? About Old Key West

[dianeschlicht]

I totally agree it's an "apples to oranges" thing.

 

[mic_key_mouse]

Hi everyone. This is a great thread. I had another question. I am considering renting DVC points for a stay at OKW in 2006. It is just me and my 2 boys, so I was considering a studio. Are these larger than studios elsewhere (given that the regular units are larger)? Are they a worthwhile consideration? Thanks so much for your insight

 

[wisbucky]

HI mic_key_mouse,

The studios at OKW are larger than those at the other DVC resorts. OKW studios also have two queen beds in. I am sure you will be very happy with the size.

 

[pearlieq]

I like the atmosphere at OKW and I really enjoy the pool/marina area. I like the size of the rooms and most do have nice views.

We stayed there in May and then again last week and both times I have found the rooms to be tired looking and somewhat dirty. They're not intolerable, but the carpet looked tired and there was dirt caked into the most of the joints between wall/trim and walls/fixtures. The grout and paint were both dirty. It didn't ruin our trip, but the room could use an update and a deep cleaning.

I've never tried the buses at OKW--I would never stay there if I were intending to use the buses. I can't imagine doing 5 internal stops and then heading to a park. Yuck! I can't imagine SSR is better on that front, though.

That being said, I wouldn't hesistate to book their again, but I know what to expect.

 

[CherCrazy]

We just had a stay in both OKW and SSR last month. It was our first time at OKW and we loved it. The resort is so much more beautiful than I ever imagined. I loved the atmosphere and the "boardwalk" along the pool/marina area. The gardens were lush and tropical. I took lots of pictures just of the flowers!!

The room was slightly larger than our studio at SSR. I would say the bathroom really is the bigger feature compared to SSR. The OKW studio has the 2 queen beds, but I like that the extra bed in SSR folds back up into a coach during the day, giving you much more space.

The only negative I could say about OKW, just like a previous poster, is that the room needed a good cleaning. The layer of dust on the curtains could be used as a blanket!!! Yuk.

 

[jdvm]

One of the great things about DVC is that you can easily try all of the resorts. We've been OKW members since 1992 and think it's spectacular. We have tried each of the other resorts and every member of our family still prefers Old Key West. One time my wife claimed she was bored with it so we went to Boardwalk----and left after one night. The same thing happened when she insisted that I book rooms at Wilderness Lodge. One night and we were changing resorts. But, you know, as much as we might like Old Key West, there are people who are just as passionate about the other resorts. It really is down to personal preference. So give them all a try. Our reasons for preferring Old Key West include: quiet atmosphere; larger rooms; more architectural detail (crown molding, etc.); more privacy; less urban feel; parking right outside your door; everyone knows us in Olivia's; the General Store and Hank's. Enjoy whichever resort is your favorite!!

 

[lizanne]

We stayed at both about 3 weeks ago. Our home resort is OKW, since '92.

We were in a one bedroom unit at both places.

My husband and I prefer the decor at SSR, but the unit is smaller. The one thing that was great for us was the elevator. I was concerned that you couldn't park in front of your unit, but it was truly a non-factor, and the elevator, did I say that was great. (We're both 58 and the body isn't what it used to be.)

At SSR, I don't like the stacked washer and dryer. I had to run the dryer 3 times to get the clothes dry. But they have the same type at BWV and I'm sure at the other DVC resorts.

We enjoy Olivia's at OKW. They are working on a full service restaurant at SSR, but right now the system they use at the current restaurant is a little caotic (sp). You stand in line, place your order, are given a beeper to know when your food is ready. Then you go to another counter to pay for your food, go to the table area to find a table, then pick up your food when your beeper goes off. If you go during a busy time it's crazy.

We usually use our car, but the times I've used the buses at OKW there were no problems. We didn't use the buses at SSR, but I heard people complaining. I think there are a lot of kinks to work out.

I prefer the overall atmosphere at OKW, but boy I really liked those elevators.

As far as cleanliness is concerned, our unit at OKW was in great shape, at SSR someones socks were under the bed.

 

[mic_key_mouse]

Thanks for all the input. I have been considering buying into DVC but want to rent points first to experience it before making a commitment. Thanks again

 

[byoung]

JUst returned last thursday. We really like it there.

 

[kjs1976]

Thanks for all you comments on OKW. I had the same question as OP about OKW. Can I add another question to the pot? Comparing OKW to BWV? Some people posted on BWV vs. OKW, but I was wondering specifically about room size, noise level, and closeness to busses and the boardwalk itself...and of course any thing else you have liked/disliked in your stays! Thanks!!!!!!

 

[Daitcher]

Thanks for all you comments on OKW. I had the same question as OP about OKW. Can I add another question to the pot? Comparing OKW to BWV? Some people posted on BWV vs. OKW, but I was wondering specifically about room size, noise level, and closeness to busses and the boardwalk itself...and of course any thing else you have liked/disliked in your stays! Thanks!!!!!!

I'll try to answer your question and the OP question. SSR and OKW are my two least favorite resorts. They aren't bad resorts just not for me. I don't feel buying into a vacation club to stay at a "condo type property" is worth it. I want services and they don't really offer it. I like the hotel type properties with room service, poolside dining, bellman taking your stuff to your room, interior hallways, etc. BWV offers all this and more. Really in my eyes BWV wins by a landslide. There is nothing like being able to walk to 2 theme parks and also having access to all the boardwalk restaurants and bars ( try Jellyrols for a bar and Flyinf Fish and Spoodles for restaurants. One thing OKW does have all over the others is room size. They are without a doubt much larger than SSR or BWV. Others like how relaxing SSR and OKW are. I don't go to WDW for total relaxation. we go the beach for that. We certainly relax at WDW but we like to have things at our fingertips as well. Out of SSR and OKW my vote definitely goes to OKW for the following reasons: poolside dining, sit down restaurant, tropical theming, lower points to stay , and larger rooms. Really take an inventory of how you vacation and this will decide what you'll like better. We really have a good feel for what we want out of a trip. This has led us to realize that the hotel type resorts of BCV, BWV and VWL are more to our liking. Others find the condo thing like SSR and OKW more to there liking. It all boils down to how you vacation. The beauty of DVC is that you can try them all.


DAVE

 

[kjs1976]

Dave-
You posed some interesting points I hadn't thought of when looking at OKW and BWV. Thank you for bringing up the ammenities that BWV has. Do you find that the BWV's are farther from pool, bus, BW access or does it depend?

 

[spiceycat]

complete depends - BWV Is a BIG resort and only has elevators at one location. that say - they have stairs....

of course the problem with some of the stairs is they will let you out but not back in..... now some will, but some (very convience location) won't.....

I do miss room service at OKW....but I still love my bigger rooms. All DVC resort have bell services. OKW doesn't need valet parking - you park outside your door.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Some people posted on BWV vs. OKW, but I was wondering specifically about room size, noise level, and closeness to busses and the boardwalk itself...and of course any thing else you have liked/disliked in your stays! Thanks!!!!!!

We like the feel of OKW over the BWV. We prefer a condo type feeling. We wanted something that felt more like a disney vacation home or a neighborhood vs the hotel feel of the BW. We feel it's a more intimate feeling we get at OKW. We had quite a hike from our BWV room to main lobby area during our stay there. Not all rooms are this far though, but many are.
We don't need/miss valet because we can park right outside our villa. I know some miss room service, but we're not among them. We prefer to spend that kind of money (because room service is pricey) at a disney restaurant. We actually do sometimes order room service while at OKW from a few different offsite restaurants that deliver right to our OKW door : http://www.giordanos.com/
This restaurant has soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta as well as pizza. Also, you can place an order for delivery from Sassagoula Pizza at POR : http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/men_sasp.htm
And many pizza places will deliver to OKW as well.

We never felt very far from a bus stop at OKW---anywhere from 20 seconds to maybe 4 min away approx depending on which bldg you're in. The walk we had to the bus stop from BWV was about 3-5 min as well. We did walk to Epcot and that was about a 10-15 min walk from the room to the turnstile in the World Showcase at the International Gateway. The walk to MGM was closer to 25 min---and in the heat/pouring rain, we much preferred the boat ride there (that was nice---just as we enjoy the boat ride at OKW to Downtown Disney). As for the noise level. We never had a problem with that at either OKW or BWV. I've never stayed at SSR. We do prefer the larger rooms at OKW. There's been debate about the studios. Some prefer the bed and pull-out sofa in the majority of DVC resorts, but we prefer having two queen size beds in the OKW studios. Something for everyone. If you're just a couple, I'd suspect the BWV studio would be better since noone would have to sleep on the pull-out---which we found uncomfortable.
Since the World Showcase is not a big draw for us on our vacations, the perk of walking to Epcot is not a huge one for us, though I can totally understand how it would be for some. We prefer taking the bus from OKW to Epcot because you enter via Future World which is where my kids prefer to spend most of their time. My kids have always been somewhat bored with the World Showcase, so the walk from BWV to Future World is perhaps a total of 25 min. That's alot of walking back and forth considering all the walking you actually do inside the parks. But I can understand how some would prefer it, particularily those with strollers and maybe wheelchairs as well. I totally agree with Daitcher in that "the beauty of DVC is that you can try them all". I think every DVC resort has something unique to offer it's Members. Even though we prefer OKW, we really enjoy trying other locations.

 

[kjs1976]

MiaSRN62-
Thank you so much for your thorough post! It is really helping me in my decision!!!

 

[Daitcher]

Dave-
You posed some interesting points I hadn't thought of when looking at OKW and BWV. Thank you for bringing up the ammenities that BWV has. Do you find that the BWV's are farther from pool, bus, BW access or does it depend?

It all depends where you are located. OKW is very spread out so it can be quite the hike to the main pool. Quiet pools are scattered about so you aren't ever that far from a pool. At BWV those hallways can be pretty long if you are at the end. Request a room near elveators and hope for the best. All in all I think BWV is a little closer to get to the main pool. Just down the elevator and past the gym then into the pool area. Not bad at all. It is also air conditioned which helps in the summer. Good luck with your planning. My suggestion is to try them both and see which you prefer. How about splitting your stay?

DAVE

 

[kjs1976]

Oh boy, don't even mention splitting a stay...I think I'd have to check into the nut house trying to plan this vacation for up to 8 people of various ages!!!! LOL! If it was just DH and me, I'd consider it so thanks for mentioning it!

By AC, you mean the hallways at BWV have AC. I mean, all rooms have AC...right?!

 

[spiceycat]

yes all the villa and studio have AC.

he mean that at OKW you have to go outside to get to the pools.

At bwv you can get almost to the pool before you need to go outside.

I like the short cut - which means you are outside as much at BWV as OKW.
go down the side steps then around the quiet pool - to the main pool.

the problem I had with BWV is the lack of elevators at other places.

the quickest way to the buses is through BWV out the back door. What is the furtherest from the elevators - this section.....