Any feedback on Old Key West?

[anpears]

I was thinking about staying at Old Key West in July for the first time and would like some feedback from anyone that has stayed there. Is the overall hotel nice? Are the lines for the buses long? Do they have a food cafeteria like the other resorts? Any feedback would be great!
Thanks!

 

[SB in KY]

OKW is an awesome resort...very laid back and peaceful. There are 5 bus stops throughout the resort, no significant line issues as a rule.

None of the Disney Deluxe or Home Away from Home resorts have food courts...only the moderates and value resorts. Since OKW is a DVC resort and the units have kitchen facilities there is a general store with basic grocery items for purchase, there is Goods to Go which is a very basic counter service place (basically burgers and a few sandwiches and salads) and there is Olivia's...a very nice casual dining restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The units at OKW are the largest of the DVC's. All, including studios have balconies or patios. The 1 Bedroom and larger units have jacuzzi tubs, a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, DVD players and a lot of other great features. The studios are more like a regular hotel room with 2 queen beds and a mini kitchen, with small frig, microwave, coffeepot and toaster.

 

[DBH]

OKW is a great resort. It is spreadout compared to some of the others. This can mean a long walk to the main pool or you can drive/catch inter-resort bus. Our rooms have always been in great condition and offer a lot of space. This resort gives you a little more peace and quiet than the others we have stayed out. There are plenty of bus stops but we have ran into issues getting to some places as not every park runs the same ratio of busses.

 

[ashrenee]

I hate to say it, but my family and I stayed at OKW and we didn't care for it. We have stayed at BW, Wilderness Campgrounds, All-Star, Animal Kingdom Lodge and Swan, and OKW was our least favorite. We felt that the bus ride was really long and we weren't pleased with the room. I know that the rooms are actually bigger, so it must have been the layout that we didn't like. We had 2 beds, a kitchen, bathroom, etc.

It is a nice resort, don't get me wrong. Has a nice atmosphere and it's very clean, we just didn't care for the room layout.

 

[spiceycat]

okay the studios have 2 beds but not kitchen.

the 1-bedroom have a king bed and queen sleeper sofa.

the 2-bedroom have both.

which did you stay in?

OKW is a long time favorite. even love the walk from South pointe to the main pool.

the HH building has front desk, general store, restuarant (olivia), snack bar, main pool, boat dock for the DD boat, marina, big play ground, tennis court, basketball (half court), volleyball court, spa in the lighthouse, gym, whirlpool tub, bikes and boat rental, etc. because of the gym it has showers in the bathroom.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) You will like OKW.
2) We owned there for 10 years.
3) We found OKW
. . . to be well appointed
. . . to be the largest rooms at WDW
. . . to have a relaxed and gentle atmosphere
. . . to have nice eateries and a pleasant bar
. . . to have conveniently placed satellite pools

 

[ashrenee]

That was my mistake. We had 2 beds and a microwave and fridge. I didn't mean kitchen. People are astonished when we say we didn't care for it...to each his own I guess.

 

[spiceycat]

That was my mistake. We had 2 beds and a microwave and fridge. I didn't mean kitchen. People are astonished when we say we didn't care for it...to each his own I guess.

that is okay - some people don't like the OKW studios. now if you stayed in a 1 or 2 bedroom and didn't like it - then I would be surprised!!!

even lots of DVC members don't like the OKW studios - they mostly preferred the other studio layout - queen bed, double sleeper sofa. but those have smaller bathrooms (like the resorts). I like the bigger bathroom at OKW. others don't like that the sinks are in the bathroom. they don't consider the wet sink (in the kitchennett area) the same.

but hey if everyone liked the same thing - then each DVC resort won't be so different.

some people don't like the beds. but heck I am so tired after WDW all day I could sleep on the floor.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

We love OKW!

It is one of our favorites. The size of the rooms, atmosphere, HH, transportation, and service, make it one of WDW's hidden gems!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Are the lines for the buses long? Do they have a food cafeteria like the other resorts?

Busses are good. Average is a 10-20 min wait. People say "it's long" because there are 5 seperate stops within the resort itself. The bus stops in the 5 neighborhoods before heading out to the parks. The rides to the parks themselves are good.
To Epcot it's like a 10 min bus ride. OKW does NOT share it's busses with other resorts like say, the WL or the BWV do (or some of the other deluxe resorts). So sharing with other resorts can take just as much time, if not longer, than the OKW bus having to wind through to the different neighborhoods. I don't find the OKW lines long or the busses crowded except for at park closing (but ALL resort busses are crowded then anyway).

Also, this resort is not like the hotel resorts (POLY, BWV, WL etc). It's more similar to resorts like POR, CBR etc, where the buildings are scattered throughout. Some buildings are farther away from the main lobby/pool than others, but even they are only about a 15 min walk. Most buildings are anywhere from 3 to 10 min walk. You can request "close to Hospitality House" if you want one of the closer buildings. Checking in early helps too.

And I agree with spicey. Not everyone likes every resort. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. OKW definitely has it's loyal fans (myself included). We find the OKW rooms to be very spacious---much more so than the other DVC studios and even some of the deluxe resorts. We felt the OKW studio was bigger than WL, BC, AKL....you can easily fit an double (some report queen size) air mattress on the floor. And the bathroom is one where you can actually move around in. I find the others so small/tight.

No cafeteria/food court at OKW. I do wish there was one and it's my one complaint of OKW. You do have the full service restaurant, Olivia's and an outdoor snack stand by the main pool --Goods To Go. It's at Goods where you can refill your mug, get quick breakfast/lunch/dinner stuff. But there is no indoor seating. There are only about 6 large picnic benches on the boardwalk there.

 

[lustergirl]

Question about Olivia's Cafe??

Do you need a reservation to dine at this restaurant. I am also interested in staying at OKW next fall- can't wait!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Reservations have been strongly suggested as of late, just about anywhere in wdw due to free dining and the Disney Dining Plan.
That being said, I have been able to get in without reservations at Olivia's (and a few other restaurants)---but I had an approx 30 min wait. It depends on when you go. An early dinner (about 4:30 pm) will be easier to get seated for, as opposed to a 6 pm dinner time.

 

[Deb & Bill]

OKW is a terrible resort. Never stay there. It is horrid.

I own there and love it.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I agree, so much in fact that we have decided not to look for a small point DVC resale contract there!!