Old Key West

[ryanrop]

Has anyone stayed here before? Please give me some reviews.

Thanks

 

[beccasmom]

http://www.wdwig.com/g_okw.htm

This is a link to information about the resort and photos. As a DVC member, it is my home resort and I think it is fabulous!

 

[Disneydenise]

We stayed there when it first opened. We had a 1 bedroom suite. It was beautiful. We had 2 balconies and we looked out over the gof course. It was really lovely.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

We have visited OKW several times, most recently July 5-12 of this year in a 2BR.

We love the quiet atmosphere, the transportation, the serene views, and the Pools...both main and quiet. (We also love the other resorts with the more happening "Disney" feel!)

You should love it!

 

[AZKathy]

OKW is set up like condos vs. a hotel. You can park right near your villa. It surrounds a golf course and the views from the villa's balcony/porch are so lovely. It is spread out and has five different bus stops. It also has four pools throughout the resort. None have slides, if that is important to you.

The one bedrooms/two bedrooms have the same similar great room set up. There is a living area with the kitchen and dining area. Very roomy. The kitchen is full size and has all the amenities you would need to cook and eat there if you wanted. We find that a plus for our family. It also has a full size washer and dryer, another big plus for us!

The master bedroom suite has a king size bed with an amour with a TV. It has a small table and two chairs. There is a large jacuzzi tub with a separate shower and comode.

The second bedroom has two queen size beds with another amour with a TV, small table and two chairs. It also has it separate bathroom.

The "feel" of OKW is peacful, comfy, and layed back. Some people on these boards will say that OKW is so far far away from all the parks compared to other resorts. I don't agree with those feelings. It is easy to get to all the parks from OKW. A lot use their own cars; we usually use the buses and have not had problems with them.

Hope this helps a little. Happy planning!

 

[ZerasPride]

Just wanted to add OKW is my favorite on-site "home-away-from-home" resort. I want to second what everyone else has said. My family loved the relaxed atmosphere and the spaciousness of the accommodations. I'll be back at OKW in 2 weeks and even though we'll be in a studio this time (ran out of points), I can't wait.

I had heard horror stories about the transportation but we never had a problem and we were at OKW during Thanksgiving week. Olivia's (the on-site sit down restaurant) serves great food and it's a relaxing boat ride to Downtown Disney. I can't think of one negative thing to say about it except that the resort is spread out and it can take a few minutes to "cycle" through the entire resort before you leave the grounds for your destination. If you have any specific questions, just ask!

 

[njmousefan]

We stayed there totally by accident a few years ago...we had to reschedule a paid for trip and the CRO offered us a one bedroom at OKW (when it was not OKW, but was know I think as the Disney Vacation Club)...back in 1995.

It still is probably my favorite place we have stayed onsite. I found it to be very convenient...never noticed long rides on buses or long wait times for them either. We did have a rental car, but it sat in the parking space becuase we decided it was just easier taking the bus.

The parking is very close to the unit you will stay in..the pools were very nice...the views were fine too...I think we overlooked a golfcourse. It was quiet and restful.

If we were to every seriously consider DVC...we might just have to try to buy resale at this resort because we like it so much.

You won't be disappointed...it's a lovely place to stay.

 

[hulabird]

We will be trying OKW next summer for the first time, after spending most of our stays at CBR (which I still love and it will be hard for me to make the switch next year). From what I have seen (not only from photos, but from checking it out last summer) it looks like I will enjoy this resort. I just hope some good codes or specials comes out before next year, that would make it even better.

 

[SueM in MN]

We have been members of DVC at OKW for 10 years, so, of course, it's our favorite place to be,
We love the porches. They are not regular little hotel porches, they are big enough to comfortably hold a 48 inch diameter round table and 4 chairs. The one bedroom units have one porch, accessible by a sliding door from the great room or a french door from the master bedroom. It's great to just sit out there in the morning with a cup of coffee before the kids are up and going.

A two bedroom unit is made up of a one bedroom and a studio put together. Some of them are "lock-offs" and can be rented as a studio and a one bedroom OR the lock off door is opened and it is rented as a 2 bedroom unit.The studios have a little smaller porch, but still bigger than most hotels, with a table and 2 chairs. A studio has a kitchenette with a microwave and undercounter refrigerator.

There are also dedicated 2 bedroom units. The "studio" part of a dedicated 2 bedroom unit has a closet where the door to the outside would be, and does not have a kitchenette or a porch in the "studio". Other than those things, the layout of a lock off and a dedicated 2 bedroom is the same.

The studio does have a table and 2 chairs in the room that you could eat at. The master bedroom of the 1 and 2 bedroom units doesn't have a table and chairs; it does have a comfy chair with an ottoman.

The resort is very close to Epcot; from the last bus stop to the turnstiles of Epcot is a 7 to 8 minute trip.

 

[hulabird]

I have a question. Are all the studios on the first floor only? We are considering just getting a studio (it's just myself and DH) instead of a 1 BR to save on the cost. Does anyone have a suggestion for where is a good place to request. When we stay at CBR we usually stay in Jamaica and the walk to the food court is pretty short, DH has bad knees and does not care for long treks to the food, so I would appreciate some help on where would be a good place to request. Thanks so much!

1998-2002 CBR
July 2003-Las Vegas
Aug-Sep 2004 Cruise/OKW

 

[DBH]

We have stayed at OKW 2 times and there are things we like and could do without. The units are some of the biggest you will find. We stayed in a 2 bedroom and it was huge. Another nice thing is the ability to park your car close to your unit. This is very convinient when loading and unloading.

One drawback to me is how spreadout the resort is. If you want to go to the main pool or the lobby it can be quite a distance from certain buildings. The atmosphere is very laid back which is fine with me, but the kids like the something a little more adventerous. The main pool is tame compared to most other moderates and deluxe resorts.

We used our car to get around more at OKW than any other resort. The transportation can be hit or miss.

Overall it is a very nice resort with a laid back atmosphere.

 

[beccasmom]

I have a question. Are all the studios on the first floor only?

No, the studios are located on all three levels, but you can request a first-floor if desired.

 

[hulabird]

Thanks for the info Penny, it is appreciated

 

[Shadeaux]

We've been members for almost 10 years. We love OKW so much we haven't stayed anywhere else while at WDW since joining. Here's a link to some pictures from our June trip. We stayed in a 2br lockoff.

http://www.pbase.com/shadeaux/wdw_2003

 

[AZKathy]

Originally posted by hulabird
I have a question. Are all the studios on the first floor only? We are considering just getting a studio (it's just myself and DH) instead of a 1 BR to save on the cost. Does anyone have a suggestion for where is a good place to request. When we stay at CBR we usually stay in Jamaica and the walk to the food court is pretty short, DH has bad knees and does not care for long treks to the food, so I would appreciate some help on where would be a good place to request. Thanks so much!

1998-2002 CBR
July 2003-Las Vegas
Aug-Sep 2004 Cruise/OKW

Ask to be near the Hospitality House or Pennisular Road; both are very close to the main pool, Olivias, Gurguling Suitcase, etc. I do believe that buildings 62, 63, and 64 are the ones that do have elevators if you would prefer not to stay on the first floor. None of the other buildings have elevators.

 

[Hopefully]

We have stayed in both a one bedroom and a two bedroom at OKW. I think it is our favorite resort, although we loved the BCV our last trip, for their convenience to Epcot - My DH's favorite place.
The "Themeing" is lower key than many other resorts - but still lovely. We liked the nearby parking, as well as the convenience of Disney Transportation allowing us options. The accomodations are by far the most spacious of any. I WAS disappointed in the size of the 1 bedroom villa at the Beach Club laswwt February. We took boats to DTD, a lovely ride!
Although we don't really "cook" on vacation, the full size kitchen is great for breakfast, lunch, drinks and snacks. I always pack more lightly, as it is easy to do laundry at the Villas.
As always - it is all about your expectation and likes/dislikes. I think you will love your stay here

 

[hulabird]

Thanks again for all your help, it is so appreciated. I have to get used to a whole new place, I could find my way around CBR in my sleep, but this is somewhat different. Thanks again!




1998-2002 CBR
July 2003-Las Vegas
Aug-Sep 2004 Cruise/OKW

 

[DaveH]

Here are links to threads I posted awhile ago with pics of an OKW Studio and 1BR. Hope these help.

OKW Studio

OKW 1BR

 

[franw]

OKW is a beautiful resort and even when we don't stay there we always take a trip over for dinner at Olivia's. I only wish I had rented a one bedroom instead of a studio as the studio was not much more than a glorified hotel room. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. It is also a short ride to the Marketplace by car.

 

[hulabird]

Thanks for the photos Dave, it really helps.