Thinking of OKW - Is it really far away?

[freediverdude]

That sounds like a good strategy, thanks. I usually do that at Epcot when I'm staying in a non-Epcot resort too. I'll watch Illuminations from the American Adventure or Japan, and then take my leisurely time strolling to the front of the park, stopping in the gift shops and everything. Then I walk out to the buses about a half hour or 45 minutes after park closing, and the buses aren't quite as bad by that time. One time I ended up walking out of the turnstyles about 10:30 after Illuminations, and they had just shut the monorail down, so I asked them how I was going to get back to the CR, and they arranged a special bus just for me- had the whole bus to myself LOL. I don't think the driver was too happy about it, so I don't usually make my departure that late, but it just goes to show that they won't ever leave you stranded I guess. Thanks for the tips!
Nick

 

[PamOKW]

there is no way I feel like I am in AC!

Uhm...I kind of think that's a good thing don't you? My feelings are just as you express that they captured the "essence" of an AC gone by, not today's AC and not even the "real" AC of the past. That's the same with OKW. They have captured the "essence" with the architecture and little touches like seashells in the sidewalks of a Key West of a bygone time....stylized just as they've done with BWV. Just as you don't feel you are in AC when you go to BWV, you are not meant to feel you are in present day Key West when you go to OKW...just a flavor that is added to a deluxe WDW resort vacation.

 

[arcruiser]

OK, 2 cents from a newbie

We are thinking buying OKW, the decision is based on several things.

1 atmosphere... we think we will like the laid back atmosphere of OKW.... on the 2 cruises we have taken - some of our favorite days were the "Day at Sea" ones..... don't get me wrong, we enjoyed going to the islands and all that entails.... but the days at sea were very relaxing.

2 parking... we always drive to WDW from AR, and the have always used a mix of driving ourselves and riding WDW transportation. Our last trip in a motorhome left us totally dependent on WDW buses - and sometimes it was a hassle... we wanted to go at our own pace, in our own vehicle. (and I know parking is not that big a deal at the others)

3 price... OKW seems to be the cheapest of the WDW resorts on the resale market, and currently has the lowest dues.

4 availability... Grand Villa? I don't know, but if we ever want one, we'll be able to get it at 11 mos.

5 It don't matter, 'cuz we can stay at all of 'em!

The only real negative to us is our young son, and the unforeseen changes to our lifestyle that he will bring. Not quite a year old yet, I see future trips being booked at ALL the resorts.... and he will proabably like BC & SAB.... and all the action!

..... then maybe we will do an add-on at BC

 

[DeeP]

That's the same with OKW. They have captured the "essence" with the architecture and little touches like seashells in the sidewalks of a Key West of a bygone time....stylized just as they've done with BWV. Just as you don't feel you are in AC when you go to BWV, you are not meant to feel you are in present day Key West when you go to OKW...just a flavor that is added to a deluxe WDW resort vacation.

I am not trying to be argumentative, I am just having a discussion...
I do agree with you that Disney did an amazing job in recreating the AC hotel atmosphere at BWV, but I also think Disney was very lacking in recreating the OKW resort to duplicate the real Key West atmosphere. In comparsion to how amazing they have been in recreating atmospheres in their resorts i.e AKL, WL, etc., OKW was not given nearly the thought or the attention to detail as the other resorts were. This is why some (myself included) have stated that OKW is like being in any other condo development in Central and Southern FL. I agree the color schemes of the buildings and the style of the buildings are found in Key West but they are also found in many condo developments and neighborhoods in FL, or at CBR or at numerous other very nice timeshare resorts not much further away from WDW parks than OKW is.
One of the big characteristics of the real Key West is not only the beautiful atmosphere of the keys with the water, the soft muted tones etc but also Key West is known for its fun, upbeat, party environment. This is an area that Disney did not even touch on at OKW and it is an area that could have not only added wonderful entertainment and dining options for their guests but would also have made Disney a lot of money. Now I am not saying all stops barred and really recreate some of the crazy and bizarre antics that can be found at Key West but if Disney had built more into the main hub where the Hospitiality House is and made it into a Disney version of the center of town at Key West with several restaurants and dining options, shops, entertainment like jugglers, etc., similiar to the boardwalk entertainment , it would definitely have more of the Key West essence and it would also provide more services and amenitites for the guests.
I think the reason for the lack of a real Key West essence at OKW is because it was never intended to be a recreation of Key West like AKL is of Africa etc. Orginally OKW was the Disney Vacation Club Resort and that is excatly as it was built--as a beautiful, relaxing timeshare community, surrounded by a golf course in FL.

 

[Regina]

And back to the originally scheduled question:

OKW - MK - 5 miles
OKW - Epcot - 1 mile
OKW - MGM - 3 miles
OKW - AK - 7 miles

VWL - MK - 1 mile
VWL - Epcot - 6 miles
VWL - MGM - 6 miles
VWL - AK - 10 miles

BWV - MK - 6 miles
BWV - Epcot - 3 miles (to main entrance)
BWV - MGM - 1 mile
BWV - AK - 5 miles

BCV - MK - 7 miles
BCV - Epcot - 3 miles (to main entrance)
BCV - MGM - 1 mile
BCV - AK - 6 miles

There you go! Now please feel free to resume your discussion, wherever it's wandered off to.

 

[Loubon]

Originally posted by dvcreg

OKW - AK - 7 miles
VWL - AK - 10 miles
BWV - AK - 5 miles
BCV - AK - 6 miles

Sounds to me like we really do need a resort to open by AKL!

(That ought to send this spinning off in yet a whole 'nother direction.....)

 

[freediverdude]

Uh oh, will the newest DVC resort be the Villas at the Animal Kingdom Lodge? LOL Certainly sounds pretty logical, doesn't it. Anyway, having lived in Key West for a while, I know what DeeP is talking about regarding OKW. While the style of the buildings at OKW are like some of the buildings in Key West (especially the newer remodeled Key West buildings), OKW doesn't really feel like you're in Key West. Most of the buildings in the main town of Key West are tall, thin, 2-3 story structures, that are kind of squeezed together with not much space between them, because space is at a premium down there, as opposed to sprawling Central Florida. Also, a lot of people ride bicycles or scooters down there, as opposed to having cars, because there is practically no parking in a lot of places, certainly not parking lots in front of every building like OKW LOL. Also the plants and trees are much taller and more mature than at OKW. Anyway, I don't think OKW was meant to be a replica of Key West, just a condominium with Key West style architecture. It would be cool though if they did a sunset party every night on the dock by HH like they do on the Key West docks most nights.

 

[DeeP]

It would be cool though if they did a sunset party every night on the dock by HH like they do on the Key West docks most nights.

That would be a great idea, they could even do sunset cruises from OKW to DTD. They already have the perfect set up with a waterway and boats. I am sure Disney could put together a very nice sunset cruise, the boat ride is already very relaxing and pretty especially at dusk, and with a special cruise providing possibly lite appetizer type foods and drinks it would be a lot of fun, people would love it, and it would generate more money for Disney. The Illumination and MK firework cruises are very popular.

 

[PamOKW]

The Boardwalk is unique at WDW in that it is both a resort/convention center and an entertainment complex open to the general public. In fact, the original plan was to make it just an entertainment area like PI. OKW is unique in that it is solely a DVC resort at WDW. There is plenty of nighttime entertainment at nearby DD. To put in a Key West party area would have turned OKW into another entertainment area looking to attract the general public.

 

[PamOKW]

I must have missed the sunset post earlier. In fact, OKW does have sunset parties. Of course, with the emphasis on "family" they are sanitized versions over what you find in Key West. Heck, parents complained years ago about some of the lyrics in the Jimmy Buffet that played poolside.

Let's not make us have to start paying for the already free boat ride to DD!

Personally, there is so much going on throughout WDW that I don't spend enough time hanging around any resort to participate in a lot of the little extras. My guess is the same is true of most guests.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Personally, there is so much going on throughout WDW that I don't spend enough time hanging around any resort to participate in a lot of the little extras. My guess is the same is true of most guests.

This is true of our family. We always check out the activities calendar for the resort when we check in and think how fun it would be to do this or that. But then we always seem to be playing around the "world" all day

 

[DeeP]

Personally, there is so much going on throughout WDW that I don't spend enough time hanging around any resort to participate in a lot of the little extras. My guess is the same is true of most guests.

Not true for us. We spend a lot of time at our resort. I go to the parks almost every AM but by 12:00-1:00, we are back at the resort and by the pool. When the kids were younger they spent a lot of time at the Community Hall doing the activities, playing the games, renting boats, etc. We spend an average of 3-4 solid hours everyday just enjoying our resort. I think that is why I am so picky about our resort, because we do spend a lot of time there enjoying all they have to offer.

 

[Mooobooks]

If you stay at Beach Club or Boardwalk, you're used to being able to walk or boat to two parks within minutes.
If you stay at Contemporary, Polynesian, or Grand Floridian, you're used to being able to take the monorail or boat and be at one park in a few minutes.
If you stay at the Wilderness Lodge you're used to being able to take a boat and be at one park in a few minutes.
If you stay at Old Key West, you are dependent upon the buses or a car. You can walk or boat to nothing.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by Mooobooks
If you stay at Old Key West, you are dependent upon the buses or a car. You can walk or boat to nothing.

From OKW you can walk or boat to DD in a few minutes.

 

[Richyams]

And you can actually be comfortable inside your unit.

 

[DeeP]

And you can actually be comfortable inside your unit.

???????????
We have stayed in many different villas all over BWV and have yet to get a villa that we were not very comfortable in nor have we ever gotten an villa that was not true deluxe resort accomendations in every aspect.

 

[Richyams]

Some people have lower thresholds of comfort than others.

Cramped units just don't do it for me.

 

[DeeP]

Some people have lower thresholds of comfort than others.

Yes, they certainly do. The "do it yourself-- just like being home" resort doesn't do it for me. I do enough driving, self parking, cooking, etc at home, give me full deluxe resort amenitities while on vacation--that is comfort and vacation pampering.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Not true for us. We spend a lot of time at our resort. I go to the parks almost every AM but by 12:00-1:00, we are back at the resort and by the pool.

This is what's so nice about all the DVC resorts---something for every preference. After playing around the parks all day, we like to come back to some quiet and relaxation and some space to stretch out. After all, we need to be able to recharge for the next day---the peaceful atmosphere at OKW is perfect for this

 

[Mooobooks]

Sorry, Doc, but aside from The Adventurers Club and a few shops, there is very little of interest to me at Downtown Disney compared to the theme parks, which is what the discussion is about.
I don't mean to belittle Old Key West, or people who own at Old Key West (in fact, I own at Old Key West!) ... it's a great place, however you can not walk to, or boat to, any of the theme parks, and for many people that's not a good thing.