How many here were members when it still was Disney Vacation Club

[nydizfan]

This is for all the dvc vets . do you miss the days when OKW was the Disney Vacation Club. dave

[prplcrzy]

Why, what is it now???

[PamOKW]

Yes, I do.

Prplecrzy -- Once upon a time, there was no "Old Key West". You went to The Disney Vacation Club and the "fantasy" name of the area was Conch Flats. The resort was called The Disney Vacation Club. The buses said "Disney Vacation Club". The signs said "Disney Vacation Club". It was special.

Then came the other resorts....especially Boardwalk....and they decided "Disney Vacation Club" would be the umbrella name and the resort would have to be called something different. So, they renamed it "Old Key West". I wish they had kept it Disney Vacation Club and then differentiated with something like "Disney Vacation Club at the Boardwalk", like it's Disney's Vacation Club Vero Beach and Hilton Head.

I can live with Old Key West but I liked the "old" way.

[Werner Weiss]

Originally, the name "Old Key West" did not exist. The sign of the resort just read "Disney Vacation Club" -- but there were references to Conch Flats as some sort of alternate, unofficial name for the resort.

It was a bit strange when they changed the name to Disney's Old Key West Resort. It seemed awkward and wordy. And it sounded a bit like the resort was old.

But we got used to it.

[nuthut]

It's funny you mentioned "old" Werner. I was sitting at my travel agent one day buying some airline tickets when I overheard the agent at the next desk tell someone that OKW was a old resort and not very nice. Yes, I did set her straight.

[Regina]

I'm one of the Old Key West Oldtimers.;)

Do I miss it? Yes and no. It was a special feeling to be going home to the "Club", but it's also great that the system has expanded.

And nuthut, I have the feeling that the travel agent will never, ever forget the lesson that you taught her.:p

[dianeschlicht]

We bought at Disney Vacation Club, but the named changed during our first trip home! We got to watch them put up the new signs while we were there. I agree with Pam about how the name should have been handled. I loved the old vacation club bus!

[BillPA]

I also miss the old name, and the magic that came with the original club. But, I do enjoy the all the wonderful resort options we have now, and the ever growing "family" of DVC members.

[Chuck S]

I remember the resort as the Disney Vacation Club, and while I understand the reasoning behind the name change, I think a better name could have been found. Maybe "DVC Flagship resort" or they could have just called it "Conch Flats" or even "Beachcomber", There are a lot of non DVCer that equate the OLD ind Old Key West as "Old" in age, not just part of the name.

[Towncrier]

Count us as another pre-OKW family. When we joined in 1995 not only was Old Key West still called the Disney Vacation Club, the logo had THREE mountains. The must have torn one of the mountains down in order to build the Boardwalk Villas.

[Margie J]

Ah yes ... I remember those good old days. It was back in ... give me a minute ... 1994 ... yes, that's the year! It was so special. :D

You know, I just noticed the "missing mountain" in the logo. :eek:

[Denine]

Yes, we were there when it was still the Disney Vacation Club. It was a nice distinction from the rest of the resorts. The next year we went it was Disney's Old Key West Resort. We wondered when it changed. We were nver informed of the name change.

[Granny]

I know I'm not supposed to be in this thread, since I am a newer member, but......:rolleyes:

I would think most would welcome the change of name. DVC is kind of an impersonal, corporate sounding name. Old Key West evokes beautiful mental images and a particular setting.

I will admit, that they might have been better off without the "Old" portion of it....especially when trying to sell. ;)

All in all, I think I would rather have my home called VWL than DVC at WL. Just my opinion.

[Caskbill]

We bought in '93 and it remained The Disney Vacation Club for several years. We always liked that sound, it had more of a feeling of membership, and of going home. Old Key West, while nice, just sounds more like you're going to any other resort at WDW. Although we know it IS special, it just doesn't SOUND special anymore.

I like Pam's idea. They could still do that today. The resort would then become "The Disney Vacation Club at Key West". (Get rid of the word OLD also).

Granny, it wasn't just "Disney Vacation Club", it was "The Disney Vacation Club". Kind of like saying Atlanatic City's (and Disney's) Boardwalk, instead of "The Boardwalk", or Las Vega's strip, instead of "The Strip".

I know, semantics, but I think the feel is different.

Ahh, the good old days. Ooops, there's THAT word again.....lol

[JackDiznee]

One good thing about the change... when people ask, where did you stay?, or where are you staying?, it's a lot easer to answer OKW. When I had replied "the Vacation Club", sometimes I had to answer a load of questions when I really was not in the mood to do so. Either that, or they looked at me like I was some kind of nut.

I always wondered why they just didn't give it the official name of Conch Flats.

[Dave M]

In 92 there was nothing but THE DVC We watched it being built on each trip as it grew and grew the felling was that you were someone special. The CMs would remember you from trip to trip. We have many things with the three mountains on them.:)

[dopey2]

We bought in 94 when it was The Vacation Club with peach colored towels and a neat looking bus for picking guests up at the resort they were staying at to take the tour. I miss the walkway behind the Commadore house and being able to see my rep on site without having to go to BWV.

[Halle]

We bought in when it was THe Vacaion Club and I reluctantly started calling it OKW about 2-3 years after the official change. We only own at OKW but I like the fact that with careful planningwe can stay at other DVC resorts. We too have many mementos with the 3 mountains and I cherish them! One exciting tidbit.. our friend's son was the person who came up with the DVC concept.

[PKK/MJK]

We are "old-timers" also--bought in 1993 when it was called Disney Vacation Club and the logo had three mountains!! Ah, those were the days!! I hated it when they changed the name--in a way they took "our" name and gave it to everyone. Wish they had followed Pam's idea. I agree that the word "OLD" confuses people, which is a shame. On the other hand, if people think it is old, perhaps they will stay somewhere else and leave more rooms for us!!! LOL!! I still love OKW, but I miss those beginning years when a trip to the Commodore House and a visit with our rep was part of every vacation. I miss the peach towels and all the little things that are starting to disappear. SIGH--progress, I guess. I'm glad we're "Three Mountain Members"--and have all those memories!! Wish there was a way to get some three mountain memorabilia--just for the old-timers.

[OKW91]

We made our first visit to the Vacation Club in January 92, and it was a great feeling to see the bus with Disney Vacation Club! I kinda felt special, but now it's just another bus for a resort. I have one of the original jackets that the CM's use to wear, it's blue,purple and green and has the 3 purple mountains on it, they even changed the color of the mountains to red after they deleted the one!! But OKW is still in my opinion the best of the DVC resorts!

[mac_tlc]

Ahhh! A thread for the veterans !! We bought in Feb '92, toured in November '91 when only buildings 11-14 were completed, 15-22 underway, no pool, no Turtle Krawl, ..... originally felt "betrayed" when the name changed and the family expanded so quickly, but now I sorta like Old Key West. (I can still remember when our son was one or so, and the name changed and he would pronounce it "Old Pee West" !!! )

I have received a few questions on why my signature reads as it does.....the veterans know!!

Although its great to have other places to stay, there is a different feeling to "home". I hope that feeling never disappears....

mac_tlc

DVC '92

'74, '75, '76, '77, '79, '80, '83 (hunnymoon), '85, '90, '91 off-site
'92 DVC
'93 DVC, DVC
'94 DVC, DVC, DVC
'96 OKW, OKW, OKW, VB
'97 OKW, OKW, VB
'98 OKW, OKW, VB
'99 WL, OKW, OKW
'00 OKW, Magic, VB, OKW
'01 DCA, VWL, BWV, Magic

[DisneyMim]

I miss it too. We bought in 1991 and hubby and I still call it Disney Vacation Club!! I miss all the little things, but as with anything in life, things always change. Towncrier I had to laugh about the third mountain!! I have a bunch of old stuff and people are always stopping me when I wear my old t-shirts. I finally took my license plate off my car when I saw 2 people staring at it in a parking lot one day. I swear if I hadn't come out of the store it would have been history!! LOL!! Same thing happened with my bag the last time I was at BWV. HMMM, maybe that will go into storage next!!

[hoosiergirl]

I am SO slow! I haven't even paid attention to the "mountains"! I just checked my tote bag--yep, there are 3 purple mountains on it! We became members at The Vacation Club in '93--stayed there in '92 as renters. It was fun to see the new buildings go up. Remember when there was no bus stop for South Point? Those staying down there had to walk to the corner of Turtle Pond and Peninsular to catch the busses.

[Scott H]

Wow this is a great trip down memory lane. We bought in 91. Would have bought sight unseen but Disney was very careful to only have offerings in states where they were registered. I remember calling for info and being told they could not talk to me. When we visited in 91 our guide explained it was because DVC was not registered in Wyoming. Disney was worried that other condo share companies would catch them in a violation of real estate law.

If you have traveled to Key West, one will understand why the name of Old Key West. My first trip to the Keys was in the very early 70's, a popular place even then. I remember it as a community of loveable eccentrics. A kick back place where the world slowed down even then. I call this my Jimmy Buffett period of my life. My last visit to the Keys was in 98. Yes all things must change. Now parts of the Key's are grossly commercialized. Thus, for me the name Old Key West is more fitting. It brings me back to a time gone buy. A time that existed before my first trip to the Keys. For me this is good.

Remember the coin we got for our first stay, the peach towels, etc. Christmas card from our guide,etc.....

Glad I bought when we did and have never regretted it.

[sueg]

I have fond memories of buying at "Vacation Club" I stumbled thru the new name "Old Key West" for at least a year or two after it changed. I don't remember the exact year ('92, '93 ??) that we bought (DH is in charge of that) but I remember the passes (sigh), the peach towels and the wonderful Commodore House. DS, now 14 YOA, thought Commodore House was the best attraction--ice cream sundaes and family picture. He cried when we did not go back there after we bought.

[nydizfan]

hey everyone . thanks for the great replys . it just goes to show us " three mountain members" that we loved our Disney Vacation Club. may all our vacations be so special..ps.. hey richyams wheres your take on this ....dave:cool:

[okwmember92]

We toured with hard hats Oct'91 and bought our points for The Disney Vacation Club Mar'92. I remember them playing only Jimmy Buffet songs at the pool, "Wasting away in Margarittiville" was my favorite. We attended a members gathering, sponsored by DVC in Tampa, and won coffee cups with 3 mountains. We have 2 coins and 2 mini photo albums. Yeah those were the days.

Not complaining because we love VB and are going to the Boardwalk Villa's in 13 days!!!!! But, it did seem a little more intimate with just the DVC. Remember the rocking chairs by the comodore house?

[PamOKW]

Remember when there was no bus stop for South Point?

How about when it wasn't South Point but Peninsular Road South?

[Chuck S]

And before they decided it was an extension of Pennisular Rd, it had no name. The bus drivers actually called it No Name Bus Stop.

[ReneeMoss]

We bought in '91 and OH YES - I miss the old times - The Greeter that remembered you from visit to visit - and also Community Hall was so much bigger and nicer, and the CM's all remembered the kids......... and.no crowds, we really felt special and privilaged.... Olivia's was smaller and the menu was less expensive, and remember the buffets at lunch? - Yum ! I hate the concession stands around the entrance now, it's so tacky! - I loved having the Sales Office on site - we could drop in and get lemonade and cookies......and I loved the walkway behind Commodore house....and how about the free entry to the parks? - that was just spectacular, I figured with my family, free park entry made up for the maintenance - even room amenities and kitchen supplies were much better - w/thermal coffee makers etc. - all in all, it really was MUCH nicer, but I guess progress had to come along, it was ineviable - we still enjoy OKW but will always remember the old tmes fondly.

[BobH]

We almost bought into VWL. We stayed at OKW and decided it was definitely for us! The travel agent nuthut spoke of obviously knows nothing about the quality offered by Disney and the amount of renovation money that is constantly put into their properties.

[NancyDVC]

The name was changed to OKW from DVC when VB opened officially. We had the pleasure of being at the VB 'hard opening' (accidentally). We spent 2 nights at VB to relax from work before heading off to WDW. On our last morning at VB they had the 'official opening' with guests from the media and the surrounding communities. There was a parade, characters, fireworks and speeches. Several members (including me) were interviewed by the media, but apparently they had they impression that we worked for Disney because of our enthusiasm and I don't think that any of us ended up on the news.
After the ceremonies we left for WDW. As we arrived at 'DVC' they were changing the signs from Disney Vacation Club to Old Key West. The name change took some getting used to but now I can wiz through DVC resort names with ease. Back then no one really knew what DVC was (including many cast members). Now we celebrate online!:cool:

[iluvdisney]

I was torn when they changed the name of my favorite Vacation Club. I felt very special when I said I was going to stay at the Disney Vacation Club - sort of set it apart from the rest of the resorts. I still cherish every visit there whatever the name but it will always be the Vacation Club to me.

[living la vida mickey]

We also bought in '93 and have loved every minute of our DVC vacations. OKW is still Disney Vacation Club to me. I do miss those park passes and the peach towels, but it's still the best buy that we ever made. We love it!!!

[nydizfan]

thanks for the great replys. dave

[nydizfan]

b*

[GraceDVC]

Funny to hear that many feel the same as we do about the name change. I can see the reasoning behind the individual names needed as the DVC grew, but I wish we were given an opportunity to suggest names for OKW. I like Disney's Key West Resort or Disney's Key West Villas better than Disney's Old Key West Resort. Guess the "Old" annoys me!

[Granny]

The funny thing is, I think that if they now changed the name from Old Key West, we would have a lot of people who have become sentimentally attached to that name as well and who would have the same reactions. Nothing wrong with that! :)

Now that I understand that the name used to be "THE Disney Vacation Club", I can understand the concerns.

I think Richyams still calls it that in most of his posts. ;)


Now aren't you glad I'm really not some nice old lady so you can take the gloves off! :D

[WebmasterDoc]

I like Disney's Key West Resort or Disney's Key West Villas better than Disney's Old Key West Resort.

The problem with those names is that they would imply that the resort is found at Key West - as in Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort and Disney's Vero Beach Resort.

The "Old" was used to distinguish the location and theme of the resort itself. I've been pleased with the name, Old Key West, and actually like the identity better than the original DVC name.....and we purchased in 1993 when there were 3 mountains and the name was Disney Vacation Club.

The DVC name was useful to explain the concept of the program and separated that resort from the "ordinary" resorts already located at WDW. When VB opened in '95 (and with HH and BWV all ready to come online in the next year), the name change was a natural evolution of the program and augmented the "family" of resorts which we now enjoy.

The best part is the fact that we have another 40+ years to enjoy the program. What a deal!! ;)

[Magicmom]

I was glad they changed the name. I always thought Conch Flats sounded a little divey. It sounded to me like someone was being conked flat. We bought in 1995. I miss the free multi- park hopper passes the most about the good old days. Without a good deal on passes for being DVC members, we frequent the other attractions more such as Universal. Sometimes, we don't even go to the Disney parks. Disney is missing out on some bucks by not giving DVCers a better incentive to spend time and money at the parks. A deeper discount to distinguish us as Disney resort owners would probably result in higher park patronage.

[Pa@okw95]

Forget the name, I miss the service. The room was always ready when I arrived at 10 AM. The people were falling all over you to help you. The free passes of course could not be forgotten. There were service people everywhere. The bus service was horrible as it is today. I learned to get around without the bus real quick, but I loved the "Club" in spite of the rotten bus service. Olivia's was great for breakfast, then it fell on bad times, now it is recoverying, I believe. We were spoiled with the special service and free passes that is for sure. Remember the tidy up service!!

[gmboy95]

I would think an old standby would have been nice to satisfy both sides of the argument...."Disney Vacation Club at Old Key West"....or Disney Vacation Club At Vero Beach"...etc....