We've lined up some Old Key West super fans to talk rooms. Everything from studios to grand villas. We'll discuss elevator options, a pro tip about buildings that do not allow passage to the master bathroom via the laundry room, and everything you need to know before you book a room at Old Key West. Tune in to hear the favorite room requests. Episode 167.
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For more room information, please see our DVC Resort Wiki at: https://mydvcpoints.com/resorts/old-key-west
Pro of Staying in OKW Rooms: Pros: The 531 total villas make this a huge resort. Rooms were refurbished over 2-years from 2017 to 2019; Large-scale “hard goods” refurbishment which occurs about every 14 years. Disney Vacation Club’s current refurbishment schedule calls for a lighter “soft goods” update after 7 years; more modern with a flat-screen TV and new soft goods. stainless steel appliances, soft colors like greens/blues like the ocean; if room size is a big deal for you, then Old Key West Resort could be the resort for you – it is a rare bird. If you like quiet, you’ll really like OKW. Somewhat isolated from the rest of WDW. Con: Some people find the theme boring and bland since “you’re already in FL, why do you want a Florida-themed resort?” The resort does not have immediate access to a theme park and Disney Springs is a 25-30 minute walk or boat ride.
Layout of resort
- Out buildings; Villa style where you can park right in front of your villa; huge decks with dining table and chairs, some with golf course views; There are 49 three story villas. Rental car friendly resort – drive up to your villa – makes the move in quick!
Notes on Room types
- Some of the largest villas of all the DVC resorts (largest for 1 BR & 2 BR) and they have 3 BR units (some like BC do not); Poly/Riviera studio is a little larger at over 400 SF.
- No picking of view (standard/preferred). When you book it says: Views of Water, Woodlands or Fairways.
- You can request area and they often fulfill the request (i.e., Turtle Pond area, South Point Road). You can also request specific room and building numbers. You can request ground floor (and you should indicate if somebody in your party cannot climb stairs).
- Studio 390 SF = studios are noticeably bigger than the studio rooms in any other Disney Vacation Club resort; has two queen beds; pro if you do not like the pull out couch; some people do not like where the TV is located – hard to see, and layout of the room seems odd to some people because the fridge/microwave is on the way to the bathroom area. Starting at 9 points per night (Sunday-Thurs in early Sept for 2021 point charts!)
- Laundry facilities are near all the pools, including the main pool at the Hospitality House. Guests who wish to be within easy walking distance to a laundry room should request a villa near a swimming pool (i.e. near Turtle Pond pool).
- 1 BR 942 SF = Only DVC with over 900 SF in a one bedroom villa; sleeps 5; bonus is the full-size washer & dryer (not stackable) and there is a chair sleeper sofa for that 5th person – not a pull down dresser like newer DVCs; pull out sofa – some people prefer more modern/sleek murphy beds (supposedly more comfortable than a pull out couch); rooms from 21 points per night
- 2BR 1,395 SF = Only DVC with over 1,300 SF in a two bedroom villa;the size of a small condo! sleeps 9 – 1 king-size bed, 2 queen-size beds, 1 queen-size sleeper sofa, 1 sleeper chair; two bedroom lock-off option or 2 bedroom option or 2 bedroom near hospitality house option – all options sleep 9 people; from 28 points per night.
- Grand Villa – 3 bedroom – 2 floors, sleeps 12, SF = 2,375 – two floors – huge! High ceilings! Point chart friendly! Large dining table, good for entertaining/family dinners; 1-King Bed, 2-Queen Beds, 2-Double Beds in third bedroom, 1-Queen Sleep Sofa; from 46 points per night (compare that to CC cabin or poly bungalow – a real bargain): 4th largest grand villa – Grand Flo is 2800 SF.
- Miller's Road buildings 15, 16, 19, 22, and 63 have Grand Villas. Peninsular Road buildings 25 and 29 have Grand Villas. Turtle Pond Road building 43 has a Grand Villa. and South Point buildings 48, 49, 51, and 53 have Grand Villas.
Booking Categories:
- Near Hospitality House: Basically close to the restaurants and main pool, plus the community hall
- The main amenities are located near the Hospitality House, and these include Conch Flats General Store, Olivia's Cafe, the Sandcastle Pool, the Conch Flats Community Hall, and more. The closest buildings to this central area are buildings 11, 12, 13, 14, and 62.
- The only buildings with elevators are 62, 63, and 64, all in the Miller's Road area.
- There is an oddity in the “Near Hospitality House” booking category. Near Hospitality House includes builds 11-14 & 23-26. Building 62 is closer on the map but is not included in this category.
- Other areas: In some of the 2-Bedroom Lock-Offs, Disney added a door in the laundry room for accessing the master bath. This was done for when the 1-Bedroom side of a 2-Bedroom Lockoff was used without the Studio bedroom. This is for guests that may need to use the bathroom (while sleeping on the queen sleeper sofa) so they wouldn’t have to go through the master bedroom and disturb anyone.
DVC Point Value
- Rooms starting at just 9 points per night – cheap!!! Grand villas at 46/night – good deal – even if it is early Sept! For comparison a TOWER STUDIO that sleeps 2 at Riviera is more points starting at 11 points/night Sun/Thurs vs. the 9 points for Studio
- Lowest DVC Point Cost second only to AKV Value Rooms, and some seasons at Disney’s Boardwalk for same type of room
- Largest rooms at WDW in DVC resorts – “they don’t make ‘em like that anymore” – probably not cost effective for Disney for future DVC resorts
- 2021 DVC Dues $8.36 per point.
Additional Notes from Caitlin:
- Aunt bought into DVC early 95 at OKW
- First OKW stay was a grand villa in November 95, love at first sight (especially for a 9-year-old)
- Primarily stay in grand villas, but have stayed in 2-bedrooms
- Love the grand villas for their size, but also for big family trips, which is our norm (often we would have multiple villas); great for having family dinners and hanging out together, especially during those stormy afternoons
- Husband and I bought into DVC ourselves in August 2018, direct at OKW for extended contract
- Turtle Pond is favorite location for a more low-key, relaxed stay. Quiet and easy to unwind, plus the Turtle Pond area pool has the Turtle Shack.
- Last stay was in November 2019, refurbed Grand villa in building 16, near hospitality house but not part of the booking category. Great location for a more active trip.
Additional Notes From Andrew:
- Bought DVC in January 2008 at AKV
- First DVC stay was a OKW in 2-Bedroom with In-Laws
- Wondered why we didn’t buy OKW in the first place
- Bought 260 point contract for OKW resale in January 2011 just before the DVC perk change to not use points on non-DVC transfers.
- Used DVC at OKW for many large or longer trips
- Used Studios to bookend DCL Cruises over the years. Yes, Andrew has stayed in more flophouses than any other room.
- As mentioned in Live sub: Grand Villas, we used the Grand Villa at OKW for large gatherings during the holidays in 2018. 12+ people for dinner. Lots of space and a larger kitchen made it really easy.
- Love being able to park right in front of the buildings. We drive to WDW most of the time so this is the best for us. Property built to be just like your own condo.
- Love the quiet of the property
- Love the boats to Disney Springs
- Love the main pool with the sand castle slide. One of the fastest slides on Disney Property. Really wish they would rebuild the bridge that used to be in the middle of the pool. Termites eating it up as I recall, was the reason it was removed. The bridge was the ONLY shade in the pool midday.
- The Poolside activities are great for the kids. Still have some of the Tie-Die shirts
- The kids play areas behind the sandcastle slide are good. We never really used them but have heard good things.
- The community house is good with lots of activities for the kids located between the counter service window and the gym. This is a great place for the whole family on really hot afternoons.
- Good’s Food To Go is the counter service window near the pool. Great for lunch and snacks. Always receive good food and service here. It gets really busy at lunch.
- There is the Turtle Shack. We haven’t been there.
- The weight room/gym is really good and we have used it a few times in the past
- There are good showers in the restrooms next to the gym.
- If you have a late departure on your last day you can check you luggage at the front desk, then jump in the pool for the day and use the showers to clean up before heading to the airport.
- The General Store is great. We have found lots of DVC only merchandise there that we have not found at any other Disney location.
- #1 – Olivia’s Restaurant. NEVER had a bad meal or bad service at Olivia’s
- So many activities that we have not taken advantage of.
- Fire pit
- Movie night
- Walk to Disney Springs. Yes you can walk to Disney Springs. Via a path behind the pool and through the golf course and parking lots
- Gurgling Suitcase Bar
This episode was produced by Sandy Symianick. Show notes by Sandy and today's cast. Audio editing by David Kluver. Audio mastering by Chad Pennycuff.
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