Is OKW worth it?

[momofprincess]

We're planning our trip for August 2007 (never too early to begin ) and we thought we'd try OKW, however, we're concerned because all the reviews we've read say its old and not kept up very well. Has anyone been there lately (this year) and would you recommend it?

 

[nzdisneymom]

We were there last month for a few days and it was our first time there so I can't say if it was "getting worse" since I don't have anything to compare it to, but I will say that we didn't have any difficulties, the room was clean and well supplied (except for the paper plates, etc. that we had to call for). The pool was great, the CMs at Hank's / Community Hall were fabulous, and we had a great time.

 

[Chuck S]

OKW is a DVC resort, but they also have rooms available for cash through Disney...do you think Disney would let one of their more expensive rental properties get old and "not kept up"? Take those reviews with a grain of salt.

We and friends stayed in two studios at OKW in June. We had no maintenance or housekeeping problems.

 

[pbharris4]

We had our 1st stay @ OKW in a 1 bdrm in July. I was hesitant to stay there because we like BCV/BWV/VWL but we loved it. We'll probably stay there more often. It was really clean (cleaner than BCV where we stayed for 6 days prior), REALLY spacious, quiet and relaxing, fun! The only thing (IMO) is the bedspreads are outdated. They in excellent condition, but to me just a tad out of style..but who really cares about that. BCV had a couple small chunks out the wall and the carpet was more worn. BCV the hallway carpet was really rather dirty in some areas. I love BCV (my home resort), but we defintely enjoyed OKW and you probably will as well.

 

[Holly]

We stayed at OKW last December. Our party had two- two bedroom villas and they were both in great condition. As a matter of fact, I tend to be quite picky about that sort of thing and I had no complaints at all.

The resort is gorgeous and I can't imagine anyone regretting their choice to stay there.

 

[Stitch1404]

Yes, Old Key West is definitely worth it. We just spent 2 weeks there in a 2 bedroom villa. Everything was in great condition and the resort is beautiful. We did have issues with housekeeping, but not enough to ruin my trip. Here are some pictures of our room from last week to give you an idea of the condition of the rooms:

Old Key West is just as beautiful and well-maintained as it was the first time we stayed there in 1995 and we will not hesitate to return.

 

[bobbiwoz]

DH and I stayed in an OKW 1 bedroom in June and we were blown away with how beautiful, clean, well kept, and large the villa was.

We had only stayed in an OKW studio prior to this visit, and we loved that as well.

Bobbi

 

[beccasmom]

Yes, very worth your visit! If the odd issue or complaint happens (rare, IMHO), housekeeping or maintenance is very accommodating. We once called maintenance because bubbles came out of one of the toilets when flushed and the toilet soon overflowed. Maintenance came speedily (at 1:30 am); they surmised a child had dropped some soap in the bowl! Maintenance/housekeeping issues can happen anywhere. On our visit to SSR in November, we were in a newly-opened Paddocks building and had no lights at all - circuit breaker issue, quickly remedied.

OKW is lovely and the staff works hard to keep in that way. I am picky, too and want to ensure my yearly dues are helping to keep things up to snuff!

 

[utahkennedys]

No, Old Key West is not a place worth staying! It is OLD, way too quiet, more like a retirement community, too spread out, the landscaping is too lush, the pools are too relaxing, and the location stinks!

(If you can't tell, I am totally joking...we LOVE it there! We are staying at HGVC Sea World in a few weeks but I know I'll have to sneak away to my home resort at OKW and at least get a snack or something b/c I will miss it too much!)

 

[OKW Lover]

I don't know where you've been reading bad reviews about OKW, but that's not the case in my experience. As you can tell by my screen name, I love OKW. We've been owners since 1995, visit at least 4 times a year (but not always at OKW), and I haven't seen any deterioration of the condition of this resort.

 

[JimMIA]

No, Old Key West is not a place worth staying! It is OLD, way too quiet, more like a retirement community, too spread out, the landscaping is too lush, the pools are too relaxing, and the location stinks!

While these points are all well taken, you are going in August. We never go in August, so you can kindly disregard these slanderous comments and have a great stay at OKW.

OKW is at its absolute worst during May, and again in November-December. Those are the traditional Spring Breaks for Florida nursing homes, the dates when the entire housekeeping and engineering staffs are away on vacation -- AND the annual Love Bug, mosquito, and man-eating alligator infestations.

The "Old Dump," as we call her, is completely unliveable during those periods -- don't even call!

 

[simzac]

While these points are all well taken, you are going in August. We never go in August, so you can kindly disregard these slanderous comments and have a great stay at OKW.

OKW is at its absolute worst during May, and again in November-December. Those are the traditional Spring Breaks for Florida nursing homes, the dates when the entire housekeeping and engineering staffs are away on vacation -- AND the annual Love Bug, mosquito, and man-eating alligator infestations.

The "Old Dump," as we call her, is completely unliveable during those periods -- don't even call!

Boy am I glad we're going in January

 

[byoung]

I'll bet you will fall in love with OKW.

 

[Granny]

... however, we're concerned because all the reviews we've read say its old and not kept up very well.

I read these boards pretty regularly , and I don't recall those kind of reviews at all other than the very occasional one as you'll see for any resort. Where did you see "all the reviews" that were so negative?

OKW is a great resort. Don't worry about it and enjoy it!

 

[off to neverland]

We love OKW, and we like it more each time we stay. Points are low, accomodations are huge, and it has a very relaxed, laid-back feeling that I have found incredibly soothing after a long day at the parks.

We've gone with a car and without, and believe it or not, I think I liked it better without. We had a beautiful walk to the main house, and the bus stop was right aroudn the corner and we never waited long for a bus.

I have never had a room in need of anything. My Dad was with us last time and he had internet problems in his room that took quite a while to fix, but once it was we had no issues whatsoever. Rooms have always been exceptionally clean.

What OKW doesn't have, in my opinion.. is as much of a WOW factor as some of the other resorts have, but others will disagree with this, including my husband who was "wowed" when he first checked in. He thought the greenery and landscaping was stunning, especially coming from Canada in the wintertime! I like the subtle Old Key West theming, because the parks are mega stimulating for me and it's nice to not have sensory overload all the time.

I love the pool there. Once again, it's that laid-back, marina type feel, and I find it much more relaxing than the Wilderness Lodge pool, though I absolutely love Wilderness Lodge too.

Hope you enjoy your stay!

PS My trip report (1st trip home as DVC members) talks about OKW.

 

[momofprincess]

we've been reading the posts on the disboards where one can rate the rooms according to bldg number and room number and room size.
thanks for the info.

 

[momofprincess]

this is the best message board I've ever been on. Thank you everyone for your opinions. We will definitely give OKW a go around this time. Our home resort is SSR....we really love it. And the DH and I are planning on running the DW marathon in 2009 so we've decided we're going to stay at BCV then. (We've got all the DW vacations planned from now until we die...or our DVC points expire. Whomever or whichever expires first.)
thanks to pbharris4 for sending the pics of daughters at DW. They are very cute and look like they're having lots of fun. Thanks to stitch1404 for the pics of the room.
you guys are the best!

 

[Cruelladeville]

What OKW doesn't have, in my opinion.. is as much of a WOW factor as some of the other resorts have.

Obviously, you have never stayed in a GV at OKW!

 

[Sammy]

DH has fallen so much in love with OKW that he wants to sell our BCV points to purchase (more) at OKW (scandalous, I know)

 

[dianeschlicht]

I don't know where you are hearing ALL THESE BAD REPORTS about OLD Key West, but take them with a grain of salt. Some folks think because "OLD" is in the name, that it feels that way too. So how many of you live in houses that are 14 years old or more? Sure, on occation you will get a unit with something not quite right, but the same is true for ALL DVC resorts, and ALL resorts of any kind. It's a typical Disney resort with Disney upkeep.