Opinions on Old Key West

[llp479]

I think it also depends on how many people you have in your party. We own at both BWV and OKW and I don't think I will ever do 8 again at BWV. We make at least 2 evening meals in the unit and there just isn't enough room for all 8 to sit and eat. (I guess the other solution would be not to cook!)

Now, I love the location of BCV and BVW, and I love the location of OKW for different reasons. I am equally happy staying at both, but with a group of 8 I LOVE the space at OKW.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Originally posted by joepoe
You are so wrong. OKW is NOT a moderate. The accomodations are far superior, from bed size to room size to in-room amenities. THe buses are NOT awful. As someone who has timed them multiple times, and posted it here, I can say that they are comparable to driving. It takes 10 minutes or less to go through the whole resort. Every time we have these comparison threads some troll has to start bashing.

Are you calling me a troll because I don't like a resort as much as you? I don't think I was bashing OKW at all, just stating how we felt. We were disapointed in OKW when we compared it to BCV, but when we realized they are very different resorts, we were able to appreicate the more smiple things about OKW. (also the less points, we stayed there because we could stay 10 days at OKW and we would of only been able to stay 6 at BCV.)

The rooms are far better then a mod, but as far as layout, bus services (many stops) distance to walk outside, buildings with out elevtors it is more like a mod. Stair cases that are not covered in the rain. (belive I know, I have stayed at every mod at WDW.)

Now as far as the bus, I am glad to hear others have not had the truelly awful service. Not just one bad experince, but at least 7 or 8 in one trip. We are old bus pro's and have never at any resort had such troubles with the bus as OKW. We timed it, it was at least between 10 and 15 min (depending on the bus driver) Once you got on the 1st stop to the time you left the resort. We normally just walked to HH to get on the last bus there, but more then once the busses were full and left before stopping at HH, leaving us and many other people stranded. Once we waited with a large group for 1 hour for a bus to AK (I must admit this was the wrost problem we had, others were mostly bus drivers getting lost and that could of ben at any resort.)

I am sorry if you think I am a troll (look at my post count and check my other posts, I have never been acussed of that before!) just because when asked to compare my opinon was we were disapointed and I explained why.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by DisneyPhD
Now as far as the bus, I am glad to hear others have not had the truelly awful service. Not just one bad experince, but at least 7 or 8 in one trip. We are old bus pro's and have never at any resort had such troubles with the bus as OKW. We timed it, it was at least between 10 and 15 min (depending on the bus driver) Once you got on the 1st stop to the time you left the resort. We normally just walked to HH to get on the last bus there, but more then once the busses were full and left before stopping at HH, leaving us and many other people stranded. Once we waited with a large group for 1 hour for a bus to AK (I must admit this was the wrost problem we had, others were mostly bus drivers getting lost and that could of ben at any resort.) [/B]

How long ago was that trip? We have NEVER in many stays since 1997 had that kind of trouble with buses at OKW, and the service the past two years has been exceptional. Last week, the longest we waited was about 10 minutes, and that was in the middle of the afternoon at Epcot. We often stay at South Point, and like that location because it is the second bus stop coming in, and is the farthest away from HH. Yes, you do have to ride through the rest of the resort after being picked up, but it certainly doesn't take 15 minutes! We have had guests staying with us take a car and we were waiting at the park for them for nearly 20 minutes before they arrived at the same spot where the bus had dropped us off. I do agree that several years ago there was a time when buses were not as prompt as they are now, but complaints from members seemed to cure that.

 

[ILPHIL]

anyone can complain about at OKW we will be happy with our new "home".
Over the years we have stayed at all levels of WDW resorts. The worst bus service we ever had was at a deluxe...the best at a value. I don't think there is that much of a difference and for us it certainly isn't that big of a deal. We vacation to RELAX, not to put a stopwatch of the buses so we can complain if the wait is a couple minutes longer than it might have been somewhere else. To me, it seems nit-picky, at best, to criticize a resort because the bus ride from it, might be a bit longer than the ride from another resort.

Sorry if this got a bit off topic...haven't even made our 1st trip "home" yet and already getting defensive about it.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
How long ago was that trip? We have NEVER in many stays since 1997 had that kind of trouble with buses at OKW, and the service the past two years has been exceptional. Last week, the longest we waited was about 10 minutes, and that was in the middle of the afternoon at Epcot. We often stay at South Point, and like that location because it is the second bus stop coming in, and is the farthest away from HH. Yes, you do have to ride through the rest of the resort after being picked up, but it certainly doesn't take 15 minutes! We have had guests staying with us take a car and we were waiting at the park for them for nearly 20 minutes before they arrived at the same spot where the bus had dropped us off. I do agree that several years ago there was a time when buses were not as prompt as they are now, but complaints from members seemed to cure that.

It was Aug 13 to the 20th 2003. Like I said we have stayed at many other resorts (mod and Deluxe) and never had bus problems like that (one bad luck situation here and there, but not consistant problems of one kind or another more days then not.) It might of been the time of year (I think they had some turn over with transportation service.) They might have been working out some problems. We cerntainly had our share of less then perfect drivers (as I mentioned more then one got lost!) I think the weather also colored our opinon, waiting in thunderstom can be much worse then nice weather. (heck one time it was an acutal tornado, but we didn't find that out until later.) We almost never complain about the busses, and would rather take them then drive. Before going we were warned by many people on this forem that OKW is best with a car, but we didn't listen. We regreted that move later. For half the trip we had guests with us that did have a car, but no car seat for our 2 year old.

Bus problems aside, I still think if you compare OKW to other Deluxe and DVC resorts it really can be disapointing. If you look at it as another alterntive (with less points and bigger rooms) it has it's very own speical charms that the others don't. Being spread out (like a mod resort) does make things much for difficult for a family with young children and stroller. It think if it was just hubby and I, I wouldn't have minded so much. I must admit when the staff said welcome home I felt they really ment it. I also loved all the DVC pictures of guests all over the restants and other places.

 

[Di-Dis]

Two sisters, going to WDW 3/22 and staying @ BWV for 5 nights. Have stayed @ OKW last time (10/4/03 through 10/11/03) with our husbands. This time it's just two sisters enjoying our first SISTER trip together. Can't wait. If you have any ideas "What to do that's special" for us two gals while we are there, pls. let me know. Spa is a must, Epcot Italian Restaurant (can't remember the name, but we were there in Oct. FANTASTIC) IS ALSO A MUST. Any fun ideas???

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by DisneyPhD

I am sorry if you think I am a troll (look at my post count and check my other posts, I have never been acussed of that before!) just because when asked to compare my opinon was we were disapointed and I explained why.

DisneyPHD, I am sure you are as big a Disney nut as I am. I used the word troll because some people just like to bash the resorts. Lord knows, Disney wants as much of our money as possible, so they will bend over backwards to get it. Most DVC problems are minor in nature, IMO.
I have seen other posts by you, and you are fair in many cases. I just speak from experience. I have never had a a bad time at OKW, nor have I had horrendous bus experiences. If you have, I believe you, but when you compare OKW with a moderate, that is just over the top, IMHO. So if I have offended, I apologize. Friends?

 

[MiaSRN62]

A friend suggested we stay at Old Key West in a 2 br villa. Has anyone stayed there and how did it compare to Beach Club Villas, my other choice? All opinions appreciated! Thanks

Hi, I never stayed at BCV's, but have stayed at OKW several times during different seasons over the years---never had a problem with the busses in all my experiences. The villas are bright and spacious and the resort is colorful, scenic and peaceful. There is a full-service restaurant onsite. I usually like to request a woods or water view. The relaxing boat ride to DD is a plus.
I don't find it anywhere near compared to a moderate resort----room amenities just can't be compared between the two. Just because the resort is laid out in cottages/villages with parking at the door (which POR does not have) vs hotel-style, does not compare it to a moderate resort. In fact, alot of offsite timeshares are laid out just like OKW and are considered 4 star or Gold Crown resorts----OKW is no exception. All the DVC resorts are rated very highly among timeshare resorts offsite so there must be a reason OKW has such high marks.
I think you'd enjoy a stay here, as well as BCV. BCV's is walking distance to Epcot and restaurants and has a very nice pool area----most likely the best on Disney property. I think someone else mentioned it's a win-win situation. Have a great vacation whatever you decide.

 

[vernon]

IMHO, you can't make a bad choice, but each resort scores differently depending on your needs/desires.

If you're looking at a 2 bed I'll presume it's for a larger group, depending on the make up of the group it may slightly favour OKW's extra space and bed format. At BCV the 2nd bedroom has one bed and one sofabed, OKW has 2 beds. For small kids the sofabeds aren't really an issue, for older/heavier they may be. If you plan to eat or spend time in the room I do find that OKW seems considerably larger, maybe it's just a better layout. At OKW it's easy to negotiate the living room even when the sofabed is pulled out, at BCV we didn't find this to be the case. There seems to be more closet space at OKW.

BCV scores heavily if you plan to spend a lot of time at Epcot (being able to walk through the International gateway is brilliant) or eating around the BW area. Top marks go to SAB the fantastic pool/waterpark that is by far the best hotel pool in WDW.

The main difference is IMHO ambience, at OKW it's easy to feel that you're not at WDW at all. At BCV you are in the centre of the "action" but it's difficult to escape from the full Disney immersion if you feel you're being overwhelmed. At OKW you can "get away" if you need to, but have the option to get as much "disney" as you desire through other experiences.

I like both resorts, I try to stay at different resorts from time to time so that I 1) don't get too stale with one resort and 2) try to make the most of what each resort offers. If I stay at BCV I'd try to use their pool a little more that I would at OKW where I'd probably concentrate more on visiting the parks.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by DisneyPhD
It was Aug 13 to the 20th 2003. Like I said we have stayed at many other resorts (mod and Deluxe) and never had bus problems like that (one bad luck situation here and there, but not consistant problems of one kind or another more days then not.) It might of been the time of year (I think they had some turn over with transportation service.) They might have been working out some problems. We cerntainly had our share of less then perfect drivers (as I mentioned more then one got lost!) I think the weather also colored our opinon, waiting in thunderstom can be much worse then nice weather. (heck one time it was an acutal tornado, but we didn't find that out until later.) We almost never complain about the busses, and would rather take them then drive. Before going we were warned by many people on this forem that OKW is best with a car, but we didn't listen. We regreted that move later. For half the trip we had guests with us that did have a car, but no car seat for our 2 year old.

Bus problems aside, I still think if you compare OKW to other Deluxe and DVC resorts it really can be disapointing. If you look at it as another alterntive (with less points and bigger rooms) it has it's very own speical charms that the others don't. Being spread out (like a mod resort) does make things much for difficult for a family with young children and stroller. It think if it was just hubby and I, I wouldn't have minded so much. I must admit when the staff said welcome home I felt they really ment it. I also loved all the DVC pictures of guests all over the restants and other places.

Interesting, since we were there that same week! I can honestly say we NEVER waited more than 10 minutes, and that was during a hard rain in the morning when we just missed the bus and were coming up as it was driving off. I had an ECV that trip, so we were staying near HH and only once had folks standing on the bus after we were loaded.

 

[MemereMouse]

"Bus problems aside, I still think if you compare OKW to other Deluxe and DVC resorts it really can be disapointing. If you look at it as another alterntive (with less points and bigger rooms) it has it's very own speical charms that the others don't. Being spread out (like a mod resort) does make things much for difficult for a family with young children and stroller. It think if it was just hubby and I, I wouldn't have minded so much. I must admit when the staff said welcome home I felt they really ment it. I also loved all the DVC pictures of guests all over the restants and other places."

IMHO OKW has never been "disappointing" and we have stayed in all but the BCV including HH and VB. I love the fact that it is spread out and every inch is just beautiful with an extremely deluxe feeling (in no way like a moderate). The scenery from all the balconies give you a feeling of luxury. We have enjoyed all the resorts we have stayed at. They are all unique in their own way and each and every one of them is a deluxe resort.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by MemereMouse
IMHO OKW has never been "disappointing" and we have stayed in all but the BCV including HH and VB. I love the fact that it is spread out and every inch is just beautiful with an extremely deluxe feeling (in no way like a moderate). The scenery from all the balconies give you a feeling of luxury. We have enjoyed all the resorts we have stayed at. They are all unique in their own way and each and every one of them is a deluxe resort.

I wholeheartedly agree! No way a moderate or even a DVC hotel type setting has this kind of luxury!

I can see why folks with young children might consider the hotel setting to be easier with strollers etc, but that does NOT make OKW a moderate.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Originally posted by joepoe
DisneyPHD, I am sure you are as big a Disney nut as I am. I used the word troll because some people just like to bash the resorts. Lord knows, Disney wants as much of our money as possible, so they will bend over backwards to get it. Most DVC problems are minor in nature, IMO.
I have seen other posts by you, and you are fair in many cases. I just speak from experience. I have never had a a bad time at OKW, nor have I had horrendous bus experiences. If you have, I believe you, but when you compare OKW with a moderate, that is just over the top, IMHO. So if I have offended, I apologize. Friends?

Thank you joepoe, I feel much better (did I mention I am having a difficult couple of weeks? 12 weeks pregnant, anytime of day sickness, winter blahs, and on top of it all I am in middle of my second root cannel in a week (but the antioboics are making me even more sick!!!) So thank you! I don't mean to bash OKW at all. I love DVC and am so glad we joined. I think any DVC room is better then any normal resort room on WDW property or off.

I still think comparing BCV to OKW is apples to oranges, they are too diffierent. I can see that many people take offence to the idea of a mod resort, but really I don't think a mod resort is a bad thing, just different. (mod resorts can be luxurious and exetremly nice.) I don't mean mod rooms, I know OKW are DVC rooms, nothing compares to that. While we liked OKW, we didn't fall in love with OKW as much as many people have. I was disapointed and I think if I was better prepared for the difference I would have not been. But then again it apears our normal good luck was not with us at all on our OWK trip since everything from a room too close to the road, no view at all from the blacony, just a plam tree spilling over and taking up half of it, the group below us partying at 3:00 am (very loudly) poor bus service, dirty room with some broken things, bad rain and very long walks just adds up to less magic.

It sounds like many people have had many trip to OKW and not had the same bad luck as us. It still stands, on the list of DVC resorts, OKW is at the end. Not bad, I just feel what the others have to offer puts them higher up on the list. If the situations was right (we needed the roomy 2 bedrooms and had a car) I might consider staying there again. But really with other options avilable, I think I will try them 1st. Happpy to hear not everyone has had our bad luck at OKW.

dianeschlicht, I can't belive we were there the same week! Glad your bus situations was different then ours! Wasn't the rain the worst though?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by DisneyPhD
dianeschlicht, I can't belive we were there the same week! Glad your bus situations was different then ours! Wasn't the rain the worst though?

YES! We were actually there toward the end of your stay and beyond, but we certainly did get drenched! You must have had a studio to have the deck encased in a palm tree. Some of the first floor porches can be pretty enclosed too, but I don't necessarily consider that to be bad. I do think traveling with a stroller makes OKW more difficult for young families than a hotel type resort .

 

[MiaSRN62]

I still think comparing BCV to OKW is apples to oranges, they are too diffierent. I can see that many people take offence to the idea of a mod resort, but really I don't think a mod resort is a bad thing, just different.

Just as many of us feel comparing OKW to POR is like apples and oranges
I feel OKW is every bit as deluxe as BCV but rather in a different way. After all.....there is a whole spectrum of attributes that different folks view as luxury. OKW offers a more subtle form of luxury perhaps as some would see it. As far as comparing it to moderates---no parking outside your villa/room at POR---no room amenities or room layout similarities etc. Yes, moderates are nice in their own way but I don't feel OKW fits in that category at all.

Sorry you experienced the following :

room too close to the road, no view at all from the blacony, just a plam tree spilling over and taking up half of it, the group below us partying at 3:00 am (very loudly) poor bus service, dirty room with some broken things, bad rain and very long walks just adds up to less magic.

but quite frankly one can have this at ANY of the DVC resorts. Everything you listed as a downfall at OKW I have heard listed at every other DVC resorts (except SSR of course) here on this board (bad view, noise, broken, dirty etc). I myself had a very disappointing view at BWV , as well as a very , very long walk down the hallway to and from the parks everyday. My room location at BWV would not have been advantagious for parents with strollers and little ones either. Also, we checked into the BWV during the height of a severe thunderstorm that caused a power outtage and we were unable to get our room key for a couple hours due to it, so someone always had to stay in the room until the keys were able to be made. But I will not say BWV is not deluxe due to any of this. I will give BWV another chance one of these stays because I know not every room or every trip experience is going to be perfect. I hope you reported all your findings at OKW to management, because, honestly I've never experienced any of these problems you listed at OKW in my several stays there and I sure hope they correct the "broken" and "dirty" issues. Though I don't agree with your synopsis of OKW at all, I respect your opinion and hope you are feeling better soon.

 

[MiaSRN62]

You must have had a studio to have the deck encased in a palm tree.

This is what I was thinking too Diane ? I know alot of the studios are a bit overrun with plants/vegetation, but we've never had this problem off the balcony of a 1 or 2 bedroom. In fact, we've always gotten the best views with our villas. My kids love sitting on the porch and feeding the ducks at the water's edge when we get a ground floor.

and to add to this comment :

I still think comparing BCV to OKW is apples to oranges, they are too diffierent.

I feel "luxury" is in the eye of the beholder and variety is the spice of life----if all DVC resorts had hotel set-ups I think it would be a bit drab as far as options go. I like that DVC offers us so many wide varieties of luxury (i.e. OKW/Vero/HH as these are primarily non-hotel set-ups yet wonderful in their own right).

 

[jodifla]

While we own at BCV and OKW, frankly we were disappointed the first time we walked into BCV. It seemed so small compared to what we were used to! (Our friends who were used to staying in the All-Star resorts thought it was huge, though! They provided us with the proper perspecitive.) And DH (who makes fun of me being on the boards all the time but is reading over my shoulder as I type) says it seems to be not as formally or well decorated as OKW.

That being said, we did go ahead and add on a few points there, though, so we'd always have access to SAB. And it is quite nice to be in the center of things...it makes for a different type of vacation than OKW. In fact, we just got back from OKW today, but we head to BCV in May for five days, so guess it can't be too bad, huh?

One thing I didn't see pointed out is that at BCV you just have the one bus stop, as I recall. You have to shlep from your room there, which can easily take the 10 minutes it takes to lap the OKW bus stops.

We have a toddler, too, and enjoyed the space he had to run around at OKW. But we had a car, and drove everywhere but MK, which makes a difference, I think.

 

[dmoore22]

We love Old Key West for all the reasons previously discussed. Our whole family, which includes our six kids, found nothing not to like at OKW. Transportation was superb, even in July. Most of the time we felt like we had the bus to ourselves. The walking paths, the quiet pools, the Trumble shuttle, convenient parking, etc. We really felt like we were "home" Disney style as opposed to staying in a hotel.

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by dmoore22
We really felt like we were "home" Disney style as opposed to staying in a hotel.

I think this is the key. People who "get" OKW really appreciate and enjoy the feeling of living in a luxurious home that is in the heart of all of WDW. There really is nothing else at Disney that can be compared to it. It is a different animal than a "hotel". That's not to say that there aren't times when staying in more of a traditional hotel atmosphere and being near to a particular park isn't also a great vacation. DVC offers alternative ways to spend one's vacation. Some people like all or at least several alternatives, some folks are set on just one.

I also agree that trying to compare OKW to any hotel -- deluxe or moderate is really an apple to oranges comparison. OKW is unique at WDW.

 

[PADVCmember@OKW]

Just reurned from a week at BCV and boy was I shocked by the size! A one BR is extremely tight as compared to OKW.

I actually had to laugh at the DVC promo on the "DVC channel" which showed a guest swinging a golf club in the living area of a BCV one BR. That just isn't going to happen!

If size is the only point of comparison, OKW is far superior.