Old Key West Resort

mickster68 · Post by **mickster68** » Jun Mon 16, 2008 1:53 pm

Hi guys! Jeez, it's been a long while since I've posted

I recently tried to change our week at Beach Club Villas to the Boardwalk, but there wasn't a 2 bedroom available during that time. Instead, I opted to switch over to OKW (mainly because I wanted to be sure we had accommodations for the full 8 nights we want. We only had enough points for 6 nts at Beach Club). We were put on a wait list for Boardwalk.
The more I'm reading about OKW, though, the more I'm getting excited about staying there. Honestly, I would never have considered staying there--mainly because of convenience, relation to the parks and such.
So, has anyone stayed here before? Can you share your experience/thoughts on the resort?
My husband is luke warm to the idea of staying here, since it has mixed reviews. I like the idea of it having some of the largest rooms on property, and it seems a bit more laid back than Boardwalk, too.
Would love to hear your thoughts!

SimonTemplar · Post by **SimonTemplar** » Jun Mon 16, 2008 3:06 pm

It can't be beat from a "relaxing, out of the way" type of resort. Much calmer and laid back than BW, and you can catch a boat to DTD which is great. You're right in saying that it's not as convenient to other parks, resorts, etc. but some like it because of that.

We found the resort well-themed with good sized accommodations, and would recommend it. Have a great time!!

stev02 · Post by **stev02** » Jun Mon 16, 2008 3:07 pm

I stay there every year. I love it so much and I guarantee you'll enjoy it too.

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Jun Mon 16, 2008 3:33 pm

We've been staying there since before they decided to call it Old Key West. (only in the past two visits we've started broadening our horizons). It's one of the more secluded resorts, which fits the theme anyway. (As long as you don't get a room near the road. You almost forget you're in WDW at this resort and feel as if you're on a "lazy" vacation instead. For some reason it never feels as crowded as the other resorts and when you're walking around you feel like you're the only one there.

The rooms are also different from any other resort on property in terms of layout. They're not the typicical "box-shpaed" rooms. They feel more like condos. Even the studio is a V-shape than a rectangle. (I think the studios are also bigger than any other studio by quite a few feet). They feel really "home-y" to me, but maybe it's just me.

The resort itself is small and you could probably walk to the Hospitality House in under 15 minutes from anywhere in the resort. The roads are also smaller compared to the other "condo" style resorts. Only the best bus drivers service OKW

. It's got one of the craziest bus routes ever... they learned their lesson for the later resorts. I guess the small streets matches the Key West theme though.

The location isn't as ideal as the beach club because you'll have to take buses everywhere. In the last few years we've stayed at OKW (probably starting around 2000) the buses in OKW have had terrible timing issues.

The people who stay at OKW, for the most part ALWAYS stay at OKW, and it doesn't get many "outside" people. It's my dad's favorite, but ever since staying at the yacht club it's been a toss-up for me: Location versus experience. I love the nostalgic feeling of the place. It's probably one of the only resorts with an in-depth backstory. I'd say it's the equivilent of a tropical Main Street USA. I guess a lot of people wouldn't consider it heavily themed, especially locals, but for us northerners, it's a real treat.

Basically this is Disney's quiet resort.

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Jun Mon 16, 2008 8:48 pm

The resort does seem very tiny, and a bit backwards at times with their layout. To me it seems out of the way from things (although it's near DD), but people do like that idea. You can definitely walk from the furthest room to the Hospitality House in under 15 minutes.

Each area has its own pool, so you don't necessarily need to go to the main pool for a swim. If you're staying on Old Turtle Pond Rd., then you have the Turtle Shack- which is a small quick service stand. There's also laundry service area by the pools. Each area also has it own bus stop, and there you have the vending and ice machines. Pool areas also have a playground, and bbq areas.

The quick service and sit-down restaurant, gift shop, check-in, mini-bar, marina, Community Hall, vehicle rental and fitness center are all within the same area. This is convenient, but since they are all close together, it can get quite busy and cramped near the lobby, especially with the Disney's Magical Express, Bell Service, and Resort Airline Check-in right there as well.

Even if you aren't staying near the Hospitality House, a ride back up to there is just a short ride away, because all buses stop there before leaving the resort to the theme parks.

One other drawback is that only a few buildings have elevators. The rest of them just have stairs, but you can call for assistance for your luggage.

Others have mentioned that you can take a water taxi from OKW to Downtown Disney. It makes a stop at Saratoga Springs first. You can also walk from OKW to Saratoga by taking the walking path which follows that same waterway, and you can view what used to be the Treehouses.

Initial parking at Check-in is a little troublesome. The parking lot is tiny and fills up fast, so you might have to walk an extra minute or two to the Hospitality House. But then when you get your rooms, you will be driving right up to the building.

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Jun Tue 17, 2008 1:44 am

You can also walk from OKW to Saratoga by taking the walking path which follows that same waterway, and you can view what used to be the Treehouses.

Thanks for this info. That's one area I didn't get to explore as much as I wanted to on my recent trip, although the security person was extraordinarily helpful and told me of a great shortcut from OKW to Port Orleans.

stev02 · Post by **stev02** » Jun Tue 17, 2008 8:08 am

I love playing shuffle board when I'm there. Riding the bikes around the resort is a nice way to spend an afternoon if you're not going to the parks.

mickster68 · Post by **mickster68** » Jun Tue 17, 2008 11:45 am

Thanks for all the great info! There are a few drawbacks, but all in all, I think they're minor. I did read about only the newer buildings having elevators. They also happen to be the ones closest to the Hospitality House. Not sure what's best--to be more secluded or closer to all the 'action'!
We'll have our car this time, so that may be an issue, but from what you're saying, you can actually park right at your building (?) That's great.
I'm really thinking this is the place for us

stev02 · Post by **stev02** » Jun Tue 17, 2008 2:19 pm

Yes, you can park right next to your door.

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Jun Sat 28, 2008 6:20 pm

I was just there and managed to walk from the Marketplace to Saratoga (through the small, but nice nature area) all the way to OKW.

I wasn't able to get anywhere near the Treehouse area (which is all under construction). The bridge on the walking path was fenced off and the entrance to the Treehouse area from the main road was all torn up. If past experience is any measure, I might have been able to talk my way through the front gate, but it was pouring rain and I didn't have the time to wait out the storm.

I assume that things are mostly torn down by now anyway, but I wasn't able to take the boat ride and see exactly what's going on.

I did get to see more of OKW by coming in from the path. There was an interesting canal lock to examine and walk over, so that was a nice bonus. Cos, y'know, I'm a nerd.

Also it's worth mentioning how incredibly pleasant it is to walk from Downtown Disney (which I find extremely distasteful, noisy, and generally awful) to the Saratoga nature walk, where I immediately saw mallards, bunnies, ibises, coots, squirrels, as well as the pelicans, anhingas, and cormorants around the big lake.

The transition is so abrupt, it dropped my Grumpy Meter to zero almost instantly.

Later, I also saw a really cool, huge (and slightly frightening) softshell turtle in a smaller lake in Saratoga, but he ran away before I could get really close to him.

Brian845 · Post by **Brian845** » Jul Tue 01, 2008 1:56 pm

We stayed at OKW at the end of April and it was really quite comfortable. There were 10 of us this trip, and we stayed in a 3 bedroom villa. From what I understand, the rooms at OKW are a bit bigger than some of the newer resorts. Housekeeping was great (we are not DVC members), and having laundry facilities in the room was really handy.

We spent most of our time at the parks, but we did spend an afternoon around the resort, and enjoyed one of the quiet pools near our villa. The resort is big, but you can travel from your room to the main house using any of the buses (the last stop is always the main house), and then get a ride back to your room on the downtown disney bus (its first stop is the main house, and also the last...make sure it's the first stop!). You can also walk to the Peninsular road bus stop from the main house, and pickup a bus to the satellite locations. We also took the boat to downtown disney one evening, which was nice and relaxing. We never had any problems with bus transportation, they always arrived within 15 minutes or so.

One nice thing about it is that since it's an older resort, all the trees are fairly mature which provides some nice shade, especially in some of the parking lots.

It's definitely a beautiful resort if you want to relax, I would have no hesitations about staying there again.

HakuOni · Post by **HakuOni** » Jul Tue 01, 2008 4:38 pm

sounds interesting maybe i will look into it more and book a room for the week. who knows? maybe i will find some subsonic listeners.

Hava magical day every1!

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Jul Tue 01, 2008 7:21 pm

Brian845 wrote:...you can travel from your room to the main house using any of the buses (the last stop is always the main house), and then get a ride back to your room on the downtown disney bus (its first stop is the main house, and also the last...make sure it's the first stop!).

That reminds me of something...at the OKW, I saw a bus that said something like "Inter Resort Shuttle". I just barely caught a glimpse of it. Is that the one that just goes around OKW (maybe "internal"?) or does it really go directly from OKW to other resorts?

That sounded too good to be true, so I'm guessing I saw the bus on the route you described.

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Jul Fri 04, 2008 6:35 am

Captain Schnemo wrote:
Brian845 wrote:...you can travel from your room to the main house using any of the buses (the last stop is always the main house), and then get a ride back to your room on the downtown disney bus (its first stop is the main house, and also the last...make sure it's the first stop!).
That reminds me of something...at the OKW, I saw a bus that said something like "Inter Resort Shuttle". I just barely caught a glimpse of it. Is that the one that just goes around OKW (maybe "internal"?) or does it really go directly from OKW to other resorts?

That sounded too good to be true, so I'm guessing I saw the bus on the route you described.

The Internal Resort Shuttle is just a bus that travels throughout OKW. Like say, you're at the Hospitality House and just want to go back to your room, or if you just checked in, and you don't have any bags, and the wait for a bellman is long.

It's actually the Downtown Disney bus, returning from Typhoon Lagoon. It's supposed to change the marquee as soon as it arrives and will stop over at North Cove first and make the circuit around the resort until it leaves for Downtwn Disney again.

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Jul Fri 04, 2008 7:30 am

Ah, OK, I figured it was the thing Brian was talking about.

Oh well, mystery solved. Thanks.