? About Old Key West

[magickingdomrules]

What Is Yor Opinion Of The Okw Resort. I Know It Is Older But Is It Still Disney Quality? How Is The Service, Bus Service And Overall Quality? How Does It Compare To Ssr?

Thanks

 

[JimMIA]

We just returned from OKW on Friday. Yes, everything is most definitely Disney quality. They do a great job of maintaining the resorts, despite the very heavy occupancy, and you will not see anything that looks "old."

We did not use the buses, but you will usually see OKW buses rated as the best of any of the resorts. Like all of the resorts, they have bus service to each theme park and DTD. They also have internal bus service and boat transportation to DTD with a stop at SSR.

Any bus trip takes some time, and Disney recommends you allow 1 1/2 hours for any trip. You should plan for some wait time for each bus, some time making intermediate stops before you actually start to your destination, and then 20 minutes or so of drive time.

Obviously, some times and places are much busier than others, and I would always leave WAY early for any reservations or special events.

 

[JimMIA]

How Does It Compare To Ssr?

I don't think we can do accurate comparisons to SSR yet.

I have not stayed at SSR yet, but I've taken the tour, driven around it, etc. When it is finished, I think it will be a beautiful resort with a lot of personality. In time, I think it will be a lot of people's favorite resort...just like every other resort is.

But right now, the primary impression I get is "under construction." It's going to be under construction for some time yet, and it's going to suffer unfairly in any comparisons until the construction is finished.

 

[spiceycat]

you only need the 90 minutes if you are going from one resort to another resort.

getting to the parks won't take long.

if you just missed the bus - saw it leaving. It can take as long as 35 minutes for another to come. (it should be 20 minutes). they kept telling me that the traffic lights (wish slows the buses down) aren't controlled by Disney at all.

and that is part of their problem?

if the bus is there and picks you up immediately. remember there are 5 bus stops at OKW - peninsular road, South point road, old turtle pond road, millers road and the HH (main building, restuarant, rentals, etc).

so it takes quiet a while to get out of OKW.

some people want OKW to have one bus stop - yea...right - theirs......

 

[dianeschlicht]

We don't stress too much about the buses. We rarely wait more than 10 minutes at the most for a bus, and once you get a feel for what the schedule is like on any given trip, you can pretty much know what time to arrive at the bus stops. It is a large resort, so the multiple bus stops are essential, but we have had people drive at the same time as others in the party took the bus, and the bus people always arrived ahead of the car people with the exception of Animal Kingdom. That bus stops at Blizzard BEach, so it takes a bit longer. We usually allow about 30-40 minutes if we are meeting someone in a park or have a specific event to get to. If we are going to another resort such as Wilderness Lodge for dinner, then we drive our rental car, because resort to resort travel is not conveneint by bus. You ahve to connect either through DTD or one of the parks, and if your reservation ends after the parks close, it can take 90 minutes to get back to your own resort. That being said, there are always cabs to call too.

 

[dianeschlicht]

As to comparing SSR to OKW... We like OKW better because it feels more like a home than a big apartment. At OKW you will have a full huge balcony that is bigger than the small apartment type balconys at the other DVC resorts. You park right outside your door, and there are no hallways to contend with. There are outdoor stairs though and only a few buildings have elevators. At SSR, there are hallways, albeit ones without walls, but they are hallways none the less. The living rooms at OKW are larger as are the bathrooms and kitchens, and there is a full laundry room as opposed to a closet with a washer and dryer. OKW has 4 pools and hot tubs with play areas at each and a main pool with a sandcastle slide.

 

[evedein]

I just returned from my first DVC stay. We were down there for DD's Disney Wedding. I split my stay between OKW & SSR. I found I liked OKW much better than SSR. The apartments were MUCH larger & brighter. It felt more family-friendly. SSR felt more "up-scale", but I would have felt less comfortable with young kids there. Also, the service was much more friendly & accomadating at OKW. DD is still at SSR for her honeymoon & was very disappointed with her stay. She checked in in her wedding gown & was not even Welcomed Home. Her studio had a foul smell (I noticed it too) & it took 2 days for Housekeeping to correct it. I called the manager when I got home last weekend & they said they would look into it. I don't know the outcome since I haven't heard from the newlyweds since I left.
Also, the bus service at SSR was very slow compared with OKW. In all, I would deffinately stay at OKW again. If I can get another option at 7 months, I would probably avoid SSR, at least until all the construction is done & they are completely organized.

 

[spiceycat]

gave you the bad about oKW now the good.

most of the time the bus will come quickly!!! my wait for a bus was generally around 5 minutes.

this is a very friendly resort!!! I do love it here - it feels like HOME!!!

We have stayed at OKW several times a year since 93 (most times at least 4 times a year - sometimes 7) - and most of our trips were the BEST!!!

I don't know how to describe it but family friendly.

I have also stayed at SSR. It is lovely. but it is not that friendly. the guests there seem to rush around. At OKW you don't feel you have to be some place else. I didn't get that feeling at SSR.

Anyway both are great resorts - you can't go wrong with either one.

 

[thelionqueen]

We absolutely LOVE OKW. This is our 1st choice when staying @ WDW and the main reason we decided not to buy @ SSR.

The grounds are amazing, views awesome and service excellent. Our kids prefer the pool @ OKW over BWV because it is smaller and more "homey". It has a real laid back feel and honestly, feels like home after a long day. Nowhere else I've stayed is a nice in my opinion.

 

[mikesmom]

Love, love, LOVE it!! We originally were owners at BWV, then added on at OKW the first time we stayed there. Beautiful grounds, huge rooms, absolutely my favorite resort for just enjoying the surroundings. We like the busses - takes you right into the parks, never seems to be much of a wait. We will never give up our BWV because of the quick access to the Food & Wine Fest every fall, but otherwise, OKW is our favorite, hands down.

 

[jonestavern]

we just came back from OKW 4 Dec--it was WONDERFUL!
Like the parking at yr own door, Mousekeeping was excellent, & even though our 1 bedrm lockoff, 1st floor room wasn't what many would consider 'primo' the lush bamboo, palms & blooming hibiscus screened the road & we could never hear road noise inside & it was minimal on the porch. everything seemed in good repair, only once did we wait more than 10 minutes for a bus--& that was because we just missed one so we walked from Turtle Pond bus stop to check in, total extra time 15-20 minutes minutes!

the only poor thing I heard about the bus was from a large party(about 10 adults)who had a ride of 1 1/2 hrs to DTD on a Friday night. Evidently, at the start of their oddessy they got some bogus advice from a driver, had the savvy to switch buses, & got a fabulous driver who kept their spirits up & quite literally, steered them clear! Believe me if you've ever driven around DTD on a Friday night you can see why, short of walking, it is a real swamp of vehicles!
Liked the OKW boat to DTD--Linda is a super & informative Captain!--the small store--the CM at the cash register, an older lady--was terrific & the relaxed atmosphere of the whole place. The boat rental CM was also top notch & very helpful.
DH wants to go to SSR in 2006, but gee, I'd really like to go back to OKW!

Jean

 

[eliza61]

What Is Yor Opinion Of The Okw Resort. I Know It Is Older But Is It Still Disney Quality? How Is The Service, Bus Service And Overall Quality? How Does It Compare To Ssr?

Thanks

OKW is definitely still Disney quality. My family and I stayed there in August, we had a 2 bedroom suite that was divine! We rented a car so I can't comment on the bus service, but we enjoyed the fact that we could drive right up to our unit. We have stayed at BCV (my home resort) and BWV's and while they both are very nice with their own benefits, we definitely liked the relaxed atmosphere at OKW after a long day at the parks.
Olivia's is a great restaurant (especially good breakfast) and we got a little discount when we presented our DVC card. Rooms and grounds were beautifully maintain. So far we've stayed at 5 places and here's our ratings.

1. Old key West
2. Beach club villas
3 Broadwalk villas
4. Cabins at Ft. Wilderness
5. Contemporary

Next up! Villas at Wilderness Lodge 08/23/06-09/01/06

E.

 

[MiaSRN62]

DD is still at SSR for her honeymoon & was very disappointed with her stay. She checked in in her wedding gown & was not even Welcomed Home.

Evedein ~
Wanted to say WELCOME HOME ! AND CONGRATS ! to you DD. Hope she was able to enjoy herself otherwise while on her honeymoon. Hoping her next stay will be better
As for comparison......
Can't compare to SSR as I haven't stayed there yet. But we love OKW. We've always found the CM's there friendly and get plenty of "welcome homes" during our stay. I try not to expect this though, so we don't get disappointed. I just feel when we do get "welcome homes", it's just an added bit of pixie dust. We never got this greeting at BWV but did from the VWL security guard a number of times. We even got a "welcome home" from the Polynesian security guard this past August when he caught a glimpse of our OKW parking paper on the dashboard. Did the CM at SSR not acknowledge the fact that your DD was a newlywed ? I'm thinking if I showed up in a wedding gown I'd at least expect a "congrats". Did she get that from the SSR staff---hope so.

Average bus wait times at OKW were 10-15 min during our 2004 stay as well as our 2005 stay. Even though it is the oldest DVC resort, we don't feel it looks dated or shabby or anything. I feel the maintanance and refurbishment are kept well up-to-date, though nothing is perfect. We stayed at the BWV and VWL as well, and OKW stands up fine compared to newer DVC resorts.

Congrats to your DD again

 

[littlestar]

We love OKW. We own our points at BCV, VWL, and BWV. But we love to stay at OKW at least once a year if we can. It feels tropical - lots of palm trees, pretty pastel colors, and the one and two bedrooms are spaaaacious. Way bigger than any of the other resorts. OKW feels like Florida. Very nice and plenty of Disney touches. Some of the porch railings are even shaped like Mickey.

 

[Disney Doll]

What I personally like about OKW:
*Large units
*Laid back atmosphere
*Themeing-love the tropical "Key West-y" thing!!!
*Parking outside the door instead of schlepping down the long hallways(here's to you Richyams!! )
*Like the fact that there are 3 quiet pools in addition to the main pool and all have a hot tub
*Don't mind the bus service...I find it's generally pretty good. We usually stay in the Southpoint area, which may ahve something to do with it (or not)
*People are friendly
*Beautiful grounds to walk around
*No bad views (at least none that I have ever seen in my 8 years of membership)

 

[wisbucky]

We just got back from OKW on Dec 9th. We have stayed at SSR in the past but are not real impressed. I dont believe you can beat the atmosphere at OKW. It is relaxing, quiet and most of very friendly. After a day of hussle and bussle in the parks there is no greater feeling than being able to feel peace and quiet. We have never had a problem with the bus service. The longest wait we ever had was around 20 minutes. Most of the time on this last stay we waited the max of 5 minutes. On this last stay we purchased points for BWV as we would like to give it a try during Christmas. DH feels that after staying at OKW all the time the BWV will seem very small. DH is a huge OKW fan. If he could our house would be built as an OKW villa.

 

[Rozzie]

we love OKW. The resort automatically puts us in the "we're going to relax" mode. It is our second favorite resort on property, and will the site of our next add on.

 

[jonestavern]

We just got back from OKW on Dec 9th. DH is a huge OKW fan. If he could our house would be built as an OKW villa.

DS16 mentioned he would like a house modeled on OKW & I am presently constructing one in my head.
Hey, it's the Northeast, we'll need a mudroom!

Jean

 

[dsneygirl]

Here's my review of our stay last week
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=980504

 

[mndisfam]

Love both, but very different. As other posters have said, OKW has large, lovely units with big balconies and lush beautiful landscaping. DH and I love having a delicious meal at Olivia's while the kiddies play at the pool. The Gurgling suitcase bar and pool area is very family friendly. Its also beautiful at night. I think my mom would def vote for OKW and the pool area. The quiet pools are small, but very nice. Very few elevators to the upper units! The way the hospitality house, etc is lit up at night against the water is gorgeous.

SSR is new and under construction, so to us it still feels a bit new and bare. The sit down restaurant doesn't compare to Olivia's, but supposedly a new resaturant is on the way. The units are smaller, but very lovely and elegant - like a country club atmosphere. Maybe bcs it was new and bare, it doesn't seem as many people are there helping like OKW. It doesn't yet have the community feel that OKW has - but give it time. The pool is fine, as is the pool bar. The quiet pool that looks out over DD is GORGEOUS, and if you can get a down town disney view, its great. We loved the turf club and country club feel, and immature magnolias. Maybe appealed to the snobs in us! Elevators to all the units. The spa was wonderful.

Frankly, I think SSR will be gorgeous once it gets going and works out some kinks and is fine now, but we love love the tropical feel and community atmosphere OKW has (esp. coming from Minnesota!) By the way OKW is kept up very well.

I think anywhere you stay will be wonderful. Once you stay at a few, you will see its really personal preferences and comparing apples to oranges!