Just Back from an amazing 1st time stay at OKW

[Candy Orlando]

I love OKW!!! Your photos are beautiful!!! I always used a Nikon camera when I was a Boston Red Sox photographer. They are the best cameras but you also need a person who can compose the shot. Your husband did a great job!!!

 

[Lost boy]

Great pics, we stayed 10 days in Jan. in building 23 and could see our balconey in your shots, made me wimper a little, glad you had such a good time.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Cee- Thanks! I want to go back like NOW

mmjm- you are exactly right- everything was huge and relaxed- the first few nights of the trip we didn't see anyone near our building, let alone hear any noise at night!

Candy_Orlando- Thank you. That means a lot to him. He got his camera a few months ago, and has read as much as he can about photography. Completely self taught. He is getting great at using the settings- I have to admit that when I use the camera I keep it on auto lol. All the dials are a bit intimidating

My son in the jumbo sand pail

Part of what made this trip so magical was that my mom was able to join us once we learned we were staying in a 2 bedroom villa. Here she is infront of the lilghthouse sauna

A few inside the villa photos (more to come)

Neat night pic

 

[saintstickets]

Love the room pics. Now we can see what they look like from my May, 2010 "before" pics and your current "after" pics....

Before -

After -

Before -

After -

 

[Checkers]

Wow, Allison (my daughter's name, too) the photos are spectacular! Thank you so much for posting. We will be there in a few weeks in a 2br (near the HH) and I just loved seeing photos of the renovated rooms.

OKW is one of our "homes away from home" and we are looking forward to our visit. Thanks for sharing!

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Bill- I love the before and after pics.

Paula- Thank you!

Our DS (5) didn't understand the tv in the cabinet placement. At first it was a bit odd, but we were used to it by the end of the trip.

We have been home for two days now, and all we can talk about is DVC villas. The two bedroom was amazing- and HUGE. As much as we would LOVE to buy into DVC with enough points to always stay 2 bedroom- its just not feasible right now. We are considering renting points next year and staying in a 1 bedroom- or even a studio (eeek)- a huge difference then our original vacationing plan (stay cheapest room/resort possible). Now that we have been spoiled I have no clue how we will ever go back.

Its not just the size of OKW what got us wrapped around its finger. The staff was amazing- super helpful, kind, considerate. The resort was so family friendly and relaxed at the same time. When we stayed at POR it was- nice, a simple hotel room, nothing to write home about and nothing to really complain about- we spent the entire day at the parks and went back to sleep. But, at OKW- we actually found ourselves wanting to leave the parks during the day to hang at the resort, if that makes sense. Our whole mindset regarding Disney has changed.

If you haven't been, and you have kids- please try your hardest to attend some of the events offered at Community Hall (where they rent DVDs). The staff puts so much planning and effort into making fun and exciting events for the kids- its incredible. We had a blast at the pool party- where the staff played music, encouraged the kids to dance, gave out prizes, and played pool games. They also had "Whats in your beach bag" where they had you hold up a card if you had an item they called out in your bag- and then gave out awesome prizes (our son won a basketball game from the pool party, and a travel sized version of the game apples to apples). Inside community hall the kids can also design t-shirts, tote bags, paint ceramic disney figures, and more. I have the schedule of offered activities if anyone is interested-

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

More room pics....

King Bed

Door to balcony from main bedroom

Whirlpool bath

Walk in large shower off main bedroom/whirlpool bathroom (hard to see but shower was a nice size!

Laundry room off main bathroom

Second bedroom

 

[Candy Orlando]

Great two bedroom OKW villa photos. OKW villas are so big and beautiful. I love all the activities at the pool and Community Hall. Did you go to the campfire to make s'mores?

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

We wanted too- but both nights it was offered it poured rain

 

[iluveeyore]

Thanks so much for posting - love the pics! We were just there in a 2 bdrm for Christmas so it was nice to remember our favourite resort this morning while I look outside at snow! We've never stayed in that section so it was nice to see your views from the deck - we were in building 47 and saw the Epcot fireworks every night too! We've stayed in building 24 with an amazing view and close to HH - might give building 62 a try in October as I love the bridge and fountain view!

 

[saintstickets]

More "before" and "after" renovation pics... (Your pics are SO much better)

Before Master BR

After

Before Master Bath

After

Before Second bedroom

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Bill- thanks again for the before and after pics.

DH just noticed that in the 2nd bedroom the bedframes aren't actually new, but painted.

I personally LOVE the changes they made- just looks more modern, and clean. Some things we noticed when there- when we opened the silverware drawer it would bump into the dishwasher- causing the dishwasher door to fly open, and the washer didn't work on one of the settings.

 

[Wenny]

These are some of the best OKW pics I've seen! And saintstickets, the Before and After shots are great comparisons.

I was already excited about our first OKW stay in March - this thread clinched it.

 

[Marleen2]

Thank you! DH uses a Nikon D90 with a zoom lens (the kit lens) and also has a prime lens (50mm)

Great pictures! I particularly love the first two ones in the dark. Which shutter speed did your husband use? And I guess he used a tripod to take these? I usually just take a compact camera, but I'd like to take my DSLR (Canon 500D) someday.
Great job!

 

[Marleen2]

Old Key West is like a second home to my family. When I first saw the pics about the refurbishment, I was having serious doubts about it. Didn't like the colors at all. But now that I've seen your pictures, it looks stunning! Can't wait to be there again!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Well let me tell you that if I already didn't love OKW your pictures would surely convince me. The 1st few pictures could be post cards for the resort. Nice to hear that you really got the OKW experience, I myself look forward to our stay in June to see the renovations to our favorite resort for ourselves!

Thanks for the wonderful TR, your son is adorable!

 

[Pootle]

Just brilliant pictures - thank you so much for posting. Delighted that you had such a wonderful time at my favorite resort

 

[BEASLYBOO]

A few of many pics taken by DH....

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Would you mind if I saved this picture as my background? It's spectacular!

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Wenny-Thank you! I hope you enjoy OKW as much as we did!

Marleen2- No tripod! I think he balanced the camera on something- like a chair or a post. I will ask him though (asked- it was a wooden pole), and I will ask about the shutter speed too (asked- he thinks it was 20 sec- whatever that means lol). I am so happy that you enjoy the pictures!

BeasleyBoo-Thank you! Of course you can use it as your background- that’s the exact same pic we have as our background on our laptop- I can email you a copy if you'd like- just pm me with your email address!

Pootle-Thanks 

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Back with a few more pics....

all pics are pre-editing. DH may be back to repost if he decides to edit any of them