What has happened to Old Key West?

[Delboy46]

Tried to book Old Key West online for November 2014 and it does not come up in any searches. I am always offered Saratoga Springs instead. Out of interest I tried dates throughout the year and the same thing happened - Nothing! not available.

Anybody know why this is? Has it been set aside for Vacation Club members only or is it just a system glitch. Asked the people at Disney bookings but they obviously didn't know - just suggested booking SS and trying to change later. Even rang OKW front desk and they just refered me back to reservations.

Annoying, because it is our favourite - in fact we have been there six years running now.

 

[aaarcher86]

Tried to book Old Key West online for November 2014 and it does not come up in any searches. I am always offered Saratoga Springs instead. Out of interest I tried dates throughout the year and the same thing happened - Nothing! not available.

Anybody know why this is? Has it been set aside for Vacation Club members only or is it just a system glitch. Asked the people at Disney bookings but they obviously didn't know - just suggested booking SS and trying to change later. Even rang OKW front desk and they just refered me back to reservations.

Annoying, because it is our favourite - in fact we have been there six years running now.

They do hold back rooms for DVC first, so if your dates are far enough out that could absolutely be why.

 

[Delboy46]

They do hold back rooms for DVC first, so if your dates are far enough out that could absolutely be why.

But it clearly states in the special offers section:

"Save up to 35% in 2014
Save up to 35% on Disney's Saratoga Springs and Disney's Old Key West for travel within 2014†

For bookings made by 5th November.

Simply stay at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort or Disney's Old Key West Resort arriving between 1st January - 8th April 2014 and 27th April - 30th November 2014 and we will take 35% off the accommodation portion off your package. With rates from only £158 per room per night for a Studio, sleeping up to 4 guests. "

Why say that and then not have any OKW bookings available for any month of 2014. I hope this is a system glitch otherwise it looks like shady practice.

 

[Delboy46]

Disney Reservations now tell me that no bookings are being accepted on Old Key West from end August 2014 to end December 2014. This despite a clear contradiction on the Special Deals page where 27th April - 30th November 2014 is quoted as the booking window for Old Key West.

Well Disney you've just lost my $5000 for 2014 because I do NOT want to go to Saratoga Springs thank you.

 

[aaarcher86]

Disney Reservations now tell me that no bookings are being accepted on Old Key West from end August 2014 to end December 2014. This despite a clear contradiction on the Special Deals page where 27th April - 30th November 2014 is quoted as the booking window for Old Key West.

Well Disney you've just lost my $5000 for 2014 because I do NOT want to go to Saratoga Springs thank you.

There are no public special deals out for the USA for next year. Not sure where you're seeing that? See nothing for 2014 on the special offers page at all.

DVC is currently able to book for August so having Aug to December blocked out for the moment makes sense. In October they can book for September, etc. If you want OKW wait a little bit for bookings to open up. Or, if you want to book now I guess look elsewhere as you stated earlier. There's nothing stopping you from booking SS and switching when OKW opens for cash bookings.

 

[Delboy46]

Thanks aaarcher86 but it all seems to be OK now.

Having been told by Reservations only this morning that booking in the Fall for OKW has been permanently blocked I now find that it has suddenly appeared as an option again when selected on-line. Somebody is not keeping the telephone reservations people up to date. So I can now go ahead and book OKW!!

Alls well that ends well but I wish somebody in Disney management would keep the telephone agents up to speed with whats going on. They obviously didn't have a clue and it can make things very frustrating for those wishing to book a DVC resort that has been blocked, albeit temporarily.

BTW I am in the UK and we currently have an offer (until 22nd October) of free Dining Plan plus $100 gift card for bookings in 2014. I assume this is UK only.

 

[McKelly]

Thanks aaarcher86 but it all seems to be OK now.

Having been told by Reservations only this morning that booking in the Fall for OKW has been permanently blocked I now find that it has suddenly appeared as an option again when selected on-line. Somebody is not keeping the telephone reservations people up to date. So I can now go ahead and book OKW!!

Alls well that ends well but I wish somebody in Disney management would keep the telephone agents up to speed with whats going on. They obviously didn't have a clue and it can make things very frustrating for those wishing to book a DVC resort that has been blocked, albeit temporarily.

BTW I am in the UK and we currently have an offer (until 22nd October) of free Dining Plan plus $100 gift card for bookings in 2014. I assume this is UK only.

Can you tell us what the dates are for the UK Free Dining? I know it doesn't necessarily match up with the US specials, but I am curious what the last date in December is going to be..... Thanks!

 

[Samaya]

Can you tell us what the dates are for the UK Free Dining? I know it doesn't necessarily match up with the US specials, but I am curious what the last date in December is going to be..... Thanks!

See if you can check out this UK Disney web-site for all the current offers, http://wdtc.disneyinternational.com/Special-Offers.asp

Which list two of the following......
Great offers still available on 2014 Walt Disney World Florida packages - book today and enjoy Free Dine, $100 Disney Gift Card and 14 for 7 tickets!
For bookings made by 22nd October 2013 for selected arrivals between 1 Jan 2014 - 8 Apr 2014 and 27 Apr 2014 – 30 Nov 2014.

Save up to 35% on Disney's Saratoga Springs and Disney's Old Key West for travel within 2014†
For bookings made by 5th November.

 

[DebbieB]

CRO does not control the release of DVC rooms. Typically DVC does not start turning rooms over to them until 10 to 11 months.

 

[Samaya]

CRO does not control the release of DVC rooms. Typically DVC does not start turning rooms over to them until 10 to 11 months.

The Brit's and most of Europe have been able to book at OKW and SSR up to 19-months out from arrival, so in May of this year one could book a studio, one or two-bed villa for an arrival date up to 30th November 2014.

On the UK web site this morning you can make a 21-day booking checking in on 28th October and out on 18th November 2014. This includes free dining for the 21-nights with the purchase of a 7, 14 or 21-day theme park ticket.

There's also a saving of up to 35% off the room cost, the only restriction on villa type is that the 3-bed Grand Villas are not included in this offer.

And as far as I can remember these offers have been ongoing since 2009.

Here's a sample booking if made this morning at 13-months out......

Disney's Old Key West Resort - 2 Adults
1 Bedroom Villa from 28th October 2014 - 18th November 2014

Disney's 21 Day Ultimate Ticket
2 x Disney's 21 Day Ultimate Ticket - Your Disney Tickets are valid for use from 28th October 2014

Disney Dining Plan
2 x Disney Dining Plan - Book now and enjoy FREE dining worth £1,721.58!

Total price: £5,125.00

Presumably these rooms on offer are all owned by Disney and as they are cash bookings they all have daily housekeeping instead of the less frequent DVC housekeeping.

 

[mmccutche]

Just used the link and priced out what appears to be a $1800 savings (w free dining) vs my current package in 2014... Good for UK - would like to upgrade my US family trip...

 

[Samaya]

Just used the link and priced out what appears to be a $1800 savings (w free dining) vs my current package in 2014... Good for UK - would like to upgrade my US family trip...

That would be a very good saving and for how many days?

But sorry to say, unless you have a UK or European address then you can't make a booking via the Disney International web site and I believe all payments will be in Sterling '£' no matter where you live in Europe.

Conditions state: What if my country's not on this list? If you reside outside of the United Kingdom or European Union, please visit your local travel provider for information on Walt Disney World or to make your booking.