Old Key West lock-off villa vs. Villa and Hospitality or doesn't matter?

[Cruella 66]

We are DVC veteran's but have just a few more properties to explore. I will be changing part of our reservation at the 7 month window to Old Key West. I am new to that resort so, fellow veteran's that are Old Key West pro's 1. What is the difference between a 2 bedroom lock off and a 2 bedroom? And why would I want to be near Hospitality House? My spouse and I are both healthy in our 50s and will be traveling with 3 of our children ages 20, 15, and 13, if those factors will make a difference in the above answers. Thank you ahead of time! Cindy

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are DVC veteran's but have just a few more properties to explore. I will be changing part of our reservation at the 7 month window to Old Key West. I am new to that resort so, fellow veteran's that are Old Key West pro's 1. What is the difference between a 2 bedroom lock off and a 2 bedroom? And why would I want to be near Hospitality House? My spouse and I are both healthy in our 50s and will be traveling with 3 of our children ages 20, 15, and 13, if those factors will make a difference in the above answers. Thank you ahead of time! Cindy

A lockoff is a combination of a studio and a one bedroom. At OKW, the lockoff second bedroom will have two queen beds, kitchenette and small porch. Plus the entrance from the outside. With a dedicated, in the second bedroom you get no kitchenette (you get a second bathroom sink where the kitchenette would have been. You get a huge closet where the entrance would have been. No porch and you still get two queen beds.

I still don't know why people want to be near the HH. The three buildings across the bridge (23, 24, 25 and 26) might be okay, but the ones right by the bus stop at the HH (11, 12, 13, 14) get all the bus noise. Plus people going to the HH area from other areas and drive, take up parking places at those buildings.

You can always catch any theme park bus from other areas to the HH area. Or it's not that long of a walk.

 

[southerngirl528]

I still don't know why people want to be near the HH. The three buildings across the bridge (23, 24, 25 and 26) might be okay, but the ones right by the bus stop at the HH (11, 12, 13, 14) get all the bus noise. Plus people going to the HH area from other areas and drive, take up parking places at those buildings.

You can always catch any theme park bus from other areas to the HH area. Or it's not that long of a walk

I bought at OKW in '93 and BOY! Do I agree with the above statements! Everyone always seems to think that being near HH is the ONLY place to be but I request just about as far away from HH as possible and I have stayed at OKW too many times to count.

When my kids were younger, i made sure to book a dedicated 2 bdrm villa as I did NOT want that 2nd outside entrance and the kids didn't need a kitchenette in their bedroom. Hope you love OKW as much as we do!

 

[Cruella 66]

Thank you! I think for this visit I'll go with dedicated 2 bedroom and NOT near HH. I get to call tomorrow so here's hoping I won't have any problems. We are BLT owners and I was amazed at how many less points we need for OKW vs. BLT. After I book OKW the only property we won't have had an opportunity to try will be Beach Club and that's because they are not friendly to our family size. Thank you again for all the assistance! Cindy

 

[Simba's Mom]

We also never request Hospitality House area, even though walking and my legs aren't very good together (used a scooter some days this last trip). Anyways, I find buildings 15, 16, 17, 18, 27, and 28 to be fine for distance. And I especially LOVE the views in building 16. I think the parking if you're staying in HH buildings is hard, from what I hear.
And lock-off vs. not-we had a 2 BR last trip and to me the only advantage to it being a regular (non-lock-off) is that we had very young kids, and are glad we didn't have the separate door in that BR.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We love old key west and always book rooms near hospitality house. We rarely go to parks anymore but love the pool, tennis court, fitness center and boat to Disney springs. So we much prefer being close to all that. Plus if you take magic express its an easy walk to your room with your bags. And if you do need to take s bus to a park the bus comes right there. If you are just going to parks all day though it probably doesn't matter. Just remember that old key west has only one or two elevator buildings. So you may need to get bags up one or two sets of stairs depending on what floor you are on. Some people seem surprised by that.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Plus if you take magic express its an easy walk to your room with your bags.

Just so you know, if you're in a non-HH room, OKW will happily take all your luggage in one of their little carts. Maybe everyone else here knows that, but I didn't! We recently took our first visit to OKW with no car, and I was so concerned about how we were going to get to our room with all our luggage. Well, I shouldn't have been-they made the offer right away.

 

[Cruella 66]

We decided to book a one bedroom and didn't specify HH. It'll be our first time staying so looking forward to it!

 

[southerngirl528]

OKW will happily take all your luggage in one of their little cart

Correct, Simba's Mom and good point as there may be readers that do not know this. Bell Services is available at OKW just like any other resort.

 

[TXMemaw]

We just spent a week at OKW for a family reunion. We had a great time and were not in the Hospitality House area (we were in the Old Turtle Pond section) and thought that it was really easy to either walk or just jump on the first bus and ride it over to the Hospitality House area. Enjoy your stay!