Thinking of staying at OKW

[BigRedDad]

We try to stay at a different resort each trip if possible. The last 3 trips we stayed at Wyndham Bonnet Creek (impromptu trip for $500 for a week split 3 ways), Boardwalk Villas, and Saratoga Springs. Honestly, I would have never stayed at Saratoga Springs but a deal came up that I could not refuse. It was an absolute surprise at how nice of a resort it was and how much fun we had staying there. It was truly just a vacation and not park running for 12 hours a day.

We are thinking of booking a 1BR OKW resort through a DVC renter we have used in the past. I wanted to see what others think of this resort. I know the Disney theming is very small, but we will get enough of that when we switch to AoA for a few nights either before or after OKW.

The main issue is we are single child family. We like to hit the parks hard and heavy until lunch time or a little later. We then head back to the resort pool for the pool games. This gives our daughter time to engage and play with other kids which is big for her.

 

[epcotisbest]

We try to stay at a different resort each trip if possible. The last 3 trips we stayed at Wyndham Bonnet Creek (impromptu trip for $500 for a week split 3 ways), Boardwalk Villas, and Saratoga Springs. Honestly, I would have never stayed at Saratoga Springs but a deal came up that I could not refuse. It was an absolute surprise at how nice of a resort it was and how much fun we had staying there. It was truly just a vacation and not park running for 12 hours a day.

We are thinking of booking a 1BR OKW resort through a DVC renter we have used in the past. I wanted to see what others think of this resort. I know the Disney theming is very small, but we will get enough of that when we switch to AoA for a few nights either before or after OKW.

The main issue is we are single child family. We like to hit the parks hard and heavy until lunch time or a little later. We then head back to the resort pool for the pool games. This gives our daughter time to engage and play with other kids which is big for her.

We too like staying at different resorts. OKW we loved. Nice, big units, lovely grounds, nice main pool and several quiet pools. We also enjoyed the boat ride to Disney Springs. There is nothing we did not like about OKW. It is a nice change from the over the top theming of AoA. Have stayed at both and given the choice between the two, we would take OKW again in a heartbeat.
We drive, and parking right in front of the unit was a plus. We stayed on Pennisular Road with a balcony overlooking the waterway to DS and had breakfast every morning watching the boats go by. What a great way to start the day.

 

[BigRedDad]

Thanks @epcotisbest. We are hoping some of our DVC rental people can come through with something in our budget. They have on all past trips. I may have to wait a little longer though. Some even go through their RCI exchange because it is cheaper for them and they can get me in the price I hope.

 

[epcotisbest]

Thanks @epcotisbest. We are hoping some of our DVC rental people can come through with something in our budget. They have on all past trips. I may have to wait a little longer though. Some even go through their RCI exchange because it is cheaper for them and they can get me in the price I hope.

Good luck. Hope you like it as much as we do. We also like SSR and have stayed there multiple times. SSR is sometimes easier to get than OKW.

 

[DisDadWoz]

We stayed at OKW in March for the first time. One part of the trip in a studio (Didn't like) and the other in a 2 bedroom that we loved. Less over the top Disney and more relaxing resort feel which was really nice. Keep in mind that there are only elevators in a select few buildings and ice machines are at the bus stops. (Shouldn't be a problem in a one bedroom since there is an icemaker in the fridge) We drive everywhere and it was very easy to get to any place we wanted. Pool was fun and relaxing as well but again may be a long walk from your building.

 

[BuddyThomas]

We check in to Old Key West for the first time a week from today. For online check in, can anyone tell me what area is closest to the main area (where you check in, where the restaurant is, etc). The three areas I'm being asked to choose from are:

Miller's Road Area
South Point Road Area
Old Turtle Pond Road Area

I have no clue about any of these areas and I know this place is huge, and we will not have a car. Thanks in advance!

 

[mouse_luv]

While OKW is great, with wanting to visit MK so much with your child, It'd be more ideal and time saving to stay in a DVC closer to MK.

 

[BigRedDad]

While OKW is great, with wanting to visit MK so much with your child, It'd be more ideal and time saving to stay in a DVC closer to MK.

Distance to parks for us is not an issue. From SSR, it is only a 10-15 minute drive. In my experience, it is faster than the buses at POR and AS resorts.

 

[EvilQueen-T]

We started out just staying at our favorite couple of resorts then decided since we go pretty often we should start trying others out. We're so glad we did. We've now stayed at most of them and it makes the vacation feel new/different in it's own way and we've had great experiences at all levels of their resorts so that's not an issue for us. I also travel with just my granddaughter and we do the pool mid day for the same reason. Kids just need kid time once in a while just like adults need adult time. I've never had any problems going to/from any of the resorts to do it using disney transportation or driving ourselves. We just plan for it as part of our day so we're not rushing like crazy to get back to a resort for a fp or anything like that.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

Good luck

 

[Disneyfreak Jen]

I spent a week at OKW in early October, including during Hurricane Matthew. I loved this resort!!
I went solo, stayed in a studio in Turtle Pond section. I didn't spend much time up near the main "hub" Hospitality House area and main pool because the Turtle Pond quiet pool was right next to my building, but when I was up there it seemed as there were a good amount of kids playing on the slide and stuff.

 

[md0u80a2]

This is really interesting as a thread. As I read through I realise I cant answer your question. When we are paying for the premium of disney hotels, the more I stay and ponder, the more I realise they are genius in offering so many elements to balance that there are so many choices.

So I have a list of questions to help:-

1) Will you cook?
2) Will you have a dining plan?
3) Will you have a car?
4) Do you like to have quick service / table service options on site?
5) What did you love about saratoga springs?
6) What is the financial position - is OKW an option because it prices similar to other options and if so, what options?

If you can answer, I think everyone will chip in with thoughts, but that is my list of questions when considering OKW and deciding to stay there this past summer

thanks

 

[BigRedDad]

Let me answer the best I can at this point...
1. Yes we will cook some of our meals. We always have breakfast in the room. Sometimes we share a lunch at a park then have an early dinner at the resort that we cook. Throwing $20 worth of meat on a DVC grill is awesome compared to $200 for 3 at a Disney restaurant.

2. We will never have a dining plan. The two times we have had it, I have taken home $300 worth of Mickey Rice Krispy treats that cost a grand total of $5 to make.

3. Yes, we drive there all the time now.

4. We buy a QS meal around lunch time and 3 of us nibble off it. Usually head back to the room to eat dinner or go offsite somewhere for pennies on the Disney dollar. We will eat maybe 2 TS meals at Disney.

5. SSR was a little unique. It was our 3rd trip in 7 months. We did not have to do the constant running around the parks, waiting in long lines, etc. We decided what we had to do at each park each day, do it, see what else we could get in, and then back to the resort around 1-2PM. DD then got to meet and play with other kids at the resort pool and community center for 4-5 hours. Mom and dad got to relax and just enjoy. Then we went to a park for fireworks and evening FPs or to DS to roam around.

6. OKW is an option for the back end of our trip. I am looking into it. We have 7-nights at Wyndham Bonnet Creek booked and paid for. I received a 1BR Dlx for $500 for 7 nights. We just aren't sure what we are doing the other 4 nights. With the burden of the AP purchase by January 3rd, the booking of those last 4 nights will have to wait a bit.

 

[brifraz]

You sound very similar to our family. We also have one daughter, we also hit the parks hard early in the morning and generally get back to the resort in the afternoon to relax and enjoy what the resort has to offer, we drive pretty much everywhere, our daughter greatly values the social time at the pool and community center at our resort, and we have stayed in almost every single on-site resort for at least a night or two.

And, without question, our favorite is Old Key West. It's the one we keep coming back to. We have stayed in every section of the resort and really no complaints. We MUCH prefer it to Saratoga Springs - because the buildings are smaller it seems more relaxed and even though the community area (food offerings, pool, etc) are smaller than SSR, we definitely found them to all be better.

 

[BigRedDad]

Thank you @brifraz. It difficult being an only child on trips like this. She is not old enough to split off on her own at a park. Our trips are too long to take a friend for a few more years. That social time at the resort is a great getaway.

We are still looking for a resort for our last 4 nights. SInce I will not have the money for it until February time frame, we have to wait til then to do anything.

 

[md0u80a2]

It sounds to me OKW works perfectly for you then

We think pool side entertainment daily is second to none. We thought GF was poor by comparison. The Saturday night games are really fun for little ones whilst you have a drink. The rooms are spacious and well appointed. The location is same as SSS.

The only downside is I think onsite QS and TS are limited, but they aren't really a thing for you and with the wynn Dixie 6 minute drive up the road and a full kitchen, I think you will have a great time.