Old Key West First Time Stay

[Victoriapeluso]

Hello! We have booked a stay there Nov1-8 for my 40th! WOOT- anyways we have never stayed at OKW before... any tips?

 

[cheryl.UK]

What is your party size? Kids?

 

[Anthony1971]

Try looking in the DVC boards and posting there for better info.
I personally have stayed there 3 times all in a 2 BR villa. I always thought it was a nice laid back resort. Olivias has always been a good TS the CS and bar are very small. The boat ride to DS is enjoyable. The best tip I can give is the resort close EPCOT behind the Mexico side Pavilions you will hear the nighttime fireworks and from the right places see the higher fireworks.

 

[Victoriapeluso]

What is your party size? Kids?

4 of us me, my husband, son 8 years old and daughter 5 years old

 

[cheryl.UK]

I agree, it's a really laid back vibe and the perfect way to chill out after the parks. Lots of people moan about the bus routes but I've never really minded this as I always request the blocks that I can walk to Hospitality House from. (10 minute max). That way I can get dropped off and picked up first. I love the boat trip to Springs. The pool has lots of areas where you can find shade without venturing too far from the actual pool, something that is missing from many resorts. We love Olivias and it's not as expensive as some of the resorts' sit down restaurants The bar area might be small but it's always been really friendly and because of it's size, you get to chat with other guests. Since our first stay in 2014, we always make OKW part of our trip

We also love the size of the villas. We have stayed in studios, one beds and 2 beds and have found all 3 really spacious compared to other DVC villas. The wildlife is really cute, we even saw otters! We've also seen rabbits, deer and a racoon. We ask housekeeping for proper cutlery and plates and they've always obliged. The new beds have storage underneath which is great and there's lots of drawer space for longer trips

I love the music around the resort, lots of Jimmy Buffet and Key West vibes.

What's not to love

 

[nursejackie]

We are not DVC owners but rent points most visits. I spent 7 Christmas holidays at OKW so it holds wonderful memories for me, so I am slightly biased. We have one bedroom with a studio lock-off, or 2 bedroom villas. Huge villas (with plenty of room for our Christmas tree), lovely, peaceful resort with a nice pool and community area. I will be at Good's Food to Go in August for one of their delicious tuna sandwiches

Edited to add, it's not a place visited much by other resort guests, unlike when we stayed at AKL, and this year GF. It's peaceful

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

I'm also staying here for the first time in a studio. I wasn't able to book the near hospitality house category but is there a building I can request that would make the walk short?

 

[cheryl.UK]

I'm also staying here for the first time in a studio. I wasn't able to book the near hospitality house category but is there a building I can request that would make the walk short?

62, 63, 64, 16, 23 and 24 are a short walk. 17 and 15 are a bit further but still within 10 minutes

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

62, 63, 64, 16, 23 and 24 are a short walk. 17 and 15 are a bit further but still within 10 minutes

Thank you!

 

[CarolynFH]

Hello! We have booked a stay there Nov1-8 for my 40th! WOOT- anyways we have never stayed at OKW before... any tips?

What size villa?

Be aware that the studios have two queen beds, no Murphy single beds or queen size sofa or Murphy beds, so only two sleeping surfaces. That makes a difference for some families.

In the 1BR there's both a queen size sofa bed and a twin size sleeper chair. The downside to the 1BR is that for many but not all of them, the only way to enter the single bathroom is through the bedroom.

 

[beccasmom]

In the 1BR there's both a queen size sofa bed and a twin size sleeper chair. The downside to the 1BR is that for many but not all of them, the only way to enter the single bathroom is through the bedroom.

For the bathroom access - those units are in buildings 11-29. Requesting buildings other than these will give you bathroom access through both the bedroom and the laundry room.

 

[Chupaca bruh]

I never cared much for the look of OKW but I married into DVC so, after many years we ended up staying a couple of nights there. I loved it. We were in building 25 and it was a great little walk to the main area. Far enough away to not be busy feeling but easy access to the store and Good’s food to go.

 

[Victoriapeluso]

What size villa?

Be aware that the studios have two queen beds, no Murphy single beds or queen size sofa or Murphy beds, so only two sleeping surfaces. That makes a difference for some families.

In the 1BR there's both a queen size sofa bed and a twin size sleeper chair. The downside to the 1BR is that for many but not all of them, the only way to enter the single bathroom is through the bedroom.

we are staying in a 1bdrm

 

[zavandor]

I liked OKW much more than I expected. I booked it for a marathon weekend a few years ago, only because it was at the time the only studio with 2 real beds, I didn't want a friend of mine to sleep on a sofa bed after running a marathon. I had no expectations, but I loved it. It has a great relaxing vibe, while the theming is not in your face, it does an excellent job of giving you a different sense of place. It is really an oasis of tranquillity outside the parks.
The resort is spread out, if you have not booked the near hospitality house category, if you don't have a car have a look at the map and request somewhere not far from HH. If you have a car, being able to par in front of your unit is really convenient.
Enjoy!

 

[Brian Noble]

we are staying in a 1bdrm

Following up on @CarolynFH's observation:

The villas in buildings 30 and higher (generally, the Turtle Pond and South Point sections) have a door between the laundry room and the bath. The villas in bulidings 29 and lower do not. As a family of four, I'd rather be a little farther from the Hospitality House and have the extra door.

 

[Simba's Mom]

62, 63, 64, 16, 23 and 24 are a short walk. 17 and 15 are a bit further but still within 10 minutes

I think 23 and 24 are part of the near Hospitality House category. But 27 and 28 aren't, and they're also pretty close. As someone else mentioned, I also recommend the tuna sandwich on multi-grain bread. They'd better not be all out when we go in September.
Something else great to do is sit outside on the balcony (it's HUGE!) with your whole family some morning, drink coffee, eat breakfast, maybe watch wildlife and/or golfers.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

Love OKW with both the smaller pools and the main pool. Laid back, lots of room in the villas, and really nice porches/balconies.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

What are the favorite foods or cocktails?....we plan to go to Olivia's once.. breakfast or lunch/dinner?

 

[migirl]

My kids (ages 11, 16 and 19) all enjoy the community hall.