OKW advice please!

[tjmw2727]

OKW is one of the few resorts I haven't stayed at yet, so I am looking forward to it but have some questions.

Planning a trip for my MIL and nephew's birthday so we will have Nana 86, Myself and my 2 over 18 daughters, my sister in law and my nephew 15 and niece 13 - so lots of ages and interests to keep happy. 7 total, 5 adults and 2 kids.

We are cash customers (got a pretty good AP discount) so we aren't eligible for preferred buildings.

Wish list for Nana (VIP) in order of importance:
First floor - she is pretty sprite for her age but stairs are rough and she likes to take a walk 2x a day.
Pool close enough for her to walk to comfortably, she loves to swim and read by the pool. Fairly close to the main area as I think she will like the restaurants and boat to Springs. Bus stop in reasonable distance, as a group we are probably only going to a park one maybe 2 days so that's lower on the list.
As reference last year we has a first floor 2bdr at BWV by the quiet pool and it was just Perfect for her!

Wish list for niece and nephew - again close to a pool, preferably one with a slide as well as access to an arcade or the community hall and access to mug refill Again - with less park time than usual they will be wanting other activities on non park days.

Myself and my dd's will be happy anywhere as the treat for us is being with the family.

I know I won't get my entire wish list but it would be nice to try and narrow down potential requests if possible and yes I know its only a request

Opinions welcome pro's and con's on any all of the above please and thanks in advance!

Cross posted with resort board - hope that's ok.

 

[DVCindyf]

I'm excited to be able to respond to your questions! We have been DVC members since 2000 and OKW is our home resort! We have stayed there many many times and often with a group similar to yours! First, don't worry too much about not being eligible for preferred buildings. I think that if you could request Turtle Pond Road that would be a perfect location for all of you! There is a quiet pool in this area that is lovely. The turtle shack snack window is open during the day and you can get your refillable mugs filled, light snacks, etc. There is a small arcade there too. Jimmy Buffet music plays as you sit and admire the beautiful palm trees! Its a perfect area for Nana to take her daily walks. There is a very central bus stop on Turtle Pond road and there is an internal bus that takes you up to the main pool area where the QS and table service restaurants, gift shop, and sports are. The teens could easily hop on the bus and take themselves to that area. So safe and people everywhere! This is also the area that you board the boat for Disney Springs. We took my mom several times when she was in her 80s and have the most wonderful memories. One trip there were 13 of us from age 2-82! I'm more than happy to answer any specific questions you might have!
Enjoy the planning. OKW is the perfect place for a laid back family time! I hope you love it as much as we do!

 

[Chuck S]

Welcome to the DISBoards, DVCindyf, I see you're pretty new to our online community!

The Turtle Pond pool area will be under refurbishment April to July. I agree with DVCindyf, it would be a great area to meet your needs but if you are traveling in April to July of this year, you'll need another location. My alternate suggestion would be buildings 19 and 20, close to the Miller's Road pool and bus stop. The only drawback is in buildings under number 30, there is only one entrance to the master bath, through the master bedroom. Another alternative is to stay in the South Point area, bldgs 53 to 56 are close to that neighborhood pool and to get to the restaurants for Nana, hop on any park bus and get off at Hospitality House. To return, stroll across the bridge from Hospitality to the Peninsular Road bus stop, and again hop on any park bus.

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks - this is helpful and confusing all at once

If the turtle pond area construction hasn't started yet that sounds ideal we checkout on 4/3.
Nana will have the master so we will need access to the master bath even when nana is sleeping/napping so that info is really helpful about the lower number buildings.

 

[Chuck S]

I don't know the exact dates of the refurbishment. I received this email from Disney, as I have a May/June reservation at OKW.


Disney's Old Key West Resort




January 2018

Dear ****** Family,




Welcome home! We are delighted you have chosen Disney's Old Key West Resort as your vacation destination, and we look forward to sharing the tranquility of our Florida Keys-inspired community with you!

In an effort to continually enhance the Guest experience here at the Walt Disney World® Resort, we often refresh our offerings and atmosphere. In preparation for your upcoming stay, we would like to inform you that Turtle Pond Pool, Turtle Shack Snack Bar and Flying Fish Gameroom will be unavailable due to refurbishment from April to early July 2018. During this time, we invite you to join us at our feature pool, Sandcastle Pool, featuring a waterslide, kiddie pool and a variety of dining and recreation locations. In addition, the South Point Pool and Miller’s Road Pool will be available for your enjoyment.

While we work our magic, it is possible that you may see construction. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding. Please know we are making every effort to ensure your stay is both comfortable and enjoyable.

If you have questions or need assistance prior to your arrival, please call Disney Vacation Club® Member Services at 800-***-**** or 407-***-*** between the hours of 9:00am-9:00pm (ET) Monday through Friday or 9:00am-7:00pm (ET) Saturday and Sunday.

General Manager David Belrose and the team at Disney's Old Key West Resort look forward to your arrival and wish you a truly magical stay!


Sincerely,

Disney Destinations, LLC

 

[dchill800]

We decided to stay at OKW for our 12/17 and 1/18 trips. The 1 BR in Dec had several issues that needed to be addressed but were not time-sensitive (they did not prevent us from enjoying our stay). This stay, which we are wrapping up today, is a different story. Our tub would fill with water while showering, the bedsprings were sticking into us, there was a water leak from the ceiling... They addressed our immediate concerns but the fact that they just put a bandaid on those and didn’t even think to move us prevented us from doing an add-on at this time. We spend a couple of thousand a year on dues, and to stay in a room that I equate to a run-down one-star motel for that price is insulting.

 

[quandrea]

We decided to stay at OKW for our 12/17 and 1/18 trips. The 1 BR in Dec had several issues that needed to be addressed but were not time-sensitive (they did not prevent us from enjoying our stay). This stay, which we are wrapping up today, is a different story. Our tub would fill with water while showering, the bedsprings were sticking into us, there was a water leak from the ceiling... They addressed our immediate concerns but the fact that they just put a bandaid on those and didn’t even think to move us prevented us from doing an add-on at this time. We spend a couple of thousand a year on dues, and to stay in a room that I equate to a run-down one-star motel for that price is insulting.

Not good. I got a terrible room back in 2010. Upon return, I wrote a lengthy letter to member services. Upon my return later that year, I was given a rehabbed room and received excellent service. Be never had a bad room again at OKW. I’m returning in April. Hoping that despite ongoing renovations, that I’ll get a satisfactory room.

I suggest you write a letter noting your concerns and telling them that it kept you from adding on. That’s a significant point.

 

[rg35]

It's unfortunate that some folks have had bad experiences but that doesn't really relate to the OPs question, which was in regards to the best area of OKW to stay in to suit her group's needs for a reservation she has already made.

In any event, I agree with Turtle Pond Road. We had rooms there on our last two stays at OKW (in 2015 and 2016). We would walk from our room to the main pool area (we have young kids and the main pool was a better venue for them) and it was leisurely. The distance, of course, depends on where exactly on Turtle Pond Road they put you.

I recommend googling Old Key West map if you haven't already just so you can see where things are in relation to one another.

Some notes:
The pool at Turtle Pond Road is definitely more low-key than the main pool. The kid/young adult members of your group will probably want to use the main pool however as that's where the slide and other activities are located. It's also deeper for jumping in and things of that nature.

The community hall is also by the main pool. On our non park nights we spent a lot of time in the community hall (younger kids need parental accompaniment) and we all had a great time.

Olivia's is pretty solid and very convenient. We usually eat one breakfast and one dinner there when we stay at OKW. The boat dock is also in that same area.

You can always take a bus from one internal OKW stop to another. Walking from Turtle Pond should be easy for your kids and 18+ year olds, but Nana might get tired doing it multiple times a day.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Disney's Old Key West Resort




January 2018

Dear ****** Family,




Welcome home! We are delighted you have chosen Disney's Old Key West Resort as your vacation destination, and we look forward to sharing the tranquility of our Florida Keys-inspired community with you!

In an effort to continually enhance the Guest experience here at the Walt Disney World® Resort, we often refresh our offerings and atmosphere. In preparation for your upcoming stay, we would like to inform you that Turtle Pond Pool, Turtle Shack Snack Bar and Flying Fish Gameroom will be unavailable due to refurbishment from April to early July 2018. During this time, we invite you to join us at our feature pool, Sandcastle Pool, featuring a waterslide, kiddie pool and a variety of dining and recreation locations. In addition, the South Point Pool and Miller’s Road Pool will be available for your enjoyment.

While we work our magic, it is possible that you may see construction. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding. Please know we are making every effort to ensure your stay is both comfortable and enjoyable.

If you have questions or need assistance prior to your arrival, please call Disney Vacation Club® Member Services at 800-***-**** or 407-***-*** between the hours of 9:00am-9:00pm (ET) Monday through Friday or 9:00am-7:00pm (ET) Saturday and Sunday.

General Manager David Belrose and the team at Disney's Old Key West Resort look forward to your arrival and wish you a truly magical stay!


Sincerely,

Disney Destinations, LLC

Interesting! We're at OKW from 4/29 to 5/5 and haven't received any Email yet. Regarding the OP's request. We were in building 47 or 48 last year (don't remember which) and it was very convenient to a pool, the bus stop, and it also had a great view of a golf hole from our first floor villa. However, no slide on the pool near there. A few years ago, we were in building 28, very convenient to the main pool and a bus stop. We were on the top floor, though, don't know if there's a first floor 2 BR in that building.

 

[dchill800]

I wasn’t trying to disparage OKW, but at this time, we have stayed in two different locations and the rooms just need rehabbed in my opinion before we would consider another stay here. More so, I’m anxious to see where that dues money is going. But if available, OP, I would try for SSR or AKV instead (not sure of the difference in cash price but AKV was a hit for our multi-generational trip and we managed a good discounted price). If OKW is a lock, we liked the quiet of South Point and were right next to a pool and a bus stop. The location worked well for us.

 

[tjmw2727]

I wasn’t trying to disparage OKW, but at this time, we have stayed in two different locations and the rooms just need rehabbed in my opinion before we would consider another stay here. More so, I’m anxious to see where that dues money is going. But if available, OP, I would try for SSR or AKV instead (not sure of the difference in cash price but AKV was a hit for our multi-generational trip and we managed a good discounted price). If OKW is a lock, we liked the quiet of South Point and were right next to a pool and a bus stop. The location worked well for us.

At this point the only option in our price range for the number of guests is OKW - thanks for the location suggestion!