Upcoming OKW refurb?

[Wenny]

i just logged into Member Services to book a late May 2017 OKW stay and was met with a refurb notice. I've searched through the DVC forums and can't find anything about it. Does anyone know what the refurb involves?

Know Before You Go
Please pardon our pixie dust! In an ongoing effort to improve the quality of facilities and offerings, Disney's Old Key West Resort will be undergoing a refresh beginning spring 2017. While we are working on our magic, it is possible that you will see and hear construction taking place around the resort. We will attempt to limit any work most likely to cause a noise impact to the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This refurbishment is expected to be completed in 2019. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

[BillPA]

I was looking for that info also. We will be there in Sept, so I will see what I can find out and post on returning. Typically they won't say what they are up to. I just hope they don't completely destroy the Key West theme.

 

[Wakey]

Yes I read they are refurbishing next year. They have however been doing some semi refurbs this year. Many reports of blocks been cordoned off, Windows, ducting etc been removed and new paint jobs inside and out. It looks like next year's refurb may be the whole shebang rather than a continuation of this.

 

[DenLo]

Wouldn't the 2017 refurb only be for soft goods at OKW? The last refurb included everything inside.

 

[BillPA]

I would think there is more than soft goods, if it will take 2 years. OKW is 25 years old, maybe it time for new kitchen appliances, bathroom remodeling,... They have taken out all the whirlpool tubs in other resorts. I just hope they don't make it so generic like the other resorts, that you loose all the Key West 'flavor'.

 

[Wakey]

I think it was last done in 2010 so they will be doing kitchens, bathrooms etc.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Maybe they can strip that alligator finish off the coffee table. And put back the pickled wood in the dining area.

 

[TavieP]

Whyyyyyyy are they taking the whirlpool tubs out everywhere? That was my favorite thing

 

[Sparkly]

Ooh! We're staying there next September! Hope they've done some of the rooms by then. I loved OKW but the inside of the villas does look a tad dated. The bathroom especially.

 

[gmboy95]

messing with the tubs in OKW would be a huge mistake and tone deaf....its the best part of the 1 and 2 bedrooms

 

[Deb & Bill]

messing with the tubs in OKW would be a huge mistake and tone deaf....its the best part of the 1 and 2 bedrooms

I agree. Plus it would leave a big empty space in the bathroom because the jetted tubs at OKW are really big, like 3 or 4 person big. Now they could remove the louvered divider between the tub and the bedroom, though.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Whyyyyyyy are they taking the whirlpool tubs out everywhere? That was my favorite thing

messing with the tubs in OKW would be a huge mistake and tone deaf....its the best part of the 1 and 2 bedrooms

Send an email to MS to let them know you do like the tubs if that's the case. As usual they seem to not realize that they are going to hear requests from people who look for change and less from those who like things just as they are.

I agree. Plus it would leave a big empty space in the bathroom because the jetted tubs at OKW are really big, like 3 or 4 person big. Now they could remove the louvered divider between the tub and the bedroom, though.

I remember thinking those were so strange when we first bought. But I like them and hope that BCV will be the only renovation that they actually go ahead and remove them.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...
I remember thinking those were so strange when we first bought. But I like them and hope that BCV will be the only occasion that they actually go ahead and remove them.

True, you can sit in the tub and watch television in the master bedroom with the louvers open. Or if you are the guest sleeping the living room, you can watch the guests in the master bedroom.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

True, you can sit in the tub and watch television in the master bedroom with the louvers open. Or if you are the guest sleeping the living room, you can watch the guests in the master bedroom.

The first scenario is the one I prefer a bit more over the second!

 

[patches4me]

i just logged into Member Services to book a late May 2017 OKW stay and was met with a refurb notice. I've searched through the DVC forums and can't find anything about it. Does anyone know what the refurb involves?

Glad to hear this. It's long overdue in my opinion.

 

[TavieP]

Send an email to MS to let them know you do like the tubs if that's the case. As usual they seem to not realize that they are going to hear requests from people who look for change and less from those who like things just as they are.

Great idea. Doing so right now!

 

[DenLo]

From the DVC News 2015 Annual Meeting report:

Moving on to room renovations, Treasurer Terri Schulz previously noted that Disney Vacation Club has has decided to accellerate the full renovoation schedule which was put into place at DVC's inception. The original intent was to completely renovate all villas within a resort every 24 years. This full renovation would transform the accommodation into essentially a brand new room.

DVC has increased the frequency of these full renovations from every 24 years to every 14 years. According to budget projections, making this change resulted in an impact to member dues of less than 1%.

Between these full renovations are lesser updates to "soft goods" and "hard goods" which are scheduled about every 7 years. Soft goods typically consist of design materials including bedding, wall, window and floor coverings and upholstery. Hard goods refurbishments include updates to appliances and furniture.

So perhaps OKW is due to for a full renovation since it has been over 24 years since it was built.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

From the DVC News 2015 Annual Meeting report:



So perhaps OKW is due to for a full renovation since it has been over 24 years since it was built.

It had what I think DVC described as a 90% renovation back in 2009 or 2010 although it would seem debatable it really could be considered that much as they did skip the bathroom and kitchen tile. I'd suspect that is on the list and probably some change to the kitchen counter where the TV is so that they can bring in the giant Samsung's that all the other resorts are getting.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It had what I think DVC described as a 90% renovation back in 2009 or 2010 although it would seem debatable it really could be considered that much as they did skip the bathroom and kitchen tile. I'd suspect that is on the list and probably some change to the kitchen counter where the TV is so that they can bring in the giant Samsung's that all the other resorts are getting.

Except there isn't a wall to hang the television on. And there isn't a wall to put a murphy bed on in the studio (Thank you, Jesus, for the odd shape of the OKW studio). Maybe they will rework the bathroom, including the shower.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Except there isn't a wall to hang the television on. And there isn't a wall to put a murphy bed on in the studio (Thank you, Jesus, for the odd shape of the OKW studio). Maybe they will rework the bathroom, including the shower.

I wonder if they would rework the "bar" area that is by the dining table to somehow hang the big TV. Otherwise I was thinking they might change the counter config to somehow hold a larger TV.

And maybe a day bed that pulls out from under one of the queens......