WBC vs OKW vs SSR?

[Monorail Bob's dd]

I am posting this here and on the Orlando hotels board.

I am not sure what to do. We are currently booked at Wyndham Bonnet Creek in a 2 bedroom for 4 nights in July. With Disney's new 30% off special, we could get a 2 bedroom at Old Key West or Saratoga Springs for a few hundred dollars more. My dh is fine with whichever I pick.

Advantages WBC - better pools, couple of hundred dollars in savings, trying something different since we have to have a rental car this trip anyway

Advantages SSR and OKW - I am a Disney nut and love staying onsite. I like the idea of daily housekeeping and not having to fend off the timeshare people pushing presentations on us. We could park for free and use Disey transportation if we choose to. We'd have the dining plan which I do like using.

I am really not sure. My girls have been super excited to stay at Bonnet Creek after they saw the pics and I do not know how they would feel about switching. It would cost more to switch and while my dh okayed that, I still feel a little guilty aboout it. Thoughts? Also, between OKW and SSR, which would you recomend?

 

[MPHARJ]

I think you have to weigh the options and which your family would prefer. We have never stayed offsite since back in the 80's when I was a kid, I personally just can't do it if I'm going to WDW. Now this year and last we have stayed a few days at US at one of their resorts, but always have our Disney fix too of a week or so. I can't comment on either OKW or SSR, however my sister had stayed several years back at OKW and loved it, back when she still owned DVC. We are staying at OKW this year in a 2 bedroom and I have heard nothing but good things, they are the largest on property. I know the resort is spread out and I enjoy that I do not like feeling like there is always some one crowding you. We are excited and I can't wait to stay there. All of that being said, did you show your girls the pictures of OKW and SSR as well? If you stay on property are you planning on visiting the water parks? That might make up for the difference in the pools. I like having several pools on property and there is still a water slide.

Good luck with your decision, I know every year I plan I can never decide where to stay, but for us it is always on site. I work with some one that has a timeshare at Bonnet Creek and they love it, however they usually only visit the parks a day or two. I also love the DDP's like to have everything paid up front.

So what you really have to decide is if you want the on property perks, DP, EMH, transportation to and from parks or free parking if you drive.

I know, like usual I'm not much help, lol. My choice would be OKW or SSR, would love to try the Treehouse Villas!

 

[Monorail Bob's dd]

I think you have to weigh the options and which your family would prefer. We have never stayed offsite since back in the 80's when I was a kid, I personally just can't do it if I'm going to WDW. Now this year and last we have stayed a few days at US at one of their resorts, but always have our Disney fix too of a week or so. I can't comment on either OKW or SSR, however my sister had stayed several years back at OKW and loved it, back when she still owned DVC. We are staying at OKW this year in a 2 bedroom and I have heard nothing but good things, they are the largest on property. I know the resort is spread out and I enjoy that I do not like feeling like there is always some one crowding you. We are excited and I can't wait to stay there. All of that being said, did you show your girls the pictures of OKW and SSR as well? If you stay on property are you planning on visiting the water parks? That might make up for the difference in the pools. I like having several pools on property and there is still a water slide.

Good luck with your decision, I know every year I plan I can never decide where to stay, but for us it is always on site. I work with some one that has a timeshare at Bonnet Creek and they love it, however they usually only visit the parks a day or two. I also love the DDP's like to have everything paid up front.

So what you really have to decide is if you want the on property perks, DP, EMH, transportation to and from parks or free parking if you drive.

I know, like usual I'm not much help, lol. My choice would be OKW or SSR, would love to try the Treehouse Villas!

My 13 year-old is dying to stay in the Treehouse Villas but they are not available under the discount for our stay. If I told her we could stay at one of those, there would be no question.

 

[wild4dis]

We are DVC members at OKW and absolutely love it, the 2 bedroom suite is the best for our family of 5. we did stay at SSR once and it is very nice, but not as big. We do like the convenience of staying onsite and a $200 savings would not force us off site

 

[Monorail Bob's dd]

We are DVC members at OKW and absolutely love it, the 2 bedroom suite is the best for our family of 5. we did stay at SSR once and it is very nice, but not as big. We do like the convenience of staying onsite and a $200 savings would not force us off site

Well, to be honest, it's more like a $500 difference. My dh said it is up to me, he had set a total budget for the trip and SSR and OKW with the new summer discount do come in under the budget. I do feel badly about the money difference but we can afford it. Just trying to decide if it is worth the switch.

 

[JessicaFaye508]

I would stay onsite! OKW is my favorite Might as well if it's not that much more expensive. Staying onsite is fun!

 

[sharadoc]

We love OKW too. I think the resort amenities, the Disney CMs and Community Hall make it great for kids.

 

[WDWjen]

I'd pay more to stay onsite. We've done both..and IMO its worth the extra $$. (And I am super cheap!) We actually save money using the DDP so that would be reason #1. I also think disney has wonderful customer service so that is reason #2. Reason#3 is saving time = more bang for your buck. Staying onsite allows you to use EMH and disney buses.

Using Buses -Even when you have to wait 20min for a bus - for us it's so much easier/faster than driving. We always had to wait to pay for parking and then wait for the trams (or ferry at MK) . Buses seemed to just drop us off closer to the turnstiles.

Using EMH - We feel that if you can get in earlier than the general public and get on more rides and see more shows that you are actually getting more value for your money. Park tickets are not cheap so the more you do in one day the more you get for your money!

That being said I did not really love SSR because of the large layout. But I also didnt request a room and maybe if I had I would have been closer to the main building/pool. We had a nice room overlooking the river and DTD which was great, but it took a hike to go get coffee/breakfast in the morning. If you choose SSR just look at a map beforehand... Heard great things about OKW so maybe look into that.

Side note - I think the timeshare push would be enough for me to say no to WBC. I don't like to be hassled on my vacation!!!

Enjoy!

 

[Pakey]

In a 2 bedroom, I much prefer OKW over SSR. The 2 bedrooms are amazing and with the building layouts, the balconies are so private. So due to villa size and the balconies, my vote would be OKW.

 

[steve12256]

I am posting this here and on the Orlando hotels board.

I am not sure what to do. We are currently booked at Wyndham Bonnet Creek in a 2 bedroom for 4 nights in July. With Disney's new 30% off special, we could get a 2 bedroom at Old Key West or Saratoga Springs for a few hundred dollars more. My dh is fine with whichever I pick.

Advantages WBC - better pools, couple of hundred dollars in savings, trying something different since we have to have a rental car this trip anyway

Advantages SSR and OKW - I am a Disney nut and love staying onsite. I like the idea of daily housekeeping and not having to fend off the timeshare people pushing presentations on us. We could park for free and use Disey transportation if we choose to. We'd have the dining plan which I do like using.

I am really not sure. My girls have been super excited to stay at Bonnet Creek after they saw the pics and I do not know how they would feel about switching. It would cost more to switch and while my dh okayed that, I still feel a little guilty aboout it. Thoughts? Also, between OKW and SSR, which would you recomend?

I have stayed at both OKW and SSR over the past couple of years. I like SSR far and above OKW. It is a newer resort. The rooms in SSR are alot nicer. My wife didn't really care for OKW, thought it was dated, as it was one of the first DVC resorts. Out of all the resorts we stayed at, OKW as our least favorite. But, that is just one persons opinion.

 

[NoodlesMom]

We had this same delima. I even opened a thread on the orlando hotels section asking what to do. In the end we decided to go with SSR. We've stayed at Pop and Swan/Dolphin previously. At first DH told me to decided. The difference was about $350 for us. After having a long discussion about it, we decided that the EMH, DDP, and Disney transportation were worth the $350 to us. We got a really good deal for SSR too so it will be nice to experience something else. I would love to try WBC some day. It looks like a really nice resort.