Old Key West?

[herb102211]

DH and I are planning our September trip and thought about trying Old Key West, since we’ve never stayed there before. Any pros/cons to this resort? We’ve stayed at the BCV, BWV and BLT, and were wondering how OKW compared to these other resorts.

We will have a car this time so we will most likely be driving to the parks instead of taking the buses.

Thanks!

 

[hpygrll]

We love OKW. We've stayed at all the resorts that you mentioned as well, but we always come back to OKW. The rooms are huge, can't beat them. It's a very relaxed vibe, very beachy. We like the pool and the atmosphere. We feel the busses are pretty good there too and you can take the boat to DTD.

Jenny

 

[CDNLADY]

Love Love OKW. hands down my favorite resort having a car is a huge plus you park right out side your door. Its a very quiet and calm resort and yes its huge but having a car you wont have any problems. Cons for some is its far from alot of the action I personally I find it just right .. We always take our car the only time we use a bus is to MK. OH also biggest rooms on property huge balconies its great . To me though no resort is horrible I have stayed at all levels and love every one of them after all you are at Disney !!

 

[outahere]

We really enjoyed our stay at OKW in February. It seems to have a more laid back atmosphere than most of the other resorts.

We found that bus service to/from OKW was very good. When we were at the Magic Kingdom one night last week, 4 buses showed up for OKW within a 15 minute time span while we were waiting for the bus back to the YC. My thought is that if you drive to the parks, you have to get from the park to your car and then drive back to the resort, which could actually take longer than taking the bus (especially if your car is at the far end of a row away from the tram stop).

 

[herb102211]

Glad to hear all the great reviews about OKW! It looks like a very relaxing place, which is what we're looking for this time! We might take the buses to the parks since they seem to run frequently. We may only end up driving to a park if we have an ADR that we need to get to.

Thanks for all of your help!

 

[spiceycat]

the other resorts you mentioned were all in walking distance of a theme park.

OKW IS NOT. so for Epcot and Studios would suggest you drive. for AK it is up to you - for the MK would definitely take the bus.

 

[anabelle]

Some Pros:

Quiet, very quiet
Hot tubs at the quiet pools
On the river, so you can take the boat to DTD and Saratoga
Huge rooms --if you book 1Br and above
Decent bus service
nice room to play games and watch movies for the kids
Olivia's (Table Service has great food)

Cons:
No real quick service place. They only have a snack bar outside by the pool
No pool side activities for the kids
smaller main pool

 

[Mickeygolf]

As others have mentioned it is a very quiet and laid back resort. You really feel like you're in Key West. The pool is awesome and they have a nice hot tub and sauna located very close to the main pool. The community room is a great place to rent games, movies, etc.

We love the proximity to everything when you have a car. DTD is so close and it's easy to drive to any of the parks. Plus, when you have your own car it's very simple to leave WDW property to try some of the other nice restaurants in the vicinity.

Overall it's our favorite resort and the whole reason we bought DVC back in 97'. We've been to many resorts, but since being DVC members we've pretty much stuck with OKW. This next trip will be the first one not staying there in our last 9 trips. You'll love it!!!

Good luck!!!

 

[sharadoc]

Some Pros:

Quiet, very quiet
Hot tubs at the quiet pools
On the river, so you can take the boat to DTD and Saratoga
Huge rooms --if you book 1Br and above
Decent bus service
nice room to play games and watch movies for the kids
Olivia's (Table Service has great food)

Cons:
No real quick service place. They only have a snack bar outside by the pool
No pool side activities for the kids
smaller main pool

The boat only goes to DTD. The Saratoga line is separate, as is the line for POR and POFQ. It would be nice if we could use a boat to get around all those resorts.

You are right next door to POFQ (since you're driving) - we've used their food court a few times when we wanted a quick meal or late night snack. Plus it accepts Tables in Wonderland for quick service too.

Every time we've been there, they've had poolside activities for kids AND adults. Plus sandcastle competitions and best of all - the Community Hall where there's daily crafts, games and even more activities. Last year DD won the Wii bowling tournament and did a karaoke around the pool. We've played family bingo a few times, they've done Mickey tie-dye t-shirts, ceramics and you can check out board games or DVDs.

The main difference between OKW and the places you've already stayed is that OKW is not connected to a "deluxe" hotel. You are strictly villas only, so the amenities are geared towards a villa resort, and not a hotel with villas attached to it. That's why the quick service is essentially non-existent, the hotel bar is outside near the pool and the game rooms are teeny.