Need advice on Old Key West

[rutgersdeb]

I wanted to know where the best building to stay in is at OKW. Have stayed on property before, but never there, and I know some locations can be better than others.
Also, if anyone has any other tips about OKW, it would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!!

 

[WKUMAD]

There can be many answers to your questions, A lot of us OKW fans have our own personal preference in locations for various reasons. Can you tell us a little more ? How many will there be in your party? Any children? What kind of accomodations are desired ? Will you have your own transport ?

 

[rutgersdeb]

Sorry, tried to make it short and sweet! Appreciate the info.

There will be four of us, myself, husband, and two kids, 14 and 16.We have reservations for a one bedroom villa. Stayed before in a similar place at Wilderness Lodge, but everyone wants to try something different. We have a length of stay pass, so I don't think we will be a the hotel too much, but will definitely make use of the kitchen for at least morning breakfast.

I'll have to check out that site for a map. I know the Disney website covers a lot, but when it comes to the resorts, I wish it had more.

Thanks again!

 

[rutgersdeb]

I forgot to mention our transportation. Kind of up in the air on that. Hate to spend $250 for a car when we will be on Disney all the time. (We are staying for 8 days). Anyway, I hear that sometimes it is better to have a car to drive to the parks, since some people have complained about the buses taking forever. We had that problem at Wilderness Lodge a few years ago. Also, it should be quite busy for our week, since it is Jersey week. Everyone is going because the schools are out for a few days. Anyway, I suppose it would be handy to be near one of the bus stops, just in case. Though we could all use some exercise!

Hopefully I didn't forget anything this time!

 

[disney queen]

we always try to get close the hospitality house as we never have a car. being close works best for us! the one bedrooms are very nice! we have stayed in those 3 times. having a washer/dryer is really a great convienice. thought i would never say that! my son has slept on the sleeper couch and says it is comfortable. there is a lot of room and you will be pleased. OKW is a very laid back resort. there have been horror stories of the transportation,but we have always had good experiences w/it. the boat to DTD is very pleasant! olivia's is very good, try to have at least one breakfast there. hope this helps!

 

[RobDoc]

Here is <a href="http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=1251562#post1251562">building layout for OKW.</a>

All areas of the resort are nice- many have favorite areas for personal reasons. If you have a view preference (water, golf course, woods) make that request.

Transportation has never been an issue for us- we always use the buses even if we have a car available- and the buses can get you throughout the resort easily (all buses stop at HH on the way out of the resort and the internal bus runs every 20 minutes).

Don't worry too much about the location- just expect that it will be fine and enjoy your stay!

 

[MELSMICE]

We enjoy the Turtle Pond area. There is a nice pool there & it has a snack bar at it, along with a shuffleboard area. I don't think any of the other "quiet pools" have snack bars.

We have never a transportation problem from OKW to any of the parks. They have always seemed very efficient. We use our own transportation during the evening if we are going to a resort, DTD or off-site to dine.

 

[DebbieB]

We like the Turtle Pond area too. We liked the water view 1 bedrooms in buildings 31 & 43.

You are going in November, the main pool will be closed.

 

[MinnieGi]

We have stayed in several area of OKW and found them all very nice. Most important to us is being as possible to a pool & playground and our DD loves to swim. We always ask about this at check-in and the cm's have been most accomadating putting us close to a pool. As another poster said the main pool will be closed when you go so you might request another area like Turtle Pond or Miller's Rd. There are bus stops throughout the resort also so you are really never that far from a stop. If you are in another area and don't want to walk to the Hospitality House you can just hop on one of the buses as they stop at the HH prior to leaving the resort. You really do not need a car at OKW, but if you do bring one the nice thing is you can park right in front of your villa!

 

[fkj2]

Olivia's serves this wonderful meal of buttermilk fried chicken that you might want to try and I think they were cream cheese mashed potatoes.

Also, I'm a big fan of taking the boat to Downtown Disney. It's such a relaxing way to get to and from a great shopping area.

 

[jastza]

Originally posted by DebbieB
We like the Turtle Pond area too. We liked the water view 1 bedrooms in buildings 31 & 43.

You are going in November, the main pool will be closed.

The pool will be closed in November? Will it be the whole month or certain dates? Is this to put the new slide in?

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by jastza
The pool will be closed in November? Will it be the whole month or certain dates? Is this to put the new slide in?

The pool is supposed to close sometime in September to construct the slide. They hope to have it completed by the end of the year (2004 ) It will apparently be closed for some of Sep, all of Oct and Nov and most of Dec.

Enjoy!

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Originally posted by rutgersdeb
I forgot to mention our transportation. Kind of up in the air on that. Hate to spend $250 for a car when we will be on Disney all the time. (We are staying for 8 days). Anyway, I hear that sometimes it is better to have a car to drive to the parks, since some people have complained about the buses taking forever. We had that problem at Wilderness Lodge a few years ago. Also, it should be quite busy for our week, since it is Jersey week. Everyone is going because the schools are out for a few days. Anyway, I suppose it would be handy to be near one of the bus stops, just in case. Though we could all use some exercise!

Hopefully I didn't forget anything this time!

The only time NEEDING a car was a priority for us was back in April. We had driven down to WDW from Mass. My sister's family did also. We had PS for the Hoop-Dee-Doo at 5PM. My sister and family were at Animal Kingdom, and we went to MGM for the day. We were in contact as it got closer, she was going to leave at 3:30 to head back to the room, only we were checking in that day, and our room wasn't ready. We waited around as long as we could, and finally decided that we needed to DRIVE to Pioneer Hall, because waiting for the bus could take forever. We put our luggage outside our door, and just asked if someone could move them inside once the room was ready (it was an OKW GV, we don't even know when it was ready, after 5 anyway) We were only a little late for the hoop-dee-doo, but still early enough to be seated. The show had not started yet. We never would of made it with the bus transportation.

So, unless you think you would have an issue like that ( we would of lost the money paid for the HDDR if we didn't get there in time) then I would not rent a car. Get transportation for the airport. Mears, ect. Then use Disney transportation.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have never felt the NEED for a car at OKW either, but we usually have one for visiting other resorts for dinner and for getting to and from the airport. I like having a trunk to lock my luggage in rather than using bell services. We have found transportation to be more than adequate at OKW. We rarely wait more than 10 minutes for a bus anywhere, and the only route that might be quicker by car is to Animal Kingdom.

As far as location, I have not really had a bad one at OKW. We have liked them all so far, and we have stayed there more than a dozen times.

Don't worry about the main pool being closed when you are there. If you are close to a neighborhood pool, you can still get good pool and hot tub time in , just with a little less theming.