Disney`s Old Key West Resort

[gmarine]

After hours & hours of trying to get a (clean) unit
We were able to get something nice & acceptable

It is not perfect.. but comfortable
Not as nice as HGVC or Marriotts

The Clean Up People that work in the Timeshare
and Hotel Industries - just do a quick hit & miss

Disney OKW is very dated and reminds me of
something from the 1950`s - Blond Furniture
Furnishing should be on The Antique Road Show
The Keno Brothers would love this furniture

We had a new Air Cond - Furnace Filter Replaced

We asked for a cleaner coffee pot and they sent us
a Brand New Sunbeam 12 Cup Coffee Marker today

Benefits:
Full Size Washer and Dryer in Private Laundry Room
Full Size Spacious Room
Parking Right outside the unit

Dean: We do not Grill and would prefer
not to be near a Bar - B - Q Grill...

I personally would have liked to stay at:
Disney Vacation Club at Sarasoga Springs
but only Old Key West was available when
I booked this - It is an II Exchange

We are Disney Vacation Club Owners....

No problems in those photos.

Your comment about the furnishings looking antique could have something to do with the theme of the resort being Key West at the turn of the century. Just a thought.

Any resort can have maintenance issues. But to first complain about the unit you requested, then that the area UNDER the sofa is dirty, then dirty carpet and then to top it all off, complain about ants OUTSIDE on the patio. This is Florida. Ants are outside everywhere.

Then your coffee maker wasnt clean enough.

Add them all up and I see someone who appears to be looking for things to complain about.

 

[Carl D]

Disney OKW is very dated and reminds me of
something from the 1950`s - Blond Furniture
Furnishing should be on The Antique Road Show
The Keno Brothers would love this furniture

Marty, as with Wilderness Lodge, this is a themed resort. The furnishings are not dated, but rather they are designed to look this way-- Same as the furnishings you didn't like at Villas at Wilderness Lodge.

We had a new Air Cond - Furnace Filter Replaced

Marty, just curious- I wouldn't even think of checking this out while on vacation, yet this is consistently one of your complaints at several different timeshares.
Is there something I should know about these things?

 

[Miss Marty]

Happy Valentines Day from Disney Old Key West


February 14, 2006 - Temp 46 degrees at 9:30 AM

It is a Sunny and Chilly Morning here at WDW in Orlando

 

[Miss Marty]

Black Top

Disney OKW resort road crew
is working on Peninsular Road
across from the Pool (Black Topping)
Your Disney Maint. Fees at Work.....

 

[dianeschlicht]

Glad to hear our maintenance fees are at work. In over 20 stays, I have never had anything CLOSE to what you are complaining about at OKW. Only once did we get a unit that was in less than stellar condition, and that time we were told it was being taken out for refurbishment after our trip.

Your first mistake was not accepting the building 56 location. BTW, we don't particularily like the end units at most of the OKW buildings, because they are lock offs. The 2 bedroom units in the center of the buildings are dedicates and have a lot more storage space. Buildings 56 and 55 are possibly the best views you will get at OKW, and very quiet relaxing buildings. If I were to rate my favorite OKW buildings in order of preference they would be:
55, 46, 13, 21, 56, 52, and 16
buildings I like to stay away from:
29, 11, 19, 63.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Oops. I forgot to mention about the "decor". OKW is themed to Floridian Key West from about 1900. It is meant to look eclectic and shabby chic. The colors are typical of Key West at that time. I find it odd that you mentioned nothing about the fantastic master bath at OKW or the huge in-room laundry and living room. I also don't think the balcony can be beat! It is truly like another room.

I also don't think you can honestly say your check-in took 5 hours. What took 5 hours was for you to be satisfied.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We had a new Air Cond - Furnace Filter Replaced

Okay, I have to ask how you knew this information? The furnace is not accessible (behind a locked door) and the AC units are in a bank of units outside for the whole building. Not sure how you would determin which went to which unit.

 

[spiceycat]

oh dear and I though you would love OKW.....

so sorry!

If it helps I have only have uncleaned room 7 out of over 75 times....

although most of those rooms were in recent visit.....

I sure hope your next trip is better.

remember VWL and BCV were designed to look old.

OKW was also - but not as much as they were....

I didn't feel comfort at SSR - it is just too fancy for my taste.

but that is what makes life enjoyable - everyone has different taste!!!

 

[cdziuba]

We have 2 upcoming stays at Old Key West, and our previous stays have been just wonderful. I do have one major complaint, though, and I complain about it every time.....We have to leave at the end of the vacation!

 

[moonlightgraham]

AC Filters, etc.,

Didn't Marty lead the thread awhile back about routinely asking for ac filters at every timeshare? I seem to recall also in the discussion something about using latex gloves to disinfect door knobs, faucets, etc.. The list went on and on. Timeshare or operating room? You make the call!
Tom

 

[Carl D]

You make the call!
Tom

Yes, I made the call.

 

[Vodo]

I think Marty's concerns are legitimate. She didn't complain about a few ants on the balcony -- it was ant mounds. And the thick lining of dirt under the sofa wasn't merely a thin layer of dust. For what DVC units cost and with the surcharge they get by with piling on top of the exchange fee, I would expect beyond-stellar conditions.

I know I'm at risk of igniting the Disney "Magic" debate again (an argument I've always steered clear of because of the zealous passions of DVC fans), but for my vacation dollars, I'll continue to stay off-property in much, much larger units for much, much less money and be perfectly happy in doing so. Unless the ant mounds and dust bunnies are "magical" too.

Cindy

 

[Miss Marty]

Disney

Window Treatments

OKW - Living Room and Dining Room
Have heavy wooden blinds and no curtains
3 sets - hang from up near the ceiling to the floor
5 sets - hang from up near the ceiling to about 3 ft from the floor
I personally do not like the heavy blinds - Too hard to pull up & down

The Master Bedroom and Guest Bedroom
have two windows with blinds and curtains

Most of the windows are stuck closed and the
one or two that open - Do Not Have Screens..

How does anyone get fresh air in on a nice night

The Master Bath is nice with a Jacuzzi and Sink
It needs one more door to keep the moisture out
of the Master Bedroom
When you close the door to the bedroom
The moisture gets into the bedroom and also
into the master bedroom closet..

The Separate Laundry Room with its huge GE
Full Size Washer and Dryer are an added plus.
The Townhouses at Powhatan Plantation have
the same Washer and Dryer in a separate LR.

The filter for the A/C and Furnace is located by the
Laundry Room and is something everyone has in
his or her house.. We always request a new one..
We tip the person when they come out and put it
in. That way we know the filter is clean

You can tell when they are dirty by looking at the
cool air return grates..

When we stayed at the Marriott in Hilton Head
They have filters that can be washed and cleaned
That why they do not have the added expense of
buying filters.. Filters only cost about a dollar each
but you would be surprised at how many nice places
we have stayed at where the filters were dirty..

As for Disney Vacation Club... Resorts
If I were to come back and stay - I would pick
Saratoga Springs for the Upscale Decor
It looks like it is really going to be a huge t/s

Old Key West has the nicest DVC grounds
It takes getting use to the OKW furnishings

Our unit here is nice but we have stayed in better..
It most have been really nice when it was first built

Being on Disney World property
is sort of like being in Manhattan
Nothing but Buses everywhere...

 

[Miss Marty]

Valentine Day Dinner at Olivia`s Restaurant at OKW

Tonight we went to Olivia`s Restaurant at OKW for the first time
It was around 6 or 7 PM and the restaurant was fairly crowded

Valentine Day Dinner

Appetizers
We each had an order of Lump Crab Cakes with
Sweet Corn Mashed Potatoes and Key Lime Mustard Sauce
Very attractive presentation and very good crab cakes

Soups and Salads
I am not sure what the soup of the day was but it was not
something we normally eat. So each of us had a Fresh Salad
Bill had a Mixed Green Salad tossed in Raspberry Vinaigrette
with a few Cherry Tomatoes, (not slices) spicy Pecans and
Sweet Potatoe Curls - I had the Caesar Salad without dressing

Entrees

We each had The 12 oz Slow-Roasted Prime Rib with Nautural Juices
One was tender and one was just ok - Mashed Potatoes and Veggies
(Bill had cole slaw & I had corn & green beans) Hot Bread and Butter

Desert

Bill ordered Cheese Cake and I ordered Regular Cake
We had them put them in a container & will eat them later

Beverages
Bill had coffee and I had coca cola ..

The Interior of Olivias Restaurant is nice looking - Yet
It is not fancy - Not even a "table cloth" on the table
Just Green Cloth Napkins & a few extra paper napkins

It was one of our most expensive Valentine Day Dinners
we ever had.. The bill for two (2) was a little over $100


Will try to go back one day soon for Breakfast or Lunch

 

[dianeschlicht]

We love the food at Olivia's, but it is really meant to be just a nice casual dining spot, and not a white table cloth type restaurant. For that you would have to go to Artists Point at Wilderness Lodge, or Victoria and Albert's at the Grand Floridian.

 

[gmarine]

Window Treatments

OKW - Living Room and Dining Room
Have heavy wooden blinds and no curtains
3 sets - hang from up near the ceiling to the floor
5 sets - hang from up near the ceiling to about 3 ft from the floor
I personally do not like the heavy blinds - Too hard to pull up & down

The Master Bedroom and Guest Bedroom
have two windows with blinds and curtains

Most of the windows are stuck closed and the
one or two that open - Do Not Have Screens..

How does anyone get fresh air in on a nice night

The Master Bath is nice with a Jacuzzi and Sink
It needs one more door to keep the moisture out
of the Master Bedroom
When you close the door to the bedroom
The moisture gets into the bedroom and also
into the master bedroom closet..

The Separate Laundry Room with its huge GE
Full Size Washer and Dryer are an added plus.
The Townhouses at Powhatan Plantation have
the same Washer and Dryer in a separate LR.

The filter for the A/C and Furnace is located by the
Laundry Room and is something everyone has in
his or her house.. We always request a new one..
We tip the person when they come out and put it
in. That way we know the filter is clean

You can tell when they are dirty by looking at the
cool air return grates..

When we stayed at the Marriott in Hilton Head
They have filters that can be washed and cleaned
That why they do not have the added expense of
buying filters.. Filters only cost about a dollar each
but you would be surprised at how many nice places
we have stayed at where the filters were dirty..

As for Disney Vacation Club... Resorts
If I were to come back and stay - I would pick
Saratoga Springs for the Upscale Decor
It looks like it is really going to be a huge t/s

Old Key West has the nicest DVC grounds
It takes getting use to the OKW furnishings

Our unit here is nice but we have stayed in better..
It most have been really nice when it was first built

Being on Disney World property
is sort of like being in Manhattan
Nothing but Buses everywhere...

Blinds too heavy, need an extra door to keep moisture out of the bedroom, andneed a new AC filter along with all the other complaints.

I now have no doubt that when you enter a room you look under the couch and everywhere else in the room looking for something to complain about. And then exaggerate the complaints.

 

[Miss Marty]

OKW - Only telling it like it is!

Disney Magic Kingdom Accident

Today a 70 year old Grandfather was hurt getting on
a ride at The Magic Kingdom - It made the local news

Slipped and fell on the moving belt and got trapped

 

[Miss Marty]

gmarine - RE: Old Key West is a toss up

gmarine
Appears to me you were not 100% Happy
with Disney Resorts and/or Restaurants

 

[gmarine]

I am very happy with DVC resorts with the exception being Saratoga Spring dining choices as this previous post of mine that you found shows.

I cant, however, comment on what it looked like UNDER the couch, the cleanliness of the air conditioner filter, or if moisture from the bathroom got into the bedroom.

 

[Carl D]

House Keeping does not even empty the
Ice Makers - Ice smells after sitting

I'm not sure about the ice makers at OKW, but I have seen some at DVC resorts that are automatic. The ice is made, and if the ice bin is in place, ice is dispensed.

The Dishwashers in some OKW units
even had dirty dishes still in them

Marty, my curiosity is killing me.
How many units did you enter, then out of the blue open the dishwasher?
If you then see dishes, you pull them out to see if they were washed yet?

 

[Carl D]

I know I'm at risk of igniting the Disney "Magic" debate again (an argument I've always steered clear of because of the zealous passions of DVC fans), but for my vacation dollars, I'll continue to stay off-property in much, much larger units for much, much less money and be perfectly happy in doing so.

I completely respect your views. There are many folks who don't feel the on property resorts are worth the money. There are others that do but don't have the money, and yet others that prefer off site accommodations at any price.

It's all good in my book!

Respectfully, I do cringe a bit when I read certain complaints.
Inspecting furnace filters, moving couches, and inspecting the dishes in the dishwashers of several units, are all over the top in my opinion.
How did she know building 56 sucked in the bus fumes?
I'm still trying to figure out how a unit could be soooo dirty that a woman needed to wash her hands with bottled water, instead of the sink.
Calling the resort "dated" when that is the intended style, is just incorrect.

Anyway, I can accept legitimate complaints. Heck, on occassion I've even had them myself at DVC resorts.
I can also accept if someone prefers other resorts.
I just think some of the criticism here is unfair.

 

[Dean]

I'm not sure about the ice makers at OKW, but I have seen some at DVC resorts that are automatic. The ice is made, and if the ice bin is in place, ice is dispensed.

Most DVC resorts do not have icemakers.

 

[Vodo]

Marty has always been kind enough to "blog" her vacation experiences on TUG for the benefit of anyone who may be interested in details of the resort or area she's visiting. Along with any negatives, she also details the positives. She has made quite a few nice comments in the course of this OKW thread, but it seems no one sees anything but the critical viewpoints. If she expects a unit to be adequately clean at check-in, that's okay by me. I rarely visit a resort where I feel the housekeeping is up to par. Good folks like Marty keep them on their toes. The next person who stays in the unit Marty now inhabits will certainly benefit from her diligence. In any event, everyone has their priorities. If a clean A/C filter, an absence of ant mounds, less than an inch of dirt under the sofa, and washed dishes are someone's quality criteria, then why not let them voice it without undue criticism?

Cindy

 

[Miss Marty]

The GE Appliances in our unit are in Excellent Condition


GE Kitchen Appliances - Beige Color

18 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator
GE - Mfr. model #GTS18 JCPBRWW
With Full Freezer and Ice Maker

 

[dianeschlicht]

Many of the appliances at OKW were changed out 1-2 years ago, so your observations on the appliances are very accurate. I just guess looking at the manufactured date on an appliance would not be on the top of my list of things to do at Disney World.