Why does Old Key West get no love?

[tjkraz]

We are currently planning a trip where using the fewest number of points is of paramount importance. We've stayed at all DVCs and don't mind splurging--just not on this trip.

Other options in the same price range as OKW are Saratoga Springs and Animal Kingdom Villas - Standard view. In comparison to those two:

SSR: Walking distance to Disney Springs marketplace, refurbished more recently w/ pull-down Murphy bed, two feature pools, better dining

AKV: Extra bathroom (Kidani), two feature pools inc large kids play area, public savanna viewing areas, convenient parking

OKW does have some perks. The rooms are large inc living room with both sofa and loveseat. The large balcony. The overall style of the resort is appealing. But right now, I'm struggling to rank OKW any higher than 3rd out of these 3 options. I spent some time at OKW last year and will certainly be back again. It's just not very high on my list.

 

[RuntheMouse]

We stayed there once, in a studio.
-Loved the feel of the resort.
-Loved the private balcony.
-Dining was a challenge.
-Hated the connecting door location, we had quiet neighbors and it was still so loud.

 

[mgarbowski]

Others have covered the basic Pros and Cons of OKW. One Con that I want to mention is that for a few of the rooms that are furthest from the common areas (at the end of South Point Road) there is a second insult in that the traffic noise from East Buena Vista Drive is audible day and night - not enough to keep you awake or make it impossible to watch TV or have a conversation, but it always is there and impossible to ignore. So you are effectively remote from anything convenient, yet not given the beneficial illusion of seclusion you would enjoy in a truly remote location.

 

[zackiedawg]

OKW is part of my occasional rotation of DVC resorts...while not my home resort, or the one I go to first - I consider my trips at OKW to be a different style of vacation...more laid back and less in a rush to get to the parks immediately. I thoroughly enjoy my time there, and a few things I really like about it.

I get the main complaints being that it's very spread out, seems to be more car-centric, isn't close to any theme parks, and very bus-reliant to get to theme parks. Also, there are limited dining options with just one restaurant and one quick serve at the HH. All valid points.

But I like the 'condo' feel of the place when I'm in one of those more laid-back trip modes. I like the golf course and water views, love the size of the villas (I usually stay in the 1-bed, sometimes 2-bed, villas. I usually stay in the HH area - not necessarily the villas considered 'HH', but still very walkable to it - the first group of spots on Peninsular Road for example...provides nice walkability to the store or food. And it always feels like you're completely removing yourself from Disney - sometimes staying in the theme is desirable, but other times feeling like you're truly coming 'home' each night can be very relaxing and a nice reset to the sometimes-hectic Disney park rush.

I dislike busses in general, but I love boats. I often take the boat from OKW to Disney Springs and it's a great, long boat ride - very relaxing and scenic. In fact, when I stay at OKW, I very often take the Springs boat to get to the theme parks. While it still involves getting on a bus, there's something relaxing about starting my day with a boat ride to the Springs, then hopping a bus to a resort close to the theme park, and walking/boating in from there. If I want to go to MK, I'll boat to DS, hop a bus to Wilderness Lodge or Poly/GF, and take the boat over to MK. If I want to go to Epcot, I'll boat to DS, hop the Boardwalk or Beach bus, and walk over.

I also consider the dining limitations of OKW to be a non-issue, because I often hop the boat to DS and have dozens of dining options available there every night. Of course, I'm traveling as an adult, usually with all adult company (no kids), so we're not looking for character breakfasts and such - mostly good restaurants for dinner with a nice drink menu.

Despite the fact that I have my car when I go there, I rarely use it. I prefer to relax, use the boat most of the time, or the occasional bus. The only time I use my car mid-trip at OKW is if I have a villa that's farther from HH - I'll drive over to get supplies at the store because a long walk with 3 bags of groceries just isn't feasible.

 

[vakamalua]

Been members at OKW since 1995 when it was the ONLY DVC. We love it enough for everyone else which is fine with us so availability is not usually a problem! As another OKW lover once said--"Let everyone else stay in the middle of the loud, crowded Disney razz-ma-tazz; we'll relax in our biggest accommodations on our biggest balcony on property among the beautiful landscape."

 

[RoseGold]

OKW is high priced in resale because DVC buys a lot of it and extends it. I wouldn't buy it now, unless you're buying for the OKW 3BR, which maintains a sweet spot in the charts. If you just want cheap and far from everything, SSR can do it cheaper.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Been members at OKW since 1995 when it was the ONLY DVC. We love it enough for everyone else which is fine with us so availability is not usually a problem! As another OKW lover once said--"Let everyone else stay in the middle of the loud, crowded Disney razz-ma-tazz; we'll relax in our biggest accommodations on our biggest balcony on property among the beautiful landscape."

It is a beautiful place!! We've been there since 93. Big rooms, awesome balconies, and that special 'welcome home' feel. The only negative we have ever encountered there was the lack of elevators - never understood why they didn't include them from the beginning. But we'll occasionally tip some younger legs to deliver our bags for us if we're on the upper floors! Yea, it's spread out a bit, but so are some other resorts. Yea, it's a little more limited on sit down food options, but a peaceful 10-minute boat ride takes us to dozens of awesome places to dine and shop.

Even with all the additional DVC options (and we've stayed at all except Riv), OKW is still one we really enjoy staying at whenever we can....

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

Been members at OKW since 1995 when it was the ONLY DVC. We love it enough for everyone else which is fine with us so availability is not usually a problem! As another OKW lover once said--"Let everyone else stay in the middle of the loud, crowded Disney razz-ma-tazz; we'll relax in our biggest accommodations on our biggest balcony on property among the beautiful landscape."

Many, many, (many) years ago, there was maybe not unanimity, but a general feeling on these boards that OKW was superior to that newfangled BWV they were selling, what with its tiny rooms, tiny balconies, confusing bathrooms, and terrible parking situation, not to mention its higher MFs.

Someone made a joke I’ve seen quoted repeatedly here that the best thing about Boardwalk is that it was so small that you could grab another beer from the fridge without leaving the balcony.

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

Many, many, (many) years ago, there was maybe not unanimity, but a general feeling on these boards that OKW was superior to that newfangled BWV they were selling, what with its tiny rooms, tiny balconies, confusing bathrooms, and terrible parking situation, not to mention its higher MFs.

Someone made a joke I’ve seen quoted repeatedly here that the best thing about Boardwalk is that it was so small that you could grab another beer from the fridge without leaving the balcony.

Here it is

If convenience and luxury are what you are after, BWV will not dissappoint!

Not only can you see the TV from the hot tub, you can actually reach into the kitchen and re-fill your coffee from the hot tub!

You can reach in and grab a beer from the fridge while you are out on the balcony!!!

Some people call those units tiny, I think Disney had luxury and convenience in mind.

 

[kevtlas]

Next to Boardwalk, OKW is still one our favorites! Our least favorite aspect is that it’s not really convenient to walk anywhere (which is why we love BWV, since you can walk to both Epcot and HS so easily), but the same can be said for many other resorts.

 

[Simba's Mom]

It’s the not being sure you will get a first floor or elevator building that keeps me away. I was able to get a HA studio with a roll in shower for an upcoming stay, so, I do expect that to be on the first floor, or in an elevator building.

You should be fine in getting first floor if you reserved a HA room. So far, we haven't requested a HA room-except last time, when we had a GV. We had a room so close to the main building and pool, we just loved the convenience. But as long as we request first floor, I don't dare narrow things to the 8 buildings "near Hospitality House""-unless we get a HA unit. Then first floor's pretty much guaranteed.

 

[TeamRiley]

We like OKW. The bus thing is a non-issue for us. Everywhere at WDW sucks with regard to getting to the parks, so it doesn't really matter where you stay. (We normally stay at VGC at Disneyland, so yes, we are spoiled with regard to park access)

 

[Maleficent's Dad]

You've gotten a lot of responses, and people cover most bases. I'll chime in with some of my own thoughts.

Anyway a google search led me to a thread here ranking dvc resorts and OKW was typically at the bottom and I'm generally curious as to why. Is it mostly location? Is it a matter of just being good when everything else is really good or great?

Opinions on this will vary, of course, but my first guess would be location. There's a reason the BCV & BWV are sold out quickly. You can literally walk to two parks from these. OKW, SSR, and AKL seem to have the most availability (when I check anyway), and I suspect it's got to do with the distance to the parks. Even the WL DVC's have a boat to the MK. Of course this is just my guess, and I have nothing but personal experience to base this on.

Also when you're a dvc member can you stay at any of the other dvc resorts for the base price? I was looking at a points chart and (as an example) the hawaii location under the DVC resorts said rooms from 16 points but then the same hotel was under disney resort hotels and said rooms from 37 points. Do you only get the lower price if you are an owner there? I have often wondered why we stay in the same place at DW each time. I know that OKW is a few points cheaper than a lot of the other ones but my dad is also not a penny pincher in that regard (maybe when we were little but definitely not now). I also know an obvious answer is to ask my dad - and I totally plan on it but I also don't want to come across as ungrateful so I am hoping some experts can weigh in on it for me!
It's funny because I've been to Disney about 30 times but I haven't been in 10 years and I've never had any part of the planning process so I'm also a total newb at the same time!

The point charts apply to everyone. If a studio is 9 points a night for me, it's the same 9 points for every other member.

We have a trip to OKW planned for Spring Break this year. We could have chosen several other resorts, but purposely went with OKW for a few reasons - (1) We're past the days of rope drop to fireworks and riding everything we can. So we enjoy the resort and want the chill atmosphere. OKW is perfect for that. (2) Room size is a huge perk at OKW. The laundry rooms alone (1BR and larger) are impressive. DW and I often have guests visit for the day, and the larger rooms help in this manner. (3) Points per night - one of the best bargains on property is the per night cost (points) for OKW. I can't get over the points that places like Riviera charge... For mid February, a preferred 1BR at OKW would cost 190 points, while a preferred room in Riviera would be 356 points. That's a pretty substantial difference. (4) Many rooms (definitely not all) have really nice views. More often than not, we overlook LBV Golf Course. A cool drink in hand, sitting on the balcony... life is good. (5) The kitchens are actually large enough to really cook some good meals. DW and I enjoy our time in the kitchen. OKW gives us space in the kitchen to really enjoy.

OKW is not our favorite resort, but we really enjoy it a lot. We would have NO problem returning there for any of our trips.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

You've gotten a lot of responses, and people cover most bases. I'll chime in with some of my own thoughts.

Opinions on this will vary, of course, but my first guess would be location. There's a reason the BCV & BWV are sold out quickly. You can literally walk to two parks from these. OKW, SSR, and AKL seem to have the most availability (when I check anyway), and I suspect it's got to do with the distance to the parks. Even the WL DVC's have a boat to the MK. Of course this is just my guess, and I have nothing but personal experience to base this on.

Not disagreeing with your point, but I'd also say that OKW, SSR, and AKL are also much larger resorts with more rooms than BCV and BWV. More rooms available......

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

Everywhere at WDW sucks with regard to getting to the parks

Preach.

 

[disney-inspired]

I haven't stayed at OKW or own there but I'm considering it for a visit next spring. The reason why I didn't buy at OKW was the high dvc dues.

I use an ECV on every trip due to RA so I prefer staying at resorts that has more than one form of transportation. This is why I bought at BWV because I can roll on over to Epcot, take boat or skyliner to HS, roll through Epcot and take monorail to MK. The only park I'd be forced to take a bus is AK.
Loading & unloading takes longer and I'm an impatient person LOL

I do like that they have two regular queens instead of a queen & sleeper sofa.

 

[tjkraz]

Not disagreeing with your point, but I'd also say that OKW, SSR, and AKL are also much larger resorts with more rooms than BCV and BWV. More rooms available......

And the fact that BCV and BWV are much more modestly priced (points per night) than later resorts with convenient park access like BLT, Poly, Riviera, GF, etc.

 

[kilik64]

Not enough usb ports.

DVC owners LOVE usb ports.

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

Not enough usb ports.

DVC owners LOVE usb ports.

Experts: “Never ever charge your phone with a USB port that you don’t control”

Normal people: “I want my phone next to my bed at night”

The tech industry: “let’s move everyone to USB-C”

DVC: “let’s try to squeeze 11 USB-A ports onto this dresser, and no power outlets”

 

[heynowirv]

I hope you all keep hating on OKW,,,Shhhhhhhh.