MKwatercraftPilot
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2012
- Messages
- 80
I'm late to the party too, but I want to submit another vote for Old Key West and another vote against Grand Floridian.
I'm in my mid-30's, which pains me to say, and have been to Disney World a number of times, as a kid, as a Cast Member for a year and continue to return as an adult with no kids.
I've stayed in many of the resorts, from the All Stars to the Grand Floridian, and now mostly stay in Golden Oak, in a home owned by a family friend. I find the Grand Floridian to be stuffy and pretentious, too, but not in an authentic way for me. I get the vibe that the guests there just want to act "better than" without really having a reason to. I've never stayed club level at any Disney resort, to be fair, so can't speak to that.
In your thread you've mentioned the "vibe" several times. I love the vibe at Old Key West. I find it to be the most relaxed atmosphere, which I love (but some people may not). It almost never seems noisy or busy even when there's lots of people around. Everything is just ... chill. It's certainly not a deluxe resort, but the one-bedroom villas are fantastic with a ton of space. The furniture is comfortable, but certainly wouldn't win any design awards. I may be biased because we've been staying there as DVC members since 1994, but it always just feels like you're arriving home, or at the home of an old friend.
For transportation, it's a leisurely 15-20 minute boat ride to the Springs, definitely not as quick as getting there from Saratoga. And for everywhere else on property expect to take a bus. The plus side of the location of OKW is that it's pretty centrally located. It's about an equal length bus trip to MK, Epcot and HS, with Animal Kingdom, of course, being basically a road trip, since it's so far off in the corner of the property.
The buses run pretty often and reliably and are rarely packed, except after park close. (My tip to avoid this is to get in line for the most popular E-ticket ride in the park just before park closing... Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom, for example, or Slinky Dog at HS... you'll get to ride their coolest ride when you've really got nothing else to rush to, and you'll miss the mass exodus at park close and be able to stroll leisurely to your not-so-packed bus)
The restaurant at OKW, Olivias, is - if I'm being honest - not really that special in their offerings, but I've had some of the best service there. Again, it's like being with old friends usually, not the "yes sir, yes ma'am, whatever you say" kind of place but more of your great aunt (not necessarily older, though) going "what can I getcha honey". It's great to mosey on over for an early lunch before heading to the park if you've slept in. Again with those laid back vibes (I like to relax on vacation)
Also, if proximity to things and convenience of travel to things - especially eating and drinking - is of import, I'm another vote for Yacht/Beach. Quieter than the Boardwalk, but easy to get to everywhere (including the boardwalk) for fun, food and libations.
Ultimately, since you mentioned you come every couple or 3 years, I suggest staying in different places every time. You'll get a different atmosphere at a lot of places, it can make your vacation pretty different. Same with restaurants, my favorite restaurant to go to at Disney World is any one I haven't been to yet. (though we do have some standbys). Part of the magic of Disney is that there's more to do than you can get to in even a long vacation, that's how they keep you coming back!
Short version:
Grand Flo - No.
Good vibes, relaxation - Old Key West
Nightlife, convenience - Yacht/Beach.
I'm in my mid-30's, which pains me to say, and have been to Disney World a number of times, as a kid, as a Cast Member for a year and continue to return as an adult with no kids.
I've stayed in many of the resorts, from the All Stars to the Grand Floridian, and now mostly stay in Golden Oak, in a home owned by a family friend. I find the Grand Floridian to be stuffy and pretentious, too, but not in an authentic way for me. I get the vibe that the guests there just want to act "better than" without really having a reason to. I've never stayed club level at any Disney resort, to be fair, so can't speak to that.
In your thread you've mentioned the "vibe" several times. I love the vibe at Old Key West. I find it to be the most relaxed atmosphere, which I love (but some people may not). It almost never seems noisy or busy even when there's lots of people around. Everything is just ... chill. It's certainly not a deluxe resort, but the one-bedroom villas are fantastic with a ton of space. The furniture is comfortable, but certainly wouldn't win any design awards. I may be biased because we've been staying there as DVC members since 1994, but it always just feels like you're arriving home, or at the home of an old friend.
For transportation, it's a leisurely 15-20 minute boat ride to the Springs, definitely not as quick as getting there from Saratoga. And for everywhere else on property expect to take a bus. The plus side of the location of OKW is that it's pretty centrally located. It's about an equal length bus trip to MK, Epcot and HS, with Animal Kingdom, of course, being basically a road trip, since it's so far off in the corner of the property.
The buses run pretty often and reliably and are rarely packed, except after park close. (My tip to avoid this is to get in line for the most popular E-ticket ride in the park just before park closing... Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom, for example, or Slinky Dog at HS... you'll get to ride their coolest ride when you've really got nothing else to rush to, and you'll miss the mass exodus at park close and be able to stroll leisurely to your not-so-packed bus)
The restaurant at OKW, Olivias, is - if I'm being honest - not really that special in their offerings, but I've had some of the best service there. Again, it's like being with old friends usually, not the "yes sir, yes ma'am, whatever you say" kind of place but more of your great aunt (not necessarily older, though) going "what can I getcha honey". It's great to mosey on over for an early lunch before heading to the park if you've slept in. Again with those laid back vibes (I like to relax on vacation)
Also, if proximity to things and convenience of travel to things - especially eating and drinking - is of import, I'm another vote for Yacht/Beach. Quieter than the Boardwalk, but easy to get to everywhere (including the boardwalk) for fun, food and libations.
Ultimately, since you mentioned you come every couple or 3 years, I suggest staying in different places every time. You'll get a different atmosphere at a lot of places, it can make your vacation pretty different. Same with restaurants, my favorite restaurant to go to at Disney World is any one I haven't been to yet. (though we do have some standbys). Part of the magic of Disney is that there's more to do than you can get to in even a long vacation, that's how they keep you coming back!
Short version:
Grand Flo - No.
Good vibes, relaxation - Old Key West
Nightlife, convenience - Yacht/Beach.
