Originally Posted By RoadTrip Well, we've re-scheduled the WDW vacation that had to be deferred because of my pneumonia. We will be going for 10 days in late February/early March and staying at the Old Key West resort. To be honest OKW was not my first choice, but was the only DVC resort with availability during that time. Well, Saratoga Springs was available... to quote the DVC rep... "You can ALWAYS get something at Saratoga Springs". Now that the decision has been made, both my wife and I are really looking forward to staying at a resort we've never tried. We've always liked the style and size of the OKW properties, but kept hearing about how the location was inconvenient so we never seriously considered staying there. When we had to reschedule our vacation I looked up were OKW was located, and it is right next door to Port Orleans. In fact it is CLOSER to Epcot, MGM and Animal Kingdom than POR is. So I guess I can't quite figure out why that location is inconvenient. At any rate... we are excited about our first stay at OKW and would appreciate any "inside information" you OKW veterans could provide. Things I am looking for include transportation – do you really need a car? We hate having a car at WDW. I’m also wondering if there are any locations within the resort that are particularly desirable. For the first four days of our vacation my 78 year old mother will be staying with us. My understanding is that most buildings in OKW don’t have elevators. Will we be able to specify a first (preferably) or second floor unit only? There is no way my mother could handle a three story hike up the stairs. Does the gift shop stock much resort specific merchandise? We’ve always been disappointed that the Boardwalk seemed to carry very little. This and any other information you could provide about OKW would be most appreciated!
Originally Posted By mickey_ring We've been Old Key Westers for ten years, and it has been great! The grandparents go with us, so the lack of elevators is the only negative. We just request a first floor place. To me, OKW has the best "Welcome Home" feeling of all of the DVC resorts. The store has a lot of OKW-specific items as well as plenty of groceries. Don't have a favorite building in particular, but one near a pool is nice if you want to use a BBQ. We either drive from home or rent a car, but Disney transportation has always been consistent. The end-of-day park buses back to OKW aren't jam-packed like the ones to the moderate hotels. If you do have a car, OKW is close to Epcot Center Blvd or whatever it's called. Fast access to all parks. OKW's large rooms and full size kitchens beat the @#$% out of any hotel room.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I have never stayed at OKW before but I have a few suggestions. First off I think your really going to like the resort. OKW, SS and POR all share that same Magical Express bus to/from the airport. I'm sure you know I just returned this past wednesday from a stay at POR. OKW resort looks clean and upbeat. Great design! Keep in mind that it borders major roads on two sides. Given that, I would try to get a room over by the golf course or towards the inner part of the resort ( instead of up against the edges of those roads ). Opt for the first floor. You can call Disney the resort prior to getting there to confirm your room location. I would have to say that Disney Transportation really impressed me this last trip. I don't think your going to need to rent a car. I think the longest trip from POR was 15 minutes to DAK and MK. Epcot and MGM are under a 10 minute trip. The only complaint I had about on property transportation was that there is no buses from either MGM or Epcot that will take you to Downtown Disney. We had to go back to the resort and transfer ( which took no time at all since POR was in the same vicinity as Downtown Disney ). I have to admit stay in that area was SO convient with easy transfers through Downtown Disney to the other resorts. I have never eaten at OKW so I can not report on the food. Oh and have a great time!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Trippy, Prepare to be thrilled with your choice. As an OKW member since 1994 I can honestly tell you IMHO no other DVC site has come close to the Welcome Home feeling of OKW. Yes Boardwalk has night life- but a totally different thing. Yes, you can request 1st floor, and also I can't remember the building numbers but those with elevators also have baths/showers set up to assist elderly and make things easier - extra handles etc. The main pool got an awesome slide last year -- but don't overlook the other 2 main pools - especially the one at Turtle Crawl ( look on the DVC site for a map of OKW) - it is a great pool and also has a snack shop there for pizzas/sanwhiches and drinks. If you can get a golf course view -- do so -- there are plenty of buildings with them-- and it makes the view off the patio wonderful especially first thing in the morning for coffee or late night relaxing. Prepare for the ducks in the morning looking for bread - but kids will love that !They come right up to the patio if you start feeding them. Olivia's is a gem -- Ilike it for late lunch / early dinner best -- conch chowder the best I have ever had ( even better than in real Key West ) - and crab cakes excellent. The menu is diverse -- lots of good items --known for their soups. The General store carries all kinds of DVC and OKW mechandise ( look in my closest -- like 4 different jackets - a number of different sweatshirts and t shirts -- Christmas ornaments featuring the lighthouse - and many lithographs ( framed and unframed ) of OKW -- no shortage or merchandise -- Also you can fax a food order to the general store 3 workdays ahead fo arrival and your food will be delivered to your room and put away in refirgerator etc. The prices are better than Goodings for things like milk / juice /eggs / cereal /bread -- A must do is go to the pier by the main pool area -- rent a pontoon boat for an hour and you can travel down the canals -- past the treehouses ( hang you head in shame on their condition) - then to POR and back and over to the lake at Downtown Disney. p.s. there is also a pontoon boat 'shuttle' to downtown Disney if yyou don't want to drive -- times are posted for departures and arrivals -- great for those Pleasure island nights --LOL ! What sizee unit are you getting ? The one and two bedrooms feature a nice whirlpool tub -- separate from the shower/toilet area -- and you will be amazed at the space you are going to have. They don't make em like this any more ! All units have DVD players with the TV's -- and you can borrow DVDs from the activity center. there is a nice workout room also, not huge but has all you need. On some days they have activities for the kids in the pool -- games etc -- review the activites guide they give you on check in. Depending on building , you may see the Pleasure island fireworks -- or the EPCOT fireworks --- I cannot understand how it got a bad rap for location -- if you do have a car -- MGM 5 minutes / same for Typhoon Lagoon -- EPCOT also very close -- plus at night OKW is very quiet -- great to relax and unwind -- again think balcony or patio -- golf course view at Sunset and a glass of cognac !! Enjoy my friend -- this will be a treat
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney "I cannot understand how it got a bad rap for location -- if you do have a car -- MGM 5 minutes / same for Typhoon Lagoon -- EPCOT also very close -- plus at night OKW is very quiet -- great to relax and unwind -- again think balcony or patio -- golf course view at Sunset and a glass of cognac !! Enjoy my friend -- this will be a treat" I agree. OKW is by far the best of the DVC resorts. And inconvenient? Heck, it's right in the middle of everything but still quiet and homey. As to Saratoga Springs always being available, that's not a surprise. A friend of mine stayed there over Christmas for $38 in a studio. Disney unloaded a bunch of rooms to a consolidator at that unheard of rate. OKW exudes a classy, tranquill Key West vibe (and Olivia's is a hidden gem of WDW dining), while SS exudes a ... DVC ghetto kind of vibe and is not selling well at all, despite what Disney spinmeisters will tell you.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom NEWS FLASH! I had the oportunity to ride the boat between POR and Downtown Disney and the Tree House Villas look incredible! Your not going to believe your eyes when you see them. Apparently Disney fixed them up and is allow foreign exchange students/ cast memebers to stay in them. I saw so many Brazilian flags you would think you were in Rio de Janeiro. Did Disney host an Extreme Make over of something with the Tree House Villas? After seeing them I wish I could now stay in one. Perhaps a potential DVC property, your own Tree House! The Walt Disney World property is looking incredilbe. The only evidence of hurricane damage is from the main roads especially when traveling to/ from EPCOT and MGM.
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney Disney is indeed using the Treehouses for foreign CMs and CP kids. It's a shame as they were a wonderful unique place to stay, but Disney didn't know what to do with them when they opted to replace DI with SS and can't legally rebuild on the land if they remove them due to wetlands status. I wish I could have stayed in one.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 That is great news-- as we sailed by last year -- it was like touring an area that has just had a natural disaster -- it was so sad.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Thanks for the information folks. I'm really starting to get excited about OKW. We will have a one bedroom unit for the first 5 days and a studio for the second 5 days. That means we will have the space and privacy we need while my mom is with us. We originally had a one bedroom booked for 9 days at the Boardwalk, but the points needed in late Feb/early March are considerably more than those needed for late Jan/early Feb. I’m glad to hear about the pontoon shuttle to DTD. One of the things we always really liked about Dixie Landings was the boat service to DTD. It’s great to hear we will have something comparable at OKW. It will also be nice to see the Treehouses looking nice. My brother and his wife (who was a CM) always raved about them… apparently as CM they got to stay at a Treehouse one night at a huge discount. When I saw them on the boat trips down the Sassagoula River from Dixie Landings I thought my brother must be crazy. The entire Treehouse area looked rundown and overgrown. It will be nice to see what they look like when they are looking as they should. It has been a helluva year. Between my sister’s health problems, my health problems, moving to a new home, and the uncertainty resulting from the college my wife works for being merged into another college, we’ve had about all the stress we can take for one year. A laid-back experience at OKW may be EXACTLY what we need!
Originally Posted By DeadMansChest Yeah last time I went past in a boat I saw a tree leaning agaist one of the tree house villas! I was geeking out about it. I am glad they are being used for SOMETHING.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Well, we've re-scheduled the WDW vacation that had to be deferred because of my pneumonia.<< Been too much out in the frozen tundra of MN, have we??? But kidding a side...hope you are feeling much much better by now.
Originally Posted By imtigger2 Oh man, you are going to get sooo spoiled those 1st 5 days, that you're not going to like being 'squeezed' into the Studio. My wife and I got very lucky to purchase some of the last available points at OKW and we LOVE IT there. The jacuzzi tub, the large bedroom with King bed, the very large living room with a huge kitchen... love it all! In fact, our very first year at OKW was during 09/11/01 and we were glued to the T.V. for 2 days straight, like everyone else, and we just about felt guilty for how comfortable we were there will all hell breaking loose in the U.S. at that time. It was nice during one hurricane as well, EVERYTHING was shut down and we had food in the fridge, high speed internet service, a DVD player and a jacuzzi tub. It definately didn't suck for us.
Originally Posted By dixielandings OKW is possibly the best DVC resort especially if you’re going for VACATION It is Quiet and peaceful witch is great after a day in the parks Vie stayed in the turtle pond area There I would take a late afternoon break and go to the pool and grill out some hamburgers or salmon or hotdogs And watch all the people come by and say I wish I would have thought of that ! Any way the place is great and I love the Conch Fritters
Originally Posted By TiggerPooh1973 OKW is very nice. My mother is a DVC member at Boardwalk, but the one time we went with her using her points we stayed at OKW. I thought it was a very nice resort and Olivia's was great.
