Should I bother?

[Mflaherty]

i had a few points left. I decided to try old key west Martin Luther weekend in January because of the 2 queen beds in a studio and low points. I usually stay in one bedrooms but this was all the points I had left. I am traveling with my 2 children 5 and 7 and husband. I am starting to wonder if I should cancel because the main pool in closed now for that time? Also I am concerned that the other major perk of OKW is the size of the villas/one and 2 bedrooms and I am only in a studio. I checked and there are NO other studios available for that weekend at other Dvc resorts. Will I have a decent view from my balcony? So I guess my question is, is it still worth the trip to wdw I
this January if I have to stay in an OKW studio without the use of the main pool? Any advice would help. I've never stayed at OKW.

 

[Pirate Granny]

The slide at OKW was nothing special, and no zero entry. The views are relaxing and we always ask for golf course view...there are no parking lot views. The quiet pools are nice, but the weather may not be warm enough to swim anyway. The studios are large, and always part of a lock off. We don't mind the stairs and so also ask for top floor, we've been lucky enough to always be in a corner room so the balcony is open on two sides.

 

[drusba]

I usually do not perceive the closing of a pool in Jan as a reason to avoid a resort. It is possible you could have warm enough days to use the pool but you may not. I have been in January (beginning, middle and end) about a dozen times. For three of those trips there were multiple days the pool could have been used; for another three the temps never got above 55 degrees (and at night went below freezing several days); for the rest, the daytime temps were most often in the 60's (some paying-customer polar bears could be found in the pool those times but it is not my idea of a good time).

It sounds like the real issue you may have is room type. You say you usually stay in 1BRs and you have 4 persons total. There is nothing wrong with the OKW studios. They are a good size, have two queens, fairly large balconies, and generally "quiet" views (anywhere from very good good to OK views and most lack anything nearby that causes noise). However, it is a personal family issue as to whether you can be fine in a studio with four, without a living room or kitchen, and with only a fairly small bathroom, and after having had many trips of being spoiled in a 1BR. That is really something you need to determine.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The vast majority of OKW studios are located at the ends of the buildings. A few are located in the bend of the larger U shaped buildings (the only window in those is the patio/porch door; no window by the door because you are sharing a wall with another villa). So some views aren't half bad, others are views of AC units, shrubbery that shields said units, parking spaces, etc.

But the OKW studio is the only studio we will stay in. One queen bed (and a sleeper sofa) can cause an end to our marriage because we just can't share anything less than a king (we are old and grumpy). We were just in one two weeks ago and it was great. Roomy, clean, okay view (lush greenery). But Bldg 64 doesn't have a parking lot and shares with Bldg 63. It seemed like the lot opened up with spaces around 5PM every day. Hmmmm.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I also don't consider the pool being closed in January all too concerning. There will still be the quiet pools and reports sound like they will be operating a shuttle to SSR so you could get a ride over there if a pool with features was important.....and it's warm enough to swim. I'm guessing MLK weekend is blacked out from pool hopping, but if not then you could also check out some other locations.

We haven't stayed in the OKW studios too often but the views have always been fine. We were assigned studios on the end corners of the building and have had a view towards the play area by one of the pools and one where we could see a bit of the golf course and the balconies on those units are decent size and larger than some other locations. They are not like the 1 and 2BR's though for size but you might find it's nice to have the 2 real beds for your family.

 

[Mflaherty]

Thank you very much for all this great information. I really appreciate it!

 

[zavandor]

Just looking at the pictures I didn't care much for OKW before staying there. I booked it because I was traveling with a friend and I wanted a real bed for both. I've ended quite surprised and liked it a lot. During that 2 weeks trip in January we could use the pool only once, it was too cool the other days. So I dont' think the closed pool should make a big difference. And if you really want to do a pool afternoon, you can still pool hop to another resort like BWV. I'd say you should keep the reservation and try it. It's also a way to see if you're spoiled by 1BR or you could still do studios.

 

[Lakegirl]

It will be better than staying home!!!

 

[kniquy]

I also second not allowing the pool issue to affect your decision. A couple years ago we were there for NYE and i think there was only one or 2 days that the kids were able to swim. You might also want to consider a pool hopping day, if they really want to swim take advantage of going to another resort. might be kind of fun if you have time free time to grab lunch and plan some pool time. Like a PP mentioned - a day at disney is better than a day at home!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I also second not allowing the pool issue to affect your decision. A couple years ago we were there for NYE and i think there was only one or 2 days that the kids were able to swim. You might also want to consider a pool hopping day, if they really want to swim take advantage of going to another resort. might be kind of fun if you have time free time to grab lunch and plan some pool time. Like a PP mentioned - a day at disney is better than a day at home!

Pool hopping might be blacked out during the holiday weekend.

 

[bumbershoot]

Also I am concerned that the other major perk of OKW is the size of the villas/one and 2 bedrooms and I am only in a studio.

One of the big perks of OKW is that the *studios* are so big.

I am starting to wonder if I should cancel because the main pool in closed now for that time?

I don't even much care for the main pool there. We stayed at...hmm...Turtle Pond? I think?...area once and used the quiet pool and loved it.

I usually do not perceive the closing of a pool in Jan as a reason to avoid a resort.

So true.

 

[Dawn68PA]

We own at OKW and love it! If we have a room near a quiet pool, we are usually there more than the main pool. The views are lovely, and the studios are a nice size. We just got back from a trip and my daughter and her husband are wanting to buy there based on their studio stay. Plus, Olivia's has great food and the Gurgling Suitcase bar is fun!