Heading to Old Key West

[Kimber143]

Hey everyone,

We've planned a last-minute trip to Disney and booked a studio at Old Key West for two nights. (We're Animal Kingdom DVC owners.) I've searched the threads and it's apparent a DVCers love this resort! I'd love any insider tips for things to do, see, etc. We'll be spending an entire day at the resort and I don't want to miss anything.

Also, I'm thoroughly confused about which section to request. I'm thinking near Hospitality House is best since we'll be spending lots of time at the resort.

Thanks for your insights!

 

[JimMIA]

Hey South Florida neighbor!

The kids will love the slide at the OKW pool. Also check for kids activities -- they have a pretty good schedule. On certain nights they do a campfire with smore's etc. They also frequently do movies on the boardwalk between the pool and Hospitality House.

For the adults, take a sauna. It's hidden in the bottom of the lighthouse and most folks don't know it's there!

Or hit the jacuzzi spa thingee next to the pool. If it's off, there is a switch at one end of the spa that turns it back on. Not all of US knew that...

 

[JimMIA]

Also...if you are getting a 2 BR, take a GPS or some string so you can find your way around. It's going to be MUCH bigger than you expect.

And request anything but ground floor. The veranda's are great!

 

[ddoconnell]

Love, love , love OKW The resort is great and the rooms are enormous! The kids will love the slide at the main pool! We have never had a bad building, but it depends on the age of your kids. We have had a 2 BR and GV's several times and have always loved being able to spread out! Enjoy your trip!

 

[skelooch]

If you plan to spend most of your time at the resort definitely try to be near the HH, it's so much more convenient to everything, check-in, main pool, restaurant, snack bar, bar, rentals, laundry, bus stop, general store, DTD ferry, RAC, etc.
I've stayed in bldg 14 several times, it is as close as you can get to HH, a great location.

Enjoy your stay.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Take the how to make a towel animal class on Sat. morning. It is so fun.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

To be by the main pool with the awsome slide, HH area is best.

One of the things we really enjoy doing is taking the boat to DTD, it's great during the day but really fabulous at night, the lights of the other resorts on the water etc., pretty neat.

 

[sweetdana]

Please assist me as well.. Which is the best request spot, for not having a car, needing mug refills 1st thing in the AM, and on the way back from the parks, and being close to a bus stop?


THANK YOU!
Staying 3 nights in a 1 bedroom for our 10 yr Aniv in Nov. Just 2 adults.. leaving kiddie at home

 

[msmouse]

Dont miss breakfast at Olivias. The grits are to die for!

 

[iloveokw]

Favs:

1. Pool
2. Community Hall - great cast members and activities
3. Ping pong, tennis, basketball and shuffle board
4. Never miss a boat ride to DD
5. If he is performing go over to PO Riverside to see Bob Jackson's show....you and your kids will love it

6. RELAX

PS Very nice store on the property

 

[Cee]

Get that "turtle" drink at the Gurgling Suitcase.

 

[a742246]

Don't forget to take the boat ride to DTD.

 

[n2mm]

We stayed in a 2 bedroom a few years ago and was a little nervous that we would not enjoy OKW, but we loved it here. The room was huge. My 16yo grandson really enjoyed himself and actually prefers OKW over all other resorts -- crazy (and yes, he's been to all of them).

I did want to note that you mentioned a need to be near hos. house. Hopefully you do know that this is a booking category now. Because this was a common request, you actually have to book "near hosp. house" when you make a reservation and it is on your reservation. I booked OKW for 16 nights for this January 2011 and had to waitlist for Jan. 16th because the Hosp. House view was not available. It did come through a few weeks ago, so I don't have to move now. So if you desire this, you may want to call back and ask if that booking category is available, and if not you can waitlist for it. It doesn't hurt.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Since you are only staying in a studio, you will already miss the BEST part of OKW, which is those wonderful large porches!

Be aware that you need to specifically BOOK the Hospitality House section. It is a seperate booking catagory. It's not really necessary though, since ALL buses stop at HH before exiting the resort. That means you are never more than a bus stop away from HH, and there are 5 of those throughout the property.

Our favorite buildings are 45, 46, 15, 16, etc. etc. For a studio, I'd say 15 & 16 would be nice, since you are easy access to HH, but not in the HH booking catagory, and you wont be so hemmed in with vegetation if you are in a studio in those buildings.

 

[Candy Orlando]

OKW also has tennis courts, a volleyball court, a basketball court and shuffleboard.

 

[Swayhoover90]

We recently returned from our first stay at OKW (not our last) and loved it. We stayed in a refurbished 1-bedroom unit about 50 yards from the Turtle Shack quiet pool and snack bar which is about half-way between the front and back of the resorts.

When making my request at booking I had thought that near HH was a must for us but in hindsight building 43 was perfect. The walk to HH took about 7 minutes (of course we were lucky with the humidity that week) and being so close the the quiet pool and snack bar was great.

If I were to give you my best advice/opinion I would say request a 2nd or 3rd floor refurbished unit. Currently I think all of the refurbs are in the middle of the resort so you won't find any 'near' HH.

In regards to what to do...definitely take the boat to Downtwon Disney. We did find the counter service options lacking compared to the resorts but that might not be a problem with a 1 night stay.

I hope you have a great time!

 

[Kimber143]

Wanted to say thank you for all the great advice.

You guys are awesome.

 

[wdwaholic2]

I requested and got a room near the hospitality house this past January. It was very noisy (people noise and bus noise.) I've stayed at OKW lots of times and it is my favorite resort. This last room however was my least favorite.

As for things to do, ride the boat; walk the resort; grab a coffee in the morning and sit by the water; enjoy a drink pool side.....and enjoy.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

Just sitting by the pool listening to Jimmy Buffet music with a drink from the gurgeling suitcase. Take the boat ride to DTD at in the evening. Just relax and be while you are there. One of the great things about OKW is just knowing you are so close to all the craziness of the parks but you feel like you are in another world while you are there. You can also rent a surrey bike. We like to request a water view but that is a personel preferance.