Tell me a little about OKW

[southern_belle21]

DH and I will be there 12/5/09-12/12/09 and this is our first time at OKW. Just wondering what some of you think about the resort, and what your thoughts are about being there during the Christmas season. I would like to bring a few decorations to make our room feel more Christmas-y, and DH's bday is on the 7th, so we will be celebrating that while we are there as well. We will have a Studio (I believe it is supposed to be fairly close to the Hospitality House). Can you give me your opinions? Thanks!

 

[MouseMomx2]

Old Key West is absolutely beautiful and offers the largest villas of any DVC property. We love the laid-back feel of the resort and the colors of the building (pastel palette). Don't miss the boat ride to Downtown Disney. It's so relaxing, particularly in the evening.

Have a great time!

 

[Cee]

I completely agree. My adult DD and I were there in a studio for her birthday in Dec. 2007 and had a splendid time. The studios at OKW are very spacious and have the advantage of two queen beds as opposed to a bed and sleeper sofa.
The resort is beautiful and we were able to borrow dvds from Community Hall on evenings when we decided to stay in. There is a walkway along the canal to SSR and then on to DTD if you like a long, leisurely stroll. Wonderful. No matter where we stay at WDW, my DD will always comment, "This is nice, but I do miss the charming gingerbread architecture of the Conch Republic!"

 

[southern_belle21]

Sounds lovely! Thanks!

 

[eporter66]

We have stayed at OKW a few times, and really enjoyed the resort. The first time we booked was to save a few points, but we really liked the resort and feel. Very laid-back and casual. It's not a resort that really grabs you like VWL or AKL, but it is a very nice place. You will love the rooms, very spacious!

As with all the resorts, it is a pleasure to just walk the grounds and see how nice everything is kept. If you are feeling up to it - you can walk to DTD as well - there is a trail along the canal that brings you out to the West Side (by House of Blues, and Cirque...).

If you are a golfer - it is a great resort too!

It is an easy bus,boat,car ride over to DTD, so the nights can be spent hanging out over there if you are looking to do something after the parks close.

The only disappointing thing is the food - our first trip we really enjoyed Olivia's, but we had two very so-so experiences after that. Not sure what happened, but they seemed to slip a little bit.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The porch has an outside outlet. So you can wrap Christmas lights around the railings (don't use tape) and plug them in to decorate at the holiday time. Plus the corner table between the sofa and love seat make a nice place to put a small Christmas tree.

But these are the one bedroom or larger and you are staying in a studio. Sorry.

 

[Greg K.]

It's one of the better, reasonably priced sit-down restaurants in The World -- and you'd be hard-pressed to find a friendlier, more attentive serving staff.

I went there a couple times for breakfast during our most recent trip.

Try the Banana Bread French Toast. It's like Bananas Foster for breakfast.

Oh. My. God.

 

[tkgdisney]

Not to rock the boat, but if you get to your room and it is not up to par - we had a really bad room in May, ask to be moved quickly.

Olivias was not very good, we had problems with the lack of food choices here.

Many have had wonderful experiences at OKW - we were not lucky enough to join the group.

 

[dianeschlicht]

OKW is still our favorite DVC resort. We love the extra space in the spacious 1 and 2 bedroom units, and I will actually stay in a studio here if I have to, but I'm really not a studio person except for Concierge at AKV.

Every time we stay at other DVC resorts, we are constantly comparing the short comings as compared to OKW. We also LOVE the grounds and community feel of it. It ust feels like home. The point values are great too because it was the first DVC, so they experimented with point costs here. That makes it a tremendous value!

 

[Coach81]

One of our favorites! Huge Villas.. quaint, laidback, atmosphere, fantastic resort! This was our first DVC experience.. we got a 1 bedroom.. it spoiled us totally.. the size of the villas are incredible! You will have a great time!!!

 

[snackyx]

Have the KEY LIME TART at Olivia's. Trust me on this one.

 

[*Valdez*]

we stayed at OKW for the first time in June and absolutely hated it...we will NEVER stay there again. We had 2 two-bedroom villas, so it wasn't the type of room. If you want more specifics you can PM me... I now prefer using more points to stay at SSR or AKV and get a smaller room.

 

[Chuck S]

I love OKW, the rooms, the staff, Olivia's...all great things about this resort.

Not so great is the lack of a really good counter service venue, Good's to Go, is, IMO, lacking. And the Turtle Shack is what it is...pre-prepared and packaged.

If you aren't a "wildlife" type person, be aware that you may see snakes, ducks, ibis, rabbits and other rodents, frogs, and the occasional river otter.

There is no valet parking or room service, other than pizza delvery from Port Orleans.

But overall, I'd take OKW over the hotel style resorts any day.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Chuck, that was very well put. We love the wildlife at OKW, but then we live in the country, so we are geared to that at home too.

I think that perhaps you put your finger on the thing that we like best at OKW. It is NOT a hotel...It feels like a vacation HOME. As such, we prefer not to have things like room service etc. I hate indoor hallways with all the room service trays and garbage hanging out until someone picks it up. I don't have that at home, and I dislike it in my "home away from home" too. There is NONE Of that at OKW. Just an open outdoor hallway and stairs that leads right to my vacation home door!

 

[BQR]

Do not forget, dh gets a free pass to the park he likes on his birthday. you can do it online, make a copy and get it at the will call booth at the park. We love OKW, but do not tell anyone ------

Have a great Christmas!

 

[Goofy DVC]

If you're looking to be around the action so to speak,try to get a villa near the hospitality house.If you want a little quiet but with great views from your huge balcony compared to other DVCs, ask for a canal view preferably building 45,46, or 55 if you're lucky. No guarentees of course.
Believe it or not,we just got back from BLT,where we had a great time, but the family did say they all like OKW better. DD said "OKW is not a hotel like BLT, it's a home." Go figure, different strokes for different folks.

 

[figment490]

Heard some reports OKW is getting a bit run down and needs repair...any validity? We're ok with things being "homey" and relaxed, but not delapidated.

 

[Chuck S]

Heard some reports OKW is getting a bit run down and needs repair...any validity? We're ok with things being "homey" and relaxed, but not delapidated.

There is always the chance, at any resort, that you will be placed in a room that is scheduled to go down for rehab the following week. In general, OKW is kept up as well as any other Disney resort, remember, Disney rents room out for cash there as well....do you really think they want it to look run down to potential members?

 

[kato0627]

We are in building 28 right now. The building is probably due for rehab.
The room was clean upon check in, but it does have that "worn" look to it. I do like OKW for many reasons but DH said this is the last trip here. The room size can not be beat though. Just be really careful if it is raining, the outside steps get really slippery. I just get nervous with the kids on the steps.
Enjoy your visit and hoping you get close to the Hospitality house.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

OWK is not only our home resort but our favorite as a family. We've had many family reunions there, utilizing every accomodation from a studio to the absolute "bomb" the Grand Villas.

Breakfast, cocktails, dinner out on the patio, surrounded by the lush landscaping. We've never ever had a bad view. Are we ones of the "lucky few", with over 15 stays, it's the norm not the exception. OKW is a fabulous resort, a vacation within a vacation, away from the hustle and bustle of the parks. I prefer the condo rather than hotel type of accomodation, I like parking my car near the villas, it's a big help when schlepping bags of groceries.

A couple of our traditions:

1. Arrival Night- Always dinner at Olivia's, never had a bad meal. It's not 5 star but it's good food at reasonable prices, which is not always typical of Disney. 4 Musts: Keylime Tart, Turkey Sandwich, Grilled Pork Chop & Breakfast Potatoes.

2. We always take the boat to DTD for Ghirardelli's Ice Cream and a movie at the AMC Theater. (Sometimes you need a break from the parks) It's a nice boat ride back at night with all of the lights and the water, the kids love it and so do we.

I love to walk and OKW provides a such beautiful setting, with bunnies, squirrels and ducks etc. The kids love the pool and the castle slide. Some think the decor of OKW is dated, it's the theme of the resort, Old Key West. If I needed a modern decor, I'd stay at BLT.

Does OKW have it's issues, sure but I've had similar issues at all of the other resorts, minor issues. I would encourage any/every one to experience a stay there.