Old Key West Tips

[BiggFam8]

My family and I are traveling to Disney this August and we're staying at the Old Key West for the first time. We are DVC members and usually stay at our home resort which is Beach Club. Since we have never stayed at OKW before, does anyone have any tips to make our stay more enjoyable there?

 

[Mickey527]

WL and SS are my home resorts but I always stay at OKW. I love it there more mainly because of the quietness and "home" feeling. The other DVC resorts feel like hotels compared to OKW.
I always ask for a room close to a pool. I don't use the main pool because I like the quietness of the quiet pools. Sometimes I am the only one in the pool. I can toss in a load of clothes and swim for a while, toss them into the dryer and swim some more.
My favorite building is in the 53-54 area. It is far enough from the main building to be quiet but close to the bus stops so I can hop over to the parks when I am ready.
I also love the fact that you can park your car right outside your room. It is so much nicer for unpacking to be right at the room. Of course if you are on the 3rd floor not having an elevator makes it a little more tough to unpack, but that is what children are for.
Sitting on the patio in the morning and watching the crazy golfers in the heat of the morning is fun especially if you have a cold drink in your hands. Some of them are not as good as they think, and sometimes it is funny to watch as their balls go into the water, onto someones patio (I had to duck a few times myself) or jost not where they wanted it to.
The rooms are larger and the layout is different than the other resorts so you get more room to spread out. I do wish sometimes that there were some studios with a couch and bed rather than two beds, especially when I am traveling alone. It would be nice to sit on a couch instead of a bed.
Not sure what you were looking for but this is why I love OKW. Peggie

 

[TAKitty]

I would request to be near the Peninsular bus stop or South. Peninsular is the first stop and is a close walk to the HH. South is the second stop and has a nice quiet pool.

The room is huge! Otherwise, it is similar to the other DVCs.

 

[mommyceratops]

Subbing going in Dec.

 

[bdg100]

OKW is our home resort. We have stayed there 15 - 20 time or so. It is great. Don't even think about leaving the place without eating at Olivia's. My favorite is a bowl of conch chowder. It is awesome. Also, the chicken and mash potatoes are better than Grandma's. Finally, you generally do not have to have ADRs. Oops, one more thing. If your kids are old enough have them order first and get them fed. After they are done send them out to play in the sand while you enjoy a nice dinner or after dinner drink. We are going in October and plan on spending our Anniversary in this precise manner. I will be the Dad wearing the matching Goofy hat with my two sons and daughter, 12, 7 and 5.

You may also consider taking the boat over to Downtown Disney. It is free but you have to get their early as it only holds a few guests. But, what a great way to spend an evening.

 

[cynderella]

Loving this thread. We're going the first week of August, having changed our original ressies from BC. I am so much more excited now than when we had the BC room, and hearing your experiences and vacationing habits is really getting me geared up. Can't wait! OKW sounds awesome! Thanks for the tips.

 

[iluveeyore]

We love OKW as well - own at WL and BC, but always pick OKW for the quiet, homey feel. Love their balconies the best too - every morning we spend with our tea and toast watching all the birds, especially ducks, as well as golfers (we always request a water hazard on the golf course for the extra wildlife entertainment - building 34 or 35). OKW is the greatest for nice early morning or late evening strolls as well, if you don't spend every day at the parks - the sidewalks go on forever, and there's always a bunny around somewhere to stop and oooh at. Just a really nice resort for down time away from the real 'Disney' stuff, even though I love that too. The new pool is awesome as well - the kids love the new waterslide. We're going in August, can't wait to live in my one bedroom soon!

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

DW and I stayed at OKW last year for the first time, and just loved the resort. It gives you a feeling of being in a small community, with friendly people. The rooms are much larger than the newer resorts. The best tip I can give is to kick back and enjoy the resort, take the time to see it, its absolutely beautiful

 

[BiggFam8]

Loving this thread. We're going the first week of August, having changed our original ressies from BC. I am so much more excited now than when we had the BC room, and hearing your experiences and vacationing habits is really getting me geared up. Can't wait! OKW sounds awesome! Thanks for the tips.

We are also going the first week of August (07/29 - 08/07). Don't like the fact of going in the Dog Days of Summer but it's the only week all the family is together. If you want to find us, just look for the parents with five teenagers and one tween, trying to get everyone doing the same thing!

 

[BiggFam8]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Our home DVC is BC and we love that resort! From what I have heard from others and from your suggestions here, we'll not be disappointed in going somewhere else. I hope everyone planning their vacations this summer, have a great time! Remember, you're making memories that won't soon be forgotten! Thanks again.

 

[cynderella]

We are also going the first week of August (07/29 - 08/07). Don't like the fact of going in the Dog Days of Summer but it's the only week all the family is together. If you want to find us, just look for the parents with five teenagers and one tween, trying to get everyone doing the same thing!

We'll be sporting green mickey heads in one form or another, so look for us, too! Aug 1-8...maybe we'll cross paths! We'll be the family of four (one teen boy, one small girl) pretending like we know what the heck we're doing, since it'll be our first trip to Disney FL.

 

[BiggFam8]

We'll be sporting green mickey heads in one form or another, so look for us, too! Aug 1-8...maybe we'll cross paths! We'll be the family of four (one teen boy, one small girl) pretending like we know what the heck we're doing, since it'll be our first trip to Disney FL.

If you need any advice, this is place to get it. I would also recommend getting some books. It will really save you money and time. We also get the Disney Passporter and Birnbaum's Disney book. They give good insight and tips.

My family won't be hard to miss as we're * and all being like children!

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Definitely bring some citronella candles - a must for the summer. Then you can sit out and enjoy the porch (the best in all DVC). Be prepared to not want to do anything you will be so relaxed. My DH, a travel go getter, actually wanted to stay and sit on the porch instead of going to EMH because he was so relaxed - which is wonderful for a vacation.

Conch fritters from Goods to Go.
Karen

 

[danjoealexis3006]

We went in March and stayed in the "Turtle Pond" area! The only thing we did not like is that we loved it so much that we never want to stay at another resort again! It was SO relaxing that my DH cann't wait to go back and he wasn't that wild about going to Disney again!

 

[BiggFam8]

Sounds like once we go there, we'll never go back to BCV!

 

[BiggFam8]

10 days until vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[byoung]

Love BWV, but like staying at OKW.

 

[BiggFam8]

Love BWV, but like staying at OKW.

We love BCV but, hopefully, we'll love OKW as well!

 

[vince971]

We are members at SSR but trying OKW in December. I hope we have the same great experiences as others I have read about on these boards!

 

[Disney Doll]

Love the laid back feel of the resort.
Love the bigger rooms.
Love the parking outside your unit.
Love the quiet pools.
Love the main pool.
Love the walkway to SSR & DTD.
Love the boat to SSR & DTD.
Love sitting on the balcony watching the golfers and the wildlife.
Love the gift shop.
Love getting a snack to eat poolside at Goods To Go.
Love that they always say "Welcome Home" when you pull in.
Love the hot tubs.