Tell me the good & bad about SSR and OKW

[mickeys friend]

If you have stayed at the SSR or OKW what are the good and bad things about them?I know everyone doesn't like every resort and since I've never stayed at these two resorts I would like some info.Thanks.

 

[jwwi]

I have stayed at OKW, twice, but have not stayed at SSR. OKW is themed well, has extremely large rooms and is so pretty. Lots of water, very quiet place to stay. Multiple pools, a boat ride to DTD and set along a golf course are some highlights. Sorry, I did not eat here on our recent trip, so I cannot comment on the food. The front desk and concierge staff are very friendly. I thought our stay was great. We had a car, so did not use the bus at all. We rented points so had a great rate. Feel free to ask me any questions.

 

[Kathi OD]

DH and I like the feel at OKW. Because you enter your room directly from the "street", it really gives us that "home away from home" feeling. I don't like hallways of any sort, not even the outdoor ones at SSR. I also like the tropical feel of OKW (we're from the northeast). JMHO

here are some photos from our last visit.

taken from the room

taken of the room (we were on the first floor)

 

[helenabear]

The bad to both resorts is that they are large. I personally do not care for the theming at SSR so I don't think I'll be making a reservation there.

I've stayed at OKW quite a few times now. The studios are really nice and have a good sized private balcony/patio. Great bathroom. The 1 bedrooms are HUGE! I haven't been in a 2 bedroom yet but I can only imagine what they are like.

The theming there is so tranquil and quiet. Very relaxing to be there. I've eaten only at Olivia's and the food has always been very good there no matter when I've gone.

You might want to check out the DVC forums. You will get a lot more responses there.

 

[lady_hlh]

We stayed at OKW last month and we really liked it. We stayed in a studio which was a nice big room with 2 queens and a kitchenette. All the staff at the resort were very nice. My DD was thrilled when we checked in because they gave her a balloon animal and stickers. My DD and DH loved the main pool area and slide. My DD also enjoyed the activities at the resort for kids, she learned how to make a towel animal and on labor day they had a pool party for the kids with games. We also liked being able to take the ferry over to DTD from the resort. We didn't have a car so we made sure that we were near the hospitality house and main pool because otherwise you would have a long walk or need to take a bus over there because it is a large property. The buses were wonderful and were never ever crowded, probably because most people had cars. Olivias was a decent TS restaraunt if you don't feel like leaving the resort to eat. The outside CS, Goods to Go, had a pretty limited menu nothing like the big food courts at the values. However if you want great CS you can just take the ferry over to DTD and go to Wolfgang Pucks Express or Earl of Sandwich.

 

[Destination Disney]

I've stayed at OKW once and I don't think I will return. To me the resort did not have that "feeling" to me. It seemed like we were "off-site" not involded in the hustle and bustle of Disney. Seemed too seculded, but then again some people really like it thay way. I have a 5yr old and a 18 month old...I thrive on hustle and bustle! (Do you know what I mean?) I did like that you can park right outside of your room though.

I've stayed at SSR 3x already, going back for a week at the end of OCT. then again in Dec. for a few days. I really like SSR. I love the pool area, the community hall for the kids, the grounds are beautiful. I like that it is close to DTD and although it is really big, I have never had any issue with room loctaion. We've stayed in the Springs, Carousel, and the Grandstands. No issue at all.

There are A LOT of OKW fans here so listen to thier input too. It is just not in my "TOP 7 MUST see at Disney World" LOL!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Now we are just the opposite of DestDis because one of the things we love about OKW is that it takes us away from the hustle and the bustle of WDW. You are right there in the middle of it all, yet, you are in a relaxed location where you can enjoy the birds, watch the golfers play and sit out on your porch and enjoy your breakfast.

Check over on the DVC boards and you will find a lot about OKW and SSR.

Of course, we also love SSR because it, too, has a quiet feel to it and lots of space. Rooms just aren't as large as the ones at OKW.

 

[DVC Grammy]

We happen to like both, and have stayed in both, but..............the ONE negative that both share is: if really bad weather hits, you are STUCK in your room(s)!

Any of the hotel DVCs have a lobby you can walk around; usually a store or two, and maybe even places to eat or purchase food. (I know, BWV has only the little newsstand type of store inside, but at least you can be outside your villa while still being inside.) Having gone through Wilma while at OKW, we envied those in hotel-like resorts.

Before I get "flamed", I am only talking about the DVC places at WDW; I'm sure that the values, mods, FW, etc., probably have this same situation.

I'm sure we will be staying at both SSR and OKW in the future, just NOT during hurricane season!

 

[Pakey]

We have stayed at both and liked both for different reasons.

OKW has such a charming setting. The grounds were just gorgeous and it did feel remote and private. After a long day at the parks, it was nice to just sit on the balcony and enjoy the fantastic views. The balconies are large, there is usually greenery around them to feel more private so that you aren't looking directly at someone else's balcony. The rooms are spacious.

SSR is new. The rooms are new. The pool is great. It has a food court; although a small one but adequate. It has a wonderful spa there. It is within walking distance to DTD. We have stayed in sections that were not as close to DTD as Congress Park and still enjoyed the walk.

The downside on both is that they are huge--several bus stops within each resort and also, potential long walks from your room to the main pool, eating area, etc. We do not mind the walks (even in the rain) or the multiple bus stops so for us, it's not that big of deal. The one downside we feel is significant is that they are both so far from each park.

Our adult kids like SSR because they can walk to Pleasure Island and back but DH and I would prefer OKW because of it's charm, seclusion and larger room sizes.

 

[stacy6552]

We have stayed at both and they are both wonderful.

OKW is quieter. Its very relaxing and a great get away from the buzz of WDW. The rooms are larger and the studios have 2 queen beds in them.

SSR is newer. It is a bit more centrally located because of its proximity to DD (a great hub to get to other resorts). We prefer the decor at SSR and find the rooms quite nice. We prefer the pool at SSR.

 

[Cinderella]

Hi, I've stayed at both and love both, although Saratoga is my favourite of the two. I'll try to compare them.

OKW -advantages - huge rooms, peaceful and relaxing, nice food in Olivia's, bigger balconies.

Disadvantages: No spa, can't walk to Downtown Disney.

Saratoga: Advantages: Fantastic spa, lovely theming, walk to downtown disney.

Disadvantages: The sit down restaurant was not good last October though it may have improved now.

 

[bntrdntht]

I have stayed at both. Love OKW. Love the theme, the rooms are so much bigger. The studio you get 2 queen (or double) size beds, as with SSR you get 1 but you do get a couch that pulls out (that for me is just a pain). I do like the pool at SSR and the pool bar right there is really nice. If I had a choose I would prefer OKW but still like SSR.

 

[ScarletFire]

SSR is beautiful resort and we had a very nice stay. However, we were not impressed with the food court and attached store. The food court grill had no hamburgers!?! The food court and the gift store shared cashiers making the lines very long. We prefer to send park purchases back to the resort and due to the lines, found it very inconvenient. A plus is the walk to DTD from Congress Park. It was closer to our room than the food court.

 

[disney54us]

I'm actually a DVC member and was looking for a thread that had been moved to resorts and caught your thread. Having stayed at both and have points in both I would have to say OKW. I did read other peoples replies and some good points were made. OKW does have that out of the bustle relaxed feel, I don't mind after a full day at the parks. Of course I will probably always have soft spot for OKW being that it was our first home away from home. The rooms are bigger, then SSR, but they are bigger then all the DVC resorts. SSR does have a great pool, and I love Olivia's and unless they have changed the hours of the Jockey Club Restaurant they close to early. I think you would enjoy both, and remember SSR is next door to OKW so if you want to be in the 'mainstream', I think both are remove compared to some of the resorts closer to the parks. Certain rooms at SSR will give you the view of DTD and you can even have a balcony/patio view of the fireworks. We have had a room like that and it was enjoyable. Hope this helped and good luck w/your decision. Have a great trip! Remember it is a matter of opinion and that is why Disney has so many different resorts, to appeal to different taste.