Old Key West -- any thoughts??

[tiggerjan]

We're staying at Old Key West this trip, largely because our dear friends chose it. (It would not have been my first choice.) Anyway, I'd love some thoughts from anyone who's stayed there. I'm sure the accomodations are lovely, but I'm not wild about the location.

Any transportation tips? I'm lookin' for positive feedback here, people, 'cause I'm a little nervous that I'm not really gonna like it.

Thanks for any info you wish to pass on. I'm still fairly new to these boards, but loving all the great tips from great folks!

Tiggerjan

 

[RAD]

We just got back from OKW this Wednesday. You need to remember this is not a hotel but a timeshare community. Hence you have no room service and you have more of an apartment vs. a hotel room. If you have a 1 or 2 bedroom unit you'll think you're at home vs. a Disney resort.

Bus stops are spread out all over the resort, so you may have a bit of a walk, but the distance is similar to having a room at a regular resort with a room at the end of the hall. A nice thing is that if you have a car you can park right outside your building. We're DVC owners at Boardwalk Villas but we enjoy our stays over at OKW whenever we make it. ENJOY!

 

[DaveH]

Hi tiggerjan, I have only stayed there foor a single night twice annd I had a car. There are some folks who say you must have a car and others who say the bus system is fine. OKW is a DVC resort, you might want to ask this question on the DVC board. They will gladdly give you any info you want. I first question is the size of room/rooms? How much time you have and how much patients you have? Some folks never mind using busses hate them with a passion. You can park your car in front of your building at OKW I hope this helps soome. If you search the DVC board under my user name you should be able to find pics I posted a little over a year ago of a 1BR and studio rooms at KW. Have a macigal trip.

 

[tiggerjan]

Thanks RAD and DaveH, but so far I'm not feeling any better about this! We'll be staying in a 2BR villa for 6 nights. Our 8 and 14 yo DDs are staying w/us and my NON-DH is only going to hear our 17 yo DD sing at EPCOT (she's staying w/her choir at ASMu).

I'm still looking for someone to tell me some good stuff!

Tiggerjan

 

[doberlady]

Ok, I have no time this minute for a long reply.

We stayed there for 10 nights during Halloween in a 1 bedroom unit and I could never stay anywhere else now (ok except for Poly concearge) yes I am sure I spelled that wrong.

It was HUGE and the bathroom with the spa tub was sooooo worth it. Having the full kitchen was nice and our patio looked out to a pond with ducks. With 2 little kids there was so much space and we were not bumping into each other all the time. We were lucky and was honored our request to be near the main bldg. The pool is wonderful and the pool bar makes great tropical drinks.

I love it there!!

Hope that helped!

 

[Dancind]

I will second Doberlady's comments. It's a beautiful, big space. You will love it. Not to worry! We usually have a car that can be parked right in front of the unit. But if no car, you'll be OK. The transportation is as good as anywhere else. We've had more of a wait trying to get buses for Beach Club. Diana

 

[tiggerjan]

Thanks, you guys. That does make me feel better. I know my crew will be happier when we're not all on top of each other!

Tiggerjan

 

[rpink58]

I am a DVC member and my home resort is OKW. In the 2 bdr you will have a full service kitchen and the rooms are spacious. As the other posts stated this is more of an apartment than a hotel. The buses are not any worse or better than the other resorts. I feel CM's are a bit more friendly , but maybe thats because I have been going there for 8yrs. Trust me you will enjoy your stay.
P.S. Do not forget to take the boat from OKW to DTD, I consider this on of the best rides at WDW.

 

[kda]

Staying at a DVC property has given me a new understanding of what luxury is ----- space, space, and more space. Washer and dryer, so I can pack light; refrig to keep my drinks cold and my own ice cube trays; microwave to re-heat the leftovers that I could never take back to the room in the past because there was no way to keep them cool and reheat them; a kitchen that will allow me to save a little $$$ on meals (if I choose to do light cooking); couches to relax in -- not having to sit on the bed or a straight chair to watch TV; a really spacious living room; my own jacuzzi; unbelievably big bathrooms to spread out in; my car just outside my door at OKW. Plus, pastel decor that is pretty and so like the Keys and a very, very relaxing atmosphere. It's the best of 2 worlds ------ all the fun and excitement of the parks and DD nearby and a quiet place to retreat to that seems apart from the world.

If you have a large number of people in the 2BR, you might think about paying for a couple extra housekeeping services, since that's not provided daily. If everyone picks up after themselves and no one is a real slob, that's not a problem for most people. And you can purchase some extra towels if you chose, or plan to wash towels.

I swear that I read just as many positive and just as many negative comments about the transportation at OKW as at ANY of the other resorts -- no better, and certainly no worse. And taking the boat to DD is nice.

I think you'll get excited once you get there and walk in the door. Hope you have a great trip and really enjoy this special opportunity your DD has.

 

[peachgirl]

If you book through WDW you get full housekeeping services, just like any other resort, right?

We're staying in a 2 br in June and I can't wait! The only problem is we'll probably never want to go back to "just" a room!

 

[PamOKW]

Peachgirl, you are correct. If you book through Disney, you get all the service as if you were staying at any other WDW hotel. Except, they'll even run the dishwasher for you.

Tiggerjan, this is an absolutely gorgeous resort. The pre-tax rack rate on a two-bedroom runs from $479-$775 per night. That's quite a gift your friends are giving you.
The location is closest to DD and TL but is also very near Epcot and MGM. MK is also no more than a 15 minute bus ride. AK, is the furthest since it is at the opposite end of Disney property. OKW is almost on top of PO, if that gives you a frame of reference.

You might want to take a look at the pictures at www.disneyvacationclub.com or on the www.wdwig.com site to get an idea of what the rooms and the resort are like. I think you're going to be very pleasantly surprised!

 

[tiggerjan]

I did post my question on the DVC board also and have gotten many positive responses. Thanks so much to all of you.

Boy, I certainly hope I didn't give anyone the impression that I didn't appreciate the incredible generosity of our friends, either! I'm still pinching myself that we're staying in such luxury! You know, you start reading too many of these boards, and everyone has differing opinions about resorts, restaurants, etc. and sometimes you pick-up on a negative comment or two and start to worry.

Anyway, thanks again for all the great input. I CAN HARDLY WAIT!

Tiggerjan

 

[colleen costello]

I am glad you are looking forward to it. The place has a very wonderful atmosphere. It is so lush -- in terms of all the flowers and bushes it reminds me of the Polynesian. And it really does feel like you are in a beautiful little neighborhood somewhere. There are seashell bits in the pavement and Hidden Mickeys in the pastel picket fences -- perfect!

The area by Hospitality House is all lit up at night and it's so pretty down by the water. We would get ice cream at the General Store and sit by the water. The whole area feels peaceful and relaxed and so "Florida" -- I betcha you'll love it!

 

[ncligs]

Once you stay at OKW it will be hard to stay at a regular hotel again.We just got back 2 weeks ago and did the boat ride to DD every day, it is very enjoyable(and free). Here are some pictures of OKW for you below.

http://www.wdwig.com/g_okw.htm

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

A few notes on Transportation...

Busses are advertised throughout the resort as running every 30 minutes, however, in real life, they run on average every 15-17 minutes. They travel to all four theme parks, Downtown Disney, and both water parks. Just check the Destination Sign located on the front and side of the bus.

There are 5 stops within the resort, with the Hospitality House (main lobby, checkin) being the last stop.

Boat service to DTD is a wonderful ride. Runs every 20 minutes.

OKW is one of my FAVORITE resorts to drive through. It's peaceful, quiet, relaxing, gorgeous, and is like a skills course for a bus... LOL...

Here's a picture I took the other day. Horticulture has been working overtime over at OKW... the flowers are in full bloom, it's just simply breathtaking over there right now. Lots of vibrant colors everywhere.

 

[freediverdude]

Thank you Chip n' Dale, for the bus tip! I'm going to be staying there the 16th-18th next week, and was wondering how the bus service was, and what it will be like, since I've never stayed in one of the vacation club resorts before. I'll be in a studio, since it's just myself, it didn't warrant renting a huge villa with a living room and everything. I'm sure I'll like it, sounds like it's not quite as "hustle and bustle" as some of the regular resorts.