Which is more spread out...SSR or OKW? About This Page:

[mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince]

We are looking into DVC (finally!) and I'm trying to figure out which resort would best suit our family. I have a son who is wheelchair-bound, and we love Beach Club because of its accessibility to the parks, but I'm sure rooms there are hard to come by (not to mention expensive point-wise). I'm looking at either SSR or OKW, and wondering which one of the two would be easier to navigate. I've heard that SSR is huge, and we rely on Disney transportation, so that gives me some concern. Is OKW equally as spread out, or would we have less walking if we stayed there?

Thanks in advance!

[jimmymac]

About the same. We stayed at OKW in May and I was amazed at how large the resort is

[tjkraz]

Both OKW and SSR have multiple bus stops. No guest room is more than 2 minutes from a bus stop.

Note that most of OKW was constructed before ADA regulations. Only 3 of its 40-50 buildings have elevators. All other buildings only have stairway access to the second and third floors. Those with a medical need can typically arrange to be placed in one of the elevator buildings or--in a pinch--a first floor unit in one of the other buildings. Make sure the need is specified at the time of reservation.

All SSR buildings have elevators.

As stated both resorts are spread out. However there is not typically a need to be crisscrossing the resort. All of the main services (front desk, gift shop, restaurant(s), community hall, etc.) are in one location at both resorts.

[mattnkatsmum]

Hey Beth

Long time, no hear!

Size wise, they're both huge. Maybe Saratoga Springs is a little larger but there can't be much in it,

Whilst I love Old Key West so much more than Saratoga Springs, I agree that Saratoga Springs, being more modern, will likely be far more wheelchair friendly.

[mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince]

Originally Posted by jimmymac

About the same. We stayed at OKW in May and I was amazed at how large the resort is

Thanks!

Originally Posted by tjkraz

Both OKW and SSR have multiple bus stops. No guest room is more than 2 minutes from a bus stop.

Note that most of OKW was constructed before ADA regulations. Only 3 of its 40-50 buildings have elevators. All other buildings only have stairway access to the second and third floors. Those with a medical need can typically arrange to be placed in one of the elevator buildings or--in a pinch--a first floor unit in one of the other buildings. Make sure the need is specified at the time of reservation.

All SSR buildings have elevators.

As stated both resorts are spread out. However there is not typically a need to be crisscrossing the resort. All of the main services (front desk, gift shop, restaurant(s), community hall, etc.) are in one location at both resorts.

Great info, thank you.

Originally Posted by mattnkatsmum

Hey Beth

Long time, no hear!

Size wise, they're both huge. Maybe Saratoga Springs is a little larger but there can't be much in it,

Whilst I love Old Key West so much more than Saratoga Springs, I agree that Saratoga Springs, being more modern, will likely be far more wheelchair friendly.

Karen! Glad to see you around here, too! Hope you will be doing a TR for your upcoming trip! Man, I really like the look of OKW! We have been to Key West twice and just loved it. Maybe DH and I will stay there on one of our race trips, and we can take the family to SSR.

[buzzspal2]

Beth,
The rooms at OKW are bigger than any other resort. Good luck with your decision.

[mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince]

Originally Posted by buzzspal2

Beth,
The rooms at OKW are bigger than any other resort. Good luck with your decision.

Thanks. We have decided to buy SSR, but I am hoping to check out OKW in January, when it's just DH and me. In reality, I think we'd be happy anywhere and can't wait to be a part of DVC!

[buzzspal2]

Congratulations and welcome home.

[sunshinetaradise]

my mom's ex husband's family were DVC members and we stayed at OKW for many years. I have Spina Bifida and use a wheelchair full time and we would stay in a 2 BDR villa and it was HUGE and very accessible. It's been over 10 years since we stayed there but i know our villa was very close to a bus stop and i never found any issues with accessibility. I have dreamed of staying there again but on my single 27 year old budget i haven't been able to even think about affording a room there since I don't own with DVC.

[mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince]

Originally Posted by sunshinetaradise

my mom's ex husband's family were DVC members and we stayed at OKW for many years. I have Spina Bifida and use a wheelchair full time and we would stay in a 2 BDR villa and it was HUGE and very accessible. It's been over 10 years since we stayed there but i know our villa was very close to a bus stop and i never found any issues with accessibility. I have dreamed of staying there again but on my single 27 year old budget i haven't been able to even think about affording a room there since I don't own with DVC.

Thanks so much for the info! That's very encouraging. Hope you get to stay there again someday.

[sunshinetaradise]

Thanks!! I just got back from a week at CBR and it was the next best thing i guess! I enjoyed my stay there and would stay there again but nothing compares to the comfy, homey feeling of OKW!!