Disney's Old Key West Questions LOTS of Questions!

[Eyore4Ever149]

I see that there's no FAQ for OKW and I have sooo many questions as I have never stayed at or even passed thru this resort and we are staying (as noew owners- yeah!!) on our next trip in Oct...

Have you experiences the resorts amenities?
masseuse in room?
shuffleboard
playground
kiddie pool
boat rentals
bike rentals
movie rentals (which I read are free to DVC owners)

How were the beds?

Is the laundry area a sort of "room" without a door? or in the open?

Is the second bathroom attached or connected to the second (non King) bedroom? Or positioned as a mutually shared bathroom?

Im wondering if the laundry is in an alcove if I can wedge a pack n play in there rather than putting it in a bedroom and thus creating a mini "room" perhaps somehow draping a sheet or blanket across.

Has anyone with a stroller experienced staying in a building with no elevator?

Or been on the ground floor- was there noise from above that bothered you?

Are the buildings by the hospitality house troubled by noise from the busses starting up in the morning?

Is it possible to get a water view from one of the buildings across from HH?

Is it hard to get these buildings?

 

[wdwfan1]

From you post it looks like you will be staying in a two bedroom. You will really enjoy all the room in the unit.

The second bathroom is off the second bedroom. You have to go through the bedroom to access that bathroom. The washer and dryer are in a laundry room. I do not know if there is enough room for a crib in there. In some units there is only one door--the door coming into the room. In the newer units there is also a door at the back of the room which leads to the master bathroom, allowing access to that bathroom without going through the bedroom.

It is extremely hard to get the rooms right across from the HH, but you never know.

Sorry, I cant answer the rest of your questions. There are lots of pictures on Allears. Viewing them would give you a good idea of the layout of the villas. Enjoy your vacation.

 

[pearljim]

Welcome home!! Glad to reply for 3 reasons: 1. just moved to NC after 9 yrs in CT 2. we've been OKW members since 1993 3. we have a yellow lab - Trixie

Have you experiences the resorts amenities?
masseuse in room?
shuffleboard
playground
kiddie pool
boat rentals
bike rentals
movie rentals (which I read are free to DVC owners)

We've used the pool and playground areas extensively. The slide is a welcome addition to the main pool. I have observed others using all the other outdoor amenities and they are easy to acquire. Not sure what you are seeking here.

How were the beds?

We've found the beds to be quite comfortable. Of course, we take our own pillows and fitted sheets (hate those "hotel" sheets).

Is the laundry area a sort of "room" without a door? or in the open?

The laundry is contained in its own room and has full size washer & dryer. All other DVC resorts have the min-stacked w/d. Depending on whether you get a lock-off or not, there will be either one or two doors - one in the hall and one in the master bath.

Is the second bathroom attached or connected to the second (non King) bedroom? Or positioned as a mutually shared bathroom?

No, the second bath is contained in the second bedroom and only accessed through the bedroom.

Im wondering if the laundry is in an alcove if I can wedge a pack n play in there rather than putting it in a bedroom and thus creating a mini "room" perhaps somehow draping a sheet or blanket across.

You might be able to squeeze it in the laundry room but I wouldn't myself.

Has anyone with a stroller experienced staying in a building with no elevator?

Yes. It is a bit of a pain oin the 2nd & 3rd floors. We were always fortunate enough to get 1st floor after we experienced the stairs & strollers once.

Or been on the ground floor- was there noise from above that bothered you?

Only rarely have we ever heard noise from above. Members are especially respectful of other members. You may hear early risers but that is true of any resort (and we have stayed at all most all WDW resorts).

Are the buildings by the hospitality house troubled by noise from the busses starting up in the morning?

Seldom have we noticed bus noises and we have stayed close to HH many times.

Is it possible to get a water view from one of the buildings across from HH?

Yes, there are multiple views of the canal and large ponds in blds close to HH - you need to request that view when you make your ressies (no guarantee of course - we once had a "water" view but drought had eliminated the water).

Is it hard to get these buildings?

No harder than any other special request. Again, make your request at the time of ressies. It can also depend on what time you arrive and sometimes, how long you are willing to wait to get into your room. Check in time is 4 PM - we have been able to check in early about 50% of the time but have had to compromise on bldg location on occasion.

I hope this is helpful. We love OKW and have never regretted buying in - in fact, we bought in to SSR in 2003. We like the DVCs that are not connected to a hotel - personal preference. Have a wonderful vacation with many more to come.

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

Thank you very much!

I was thinking of trying the idea out of putting the pack n play in the laundry room, because A. I doubt Ill be doing laundry, except perhaps the last day (so I go home with clean clothes)
and B. DD does NOT sleep well in shared rooms. But if that's what we are faced with, than so be it.

Im aware of the lakes and canals but was wondering specifically about the views from the buildings across from the HH (with the elevators). Im really hoping for a room with an elevator and then getting a 2nd or 3rd floor.

Anyone have pics of views from different rooms?

Why isn't there an FAQ thread for OKW? It would be really helpful!

Thanks for all the terrific answers PearlJim!

 

[MiaSRN62]

It is extremely hard to get the rooms right across from the HH, but you never know.

I would not say extremely hard to get......just about average as pearljim mentioned. One time we got #62 without even asking. We did hear some bus noise, but really only when sitting out on the balcony. And yes, some of the rooms offer great views of water. Here was our view from #62 (btw, we were also able to see and hear Illuminations from this room--just a side bonus).
I was sitting out on our ground floor balcony when I snapped this (we had a 1 bedroom that trip).

We also really loved the water view from #45 (though it's about a 6-7 min walk to the main pool. #62 was about a 60 second walk to the main pool.
Here's the view from #45 :

Make sure you request "ground floor or elevator" on your reservations just in case you don't get an elevator building.

We love renting the pontoon boats at OKW and boating down past POR/FQ and then past SSR and DD. So relaxing. Pack a picnic lunch. We're not huge fans of the water mice rentals here. They go slower than the ones at the Contemp or WL. We asked why, and were told because the canal by OKW is so narrow and not made for faster boating. My dh kids that the ducks in the water swam faster than he could get his water mouse to go. So we stick strictly with the pontoons and larger boats now.

You can rent surrey bikes here.....we've played tennis before too. I think there's only 3 courts though and it can sometimes be a little tough securing the time you want. We had to wait a couple hours one time. We just hung at the pool.

Let us know if you have any other questions

 

[tacomaranch]

Here is what we have:

 

[MiaSRN62]

This was our partial water view from building 34 in Turtle Pond area (this bldg was maybe an 8 min walk to the main pool) :

We were in a 2 bedroom/2nd floor unit (#34). DD's were feeding the ducks and birds from the balcony :

 

[skipperkim]

Try this link:

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/ASP/costcalc.aspx?resId=OKW&pageFunction=researcher

I think I'd find a better place than in front of the washer and dryer. If it would fit. It would be a tight squeeze.

 

[SB in KY]

You will love the 2BR.... I think the pack and play will fit in the laundry room...we always use the laundry room as a dressing room for whoever winds up on the couch. Alternatively you will probably be able to put the pack and play in the corner of the MBR...behind the armoire, by the door to the patio/balcony...it would not be a room alone, but it is out of the way and she would not be able to see anyone else in the room unless you went over by the crib.

The DVD selection to check out is decent. Lots of family/kid friendly movies.

There are daily activities scheduled up at the Hospitality House for kids of all ages, you will want to check out those offerings when you check in (they will give you a schedule for the week)...lots of fun.

There are really not any bad building locations. Personally I prefer the Peninsular Rd buildings to the ones right across from the HH...easy walk up there, but not nearly as much traffic, etc and better views IMHO...everyone has a favorite location. Buildings 45 and 46 are right on the canal and I love those (but a little farther from the HH and bus stop...still not bad though). A lot of people prefer the Turtle Pond area which has a quiet pool and playground of its own. South Point has nice views too. My SIL always wants to be over by Millers Rd...so I guess it is different strokes for....

If I was you I would not worry so much about requesting a specific building as much as requesting 1st floor so you are not lugging the stroller up and down all week!!

We usually stay 1st floor and very rarely have noise issues from above.

Never used the massuese, but always wondered. If you decide to try it let us know how it worked!!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

If you have a dedicated 2br the walk in closet in the 2nd br may be a better choice for the pack-n-play than the laundry room.

If you have a lock-off then this is where the front door will be so not an option.

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

An interesting tidbit about the difference in closet for a dedicated 2 bedroom! I actually would prefer a 2 or 3rd floor- with an elevator and would (suffer thru a ground floor) if the buildings with elevators are not available. I have always been leary about being on the ground floor- maybe because those rooms are easiest to break in???? Its a paranoia I guess.