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.

[Disney Dan]

You know... you truly can have a bad stay at ANY resort if you try hard enough. I think a lot of times (and please, I'm not suggesting you were like this, truly..) I feel it's because of the expectations of the guest checking in.

Sure... we'd ALL love to have immediate service, and with a smile. Especially at a Disney Resort (tm). However, these people are human, and they try. Don't get me wrong, I feel they should just take a break, or walk away for a while if they get in a bad mood because of the last person they assisted, or because of other personal reasons. It's their problem, not yours.

I'm not necessarily talking about your experience (or the next responder), but check in impatience is a sore spot with me. People complaining about a wait at the front desk. Sure, you want these people in front of you to STOP asking those questions, to hurry up, to get out of your way so you can start your vacation, especially after ALL THAT PLANNING and ALL THAT TRAVEL TIME. You're finally there!!! Move it!! But, when you're up there... how long do YOU take? how many questions do YOU ask? Do you even think about the line behind you? Most people don't... and you know what? I'm right there in line behind you, taping my foot, sighing and looking at my watch. (kidding, but you get the point).

WOW!! With that small rant aside (sorry!)... the attitude you got in the restaurant was unneeded. I'll assume that it WAS professional, and it was by the book and right within the rules of your dining plan... and maybe you were 'expecting' to get a break and you didn't, which obviously irritated you, however... this IS Disney we're talking about and he needed to "chill" a bit on the rules there. But again, he's only human.

We don't know here, only you do, but... maybe you rubbed him the wrong way somehow (even unintentionally?), maybe his shift leader is an A&$ and wouldn't let him go to his own wedding that evening? Maybe his cat just died? Ha! Who knows... All I can see from where I'm sitting is that you made a issue out of a couple of drinks, and stressed yourself out because of it. As well, it's a $3-4 situation that tilted your review of the OKW resort, and you don't think you'll return because of it? Really? Because one server wouldn't comp your tea? I wasn't there, but is there a small possibility that out of your entire stay there, this small issue wasn't enough to ruin your vacation? I don't mean to get personal (I know, it sounds like it, but I'm being honest), but since you picked out that very moment, remembered it so well, and posted it here, it seems a little over the top to me in consideration for staying at OKW. Ha! Over the top, just like my response here. As for the cake situation... that's a real problem related to a real service problem... just in comparison.

By the way, and just curious, how was that meal? What did you get? Was it yummy? How fast did your food come, and was it good? My wife and I love the quick service and yummy variety of food there. We also love spending time looking at all photos and maybe someday we'll post our own.

Here's my opinion about OKW, it IS a very nice resort. We've been staying there from it's inception and love the place. Sure, we've had our bad room, or our bad service, but you can get that anywhere you stay. We've stayed at plenty of other DVC and on-property/off-property resorts as well, so I'm qualified to post my opinion on it I guess. Oh, btw, if any of you stay off property, try the Sheraton Safari Hotel right at the property entrance near the Crossroads shopping center. They have an excellent pool and very nice safari theme to the place. I highly recommend it.

As for the stains and the torn seat? We've NEVER seen anything like that. We've certainly had a bad vacuum job or a bad cleaning, but all it takes is a phone call to housekeeping and they get ALLLL over it and I'm always happy with how responsive they are. This last stay (last week) I had a kitchen cupboard door that was coming off, and light bulb that was too bright, and a tv picture that was a "little" fuzzy (yes, I'm picky!! so if I like a place, you can trust me that it's nice!). We took off for DTD and when we came back... cupboard door was fixed, a 4-pack of 40 watt bulbs was on the counter (with the bathroom 90's switched out) and a new TV was in place.

Don't accept a bad room. It's not right. You pay good money and you should expect (not demand!) a clean, nice room for your vacation. Don't like the view? The smell? The neighbors? Call the front desk and they'll take care of you. Just don't demand anything, and they'll give you all you want. These people are humans and if you're rude to them, you may not get what you want from them. Trust me. You may have to wait a day for a room change, but they're usually pretty cool about it.

My general opinion about OKW?

It's the original DVC resort. It was made before they knew what a success the DVC program would be. The rooms are the largest of ALL the DVC resorts. When we stay there, we feel like we're in a very large suit with a better laundry room, a much much larger living room, a better jacuzzi tub (larger and corner-set) and just an overall living-large room.

I would recommend a rental car while staying there, but I usually recommend a rental car for a better WDW experience anyway. For only $200 a week for an SUV, or much less for a smaller car, it's SO worth it. From OKW, Epcot is right across the street. DTD is right around the corner, and using the "secret" back roads (in front of Fort Wilderness), the MK is much closer than you'd think.

Of course, if you're staying next to Epcot, you may not need a rental car... except when it's raining and you wanna go to DTD and the bus stop is packed full of wet people. Oh, and it makes those spur-of-the-moment mini-golf trips at 9pm MUCH easier (ha! we love the Winter-Summerland courses)

All n all... don't be so hard on OKW. The more you stay there, the more you love the secluded resort that lies in the middle of a beautiful golf course. It's quiet and has a "home resort" community feeling about it. The others are fine, but most all of them feel like your standard 3-4 story large hotel. OKW is easy to access, you can park right in front of your room, and the rooms are fantastic!

Take care, and thanks for listening to me go on and on here.

Dan B
Carlsbad, CA