OKW owners, Gurgling Suitcase

[WDWDad]

I was doing some research on another site regarding OKW when I came upon a description of the restaurants and bars at OKW. The Gurgling Suitcase description came with a warning for those considering going there regarding the size of the interior.

Although I love the Gurgling Suitcase, it is mainly a take out bar for us. I have thought many times how nice it would be to enjoy a cocktail at a location overlooking the pool area that would be more comfortable. We have invited friends back to the resort and had to sit around the pool drinking our cocktails rather than sit in a more comfortable atmosphere. Sometimes weather can be a factor for the Suitcase as well.

So what do others think about this? Is the Gurgling Suitcase the lounge of your dreams? Would something larger make more sense? If so, would that be in place of, or in addition to the Gurgling Suitcase?

 

[Norm1]

I have mixed feelings about any expansion of the gurgling suitcase. It is so small that you can't help make conversation with others that are in the bar. The bartenders do a good job of entertaining everyone there. I've had some very memorable and enjoyable times there because of this. It's very much part of the charm.
And yet you are right one large party can occupy the whole bar and leave nothing but sitting on the dock of the bay.

 

[monami7]

I Love that it is the size it is. It is one of the reasons DH and I love OKW. It kind of feels like some of the tiny bars in the real Key West. Just a lot cleaner! LOL

 

[Simba's Mom]

I love the intimacy of Gurgling Suitcase. Like a PP said, you easily often becpme friends with the few other patrons. I remember one of our first visits as DVCers, we hadn't been in there more than about 30 seconds when a (formerly) stranger started chewing our ear off about how terrrible the new pool slide would be, they didn't consider members' opinions, etc., etc. We've had some interesting conversations in there!

 

[skelooch]

Great little bar, my favorite watering hole. I hope someone is keeping a seat warm for me I'll be back there in late May.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I'd like more bar seats certainly..but I wonder if OKW could support a much larger area???
WE always go there at least once each trip for a bite to eat and a few drinks. As noted, the bartenders are VERY friendly.

 

[Cee]

LOVE the Gurgling Suitcase just the way it is. As the old song says, "Don't change a hair for me, not if you care for me."

 

[WDWDad]

No doubt the current area is pleasant. And the staff is of course wonderful, as has been our experience with all of the staff at OKW. Our kids tell great stories of how the staff at Hanks know all of them by name.

Ther purpose of the thread was just to see if anuyone else had a desire for a larger entertaining area at Gurgling Suitcase. So far the unanomous opinion is to leave it alone. I can accept that.

I have never been to Key West. Is the predominant make up there smaller intimate establishments similiar to our Gurgling Suitcase?

 

[eva]

No doubt the current area is pleasant. And the staff is of course wonderful, as has been our experience with all of the staff at OKW. Our kids tell great stories of how the staff at Hanks know all of them by name.

Ther purpose of the thread was just to see if anuyone else had a desire for a larger entertaining area at Gurgling Suitcase. So far the unanomous opinion is to leave it alone. I can accept that.

I have never been to Key West. Is the predominant make up there smaller intimate establishments similiar to our Gurgling Suitcase?

Yes, in Key West a lot of establishments are small intimate bars or front porch type settings. I don't think I would change the Gurgling Suitcase. But it might be nice if Olivia's added a lounge. To be honest, a lounge could probably be added in the lobby area that I have never seen used. The Gurgling Suitcase is really more of a pool bar.

 

[La2kw]

Gurgling Suitcase is fine the way it is. It adds to the charm of OKW. To expand it, something would most likely have to go, and I can't think of anything else I'd be willing to part with to make that happen.

Yes, the real Key West does have a number of small bars right on Duval St. There are also larger ones, but some of the bars are nothing but porches serving drinks off the front railing.

 

[JimMIA]

I have never been to Key West. Is the predominant make up there smaller intimate establishments similiar to our Gurgling Suitcase?

No, not at all.

Most Key West watering holes are many times the size of the suitcase (which is remarkably well-named, BTW). Most feature seating for dozens to hundreds, live music, and a LOT of other features that the suitcase can never offer.

If anyone thinks GS is representative of the real Key West, I'd sure love to know which specific Key West venues they visit! Because I haven't seen anything on the tiny scale of GS in the real Key West (and we go there often).

In terms of an upgrade to the Disney Old Key West Resort, I'm not sure a large open-air bar -- like you find in many places in Key West -- would be in character for this resort. Hog's Breath may very well be better than no breath at all, but to me, it's not very Disney.

To me, OKW is a family resort with a relaxed atmosphere, and a "Margaritaville" atmosphere is really not consistent with the rest of the resort...either in terms of theming or general atmosphere.

JB's music, fine. But you don't really want the REAL Key West at OKW. Trust me.

 

[WDWMom]

No, not at all.

Most Key West watering holes are many times the size of the suitcase (which is remarkably well-named, BTW). Most feature seating for dozens to hundreds, live music, and a LOT of other features that the suitcase can never offer.

If anyone thinks GS is representative of the real Key West, I'd sure love to know which specific Key West venues they visit! Because I haven't seen anything on the tiny scale of GS in the real Key West (and we go there often).

In terms of an upgrade to the Disney Old Key West Resort, I'm not sure a large open-air bar -- like you find in many places in Key West -- would be in character for this resort. Hog's Breath may very well be better than no breath at all, but to me, it's not very Disney.

To me, OKW is a family resort with a relaxed atmosphere, and a "Margaritaville" atmosphere is really not consistent with the rest of the resort...either in terms of theming or general atmosphere.

JB's music, fine. But you don't really want the REAL Key West at OKW. Trust me.

I don't think the OP's intent is to have a bar like the ones in Key West. He is more thinking of the pool bars the Poly or Kidani Village have. More around the pool, outside. TGS is quite intimate but I prefer to be outside. Sitting in a pool chair or at a picnic table is not quite the same as sitting on a bar stool.

And of course, there is no room currently for a pool bar at OKW so that point is moot. I really don't want to change the pool area. I'm not sure some owners/DISers could handle the change after the uproar when they did the first pool upgrade.

 

[DVCconvert]

The OP never said he wanted to change the GS, he asked what other's opinions were. He stated what another source had written and basically asked if others felt the same way. No need to get nasty about it. Just because you like something doesn't mean others do. That's what makes this forum great; people can get other people's opinions and have a discussion. But it's not so great when people start making negative comments.

Time to switch to decaf?
I don't see where or how there was any nasty-ness in that reply. The poster was answering the OP's request for opinions and gave one in a non-aggressive manner.
YMMV

 

[WDWDad]

My personal feeling is that the book area from the lobby be converted into a Key West style lounge area. Dang I was gonna save that for next month. LOL

 

[JimMIA]

My personal feeling is that the book area from the lobby be converted into a Key West style lounge area.

Naw. That area is much more valuable as a place for families who have flown in (and have no car) to wait for their villa to be ready.

If they could do a pool bar, that would be better than what they now have, but I'm not sure where there would be sufficient room.

 

[WDWMom]

Naw. That area is much more valuable as a place for families who have flown in (and have no car) to wait for their villa to be ready.

If they could do a pool bar, that would be better than what they now have, but I'm not sure where there would be sufficient room.

I don't think we have ever seen anyone in that room. Seriously. Even when our kids were younger, they always waited outside the building with DH or when DD was old enough to watch her brother they would go into the General Store while I checked us in. My kids always wanted to be outside. Why would any wait there anyway? There are so many better things to do than sit in a dark room and wait for your villa to be ready. It is WDW. But I guess there are people who use it or they would have done something better with the space by now.

 

[Norm1]

IMO we all need to sit down at the Gurgling Suitcase, have a tequila sunrise and discuss this in more detail. Any takers?

 

[WDWMom]

We'll join you. We will be there March 31 But we'll probably have to grab some drinks and have our discussion elsewhere.

 

[Pootle]

I don't think we have ever seen anyone in that room. Seriously. Even when our kids were younger, they always waited outside the building with DH or when DD was old enough to watch her brother they would go into the General Store while I checked us in. My kids always wanted to be outside. Why would any wait there anyway?

Because if you have an evening flight and you've already had lunch and are packed up and dressed ready for the airport and non-tropical weather at home, then it's a comfortable place to read and relax before the journey. Some times it is hard to find 2 seats together btw, so I promise you, it is used

 

[BEASLYBOO]

IMO we all need to sit down at the Gurgling Suitcase, have a tequila sunrise and discuss this in more detail. Any takers?

Yes, but isn't that the whole issue at hand, we don't all fit! Pesonally I find it a little clausterphobic in there, does that prevent me from ordering my pina colada's, and enjoying them by the pool, no not at all!

I personally like OKW's family feel and I don't see the need for a bigger bar area.