Questions about Old Key West

[mevelandry]

This is the resort for you!!
I just stayed at OKW with my 2 teenage girls. I told them we will not stay here again because they just wanted to stay in the resort and not go to the parks.

That would make you save a lot of money!

 

[mevelandry]

Salut! Fellow Montrealer - ok - so I live near T.O. now, but my heart is still there! (Except for the traffic jams on the Metropolitan!)

I've stayed at many of the resorts, and as fellow disboarders have commented, OKW is spread out, with old Florida decor and architecture. I really enjoyed it. Any of the buses we ever needed were always quick. We were near the second bigger pool, and loved the atmosphere there too. The main pool is often short of chairs, although they are working on that. For 'ambiance' it is much much calmer than all the other resorts. DTD is so easy to get to, for many more activities beyond the standard resort activities. It depends on the varying ages in your party.

Inside the rooms, there is a sense that you're getting more "elbow room" too, and storage room....less apparent with the studio of course, but I've noticed it. More than in most CSR, or CBR rooms. If there are more than 2 people sharing a studio, that really helps with the crowded feeling. It also has a real relaxed-vacation feel to it - somewhat like CBR. I'm not sure if that's due to the layout of the resort, or some other factor. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe you also get a private balcony, which you wouldn't in a moderate.

As other posters have written, there are limited choices for dining. With DTD so accessible, they must have factored that into their decision. Having said that, Olivia's has very decent food, even if it isn't necessarily "gourmet." I'm very sensitive to "fast-food" type preservatives, and additives, and didn't have any troubles there whatsoever (neither did the diabetic in our party - sufficient variety on the menu for us - better than most moderates). For special meals, we head to Epcot anyway!

Enjoy your planning - that's 1/2 the fun!

Ahhh... I don't know how traffic jams were when you were here but they are even worst now! (I'm using public transportation, not much more fun but less stressful)

I'm absolutely interested in the resort now.

I'll do what I can to book a studio (or a small villa if i get the funds) as soon as I get the money for our April 2015 trip.

 

[DebbieB]

I love hot tubs but I'd be surprised to see one in a studio.

There are Jacuzzi tubs in the 1, 2, 3 bedrooms. None in a studio.

 

[abner1776]

OKW and (what I call it's sister DVC resort) SSR do not demand the same rates as the other DVC deluxe resorts simply because they are not part of one of the parks. Many visitors to WDW that are looking to pay for a deluxe resort are looking for a close connection to a park to limit travel and the ability to easily return to their rooms during the day.

At OKW or SSR, one must board a bus to get to and from any of the parks and you may have to make 1-4 internal bus stops before arriving at your room which can make the bus trip a long one.

Personally, I do not look at the bus issue as being an issue and I prefer the quietness of OKW over some of the other deluxe resorts but that is simply a personal preference.

 

[mevelandry]

There are Jacuzzi tubs in the 1, 2, 3 bedrooms. None in a studio.

Exactly what I thought.

 

[catherines_mama]

You can book in the Hospitality House category and be close to Hospitality House, pool, Olivia's, Goods to Go (quick service), boat dock, final bus stop.

The boat goes to DTD. And the property has great activities. The walking paths are all mainly along the roads until you get to the back which it extends and you can walk to DTD.

Many rooms overlook the golf course and that is really nice.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

We stayed at OKW on our most recent trip, for my birthday. Because we were there during the resorts' high season (12/31-1/5), I didn't want to expect to get a regular room discount, so we rented points from another DIS-er. A non-discounted room at CSR (our go-to fave) would have been about $1200 for 5 nights; we rented points to get a studio at OKW for just over $700.

We did like our room at OKW - it was spacious and comfortable and the larger fridge and microwave was handy. We had a room in the Turtle Cove area, which was the 3rd stop out of 5. The buses were not too crowded.

I will say that it felt like OKW was a lot bigger in size than CSR. I did not feel like it was a walkable resort. It seemed to take a long time for the buses to drive the route in the resort, as there were so many twists and turns and double-backs to get to the stops. The main building complex was far enough that we only went once or twice, and never tried either of the restaurants. It was too cool to swim (for us Floridians) so we never ventured over there either.

All in all, OKW was a nice resort and we had a lovely view of a golf course and canal behind us. But we're back at CSR for our next trip.

 

[mevelandry]

I just realized how much money you can save by renting points and It opened my mind about "renting".

 

[Deb & Bill]

I just realized how much money you can save by renting points and It opened my mind about "renting".

Just be aware, that in renting, you more than likely will not be able to cancel or modify your reservation. You might be required to pay in full. And if you do cancel, you probably won't get a refund.

Housekeepers come less frequently on DVC reservations (if you pay cash they come daily and do a full cleaning). On a DVC reservation, on day four of a seven nights or fewer stay, your towels will be replaced and your trash removed. If you stay eight nights or more, you will get a full cleaning on day 4 and trash and towel service on day 8. You can't just request more towels, more shampoo, etc. If you want more, you pay for them. DVC is a timeshare and members pay for everything with their annual dues.

 

[mevelandry]

I'm used to pay in advance and in full since I did a lot of room only reservations.

I also usually suspend house keeping while I am there because I'm not a big fan of people entering the room and leaving the door open (especially in moderates where the door gives on the outside... Don't want roaches, lizard or frogs in my room LOL)...

But indeed, I'd have to be 100% sure that I won't have to cancel if I rent points.

But are you allowed to change dates, instead of cancelling?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm used to pay in advance and in full since I did a lot of room only reservations.

I also usually suspend house keeping while I am there because I'm not a big fan of people entering the room and leaving the door open (especially in moderates where the door gives on the outside... Don't want roaches, lizard or frogs in my room LOL)...

But indeed, I'd have to be 100% sure that I won't have to cancel if I rent points.

But are you allowed to change dates, instead of cancelling?

If you go through a broker, no. Most of them tell you no changes are permitted. If you work with an individual member, it depends. You have to realize that DVC is a timeshare and is meant to be nearly 100% occupied at all times. So that means a lot of the time, if you cancel there is nothing else to book. What you, as a non-member, sees on the Disney website isn't available for points booking. So the member tells you nothing is available for your new dates and you see DVC availability online. Those can only be booked for cash through DRC. The inventory you see online is either owned by Disney and not members or has been traded by members for a non-DVC stay (and DVC has to pay for that stay, so they sell the lodging those points represent).

Plus, members' points expire. They are only good for a year, unless the member banks them at least four months before they expire. And if the member cancels the reservation 30 days or less out, the points used will expire at the end of the member's use year and can only be used to book something 60 days or less out. If the reservation needs to be canceled the day of the reservation, the points are lost totally. No refunds, no points to rebook.

Right now there are members who are looking at trying to put together a few days anytime from early October through mid-January and are having a difficult time finding anything to book.

We usually book our stays seven to 11 months out and we plan a long time ahead for the time period we plan to go.

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks for the information. I'll make sure I take into account when I take my decision.

 

[Willmo]

I've just booked this for 3 weeks from August 13th 2015. I did a lot of research and its a one off holiday of a lifetime but i feel we got a good deal here. Firstly we are a family of 5 with 3 little darlin's age 3, 6 and 8 when we arrive. We were looking at New Orleans but the thought of spending 3 weeks in a room with the kids would rather test us! Cost was the main issue but the deal meant we were upgraded to the Disney dining plan rather than all quick dining and we now have some space to enjoy a glass or two each evening without having listening to the nippers snore! (they get that from their mum
So it seems like a perfect destination for our clan and the kids are already on the countdown. Although i doubt they can get as excited us Mummy & daddy!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

OKW I by far one of the hidden gems of WDW. It is a bit slower paced then the other resorts and layout wonderfully with excellent theming and landscaping.

The pools are great, from the nicely themed main pool and the one we love, Turtle Crawl area, with a nice large pool, shack bar and even BBQs to have a family BBQ which we do 1 night every trip.

The bus service is tops and you really don't need a car. The internal bus runs around the buildings, with the buses heading in and out from the rest of WDW running so often there is rarely a wait for a bus.

Boat taxis to Disney springs run often and is a delightful ride.

Olivia's is indeed the place to eat, better then most other restaurants in other resorts and the parks.

AKK