OKW Lovers Thread. Part 2

[carissa1970]

Where is the best place to find photos of OKW?

Just google Disney's Old Key West Resort and click on images. Tons of photos.

 

[chmurf]

The first bus stop would be Peninsular Road, most of those nearby units (Bldg 23 to 26) are in the Near Hospitality House booking category. If you are not booked into that category, chances are unlikely you would get one of those buildings.

The second stop is South Point, the very back of the resort, buildings numbers in the 50s.

I often hear about that "near hospitality house" room type, but I booked this morning on the UK site for 2015 and Near HH was never an option. I checked on the US website for a random date and that room type did not even show up (not unavailable, just not there ...)

being disabled I'd really appreciate being near HH, but how do you manage to select an option that doesn't show up ?
or is it reserved to DVC owners ?

 

[Nanajo1]

Near HH is a guaranteed request. It is not limited to DVC. If you don't see it on the ressie request I think you should e-mail MS and request it. We like the near HH location. If we see a bus go by we can try and catch it at the HH.

 

[Chuck S]

Near HH is a guaranteed request. It is not limited to DVC. If you don't see it on the ressie request I think you should e-mail MS and request it. We like the near HH location. If we see a bus go by we can try and catch it at the HH.

It is actually a booking category, even though it takes the same number of points as the rest of the resort. It should pop-up as an option on the website when booking the room online on the DVC Member website. It is my understanding that for non-DVC reservations with cash, it is not a guaranteed option.

If chmurf booked a cash reservation on the regular UK Disney website, it is likely not an option and they can not call Member Services. If the poster is booking cash through the UK site, then they would need to call the cash reservation line to request it, but it is not guaranteed...and with a disability, I hope they remember that OKW has stairs in all but three buildings, so they would need to also request an elevator building or ground floor for medical reasons, if necessary.

 

[chmurf]

thank you for your answers.

it's indeed a cash booking. OKW discounts (35% off accomodation) + free dining for 2015 have been released this morning for the non-US guests on the UK site.
I have already sent an email to WDTC-UK asking about how to "secure" a building like 11-14 or those on Peninsular, or one of the 3 with an elevator.

It's a bit far in advance, I know but you can't blame a guest for being uber-excited by a new booking

 

[Linda67]

It opened yesterday... There is a Facebook page "Friends of the Gurgling Suitcase at Disney's Old Key West Resort" and various people have posted pictures and such... Now if I can just see pictures of the pool (post mini-rehab)....

Many thanks!

 

[scoobydooby]

Hi all. I have just booked to stay at OKW for August 2015 in a one bed villa. This will be my 8th trip, 7th on site but we have never even visited this resort before.

The UK booking site did not allow the choice of near Hospitality House and to be honest having looked at All Ears and other websites and the map most of the day (!) I think I'd prefer to be near the Turtle Pond quiet pool. We will have a car.

Which would be the best building to ask for in this area please? I think they all have 1 bed villas in them. Proximity to the pool is my main priority. Looking at it if possible.

Thanks

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

Hi all. I have just booked to stay at OKW for August 2015 in a one bed villa. This will be my 8th trip, 7th on site but we have never even visited this resort before.

The UK booking site did not allow the choice of near Hospitality House and to be honest having looked at All Ears and other websites and the map most of the day (!) I think I'd prefer to be near the Turtle Pond quiet pool. We will have a car.

Which would be the best building to ask for in this area please? I think they all have 1 bed villas in them. Proximity to the pool is my main priority. Looking at it if possible.

Thanks

Just curious , how can you book 15-16 months in advance ?? Are you a DVC member ?

 

[scoobydooby]

Just curious , how can you book 15-16 months in advance ?? Are you a DVC member ?

Nope I'm British. Our free dining deals for 2015 came out yesterday. Tradition has it they include 35% off with free dining at OKW and SS (excludes grand villas). And tradition didn't let us down this week We have to book I think by June 1014 for this deal.

 

[scoobydooby]

^ doh 2014 sorry

 

[Chuck S]

Just curious , how can you book 15-16 months in advance ?? Are you a DVC member ?

It is not unusual for foreign travelers to get extended windows for cash bookings. I assume because of the logistics to set up foreign travel and the fact they often stay much longer than domestic US travelers. The 35% discount + free dining has been done before in the UK.

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

It is not unusual for foreign travelers to get extended windows for cash bookings. I assume because of the logistics to set up foreign travel and the fact they often stay much longer than domestic US travelers. The 35% discount + free dining has been done before in the UK.

Thanks, I didn't know that ! Makes perfect sense.

 

[chepic]

^ doh 2014 sorry

We will be there in august this year too. :0)

 

[Nicnic]

Hi,

Looking into a 1 bed apt for 2ad 2ch 4&12.

Couple of questions please.

What are the sofa beds like, we will be there for 2 weeks and would hate for the kids to be uncomfortable. Would they have a sofa each? I've looked at pictures and can see 2 sofa beds and a chair, which ones convert to the beds?

Also is there a splash area for little ones and do they have pool activities on during the day?


Thanks for your replies.

 

[carissa1970]

Hi, Looking into a 1 bed apt for 2ad 2ch 4&12. Couple of questions please. What are the sofa beds like, we will be there for 2 weeks and would hate for the kids to be uncomfortable. Would they have a sofa each? I've looked at pictures and can see 2 sofa beds and a chair, which ones convert to the beds? Also is there a splash area for little ones and do they have pool activities on during the day? Thanks for your replies.

We stayed in a 1 bedroom last summer. The chair converts to a very comfy bed. Your 4 year old would love it. Our 7 yo slept in it for 6 nights very comfortably. The bigger of the two couches fold out into a queen sleeper. We didn't use it so I'm not sure how it is.

There is a very shallow, separate kiddie pool near the main pool. I remember there being lots of activities during the day near the pool, as well.

Have a great trip!

 

[chepic]

Hi, Looking into a 1 bed apt for 2ad 2ch 4&12. Couple of questions please. What are the sofa beds like, we will be there for 2 weeks and would hate for the kids to be uncomfortable. Would they have a sofa each? I've looked at pictures and can see 2 sofa beds and a chair, which ones convert to the beds? Also is there a splash area for little ones and do they have pool activities on during the day? Thanks for your replies.

The chair pulls out and is more comfortable than the sofa. At least that's what our boys say. In the past, our oldest sleeps on sofa as is and finds it more comfortable than when pulled out to bed. It is just like most pull outs, with a thin mattress and metal springs. I would imagine it would depend on their weight/size. The other "sofa" is a love seat that does not pull out. When our youngest was 4, we would turn love seat around and put it against the wall and use it like a crib. He loved that.

Pool activities during the day, schedule is given at check in. Just like other resorts, they have the team come out and do some games, dance off, stuff like that. There is a small splash down area, surrounded by beach sand.

Hope that helps
Cheryl

 

[scoobydooby]

Hi all. I have just booked to stay at OKW for August 2015 in a one bed villa. This will be my 8th trip, 7th on site but we have never even visited this resort before. The UK booking site did not allow the choice of near Hospitality House and to be honest having looked at All Ears and other websites and the map most of the day (!) I think I'd prefer to be near the Turtle Pond quiet pool. We will have a car. Which would be the best building to ask for in this area please? I think they all have 1 bed villas in them. Proximity to the pool is my main priority. Looking at it if possible. Thanks

Bump... hope that's ok! Any advice on the best building to request anyone?

 

[tb1972]

Anyone have photos of the new pool without the bridge? We're going home in Oct. and can't wait!
Tabatha

 

[tb1972]

I vote for Turtle Pond!

I am not sure about linking the reservations, but if you can't I suggest you call the resort and mention it to front desk. They will do their best.

Are you using you points for both studios? If so, call member services and have them note "traveling with...." on both reservations. If you did not make both reservations, or if one is a points reservation and the other cash, call the appropriate booking entity (DVC or Cash reservations) and have "Traveling with....." noted on both.

Thanks everyone. My wait list for HH came through so I will save the Turtle Pond advice for another stay. It does sound great!

My Sis and I linked our reservations and hope for the best.

 

[Countryrunner262]

We are new to DVC and were planning a 4 night stay over Labor Day. We were looking at getting a 1 bedroom villa at OKW. We are planning on a resort only stay and not doing any parks, just DTD. Are there any recommendations of what building or location is best for being close to the pool and main building. Is there one pool thats better than the others. We will not have a car, so we need something not too far away from everything. We will have my 8 year old and 6 year old with us as well. We toured all of the DVC resorts on our last trip and my son loved the grounds at OKW.