Very worried about OKW next week..help!

[MickeyNicki]

We are booked at OKW for 4 nights next week, never been and it looks very quiet and relaxing. I am very worried about the condition of the resort, many recent reports are saying it is dated and run down, very dirty and moldy. I read other recent reports on travel sites and get the same reaction.

Called WDW and the only other deluxe resort open with my 40% off code is SSR which we have never been to either.

What would you do and is the OKW as bad as people are saying?? Should I switch to SSR or suck it up and try OKW?

 

[jctwizzer]

Anybody who says OKW is rundown and dirty is either flat out lying; or is a rare exception to the norm. We've been going to OKW for 10 years---approx. 40 visits--- and have never had anything remotely resembling dirty and rundown. I know there are exceptions, but for the most part you can totally ignore the negatives you read on the internet.....Have a nice trip: cool1:

 

[OKW Lover]

OKW run down? That hasn't been our experience at all. We've been very impressed with the up-keep that Disney does on all DVC resorts. You'd think that OKW, being the oldest, would show some signs of wear and tear but that isn't the case.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Oh good, thanks you guys...we are so looking forward to our stay at the OKW

 

[REL1203]

I was there for 10 days in Sept, my first visit there, and I thought it was great. The only thing I didnt like was that it was a GIANT GIANT resort. 5 bus stops throughout it, and if you catch the first stop, it takes awhile to get where your going. Our room was amazing, only issue we had was that our electronic lock broke and then we had to walk up to the front desk to get a new key, and then go back and it still didnt work... That was a major pain. The resort itself was amazing and fun. Its an older resort (the original DVC if memory serves), but its still really nice. I only wish I could get my 1br at the Pop price again

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

We LOVE OKW and we REALLY LIKE SSR. OKW is our home resort for DVC. We mostly stay there. The rooms are starting to show their age a little bit, mainly the furniture is starting to show some wear and tear. We've had a couple slight issues...once the TV remote was broke, some of the tiles in the bathroom were cracked. One of the windows was full of condensation. But, as far as being dirty and moldy...we've never experienced that.

It is a beautiful resort (as if any resorts at WDW aren't beautiful!) and we really like that you pretty much park right outside of your villa. At SSR, you park in a parking lot and then have to walk to your building and then possibly walk down (outdoor) hallways to get to your room.

Enjoy your vacation!!

 

[minechuchie]

Hi, I really do not think you have anything to worry about. We had 2-two bedroom rentals { 10 of us }at OKW in December and they were both great. This was our first time there and we loved it. I especially enjoyed getting a snack on the dock and just hangin' out on our porches overlooking the golf course. Yes it is a large resort but it reminds me of a little town.
I also stayed at SSR in March in another two bedroom this is also a very nice resort. The rooms are nice and the pool area is great. Pick either and you won't be disappointed. Terri

 

[Amy&Dan]

Our one bedroom at OKW was in top notch, perfect shape. I was a bit worried too (this was last October) as we are used to the brand new accomodations at SSR. I walked in and just thought, ahhhh, sheer heaven! It was so spacious, the grounds were lovely, the cm's were some of the nicest I have encountered in all of WDW and we just loved our stay there. SSR is still "home", but OKW is now our "home away from home". We are going back for fifteen nights in May, can't wait. And the grounds are very well kept, its a totally different feel than SSR which also has lovely grounds. Although they aren't tropical and they need to mature a bit. OKW has that mature, tropical look to it which I think is wonderful.

I do love SSR, you can't make a bad choice in my book. But if OKW appealed to you enough to book it, I would give it a try.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Do you think it is as large as CBR? We stayed there a few times and it was super huge with many bus stops.

 

[disnut8]

OP - remember that as soon as someone has a negative experience, they will come back here and post. However, if someone has a positive experience, they will enjoy and not say anything on these boards. Until someone says something like what you did.

Not to dis the people who replied but I'll bet none of them posted their positive comments after they got back from Old Key West.

 

[stacy6552]

Its been 7 years since we stayed at OKW and we found it just wonderful. The best sheets I've ever stayed on. Here's a funny little story. When we arrived I was like, "Oh no." because at first glimpse all the grout looked dirty, but then I realized it was concrete color. It really was georgus and clean (and quiet and relaxing). Even though its been a while sice we've been, I can't imagine that Disney has let the place go.

That said we do love SSR, too. And if you're worried, SSR is much newer.

 

[kileybeth]

someone once posted on the boards that OKW is themed to look like a seaside "sea faded" type of resort? My DH and I walked around OKW (never stayed but we would) and it did have a slightly older type feel to it. maybe it is themeing that makes peoplel feel it is "old"?

we have stayed at SSR and loved it. It is new and the rooms show it. and the resort itself. It seems brighter and cheery to us?

but I am certain both are fine. Take a jaunt over to SSR while you are staying at OKW and then maybe you will feel/see differences for yourself.

It's Disney! doesn't get much better than that!

 

[CTDis4]

Stayed at OKW this past December for the first time. Loved, Loved, Loved it. Our room was beautiful and really enjoyed our "porch" in the early morning for coffee and evening with a glass of wine to unwind. The landscaping is lush and not sparse like newer resorts, so there is no barren look to it. I have visited, but never stayed at SSR, which I am sure is lovely also. Pick one for this trip and the other for the next! Enjoy!

 

[Blueyed Girl]

We stayed at OKW for the first time last year (February), and again this year (February). Both times our rooms were clean and I did not see any mold or anything. We absolutely LOVE this resort. The only reason we are not staying OKW on our next trip in May is due to lower travel funds than in February. But, hey I'm not complaining! 2 trips in one year is a dream come true to me. I say stick with OKW, I think you're going to love it! If you'd like to see some pics from last year and this year, click on my TR button in my siggie.

 

[Blueyed Girl]

OP - remember that as soon as someone has a negative experience, they will come back here and post. However, if someone has a positive experience, they will enjoy and not say anything on these boards. Until someone says something like what you did.

Not to dis the people who replied but I'll bet none of them posted their positive comments after they got back from Old Key West.

I did!!! But it was in my TR, so I still see what you're saying. Disnut has a good point. You will read of complaints before compliments. That's just how it goes, I guess.

 

[Blueyed Girl]

I just wanted to make one more point. I've read on here that the "newer" 1 bedroom Villa's at OKW have 2 entrances to the bathroom where as the "older" one's only have one entrance. If this is true, then we stayed in an "older" one 2 years in a row. They were both VERY CLEAN!! We have absolutely no complaints. Hope this helps too, I know the comments that I read last year gave me 2nd thoughts but I'm glad we stuck with OKW.

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

OP - remember that as soon as someone has a negative experience, they will come back here and post. However, if someone has a positive experience, they will enjoy and not say anything on these boards. Until someone says something like what you did.

Not to dis the people who replied but I'll bet none of them posted their positive comments after they got back from Old Key West.

You are so right. Amazingly enough, so far it looks like everyone has positive things to say about OKW. Well, except for the negatives I pointed out, but I only pointed them out to let the OP know that despite those MINOR things, we absolutely love OKW. We've never experienced anything there that made us want to stay elsewhere and we've never once regretted purchasing our DVC ownership there.

I also forgot to mention in my first post that OKW has the most spacious rooms out of all the DVC resorts. And not only spacious rooms, but large patio's and decks with ceiling fans and lights on them.

 

[Cee]

I stayed at OKW for the first time a year ago. Since then, we stayed one more
time. It's my new favorite resort. 'Nuf said.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

We absolutley love OKW. It feels like its own little community. Yes there are alot of bus stops but it is never a long walk to one. Try staying a the Fort and you will know what I mean. In all the DVC resorts except SSR and AKV there are a few rooms that are showing a little wear but there is also a revolving schedule for them to be revamped. So you very seldom run into a problem at any of them. I have never had one at OKW that wasn't clean. The last time we went there was eight of us total and we were not cramped at all. All those pretty pastels give the rooms a light and airy feel to them. Add the palms trees and lush landscapig to make it a nice tropical escape. Depstite how large the resort is it has a nice intimate homey feel.

 

[disnut8]

someone once posted on the boards that OKW is themed to look like a seaside "sea faded" type of resort? My DH and I walked around OKW (never stayed but we would) and it did have a slightly older type feel to it. maybe it is themeing that makes peoplel feel it is "old"?

this reminded me of my father's and stepmother's comments when they first saw Old Key West. At the time, they lived about 30 miles from Key West. They did a nice look around and then said it was nothing like the real Key West. It wasn't dirty enough!!! But seriously, they said Disney World had Key West pretty much nailed down. Except it was too clean and had no drunks laying in the streets.