OLD KEY WESTers - Please Help

[okapi]

My sister is going to disney and staying at Old Key West. She, DH and DS1yr.
1. Her in-laws are FL residents. Is the resident discount worth it? Does anyone know what the rough cost difference (or percentage discount) might be? Yes, her in-laws are going to be there too, my sister is booking a one-bedroom villa.
2. If they go for the FL discount, can my sister call and make the reservations herself or do they require the mother-in-law to do it? (My sister and her DH are paying for it, wouldn't mind the discount to help, but not sure if it's worth burdening them).
3. She also wants to know any/all advice about other people's experiences. Like which buildings or even rooms are recommended, the best views and why, etc.
4. Someone told her DH that from their room at OKW they could see Epcot's fireworks - any truth to that? I figured they meant the highest ones...?
5. Does anyone know when check-in is? They'll be arriving from Seattle at 6 a.m. and she concerned about the wee-one.
TIA for all your advice

 

[nem75]

Hi, I stayed at OKW once and can answer some of your questions. The Fl resident rate is usually hooked to a code found on Disney's website. I do not know the percentage as it varies with each season. The reservation would have to be in your in-laws name and they will have to show ID when checking in. OKW has the same check-in time as other resorts at 4pm, but if there is a room ready you can usually get in. When I stayed there, we wer e in the Turtle Pond area and loved it. WE could see the PLeasure Island fireworks and I have heard you can see the tops of the EPCOT fireworks as well. You may want to visit the DVC Forums to learn the most about this resort. They are a great bunch and do not mind answering questions.

Christy

 

[beccasmom]

3. She also wants to know any/all advice about other people's experiences. Like which buildings or even rooms are recommended, the best views and why, etc.
4. Someone told her DH that from their room at OKW they could see Epcot's fireworks - any truth to that? I figured they meant the highest ones...?
5. Does anyone know when check-in is? They'll be arriving from Seattle at 6 a.m. and she concerned about the wee-one.
TIA for all your advice [/QUOTE]

I can answer a couple of questions, but not all. We always try to stay at buildings near the water and our favorite so far has been building 46. There really are no "best" buildings because everyone has different needs. If you need to be near the Hospitality House and the general store and restaurant (and main pool), a building closer to them would be your priority. Folks with physical challenges would want to ask for one of the three buildings with elevators or a room on the first floor.

We have been able to see the fireworks from Epcot at some of the buildings on Turtle Pond Road. Not all of them, though. You can sometimes see better if you stand outside. I'm sure other folks will weight on in this question.

Check in is at 4:00 p.m. You can sometimes get in your room earlier; about 1/2 the time the room is ready earlier. I would not count on it, but I would certainly check.

 

[spiceycat]

you can only see the higher fireworks - you see both Epcot and MK from different parts of the resort.

you can request views of water, golf or woods

request room location near bus stop, quiet pool or HH

HH is where the action is generally.

I don't like to be near the HH because that is also where all the traffic is located.

OKW generally doesn't have alot of traffic - but around HH there is some.

You can park at your door.

for the best deals at OKW - generally renting points from a DVC member will beat any other discount hands down.

she can check in at 6:30am. that doesn't mean the rooms will be ready. the rooms aren't guaranteed until 4:00pm. However, if she shows up at the check in counter with her little one - the front desk can sometimes find a room ready now. I would therefore not have any request except non-smoking.

Although I personally LOVE the water views - OKW has some of the best water view at WDW.

I would think your family would want building number higher than 30.

the under 30 only have one room to the master bath - through the master bedroom. the higher ones across have a door in the hall.

 

[okapi]

Thanks to all your input so far, great advice, she'll be thrilled to know.
Please, keep the coments coming, all is appreciated

 

[MiaSRN62]

We could see the tops of Illuminations fireworks from building 62 patio as well as hear the music. But I don't believe you can see them from every building on property. Not sure the age of the in-laws, but if steps are a problem you might want to request "ground floor" or an elevator building (62,63 & 64). We like to request "water view" and leave it at that. We were placed in 43, 46 and 62 from such requests. All of them were terrific. Bldg 62, though noisier than the others, was VERY close to the Hospitality House, Olivia's, main pool and bus stop.

 

[winjos]

We've stayed at buildings 62, 18, 16 & 13. We saw the fireworks from Epcot (the higher ones) in building 62. We were on the 2nd & 3rd floors. It was wonderful!! You can get a glimpse of them from 16.

We always ask for HH. Once inside the rooms and even on the balcony, it wasn't very noisy. However, we come from SoCal, so most places are quiet for us!

We also saw fireworks from the pool one evening. Not sure where they were coming from. Perhaps Disney/MGM Studios?

Overall, we love OKW!!

 

[Scoootch]

for the best deals at OKW - generally renting points from a DVC member will beat any other discount hands down.

I agree with Spiceycat However, if you want daily housekeeping - if you can get a decent discount on the room it may be worth it as booking cash via CRO will give you that whereas renting points you wouldn't get the daily housekeeping. Just something to keep in mind when comparing your prices.

I would think your family would want building number higher than 30.

the under 30 only have one room to the master bath - through the master bedroom. the higher ones across have a door in the hall.

Again, I agree here too Having the 2nd enterance into the bathroom would be important if it were me. You also may want to request ground floor or elevator not just for your inlaws (who may or may not need it) but for the fact that with a 1yr old you'll have a stroller and it would definetly be much easier for the stroller factor -- I have an almost 2 yr old and a 5yr old and for the past few years remembering to ask for ground floor has been a biggie. Take it from me lol .....I learned the hard way this past trip a couple weeks ago....(as to the check in time - yes officially 4pm but since OKW uses room ready....they told me at check in around 11am.....no ground floors ready until after 4 but...they pointed out several on the 3rd that were ready and since I wanted to go to the pool and have the convenience of a room...I figured "how bad could 3rd floor be if I just leave the stroller in the car and get it on my way?!" Well...with having to carry the baby up 3 floors and the rain and lightening factor....needless to say...next time I think I'll wait until 4 ! :eek) So may I whole heartedly recommend to anyone with a small child and a stroller factor to keep that in mind lol.

 

[JimMIA]

My sister is going to disney and staying at Old Key West. She, DH and DS1yr.
1. Her in-laws are FL residents. Is the resident discount worth it? Does anyone know what the rough cost difference (or percentage discount) might be? Yes, her in-laws are going to be there too, my sister is booking a one-bedroom villa.

Yes, the Florida resident discount is certainly worth looking into. The rates obviously differ from season to season, but the discounts are substantial.

You would have to compare the Florida resident discount to the cost of renting points from a member. However, considering the points requirements on weekends, the Florida resident discount may be less expensive than renting points.

2. If they go for the FL discount, can my sister call and make the reservations herself or do they require the mother-in-law to do it? (My sister and her DH are paying for it, wouldn't mind the discount to help, but not sure if it's worth burdening them).

To avoid getting things all messed up, I would have the MIL make the reservations. They will want her credit card info, her mailing address for the confirmation, and she will have to show her government-issued photo ID proving residency at check-in. Rather than taking a chance of a mixup, I'd have her make the call.

 

[MiaSRN62]

they pointed out several on the 3rd that were ready and since I wanted to go to the pool and have the convenience of a room...I figured "how bad could 3rd floor be if I just leave the stroller in the car and get it on my way?!" Well...with having to carry the baby up 3 floors and the rain and lightening factor....needless to say...next time I think I'll wait until 4 ! :eek)

In all our visits to OKW we have always gotten ground floor (only requested it once) ??? I'd love a 3rd floor. I can totally understand how having an infant with a stroller would be tough ! We first started visiting OKW when my youngest was 3. She never had any trouble with the steps but we were renting strollers in the parks so having to cart them up steps was not an issue. Maybe in 2 weeks when we arrive we'll get an upper floor ? But I'll take anything for the convenience of getting in the room early (except smoking or handicapped).