[TaraRae82]

Which is better in your opinion and why?

We have the opportunity to take advantage of the "Buy 4, Get 3 nights" offer but not at our chosen resort, BWV. Our savings is about $3,000!

[mousemom]

We went to OKW in September. It was just ok for us. We were not to impressed. We took the boat over to SSR (which I will be staying at for the first time this Saturday) and got to look around and enjoy their pool. I loved it and could not wait to stay there this weekend. To me I think SSR will be better than OKW.

[zefyr]

I stayed at SSR and really liked it. I stayed at the Grandstand in a 1 BR. It was the first bus stop, which meant I usually got a seat. Also the SSR bus stops at the parks were pretty close. The Grandstand has it's own pool too and it's reasonably close to the main building (Artist's Point and Main Pool) along with the boat to DTD. I'm staying at SSR again in Feb. Both times were on developers points, but I would stay at SSR again in a heart beat.

[2nd Star]

Wow!! That is great you can save all that money.
I love them both...SSR is one of my home resorts. OKW is the oldest DVC so it's kind of showing it's age. OKW rooms are bigger than SSR. I think you may like them both.
Have you looked at the info/pic on allears?

[cinderbella]

I really liked OKW but I've read some not so fantastic reviews about them. I'd go with SSR.

[iluvwdw]

I have stayed at both and I'd choose SSR because the transportation was FANTASTIC and everything is brand new. It's a LOVELY resort!

[TaraRae82]

Originally Posted by 2nd Star

Wow!! That is great you can save all that money.
I love them both...SSR is one of my home resorts. OKW is the oldest DVC so it's kind of showing it's age. OKW rooms are bigger than SSR. I think you may like them both.
Have you looked at the info/pic on allears?

I know, it's great! We weren't sure the trip was going to happen since there are 7 of us going and my Mom wasn't sure the funds were going to come through so this may be just what we needed to save our trip! YAY! I did look at the info and pics on Allears as well as in the Unofficial Guide. The rooms looked much more appealing at SSR but I thought I remembered several people recommending OKW on here so I wanted to get some more opinions. My biggest concern with these resorts is their distance from the parks and the reliability of the buses. We'll only be going to DTD for 1 day so being close to that makes no difference to me. Thanks for the votes so far everyone! It's definitely helping!

[llama]

You can see by your poll - that it's hard to decide between these two.

We own at SSR and have been going to OKW for years.

Personally, at lot of the difference is in your experiences. People that have been going to OKW for years love it - it's like it's own little community and is really "home away from home". It has a distinct village feel. If you like to get away from the craziness of the parks, OKW can't be beat.

The suites at OKW are head and shoulders above the rest of the DVC properties. OKW was built before Disney learned how to "cut corners". Although it is older, from a construction point of view, it's probably the best built of all the DVC properties. The suites are huge and the balconies are like another room. Olivia's is one of the best "sleeper" restaurants at WDW.
Many of the CMs have been there for years. That gives it a great atmosphere. You can take the ferry to the Marketplace (although I must admit it was way more fun to take the speedboats they ran before SSR was built). OKW is the kind of place that the same people return to again and again - that gives it a bit of a "cliqueish" feel, which may put off people who've never stayed there before.

Saratoga Springs is a beautiful resort. If you have a suite in Congress Park you can walk to the Marketplace. If you get a suite at The Springs or Grandstand you're close to the lobby, restaurants and main pool. The rest of the areas are very spread out and more distant from the action. The Turf Club is a great restaurant. As for the food court,The Artist's Palate, people either love it or hate it. It can get impossibly crowded, but the food is good. The bus transportation is the best at WDW. It has a casual, relaxed feel and the quiet pools are probably some of the best at WDW.

So - the bottom line is both are great resorts, which will give you a great holiday. Preference is so personal - but I can't see not having a good time at either.

Personally OKW is "home" to us (even though SSR is our "home" resort) - and I'd be happy if I never stayed anywhere else. (That being said - I'm happy to stay at SSR too). So, bottom line - it's hard to choose. I think people who've not stayed at OKW would probably prefer SSR. OKW regulars would probably say it's the best.

[MissDisney]

Honestly, this is one of those questions that could easily go either way. Both resorts have fans who are seriously loving them! I don't hink you can go wrong with either one!

[delmarjohn]

I have never stayed at OKW but I assume it would be OK ..SSR is our home resort but my beef is with the totally inadequate food court ...it is small,(shares the area with the gift shop}....the food selection is poor,unless your into pita cheeseburgers and pre made sandwhiches and strange pizza...but SSR is beautiful and quiet and if you like to golf our just drive afew it is very convenient....also if like downtown it is close but not that close it is in some cases quite a walk.....but back to the food court from what I have heard it has changed very litlle from the disney institute days

[lovemysons]

Having stayed at OKW this past August, I can vouch for the size of the rooms. Very spacious. Not the best mousekeeping we have had, but I thought the grounds were very well maintained, and the buildings looked like they were well taken care of. We just didn't care for it. The quickservice food "court" was really small, and not what we have grown accustomed to staying at other resorts. BUT that does not have to be a drawback, if you don't plan on using it.

[npuhala]

We have stayed at both resorts several times. SS is our home DVC resort. SS Pros- It is newer, prettier and you can walk to Downtown Disney. However, I prefer OKW for one reason- size, size, size! It is so much roomier than SS. It is more like an apartment than a hotel room, especially the one or two bedrooms. I even prefer the OKW studio because it has two double beds vs. the SS studio which has one bed and a pull-out sofa. I have had problems at OKW with housekeeping (some rooms not as clean as they should be) and check-in (there always seems to be a delay).

[Campbell87]

Only stayed at SSR but it is amazing, I could go on about it for hours and hours its that good! Id seriously suggest flipping a coin though on this one!

[rlcarmichael]

It's all good. OKW is slightly older but like all WDW resorts, it has it's own unique flavor. Every DVC resort has plus and minuses. OKW is very laid back. SSR is newer, much larger and there is the preview center so there are LOTS of vans shuttling people back and forth.

Your choices will be very limited in DVC resorts. The only units that are available for rental through Disney are generally where members have traded points for things like DCL cruise.

[llama]

Originally Posted by rlcarmichael

Your choices will be very limited in DVC resorts. The only units that are available for rental through Disney are generally where members have traded points for things like DCL cruise.

Very good point - at the moment most requests are filled by SSR. You can request to be put on a waitlist for other resorts, but there is no guarantee that it will come through. That being said - I'm sure you'll have a great vacation at either resort.