Thoughts on OKW DVC?

[dclfun]

We first purchased in '97 at OKW and have since added on at AKLV's and most recently, VGC. If I'm travelling with family ( kids now grown) then OKW is the best place to be. It's so very relaxing after a day at the parks, feels like home, and has the largest villas. Most of the views are spectacular. I've never minded the lack of dining options as we usually cook a bit in the room or are dining in the parks anyway. You won't regret purchasing at OKW!---Kathy

 

[nolanboys]

We have stayed twice at OKW, with a stay in between at POFQ. After our last stay this past February we knew we wanted to buy into DVC. We ended up with a resale contract at SSR. I wanted to buy in at OKW, but DH liked SSR because of the longer length of contract (couldn't find an extended OKW contract with the right amount of points for us). On of our favorite days on our last trip was the last day. We played basketball and tennis and then had a drink while the kids played at the park. It is just beautiful and although it is not next to a park, the buses run well and the rooms are great!

 

[Halle]

We are here now. Got here this past Monday and check out on Saturday. We are in Building 22 on the 2nd floor in a 1BR. I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised and am really enjoying the property.

As I type, I am sitting out on the balcony/porch enjoying the views of the golf course, listening to the fountain in the pond and loving the gentle breezes. The villa is huge and well laid out.

As for the negatives... the building that we are in is a bit dated and is in need of refurbishment. Before I get hammered by the OKW folks, I know that the refurbishment has begun and will work its magic throughout the villas in time.

The furnishings, king mattress, and the bathroom need most of the attention. I know that once Disney gets finished this will be one of their showcase DVC properties. We can't wait to stay here again once the update is completed.

If you can get a deal on points, I would not hesitate in the least with buying in!!

Duane

Duane, Thanks for your positive comments. We've owned OKW since 1993 and are also BW owners. Thought about selling OKW last year and our four kids who are now adults had a fit!!! They love OKW and are loking forward to taking their children there.

 

[mikron2]

All good, we own 500 points at OKW bought about 5 years ago. We love the location and the size of the rooms.

 

[dmoore22]

The furnishings, king mattress, and the bathroom need most of the attention.
Duane

This is the polar opposite of our experience last spring and this past Christmas. Our mattress was obviously new and, ahhhhhhh, superb! The bathroom, well, I have five daughters. Need I say more.

 

[Inkmahm]

Does anyone know when the refurbishment at OKW is supposed to be completed?

 

[Inkmahm]

Does anyone know when the refurbishment at OKW is supposed to be completed?

Anyone? We'll be there in December and I'm curious if it will be done by then.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Anyone? We'll be there in December and I'm curious if it will be done by then.

We will be there Nov 21-24, and I'm hoping they are done with the refurb but I doubt it. From what I read it, it was scheduled to start in Spring 2010 which it has (the siding of some bldgs are being done but haven't heard much about the inside) but who knows when they will be completely done. I think I read it would take about 10 months.

 

[disneynutz]

When we were there in February, it looked like they were doing one building at a time and there are several buildings in the HH category. They had a construction fence around the entire building and they were gutting the rooms and prepping the exterior for repair and paint.

Bill

 

[dmoore22]

This is from DVCNews.com

The refurbishment project at Disney's Old Key West Resort has begun with the recent gutting of Building 30. All resort villas are being completely renovated with new paint and carpet, upholstery, granite countertops and more. The project will take the better part of a year with completion scheduled for the spring of 2011.

 

[Duane]

This is the polar opposite of our experience last spring and this past Christmas. Our mattress was obviously new and, ahhhhhhh, superb! The bathroom, well, I have five daughters. Need I say more.

Don't get me wrong, we really enjoyed our stay, and will most definetely stay there again.

The issue with the bathroom was mostly with the shower. The ceiling above the shower was discolored like maybe the exhaust fan was not used when it should have been. Some Pine-sol and some paint should clear that up. Overall it just look dated. If they would replace it with glass like some of the other resorts, it would change the look alot.

The mattress slept well once you were in the bed, but it seemed as if there was a hard metal rim around the edge. The bedspread was well worn and in need of replacement and there was no bedskirt, so the boxspring was showing. Someone had put a sticker of some sort on the bedframe, and it looked as if someone had tried to peel it off, leaving the backing still stuck to the frame.

As for the furnishings, the hinges and knobs on some of the furniture was loose and in need of repair.

Again, don't get me wrong, these villas are heavily used, and Disney has decided that this stuff is at or very near the end of its life and are taking care of it.

OKW will absolutely rock even more when they finish with the refurb.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I wonder if they're doing the refurbishment in several stages. When we were there last month, I noticed that it appeared that every wall had been recently repainted. However, I guess the building hadn't been refurbished since we didn't have granite counter tops or wood floors. However, everything was in excellent condition. I wondered-how will we know if we get a refurbished unit? Will every one have granite counter tops instead of the dark green tile on the center island? Will the floors be wood (hopefully with some type of rug for sound) instead of carpeting? Gee, I've gotten so used to OKW the way it was, I'm not sure about this change. I depend on my green tile!

 

[dmoore22]

I wonder if they're doing the refurbishment in several stages. When we were there last month, I noticed that it appeared that every wall had been recently repainted. However, I guess the building hadn't been refurbished since we didn't have granite counter tops or wood floors. However, everything was in excellent condition. I wondered-how will we know if we get a refurbished unit? Will every one have granite counter tops instead of the dark green tile on the center island? Will the floors be wood (hopefully with some type of rug for sound) instead of carpeting? Gee, I've gotten so used to OKW the way it was, I'm not sure about this change. I depend on my green tile!

The refurbishment project at Disney's Old Key West Resort has begun with the recent gutting of Building 30. All resort villas are being completely renovated with new paint and carpet, upholstery, granite countertops and more. The project will take the better part of a year with completion scheduled for the spring of 2011. -- DVCNews.com