Studios at SSR, OKW, Boardwalk - What's better?

[Tollerwalker]

We are going to Disney from April 9th to 20. We are booked in a Studio at SSR right now. We are thinking of switching to either OKW or Boardwalk if possible. Are there alot of differences in the studios from one to the other? What would be the best?

We have only used our points once so far and it was for a 1 bedroom at SSR so I have never actually seen a studio...

Thanks!!
Jessica

 

[figment795]

The studios at Boardwalk and SSR have the same layout. OKW has 2 queen beds no couch or table in room. OKW points are less than SSR or BWV.

 

[Tollerwalker]

Thanks. As far as the resorts go, what do you think is best? Our son will be 6 at that time.

 

[jekjones1558]

OKW has 2 queen beds no couch or table in room.

Actually, there is no couch but there is a round table and a couple of chairs.

The studios at BWV feel like a small efficiency apartment. The studios at OKW feel more like a bedroom/bathroom. Either could work. BWV has a lot of activity on the grounds, if that is what you like. OKW is more serene and relaxing. I like both, depending on what I want on my vacation.

If you have stayed in a 1 bedroom, be prepared to not be as excited about your room this time around. Once we had stayed in a 1 bedroom, we never stayed in a studio again. I would only do it now if I were going alone, maybe not even then. The studios are nice--but it's hard to not like a 1 bedroom better.

Have fun, whichever resort you choose!

 

[Tollerwalker]

Thanks! It is going to suck to go to a studio but we only have 200 points and want to go for 2 weeks. We will probably end up getting some more points while we are down there...

 

[Safari Queen]

OKW is a lot fewer points and the room is larger, though you don't have a sofa, which we prefer. Think about how much you care about sitting on the bed or a dining chair.

 

[melissac]

We stayed a night at SSR and then 3 at OKW (because of availability) in a studio and I would pick SSR over OKW. I was not impressed with OKW rooms. SSR were much nicer and I think they are the same point value or only 1-2 point difference which I feel is well worth it to stay at SSR.

 

[Deb & Bill]

OKW studio has a much bigger bathroom than SSR studio.

OKW gets you two regular queen sized beds.

SSR and BWV gets you one regular queen bed and one double sleeper sofa.

 

[elderfam]

We have stayed in both, so here is my honest take on them.

OKW is larger, no sofa, older,decoration is dated and it has more of a hotel room feel. It is a lot of walking or waiting for the bus. We always ask to be near a pool and its about 50/50 us getting that request. We have always felt that it was a good value for the points...just be prepared to do more walking. Not to bad if you have your car with you. Hospitality House has activities for little guys (arts crafts etc..) its just farther from your room.

BWV have the option for a standard view which will save you some points. The rooms have more of an apartment feel as stated above, close to Epcot and MGM. Lots more going on in that area. The boardwalk at night is fun you feel like your on vacation with options for things to do without planning.
I think the pool slide is a bit more fun than at OKW. My nephews really liked the Hospitality House by the quiet pool at this location. It seems to be larger with a bit more for them to do. Its close to most of the rooms and they also have activitys for children.

Have you thought about BCV? I know its really hard to get in if you dont call early but you might try to waitlist and see what happens. This place has the largest sand bottom pool in the world (per 2005 travel guide I just read ) Hands down the best pool in all of WDW if that is important to your son. Of course the danger is that he wont want to go to the parks and will just want to swim???

Bottom line, if I was on a serious point budget, and I just wanted to be at WDW I would go OKW.
If I was just watching my points and had a little bit of flexibilty I would ask to waitlist for a standard view at BWV. For the convience of being near two parks and lots of activity around the boardwalk.
If I found I had more points to use than I thought, I would also waitlist for BCV for the amazing Pool!

Hope this helps!

 

[helenabear]

Personally for 2 weeks, I would probably stay at OKW in a studio. The bathroom is much nicer (I felt absolutely clausterphobic while taking a shower in BWV), the rooms are bigger as well as the balconies/patios. I also wouldn't want to deal with a fold out bed every single day myself.

Another option since you are going for so long, have you considered splitting your stay?

 

[OKW Lover]

Disclaimer: As you can tell from my screen name, I love Old Key West. Now, with that out of the way, on to the question at hand.

I've stayed in all three (plus a studio at VWL and BCV) and to me the difference comes down to where you want to be.

Yes, the studio at OKW may be bigger, but I'm not sure it "feels" bigger because of the two beds in it. Of course, if you need two real beds then that's an advantage for OKW over the other places.

As to location, I love the laid-back spread-out nature of OKW. But strangely, I don't get the same feeling at SSR, which is equally spread-out. Perhaps its because of the "cluster factor" where there appears to be a lot more units concentrated into larger buildings that at OKW. Of course, BWV (and BCV) have an advantage if your primary focus is Epcot - as it would be if you were going for Food & Wine.

So, again back to the premise, which is better? It would depend on what you were going for and what's important to you. How's that for a non-answer?

 

[LSchrow]

So, again back to the premise, which is better? It would depend on what you were going for and what's important to you. How's that for a non-answer?

the non-answer is prob the best answer.........everyone is different in what matters most: room size, beds, location, amenities, as well as how negotiable each preference is.

the photos are actually rather good on the website...perhaps take a look before deciding

 

[Simba's Mom]

We have stayed in both, so here is my honest take on them.

OKW is larger, no sofa, older,decoration is dated and it has more of a hotel room feel. Hope this helps!

One reason DH loves OKW the best is that he thinks it doesn't have the hotel feel that the other two do. It doesn't have valet parking or room service, which may be an issue for some people. However, you park right there at your unit and walk in the front door to your place. For me, I agree with you, elserfam- nothing beats squishing your toes in that sandy bottom pool at SAB at the BCV.

 

[Tollerwalker]

Thanks so much to everyone for all of your help. To confuse matters a little more, I called MS this morning and changed our reservation to Animal Kingdowm in a Standard Studio (might switch it to value though).

from April 9-20, the SSR studio we have booked is 207 points, OKW would be 185, AKV is 184 for a standard (pool view) and the value is 161 (landscape/parking lot)... We figured we might as well go for the new AKV to try em out...

There are too many choices!!! (not that that is a bad thing!!)

 

[kitsch4]

I know that you already changed to AKV, but for anyone else who is considering OKW studios, I have to mention that the beds were hard as rocks! At least they were in the room where we stayed.

We split our stay in August between AKV and OKW. We normally stay in a 2-bedroom villa but went for the studio this time because of points. Definitely a change, but we still loved it and had a great time! I don't think you will be disappointed with AKV.