How many here were members when it still was Disney Vacation Club

[nydizfan]

This is for all the dvc vets . do you miss the days when OKW was the Disney Vacation Club. dave

 

[prplcrzy]

Why, what is it now???

 

[PamOKW]

Yes, I do.

Prplecrzy -- Once upon a time, there was no "Old Key West". You went to The Disney Vacation Club and the "fantasy" name of the area was Conch Flats. The resort was called The Disney Vacation Club. The buses said "Disney Vacation Club". The signs said "Disney Vacation Club". It was special.

Then came the other resorts....especially Boardwalk....and they decided "Disney Vacation Club" would be the umbrella name and the resort would have to be called something different. So, they renamed it "Old Key West". I wish they had kept it Disney Vacation Club and then differentiated with something like "Disney Vacation Club at the Boardwalk", like it's Disney's Vacation Club Vero Beach and Hilton Head.

I can live with Old Key West but I liked the "old" way.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally, the name "Old Key West" did not exist. The sign of the resort just read "Disney Vacation Club" -- but there were references to Conch Flats as some sort of alternate, unofficial name for the resort.

It was a bit strange when they changed the name to Disney's Old Key West Resort. It seemed awkward and wordy. And it sounded a bit like the resort was old.

But we got used to it.

 

[nuthut]

It's funny you mentioned "old" Werner. I was sitting at my travel agent one day buying some airline tickets when I overheard the agent at the next desk tell someone that OKW was a old resort and not very nice. Yes, I did set her straight.

 

[Regina]

I'm one of the Old Key West Oldtimers.

Do I miss it? Yes and no. It was a special feeling to be going home to the "Club", but it's also great that the system has expanded.

And nuthut, I have the feeling that the travel agent will never, ever forget the lesson that you taught her.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We bought at Disney Vacation Club, but the named changed during our first trip home! We got to watch them put up the new signs while we were there. I agree with Pam about how the name should have been handled. I loved the old vacation club bus!

 

[BillPA]

I also miss the old name, and the magic that came with the original club. But, I do enjoy the all the wonderful resort options we have now, and the ever growing "family" of DVC members.

 

[Chuck S]

I remember the resort as the Disney Vacation Club, and while I understand the reasoning behind the name change, I think a better name could have been found. Maybe "DVC Flagship resort" or they could have just called it "Conch Flats" or even "Beachcomber", There are a lot of non DVCer that equate the OLD ind Old Key West as "Old" in age, not just part of the name.

 

[Towncrier]

Count us as another pre-OKW family. When we joined in 1995 not only was Old Key West still called the Disney Vacation Club, the logo had THREE mountains. The must have torn one of the mountains down in order to build the Boardwalk Villas.

 

[Margie J]

Ah yes ... I remember those good old days. It was back in ... give me a minute ... 1994 ... yes, that's the year! It was so special.

You know, I just noticed the "missing mountain" in the logo.

 

[Denine]

Yes, we were there when it was still the Disney Vacation Club. It was a nice distinction from the rest of the resorts. The next year we went it was Disney's Old Key West Resort. We wondered when it changed. We were nver informed of the name change.

 

[Granny]

I know I'm not supposed to be in this thread, since I am a newer member, but......

I would think most would welcome the change of name. DVC is kind of an impersonal, corporate sounding name. Old Key West evokes beautiful mental images and a particular setting.

I will admit, that they might have been better off without the "Old" portion of it....especially when trying to sell.

All in all, I think I would rather have my home called VWL than DVC at WL. Just my opinion.

 

[Caskbill]

We bought in '93 and it remained The Disney Vacation Club for several years. We always liked that sound, it had more of a feeling of membership, and of going home. Old Key West, while nice, just sounds more like you're going to any other resort at WDW. Although we know it IS special, it just doesn't SOUND special anymore.

I like Pam's idea. They could still do that today. The resort would then become "The Disney Vacation Club at Key West". (Get rid of the word OLD also).

Granny, it wasn't just "Disney Vacation Club", it was "The Disney Vacation Club". Kind of like saying Atlanatic City's (and Disney's) Boardwalk, instead of "The Boardwalk", or Las Vega's strip, instead of "The Strip".

I know, semantics, but I think the feel is different.

Ahh, the good old days. Ooops, there's THAT word again.....lol

 

[JackDiznee]

One good thing about the change... when people ask, where did you stay?, or where are you staying?, it's a lot easer to answer OKW. When I had replied "the Vacation Club", sometimes I had to answer a load of questions when I really was not in the mood to do so. Either that, or they looked at me like I was some kind of nut.

I always wondered why they just didn't give it the official name of Conch Flats.

 

[Dave M]

In 92 there was nothing but THE DVC We watched it being built on each trip as it grew and grew the felling was that you were someone special. The CMs would remember you from trip to trip. We have many things with the three mountains on them.

 

[dopey2]

We bought in 94 when it was The Vacation Club with peach colored towels and a neat looking bus for picking guests up at the resort they were staying at to take the tour. I miss the walkway behind the Commadore house and being able to see my rep on site without having to go to BWV.

 

[Halle]

We bought in when it was THe Vacaion Club and I reluctantly started calling it OKW about 2-3 years after the official change. We only own at OKW but I like the fact that with careful planningwe can stay at other DVC resorts. We too have many mementos with the 3 mountains and I cherish them! One exciting tidbit.. our friend's son was the person who came up with the DVC concept.

 

[PKK/MJK]

We are "old-timers" also--bought in 1993 when it was called Disney Vacation Club and the logo had three mountains!! Ah, those were the days!! I hated it when they changed the name--in a way they took "our" name and gave it to everyone. Wish they had followed Pam's idea. I agree that the word "OLD" confuses people, which is a shame. On the other hand, if people think it is old, perhaps they will stay somewhere else and leave more rooms for us!!! LOL!! I still love OKW, but I miss those beginning years when a trip to the Commodore House and a visit with our rep was part of every vacation. I miss the peach towels and all the little things that are starting to disappear. SIGH--progress, I guess. I'm glad we're "Three Mountain Members"--and have all those memories!! Wish there was a way to get some three mountain memorabilia--just for the old-timers.

 

[OKW91]

We made our first visit to the Vacation Club in January 92, and it was a great feeling to see the bus with Disney Vacation Club! I kinda felt special, but now it's just another bus for a resort. I have one of the original jackets that the CM's use to wear, it's blue,purple and green and has the 3 purple mountains on it, they even changed the color of the mountains to red after they deleted the one!! But OKW is still in my opinion the best of the DVC resorts!