Old Key West

[dennisnlisab96]

First let me say I hope I am posting this in the right place...We just booked a 2 bedroom villa for a week in November. I was wondering if someone could give me some first hand objective info. How is the bus transportation?? How is the food at Olivia's?? Can you buy baby food in the store?? And any other info that might be helpful

Thanks

 

[DeeP]

You will love the 2 BR villa it is very spacious and beautiful. OKW units are the largest DVC villas available on WDW property. They are also the only DVC villas to have a full size washer & dryer and a full sized dining room table in the living rm/kitchen/dining area and also on the balcony. The bus transportation does not run as frequently as the other WDW resorts but it is not bad and you will most likely always get a seat. I personally like the food at Olivias though some others have different opinons. OKW is a very laid back resort that is like staying in a nice condo development. Since it is a condo type resort the hotel amenities of room service, valet parking, etc are not available. It is not very conveniently located to the parks and is a very large resort so having a car is a BIG plus. Since it is so laid back and quiet there is no nighttime entertainment offered other than using the pool, or going to DTD, or another resort or park. The resorts best views are of a golf course or small waterways. The resort has several pools throughout the resort, all are very clean, adequate pools but none have a waterslide, theming or a life guard.
99.9 % of the buildings do not have elevators so if you are staying with young children or elderly guests that can not handle flights of stairs you would want to request a unit on the first floor. There is parking in the parking lots in the front of each unit. The atmosphere is very quiet and relaxing and you will see various types of wildlife i.e rabbits, ducks, right outside your villa. The OKW CMs are very nice. There is one sit down restaurant and 2 pool bars at the resort. I also like OKW gift shop/store and always find different clothing and gift items there. I believe you can buy baby food at the store for the "usual Disney price" but I am not sure since it has been many years since my kids ate baby food. Enjoy!!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think DeeP covered everything pretty well. The only thing I would change to that advice is not doing a 1st floor unit. The first floor often is surounded by vegetation that makes it difficult to see out. We like top floor for the views and no footsteps of running children above.

 

[dennisnlisab96]

What if anything should I plan to bring with me...I see alot of people talking about bringing their own non-stick pan??? Can I gat a highchair for my 9mo old to sit when we eat???
Thank for the info

Lisa

 

[yasuern]

I think but am not sure there may be a wooden type booster/stool highchair in one of the closets - I think its in the front entry closet - I remember piling stuff on it but can't remember what it was. Well if I am right its like the types you see in alot of restuarants. as far as no stick pans we just picked up a can of pam and it worked fine (but DH used to be a chef). OKW is so relaxing and wonderful when we were there the busses ran every 20minutes or so - I would ask a CM when you check in how often and times the buses run thats what we did and never waited more than 5-10minutes for a bus. Have A Great Trip

 

[spiceycat]

If the high chair is not there call housekeeping and they will bring you one.

Have fun!!! I love OKW - hope you do too!

 

[dennisnlisab96]

Just a couple more questions...Is there pizza delivery?? Is there a place to buy snacks and drinks, how is the selection??

Lisa

 

[Beth]

There "is" pizza delivery - from Sassagoula (sp?) Express - over at POR/DxL.

There is a gift shop/store like at other resorts - which has an ample supply of groceries - all at Disney prices!

 

[yasuern]

Local pzza places outside of WDW will deliver to you at OKW - but don't call the front desk for this info - just open the phonebook and find the number (Pizza Hut - says WDW area) call - order - enjoy - Pizza hut had our food there in less than 30minutes! As far as snacks to keep in the unit - if you have a car - stop and stock up on what you like - if not - you can mail dry goods ie: chips popcorn poptarts cereal crackers and the like to the resort to arrive on your arrival date and state on it
HOLD FOR Insert your name here
Checkin date Insert date here
And the resort will hold it for you until you check in and just tell them when you check in that you expect a package if its not there when you arrive the frontdesk will call you when it does. Personaly we have never done this but I have read about it on the boards numerous times and many people swear by it.
GOOD LUCK and have a WONDERFUL WDW vacation!

 

[dennisnlisab96]

I just read about shipping snacks ect down before you arrive. Has anyone ever done this and had success or was it a problem??? I would love to do this if it works.

 

[Pa@okw95]

The bus service at OKW is at the lower 20% at WDW. Olivia's is a nice family style restaurant, that has improved over the past few years after hitting rock bottom about 5 years ago. The two bedroom unit is outstanding but I have to ask if all you have is an infant you might only need a one bedroom. I guess you are flying from our state so you can buy food at the general store at OKW if you wish, they have a good supply of snacks. Be aware that if you order pizza do not order from the place the advertise at OKW it is right next store at Dixie Landings and is by far the worse pizza around. Order from the telephone book-you will do better. If you plan on renting a car let us know then the whole picture changes down there as far as food and transportation/

 

[dennisnlisab96]

There is actually myself, husband, 3 daughters 5,2,& 9mo.

 

[Pa@okw95]

Well you have plenty of choices on ways to sleep with those three young children. The only problem is that you can not see into the second bedroom from the master bedroom-you can keep the lights turned down low over the kitichen which will act like a gaint night light for any of your children that may want to find their way to your bedroom. The swich for lights for the kitchen is in the hall way and can be adjusted for brightness. There is a crib in the hall closet of every unit, you probably know this. It is probably safer to have a floor unit?? Any other questions just fire away.

 

[Pa@okw95]

By the way I am a grandfather who has taken his grand daughter down there twice and she is going again next July and she is only 4 years old. I have 3 kids, all in their twenties, so if I can be of any help with the questions about the two bedroom I will try my best to answer. Oh yes, bring some bread or buy an extra loaf, the ducks love the bread, there are plenty of ducks around.

 

[dennisnlisab96]

This our 5 yr old 5th trip...we are crazy about Disney. I guess that's great for my kids. We try to go every year and stay somewhere new. Any info you think would be useful would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Pa@okw95]

Once you have stayed at OKW in a two bedroom you will not want to stay anywhere else. Be prepared to be spoiled. There are three TV's, the one in the living room has a VCR so you might want to pack a favorite video or two. You can rent videos, I believe they are free to those staying at OKW at Hanks, the same place you rent the boats, bikes etc. I am not sure they are free to non-members. You are really going to love the place. Have you put in a request for a room location??How about non-smoking?? You should do that if you have not-non-smoking would be best with the little kids. Buildings 11 through 19 would be best with little children-they are close to the main building where the main pool has a kiddie pool. You can walk from any part of OKW to the main pool area-there are also 3 other pools that are nice also. You probably know about the boat that takes you to Downtown Disney-it is a great ride and you can go food shopping down there if you want also. You of course know all about how kids love character meals, the lego building in the downtown area is fun for kids, all this stuff you must know. OKW is very close to DD

 

[~Magical Princess~]

Videos can be rented by non-members. Basically, once you check into OKW on "rented" points anyway, you are basically a "DVC member" as far as they are concerned. Your room card key says "dvc member" and you can enjoy all the same benefits (i.e., pool hopping etc). This might be an issue of debate ..... but I sure hope not!! I'm sure if enough stink was made about it - they could implement a plan to do away with your card keys saying "dvc member".

I'm currently a renter who is in the process of becoming a member! whoo hoo!!!

 

[dennisnlisab96]

Thanks for all the great info

Lisa

 

[DISNEY GUEST]

A large non-stick skillet, maybe two!!!
The pans OKW furnishes are terrible.
We usually ship baby food and pampers, ect. anything that we will use up while there.
Tink45

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Building 19 is a smoking building and also no where near the main pool, it is quite a hike. However, it is right next door to one of the quiet pools.