SSR or OKW with 4 small children

[Nolamom3]

Planning a New Years trip and these are our options 7 months out. I've never stayed at either resort so any tips or advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[nalajms]

We did not like OKW, so I'm biased towards SSR. The biggest negatives for us were hard to get around the resort because it's so spread out, and elevators in only a few buildings. We requested ground floor and got it.

SSR is not nearly as spread out and easier to walk around the resort. Every building has an elevator.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

We love both, but SSR has a lot more food options especially with downtown Disney being only a 10-15 minute walk.

 

[Wenny]

We've had multiple stays at both resorts and love them equally, but for different reasons. With 4 little ones I'd go with OKW based on the room size. SSR doesn't have much room for stretching out. OKW is more like a vacation condo with loads of room for kids to move and play. And the community center is a great place for games and crafts.

Both resorts are spread out and can have location issues. Book Hospitality House for pool and main building access.

 

[DizBub]

I would say it depends on the ages of the children and the size of the villa you want to get. If you want a 1 bedroom OKW has the extra sleeping space in the form of a sleeper chair. SSR does not have this. If you have nice enough weather to swim SSR has 2 zero-entry pools and OKW does not. Otherwise both resorts are equally nice.

Please let us know what you decide.

 

[luckyman_apd]

OKW has bigger rooms for sure, but I'm not a fan of the resort layout. Not made for walking around and I heard the busses running from the room all the time. Pool was nice...and I did like the pool area. Olivia's breakfast is top notch. However, we are big fans of SSR. Very spread out and nice to walk around. Big fan of both Springs and Paddock pools. SSR you can use the Tables in Wonderland for the quickserve at Artist Palate if you have TiW. Our pick would be SSR over OKW, but that's us. Everyone is different. Both have Boat service to DTD...it just is a bit longer of a boat ride from OKW.

We are Studio people so I actually like having the sofa bed instead of the 2nd bed. That's another factor for us in choosing SSR. My kids don't mind the sofa bed, and I like folding it up to have more seating space in the room. If you are a 1 or 2 br, you will definitely notice the larger room size at OKW.

 

[Nolamom3]

My little ones will be 7, 5, 2, and 17 months so we will have a double stroller and will also bring a pack and play for the baby to sleep in. My older 3 don't mind sleeping together. Will they let us stay in a one bedroom at SSR since my youngest two don't technically "count"? The bigger room appeals to me but the lack of elevators would be a major negative since we normally have so much baggage! Lol!

 

[DizBub]

My little ones will be 7, 5, 2, and 17 months so we will have a double stroller and will also bring a pack and play for the baby to sleep in. My older 3 don't mind sleeping together. Will they let us stay in a one bedroom at SSR since my youngest two don't technically "count"? The bigger room appeals to me but the lack of elevators would be a major negative since we normally have so much baggage! Lol!

You will have a lot more space for the pack and play at OKW and more room in general. My daughter has a large family too and much prefers OKW to SSR but the kids prefer SSR.

You can also request a ground floor villa at OKW and park right at the door if you are driving.

 

[nalajms]

My little ones will be 7, 5, 2, and 17 months so we will have a double stroller and will also bring a pack and play for the baby to sleep in. My older 3 don't mind sleeping together. Will they let us stay in a one bedroom at SSR since my youngest two don't technically "count"? The bigger room appeals to me but the lack of elevators would be a major negative since we normally have so much baggage! Lol!

All (not sure about Poly) DVC rooms have pack and plays. It's not the big full sized one, but not tiny. You can also request a crib. We had one right between the master bed and tub wall.

With all the stuff you're carrying, I would not risk trying for OKW and hoping to get the ground floor.

1 bedroom you can book 5 people plus 1 under the age of 3.

 

[rlovew]

My little ones will be 7, 5, 2, and 17 months so we will have a double stroller and will also bring a pack and play for the baby to sleep in. My older 3 don't mind sleeping together. Will they let us stay in a one bedroom at SSR since my youngest two don't technically "count"? The bigger room appeals to me but the lack of elevators would be a major negative since we normally have so much baggage! Lol!

Only 1 child under 3 counts as an infant you must count the other person therefore you need a room that sleeps at least 5 plus 1- a SSR 1 bedroom would not. You could get a 1 bedroom at OKW, AKV(not value), BLT, or GFV or a 2 bedroom anywhere on property. I would think the pools at SSR would be better for you age children but with it being dec/jan I don't know that pools matter.

 

[nalajms]

Only 1 child under 3 counts as an infant you must count the other person therefore you need a room that sleeps at least 5 plus 1- a SSR 1 bedroom would not. .

I thought SSR would be like BWV, where the 5th would not have linens provided but you can book.

 

[rlovew]

I thought SSR would be like BWV, where the 5th would not have linens provided but you can book.

You can book 5 people like BWV(no linens) but if you do that you can not also have 1 under 3 that doesn't count for a total of 6 people.

 

[bellazachmom]

FYI - the laundry room at OKW is the perfect size for a pack-n-play ... we might have tried this out a few times

 

[Nolamom3]

The dvc website let me book at SSR. Would it have denied me if I had too many people? I'm new so I don't know how that works. Would I have shown up in dec and been told i couldn't be accommodated?

 

[DizBub]

The dvc website let me book at SSR. Would it have denied me if I had too many people? I'm new so I don't know how that works. Would I have shown up in dec and been told i couldn't be accommodated?

If they let you book it I'm sure it will be fine. With 2 under 3 years of age and you will be bringing a pack and play (there is already one in the villa) I think you are "legal" in terms of occupancy. However they will not provide bedding and towels for them. Make sure you bring extra if you can.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Nolamom3]

I got nervous and booked a 2 bedroom at SSR! I was trying not to use the extra points but I looked at my 2016 trip and I should still have enough to do what we want. Thanks for all of the info!

We have an oct trip planned at the poly for our first time for MNSSHP (booked before we became dvc), the New Years trip at SSR, and 3 days before our cruise at our home resort of BLT during Mardi Gras!! Getting some good use out of our AP!

 

[circhead]

I personally would have gone with OKW. The jacuzzi tub there can act like a swimming pool for the little ones it is so large.
Also, I keep trying to like SSR but that resort is jinxed for me. Every time I have stayed there ( 3 times) major and/or minor catastrophes have happened.
I've given up - Myself and SSR not meant to be.

 

[DenLo]

All (not sure about Poly) DVC rooms have pack and plays. It's not the big full sized one, but not tiny. You can also request a crib. We had one right between the master bed and tub wall.

With all the stuff you're carrying, I would not risk trying for OKW and hoping to get the ground floor.

1 bedroom you can book 5 people plus 1 under the age of 3.

I so agree I would never recommend OKW to families with small children because of the stairs. So many of the guests want the ground floor and it is only a request not a guarantee to get that floor. You will already have extremely tired children to carry up the stairs at night, let alone all of their stuff.

 

[maciec]

My kids were 7 & 10 the last time we stayed at SSR and they absolutely love it there. Love the pools and activity center. We have stayed at OKW and they love SSR much much more!