SSR vs. OKW

[colleen costello]

Kansas, I have only been on a month or so tops, and I think my turn "came and went." When I spoke to Lisa (guide) last week, she said "Well, you guys are next," but then we got talking about Saratoga Springs. We have a March use year, and I am undecided. 100 points is really more than we planned on adding, but the extra years appeal to me. On the other hand, I love OKW and all this talk about retirees filling it up makes me want to add on there. I think my chance may have passed already. We need to have a family meeting and decide our game plan, then call Lisa back so I can "get back on the list" if it's OKW... Of course there is also a slight probelm here at home: dh keeps saying "No more points!" He has this crazy idea that the money would be better spent on fixing up our house! Go figure...

Beware: I think anyone attempting to add on at OKW is going to get a strong sales pitch for "Why Saratoga is better."

Good luck!

 

[KANSAS]

MRS COSTELLO

I have already experienced the SSR&S is better than OKW
I really come back hard
the 12 years means nothing to me
$89 per point versus $84 per point
and the dramatic increase in point requirment for GV's

DVC comes back and try to compare SSR&S with BW.
I disagree SSR&S, location, much more like OKW

dID I MISS ANYTHING??

 

[colleen costello]

Kansas, I am with you except for the 12 years. I am young enough -- barely - -that it might matter to me (someday). The issue is moot if I can't convince DH we need more points! At this point, I will probably seek to do small add-ons of 25 points each, as I am able to afford them.

OKW is my favorite, so I guess that should be where I buy... Any day now, Rich and Nick and Cindy are going to retire and take up all the rooms in the off season... Gotta get some OKW points OR ELSE!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'll be vieing for those January points at OKW too!

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by colleen costello
OKW is my favorite.........Any day now, Rich and Nick and Cindy are going to retire and take up all the rooms in the off season... Gotta get some OKW points OR ELSE!

............Colleen...........you sure you want more pts at OKW? It is so far away from everything and doesn't have a slide.

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by colleen costello
.......On the other hand, I love OKW and all this talk about retirees filling it up makes me want to add on there...... [/B]

I would not worry about it too much. This board is a reflection of a VERY small number of the total number of current DVC members. There are many, many DVC members in the real world who have absolutely no interest in competing with you for rooms at OKW whether they are retired or actively employed.

 

[colleen costello]

Well then I guess it's settled... Dee will NOT be at OKW. Nick, Cindy, Rich and I will be there, too old and crochety to go down a water slide, anyway! And by then we'll be happy to take the downstairs rooms because we couldn't make it up the steps.

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by colleen costello
Well then I guess it's settled... Dee will NOT be at OKW. Nick, Cindy, Rich and I will be there, too old and crochety to go down a water slide, anyway! And by then we'll be happy to take the downstairs rooms because we couldn't make it up the steps.

I think you will be more than safe in being able to get a room at OKW, even in retirement.
BTW, I never said anything about "me" staying at OKW one way or the other--when I retire. I just said many, many DVC members will not be in competition with you for those rooms.
After all, how could I possibly not want to stay at OKW once I retire, especially since a few of my favorite DIS people will be there??? LOL!

 

[chris1gill]

Based on what you have said, I must admit, that Saratoga Springs is definitely the way you should go if you can keep your contracts straight (we have two & no problems)... Saratoga seems a lot like OKW, except it's a little busier theme wise, the location might be a tad bit better, fireworks nice for sure & you do get the extra 12 years & it's less money than OKW... SSR gets my vote!

 

[DaveH]

I thought the OKW are way too big for the old foggies? According to Rich doean'd it take a crew of 30 3 days to clean a studio?

 

[princess&tig]

I am not sure how you could lean toward SSR. I am new at the DVC and have never stayed at OKW but everyone say wonderful things about it. So I see it as this:

OKW has the best rooms out of all of the resorts. I have read this many times.

OKW requires the least points out of all of the WDW DVC resorts.

The locations are basically the same.

OKW is a known great resort, while SSR is a complete unknown.

OKW has better restaurants (it has a sit down restaurant) than what SSR is supposed to have.

The years mean nothing to me because I will be in wheelchair before my points expire anyway and if I want to pass it on to my kids, I will take my last social security check and buy another DVC package.

 

[floridafam]

SSR will have the spa. SSR will have a pool slide.

The location is roughly the same. SSR is brand new.

I think OKW is beautiful and has a very loyal following.

I think SSR has the potential to develop that same great loyalty among people who purchase there. I see a lot of similarities between it and OKW.

I am glad that SSR is having a community hall-I wish all of the resorts had one.

I don't think there is any way to say what one is better than the other. Each has it's own great things to offer.

 

[DeeP]

The big advantage to SSR is the extra 12 yrs of membership which translates into many more WDW trips.
True for someone that will be too old to care about the additional years this is a moot point BUT the OP clearly stated that they are young enough to reap the benefits of an additional 12 yrs.
I can't understand how this can be so easily overlooked as something insignificant.
And the real kicker in the whole thing is if the OP wishes to stay at OKW for ALL future trips up to 2042 even with a SSR contract this is very much possible plus they would still have an additional 12 more yrs after 2042 when a current OKW resale contract would be null and void.
Buying a SSR contract gives members the FULL 50 yrs of membership which can not be said of ANY other member's contract, no matter where they bought UNLESS they bought DVC in the FIRST year of opening.
The difference in the annual dues (which can change at any time) is so small, that if someone is really worried about such a small amount of money in the whole picture of cost for a DVC membership, maybe DVC is not a good thing financially for someone to do at this time, no matter which resort they are considering.
Per usual, any and all comments that even suggest that there are better choices of a DVC home resort other than OKW are met with a lot of poppycock excuses and rationalizations on this board. Unbelievable!!!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

DeeP, I agree with you, and I am an OKW owner. OKW is not the only game in town. I also remember all those saying there is no way they would purchase BCV, but it has sold well anyway.

I, for one, do not have a choice as my Guide has said that my Use Year at BCV is sold out. If points become available thru either a contract that fell thru or whatever, he said the points would not then be eligible for MB--so my best deal is SSR with the $10 incentive and a Cast Member discount. Resales would not afford me the discount either.

I don't know why anyone feels they need to have SSR validated in order to buy. If it feels right for you, go for it. If it doesn't, check out the resales. I can't wait to see the models the end of this month in person and make a decision for myself and I think the location is great.

OKW is not the only game in town, but is a pretty dern good one.

 

[Regina]

I'm one of those who will be getting the benefit of a full 50 year membership at OKW. It is a very nice enticement. DH even mentioned selling our VWL membership and getting SSR instead because of the extra years.

SSR looks very intriguing, but I do have one observation. We were in Downtown Disney this past Saturday night. It was jam packed with guests. There were speakers blaring away with music, which is fine. It's supposed to be a party atmosphere.

Then I looked across the water and saw the SSR buildings. I couldn't help but wonder about the noise factor from Downtown.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Then I looked across the water and saw the SSR buildings. I couldn't help but wonder about the noise factor from Downtown.

I was wondering about that too. I know when we stay on South Point, we sometimes get a little noise from PI, and that is farther down the river!

 

[DeeP]

Then I looked across the water and saw the SSR buildings. I couldn't help but wonder about the noise factor from Downtown.

Oh No! It can't be! This could possibly mean that BWV will lose it's reputation as being the noisy, busy, crowded resort! No way, it's BWV's distinction and their not giving it up!

 

[dianeschlicht]

LOL!

 

[reneesam]

Originally posted by dvcreg

SSR looks very intriguing, but I do have one observation. We were in Downtown Disney this past Saturday night. It was jam packed with guests. There were speakers blaring away with music, which is fine. It's supposed to be a party atmosphere.

Then I looked across the water and saw the SSR buildings. I couldn't help but wonder about the noise factor from Downtown.

Regina,

This is an excellent point. When I got the mailing and saw the fireworks viewing area, I had to throw it out. My 6 yo son is so terrified of fireworks that he would freak if he even saw the picture!!! While I love DTD, I like being a slow boat ride away from it at OKW.

I must say that although the SSR rooms are smaller than OKW, I really love the decor! I love the cherry and florals--very elegant. I can see us slipping away for a grown up weekend of spa treatments, restuarants, and DTD. I think people will find it to be a lovely resort...as long as they are not afraid of fireworks

 

[arminnie]

I am single and will be staying in a studio. I picked ssr because I wanted a sofa to sit on not another bed.

When I first looked at BWV many years ago I did not like the fact that they did not have two beds for when I might have a guest. Now I just figure that if I do invite a friend they can sleep on the sofa bed. If they have a problem with only a sofa bed in a free room then they can get their own lodgings.