VWL, OKW or SSR. Tell me the good, bad and ugly.

[Nik's Mom]

Hi,
We're thinking of having a villa for our next trip. So, are three choices would be VWL, OKW or SSR. Tell me what you like and don't like about these resorts. Tranportation is important, so how was bus service?

 

[Nik's Mom]

Bumping up! Can anyone tell me their experience?
Thanks.

 

[spiceycat]

you get more comment on the DVC board.

there are all DVC resorts.

I like them all!!!

OKW use to have back bus transportation but that got fixed a couple of years ago.

the longest wait should be 20 minutes probably closer to 10 minutes if not 5.

WL and VWL share the buses. the wait time same as OKW - you realize you are closer to the buses than WL....

SSR it was fine to the parks - but to DD (which is next door) it was worst than the other WDW resorts....I guess they expect everyone to walk over...
It was easily an hour wait. then because I still didn't understand I was surpose to be walking. I waited over 2 hours for it come back and get me.....I saw every other bus most of the buses twice - when FW came back for the 4th time and still no SSR - I asked the bus drivers for help - one took me back.....

I have real problems with their new system - this can and does happen. the bus drivers aren't the problem. the controllers are DEFINITELY the problem.

they are the ones directing the buses. but they still blame it on the bus drivers - ......talking about not taking responsible for your mistakes.....

oh if you are going to DD - this is definitely the longest wait time. Now sometimes they explain it because it also goes to TL - but it is more than that....the buses can easily get caught up in the traffic. This is a bad traffic area. WDW solution make it easier on thru traffic but much worst of the WDW buses....

you can easily wait for a bus an hour.....more and there is definitely a problem.

so if you see yourself going to DD more than once - definitely stay at SSR and plan on walking over there if you don't have a car.

what I love about OKW - relaxing, wonderful atmosphere, really feels like you in Florida Key West....Love the boat ride to DD.

VWL - mountain retreat in Florida....yes you won't you are in florida. plus I definitely love the boat ride to the MK.

SSR - fancy. this resort was not as expensive to built (the sub work was done) so they spend money inside the rooms. and believe me it shows.....very classied...I wish I have some of that stuff at home - but I can't afford it.....

look at these pictures - OKW is about 12 down....

 

[Bugsmom73]

I agree, the OKW and SSR are farther from MK, VWL is right there but you do share a bus with WL and sometimes Fort Wilderness, you have all the perks of the WL, with out staying there. Good luck deciding. THe VWL are more expensive though.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

We have taken our kids to OKW and SSR. Loved both.
Kids are 6 and 12.
They both love the community halls at OKW and SSR. Lots of activities for when you don't go to a park or when you return for a mid day break. The CMs at both are great.
Both times we stayed in studios, our next stay for December we will be in a 2 bedroom.
Even in the studios with the four of us, we find we have plenty of space. Kids find the pull out sofas at SSR to be comfy.
At both resorts we walked to the pools.
At SSR the Congress Park pool is very nice. Overlooks DTD and is beautiful at night. Kids loved the frog fountains at the corners of the pool. Also nearby is a nice play area with a slide and climbing structure.
Walk to the main pool, High Rock springs, was okay. Could use some more shade along the walkway, but I am sure that will come in time as trees mature. HRSprings pool is great. Kids loved the waterslides. Our youngest only used the little slide, but it was a great way to introduce her to waterslides. We couldn't get the oldest off the big slide!
We all enjoyed Artist Palette. The flatbreads are yummy.
Only took the boat to DTD once from here, it took forever for a boat to come by and pick us up. Bus service we thought was good, resort had only been open for a few months at that point.
OKW, we walked to Turtle Pond pool from our villa. Can't recall the number. It took us 5-10 minutes, but was pleasant. Swam once at the main pool and it was nice. There is a play area there as well for the kids.
Oldest and DH played tennis once while we were there and had fun.
Boat to DTD was a nice relaxing way to go. Had no issues with bus service, but did find sometimes it was quicker to walk to Turtle pond to be picked up rather than from the stop nearest us.
Olivia's food and service were good. Would definately eat here again.
Both resorts have a laid back feel.

As to VWL, can't say yet. We have our first stay there coming up soon.
No matter which you choose, I don't think it would be a bad choice. DVC can't be beat.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Sounds like it's going to be hard to choose. They all sound so nice. Thanks for the advice. I had read somewhere that OKW transportation was horrible, but it sounds like that has improved. Do they share a bus with any other resort? What ab out SSR? Do they share a bus?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Sounds like it's going to be hard to choose. They all sound so nice. Thanks for the advice. I had read somewhere that OKW transportation was horrible, but it sounds like that has improved. Do they share a bus with any other resort? What ab out SSR? Do they share a bus?

OKW bus transportation was bad about 5-6 years ago, and some folks can't get over the fact that it has improved. To be honest, I think the transportation from OKW is far superior to the other DVC resorts. We rarely wait more than 5-10 minutes anywhere at OKW, but be aware that the afternoon buses to ALL resorts is farther spaced in the afternoon than in the morning. OKW does not share buses with any resort, because they are big enough to have their own. There are 5 bus stops within OKW, so you are never very far from one, and thus never very far from the front desk, because all buses stop there last.

If you think you will be spending the lion's share of your time at MK, then you might want to do VWL, because it is a quick boat ride away. If, on the other hand, you think you want to spend a lot of time at DTD, SSR is a bridge away!

 

[Alexander]

Since transporation issues can come and go, day by day at each of the resorts, maybe you should think about theming. Do you feel like your family would prefer rustic/woodsy (VWL), laid-back, relaxed (OKW), sophisticated, classy (SSR).

The interiors of the villas also reflect the theme. The VWL are sort of northwestern, rustic, reds, wrought ironish. OKW are pinky, bluey, peachy, light beachy colors. SSR is big furniture, appears to be high-end stuff.

You can't go wrong at any of them honestly. We prefer OKW and SSR because we like the resorts that are not part of a hotel. They seem to be quieter and more relaxed. Just our opinions though. The WL is absolutely beautiful and the design is fabulous.

 

[skoi]

We stayed at OKW late August 2005 for a weekend. We had no problems with the buses at all. The driver even waited for us once when we were running to the stop. The kids loved OKW-- (dd 11, ds 7), especially the pool. It's very relaxing and though I didn't like the pastel color scheme in the room- that's personal taste (or lack of, maybe). The rooms are great. Sometimes I wish we had bought at OKW back in '94 when we first heard about DVC.

VWL- I love WL which was the first deluxe we stayed in- so I have good memories. Decor is nice, villas are close to the buses, but not the boat dock. Kids don't like VWL because they have this thing about not taking the boat in the dark (fear of leaping alligators or something) and they saw a snake one night. We're city people, so that's something traumatic for us.

Never stayed at SS, but hope to someday. We want to try them all. Right now I'm trying to talk dh into BWV for our short stay this fall. He's not going for it. He says- we bought at Beach Club, we should stay there once in a while.

Seriously can think of no major dislikes- but I guess we're easy to please.