SSR versus OKW? What do you think?

[DisneyJenn18]

hello,

I am in the process of renting some points for a grand villa in feb 08. I did all of my reserch online, and I can't seem to decide which resort. I was for sure thinking SSR, and than I saw the point difference to OKW, and it's quite a bit! It's going to be an all adult trip...no kids, I would love to hear from you guys which one is better in your opinion!

thanks!

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

I have not been to OKW but we loved SSR. So much that when I tried to convince my husband to try another resort he said no. He likes SSR. It has a peaceful feel. So we feel like we can go play and then come home and relax. Beautiful

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

After buying at BWV, I had some 2nd thoughts about OKW because of low point costs, big villas, etc.

When DSIS got a postcard in the mail for a free upgrade from POP to either OKW or SSR, I shocked myself by saying SSR! SSR!

Bottom line:

OKW is bigger and has more favorable point charts.
Using GV is actually really do-able with those point charts.

SSR is much newer and everything still looks really nice, and you have those 12 extra years.

Ultimately, its a choice you've got to make for yourself.

DH and I find bwv to be VERY romantic, and never seriously considered anywhere else.

 

[Dean]

The resorts are somewhat similar in some ways and different in others. Both are relatively remote though SSR a little less so than OKW. If you will have a car, I'd go for OKW for the laid back fee,, larger kitchen, larger units and lower points costs. If you will not have a car or plan to spend a lot of time at DD, I'd prefer SSR. SSR would also help if you don't have a car and need to get to other resorts. SSR will also have elevator access for the second floor in the GV if this is a consideration. I prefer OKW but it's hard to know what you will prefer.

 

[rigsby25]

I had a reservation for an OKW grand villa, and 3 days before our trip, they realized someone had made a mistake and moved us to the SSR grand villa. It was not only smaller, but it was less open then my family would have liked. That is the thing about OKW - it really has an open floor plan. SSR has separate living room, dining room, kitchen. I've never stayed at the OKW grand villa, but it looked like people sitting in the dining room could see the people in the living room, etc. Also, OKW has a regular size laundry room instead of a stacked washer and dryer, and plus the patio is much bigger. The patio in our SSR grand villa only had 2 chairs and a little patio table. The patio at OKW is a round regular size patio table and 4 chairs. SSR really is beautiful though, and it turned out well because the 3rd bedroom in the OKW had 2 double beds, whereas the 3rd bedroom in the SSR villa had 2 queen beds I think.

 

[DisneyJenn18]

thank you everyone for your suggestions! It's hard to figure this one out since I have not been to either of the resorts! I'm trying to figure it all out by the pictures, and the reviews. Obviously the cost has something to do with it, but I am okay with paying a bit more if the resort has nicer accomodations. THANKS!

 

[LisaS]

Do you know for a fact there is availability for your dates at both resorts? I would imagine that the OKW GVs go more quickly because they cost fewer points. It's possible that they are already gone for your dates since you are well past the 11-month window. You might want to have the owner you are working with check for you so that you don't spend a lot of time and effort agonizing over a decision that may have already been made for you.

Good luck!

 

[bpmorley]

I've stayed at both, only in studios though. You cannot go wrong with either resort.

 

[Nadine&Scott]

DW and I have stayed at SSR and OKW. We both prefer SSR. Not putting down OKW as we liked it very much just prefer the "feel" at SSR. In the middle of our stay at OKW we took the boat over to SSR for lunch at the Artists Pallette and while walking around the resort we both felt more comfortable than at OKW. One of the best DVC perks is the ability to try all the resorts. We are booked at SSR for next Jan. but will try to switch to BWV at the 7 month mark.

Scott

 

[KelleyGirl]

I don't think you would be disappointed with SSR! We stayed in the GV last year, and LOVED it. I don't think it was too closed off. We were staying with 3 different families (ourselves, sister's family and cousin's family). We all had our space when we needed it, and we were all comfortably sitting together when we wanted to be. Like another poster said, the resort is new, so the furnishings are beautiful!!!

I've only stayed at OKW once, and in a studio. All I have heard is people say they LOVE it, but we ended up in the furthest building from the pool. With a family of small kids, we would have had to drive to the pool. Looking back, I'm glad we got the room far away, because we had considered buying there, and that is what turned us off most.

I would just advise to check which buildings the GV are in so you're not too far away (although I don't think they would even put a GV as far away as we stayed )

 

[disneydance]

i say OKW has more tropical feeling etc

 

[dianeschlicht]

Well, I know the GVs are similar sizes at both, but the OKW GV seems bigger because it's more open. We love the OKW GVs, and with 1 king, 2 queen, 2 double and 1 queen hide-a-bed, the bedding options are great! Also, OKW GV has a huge seperate laundry room that we use for all kinds of things including storage.

 

[jimmacmn]

We have contracts at both OKW and SSR and have stayed in GVs at both resorts. Both are very nice and very different. The SSR GV has a super decor and the seperate upstairs access is nice if some of the party stays out later. The one thing that DW and I did not like about the SSR GV is the storage in the master BR at SSR. At OKW there is a big closet and very ample drawer space. At SSR the closet is much smaller and the drawer space is very limited. OKW GV has a superior feeling of space as everything is open. OKW GV...Open casual feeling. SSR GV...Formal elegant feeling

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have contracts at both OKW and SSR and have stayed in GVs at both resorts. Both are very nice and very different. The SSR GV has a super decor and the seperate upstairs access is nice if some of the party stays out later. The one thing that DW and I did not like about the SSR GV is the storage in the master BR at SSR. At OKW there is a big closet and very ample drawer space. At SSR the closet is much smaller and the drawer space is very limited. OKW GV has a superior feeling of space as everything is open. OKW GV...Open casual feeling. SSR GV...Formal elegant feeling

That is an excellent comparison of the two! It's also probably why I prefer OKW.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

If I had a choice- I would definately pick OKW because they are both really nice resorts and you can't beat those points charts.
I like the landscaping and general look of OKW better also.

 

[DisneyJenn18]

Thanks for the advice, and the kick in the pants on OKW, I did NOT realize that it might be difficult to get in a grand villa there...since the points are so much lower, it's affordable, and everyone wants it.

I contacted my guy yesterday, and he says that I have to wait till the 7 mo mark since OKW isn't his home...SSR is. I hope I can get in! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[bpmorley]

If I had a choice- I would definately pick OKW because they are both really nice resorts and you can't beat those points charts.
I like the landscaping and general look of OKW better also.

This is just an opinion, but OKW has had 15 years to grow in the landscaping. I think SSR will be really nice in that amount of time

 

[BroganMc]

I contacted my guy yesterday, and he says that I have to wait till the 7 mo mark since OKW isn't his home...SSR is. I hope I can get in! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

In that case, I think you're better off reserving the SSR GV. GVs are notoriously hard to book at 7 months because there are so few. It's better to have one reserved and try to switch later.

 

[dianeschlicht]

DO NOT wait for a 7 month mark. Book the SSR GV NOW, because there is no guarantee ANY GV will be available at the 7 month window.

 

[Princess Tess]

I noticed that most of the comments on this thread pertain to the rooms....can anyone comment on the service at SSR?
I've stayed at both resorts and perhaps it was just bad luck on my part but I found that service at SSR to seem 'less smooth' than at other resorts I've stayed at.
The first time I went there was with a girlfriend and we just went for a weekend for the Spa...it was a great weekend but the service was a little bumpy, nothing that would make me complain, in fact, I chalked it up to the resort being brand new....then hubby and I went last fall and the service was still not great but this time it affected our trip....I have to keep in mind that all the resorts were at full capacity, there was a PGA tournament going on, the food and wine festival was going on AND there was a heat wave going on....I asked for a room near the front since we didn't have a car and I wanted to be near the lobby....that wasn't honored...that was a huge bummer for us....having said that perhaps I hold the standard too high but I don't think guests should have noticed any service difference just because it was busier than usual?
The resort is beautiful and I wouldn't not stay there based on my experience but I would like to hear what others say....others who have stayed at other DVC resorts so they have something to compare to...my daughter is in WDW right now and I just couldn't book her at SSR based on my experiences. She is at OKW
PT