What's going on with all the bad OKW reviews???

[Dusted]

Hello OKWesters! Is there a thread just for us?

I can't find enough info on this resort, the map is pretty confusing that's posted here. Where do I want to be to have a water view, and be close to the main pool and restaurant? Buses, water launch etc?

I am travelling with a 3 year old and convience is key. No pun intended.

Also, I booked this afternoon and then tried to find reasonable airfair. Decided to stay 2 extra nights to get affordable rates. Any thoughts on staying the extra days there , Sat and Sun? Split stay and save at an All Star, or is there a cheaper way to stay at OKW without using points? We will have APs and do we get a cash discount if we want to pay cash at other resorts?

If I choose to book non DVC for the extra 2 nights does DVC still take the ressie, or call CRO?

Many thanks for so many questions.

Also, how do I add a ticker? Want one so bad!!!!

 

[tacomaranch]

Hi Dusted,

I can't answer your questions about where is best to stay as I have only been once but I did buy at OKW, because of the laid back feeling and not having icons in my face.

To add a ticker go to the tickerfactory.com or whatever is listed above mine and they will walk you thru how to create one.

Then click on User cp Top left of teal bar, then edit signature, copy your URL from the ticker and paste into siggy. Preview to see if you get it right.

Feel free to PM if you need help.

 

[snowwhitemom]

Just stayed there at Christmas....wonderful going back in June and trying to make a quick trip in August (P&P party)...I can only hope to be so lucky to get OKW..if there is a problem let them know and they will make it right...not that I think you are going to have one!!! Have a wonderful trip and dont second guess yourself again....its going to be super fabulous!!!!

 

[eeyoresmom]

Thanks everyone

 

[manning]

Bad resort. VERY BAD RESORT.


My prediction is it will greatly improve after we make our reservation. I won't have to worry about getting my dates.

 

[NARM Forever]

Just back from OKW, we loved it, found it to be very pretty and that laid-back style people talk about it. It had good facilities, the main pool with slide was great for my boys (5, 8 & 42), the Turtle pool seemed to be a hit with the teenagers on the resort and the quiet pool was just .... quiet!

We would definitely return. Next trip is in December at SSR, there was a temptation to change to OKW but I think we might have found the perfect area for us at SSR.

NARM

 

[Viki]

I know we're excited about our upcoming Sept/Oct trip. In fact we have to make our ADRS already tomorrow!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Here's the map for those asking location questions about water and golf etc.

 

[3DisneyKids]

No flames, but how is OKW not themed? The place is very reminiscent of the real Key West. The architecture and landscaping are highly themed, IMO. It certainly has no less themeing than POR.

I don't consider Pop Century really themed that well. What is the theme? Cheesy architecture? Tacky buildings? That's not much of a theme, IMO.

I know you aren't flaming me, thanks. And I actually agree with you...I was just stating what I thought OTHER people's issues were with OKW. It is my opinion that one of the reasons people post negative reviews about OKW is that it doesn't "feel Disney" to them....and I think this may be because it has a laid back theme (because, as you correctly state, they hit the theming of the REAL old Key West right on the head!)

Hopes this help clarify my position.

My kids loved that there were even the little lizards all over the place like when we stay in the Keys!

 

[bmalonef45]

We have stayed at OKW twice. Kids don't want to stay anywhere else and liked it better than the BCV but we had a studio at the BCV and 1bdrm at OKW. OKW is the oldest of the DVC resorts but with Disney that usually isn't a problem. When we were there in Jan. we played golf and while playing one of the holes they were re-painting one of the buildings. Don't know which one but seemed like they were keeping things in tip-top shape. As with anything as the buildings get older they will require more maintenance but I wouldn't let it scare me. We will be back after we try some of the others. We have only been members for a little over a year so we have to get a taste of everything.

 

[MiaSRN62]

But OKW just doesn't have that type of theming and I think that people who are expecting a "Disney-themed" resort might feel disappointed for that reason.

Again, not flaming you at all...I totally understand what you're saying. But, OKW is themed exactly as it's name implies. When these people stay at a resort named "Old Key West", I wonder how they're thinking it should be themed ? OKW is themed after turn of the century Key West with light, airy pastel colors. There is an area in Key West called "Old Key West", a beach town, and the villas/buildings at OKW are modeled after that area--- gingerbread accents & Victorian themed. Disney simulated this neighborhood very well.
Papa's Den (fashioned after Ernest Hemingway's study who lived most of his life in Key West), the different sections of the resort are supposed to be fashioned out of islands or "keys" that are all attached by bridges and waterways.....and the Trumbo Canal is supposed to be waterway that winds through the keys. The walkways are paved with crushed shells. Add palm trees, Jimmy Buffet and Caribbean tunes and a tropical feel and you get the Key West theme. I feel disney pulled it all together quite nicely.
I think because wdw is in Florida and Key West is Florida is why people don't "get it".

Our last stay was in August 2006 and we found our 2 bedroom villa in the Turtle Pond area to be very clean and well maintained. The only problem was they had not yet replaced the pull out sofa bed and we did report that.

 

[snappy]

Thanks for the comparison to the real Key West. That was interesting. I think it is great theming, and I like feeling like I am in Florida when I am in Florida, especially durng the summer.

 

[Anthony1971]

I find OKW to be one of the nicer resorts although not as close to EPCOT or MGM as some of the others the bus ride is still short to all IMO. I much prefer these rooms over BW and BC some say OKW is dated??????? it is a style and I found nothing dated although I would not choose this for my house. I am planning on staying there for my next trip again as I like to come back and relax after the parks where as some of the other resorts there is a lot going outside sitting on your balcony just ain't the place to be. I also like all the other resorts. If you are getting a one bedroom or larger you should bring bleech to clean the hot tub if you are going to use it and lysol no matter what size unit. This is just a precaution for any resort. I did find the rooms at OKW cleaner than BW or BC. P.S take the boat ride to DTD

 

[dj420okw]

I have been a member since 1994 and the majority of my points are OKW. I have stayed there approximately 24 times, most with a duration of greater than 7 days. I have never had a bad experience and think very highly of the resort and the CMs who work there. I have had a few minor maintenace issues that were always corrected very quickly and without inconvienance.

A year or so ago I stayed at SSR, once by myself to visit with family in the area, and then a few months later with my family. I enjoyed it and had a great view of Downtown Disney both times. Upon arrival with the family, the kids (age 6) checked it out, said it was nice and all, but then said okay lets get out of here and go to our Disney House (OKW)! I think that says alot about OKW and what it becomes to mean to a member.

 

[Dusted]

Anthony1971-
About the bleach and lysol, I couldn't agree more. I won't use hot tubs or any tub for that matter anymore after a pretty icky experience on a NON Disney trip.

We are new DVC members and are coming home for the first time to OKW, and only need a studio. I was wishing we spent more points for a while to get the one bedroom with the hot tub, but I really don't use them anyway...

Does the bleach kill all the icky stuff? If so, I may start to enjoy a bubbly bath after the parks again....that would be so nice to do that without the worry of germs...

 

[drakethib]

OKW is the worst !!!!

Please do yourself a favor and book elsewhere.

I want the place all to myself.

 

[snappy]

Anthony1971-
About the bleach and lysol, I couldn't agree more. I won't use hot tubs or any tub for that matter anymore after a pretty icky experience on a NON Disney trip.

We are new DVC members and are coming home for the first time to OKW, and only need a studio. I was wishing we spent more points for a while to get the one bedroom with the hot tub, but I really don't use them anyway...

Does the bleach kill all the icky stuff? If so, I may start to enjoy a bubbly bath after the parks again....that would be so nice to do that without the worry of germs...

I am not Anthony 1971, but I have a jacuzzi in my BR at home. The instructions said to purge the jets with low foaming dishwasher detergent ( like Cascade or Calgonite) every 3-4 months). You add 4 Tablespoons to hot water filled to the top, run for 5-10 minutes. Then you completely drain it, fill with cold water and run 5-10 minutes, then drain again. Should be clean.

After we owned this tub a couple of years we received notice that another method of cleaning was necessary to truly clean the tub. I order the stuff they said we needed, now you are supposed to clean it with two different packets of cleaner, every time you use the tub. Needless to say, I do not clean it every time I use the tub. The stuff in one of the packets smells a lot like bleach.

Honestly, I have not had trouble with the yuck factor using either cleaning method.

 

[waltfan1957]

One of my employees just returned a week ago from a weeks stay at OKW I sent her on.

have you any jobs going

 

[chalee94]

OKW is the worst !!!!

Please do yourself a favor and book elsewhere.

I want the place all to myself.

WORD!

word!

 

[sajetto]

Well, from the title of the thread it sounds like there have been bad reviews, but my experience for my honeymoon in January was great. It was so nice that my husband wanted an add on, but I've helped him ward off that illness for now We don't think it looks "old" in the least.