questions coming.... You need to do your homework so it is not the blind leading the inlaws....

Ask, ask, ask... don't worry about silly questions.... just let us help.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Okay, my mind is racing. Just noticed the "save my marriage" part of your title.

Jake... (I am assuming it is Jake writing) It is going to be ok. Just wash yourself in DVC info. Of course here we can answer all questions... AllEars.net, MouseSavers.com, Tagrel.com, are some of the sites that give info and photos.

Are you WDW veterans? If not, get Steve Birnbaum's official guide. It will give great info on WDW.

We have the most experienced DVC veterans here... so you are in good hands.

 

[Pakey]

Have stayed in a 2 br at both OKW and SSR. Biggest difference that you will notice space wise is

1. Eating area. OKW has a full round table with 4 chairs (I think it was 4) plus you can use the balcony chairs. We easily sat 6 around the table to eat and play games. At SSR, no can do. You have a mini-table with a little bench. Seats 2. Then there is the kitchen counter/bar with a couple of stools. You are not going to seat 6 together. I don't think all 6 of us had a table surface area at one time to eat, even split between the little table and the counter.

2. Balcony. If you plan on using your balcony, the balconies at SSR are tiny compared to the ones at OKW. It was cozy but all 6 of us could sit on the OKW balcony by using the dining chairs but SSR balconies are going to be pretty cozy at 3 people.

If these 2 things are not of huge importance to you, I don't think the other space differences are a big enough of deal to try to change your ressie. The washer/dryer setup was better at OKW but it wasn't that important to us; the SSR setup works just fine.

The balcony is a huge point to us though and I sure miss it when staying at SSR.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I second the OKW idea. The space is VERY noticeable, and SSR will be basicaly the same layout as BWV.

 

[TEK224]

Is the small table in the eating area only in the 2 BR lock-off, or is it like that in the dedicated 2BR also?

 

[Pakey]

Is the small table in the eating area only in the 2 BR lock-off, or is it like that in the dedicated 2BR also?

We've always requested and had dedicated at both OKW and SSR so can't tell you about the lockoffs.

 

[Saratoga Souris]

Both are my "home resorts" and I have recently stayed in both (here at SSR now)

I echo the sentiments above...

The much larger space at OKW is very important when you have a bigger group. Everything is bigger and the balconies are a great bonus. I always try to get OKW if I have more than 2 people with me.

I do not find OKW "dated". I was there a few weeks ago... everything was in good shape and the theming is very "Florida".

Proximity to DTD. Unless you are in specific areas of SSR, you still usually take the boat or bus to DTD. From OKW, you can do the same.
I highly recommend taking the boat.... grab a drink at "Gurgling Suitcase" and take it on the boat for the short 12-15 minute ride to DTD

 

[OlderMan]

I have to agree with everything (good) written about OKW!

Large villas/balconies, easy transportation via bus or boat to DTD, good restaurant, great Gurgling Suitcase, nice pools (all 4), etc.

 

[La2kw]

I would skip BWV and go with the larger OKW rooms for the entire trip. OKW is the original DVC resort, but it is not at all "dated". I think there are some maintenance/housekeeping issues, but that is not unique to OKW. SSR is also a great resort, but as already mentioned, the space is much smaller. With the OKW unit, you can pull in the two chairs from the bedroom to put around the dining table, you don't need to use patio furniture.

 

[spiceycat]

the big difference in the 2-bedroom lockoff and dedicated at OKW is -

one is a studio (lockoff) - so has balcony and kitchennett plus a door to the outside.

the other one (dedicated) does not. It has a more room in the bathroom area - because it does not have kitchennett.

but with inlaws - would go for the lockoff. then they come and go without waking up the kids - which I am assuming are in the livingroom????

 

[Inkmahm]

I would skip either of them and go with BWV for the entire trip. I love BWV and I hate having to change rooms, ever, during a trip.

 

[Scraper]

I would skip BWV and go with the larger OKW rooms for the entire trip. OKW is the original DVC resort, but it is not at all "dated". I think there are some maintenance/housekeeping issues, but that is not unique to OKW. SSR is also a great resort, but as already mentioned, the space is much smaller. With the OKW unit, you can pull in the two chairs from the bedroom to put around the dining table, you don't need to use patio furniture.

I have to agree. If it were maybe two nights at BWV I would say go but just for one night I would find it not worth the move. OKW is a great place and I love the boat ride to DTD.

 

[hag7]

Based on our lousy housekeeping before Christmas at STS, it would be OKW hands down

 

[paults]

stay with what to got or move it all to BWV. SSR and OKW are both great. At SSR request the grandstand. Your girls will love the water play area.

have fun

 

[paults]

stay with what to got or move it all to BWV. SSR and OKW are both great. At SSR request the grandstand. Your girls will love the water play area.

have fun

 

[paults]

stay with what to got or move it all to BWV. SSR and OKW are both great. At SSR request the grandstand. Your girls will love the water play area.

have fun

 

[WOW]

OKW is definately NOT dated......it is continously being refurbished.......my advice would be OKW as it is very very spacious.

 

[MinnieGi]

We just a BWV/SSR split. DH and I were disappointed in SSR after staying at BWV. Why? B/C there is not as much storage room at SSR. There is one less closet and the walk-in does not hold all the suitcases. This may not seem like a big deal, but after having everything nicely stowed away at BWV it was disappointing. As far as making the bed - we did have to at SSR - in fact we had to call mousekeeping to get the sheets!!

Now that being said I notice you have young girls. Our kids 7yo DD and 3yo DS LOVED SSR b/c of the Grandstand section's water play area. They could not get enought of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have done a BWV/OKW split before and really enjoyed it. If you have the in-laws along it will be most impressive!! BWV impresses with its location, OKW impresses with its SIZE!!! Plenty of room to spread out, store suitcases and really relax. It is nice to stay here at the end of a trip for relaxation purposes.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

The best tip: Know your inlaws.

We took our 1st DVC trip to BWV with new to the magic inlaws last April.
If your inlaws are at all cost conscious, please rent a car and stay at OKW. The easiest way to tell is to tell them about the dining plan.

My relatives hauled a ton of food down with us, and if they didn't cook it, they wanted to get it from off property!

We had an inkling about this before we left, but decided that driving off property would be enough of a hassle that they wouldn't want to fool with it from BWV. WRONG!!! It just made it that much more of a hassle. I knew that OKW was a better choice for them, but DH said I just paid good money for BWV, I'm staying at BWV. His money. His Timeshare. His Choice.

What me DH and I call "magical" and "immersed in the magic" they called entrapment. Who forgoes Fantasmic for Texas Roadhouse? My sisters.

Anyway, of all of the DVC resorts, BWV was the absolute worst choice of any of the DVC resorts for them (including HH and VB). They did like the view and the convenience to 2 of the parks.