SSR vs OKW

[ACJT]

I'm trying to decide between SSR and OKW. I understand that OKW requires less points for the time I'm traveling. What are the advantages / disavantages to the two resorts, and how do they compare?? We will be traveling with three children, and won't want to be too far from the restraunts / main pool.

 

[dianeschlicht]

What size unit are you looking at? I am assuming either a 1 or 2 bedroom with 3 children. In that case, I'd go for the extra space of OKW so everybody can have their own bed. There is a SIGNIFICANT difference is space in the OKW units. Also, OKW has 4 pools and a very good bus system for getting to the check-in area. Each pool has a play area and a hot tub, but the castle slide is only at the main pool.

SSR pool always seems small to me, and I'm not at all fond of the neighborhood pool there. The slide is smaller, and it can be a lot more confusing to get to the main pool area than it is at OKW.

 

[ACJT]

We will be getting a studio as our youngest is a baby. ... Am I correct that OKW requires less points...why would that be? We definately want to be close to the main building / dinning ... so is one resort more spread out than the other? Buses aren't an issue as we will be driving.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We will be getting a studio as our youngest is a baby. ... Am I correct that OKW requires less points...why would that be? We definately want to be close to the main building / dinning ... so is one resort more spread out than the other? Buses aren't an issue as we will be driving.

OKW is the only place you are going to get real beds if you are in a studio. At SSR, you will have a queen bed and a pull out double size sofa. OKW will have 2 queens.

I'm curious why you say you wont use the buses??? We find them to work MUCH better than driving everywhere. Both resorts are very spread out. I do slightly prefer the dining options at SSR, but that's because I love the Turf Club restaurant. Olivias at OKW is a better atmosphere and food for kids though. The likelihood of being near a pool at OKW is VERY great. There are only a few buildings that are not close to at least one of the pools. No matter if you are at OKW or SSR, if you are going to drive to the main pool, where do you plan to park? Neither of them has easy access parking to the main pool. Also, if you are going to the Magic Kingdom, the bus will get you there a lot faster than driving. That could be true for Epcot and the studios too, but will not be true of Animal Kingdom.

OKW requires less points because it was the first DVC resort, and points were designed there first. The newer ones all have higher point values because they cost more to begin with.

 

[yasuern]

OkW units are larger and the resort itself is beautiful. I have no idea why points are less but maybe because it was the 1st DVC resort or that it is ALL dvc units not part of another resort(ie BWV/BW Inn).

If you want to be close to the main pool check in area you need to ask for the Hospitality House section if this is NOT on your reservation confirmation then you will not be in that section.


Another nice area of OKW (incase HH section is booked up) is Old Turtle Pond Rd Its pool is larger then the other small pools and has a snack bar at the pool.


Never stayed at SSR but people I know that have stayed there seem to like it.

 

[ACJT]

As far as buses are concerned....do they run buses within the resort?? If so we would use that. However with two strollers (one being a double) we find using the buses to go to the parks to be rather cumbersome, plus we do alot of off-site stuff too.

As for laundry, studios don't have a washer dryer, but is it true I will be able to use guest laundry by the pools for free?? Is there cleaning supplies in the room, and a vaccum, toilet brush etc.??

Perhaps I should have mentioned, we are renting points, so I've never been to a DVC resort before.

 

[ACJT]

b

 

[dianeschlicht]

As far as buses are concerned....do they run buses within the resort?? If so we would use that. However with two strollers (one being a double) we find using the buses to go to the parks to be rather cumbersome, plus we do alot of off-site stuff too.

As for laundry, studios don't have a washer dryer, but is it true I will be able to use guest laundry by the pools for free?? Is there cleaning supplies in the room, and a vaccum, toilet brush etc.??

Perhaps I should have mentioned, we are renting points, so I've never been to a DVC resort before.

Yes, there is an internal bus, and all buses stop at the main area last in both resorts, so you can use any bus to do internal travel.

Studios do not have laundry facilities, but the washers and dryers are indeed free at both OKW and SSR. There will be a vacuum in the closet and a small amount of cleaning supplies. I doubt there will be a toilet brush though.

 

[Disney_Villain]

We like both resorts very much, and sometimes favor OKW over SSR.

However, SSR is layed out in a hub-spoke fashion with the main pool/blg being in the center - which means that you easily can get to and from the main bldg/pool no matter where you stay at SSR. It may be a 5 minute walk to get from the furthest end to the center, but that's about it. With OKW, you may have to rely on the internal bus system depending on how far removed you are.

OKW has a marina, SSR has a spa (if these amenties matter to you). Fast food service and selections are far better at SSR than at OKW. Otherwise, many amenties are comparable. Both have several satellite pools/jacuzzis as well as main pool with a slide.

What are the advantages / disavantages to the two resorts, and how do they compare? We will be traveling with three children, and won't want to be too far from the restraunts / main pool.

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

We've stayed at both OKW and SSR with 3 kids (using a double stroller and a single stroller, too!).

Both have pros, so it all depends on what's important to you.

OKW pros:
- larger rooms
- patios and balconies are larger and even the first floor ones have a railing around them to keep little ones from wandering off into the shrubbery. LOVE being able to leave the door ajar and let them wander in/out. SSR 1st floor patios have no barrier.
- little ones can stand on the tiled step next to the bathtub and access the bathroom sink for hand washing, teeth brushing, etc. There is no way, aside from using a kitchen chair or sitting on mom's knee that the little ones (approx 3 yrs and under) can reach the bathroom sink(s) on their own at SSR. This may be a minor point but for us it became quite the inconvenience at SSR until we went to Walmart and bought a stepstool.

SSR pros:
- zero entry pool is simply awesome
- walking distance to Downtown Disney. Yes, you can walk/bike from OKW but it's quite a bit farther.
- crayons and paper at the Artist's Palette restaurant. Kids loved that little touch!

Both are great for leisurely walks with the strollers, sightseeing, etc. We never used the buses as it's a pain with the strollers and in all honesty takes longer to wait for the bus, collapse strollers (while one parent tries to keep 3 pint-sized tornadoes within arm's reach), get on bus, get off bus and deal with strollers again than it does to just leisurely walk to anyplace on the resort.

Overall, I think OKW has better ROOM-BASED amenities, while SSR has better OUTSIDE the room amenities. Having stayed at both, we now prefer SSR because of the proximity to DTD and the pool. And we keep a folding stepstool for the kids to use at the bathroom sink in our Owner's Locker...

 

[logan115]

- crayons and paper at the Artist's Palette restaurant. Kids loved that little touch!

Forgot about that part ! Stayed at SSR with DS (4 at the time) and having that stuff for him to draw on while I got the food was a very nice touch.

He loved the main pool and play areas (and this is after being at BCV with SAB the year before) - but then again there aren't too many pools that a 4 year-old won't have fun at - especially when the pool are located in WDW

Good luck,

Chris