Reviews of Old Key West Resort (Disney Vacation Club)
Reviewed by buffalojoy123 Review Date: 10/25/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
I recently returned from a 5-day stay in a studio room in the Turtle Pond section of the resort. I found this resort to be very beautiful. I like the pastel gingerbread-style look of the houses. I found the transportation within the complex to be very convenient. The complex is large and the walk to the hospitality house would be lengthy, but I was able to jump on any bus and the last stop before leaving the resort was the hospitality house. Since the first bus stop was a short walk, being able to utilize the Disney buses was a plus. The studio room was larger than the rooms at the deluxe resort, I liked having a kitchenette setup and used it daily. I have stayed at many of the Disney resorts and Old Key West is by far my favorite. The only downside is that the quick service area is too small with few offerings, but if that's the only shortcoming that's OK by me.
Pros:
Beautiful landscape, quiet, internal transportationCons:
Quick service too smallReviewed by kgervas Review Date: 01/06/2015
Rating: (9) Recommended
My family & I love this resort and have been there 3 times in the last year and just booked again for this June. After telling my 8 year old granddaughter that we would be staying there again this summer she said "that's my favorite". Our ages vary from 59 down to 2 years old so all the space that this resort room offers is very much appreciated. Never been disappointed. Pool is great also. As many other resorts have more choices (pizza, snacks, etc.) at their fast food service counters we know that already so we can't complain. Maybe the next time they remodel this resort they will make those changes.
Pros:
spacious, great rooms, beautiful resortCons:
limited fast service menuReviewed by Disneyhenry Review Date: 01/28/2015
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
Did the online check in, still took almost 30 minutes to check in. From the room I called and asked where to catch the bus to the MK and was told at a bus stop, really? Must think I am stupid so I asked where the closest stop was and the reply was just come to where we checked in, the next day I found a stop one house over for ours, much closer. The bathroom floor needs a good scrubbing same with the walls.
I don't feel like I am on Disney Property, the food choices are very slim at the counter service, I guess I got spoiled to WL counter service .
Staying here mades me think twice about buying into DVC
I gave it 3 because the rooms are spacious otherwise it would have been a 2
Pros:
Spacious rooms boat to DtdCons:
Out dated bathroom, to large, counters serviceReviewed by dani0622 Review Date: 02/02/2015
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
Just returned from a 9 day stay at OKW. From the moment I checked in, I should have known it was all downhill. I'm a DVC member and this is my home resort. I booked a "studio near hospitality house" and when I had called in to wait list Boardwalk seven months earlier, the cast member downgraded my room to just a "studio" (unbeknownst to me). After spending an hour at checkout trying to figure out what happened, we finally got to go to our room, which was about as far away from the hospitality house as possible. They offered to move us the next day (to the complete opposite side, no more convenient) but we stayed.
This place is just so big. Being in the Turtle Pond section felt like miles away from the main area. Getting refillable mugs were a waste since I like to have my tea in the AM and the refillable mug station behind the bar at the pool quick service didn't open until 11 daily. It also closed at 5 daily and some days even earlier. The bus was a good walk away and then it had multiple stops within resort.
I also felt that I just wasn't in Disney like I have at other resorts on property. It very much reminded me of my grandmother's retirement community in Boca Raton. Very lifeless. Pretty, serene, but dull. Rooms were spacious though. No elevators so after a long day at the parks, it stunk to have to carry a kid, diaper bag and stroller up two flights of stairs. My saving grace was that we were on the second and not third floor.
I'm sure I'd have a different opinion if I were near hospitality house which was lively. In the future, I'll not be returning here. In fact, I've already looked into selling my points. The goal is to have a home resort I would be happier at.
Pros:
Beautiful grounds, spacious roomsCons:
Doesn't feel like Disney, too bigReviewed by McHughs Review Date: 05/22/2015
Rating: (2) Not Recommended
We have been DVC members for 20 years with Old Key West as our home resort. We have loved the ambiance and have always received wonderful treatment until our recent visit of May 5 thru May 14, 2015.
My husband and I have limited mobility. we do not need a handicapped accessible room. My husband uses a cane and I cannot walk long distances due to complications from chemotherapy. We have always requested a first floor room near transportation and our requests have been met....until this time.
Our 1 bedroom villa was not ready when we arrived so we went to the check-in desk. I had already done the online check in. They said they would text when the villa was ready. I asked what building we would be in and I was told Building 15. Building 15 is no where near a bus stop and when showing the cast member the map, she assured me that it was. Being here for 20 years I knew she was wrong and she would not agree or listen to me.
I received the text about 3:45 that our villa was ready and the text said it was near the Hospitality House. Building 15 is no where near the Hospitality House. We got to the villa and we knew that we could not walk to either the Hospitality House bus stop or the Millers Road bus stop. I made many calls asking for help. The only "solution" they could give me was to stay in this villa for 2 days and then they could move us. However, we would have to check out of the first villa at 8 am and could not check into the new villa until 5 pm. We would have to pack everything up, including our food and then unpack everything in the new villa. We chose to stay in Building 15.
One morning I called bell services to see if they could take us to a bus stop. I was told no. So being there for 10 days, and due to our limited mobility, we were only able to go to a park 1 day. Very disappointing and no magic at all.
One other problem is parking. Cast members are allowed to park in the guest parking spaces in the buildings. We have friends visit and they had no where to park. I asked about this problem and was told that cast members can park in the guest parking areas and my friends could find other parking areas and walk to our Building.
This has been our home resort for 20 years. I am totally disappointed in the manner in which we were treated this trip.
Our Villa was acceptable, except the location, but the bathroom and laundry room really need a good over-haul.
I never thought I would be writing a negative report about Old Key West, but "The Disney Way" is no longer present at this resort. It is very very sad.
Pros:
Quiet resortCons:
Not accomadating nor helpful to problemsReviewed by MouseDaddy Review Date: 05/30/2015
Rating: (8) Recommended
We (two families of four each) enjoyed a short (4/1-4/4) stay here in a 3 br villa, Room 4923...about as far away as you can get from the Hospitality House. Not DVC members but have stayed at several WDW resorts. We found OKW to be charming. Loved the overall theming of the buildings & grounds. We enjoyed the quiet while sitting on our balcony. And we could watch golfers tee off directly behind our bldg.
It is a large resort but we had a car that we used to get back & forth to the pool/HH. And we took buses several times without much more than a 10 min wait, although a lot of stops on the way to the front of the resort. I agree with others re: lack of parking. But I've found similar situations with other resorts, notably Saratoga Springs, that have limited parking around the main building. I was usually able to find something in the lot near HH but found open spots near bldgs 11, 12, or 13 as well.
We found the staff to be up to the usual Disney standards...polite, welcoming and friendly.
Pool area was nice but due to the size of the resort we found it helped to get there early if you wanted a primo spot.
One issue we questioned...we took our refillable mugs to the Turtle Shack snack bar one early evening and were disappointed to see it closed at 5pm. I would have expected the one food/drink station on the far side of this resort to open longer to accommodate guests who are located so far from HH.
Another concern...the furniture in our villa was in a bit of distress. Cabinets/armoires/dressers all seemed worn in both bedrooms and living room. HUGELY spacious room, though. Our 3 br suite measured nearly 2400 sq. ft.
We're a Yacht & Beach Club family but we enjoyed our stay at OKW and would hesitate to stay here again if the opportunity arose.
Pros:
Spacious rooms; quiet resort; beautiful groundsCons:
Furniture a bit worn; bathrooms could use upgradeReviewed by paulames19 Review Date: 06/25/2015
Rating: (9) Recommended
We stayed here for 8 days in Jun 15 with 7 adults in a two-bedroom villa. We requested a room in the Turtle Pond area and our request was granted. We loved the room location as we were a short distance from the pool and snack shack and just a short walk to the bus stop. We did have a car so were able to drive up to the main location for morning coffee and essentials. Our villa was impeccably cleaned each day (we are not DVC). We loved the quiet location and the quietness of the smaller pool at Turtle Pond, especially at night. We did not even go up to the larger pool. If we didn't have a car, is was quite a long walk to the main area from where we were located.
If you are looking for a large room to accommodate a large family or families and a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the parks, then Old Key West is for you. If you want to be close to all the action and will be upset if you don't get a room close to the main area, then you should probably pick something else.
Pros:
Size of room, quiet ambiance, housekeeping staffCons:
Distance of rooms from main houseReviewed by rudolphfamily Review Date: 08/13/2015
Rating: (10) Recommended
We checked in July 23, received a villa near hospitality house. Everything was great. Two nights was not enough here! Loved Olivia's. Villas are so spacious compared to other dvc. We will be back.
Pros:
Spacious villasCons:
NoneReviewed by toolmanjan Review Date: 11/25/2015
Rating: (10) Recommended
We stayed at OKW 11/17-11/21
As in the past OKW did not disappoint. Our room was close to the main pool on Peninsular Rd. The room was clean and well maintained. It appeared to have new flooring and paint.
We ate at Olivia’s three times. The food and service was outstanding each time.
We stopped at the Gurgling Suitcase twice. The first time in the evening after the parks closed the crowd there was quite obnoxious. Our midafternoon visit was much calmer. Service was great both times.
We used the boat launch to Disney Springs twice. With all of the construction and lack of parking close to the market place the boat transportation is your best bet. The launch drops you right in the middle of DS right next to the Hanger Bar and a few steps from the Boathouse.
Bus Transportation was convenient and timely as always.
Pros:
Quiet, RelaxingCons:
noneReviewed by matt6816 Review Date: 12/14/2015
Rating: (6) Recommended
OKW is our favorite resort and it is large so I did not understand when I was assigned to a second floor room when I requested a first floor room. I have rheumatoid arthritis and a reconstructed right knee so the walk up and down stairs is very painful. When I called to be moved I was told that requests are not guaranteed. When I told them I had medical reasons for the switch, they offered to have us move on 12/8. We moved into our room on 12/5 and were leaving on 12/11. I told them it made no sense to disturb my family so I dealt with the disrespect so I would not have to disturb my family. It just seems that Disney Corporation knows you will return because you are DVC so little interest it considered in requests.
