Tell Me About Your Experience at OLD KEY WEST

[BuddyThomas]

For anyone who didn't read my trip report from last September, here is a room tour of a one-bedroom villa:

 

[Phonedave]

The design of the dedicated 2 bedrooms is different. The laundry is set up in a slightly different angle at OKW. At places like BCV, there are 2 real beds instead of a queen and a pull out. I know they did skip it in BWV (dedicated 2 bedroom) and that was the third resort built - they did not repeat that idea (except with the conversion of rooms at Jambo house) so maybe it didn't sell well?.

That is the big difference for us. A lock off has a pull out couch and a bed in the second bed room. A dedicated has two actual beds in the second bedroom. Our kids (the reason we book a second bedroom) perfer to sleep in a real bed, as opposed to a pull out (as would I), that is why we try for dedicated units

As for OKW, keep in mind that some of these are subjective - these are my pros and cons


PROS

Room slze - they are huge, if you have a large family, there is plenty of room to cook, eat, and relax without tripping over each other.
Quiet - The resort is spread out, with lots of natural areas, and space between buildings
Landscape - This is the oldest DVC resort, lots of mature plantings and established area, I find it to be very lush

CONS

Pool - way too small and old - often very crowded
Qucik Servce - Basically non-existant. Small counter window
Table Service - Very limited. Olivia's has like 5 items on the menu, and non of them are really stand out dishes. It's passable, but quickly becomes tired. It's a sister restaruant to Turf Club, which also suffers the same problem. A small limited menu (Although I like the menu at the Turf Club better)

PRO-CON (depends on what you like)

Access to Disney Springs - You can walk it, but it is a bit of a walk. The boat service is nice, but unless you catch it at the right time, busses are actually faster. Remember, boats also stop running if the weather forces them to.

Bus service - OKW is like SSR, it has multiple internal stops. It depends what stop you are at if the bus comes croweded or not. I prefer a single stop resort, like WL, BC< BW, etc, but I don't mind a multi-stop if I can stay near the first or second stop.

Walking trails - This is a nice resort to walk/run around - if you like that sort of thing of course.

 

[correcaminos]

That is the big difference for us. A lock off has a pull out couch and a bed in the second bed room. A dedicated has two actual beds in the second bedroom. Our kids (the reason we book a second bedroom) perfer to sleep in a real bed, as opposed to a pull out (as would I), that is why we try for dedicated units

As for OKW, keep in mind that some of these are subjective - these are my pros and cons


PROS

Room slze - they are huge, if you have a large family, there is plenty of room to cook, eat, and relax without tripping over each other.
Quiet - The resort is spread out, with lots of natural areas, and space between buildings
Landscape - This is the oldest DVC resort, lots of mature plantings and established area, I find it to be very lush

CONS

Pool - way too small and old - often very crowded
Qucik Servce - Basically non-existant. Small counter window
Table Service - Very limited. Olivia's has like 5 items on the menu, and non of them are really stand out dishes. It's passable, but quickly becomes tired. It's a sister restaruant to Turf Club, which also suffers the same problem. A small limited menu (Although I like the menu at the Turf Club better)

PRO-CON (depends on what you like)

Access to Disney Springs - You can walk it, but it is a bit of a walk. The boat service is nice, but unless you catch it at the right time, busses are actually faster. Remember, boats also stop running if the weather forces them to.

Bus service - OKW is like SSR, it has multiple internal stops. It depends what stop you are at if the bus comes croweded or not. I prefer a single stop resort, like WL, BC< BW, etc, but I don't mind a multi-stop if I can stay near the first or second stop.

Walking trails - This is a nice resort to walk/run around - if you like that sort of thing of course.

The pool isn't that old - it was redone in 2005. It has zero entry and was refurbished this winter too just to freshen it up. Definitely was a major improvement over the original main pool which we avoided prior.

As for Olivia's, there are 5 entrees and 6 different sandwiches for lunch. More entrees but no sandwiches for dinner. Granted compared to Cheesecake Factory that's not much, but I'm not a fan of places that over do entrée options.

You also forgot Turtle Pond which I think has a better QS option than near the HH.

I know your opinions, but just felt like adding in case people didn't check out menus and such themselves.

 

[Tiggerish]

Was the part of the resort with buildings 30-55 built at a later time than the part with buildings 11-29? Were 63 and 64 added as an afterthought?

Attached.


I think 62, 63, and 64 are the handicap accessible ones.

Buildings 62-64 were built on the site of the original DVC preview center, the Commodore House, which was demolished once the construction of the Boardwalk Villas and the new preview center had been completed.

Those are the only 3 buildings with elevators, but not the only accessible buildings. There would have been accessible rooms throughout the original 1991 buildings.

One more question. Looking at the map of OKW in the Unofficial Guide, I see all of the roads that connect the resort. Is there much traffic? Are there sidewalks? Is the entire property pedestrian friendly? We've only stayed at Disney resorts that are more or less one main building (YC, BC, BWI, WL) and the cars are restricted to a large lot.

The resort is VERY pedestrian friendly. There are also a couple of running trails, they can give you a map at the front desk. I enjoy walking more than riding buses, so even if I'm staying in the back of the resort, I'll walk to Hospitality House so that when I get on a bus, it goes straight to my destination.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

That is the big difference for us. A lock off has a pull out couch and a bed in the second bed room. A dedicated has two actual beds in the second bedroom.

That's not true at Old Key West.

 

[Phonedave]

The pool isn't that old - it was redone in 2005. It has zero entry and was refurbished this winter too just to freshen it up. Definitely was a major improvement over the original main pool which we avoided prior.

As for Olivia's, there are 5 entrees and 6 different sandwiches for lunch. More entrees but no sandwiches for dinner. Granted compared to Cheesecake Factory that's not much, but I'm not a fan of places that over do entrée options.

You also forgot Turtle Pond which I think has a better QS option than near the HH.

I know your opinions, but just felt like adding in case people didn't check out menus and such themselves.

I last stayed there last summer (2016) so I missed the pool refresh (which it was sorely in need off) but nothing is going to change the fact that it is a small, cramped, and croweded pool area. Not unless they somehow add more land.

As for Olivia's, we tend to eat at resort restaruants quite often - I know others may do things differently, but 5 entrees is really limited, and honestly, none of them are that thrilling. When you eat there a couple of times a trip, it gets old really fast. At least somone like me, who eats anything, has a full menu to choose from. If you eliminate the tofu and seafood choices, you have a lot fewer choices.

I do have to admit, I have never ventured over to turtle pond to eat.

 

[Phonedave]

That's not true at Old Key West.

I never knew that, so a stuido at OKW has 2 beds in it, not a bed and a couch?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I never knew that, so a stuido at OKW has 2 beds in it, not a bed and a couch?

That's right.

 

[correcaminos]

I last stayed there last summer (2016) so I missed the pool refresh (which it was sorely in need off) but nothing is going to change the fact that it is a small, cramped, and croweded pool area. Not unless they somehow add more land.

As for Olivia's, we tend to eat at resort restaruants quite often - I know others may do things differently, but 5 entrees is really limited, and honestly, none of them are that thrilling. When you eat there a couple of times a trip, it gets old really fast. At least somone like me, who eats anything, has a full menu to choose from. If you eliminate the tofu and seafood choices, you have a lot fewer choices.

I do have to admit, I have never ventured over to turtle pond to eat.

We were there last summer too. I thought the pool was fine, but glad they do refreshing now and then. Compared to Boardwalk and Contemporary the pool is fantastic It's not as fancy as SAB, but it's on par with Polynesian in our book

For lunch I do think 5 entrees and 6 additional sandwiches is more than plenty. There are restaurants that don't offer even that much. I only really eat poultry for a protein (intentionally avoid seafood and tofu and prefer no pork or red meat) and I do just fine there. But I get that's an opinion. Fortunately DS is close by to get more food options (just like SSR).

You should check out Turtle Shack Snacks. It's pretty good
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/old-key-west-resort/turtle-shack-poolside-snacks/menus/
and you can get pizza delivered to the rooms.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/pizza-delivery/

 

[Phonedave]

That's right.

Now I am torn, I don't know which set up I like better. When my wife and I go to F&W by ourselves, a couch in a studio is nice. However, for those years were our friends join us, making 4 in a room, it would be better for them to have a real bed.

Of course we usually don't know if our friends can join us until well after teh DVC booking window has opened, so we have to book teh room in advance.

 

[Phonedave]

We were there last summer too. I thought the pool was fine, but glad they do refreshing now and then. Compared to Boardwalk and Contemporary the pool is fantastic It's not as fancy as SAB, but it's on par with Polynesian in our book

For lunch I do think 5 entrees and 6 additional sandwiches is more than plenty. There are restaurants that don't offer even that much. I only really eat poultry for a protein (intentionally avoid seafood and tofu and prefer no pork or red meat) and I do just fine there. But I get that's an opinion. Fortunately DS is close by to get more food options (just like SSR).

You should check out Turtle Shack Snacks. It's pretty good
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/old-key-west-resort/turtle-shack-poolside-snacks/menus/
and you can get pizza delivered to the rooms.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/pizza-delivery/

I guess it all comes down to opinion, I much preferr the Boardwalk pool over the OKW pool (however BW has some very limited seating areas as well). I think SAB is a waste, and it is one of the reasons I book at BW over BC.

Lunch does have a lot of nice options, but unfortunately, we usualy do not eat lunch at a resort, but we do eat dinner at a resort pretty often - just the way we do the pakrs. I don't like places that do 100 different dishes either (I don't eat at Cheesecake Factory - bleah) but I find, after eating at Olivia's a number of times, that I am looking at the menu and seeing nothing new or interesting. However, many WDW restarunats don't seem to change their menus either, so maybe thats a common theme.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Now I am torn, I don't know which set up I like better. When my wife and I go to F&W by ourselves, a couch in a studio is nice. However, for those years were our friends join us, making 4 in a room, it would be better for them to have a real bed.

Of course we usually don't know if our friends can join us until well after teh DVC booking window has opened, so we have to book teh room in advance.

Our favorite (non-DVC) setup when it's just me and my wife is the king bed room in Jambo House. But they're very rare and there's no way to book them directly.

 

[correcaminos]

I guess it all comes down to opinion, I much preferr the Boardwalk pool over the OKW pool (however BW has some very limited seating areas as well). I think SAB is a waste, and it is one of the reasons I book at BW over BC.

Lunch does have a lot of nice options, but unfortunately, we usualy do not eat lunch at a resort, but we do eat dinner at a resort pretty often - just the way we do the pakrs. I don't like places that do 100 different dishes either (I don't eat at Cheesecake Factory - bleah) but I find, after eating at Olivia's a number of times, that I am looking at the menu and seeing nothing new or interesting. However, many WDW restarunats don't seem to change their menus either, so maybe thats a common theme.

Yep total opinion. We rarely do big meals so lunch is more our cup of tea anyway. And we're often back for early afternoon swimming so we're there anyway. We do a lot of meals in our room too.

I love the seating and service at OKWs pool though. The slides are equal for us, but the zero entry wins over BW for us. Then the sauna added in gives it a top 3 place on a list of our favorite pools. I actually dislike the main pool at BW so much we do the DVC quiet pool instead. And the CH is right there too.

I've noticed menu changes seem to be rare though they remove more than add. Or it is a minor change like grilled chicken sandwich now has ham. Or if it had it, they remove it. Not much changes often, but we also don't do a lot of large meals so we seem happy. One thing for Olivia's having an odd allergy I will say the chef is great at substituting there. Some places are nicer about it than others.

 

[Phonedave]

Yep total opinion. We rarely do big meals so lunch is more our cup of tea anyway. And we're often back for early afternoon swimming so we're there anyway. We do a lot of meals in our room too.

I love the seating and service at OKWs pool though. The slides are equal for us, but the zero entry wins over BW for us. Then the sauna added in gives it a top 3 place on a list of our favorite pools. I actually dislike the main pool at BW so much we do the DVC quiet pool instead. And the CH is right there too.

I've noticed menu changes seem to be rare though they remove more than add. Or it is a minor change like grilled chicken sandwich now has ham. Or if it had it, they remove it. Not much changes often, but we also don't do a lot of large meals so we seem happy. One thing for Olivia's having an odd allergy I will say the chef is great at substituting there. Some places are nicer about it than others.

Zero entry is no big deal for me (or more to the point, a lack of zero entry does not phase me) The DVC quiet pool at BV is really nice. If we dont have the kids with us, then the lack of a slide at the quiet pool is a non issue - and the main pool is close enough that if you want something from the bar, its a quick trip

That seems to be the WDW dining business model - tweak what you have, don't create something totally new. I did notice that about the kitchen staff in Olivia's, they are very accomidating. My wife has certain allergies as well, and they were great about answering questions or changing things around.

-dave

 

[correcaminos]

Zero entry is no big deal for me (or more to the point, a lack of zero entry does not phase me) The DVC quiet pool at BV is really nice. If we dont have the kids with us, then the lack of a slide at the quiet pool is a non issue - and the main pool is close enough that if you want something from the bar, its a quick trip

That seems to be the WDW dining business model - tweak what you have, don't create something totally new. I did notice that about the kitchen staff in Olivia's, they are very accomidating. My wife has certain allergies as well, and they were great about answering questions or changing things around.

-dave

Zero entry is becoming less of a 'must have' for the whole family, but I like it. I get cold and if the water feels too cold I can get out before getting too wet. I'm short so I appreciate the shallow ends. Now that I'm quickly becoming the shortest in the family, it's not much of an issue for others. The sauna though - wish more had them!

I agree about BW pool locations. Nice and close together for getting everything. I swear the quiet pool is no further from the bar/food at BW than SAB can be from the same options. Their bar side service was lacking in June honestly.

I know Disney is usually great about allergies, but some places stand out to me over others. We were with friends last year and the poor kid had allergies out the wazoo - they more or less created whole new dishes for him so he could eat. They were commenting how elsewhere is nice but some places like Olivia's were just out of this world. Probably shouldn't share that but most likely won't want to take a detour just to meet with a great chef and staff like that.

One thing I will say is that I appreciate the diversity of all the resorts too. All have something to offer and if you don't like it, there will be one you will enjoy!

 

[DAR1974]

It seems like this and Saratoga Springs are always the forgotten resorts on property

 

[correcaminos]

It seems like this and Saratoga Springs are always the forgotten resorts on property

Or the most trashed They are both large and condo style in build so people shy away from them. Their loss IMO because the point/cost of each is amazing.

If we opt to do Grand Floridian the same week will cost us 119 more point than it would OKW. 227 for OKW 2 bedroom and 346 for VGF. Even the treehouses would be less for the same time frame (277 total). That translates to more for those who rent too.

 

[Souvenir]

I was reading reviews of Old Key West and a few mentioned that because the property has so much untamed foliage there are more mosquitoes than at other resorts. In 11 trips to WDW I've only ever had one mosquito bite but I've never ventured to OKW. Those of you that have stayed both here and at some of the other on site resorts, did you encountered more mosquitoes here?

 

[Souvenir]

@BuddyThomas , thank you for sharing your videos. I found them very helpful. One question- I've stayed in a 1 bedroom at Boardwalk and there was a large closet off of the part of the bathroom with the tub. I didn't notice that in your video. Is there a closet like that off of the bathroom at OKW? If not, what is the closet situation?

Unrelated question, is there a place at OKW to buy bottles of alcohol? Not just beer and wine but also vodka etc? We fly so I can't bring anything along. We like to set up a little bar in the room. I get mixers and garnishes from Garden Grocer but in the past I've relied on the little overpriced bottles of hooch that are sold in the store on the Boardwalk.

 

[BuddyThomas]

@BuddyThomas , thank you for sharing your videos. I found them very helpful. One question- I've stayed in a 1 bedroom at Boardwalk and there was a large closet off of the part of the bathroom with the tub. I didn't notice that in your video. Is there a closet like that off of the bathroom at OKW? If not, what is the closet situation?

Unrelated question, is there a place at OKW to buy bottles of alcohol? Not just beer and wine but also vodka etc? We fly so I can't bring anything along. We like to set up a little bar in the room. I get mixers and garnishes from Garden Grocer but in the past I've relied on the little overpriced bottles of hooch that are sold in the store on the Boardwalk.

If I'm remembering correctly, the closet space next to the bathroom has the washer and dryer in it.

They sell alcohol at the general store next to the lobby area where you check in, but just small bottles, and they are expensive.

Have fun!