Old Key Westers...Tell me what you love about your "home"

[plymouthmom]

So I just passed ROFR for my 100 point contract to OKW. We are starting small looking to add on in the next few years.

Here is my question. Been looking on different sites for reviews ( trip advisor, yahoo, etc) Some of the reviews have been horrible! Mostly talking about how run down the place is!

I'm scared! I need some positive feedback!

 

[sajetto]

What do we love about OKW.....EVERYTHING!!!

OKW is our absolute favorite resort. We wanted to own there to start with, but didn't finally buy a contract there until last month. My husband and I spent our wedding and honeymoon there and fell in love with the lush landscape, huge rooms, friendly CMs, Olivia's, the pool, the seclusion, and the tranquility.

I couldn't be any happier about our add on there. OKW will always be very sentimental to us and we have great memories there. We're thrilled to be able to add 49 more years of memories.

 

[Granny]

I'm scared! I need some positive feedback!

Try this thread from the OKW Lovers on this board.

 

[dianeschlicht]

What's not to love?

Love the...
huge rooms
lush landscape
views
light open "Florida" decor
friendliness
vacation home style instead of hotel
HUGE porches
full sized appliances instead of small ones
HUGE Jacuzzi tubs in the masters
Full sized dining table
real luandry room in the unit
all the cute wildlife that hangs out there
the canal
the quiet pools and hot tubs

 

[SusieBea]

what she said .... and parking at your door so you don't have schlep everything as far

 

[Jets fan]

My family and I stayed there for the first time for Christmas 2006 and we absolutely loved it. It was laid back and quiet and the 2 bedroom villa we had was great. There were a couple of problems but these were quickly and efficiently fixed so no problem really. We will be staying there again on 5 April and cannot wait.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We love OKW!

We've stayed at all of the resorts, and like them all but OKW wins hands down as our personal favorite. I set out for my early morning walk /run, it's lush and beautiful, peaceful. Then after every one else wakes up we take the buses or car to whatever park, fight the crowds and the heat and then we get to come "Home" to a tropical resort full of charm. We hang out by the quiet pools, BBQ some steaks, then take the boat down to Downtown Disney, for us it's what a vacation should be. Yes, there have been some terrible reviews, but luckily, all 17 times that we've stayed at OKW the only problem we've encountered has been a toilet problem which was repaired within the hour. Some people need the hustle and bustle of the BW but for us it's OKW. Congrats to you, enjoy!

 

[GGOOFY1]

The larger rooms, two queen beds in the second bedroom, the laundry room, parking outside the room, Villa style buildings with separate outside entrances. We love OKW and welcome to our home.

 

[fkj2]

There's this WONDERFUL boat ride between OKW (and SSR) to Downtown Disney. It's so relaxing, and as you motor along in the sunshine and with a mild breeze blowing...it's like a slice of heaven!

 

[disney54us]

Forever in our hearts, if they have not paid as much attention to OKW that is why the 'owners' get so upset. You will never have a better DVC resort then OKW!!! I know, I probably made many other DVC owners upset, but OKW is special. When we bought they were just starting to build BW and we could have gone either, we toured both and are grateful that we had someone who had been w/dvc from the start, well I guess we were guided in the right direction. I have 3 add on contracts at other DVC resorts, for the points. OKW is special and will always remain in our hearts.

That is why you will see OKW members become concerned if they see it is not being held to the light it should. Honestly no other DVC resort can compare with the room size, big grounds without screaming "overbuilt". This is what DVC was about!! Now If I could get those 'new kids on the block' to notice what it was b/f they came with there 'great ideas' Meaning DVC upper management.

 

[Disney Doll]

The size of the units
The relaxed feel of the resort
The main area which is like a cute little town center
The lush landscaping
The themeing/colors of the rooms & furnishings
The fact that you can park right in front of your building
How nice it is to walk around the resort itself
How nice it is to be able to walk to DTD
The different choices of views...woods, water, golf course...and all are nice (at least all I have ever had are nice!)

 

[Uncleromulus]

Gosh--everything has already been said--I can't add anything!!!
And it's not "run down" by any stretch.

 

[rbuzzotta]

I can second what everyone has already said!!!

I love the feeling of being "home". The feeling that I will recognize someone. We always go the same time year after year and meet many of the same families again and again!!! It is great watching the little one's grow up!!

I love the openness of OKW, the theme (opposite of Boston!!), the friendly staff at Hank's (Ted, Manny, MaryAnn, Eddie), and my kids are happy there!!!

We just added 15 years to our 2 contracts!!!! That is how much we love it!!

 

[las3888]

Congrats on your purchase! We started out small, I think 100 points too...we added on all too quickly! We actually don't own at OKW, but have stayed there several times. It is one of our favorites. I can't say it's hands-down favorites, because I really enjoy something special about all the DVC resorts.

We love how every villa we've ever had there has really beautiful views. It took a little getting used to...our first trip there didn't quite feel as Disney-ized as we liked, but our 2nd trip we really got into the groove of the place. It is very laid back, plus the rooms are enormous. You can park right in front of your villa. We also LOVE the bargain...you just can't beat the points per night anywhere!

I thought I heard a rumor some time ago that they were refurbing all the rooms, but I don't know if that's true. There is very minor wear and tear at the resort. Nothing at all that made me even blink.

Enjoy your trip(s)!!!!

 

[drakethib]

Relaxed atmosphere, big rooms.

Love the place

 

[OlderMan]

What they said, above!!!!

 

[ticofan]

Best of all the DVCs. HUGE rooms. Lots of room for kids to run and roam.

Don't forget the bunnies that run around on the grass outside of the rooms -- or the ducks we feed from our balconies. Then there are the quiet secluded pools where we relax almost every night after a hectic day of parks -- usually all by ourselves.

And the balconies decked with Christmas lights reflected in the ponds!! (We are avid first two weeks of December vacationers.) and the trees in the windows for the holidays. I can hardly wait for December!!

Plus Hanks is hands down the best!! Ed, Ted, Eddie, Maryann -- they know all my kids by name. The first thing my children do (ages 12, 11, 8) when we arrive at the resort is go say "Hi" to the gang at Hanks. They enjoy playing darts, pool, air hockey, and foosball as much as the theme parks.

Parking next to our villa with groceries beats the hike from BWV parking to the room. Especially with the gallon of milk a day our crew drinks!!

I hope everyone continues to like BC, BWV, AK, and VWL.

We might hit Boardwalk when we have a short vacation -- but we like ten day trips, relaxing in our home away from home - OKW!!!