OKW Information Needed

[carolsnot]

Couldn't find a thread about Old Key West, I am thinking about staying there maybe a studio or 1 bedroom any info will be appreciated, Is this a good or bad place to stay?

 

[skipperkim]

I loved it. We stayed in building 63 4 years ago. We had a 2 bedroom unit. I'd love to go back.

 

[NCRedding]

If you go over to the DIS forum on DVC, you'll get tons of information on OKW. I love OKW; the feel of the resort is like being in Key West--very relaxed and comfortable. I love the large rooms and the color scheme. It is a large resort with multiple bus stops. Some people complain that if feels to far removed from the parks, but I like that feeling. I've never had issues with the buses there, but do usually rent a car.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Carolsnot,
How many people are you traveling with ?

The one bedroom is so awesome ---it's huge and the balcony is huge as well. But, then you'll only get the king bed and the queen sleeper sofa in the living room. Some people prefer two real beds. But if you're traveling with kids who might not mind a sleeper sofa, I'd spring for the one bedroom. You'll get a full kitchen, washer/dryer, jacuzzi and big balcony.

The studios are very nice as well---you get two queen beds. But the one and two bedrooms are definitely "wow" !

 

[carolsnot]

I will be traveling with my husband and son 20yrs and GF 19yrs. WE haven't been to Disney in about 15 years and would like to stay in the park but rate are higher than I expected. We have a Pop -up camper that sleeps 6, we thought about looking into staying at the Disney camping area, to save money, or maybe a studio in OKW. We're on a budget.

 

[Hopefully]

I love OKW. It has the largest rooms of any DVC property. It is quiet and sitting on your large balcony overlooking the golf course is wonderful.
If you get a one bedroom unit you will have a full kitchen as well as a jacuzzi tub and a washer and dryer. Having the kitchen allows you to save a lot of money on food. Even if you didn't cook at night, you will save a lot on breakfasts and snacks.
I would go back to OKW anytime.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Carolsnot,
If you're interested in OKW, try checking out the DVC Member rent board. Many Members rent points out for approx $10 a point. You might get a better deal this way vs going directly through disney. Here's the link :
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29

What time of year will you be there ?

 

[carolsnot]

Thanks for the Info and web site on DVC points. I'm not exactly sure how that works. How do you know how many points you would need for 8 nights at OKW studio March 7 thru March 14, 2008?

 

[MiaSRN62]

How do you know how many points you would need for 8 nights at OKW studio March 7 thru March 14, 2008?

Members have guidebooks. It shows us how many points for the night (weekends ---Fri & Sat are always high). Also, different times of the year cost more or less.

A studio for March 7-14 would be :
March 7 and 8 (Fri and Sat) will be your highest point days. You are going in one of the higher point seasons as far as DVC goes.
March 7 = 27 points
March 8 = 27 points
March 9-13 (checking out the morning of the 14th ?) = 11 points each.

So, if you can find a Member willing to rent their OKW points for $10/point, you'll pay $110/night for Sun thru Thurs and $270/night for the Fri and Sat night stay.

Total cost to you would be : $1,090

I checked on the disney website and the same stay would cost you = $2,915

So that would be a big savings to you if you could find a DVC Member to rent to you. Hope this helps.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Sorry....just saw you said 8 nights. I thought I had read 7 nights. So add another $270 to the DVC Member rental cost and another $370 to the disney reservations cost.

 

[jwwi]

Carolsnot,

We stayed in a studio 2/2007 for 5 nights. We really had a nice first floor room. Pluses: parking right at our door, small kitchenette with microwave/refrig/sink and dishes. Small patio, enclosed with table and chairs. There was a large window in the room and with the patio door on the other side of the beds we had cross ventilation and additional natural lighting. Comfortable beds, queen size. The room is much larger than the moderates that I normally stay in. The bathroom is a nice size, with storage area in vanity.

Minus: No view from first floor patio due to lush foliage, no daily maid service (just trash and towel service on 3rd day).

We rented points from a member and received an awesome rate, less expensive than a room at CBR where our original reservation was. If you book thru the resort you do get daily maid service. Renting points can be risky so make sure you read some of the warnings.

We also loved the resort atmosphere, the grounds are well maintained. I did not swim, but sat near the pool one day and the other guests seemed to like both the slide and pool. The gift shop is small but nice. We did not eat at Olivia's or the CS place. But we did take the boat to DTD and SSR. We also took a walk to SSR one day, kinda long but nice walk. I really thought the CM's were some of the friendliest I have met at WDW. We had a car so I did not take any buses.

I have stayed in a 2 bdrm many years ago, they are huge. Please feel free to ask me any other questions.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Minus: No view from first floor patio due to lush foliage, no daily maid service (just trash and towel service on 3rd day).

True, when it comes to "ground" floor "studios", the views can be blocked by thich landscaping. It doesn't affect the 1/2/3 bedrooms nearly as much, but the studios are on the ends of the buildings. If you don't mind steps, request a 2nd or 3rd floor studio for a better view.

 

[heaven2dc]

Members have guidebooks. It shows us how many points for the night (weekends ---Fri & Sat are always high). Also, different times of the year cost more or less.

A studio for March 7-14 would be :
March 7 and 8 (Fri and Sat) will be your highest point days. You are going in one of the higher point seasons as far as DVC goes.
March 7 = 27 points
March 8 = 27 points
March 9-13 (checking out the morning of the 14th ?) = 11 points each.

So, if you can find a Member willing to rent their OKW points for $10/point, you'll pay $110/night for Sun thru Thurs and $270/night for the Fri and Sat night stay.

Total cost to you would be : $1,090

I checked on the disney website and the same stay would cost you = $2,915

So that would be a big savings to you if you could find a DVC Member to rent to you. Hope this helps.

You have been extremely helpful (even to me since I'm considering OKW studio next March). After looking over the points that would needed renting, maybe over the weekend it would be better to stay at a value resort. But then would splitting the stay in 2 resorts be a hassle?

 

[MiaSRN62]

maybe over the weekend it would be better to stay at a value resort. But then would splitting the stay in 2 resorts be a hassle?

Even alot of DVC Members (myself included), have stayed at other disney resorts in order to save the weekend points. If you plan your day well, it's not bad. Disney will actually transport your luggage for you. Just be prepared that you could be "homeless" on the switch day so make plans for the parks and/or lunch somewhere. Sometimes those rooms aren't ready until 4 or 5 pm for check-in. Lately, we've been very lucky though and actually gotten into our room early. But you just can't count on it. So my answer would be, yes, it's a little hassle, but not enough to make me not do it from time to time in order to save points.
Good luck with your planning.

 

[carolsnot]

You guys have great information. I just need more time to check it all out. I work 12 hour shifts and working alot more to have moneyfor this vacation. I can't wait til my next day off so I can read up on some of this. Thanks so much for the great information, keep it comming.

 

[REL1203]

Is the tap water at OKW drinkable? Since we have a full kitchen, do the fridges have a water dispenser by chance?

 

[MiaSRN62]

Is the tap water at OKW drinkable? Since we have a full kitchen, do the fridges have a water dispenser by chance?

The tap water is the same as the rest of wdw. Not great---we don't prefer it. No, there is no water dispenser on the refrig door. Filtered water would be nice. We pick up a couple gallons of spring water from Walgreens and keep it in the frig.

 

[carolsnot]

I keep reading about the refillable mugs, does OKW have them?? And can you refill them anywhere?

 

[MiaSRN62]

They do have them, though they may not be as convenient. You can refill them at Goods To Go and Turtle Shack snack stands. Turtle Shack is not always open though. Goods closes at 10 pm. Most resorts have a food court to refill mugs which stays open until midnight usually. It does perturb me that Goods closes at 10 pm. So that limits the times you can refill. But the refillable mugs are great when you're hanging by the main pool. So close and convenient to where you refill.
But OKW is a larger, more spread out resort. Some villas may be a 10-15 min walk to Goods. But most are a 2-10 min walk. It really depends on where your room is.

 

[carolsnot]

Can the refillable mug purchased at OKW be used in any other resort or just at OKW?