[KiKi]

Help! I need some input.

We wanted to stay at BCV for our trip in May. Found out yesterday it is not available.

We are now considering a studio at either SSR, OKW, or a room at POR.

The room will be for 4 people: myself, dh, dd 8, ds5. My kids love to swim, so the pool area is very important.

I've never been to any of these resorts, so all I have to go on is the pictures at allears.net and the info I'm getting from all of you.

Thanks everyone,
Kathy

[llama]

Room-wise, the studio at SSR is probably the most comfortable - because you have a queen-size bed and a pull-out sleeper couch. Both SSR and OKW studios have a microwave, bar sink and fridge, along with paper plates, plastic cutlery. The room a POR will have 2 double beds. You will not have a microwave.

We've stayed at all three resorts. OKW would be my first choice. The pool was recently (I think 2 years ago) refurbished with a new "sand-castle" water slide. There's also a playground right beside the pool. The whole atmosphere of OKW is laid-back and family-friendly. The studio is a decent size and you have a small balcony. (Likewise at SSR). SSR is also a terrific resort, but some are put off by it's size (it is HUGE) and it's location, far from the parks, but within walking distance of The Marketplace. The main pool there is beautifully laid-out. But if you're put in one of the buildings far from it - it will be a hike getting there. Being brand-new is also a bonus. POR is a beautiful resort - but the room will be smaller and you will have double beds. I'd say the pool at POR is "ok" - nothing too special. It does have a small waterslide, but as I recall, it wasn't my kids' favourite when they were small.

[MissDisney]

I have never stayed at OKW, but a close friend of mine will not stay anywhere else. And she has mentioned the pool area many times this year. You and everyone else on these boards know my family loves POR. And as far as SSR, it looks beautiful, but it is a large resort and you need to research the buildings you might want to request.

[Soundgod]

OKW is also pretty large. We've stayed at OKW and POR and prefer OKW to anything other than a deluxe. I'm guessing Sarasota Springs would be similar. POR is just a "motel" with better theming and more greenery than the values (this is a common trait of all the mods). Locationwise, all three are pretty much in the same area. My own complaint about all of these resorts is they are all spread out and have multiple bus stops, which is the same as sharing with another resort in terms of travel time, at least the Pop doesn't share buses and the All Stars only share DTD, MGM, and Animal Kingdom buses but not the Epcot and MK buses. Most deluxe hotels also share buses too.

[KiKi]

I was worried that travel time might be an issue from SSR and OKW. There is a good chance that we would rent a car while we are there, so the location isn't as much an issue.

Would we have a fridge at POR? I think we pay extra for that, right?

It seems like they are all good choices, what it probably comes down to for us is the pool. The whole family loves to swim, which is why we wanted to stay at BCV. The kids would have gone crazy for Stormalong Bay. Oh well, maybe next time we visit we'll be more organized and book sooner.

Can anyone who has been to both SSR and OKW compare the pools? I'm sure they're both fun, maybe I should just flip a coin.

Kathy

[alilmagical32]

I'm not sure if I read this correctly, but travel time from any of them shouldnt be an issue as they are about three minutes apart when driving. SSR and OKW boarder each other and POR is literally three minutes up the road.

As far as pools go, if you choose POR you also have the privillage of the POFQ pool with the dragon slide, as well as ol' man Island at POR. You def. have larger rooms at the SSR or OKW though. I hope this helped. Let us know what you decide!

[Soundgod]

If you're going to rent a car simply to get around WDW, you're probably wasting money and also time. You may think you're saving time driving to the Magic Kingdom, but you're only making things worse. First you have to park at the TTC. Then you need to catch a tram from the parking lot to the Ticket and Transportation Center proper to catch either the monorail or ferry. 15 minutes after you board your monorail or ferry, you'll finally be at the main gate. If you'd taken the Disney bus from your resort, which is free, you would be dropped directly at the main gate bus station which is a lot closer than the other side of Seven Seas Lagoon. The other parks have trams as well and other than Animal Kingdom, I rarely if ever drive to the parks. The bus is more convinient almost every time.

[llama]

Originally Posted by Soundgod

If you're going to rent a car simply to get around WDW, you're probably wasting money and also time. You may think you're saving time driving to the Magic Kingdom, but you're only making things worse. .

I agree with you about driving to the MK, but for all the other parks and resorts, we always rent a car. It is MUCH faster driving to Epcot, AK or MGM - to say nothing of the waterparks. (BTW - if your family likes swimming - you should consider a trip to one or both of the WDW waterparks. Typhoon Lagoon is almost across the road from OKW.) AND it makes those ADRs at resorts much easier to get to.

I have stayed twice at SSR and countless times at OKW - and the bus transportation is excellent. (Last year we stayed at BWV and the bus was HORRIBLE!). SSR in particular has excellent service. POR also has multiple stops, so there really is no difference amongst the three, transportation-wise.

[KiKi]

Originally Posted by llama

I agree with you about driving to the MK, but for all the other parks and resorts, we always rent a car. It is MUCH faster driving to Epcot, AK or MGM - to say nothing of the waterparks. (BTW - if your family likes swimming - you should consider a trip to one or both of the WDW waterparks. Typhoon Lagoon is almost across the road from OKW.) AND it makes those ADRs at resorts much easier to get to.

I have stayed twice at SSR and countless times at OKW - and the bus transportation is excellent. (Last year we stayed at BWV and the bus was HORRIBLE!). SSR in particular has excellent service. POR also has multiple stops, so there really is no difference amongst the three, transportation-wise.

Oh good, someone who has stayed at both SSR and OKW. Do you prefer one over the other? How would you compare the pools between SSR and OKW?

Good to know that driving to the MK actually takes longer than going by bus. The main reason I want a car is so we can go to other hotels for meals. It just provides more freedom.

We will definately be visiting the water parks. We have only ever been to Blizard Beach. We are excited to go back there, but this time we also plan to try Typhoon Lagoon.

Kathy

[KiKi]

Originally Posted by Soundgod

If you're going to rent a car simply to get around WDW, you're probably wasting money and also time. You may think you're saving time driving to the Magic Kingdom, but you're only making things worse. First you have to park at the TTC. Then you need to catch a tram from the parking lot to the Ticket and Transportation Center proper to catch either the monorail or ferry. 15 minutes after you board your monorail or ferry, you'll finally be at the main gate. If you'd taken the Disney bus from your resort, which is free, you would be dropped directly at the main gate bus station which is a lot closer than the other side of Seven Seas Lagoon. The other parks have trams as well and other than Animal Kingdom, I rarely if ever drive to the parks. The bus is more convinient almost every time.

Thanks for the info on driving times. I didn't realize that it would take longer to drive to the MK than to take the bus.

Kathy

[Soundgod]

KiKi, it's actually part of Walt's original plan. He always hated Disneyland's being right agains the city streets and the parking lot and wanted to create what in the theater is called a grand reveal, like a curtain going up.
Llama, because we always have our car, it's different. The only trip we make that we fly somewhere and don't pick up a car is when we go to LA for Disneyland, Knott's, and Magic Mountain and use a car service and taxis to get around. At WDW there are several times the car wins. Usually going to DTD, Animal Kingdom, and the waterparks we take the car. There have been a few times I've had to drop the car where we would be having dinner and riding the bus from there because you can't get from one resort to the other on a bus. You also can't get from parks directly to DTD, but you can walk out to the Contemporary from MK and to any of the Boardwalk hotels from Epcot and get a bus that way.

[llama]

Originally Posted by KiKi

Oh good, someone who has stayed at both SSR and OKW. Do you prefer one over the other? How would you compare the pools between SSR and OKW?

Good to know that driving to the MK actually takes longer than going by bus. The main reason I want a car is so we can go to other hotels for meals. It just provides more freedom.

We will definately be visiting the water parks. We have only ever been to Blizard Beach. We are excited to go back there, but this time we also plan to try Typhoon Lagoon.

Kathy

It isn't even a contest in my mind - we LOVE OKW. It's our home away from home. SSR is beautiful resort, that gets some bad press because of the size and location, but believe me, neither of those issues are really that big. (especially with a car). And the main pool there is great. Kinda rocky and rustic looking. The resort is sparkling new and the studios are very comfortable and nicely decorated. But OKW is just - IMO - better. It's a very laid-back resort - more like a little village. The main pool is situated in "Conch Flats", which is kind of like the village centre, with the lobby, the restaurant Olivia's (very good, btw), the community centre, bike rentals, playground and main hot tub. As I said in the other post - the waterslide is quite new and is built in the shape of a huge sand castle. There are also 3 other quiet pools situated throughout the property. The studios are quite large and comfortable. (Two queen beds, mini kitchen, small balcony). Mostly, for us, it's the atmosphere. We're the kind that like a complete break from the parks and craziness at the end of the day. If you're the kind that like to keep hopping all the time, then OKW might be a little too quiet for you. If you like quiet breaks, it's perfect. If you go to TL you must try the new Crush 'n Gusher Family Waterslide. It's a blast! Good luck deciding!

[Soundgod]

Every time I think of Sarasota Springs, it reminds me of Animal House.
Dean Wormer's wife is reported in the local paper to be going to Sarasota Springs (to dry out).

[LURK]

Originally Posted by KiKi

Would we have a fridge at POR? I think we pay extra for that, right?

As of a couple years ago, all mods and deluxes have small fridges. No extra charge!

[Soundgod]

Originally Posted by LURK

As of a couple years ago, all mods and deluxes have small fridges. No extra charge!

This brings up an interesting point. The Disney deluxe resorts at WDW are the only 4 star hotels I've ever seen that didn't have a mini-bar. Even the Swolphin has mini-bars and the Grand Californian at Disneyland does as well.