Any feed back on Old Key West?

[offtheice]

As new DVC members, we have been slowly trying to stay at all of the resorts. In February of this year we split a stay between OKW and SSR. Coming from NY in February,we really thought that the lush landscaping and tropical feel would be welcomed. We had a studio in a section that was directly behind the main pool, across the canal. Quite a walk to the main pool and hospitality house. To be quite honest, the lushness around our room made it feel somewhat dark and damp. The size of the studio can't be beat, however, and it is quite roomy even with the two queen size beds. We felt that the age of the resort was showing - scuffs on the wall, chips on furniture, dingey carpet and curtains. In contrast, our stay at SSR was more pleasant. While the dining is an issue at SSR for us, the gorgeous appointments in the rooms, the fantastic pool, and incredible view of DTD at night made us wish we had booked our entire Feb. trip there instead. It seems like a lot of people really love this resort, and it is very pretty on the outside, but it just was not a good fit for us. It was too removed from the World and we felt like we were staying at someone's condo.

If any place is spread out it is SSR .. My god , walking to the bus stops and getting around is the worse.

 

[4formickey]

how hard is it to get a 2bedroom at okw if this is not your home resort? We are planning to go in late june of next year.

 

[Deb & Bill]

how hard is it to get a 2bedroom at okw if this is not your hoe resort? We are planning to go in late june of next year.

You shouldn't have a problem if you try at 7 months.

A little history about Bldg 62, 63 and 64. The reason they have elevators is because they were built after the resort was finished. They are located on the spot where the Commodore House was located and it was THE sales office. We signed our paper work at the Commodore House to buy into OKW. After they tore down the Commodore House and built the last three buildings, we bought another 75 points at OKW.

 

[4formickey]

thanks,we plan to bring a cousin with us and they are a family of six. So my plan is to book 2, two bedroom villas. Every family needs thier own space so thats why we are booking the 2 rooms. I know that I could rent those points out and get a nice peace of change but for the family this is my gift to them.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You shouldn't have a problem if you try at 7 months.

A little history about Bldg 62, 63 and 64. The reason they have elevators is because they were built after the resort was finished. They are located on the spot where the Commodore House was located and it was THE sales office. We signed our paper work at the Commodore House to buy into OKW. After they tore down the Commodore House and built the last three buildings, we bought another 75 points at OKW.

We first toured at Commodore House too, and when they added the points from the "new" buildings, we added another 150 to our original 230! LOVE OKW.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Quite a walk to the main pool and hospitality house. To be quite honest, the lushness around our room made it feel somewhat dark and damp. The size of the studio can't be beat, however, and it is quite roomy even with the two queen size beds. We felt that the age of the resort was showing - scuffs on the wall, chips on furniture, dingey carpet and curtains.

Magic4Four,
I'm thinking maybe you had a ground floor studio. They seem to be surrounded by thick landscaping. The upper floor studios are better and have better views.
I've never noticed any scuffs or chips or dinginess in my 7 years of stays at OKW. So maybe you just got a room that was in need of some rehab ? All the rooms we've had, you would never be able to tell the age of the resort.

Magic4Four says : and incredible view of DTD at night made us wish we had booked our entire Feb. trip there instead. It seems like a lot of people really love this resort, and it is very pretty on the outside, but it just was not a good fit for us. It was too removed from the World

Hardly removed from the World. OKW is just as close to the parks as SSR is. And not all the rooms in SSR have a view of DD. At least half do not. I believe it's Congress Park that has DD views. Not sure about the Springs and I don't think the Paddock does. We were able to sit out on our balcony at OKW one year and see/hear Illuminations. I would not call that removed from the World, but everyone is entitled to their opinions.

Magic4Four says :We had a studio in a section that was directly behind the main pool, across the canal. Quite a walk to the main pool and hospitality house.

If you were right behind the main pool, not sure how you would feel it was "quite a walk" to the main pool ? That area behind the main pool is pretty close ?

Many of those SSR rooms are very far from their main pool if you're going to talk distance ? I think you lost me on this comparison. I can't argue that SSR is more modern---it's practically a brand new resort. But I feel OKW has held up very well for it's age and can stand it's own in the DVC lineup. But to make comments about things being a long walk.....we toured SSR. That is one spread out resort if you're talking about how long walks can be. Fair is fair. SSR is very nice, but it is not a small/compact resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

Rather than start a new thread about pretty much the exact same thing, I'm going to tag onto this one....
I'm planning a Sunday-Friday trip, next July, late month, for myself, my 14 y/o dd and my 32 y/o dd. The 32 y/o has never been to WDW (I know, can you imagine~!!!), so I'm bringing her. I own at BWV and love it there more than anyplace. But, I will be planning yet another trip in the fall of '09 with a two bedroom and a studio, so want to save some points here...already borrowed some from '08. So....since I can get OKW for a bit fewer points, I thought it might be a good time to try it out. I know the villas are larger but is there anything else I should know??? I would imagine that being a bit closer, rather than further, to the pool so older dd can sip her adult beverage poolside would be a good thing.
So......do I take the plunge and go with OKW or stick with what I know about? Any thoughts?

 

[Anthony1971]

Rather than start a new thread about pretty much the exact same thing, I'm going to tag onto this one....
I'm planning a Sunday-Friday trip, next July, late month, for myself, my 14 y/o dd and my 32 y/o dd. The 32 y/o has never been to WDW (I know, can you imagine~!!!), so I'm bringing her. I own at BWV and love it there more than anyplace. But, I will be planning yet another trip in the fall of '09 with a two bedroom and a studio, so want to save some points here...already borrowed some from '08. So....since I can get OKW for a bit fewer points, I thought it might be a good time to try it out. I know the villas are larger but is there anything else I should know??? I would imagine that being a bit closer, rather than further, to the pool so older dd can sip her adult beverage poolside would be a good thing.
So......do I take the plunge and go with OKW or stick with what I know about? Any thoughts?

BW to me has a great location but AGAIN to me the terade off is the rooms. The 2 bedrooms at OKW can not be explianed unless you stay there.... I think you will love the rooms. All of the comments on the resort being worn to spread out ETC... I find to be incorrect. OKW is a nice laid back relaxing resort. The only think I can see you missing is being able to walk back after Illuminations but I think this is a small price to pay when you see the rooms and balconies.....much less being able to find a place in resort where you can truly relax.
I can not see why anyone would not like this resort....

 

[MiaSRN62]

I know the villas are larger but is there anything else I should know??? I would imagine that being a bit closer, rather than further, to the pool so older dd can sip her adult beverage poolside would be a good thing.
So......do I take the plunge and go with OKW or stick with what I know about? Any thoughts?

First of all, if you love BWV as you stated, you may or may not take a liking to OKW. They are very different resorts. BWV is hotel-style and OKW is more vacation home style. Most buildings have stairs only. But each of these resorts has a charm all it's own. I see OKW as a quaint disney neighborhood.

Either place can have a hike to the "main" pool, but some will point out that at BWV the walk is indoors and at OKW the walk is outdoors. You can request to be close to the main pool ---request "close to Hospitality House". But there are no guarantees. You mentioned dd sipping adult drink by the pool. The main pool at OKW has the Gurlgling Suitcase bar.

So, if you go to OKW not expecting it to be like BWV, you'll be fine. Overall, this is a beautiful resort---serene, lush, pretty. BWV is more bustling and of course you can walk to Epcot and take a boat to MGM. At OKW, you can take a boat to DD.