Old Key West experts

[nyck]

BCV is my 1st home, but I am always forcing myself to try other DVC's since that is what keeps it interesting for me. I am staying at OKW in may for the 1st time and would like input from others who have stayed there. The hospitality reservations were all gone so I have no idea where I am. It will just be me and a friend, so I do not have to worry about kids. Is there a boat to take you to downtown Disney? How you like Olivia's food? Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[llyolf]

They do have a ferry that takes you to DTD every 30 or 60 minutes (I can't remember). Olivia's is nice... fits the key west theme. I like it because it's not Olive Garden, McDonalds or the local Pizza joint.... plus it's a good break from cooking your own Villa meals.

The one main thing to keep in mind at OKW is that the busses go "around the horn" to pick everyone up so hopefully you don't end up wanting to be in a hurry. The other bus issue I remember is since DTD is right close to there, sometimes you end up with a BUNCH of people stuffed into a bus because they all want to get back to DTD (at night).

Enjoy!
Paul

 

[Cee]

OKW is beautiful, you will LOVE it! They also have an "Internal Bus" which is nice. Have a cool one at the "Gurgling Suitcase" for the rest of us.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I disagree about getting "stuffed into a bus to get to DTD at night". The boat is the best option for that, and it's rarely 'stuffed'.

You don't say what size unit you are in. If you are in a 1 bedroom or larger, there really aren't many bad locations. If you are in a studio, you will want to avoid a couple of areas that are close to the road. All studios are on the ends of the buildings, so several studios could be pretty close to the road. You might also want to request upper floors if you don't have mobility issues, since that will get you above the heavy vegetation that can confine some of the first floor studios. You can see from the map that buildings63,62,29,45,47,56, and 19 all have one end close to the road where buses travel. The studios on that end of those buildings can have bus noise. You know how Disney buses all have squeekie brakes!

Here is the map:

 

[spiceycat]

OKW is spreadout - not as much as SSR - but still more like a community than a hotel. (bcv is like a hotel)

if you love to walk - you will love it!!!

if you don't - bus schedule for the parks

Peninsular Road
south point road
Old turtle pond road
Miller's road
HH (hospitality house)

so each of the theme park buses stops at HH before leaving.

to get back to your room (if not at Peninusular road) just walk to Peninsular road (unless it is on Miller road - then would just walk over) for the bus.

this works with little trouble.

here is a map
http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/OKWMap.pdf

forgot you can request views of water, golf or woods
or to be near the bus stop or pool or HH

only building 11-14 and 23-26 are in the HH section that is reserved.

building 62-64 are not and have the only elevators.

building 15, 16 & 17 are pretty close too.

as building 27-29 are close also.

 

[marvali]

We stayed there for a week last summer and loved it! We ate at Olivia's three times (dinner twice, breakfast once) and had a very good experience and enjoyed the food (preparation and choices) and the service.

DW and I thought the boat ride to SSR and DTD was great. It made for a very nice, relaxed evening, even during the heat of July/August.

We were in Building 54, towards the far end of the resort. The walk to HH was not bad and we made it often. We were at the second bus stop for the buses coming into the resort. Even though the buses make a couple more stops before HH, we never had a significant problem with buses to the parks.

You may want to read my trip report (linked in sig) for any additional comments I made specifically about OKW.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

Stayed in building 63 this past January in a GV. LOVED IT!! Olivia's was great, the bus ride to DTD is about 25 mins and we did it DAILY!!(Goofy's Candy Company!!) Our location was right across from HH, so we were close to everything but we didn't feel it. Beautiful! I am already making ressies for next year!

 

[dis2cruise]

if i requested turtle pond road what kind of views are there water...golf...or woods and can i request one of the 3 even though i asked for turtle pond road area?

 

[dianeschlicht]

The grey areas on the map are water. The best buildings for those views at Turtle pond will be 34-42

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I love OKW and we would stay there each and every time if it weren't for the kids. We've tried each resort at least once except BLT and THV, and still to date OKW is my favorite. I find it more relaxing there then anywhere else, especially after a whole day of Disney Parks. This Summer DS (12) wanted BWV so we're doing a split stay 3 days at 3 days at BWV and 3 at OKW (I have to have my OKW) Not a big fan of split stays but it will satisfy us all.

Olivia's is good, we generally have our arrival dinner there. With just 2 in your party you most likely will be able to get in without ADR's and much wait.

Taking the boat to DTD is one of our favorite things to do, we love to come back late at night (11:00pm) after going to the movies or getting ice cream.

I've never made a special request with regards to location and to date after many stays, I've never been disapointed. OKW is a beautiful, lush tropical oasis, not hotel type at all like some of the other DVC resorts, it's another reason I love it so much!

Enjoy your stay!

 

[Deb & Bill]

South Point or Turtle Pond are our favorite areas.

We like to enjoy breakfast at Olivia's and sit outside to eat.

 

[DebbieB]

if i requested turtle pond road what kind of views are there water...golf...or woods and can i request one of the 3 even though i asked for turtle pond road area?

My last few trips I requested Turtle Pond Road, water view, first floor. Got it most of the time (one time 2nd floor). 37 & 43 were my favorites.

 

[eporter66]

We have stayed at OKW the last few times to save points, and ended up really enjoying the resort. It seems a bargain (especially for a 2 bedroom). I might be a Disney homer, but we have stayed at 3 DVC's so far, and have enjoyed each of them for their own thing.

Postivies
OKW to me seems more like a community/condo resort than a hotel. Great layout for taking walks or jogging in the morning.

Olivia's is decent, we did not have a great dinner there last October, but on our previous visit we had both an excellent lunch and dinner, so we just chalk it up to a bad night.

Very laid back and quiet. After a day in the parks, it was nice to come back and relax, the 2 bedroom was so big, it truly felt like home.

Negatives
Not a lot of variety for food - but having DTD close does not really make this a big negative.

Transportation to DTD by boat - a nice little trip, but can be a longer wait than you would like depending on your timing.

We stayed in Turtle Pond (BLDG 41), and our view was a little pond out back with a water fountain. Not bad - on the other end of the resort (BLDG 21) we had a fairway view room which was really nice. Got to watch some golfers hack up the course.

I love OKW, and we will definitely stay there again. The only tip I can give you is that we have rented a car when we stayed, so we get to DTD and other places quick. I dont have any idea about the bus service at OKW. OKW with a car was easy!!!!

 

[saremca]

OKW has been our home resort for 15 years. We love it. Turtle Pond is our favorite area to stay. It's quiet and away from the bustle of the HH and the main pool. We like a golf course view. It's very peaceful sitting out on the balcony in the morning overlooking the course.

We don't like Olivia's. We've eaten there a few times and think it's okay, but not great. That is my one gripe with OKW, that they don't have more to choose from in the way of places to eat.

 

[nyck]

Thank you all for all your comments and tips. I remember touring OKW when I graduated from high school, and begged my mom to buy it but we couldn't afford it. Who knew many years later I would remember that experience and buy BCV and SSR myself! Now it is me taking my mom, not the other way around. LOL. I am staying in a 1 bedroom. I was surprise to see on the 360 degree tour on DVC.com that they have a full washer/dryer! That is very nice, since the new ones on have the apartment size. I am looking forward to the visit and I think I will enjoy it there alot.

 

[kikiV]

Not to disappoint the OP but this is our least favorite property. The room was huge but sparsly decorated and bland. The balcony was enclosed by palm trees so there was no view of anything and when you looked down it was all mud. There is a lot of walking to do there and the bus system for us was terrible. We waited 55 minutes one night for a bus to DHS. No one could explain where it was. We only ate at the outside CS and it was just ok.
The king bed was a ROCK and I can sleep on anything (but this) The room to room noise was quite loud. Young kids next door to us in a GV were so loud at 6:00 am it was terrible. I would not stay there again. I am actually taking a 1 bedroom at SSR instead of a 2 bed at OKW.

 

[Jaaron2]

We are doing a split stay in August as well ( 5 days at OKW and 5 at BWV). We are currently waitlisted for BWV for the first 5 days. Most of the time we stay at the Beach Club so I am a bit concerned because our kids have grown attached to Storm Along Bay and the Board Walk area.

We would like to be near HH and have a two bedroom reserved. What would be the best buildings for this? Also, how are the pools? Our kids our 13,11,9.

 

[spiceycat]

Thank you all for all your comments and tips. I remember touring OKW when I graduated from high school, and begged my mom to buy it but we couldn't afford it. Who knew many years later I would remember that experience and buy BCV and SSR myself! Now it is me taking my mom, not the other way around. LOL. I am staying in a 1 bedroom. I was surprise to see on the 360 degree tour on DVC.com that they have a full washer/dryer! That is very nice, since the new ones on have the apartment size. I am looking forward to the visit and I think I will enjoy it there alot.

now the feeling - I bought in 1993 and brought my mother for the next 15 years. She is now in a nursing home.

she does not remember alot in her life - but she still remembers Disney.

so is many ways it is worth it.

 

[spiceycat]

The king bed was a ROCK and I can sleep on anything (but this) The room to room noise was quite loud. Young kids next door to us in a GV were so loud at 6:00 am it was terrible. I would not stay there again. I am actually taking a 1 bedroom at SSR instead of a 2 bed at OKW.

generally the GV only bother the people underneath one.

did you ask to change rooms? Now disney does not make the people who are causing the problem to move - unless the entire building complaints.

but in this situation really surprised, if you say something, you were not moved.

the beds - hey love OKW beds - hate the ones at SSR. they are much, much too soft

have a bad back and need a firm bed. had to get housekeeping to bring me planks to put under the mattress. tried to sleep on the thing and just couldn't.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Not to disappoint the OP but this is our least favorite property. The room was huge but sparsly decorated and bland. The balcony was enclosed by palm trees so there was no view of anything and when you looked down it was all mud. There is a lot of walking to do there and the bus system for us was terrible. We waited 55 minutes one night for a bus to DHS. No one could explain where it was. We only ate at the outside CS and it was just ok.
The king bed was a ROCK and I can sleep on anything (but this) The room to room noise was quite loud. Young kids next door to us in a GV were so loud at 6:00 am it was terrible. I would not stay there again. I am actually taking a 1 bedroom at SSR instead of a 2 bed at OKW.

Let me guess, Bldg 29 maybe? That was the only one we ever stayed in where the porch was completely surrounded by vegetation.

Sorry you had problems with the bus, but in all our stays (at least eight or nine) we've never had a problem with the bus system. Maybe we've just been lucky.