OKW ~ entire resort remodeled?? True??

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

We will be staying at Old Key West in about a week. I recently spoke with someone at DVC and they mentioned that the entire resort has recently undergone a remodel -- including all the rooms/units/villas, etc.

Is this really true??

If so, do you know when? (general timeframe)

Fingers crossed ... ... we've never stayed there before but are really looking forward to it.



I think we are supposed to be in building 63 or 64 ? Any input on the condition of those buildings?

 

[edk35]

Yes it is remodeled. They upgraded the villas to sleep one extra person by adding the sleep chair. They changed up the furniture in the bedrooms/ put in some new floor and carpeting, blinds and bedding. I think that is it. Correct me if I am wrong. I did stay there in Jan. but now I can't remember if they swapped out the livingroom furniture too.

 

[Deb & Bill]

They painted a lot of the existing furniture and did nothing in the bathrooms or kitchens. Walls were painted, carpet removed from the living rooms and replaced with laminate floor covering (simulated wood, except for the GV which have real wood floors). No appliances were changed out except for the television. And they moved the internet connection from the most convenient location in the dining area to a terribly inconvenient location in the master bedroom.

They replaced some of the wooden slat blinds with roman shades (on the porch door and windows) and the roman shades are a pain to open now. They made them childproof (and ultimately everyone proof).

The bedspread on the bed is so heavy/stiff it can stand up on its own. So you can build a fort with it for the kiddos to play in if it rains.

 

[edk35]

They painted a lot of the existing furniture and did nothing in the bathrooms or kitchens. Walls were painted, carpet removed from the living rooms and replaced with laminate floor covering (simulated wood, except for the GV which have real wood floors). No appliances were changed out except for the television. And they moved the internet connection from the most convenient location in the dining area to a terribly inconvenient location in the master bedroom.

They replaced some of the wooden slat blinds with roman shades (on the porch door and windows) and the roman shades are a pain to open now. They made them childproof (and ultimately everyone proof).

The bedspread on the bed is so heavy/stiff it can stand up on its own. So you can build a fort with it for the kiddos to play in if it rains.

I guess it is safe to say you didn't like the remodel?

 

[Chuck S]

I guess it is safe to say you didn't like the remodel?

I think many OKW members agree that they could've done a better job. It isn't awful, but they could've done better.

I like that they reused/recovered a lot of the original furnishings, as the quality of those pieces is likely superior to what would be available in the marketplace today. However, some of the materials chosen, like the laminate floor, the dark colors and the alligator table finish of the coffee table leave much to be desired.

The sleeper chair is very comfortable for sleeping, not so great as a chair for sitting, but overall a good addition.

I miss the carpet in the living room, the laminate makes the room "echo-y" and the worst addition is the roman shades to the balcony door. They look nice, but the operation is horrible. A pull across drape would have been better, IMO.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I guess it is safe to say you didn't like the remodel?

I think many OKW members agree that they could've done a better job. It isn't awful, but they could've done better.

I like that they reused/recovered a lot of the original furnishings, as the quality of those pieces is likely superior to what would be available in the marketplace today. However, some of the materials chosen, like the laminate floor, the dark colors and the alligator table finish of the coffee table leave much to be desired.

The sleeper chair is very comfortable for sleeping, not so great as a chair for sitting, but overall a good addition.

I miss the carpet in the living room, the laminate makes the room "echo-y" and the worst addition is the roman shades to the balcony door. They look nice, but the operation is horrible. A pull across drape would have been better, IMO.

Basically what Chuck said. The roman shades are nice, but if they had gotten a split cord instead of the short beaded chain, it would have operated the same and would have been child-proof, yet not adult-proof.

 

[saintstickets]

We will be staying at Old Key West in about a week. I recently spoke with someone at DVC and they mentioned that the entire resort has recently undergone a remodel -- including all the rooms/units/villas, etc.

Is this really true??

If so, do you know when? (general timeframe)

Fingers crossed ... ... we've never stayed there before but are really looking forward to it.



I think we are supposed to be in building 63 or 64 ? Any input on the condition of those buildings?

Since you have never stayed at OKW, you won't know what was changed or not. I'm sure you will have a fantastic time and enjoy the stay at OKW. We had a 2BR in building 62 during our trip last May, 2010 and loved it! The room had not been refurbished yet but you can get a general idea of the layout from the pics in the TR link below. There are plenty of other reports showing the newly refurbished rooms too. Hope your trip is as great as ours was and why shouldn't it be....you're at WDW!

 

[castleri]

They painted a lot of the existing furniture and did nothing in the bathrooms or kitchens. Walls were painted, carpet removed from the living rooms and replaced with laminate floor covering (simulated wood, except for the GV which have real wood floors). No appliances were changed out except for the television. And they moved the internet connection from the most convenient location in the dining area to a terribly inconvenient location in the master bedroom.

They replaced some of the wooden slat blinds with roman shades (on the porch door and windows) and the roman shades are a pain to open now. They made them childproof (and ultimately everyone proof).

The bedspread on the bed is so heavy/stiff it can stand up on its own. So you can build a fort with it for the kiddos to play in if it rains.[/

Currently in a 2 BR at OKW with the internet connection on the table between the couch and loveseat. Not the best place but better than in the bedroom.

Do agree that the Roman Shades are a pain -

 

[webcs]

stayed at the old model studio a decade ago and will be going to a 1 bedroom in Nov. Looking forward to it. havent been back in a long while even though its our home resort. Week of nov 5

That is unless we get upgraded in the next few weeks to bay lake or boardwalk.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...That is unless we get upgraded in the next few weeks to bay lake or boardwalk.

??? On points? Not going to happen.

 

[edk35]

We have stayed at OKW 3 times with the last trip being in a remodeled 2 br. We had a wonderful stay.

 

[SueM in MN]

They painted a lot of the existing furniture and did nothing in the bathrooms or kitchens. Walls were painted, carpet removed from the living rooms and replaced with laminate floor covering (simulated wood, except for the GV which have real wood floors). No appliances were changed out except for the television. And they moved the internet connection from the most convenient location in the dining area to a terribly inconvenient location in the master bedroom.

They replaced some of the wooden slat blinds with roman shades (on the porch door and windows) and the roman shades are a pain to open now. They made them childproof (and ultimately everyone proof).

The bedspread on the bed is so heavy/stiff it can stand up on its own. So you can build a fort with it for the kiddos to play in if it rains.

The 2 bedroom we stayed in had the internet connection in the living room between the couch and the corner table.
I had read where people said that the internet connection was moved to the master bedroom and thought maybe there was a second connection there and people who had not found the one in the living room thought that was the only one. I looked carefully in the bedroom and didn’t find any connection.

 

[Candy Orlando]

Watch the video I made of OKW and enjoy!!! Welcome Home!!!

 

[jns]

thanks for sharing

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm with Deb & Bill and Chuck. Some parts of the remodel would be fine if they weren't a PITA to use, but in general, I didn't like a whole lot about it.