Will we like Old Key West

[mikron2]

You will love OKW, rooms are larger and big decks.

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

Thank you ALL, so much, for sharing your experiences. You guys are making me feel SOOOOOO much better! Keep 'em coming!

 

[chskover]

We just stayed at OKW last week. We rent points, so we are able to sample the DVC's when I can someday purchase the points. I was greatly disappointed in OKW. I have wanted to stay there for a long time and was excited to be staying there this time. My stay at POP last year was better. The carpet had a wet stain between the kitchenette and bathroom. The shower curtain had soap scum all over it. Then the 1 bed, the feet were higher than the head. I call management. They sent a 9 month pregnant woman up to the 3rd floor to change the shower curtain after I was told a manager was coming to the room. I called back down to ask where was the manager they were sending. He never did show. They sent some engineers to try and fix the bed. Turned mattress and box spring which helped a little, but the box spring was in bad shape. They never offered to move us and they gave us a 50 credit. I felt like I was staying in an over priced moderate.

 

[house_of_princesses]

But here's the thing--you can't go wrong with ANY of the DVC properties, imo. They are all unique and all have wonderful benefits. Sure, we have our favorites, but we love it wherever we stay. And if you go in with that attitude, then you won't be disappointed. It's DVC!

You'll be staying in GREAT accommodations, with a full kitchen, a balcony, a washer/dryer, a resort with a nice sit down restaurant, a pool with a water slide, a Community Hall with activities for the kids--and I just described every DVC.

Couldn't agree more!! We're blessed to be able to go at all, and clean sheets is my only request!!

 

[gracelrm]

We stayed at OKW in October '08. It was our first stay there. We'd stayed at VWL, BWV, BCV, HH & VB prior to this trip. I was a little skeptical, but was wanting to save on points so we booked OKW. I have read these boards off and on for several years and so many people are in love with OKW, I figured we really needed to try it. We were very pleased and would certainly consider staying there again. The 1BR was so large and our kids were able to spread out and not get on each other's nerves when we were in the villa. DS (8 at the time) loved the main pool and the community hall area. I think we were in South Pointe area - if that's the 2nd bus stop and bus service was fine. We drive to WDW, so being able to park at the door was nice. I guess you could think of the decor as outdated - but I just thought of it as "themed" and enjoyed my time there.

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

We just stayed at OKW last week. We rent points, so we are able to sample the DVC's when I can someday purchase the points. I was greatly disappointed in OKW. I have wanted to stay there for a long time and was excited to be staying there this time. My stay at POP last year was better. The carpet had a wet stain between the kitchenette and bathroom. The shower curtain had soap scum all over it. Then the 1 bed, the feet were higher than the head. I call management. They sent a 9 month pregnant woman up to the 3rd floor to change the shower curtain after I was told a manager was coming to the room. I called back down to ask where was the manager they were sending. He never did show. They sent some engineers to try and fix the bed. Turned mattress and box spring which helped a little, but the box spring was in bad shape. They never offered to move us and they gave us a 50 credit. I felt like I was staying in an over priced moderate.

Wow, that sounds awful! We had a wet carpet issue at SSR once, luckily they were able to switch us to a different room quickly. The room also had a very strange smell so maybe they had just cleaned it or something. The new was great though and had a better view so we were ok. I hope we don't have a problem at OKW like that.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

We love, love, love OKW. Our first trip there was in 2001. My sisters home resort is VWL. She loved it there so much that she wouldn't consider staying anywhere else. Well she decided to go for a few days with her two kids and our mother. Hubby couln't get away from work at the time. Well she didn't want to use up alot of points and we liked it there so much that she decided to try it out. That night right after putting the kids to bed she called me. We live in NH. She was thrilled with the place and now recomends it to everyone. Before that she wouldn't even consider the place.

 

[ddoconnell]

We love OKW Have stayed in a GV and 2BR Love the room size and the laid back feel of the resort. We have stayed at SSR too, and enjoy it too. But, you can't beat the room size at OKW. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Cee]

We resisted staying at OKW for the longest time and I don't really know why. A few years ago we stayed there because it was the only place available. WOW. We absolutely loved it and now it's one of our favorites.

 

[Leanne1977]

We really didn't like it but most people seem to love it so I'm sure you will be fine.

We just didn't feel that it was a deluxe resort at all and our room was dated and dark. Glad we tried it but wouldn't return. Although I would be interested to see what the refurbed rooms look like.

We have stayed at SSR, OKW, AKV including Kidani, BCV, BWV, VB and VWL.

 

[dianeschlicht]

our room was dated and dark. Glad we tried it but wouldn't return. Although I would be interested to see what the refurbed rooms look like.
L.

Interesting that you thought the room was dark. OKW is very light and airy in decor....Carribean colors. The theme is supposed to be 1900 Key West...lots of mismatched fabrics etc to fit the late Victorian seaside era. As for the rehab....it will be darker...not lighter.

 

[chskover]

We actually stayed at AKV (Kidani) for 3 days prior to OKW. AKV is suppose to be darker, but our room was brighter there than at OKW. Maybe because the view from the balcony was a mass of trees, so no natural light came in.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We actually stayed at AKV (Kidani) for 3 days prior to OKW. AKV is suppose to be darker, but our room was brighter there than at OKW. Maybe because the view from the balcony was a mass of trees, so no natural light came in.

You must have been in one of the "woods view" buildings. Either that, or you were in a studio on the first floor. We find the studio rooms at OKW to be a bit "confining". Especailly if they are on the first floor, where the mature vegetation can block your windows in. The 1 and 2 bedroom units are usually very open and light with the exception of a few first floor units in a few buildings. 27, 28, and 29 come to mind as well as 11.

 

[toniosmom]

Every DVC resorts has its own set of pros and cons...and that set of pros and cons differs by DVCer, right? What appeals to one person will be a "downside" to another.

But here's the thing--you can't go wrong with ANY of the DVC properties, imo. They are all unique and all have wonderful benefits. Sure, we have our favorites, but we love it wherever we stay. And if you go in with that attitude, then you won't be disappointed. It's DVC!

You'll be staying in GREAT accommodations, with a full kitchen, a balcony, a washer/dryer, a resort with a nice sit down restaurant, a pool with a water slide, a Community Hall with activities for the kids--and I just described every DVC.

That's exactly how I feel as well. So far we have only experienced AKV and SSR and loved both. We are trying BLT and BCV within the next year and I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[Leanne1977]

Interesting that you thought the room was dark. OKW is very light and airy in decor....Carribean colors. The theme is supposed to be 1900 Key West...lots of mismatched fabrics etc to fit the late Victorian seaside era. As for the rehab....it will be darker...not lighter.

It wasn't the decor that was dark but just a lack of natural light into the room due to the trees outside our balcony. It was very overgrown and we couldn't even sit out there. I was warned that the first floor studios were very dark and dull so we requested a high floor but we didn't get lucky.

Anyway its just my opinion. It would be pretty boring if we all liked the same thing. As I said, glad we tried it but wouldn't return.

 

[Candy Orlando]

Look at the video I made. It's on the thread: Video of Renovated OKW One-Bedroom.

 

[Leanne1977]

Look at the video I made. It's on the thread: Video of Renovated OKW One-Bedroom.

That looks a great deal nicer than the crappy studio we had. Are they renovating all the studios too and maybe trimming back on the vegetation?

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

Look at the video I made. It's on the thread: Video of Renovated OKW One-Bedroom.

That was great thanks! I hope to get one of these. Did you request it or just happened into it? I'm thinking I should call & request a reno room although I know it's not guarenteed.

 

[chskover]

3RD floor, room 3535. Stay away from that room. It does have a new shower curtain.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You guys are mostly talking about studios. I don't consider studios at all when I speak of DVC accommodations. To me the studio is just the second bedroom of a DVC unit. That's the way it was meant to be originally. I don't think DVC ever expected so many folks to want to stay in just a studio. I look at studios as glorified hotel rooms. To get a real DVC experience, you need to stay in 1 bedroom or larger villas.

I do agree that the studios at OKW, while large, are not light feeling. The mature vegetation is part of it, but the fact that they are tucked around the ends of each of the buildings is part of it too. At OKW, the real light and open feeling is mostly in the living room area, and to a degree the master bedroom.