Old Key West Anyone?

[lustergirl]

Not many threads about this resort- has anyone stayed there? I am looking into booking my trip for next september (had to cancel this year;s- boohoo!!) and I am interested in staying at this resort. It looks so appealing and it really sold me on the fact that it has a basketball court- something both of my sons enjoy immensely. Any thoughts??? I am interested in reserving a studio for the for of us.

 

[mprewitt]

OKW has an almost residential/condo feel to it. Both OKW and SSR are like this, and differ from the other DVC resorts that are attached to a deluxe hotel. It is a very relaxing place. Not as dramatic theming as VWL or AKV, but still nice. OKW has the largest rooms of all the DC resorts.

There are 66 or so buildings laid out over a rather large area, with four pools. You can park your car right outside your building. There are five bus stops. The only full service restaurant is Olivia's.

I'm going to OKW in a little over 90 days!

 

[lustergirl]

OKW has an almost residential/condo feel to it. Both OKW and SSR are like this, and differ from the other DVC resorts that are attached to a deluxe hotel. It is a very relaxing place. Not as dramatic theming as VWL or AKV, but still nice. OKW has the largest rooms of all the DC resorts.

There are 66 or so buildings laid out over a rather large area, with four pools. You can park your car right outside your building. There are five bus stops. The only full service restaurant is Olivia's.

I'm going to OKW in a little over 90 days!

great thanks- when you get back post some pictures!!

 

[G8RFAN]

Lot's of stuff in the DVC section, as this resort is primarily DVC with no "Inn" side. They definitely have cash clients tho and you wont feel out of place. I love this resort. The units are very spacious with nice balconies mostly overlooking fairways. Food choices are sort of limited with Olivias as the only TS. Yet, you can take a ferry to DTD and enjoy the many dining options there. Most of the buildings do not have elevators, so if you aren't handicapped yet find lugging heavy suitcases up stairs difficult, you may want to request a bottom floor. We also like having dedicated parking lots for each building, as the car is usually close if you want to use your car instead of Disney Transportation. Because of the design, however, critics don't like the "townhouse" feel without interior corridors and expansive lobbies that you would find at some of the other deluxe resorts.

 

[ImagineerM]

So I've been looking at the OKW and Saratoga Springs resorts...Im really in the dark about how these places, and other DVC resorts work.

Do they have mousekeeping daily? I seem to have found some things about trash day and housekeeping day. Am I wrong baout that?

If you aren't a DVC member and stay there what is the experience like? Will I come home to a clean room every night like i was staying at the Poly or All Stars?

I appreciate the input

Cheers,
Josh

 

[simonkodousek]

Is OKW close to Epcot?

 

[PlainJane]

Is OKW close to Epcot?

It's not incrediably far away, but it's not close like say the Epcot resorts either. Hopefully someone will come on through and give you a time estimate. OKW is close to TL and DtD.

 

[PlainJane]

So I've been looking at the OKW and Saratoga Springs resorts...Im really in the dark about how these places, and other DVC resorts work.

Do they have mousekeeping daily? I seem to have found some things about trash day and housekeeping day. Am I wrong baout that?

If you aren't a DVC member and stay there what is the experience like? Will I come home to a clean room every night like i was staying at the Poly or All Stars?

I appreciate the input

Cheers,
Josh

If you are a cash ressie and not staying on points, you will receive daily housekeeping. If you are staying on points you will not get daily housekeeping, you will receive a trash pick-up and towel delivery about mid week. I'm not sure when the full cleaning happens. On the other hand if you want to pay for daily maid service you can, you can request it for just a couple days of your vacation, or all of them, you are not locked in to a specified amount.

 

[mprewitt]

Do they have mousekeeping daily? I seem to have found some things about trash day and housekeeping day. Am I wrong baout that?

To confirm what has been stated:

• If you book a DVC resort though Disney (cash reservation), you will get daily mousekeeping.
• If you're a DVC member, or you rent points from a DVC member, you will not get daily mousekeeping.

 

[mprewitt]

Is OKW close to Epcot?

As stated above, both OKW and SSR and near Downtown Disney.

 

[lustergirl]

so tell me? what buildings are recommended and can you request a ground floor or building? I would like to be near convenience. What buildings are the studios in?

 

[spiceycat]

the studio are in each and every building.

building 62,63, 64 have elevators. one of these does not have a parking lot (and I never remember which)

but at 57 if I can do the steps they aren't bad at all. yes even with luggage these steps aren't bad.

the HH - where everything is happening is close to building 11 - 14, 16, 62-64, and 23-26.

here is pictures
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/545

here is a map
http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/OKWMap.pdf
or this one
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/okwmap.htm

I preferred to be close to one of the quiet pool at Miller's Road or South Pointe Road.

remember if you are going during a busy season - summer, spring break - then there is alot of traffic at HH. some visitors to HH don't think it is wrong for them to park in your lot (building 11 - 14) when the parking lot at HH gets full.

that is why I don't participate like building 11-14 especially when I have a car.

now no car - then building 11-14 are nice.

 

[ImagineerM]

If you are a cash ressie and not staying on points, you will receive daily housekeeping. If you are staying on points you will not get daily housekeeping, you will receive a trash pick-up and towel delivery about mid week. I'm not sure when the full cleaning happens. On the other hand if you want to pay for daily maid service you can, you can request it for just a couple days of your vacation, or all of them, you are not locked in to a specified amount.

Awesome..thanks for the input.

So if I were considering staying at a DVC resort, is it finacially smarter to do a cash ressie or consider renting points...although I'm not sure how to go about doing that...is it a fiscally smart thing to do?

Cheers,
Josh

 

[spiceycat]

so tell me? what buildings are recommended and can you request a ground floor or building? I would like to be near convenience. What buildings are the studios in?

if you request a ground floor studio be aware. first the views aren't the best because of shurbs and bushes to allow for privacy. there is also a chance that you will next to the air conditioning units. thirdly, unless you state upfront that you don't want a handicapped units you might be in one. these have no tub, only a roll in shower. plus the kitchennett is a little different.

that is why a second floor studio is much better. Nicer view and no handicapped units on the 2nd floor (except in building 62 -64 - these have an elevator)

the building starts with 11 goes to 56, then starts with 62-64

 

[spiceycat]

Awesome..thanks for the input.

So if I were considering staying at a DVC resort, is it finacially smarter to do a cash ressie or consider renting points...although I'm not sure how to go about doing that...is it a fiscally smart thing to do?

Cheers,
Josh

points thru a DVC member is much cheaper. just don't rent on fri or sat - way too much points.

 

[ImagineerM]

points thru a DVC member is much cheaper. just don't rent on fri or sat - way too much points.

Is this a safe and approved process? Where does one find these points from a reputable source?

Cheers

 

[spiceycat]

the best for you is probably here

just go to the DVC rental/trade board

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29

be sure to READ all the FAQ at the top of this link. very, very important.

get a contract. So you know what your rights are.

 

[tacomaranch]

Spicycat,

I have question from what you brought up. I use my DVC on points and then change to $ on the weekends. When we go to the cash ressie should I be getting housekeeping on Fri/Sat?

Did we not get it because we booked thru MS? I have never had housekeeping when paying cash and linking it to our ressie thru MS and now I am getting upset.

Thanks, April

 

[spiceycat]

if you went through MS you should have received the 25% discount. So you won't receive housekeeping then either. Now if you didn't get the discount - I think you should have received the housekeeping.

if you booked through CRO (Disney Travel Agency) then you would have - even with an annual pass discount - you would have received housekeeping.

I think those are the rules. to be sure go over to DVC planning and ask.

 

[jwwi]

Just wanted to add my thoughts. I stayed at OKW in 1994, I believe it was very new. We had a 2 bdrm which was huge. Feb 07' I rented points from a DVC member. It went smoothly, I received a huge savings. Even with staying a Sat night we paid close to a moderate rate for are 5 night stay.

I personally love OKW, we like the FL feel of the place, the boat ride to DTD, and the quiet atmosphere. The pools are nice too. We stayed in a Studio, the room was very large and comfortable for the three adults in our party. We did have a car so I can't comment on the transportation.

Read everything you can find on the DVC boards, that should help with your decision.