Old Key West

[ajmellu7]

Hi, I have just booked a 2 bed villa for August 2015 for the family. Have stayed in Disney before, but have never stayed here and was wondering about people's experiences and any good things to look out for and likewise bad things. Have to be honest and say I think it looks fantastic and am already wishing away the next 15 months! Thanks in advance.

 

[Minthorne]

I've stayed there a few times and really enjoyed it. Very good bus service, easy to navigate resort, great restaurant (Olivia's) and the biggest DVC rooms.

 

[ajmellu7]

Sounds good. Are the buses to the parks easily accessible and also the boat to downtown? Which is the ideal place to have the villa? Any thoughts on where to ask for?

 

[shuflemstr]

We always stay in the same room in building 62. Olivia's is right across the street and the boat to DTD. There is also a bus stop there at the Hospitality House, it's the last stop around the resort but you are also very close to the Peninsular Rd bus stop, which is the first stop around the resort by buildings 23-29

 

[ajmellu7]

Thanks for the replies guys. Just trying to work out the best for the party. Going with my wife and our daughters (who will be 4 and 19 months when we go next year) and my parents who will be 76 so have got both end of the spectrum and trying to keep all happy! Got the 10 hour flight from England as well so want it to be perfect!

 

[Mother of 5]

I love old key west my favorite resort. Maybe you will want to request a room on the ground floor so your parents won't have to walk up the stairs their is no elevators only in one section of the resort.

 

[jonabyte]

I stayed there last year (spring) and it's a nice spot, seems a bit more secluded and quiet. It is older and it does show a bit more its age, that did not bother me, but others in my party pointed it out.
I swam twice in the closer pool to my room and both times I was the only one there, felt like I was the only person in the resort.

 

[shuflemstr]

In case someone might have difficulty with stairs, only buildings 62, 63 and 64 have elevators

 

[Ohio HHI]

Sounds like you will have strollers - I would request a first floor villa. Most buildings do not have elevators.

 

[slappy magoo]

In case someone might have difficulty with stairs, only buildings 62, 63 and 64 have elevators

Sounds like you will have strollers - I would request a first floor villa. Most buildings do not have elevators.

Both things I was going to point out. If your parents have trouble with stairs or if you're dealing with strollers, either request (pleasantly DEMAND) a first floor room to accommodate your parents, or request one of the buildings with elevators.

It's amongst the most secluded resorts, which means you're not lose to "the action" but it is quiet. The 2BR Villas are a nice size so you won't feel like you're on top of each other.

 

[The Incredible Schmulk]

I really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of the resort. I love Olivia's and the little Gurgling Suitcase bar around the corner from the restaurant, and I'd have to agree that the bus transportation is surprisingly good. Since it doesn't share with another resort, and due to its fairly central location within the bubble, arrivals and departures are astoundingly regular, even at peak times.

My only recommendation is one that has already been touched on in the thread: pay very close attention to which room you're assigned. Elevator concerns aside, some of the buildings are prohibitively far from the main building. You can always catch one of the buses for the resorts and hop off at the closest stop instead of walking, but there is only one walking path you can take to get from most of the resort to the lobby, restaurant and main pool. There really needs to be a second bridge built on the pool side of the main building area to alleviate some of that walking distance, but I digress. The closer you can get to the main building, the better. The resort grounds are nice pretty much everywhere you go, so don't worry about a specific building. Just try to stay close.

FYI... Like I said, I love the grounds and I liked our room. It was very comfortable. But this was our walk to the main building. Half of a mile isn't going to break many people, but after walking seven to ten miles in the parks all day, it can get old pretty fast. Dragging your suitcases back to the main building at the end of your stay is borderline sadistic.

 

[Texas84]

Dragging your suitcases back to the main building at the end of your stay is borderline sadistic.

Curious, why didn't you call the front desk? They will pick you up with a cart.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I like the resort very much. The only thing I could grumble about was the pool activities, which were more reminiscent of a 1950s british holiday camp than a modern tourist destination. However the quiet pools provided a refuge from these diversions and even had a quiet bar for a quick libation or two

 

[stratman50th]

We've always requested buildings 40, 43, or 44 on Old Turtle Pond Rd. Ground Floor. They have always been able to accommodate us. They are right across from a bus stop and one of the quiet pools is very close. We have stayed at both the one bedroom and two bedroom villas. OKW just might have edged out the Poly as our favorite resort. We always drive so a car is available. Immediately after the car is unloaded we head to the grocery store and load up for the week. We don't have housekeeping service and only pay for daily towels. You can't beat having the washer and dryer in the room either. Bus service is about the same as any of the other resorts we've stayed at. I've never eaten at the restaurants there or been to the main pool. Much prefer being off the beaten path where it's quiet.

 

[CheshireCat12]

We've always requested buildings 40, 43, or 44 on Old Turtle Pond Rd. Ground Floor. They have always been able to accommodate us. They are right across from a bus stop and one of the quiet pools is very close. We have stayed at both the one bedroom and two bedroom villas. OKW just might have edged out the Poly as our favorite resort. We always drive so a car is available. Immediately after the car is unloaded we head to the grocery store and load up for the week. We don't have housekeeping service and only pay for daily towels. You can't beat having the washer and dryer in the room either. Bus service is about the same as any of the other resorts we've stayed at. I've never eaten at the restaurants there or been to the main pool. Much prefer being off the beaten path where it's quiet.

I guess that explains why I'd never stay in the villas anywhere- the LAST thing I want to do on a vacation is GROCERIES.

 

[MorganKelly]

The two-bedrooom unit at OKW is wonderful and my favorite configuration. We are DVC members and OKW is our home resort. It is very spacious. Each bedroom has its own bathroom; the master suite has a Jacuzzi. As previously mentioned, the washer/dryer is a terrific convenience. Staying in a unit close to the Hospitalty House is helpful if you don't have a car, but there are internal buses. Don't miss Olivia's for a great meal with warm and friendly service. We particularly enjoy breakfast ---they have fabulous banana French Toast! The resort is very laid-back with a relaxing vibe. We love it!