First stay at Old Key West

[FigmentFigment]

My family and I stayed at Old Key West for the first time last week. We usually stay in a moderate, Wilderness Lodge, or Animal Kingdom, but since we were looking for more space as well as experiencing a DVC resort, we chose Old Key West.

Before arriving, the resort staff sort of left us nervous about the resort. DH called to order an anniversary cake, and really got the run-around. Finally he was able to place the order. We brushed it off as happenstance, and were looking forward to the stay. The cake he ordered before we arrived never came though. DH called to ask about it and was told that for some reason (though they didn't specify what the reason was) the order wasn't placed, so had to be re-ordered, and that they needed 48 hours notice. DH re-ordered, and when it was delivered the night before we checked out, it was the wrong cake It was the wrong flavor, and though it did read "Happy Anniversary" it was in dark brown with brownish colored roses, when dh ordered white buttercream with pink lettering and pink roses. He also ordered white cake with strawberry/cream filling, and we received white with white chocolate icing and filling. I do not like white chocolate, and the brown writing and roses were a let down as well. DH called, and they apologized for the 2nd error.

Back to checking in....When we arrived, DH and I went to check in while ds and the others traveling with us looked around the lobby. The check in CM was a bit rushing us through, it felt a lot less 'personal' than our stays at other WDW resorts. I had questions since we never stayed in a dvc resort before, and instead of answering, she handed me the check-in packet saying I would find my answers there. I could be picky, but I wasn't thrilled with that response. I felt more brushed off than helped.

Since we were unfamiliar with the resort and our room seemed a distance, we asked for bell services assistance with the luggage (we didn't get our Magical Express tags, so chose to claim our own bags at MCO). After about 15 minutes of waiting we decided to trek out on our own. After a bit of time and some back-tracking we did find our room (the numbering threw us off a bit, because they seemed a little scattered) and lugged the bags to the 2nd floor ourselves.

The room was huge, and we were impressed. We had a two bedroom, and the place was quite larger than I expected, though once we got settled, I noticed some things that I didn't expect, such as the large cut in one of the table chairs (covered with transparent tape), some stains on the couch cushions, and stains on the carpet. I don't expect perfection, but I didn't expect the very visible stains.

Aside from that the buildings were very pretty, and the view was great. I liked having a full kitchen, and the washer and dryer was a great bonus as well. People in another villa did get a bit loud at night, but not intolerably so. From the master bedroom we did hear the neighboring toilet flushing throughout the night, but again, no more so than at other resorts.

I loved having the balcony, and access to it from the master bedroom as well as from the living room.

Bus service was not that fantastic. Busses did usually come about every 20-25 minutes, but there were times when it was a little longer of a wait. One day when we were leaving Magic Kingdom in the afternoon, another family was waiting and asked if the bus service to OKW was always like this, and we told her it was our first stay. She said that she was a little upset because busses were coming and going for other resorts but not OKW.

The staff overall was great, and very friendly, except for the check-in CM and one of the servers at Olivia's. I took ds in for breakfast to use up our last table service credit, and he was pretty rude. He seemed irritated that we were using the credit (I don't see why it mattered to him in the slightest though) and said that for breakfast the table service credit had a lot of restrictions, which seemed odd to me. He said that the pancakes (one of the items we were 'allowed' to order, no sausage or bacon, just pancakes he told us. Our other option was eggs and toast regardless of the menu offerings.) He also said that it only came with coffee or tea, and since ds wanted milk we had to pay out of pocket. He wouldn't let me have the tea either, which irritated me. I asked if it was part of the table service credit, and since we were paying for the milk, why couldn't I get the included tea, and he said since it wasn't for the person using the credit I couldn't drink it. He said if DS wanted the tea he'd bring it, as well as the milk we were paying for separately, but not if I was going to drink the tea He was a real heel about the whole thing. We had dinner at Olivia's the night before, and the service was great, so this guy was a real shock to me.

Overall, I am not sure what to think about OKW. We thought the resort was very pretty, and even with the stains, the room was spacious and very comfortable. . However, the spotty service has me thinking twice about staying again. The bus service I can see being not 15-20 minutes on the dot. The rude server at Olivia's, the check-in cm that rushed us through, the mishap with the cake we ordered sort of leaves a lingering negative to the resort.

[petesimac]

First of all, thanks for "the beginning" of your trip report -- more please. As for the dining plan and the breakfast incident, we got the same explanation at the Grand Floridian Cafe; it's just that for a breakfast table service meal, less is offered. I think that this is what the server was trying to explain; he just did so poorly; our waitress was very friendly about it, indicating what was and was not covered by the plan for breakfasts -- it's obviously different for lunches and dinners.

[njtomasella]

I have stayed at many of the resorts. I am now a DVC member since 2001. This is my first post. Here goes. I have never experienced anything that was broken, taped or dirty in any of the resorts I have stayed. Never had any complaints. Just Magical

Stayed at the Boardwalk in April 2007 and in 47 days 8 hours and 5 minutes I will be at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge. Can't wait.

NJ

[TinaMouse]

Welcome, NJ!

OP--Sorry you had so many glitches. I hope the rest of your trip was magical. Thanks, though, for telling us how you saw it. It's best to hear the good AND the bad!

Happy Anniversary!

[steamboatpookster]

Thanks for the detailed TR. My wife and I stayed at OKW in June and loved it--however, you are correct regarding check-in. We waited in line for what seemed like ever and didn't even get a welcome packet--because we weren't DVC members.

We rode the bus once and that was enough. I prefer to drive everywhere, so I REALLY loved that we were able to park right outside our room. I would definitely stay there again, given the chance.

[CHEERMOM]

We stayed at OKW in June. We didn'tlike the bus service either. The route was really odd. the driver would pass our stop twice before stopping. a lot of back tracking and stopping at empty stops-very annoying! The pool area was a lot of fun, there was a dj and games for the kids, but it was really a hike to get there. I definitely would recommend a car to anyone staying at this resort. We've been DVC members for five years, and this is our least favorite resort. One thing that I do like best about it though, is that it is the only one with two queen beds in the studio.