Old Key West - Your Favorite Things

[smep013]

What's not to miss? First time staying there - only for a weekend, but would love to hear from all of you!

 

[moredisneyplease]

The beautiful grounds and the large rooms!!

 

[Chuck S]

The relaxing boat ride to DtD.

 

[disneybass]

Or a quiet stroll to DTD on the walking trail.

 

[dianeschlicht]

sitting on the large porch off the living room with a cup of tea and hot cereal in the morning when the sun is just getting up but nobody else is! I love that same porch in the evenings for sunset!

The hot tub at any of the quiet pools at about 10 PM in the winter is a favorite of mine too!

 

[CraftyMouse]

Things I love about OKW...by Craftymouse...

• Sitting on the porch, enjoying the view.
• Walking from one end of the resort to the other. There's such a great, peaceful atmosphere there.
• The boat from OKW to Downtown Disney.
• Olivia's for dinner one night.
• The fact that it feels so far removed from the hustle & bustle of the parks, yet it's really just a quick bus ride away. (Okay, that one isn't a not-to-miss, but it's my favorite thing about OKW!)

OKW is our favorite resort! Enjoy your stay!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

OKW FAVORITE THINGS

1. Early morning coffee on the patio overlooking the golf course & fountain (sans children, family, & friends etc.)
2. Olivia's Breakfast Potatoes & the Cabernet Sauce for the Steak Dinner
3. The Pool and Slide, fun!
4. Family Bicyicle Ride
5. The boat to Downtown Disney
6. The Grand Villa's (when fortunate to have one)
7. The room available compared to all other resorts
8. The lush landscaping, makes for great walks and views!
9. Front Desk Personel, I've been lucky and always had someone very pleasant and helpful.
10. All time favorite, the guard saying, "Welcome Home", yes it's cheesy but I love to hear it!
11. The light and cheerful decor that people call dated, I find truly charming and it reminds me of vacation!
12. The last and best of all, going back to OKW, my favorite resort!

 

[vandy]

OKW FAVORITE THINGS

1. Early morning coffee on the patio overlooking the golf course & fountain (sans children, family, & friends etc.)
2. Olivia's Breakfast Potatoes & the Cabernet Sauce for the Steak Dinner
3. The Pool and Slide, fun!
4. Family Bicyicle Ride
5. The boat to Downtown Disney
6. The Grand Villa's (when fortunate to have one)
7. The room available compared to all other resorts
8. The lush landscaping, makes for great walks and views!
9. Front Desk Personel, I've been lucky and always had someone very pleasant and helpful.
10. All time favorite, the guard saying, "Welcome Home", yes it's cheesy but I love to hear it!
11. The light and cheerful decor that people call dated, I find truly charming and it reminds me of vacation!
12. The last and best of all, going back to OKW, my favorite resort!

Great list and I must say we enjoy all of the above, but especially the larger rooms, the nice large porch to sit out on, the larger rooms and lastly, the larger rooms! The one and only drawback is that I wished there were elevators in every building.

 

[Mom B]

The key lime pie at Olivia's! It's a "must do" for us every time, regardless of what else is on the menu!

 

[newholidayx2]

thanks for this thread
Im checking in here for my first time in 4.5 days

 

[mopee3]

sitting on the large porch off the living room with a cup of tea and hot cereal in the morning when the sun is just getting up but nobody else is! I love that same porch in the evenings for sunset!

The hot tub at any of the quiet pools at about 10 PM in the winter is a favorite of mine too!

Or sitting on the porch off the living room drinking that first cup of freshly ground/brewed coffee while the smell of Gardenia's floating in the still air tickles your nose. Watching the gators play with the ducks in some of the ponds................ oh I am so there!! Is it November yet!!
Acually I am unable to think of anything I Don't like except NOT being there now!!

M

 

[bookwormde]

Parking my car right in front of the unit (less than 60 seconds from car to room).

bookwormde

 

[Fellowship9798]

We've got a 10 day stay coming up in about 4 weeks. First time at OKW and we're looking forward to it. We've always stayed in "hotel style" resorts before and are trying the OKW "condo style" for a change.

Keep the favorites coming!

 

[Pootle]

All of the above plus:

the South Point community pool very early in the morning - misty, quiet and beautiful ........

 

[Simba's Mom]

One of my favorite things is ordering a drink from Gurgling Suitcase and either sitting there making new friends (everyone in there is so friendly) or taking my drink over to sit on a bench, listening to the music, either Steel Drum or Jimmy Buffet.

 

[dcamdad]

The feeling of total relaxation the moment we arrive!

 

[cabobber]

A previous poster mentioned "family bike rides..."

Does anyone know if OKW rents bikes by the week? If so, do you recall the rental charge?

Thanks! Looking forward to our first visit to OKW to soak in the great atmosphere and relax.

 

[Simba's Mom]

A previous poster mentioned "family bike rides..."

Does anyone know if OKW rents bikes by the week? If so, do you recall the rental charge?

Thanks! Looking forward to our first visit to OKW to soak in the great atmosphere and relax.

Here are the rental rates as of May, 2007. It doesn't look like they rent bikes by the week.

 

[dis2cruise]

Or sitting on the porch off the living room drinking that first cup of freshly ground/brewed coffee while the smell of Gardenia's floating in the still air tickles your nose. Watching the gators play with the ducks in some of the ponds................ oh I am so there!! Is it November yet!!
Acually I am unable to think of anything I Don't like except NOT being there now!!

M

did you say......

GATORS

 

[LindaBabe]

Pineapple Jam on Pancakes in Olivias (not on the menu any more, but they have it if you ask)

Rolling through the resort on my ecv. It's so quiet and beautiful.

Parking close to the room. The bus stops aren't far away, either.

The boatride to down town.

The Decor. The landscaping.

On the other hand, if you are accustomed to hotel type DVC, there are a couple of differences.

Complexity of obtaining bell services if you need help, as I do, getting my luggage from the car to the room, and getting ecv from bell services to the room. At OKW, you can't just drive up under the portico, hand everything over including the car, and drive off in the ecv.

On a stormy day (which NEVER happens at Disney, right?) you have to venture out in the rain if you want to spend time in a public space or dining. The quick service seating is outdoors, and not under cover. The covered public spaces are small compared to VWL, and WL, at least, where there are lots of nooks and crannies for sitting.

The patios, at least of the ground floor studios I've been in, are right next to the noisy air conditioner units, which does adversely affect the tranquility of the sitting experience.

I love OKW, and my next purchase will be a resale there.