The Best Thing about Old Key West

[pentex]

We are long time OKW fans (and owners) and have finally been able to get our other family members(Grandma, uncles, aunts, 3 yr. old nephew) to come down to WDW with us (they were only at WDW once a very long time ago.) I'm happy to say they are staying at OKW. I have told them what I think is so great about OKW but I'd love to show them a posting of what others think as well, so all OKW fans...please tell us your favorite thing(s) about Old Key West.

[PamOKW]

I absolutely love looking out over the golf course early in the morning sitting on the deck. If you are in the right unit, you can watch the sunrise (and maybe even hot air balloons). You see all kinds of birds from the ibis to the great blue heron as well as rabbits. There is usually some wildlife surprise. It smells great and is just a wonderful way to start the day. A little later you can watch the golfers come by and realize most of them aren't much better than you. :D :D

[spiceycat]

I like the water view - love to see all the wildlife. I love the whirlpool tub in the master bath in a 1-bedroom and up. I love the peace and quiet. It is in WDW but miles away in thought. I also like parking close to your room. Really helpful when you have brought groceries or are tired after a day at the parks. The swimming pools are all basically quiet pools. the washer and dryer, the full kitchen, the patio (love to have breakfast there), in the 1-bedroom & up. In the studio I still like to have breakfast on the patio and unlike BWV & VWL you have some privacy. the refrigator and microwave in all the units. I do not like to eat in restuarants. the way the place makes me feel like home. LOVE IT.

[Jenn]

We own at BWV but stayed at OKW 2 weeks ago for the first time. The things that really stood out for us were renting a surrey bike and leisurely peddling around the resort, the boatride to Downtown Disney, the "home" like atmosphere, the pretty pastel buildings and palm trees (it really does look like Key West).

Jenn

[ttsui01]

Parking is right in front of your room! Well-designed for the laid back type of resort it is.

The rooms are huge! Is there any other resort in WDW with bigger rooms???

The decor may pale in comparison to the likes of VWL, but it is less stressful to your eyes.

Jacuzzi is a big asset after a long day at the parks. Can't go two days without using it.

While not built for wildlife viewing, OKW has some of the best "natural" views I've seen. Every morning I see different birds stop by the pond and drink water.

Boat to Downtown Disney. Convenient, free fun without paying to get into the parks.

Oh and last but not least, Washer and Dryer in the one bedroom and up saves so much time.

[This message was edited by ttsui01 on 03-28-01 at 12:04 PM.]

[fkj2]

Well, I need to spend more time at the resort and less at the parks to answer this adequately, but that boat ride from OKW to Downtown Disney is just wonderful. I could do that all day long.

[RAD]

DW and I like the 'Welcome Home' atmosphere of OKW, it really feels like you're staying in a townhome/condo vs. BWV/WLV which have the hotel feeling.

Love the setting, either looking over the golf course of a water setting. Sittin on the patio and having the ducks come right up to you for food.

[WebmasterDoc]

We love to walk and the resort offers a wonderful opportunity to take a leisurely stroll. There is a great pathway from OKW which leads to DI and DD. It follows the canal and is very pleasant.

There is a little known pathway which leads from behind the Turle Pond pool to the SouthPoint area- which then goes to the DI path.
The pathway is also appropriate for bikes and jogging. It does NOT involve the golf course at all. Golf course walks are NOT allowed- and can be dangerous...due to those darn golfers! ;)

Enjoy OKW, the decor and landscaping is wonderful. There is also a free horticulture tour on Wed mornings at the resort.

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

[bres@westernMA]

We are OKW members and love it because it's simply comfortable. I feel relaxed at OKW. I like the colors, architecture, music, views, pools and ambiance.
We are also BDV owners, which I also love because you are in the middle of all the action. I like the colors, architecture, views, pools, ambiance and the boardwalk. Each site offers special times.

[Diana1]

We have owned at OKW for 5 years. Absolutely love it. Have stayed in a Grand Villa, 2 Bedroom, brought adult children, mother, other relatives. All just loved it. A real contrast from the hustle and bustle of the parks. So peaceful...2 weeks ago, the birds were singing and the bunnys were hopping. Could have sat on the porch all day!

Tigger is my "fav"!

[Candace]

I love the total feel of the resort - tropical, laid back, caribbean steel drum music playing as you walk into check-in, and from underneath the bushes as well. One of my sons loves all the soups from Olivia's, and I love the Key lime pie from there. The size of the villas is wonderful, as well as everything that comes in them. I am into SPACE when on vacation - it takes lots of room to keep my bunch calm. LOL! I love feeding the ducks from my balcony in the mornings and being on the balcony late at night, seeing the lights in the sky from PI. I also own at BW, but I only get "home"sick for OKW. I could go on and on, but you get my point!

[Donna]

I love the sights and sounds (steel drum disney songs) of Turtle Krawl, the country club feel of the entire resort, the SPACE, the large porches with ceiling fans; watching the golfers play through; you ALWAYS get a welcome home, being able to walk a few steps to your car, all the fountains. There's really nothing to NOT like at OKW! donna

Donna
DVC, CM

[KNWVIKING]

We always have a car and parking at your front door means "bus on demand" isn't going to affect me. We like renting a boat and being able to go from DD to Dixie Landings.HOT TUBS,HOT TUBS,HOT TUBS.Largest studios on property,cheapest points required when we love to go-between thanksgiving & Christmas.

[NancyDVC]

OKW is home!! I have been an OKW member since early 1992 and love every trip. The size of the units is wonderful, the decor so relaxing, the resort so laid back.
The Trumbo Ferry (yes, that's the name of the boat to DD) is a wonderful ride and the CMs who pilot it are a fount of information-about the wildlife, WDW and OKW. The landscape tour on Wednesdays with Dave-brief but very informative.
The activities at Community Hall, the "Welcome Home" atmosphere.
Olivia's for any meal especially Key Lime Pie or a Brownie Sundae. A quick snack from Good's Food to Go.
Watching the golfers or the wildlife from my balcony as I enjoy breakfast or a snack. Being able to take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the views.
The OKW smell! Yes, there is a definite "OKW fragrance". I don't know what it is but I love it ane after my last trip I opened one of my bags to find that my clothes had that wonderful smell!
Being able to eat at home and enjoy a video.
The Whirlpool tub!!! The washer and dryer!
I am so 'homesick' right now! Wish I was there!

;)

NancyDVC

[Peggy Sue]

I echo all of the above.

OKW is "home". We joined in 1997. When we walk through the door, we really feel like we walked into our home. It is so comfortable and relaxing. Very spacious. Love having a full kitchen and dining room for breakfast, as well as sitting/eating out on the balcony. At the end of our trip, we hate saying good by to OKW and look forward to our next visit!

We also own at BWV. We enjoy BWV, and like the location to epcot & MGM, but we don't get that same "home" feeling that OKW gives us. For us, BWV is more of a hotel feel, and we enjoy staying there for long weekends etc.

We love the fact that after spending a few hours in the parks, we can return to OKW and the crazy pace of the parks feel like it's a million miles away. OKW provides a very relaxing atmosphere.

Enjoy your stay!

Have a wonderful day!

[Gail Reale]

Parking near your "home"
Soft Caribbean music
Large wonderful rooms, including the studio

[Gail Reale]

Sorry, I got so caught up in my own atmosphere, I hit the wrong key! To continue.......

[Gail Reale]

It must be late! I can't keep my fingers on the correct keys. I'll try again.................. Friendly castmembers
Quiet, peaceful settings
Definitely the surrey bikes
Just stand on the patio and look around at beauty
All the wonderful wildlife living there with us
Turtle Pond Pool
Olivia's
Turtle Krawl
Trumbo Canal boats to DD
Again, the Caribbean music background - I really like the feel of being in Key West
Been our "home" since '95 and we wouldn't trade it for all the decor at BWV/VWL!! :D

[LisaUK]

My favourite part of OKW is the welcome home mat - as soon as I see that I know I can relax !!!

[dianeschlicht]

WE like the laid back atmosphere, parking outside your door, home like feeling, beautiful grounds, walkway to DD and pontoon ride to same, watching wildlife (especially bunnies, lizards, and birds near the waterways), walking the grounds, and going to the hot tub at the quiet pools.

Disneydiane http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/vltdisney/mickey36.gif http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/images/official_logos/keywest.gif

[OldKeyWest]

OKW is "home"

We have stayed at many of the WDW hotels, but none can compare to that Vacation feeling you get at OKW. Just walking from the car into the check out area, hearing a Buffet tune, and seeing the marina in front of you says you're here, like no other spot on property. Well, for us anyway

[sueg]

We've owned at OKW from the days the its WAS the Disney Vacation Club. And I think that sums it up best. It seems like all future DVC at WDW will be add-ons to existing hotels. There is nothing wrong with that, but the only one true DVC spot at WDW, that was designed soley as DVC, is OKW.

[KyBill]

We like all the things the previous posters have written about OKW except for the walking. The reason is we can't walk and must use a ECV. But another thing that makes OKW great for us is the ease of using a ECV or Wheelchair in the spacious 1 BR. This is not important to the majority of folks but when it is it becomes very important. Also as mentioned the parking at your villa is great.

[JimmyD]

We've stayed at most of the resorts and Old Key West is the best for us. The above posts are so true about the great setting and relaxed feeling. When I am on vacation, I do want some downtime after the parks, and OKW gives that completely. After running after my son in the park, nothing is better than stepping into a world of relaxation, and feeling the stress draining out of one's body.

Another great feature of OKW for parents are the kids programs. My son is 6 now but since he's been 2 he's been participating in great activities at Community Hall. That actually gives my wife and me an hour here and there to read in peace by the pool and have a drink while waiting for him.

Another plus of OKW is the very friendly staff. They are always so good to us and make our vacation better.

And how about having Pooh right on the premises for breakfast three days a week? And that's my son's favorite character meal because the characters take so much time and don't rush the kids at all.

And how about renting a boat and taking a boat ride up the canal out back? What little kid doesn't like that almost better than the parks?

Sorry I gave more than one thing but I could keep going if you want me to!

[WebmasterCricket]

I think the best thing about OKW is that I feel like I belong there. "Welcome Home" is not just a slogan. It really is a different feeling than when you are at other resorts.

JC

[Galahad]

1) The relative isolation but the great location...all at the same time.
2) Great BIG villa's
3) Feels different than any other WDW resort. BWV is still part of a hotel.
4) The peace, quiet, view.
5) What they said...... :D

[DisneyMim]

I'm sure I won't say anything that hasn't been said prior, but we have been OKW members since it opened and we love everything about it. To us it is Home and we love the feeling of going back year after year. It's like going back to a favorite summer spot. We stay in many of the other Disney resorts during the year, but like OKW the most. Pam I'm with you, we love watching the golfers from our balcony. I always think I'm terrible until I see some of them!!! LOL!!! We woundn't think of not having a car so parking right outside of our condo is an absolute must for us. We like just hopping in our car and being anywhere we want real quick.

There are a lot of wonderful things about OKW, but I think the thing that is the best is the "Welcome Home" feeling we get every time we pull into the resort.

Have a wonderful vacation!!!

[wdwoldtimer]

I see that a common theme in the above posts is...I love OKW because it feels like home. That's funny...why would you want to go away on vacation and feel like you are at home? ;)

It's not so much "feeling like home" which makes OKW special, it's more like experiencing what you wish home was like. This is the same principle which makes WDW in general so successful. It's how you wish the world really was. Clean, friendly, fun, no worries (other than which park to go to, which ride to get your Fast Pass for), no crime (that you hear about, anyway), beautiful landscaping (which you don't have to maintain yourself!) Walt knew what he was doing and thankfully his philosophies are still upheld.

My positive experiences and feelings about OKW are very much like everyone else's. I'd rather share a less pleasant one (don't worry, there's a happy ending)

My wife and I were one of the early pioneers in the DVC. We bought our first bunch of points in the first week of DVC's operation from the wonderful Clark Cable, a sales associate back then. I believe he's moved up rather high in the organization now. The whole sales pitch was fantastic...typical Disney. (A topic for another discussion) Anyway, our first stay was in a Studio and exceeded expectations. Our second stay however...LOL! We reserved a two-bedroom and invited extended family to come along, with the hopes that some of them would also join. Our own little sales pitch, I guess. Our time to show off what elite Disney people we were! Naturally they were impressed with the resort, the rooms etc. Everything seemed perfect until late during the first night of our stay. We're all sleeping soundly after a day at the MK when a loud scream emanates from the living room (my mother and niece sleeping on the sleep sofa) Naturally everyone else sort of shuffles out of their rooms, bleary-eyed, to see what's up.
"There's something....something alive...under the sink! I heard it trying to open the doors!"
With a look like, "Sheesh, you're having a bad dream, Mom" I boldly walk over and open the doors.
Zoom! Out scurries a couple furry little somethings, across the tile floor and under the dishwasher. More screams from everyone, including one very startled DVC owner!
Ok, we came down to WDW to see Mickey and Minnie, but not these two rodents! A call to the front desk and I find out that THERE ARE NO MORE ROOMS AVAILABLE UNTIL THE MORNING!!! A very apologetic maintenance guy comes up (it's, like, 2AM BTW) and takes a look around, but finds nothing. "They're probably gone", he says. "Yeah right!", we think. He leaves, oh, not before setting a couple traps under the fridge. How unsettling is that??! You can imagine that none of us got ANY sleep that night for fear of seeing Mickey's cousins again, or hearing that disgusting -SNAP-!
Of course the next day we were out of there bright and early. We got a nice brand new vacation home in a building that had just been completed. Naturally, the staff was very sympathetic and accomodating. And when we got back to our new and mouse-free room that night, there was an enormous fruit basket on the table as an apology for our first night.
Thankfully the rest of our stay was a good one and despite the disastrous first night, two new members were added to the club - my dad and my sister & family.

Incidentally, I did take a look around the rodent room after we had cleared out, trying to figure out their access point. I don't know, I guess it was pride in ownership that made me do it. It looked like these mice were DVC members themselves! There were droppings all over the places that a normal vacuuming would miss. Edgar and Martha Mouse living it up at the OKW, I guess.
They were either coming in directly under the front door, which was missing it's weather stripping or via the dryer's exhaust vent. (A large tear in the hose was a clue)

So remember OKW vacationers.....check your weather stripping and dryer hoses when you arrive!! OTherwise you could get a little too much Mouse in the House!

[Peggy Sue]

WDWoldtimer...what a great vacation story!! (of course, I'm sure it wasn't so funny at 2 AM in the morning!!) To think, we all love to give visit the "mouse", but not of us actually want to live with a mouse!! Thanks for the smile!

Have a wonderful day!

[Peter_noPan]

Key Lime pie at Olivias adn the boat ride to Downtown.

[LisaR]

Well, I agree with everyone else regarding the great things at OKW. Here is my little story to add to the bunch:
We were there in Feb and our first day was suppose to be at Epcot. My DS (3 year old) was NOT having a Disney Day!! He was very cranky. After going out for breakfast he got worse instead of better. We decided DH would take DD to the pool and I would stay in the room with DS and get him to nap. Once he was asleep, I went out on the patio and just sat there. It was the greatest 2 hours I had had in a long time. It was so peaceful and beautiful. Mind you, I am the kind of person who would normally get ticked off if we had plans and they had to be changed (although with two kids, I handle it better now)!! In a "hotel" I think I would have been bored out of my mind but at OKW it just felt so right!
Lisa

[Donna]

Lisa,
lol, i can really relate to your post. When my son was smaller and obviously needed to rest from the parks and crowds, we used to bicker about who gets to take him back, lol. My husband liked to watch the golfers on the porch; i liked to get a nice cool iced tea and watch them from the OTHER side of the door, where it's cooler! I honestly believe the kids sleep better there because it feels more like home to them too. donna

Donna
DVC, CM

[rsinj]

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[sumessefui]

As in the above posts we just like that relaxed home like feeling. We used to stay at Magic Kingdom resorts, but as great as they were, OKW is much better. My favorite thing is to take a nice walk through the resort late in the evening, at about 11PM. Even though I have been walking all day, the serene atmosphere at that time is wonderful and a perfect ending to the day.