SSR or OKW

[u2daisyblue]

We are renting points from friend for Dec 1 - 5. Will be DH, DD (5) DS (8) and myself. My Q's are as follows:

Her home is SSR which she can book now but looking online we are kind of leaning towards OKW but she can't book for a few more weeks there. Does anyone have any idea if we will be able to get into OKW this time of year? I've read it's very popular for DVCr's.

Which would you choose and why?

I have never visited any of the DVC's but we plan on taking a tour when we go, hopefully I'll be able to get him to buy after seeing the places.

Thanks for your input!!

 

[chalee94]

i would choose OKW 'cause i own there...

more seriously, i like that OKW studios have 2 queen beds, rather than a 1 bed/1 sofabed setup. if you're looking for more room to spread out, i'd say it just depends on your preferences.

i've stayed at both. i think SSR has more of a luxury feel...more expensive furniture, elevators in all the bldgs. i liked being a short walk from DTD (depends on whether you are near the congress park section.)

OKW is a little more relaxed. more of a beach cottage vibe with more mature landscaping than SSR.

while dec is a very popular time, both SSR and OKW are a little more removed from the parks than other DVC options and they also are similar in being relatively large resorts...so there's a decent-to-good chance to find availability at one if not both. i don't think you can really go wrong either way.

 

[Chuck S]

All the DVC resorts usually book up pretty early for that time of year. I would have your friend reserve SSR, then try to change to OKW at the 7 month mark. That way at least you'll have a room, assuming there is still avalability at SSR.

Thanksgiving to New Year is an extremely popular time for DVC reservations. The member services phoe lines are often swamped when the 11 month booking window opens for that time of year.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree with Chuck. Don't wait until the 7 month mark to make the initial reservation. Then at 7 months have them try to switch it to OKW (Which I would prefer for your family given the number of people and the need for 2 real beds). That way, if you can't get into OKW, at least you will still have a guaranteed place to stay. Now, depending on how good a friend this is, they might be willing to book SSR and put you on a waitlist for OKW if it isn't available at the 7 month mark. For what it's worth, I think you have a good chance of getting something at 7 months anyway. I assume you are looking at a studio, and those are always faster to book up than the 1 bedrooms.

 

[DVCsince02]

All the DVC resorts usually book up pretty early for that time of year. I would have your friend reserve SSR, then try to change to OKW at the 7 month mark. That way at least you'll have a room, assuming there is still avalability at SSR.

Ditto

 

[a cape lad]

we stayed at OKW in march and loved it. my wife and i stayed at SSR in november and we really enjoyed it for just the 2 of us (great spa, good bar/lounge area), but OKW was better with the kids.

when you are hanging out by the pool it feels like you are on some remote beach resort. very relaxing. and the shop/main st are is very quaint.

so i think with kids i would say OKW.

have fun

 

[a cape lad]

we booked SSR first at the 11 month "home" window, and then switched to OKW at 7 months. suggest you do the same.

you will need to wait until 7 months from your check out date to change the entire stay.

 

[beccasmom]

Another vote for OKW, from a very biased source I will tell you that we were at OKW for a quick trip in early December 2007 and they were booked solid. We were on waitlist for the room we wanted, which eventually came through for us. It is a great resort and we really enjoy it. But it may not be as easy to book as one would think because I was surprised it was so crowded too. Just something to keep in mind...

 

[a Really Bad Egg]

Our last two DVC stays were at SSR and OKW.

If (when) we are going to repeat one of them, I would choose SSR because...

- It's over a decade newer.
- The room and resort decor is more appealing to our tastes.
- The counter service restaurant (inside a building as opposed to OKW's outside CS) - for our tastes - has better options.
- Our SSR room was noticably more soundproof than the OKW room.

Both are very nice resorts but we'd give the nod to SSR.

 

[byoung]

If not staying at the Boardwalk, OKW is top on my list.

 

[mickeymombecky]

Comparing the 2, I like OKW better. My family and I are staying at SSR in Nov. This will be our second stay there. OKW rooms are bigger.

I like the lush landscaping at OKW, not as much hot concrete either! Both resorts are very well spread out. You can walk to DD from OKW too. There is a back walking/biking path that goes along the Sassagola river and Lake Buena Vista golf course. It would take about 30 minutes to walk but has nice views. We bring our bikes and ride between resorts.

The last time we stayed at SSR, the bus service was really bad. Hopefully, they've improved.

 

[u2daisyblue]

So if my friend calls to book at 7 month out for OKW would she call on May 5 which would be 7 months till our check out date and book the whole trip then? Or does DVC count months by weeks (4 weeks = 1 month)? She told me to remind her book I don't want to bug her too soon. I might just ask her to book SSR, stressing out at this point about getting a room. We really want OKW because I want to convience hubby to buy small resale contract there. Has anyone called to try get Dec 1 - 5 at OKW?

By the way you are all awesome , I love this board!!!!

 

[Chuck S]

Call May 5th, and good luck