Closed: Need some info on Old Key West Resort

[supermom4]

We will be staying at a 2 bedroom villa in OKW in August. My question is......does anyone know exactly how long it takes to ride the buses to get to the parks? I have a 2 year old and three other children so I need to plan in advance for naps and such. Is there a better pick up and drop off point at OKW that I should be aware of? Or should I take a bus to another resort and then exchange buses to save on time? Looking for anyone's experience in this matter. Thanks so much!

 

[MomWDW]

We used to walk to the main building to catch the buses. That way we were the first off when you get to the resort and then the last to be picked up on your way off to the parks. It worked out great for us. We gave ourselves 20-30 minutes to get to the parks though. It didn't usually take that long, but we felt better safe then sorry.

 

[haleofafamily]

OKW is very large so there are multiple bus stops within the resort itself. We were in a villa at the first bus stop. It was nice because we were first on the bus and first off the bus. Plus we were close enough to walk to the main (theme) pool. Some villas are so far from the main pool that you need to take a bus to the pool if you want to avoid a long walk.
One guide book lists the drive times as 25 min to MK, 10 min to EP, 10 min to MGM/DHS, 15 min to AK and 5 to 15 to Downtown Disney depending on mode of transportation (bus or boat). I wouldn't recommend switching busses once you are on one. Some busses are direct to and from the park, others stop at the water parks coming and going.
I have read many posts about people being upset with transportation to and from various resorts. My experience is that is all about your attitude. When I was relaxed and going with the flow I enjoyed the bus rides and didn't get frustrated with stops or driving times. When I was uptight then the bus rides got to me.
Request a room close to the main pool (buildings 23-26 were at the first bus stop), relax and have fun.

 

[chalee94]

OKW has a number of bus stops, just use the one closest to your building. i stayed by south point and just understood that it would take 10-15 mins to get out of OKW - OTOH, i was one of the first stops on return trips to OKW. i agree with the advice to relax, plan ahead and understand that bus transit will take a little longer than in your car.

if you're staying by the HH (i.e. main bldg), that can be very convenient but i wouldn't walk there from way out just to catch the bus. likewise, i would always just wait for the OKW bus to get back from the parks. the resorts don't have buses that go between each other, you'd have to connect at a park or DTD and would definitely not save any time.

have fun at the 2BR...it should be spectacular.

(BTW, if you want to learn more about OKW, make sure to check out the OKW lovers thread on the DVC boards.)

 

[spiceycat]

once the bus is ready to leave - then around 15 minutes to the MK.

5 minutes to Epcot

7 minutes to Studio

30 minutes to AK


It can take 15 minutes to get around the resort. some people will argue and say much less and it can.

but all you need to slow you down is one wheelchair or ECV getting on - that will take 7 minutes more. Did this with mother enough.

OKW is a wonderful place - but if you want to rush off to the parks would recommend BWV or BCV or even VWL.

 

[wrighter]

We stayed in a one-bedroom at OKW last year, and next week we'll be staying in a two-bedroom. With young children it is SO wonderful to have all that extra space to spread out and run around.

OKW is a large resort, but we stayed in building 56 last year, quite a way from the HH on the map, but we didn't find the walk to the main pool to be long at all. In fact, we found it quite enjoyable. It's all about perspective, I guess. And there are other, smaller pools scattered throughout the resort.

As far as bus stops go - I think "it all comes out in the wash." If you're the first stop within the resort, it just means that you have to ride all through OKW to all the other stops before you head off to the parks. If you're the last stop, you just off to the parks! We always went to the parks early, so getting a seat on the bus was never a problem at all.

One issue we did encounter with regards to our location was naps. My DD was 17 months when we went last year, and of course still needed a nap. We tried it, but found it too far to go all the way back to OKW for her nap in the middle of the day if we wanted to go back to the park later. We were pleasantly surprised that she actually slept in her stroller. My DH took her on the monorail during naptime (not the one that stops at all the hotels - just the TTC one) where it was quiet and she konked right out. And she is NOT a good sleeper.

Good luck - if you have any questions feel free to PM me. Enjoy OKW!

 

[supermom4]

Thank you so much for the info! My little guy will be 2 1/2 years old by then, so hopefully he will be able to handle it for most of the day.

 

[pbharris4]

I love OKW, but I can't say the same for the buses there. Everytime we took a bus, it seemed like forever to get anywhere. BC buses are like that as well.