Old Key West

[Disneyhenry]

Sorry, just not true. The resort was entirely refurbished about three years ago. You did not get an non-updated villa unless you stayed at OKW in 2011. The complete renovation did not update the kitchen appliances which are replaced as needed nor did it touch the bathrooms. All DVC reservations are paid for by members and not by Disney so they don't happen that often. It's a timeshare.

We are owners at OKW and have stayed there at least 15 times in as many years. Never had a problem with the buses (the buses stop at South Point after Peninsular Road before Turtle Pond). We'll be back there twice this year and are looking forward to another nice stay at OKW.

We just stayed in Jan 2015, our room was in need of an update, tile in the bathroom needed lots of help, shower was really old looking, i did like the size of our room, very nice, kitchen was nice, but both bathrooms in our 2 bedroom could use updating

 

[goofy4tink]

I was there for 5 days last month. We were in bldg 42, in Turtle Pond, second floor studio. It was a very nice location...the pool was close-by, which was nice. The buses were fine, just took forever once you got on the bus. Being a middle stop had it's good points, but it also had bad ones. Yes, there was always room to sit. But, being the middle stop, it took a long time to get off resort property, and then a long time to get to your stop upon returning. Those that had the first stop had a very long time getting to a park, but at least they were dropped off early in the route.
Our room.....well, yes, I knew they had all been refurbed years ago....I was happy about that since the last time I stayed there, the room was somewhat dingy and 'well-used'. But at least it was near the HH. Yes, things had been changed such as drapes and spreads. But, as someone else said, the carpet needed something....I'm not sure how well it was vacuumed, or cleaned, but it was just not very clean looking. I actually kept something on my feet, which I don't normally do. Our fridge was leaking all over the floor...called about that, and it was fixed by the time we got back from the park. But, the floor remained damp the entire time. And the sink faucet just dripped...drip, drip, drip!! In the bathroom, nothing had been updated. I just hate the bathrooms there. At least at other resorts, if someone is using the shower/toilet, you can still put on makeup or brush your teeth. The bathroom just seemed dark and dingy...almost like it needed a really good scrubbing....but it seemed clean enough. The showerhead was really hard to adjust....either really strong stream of water or a ridiculously gentle 'stream'...and I use that word hesitantly!!
We had neighbors from, well, you know where. They seemed to be young men, and their dates...much partying and yelling and screaming. I put as much stuff up against that connecting door as I could...but nothing helped. And sitting out on the balcony wasn't a great thing since those in the one bedroom unit next to us (the noisy ones) could just pull up their blinds and check us out. But, they seemed to sleep late, so I could sit out with my early morning coffee, but other than that, not so much.

I like OKW well enough. I like the landscaping and the feel. But, I think it's a better spot if you have a car. Those people that I know that love it there have all had cars with them...it seems to make a huge difference. I really enjoy eating at Olivia's....it's a great spot. My only issue is that I seem to get the same server, a lot!!! He takes our order, then heads to a table of guests that he seems to know really well...stands there chatting for an extended period of time. Then, they get their order before us....almost identical orders I might add. Then, off he goes again, to stand and chat with those folks he knows...while we wait for refills or our check. This past time was the third time this has happened to me...and I'm 99% sure it's the same person. Oh well...what can you do. I found some CMs to be better than others. The front counter didn't seem to be too bothered by the fact that I wasn't able to use my Amex gift card to pay my balance.....good thing I had another way to pay!! And when I had an issue with my MB not working to open my door? They tried to tell me I had a defective band...but it had worked at POR!! Nope, they did something to it upon check-in...but they insisted it was the fault of the MB..nothing they did. But, I've had this happen almost every time I've switched resorts, so no, it's not my MB, it's your system and whatever the heck you did back there when you took it from me!!!

Would I stay at OKW again? Probably. But I would get a villa in the HH area...that way I could hop off at the first stop when returning to the resort. It's a very relaxing place...really makes you forget where you are!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

and none of our room or building requests were granted.

To base a judgment or opinion of, well, anything based on criterium you know is not promised or guaranteed is completely unreasonable.

I also didn't like the fact that all of the walkways were along the roads.

Where else would walkways be?

 

[goofy4tink]

We stayed here in early January, 2015 and were also not impressed. The bus service is terrible, the road noise is really bad, the room was run down, and none of our room or building requests were granted. I also didn't like the fact that all of the walkways were along the roads. The staff at check-in were also rude. The only thing attractive about this resort is the larger size of the one-bedroom villas. I much prefer Saratoga Springs.

I'm one who isn't crazy about OKW, so I can pretty fairly speak to your issues...I think. This resort was the first DVC resort built. Most of the people staying there had cars. With all the water in the area, it would be really hard to have meandering pathways. I don't truly think you'll find them at SSR either. Sidewalks are fine.....there isn't any reason for pathways anywhere else...there's no place to go!!! Room requests are simply that...requests. There could be a myriad of reasons they weren't able to give you what you wanted.
And check-in staff? I had no issue when checking in....other than the fact that I never got a room ready text, or email. It was only when I returned, later in my stay, to complain about my MB not working and to put that gift card down for my balance, that I had an issue. And it wasn't that they were 'rude', I don't think they were fully comprehending my MB issue.
We never had an issue with any outside noise...and our building was fairly close to the highway!!!! And buses? Not that bad...just a long ride to and from the parks due to the number of stops and the size of the resort. SSR is not much better. If you get on at the Grandstand stop, it's almost 20 mins before you leave the property for a park...again, many stops within a huge resort.
So, not every resort is going to be perfect for every guest. What I want in a resort could be exactly what someone else doesn't want!!! It's not as if you're buying the resort, you're using it for a short time. You don't like it, there are many other places to stay!!!

 

[WDW11]

Thanks. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I was just telling of my experience at this resort.

 

[Tink415]

No one wants a dusty, musty room or villa with stained fabrics and rugs, rag towels and a dirty bathroom. Walking into that tends to color your perception of the entire resort, especially if its a first stay there. And I know the last thing I want to do is go back to the front desk, complain and ask to be moved, or wait for cleaning, etc. Being assigned a room like that is rare at WDW but it does happen. Happened to me once at ASMu with a 1 night stay and I learned afterwards that the room was scheduled to go out of service to be "fixed" the week after we checked out (it looked like there had been a food fight in the room). Sure opened my eyes, as all stays before at WDW resorts the rooms were very nice.

OKW (SSR too) is more small town apartment style than typical resort style (building and amenities in central area with roads surrounding). Each has its benefits. I prefer to have a car at these resorts, especially if we have small children with us. Don't like walking in or near the road to get to a pool.

My older dd thought the bathrooms at OKW were horribly outdated in 2006 1st time we stayed there I think of them as vintage

Op, hope your next stay is better!

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh well...what can you do.

Ask for a different server? Let the serve know you are in a time crunch? Talk with management?

All sorts of things you could do.

 

[goofy4tink]

Ask for a different server? Let the serve know you are in a time crunch? Talk with management?

All sorts of things you could do.

As we weren't in a hurry, we weren't impacted. And there weren't many servers working....Sat morning at 7:30. I found it to be interesting, more than anything, to see the exact same thing happen that had happened on previous visits. If this server hadn't stopped and had such in depth chats with that other table, I probably wouldn't have had any issues.
I've had bad service, truly awful service. And I have spoken to management to explain to them why I left no tip at the Crystal Palace. I've also spoken to management when I was hugely impacted, time-wise. My dh has a very bad habit of telling wait staff 'Oh, no hurry', and then complains when he can't get his check fast enough!!! So, if I have to wait for 15 mins for the server to get to me, so I can ask for my check, and then wait 15-20 mins for the check to appear? Yes, I do something about it...especially if I've told that server that I am a bit of a hurry.
This time was more of an observation kind of thing.