old key west .. what can you tell me..

[123GUSGUS]

going to OKW for the first time in February ,first time at this resort.. Tell me what you know. rooms.transportation ect..

 

[Simba's Mom]

How many in your traveling party? And what size unit are you getting? Only 3 buildings have elevators (I forget which ones), if that matters. Otherwise-I LOVE OKW. The parking right there if you have a car, the huge villas, the great big porches if in a 1 BR or up, casual, laid back atmosphere, etc.

 

[disneynutz]

Older resort, IMO tends to have higher mold issues, not much insulation in the walls so you hear your neighbors if they are loud, if your unit is close to the road you hear the buses, not close to parks or DS.

Larger rooms, nice landscaping, homey feel, relaxing, bus to parks, boat to DS.

Bill

 

[lsyorke]

My favorite resort! Never had mold issues, never heard another neighbor. Usually get 2br and love the space. Transportation can take some time, but never had a huge problem.

 

[NancyDVC]

I love OKW! Large rooms, quiet resort, great views-golf course, canal, woods. Bus transportation-5 stops within the resort. You can take any bus to HH (Hospitality House-check in, store, main pool), the DS bus acts as an internal stopping at HH when entering and leaving the resort. Great boat to DS. I never had a mold problem. The worst noise we had was on our first trip. We were under the GV model and they vacuumed at 6:00 AM. One call to the front desk and no more noise! Yes there is some bus noise if you are close to a bus turn around but the buses are fewer as the parks close with the DS bus running the latest depending on when the shops and restaurants close. We did have one noisy family. We were in a one BR lockoff and when they moved into the adjoining studio their kids kept trying to open the connecting door. I finally knocked on their door snd explained that we were in the next room and they did not have access to it. No more noise. Love being able to park right in front. Great bell services too if you don't have a car. If you are in a one or two bedroom you may prefer being in one of the buildings further away from HH - Turtle Pond or South Point because there is a second door through the laundry room into the master bathroom, very convenient so you don't disturb anyone in the master bedroom.

 

[chalee94]

I love OKW. pastel buildings with gingerbread architecture.

I prefer staying in buildings a little away from the road to avoid bus noise. I prefer staying away from the HH area because it seems like more traffic and general bustle.

don't forget to check out the OKW Lovers thread here:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/okw-lovers-thread-part-2.3113113/

 

[southerngirl528]

I'm with Chalee94, NancyDVC and Lysorke on OKW! And I agree that we also prefer to be away from HH. OKW just feels like home when we pull in…. ahhhh.

 

[jimmytammy]

For a quiet relaxed visit to WDW, nice respite form the parks, great place. Not real keen on the studios as they remind me of a standard hotel room, but the 1 bedrooms are huge. OKW has been among our faves as far as DVC goes

 

[Dina]

Love it. Laid back and I feel like I'm in Florida when I'm at this resort. So pretty and relaxing. Love the bigger villas

 

[Simba's Mom]

For a quiet relaxed visit to WDW, nice respite form the parks, great place. Not real keen on the studios as they remind me of a standard hotel room, but the 1 bedrooms are huge. OKW has been among our faves as far as DVC goes

And compare the points "rates" with other DVC resorts. Point costs are lower at OKW, meaning you might be able to get a 1 BR there for very little more (if at all) than a studio elsewhere would be.

 

[Donna M]

There's a steam room in the lighthouse by the pool. I think that's what it was. It was a long time ago and I don't do hot places. They have ping pong, tennis and basket ball. I haven't had a problem with noisy neighbors.

 

[DVCcurious]

It was the first DVC in 1993 so a lot of the members have been around for 22 years. It's called OLD Key West because most of the clientele are on the older side. They have activities that cater to the Senior crowd like shuffleboard, a sauna, and golf. The main restaurant is more like a friendly diner than an upscale formal restaurant (think the Seinfeld diner). Things move at a slower pace when you're at OLD Key West. It's not exciting or hustle-bustle. If you're looking for hotties at the pool you're not gonna find it here.

When we were looking to become members we rented points at AKL and OKW (both of which we decided we disliked). While waiting for the OKW bus at Epcot I was alone in line with an elderly gentleman. We started talking and I told him I was considering buying into OKW and he said "That's what we need, young blood". True story.

 

[tinkerbull91]

Because this was the first DVC resort, the rooms are bigger than those that are being built now. The property is also more spread out than other DVC properties. It would be a great resort if someone in your family liked to go for runs when they are visiting. Pool is nice. I've always liked the resort except for one thing: there is no quick service restaurant for breakfast. Olivia's is the main restaurant, and it it sit down for all meals. If you are not in a hurry to get to the parks early in the morning, then this will work out fine. In recent years, we found that we enjoyed dining at places like Artists Palate at Saratoga or Gasparillas at Grand Floridian more than sitting down at Olivia's. I guess the pool bar has some quick breakfast sandwiches premade you can take with you, but it just wasn't satisfying for us.

 

[southerngirl528]

Actually Good's Foods to Go on the boardwalk at OKW, just around the corner from Olivia's and next to Community Hall, has take out food and I believe that does include breakfast items though I am not entirely certain about breakfast. We have done take out from there or eaten at the picnic tables nearby many times for snacks, lunch or dinner. And there are 4 pools on OKW property. The main feature pool by HH, one at Turtle Pond, one at Miller Road and one in the Peninsular area. During peak times there is a small snack bar at the Turtle Pond pool. But since we usually enjoy breakfast in our villa or are headed for a park or character breakfast, we do not generally eat breakfast out at the resort, OKW or any other resort.

 

[deide71]

Love the 1 bed units. They are huge, and low point requirements.
I love parking by my room, not a Disney transportation fan.
I love the full size washer and dryers.
I love the friendly staff.
I love the waterfront area and the lovely boat ride to Downtown Disney.
I love the lush landscaping and laid back feel.

 

[River Country]

It was the first DVC in 1993 so a lot of the members have been around for 22 years. It's called OLD Key West because most of the clientele are on the older side. They have activities that cater to the Senior crowd like shuffleboard, a sauna, and golf. The main restaurant is more like a friendly diner than an upscale formal restaurant (think the Seinfeld diner). Things move at a slower pace when you're at OLD Key West. It's not exciting or hustle-bustle. If you're looking for hotties at the pool you're not gonna find it here.

When we were looking to become members we rented points at AKL and OKW (both of which we decided we disliked). While waiting for the OKW bus at Epcot I was alone in line with an elderly gentleman. We started talking and I told him I was considering buying into OKW and he said "That's what we need, young blood". True story.

I actually laughed out loud when I read this...

Never thought I would be looking for hotties at the pool while in WDW!!!

LOL

while there is an older clientele at this resort it is by no means a Retirement Village. I love staying here and so does my family

LOL Hotties at the pool

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hey, like we've always said-if this is what a a retirement village is like, DH would have retired years ago!

 

[southerngirl528]

If you're looking for hotties at the pool you're not gonna find it here.

Ah, DVCCurious you are so wrong. I am one of those OKW members that bought when my kids were very young. They are all young adults now and I happen to have very beautiful daughters and DIL's. And they come right along with us for family stays at OKW. AND they like to visit the pools. Not that I would want someone "looking for hotties" ogling my DD's and DIL's though……

 

[Deb & Bill]

Actually Good's Foods to Go on the boardwalk at OKW, just around the corner from Olivia's and next to Community Hall, has take out food and I believe that does include breakfast items though I am not entirely certain about breakfast. We have done take out from there or eaten at the picnic tables nearby many times for snacks, lunch or dinner. And there are 4 pools on OKW property. The main feature pool by HH, one at Turtle Pond, one at Miller Road and one in the Peninsular area. During peak times there is a small snack bar at the Turtle Pond pool. But since we usually enjoy breakfast in our villa or are headed for a park or character breakfast, we do not generally eat breakfast out at the resort, OKW or any other resort.

The last pool is at South Point, not Peninsular Road (that would be the Hospitality House pool).

 

[southerngirl528]

Deb & Bill you are correct that the name of the pool is South Point pool but technically if one is on Peninsular Road and stays on Peninsular Road it becomes South Point Road. There is generally no confusion where the HH/feature pool is located, even for most newbies. The pools at OKW are nicely spaced into this resort. No matter where one stays at OKW, it's not too far to a pool.