Yesterday I discussed the basic services and recreation offered at Old Key West. Today I will be covering a one and two-bedroom unit.
The rooms at Old Key West are considerably larger than at any other Walt Disney World DVC. Considerably. In addition, the rooms have more character as the architects used angled walls rather than every corner being 90 degrees. This makes Old Key West a sought after property with those knowledgeable of these differences.
Just to give you an idea, here is a comparison of the basic room sizes between Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. You might not think it, but these differences are significant when you’re actually in the rooms.
Old Key West
Studio: 390 square feet
One Bedroom: 942 square feet
Two Bedroom: 1,395 square feet
Three Bedroom: 2,375 square feet
Saratoga Springs
Studio: 355 square feet
One Bedroom: 714 square feet
Two Bedroom: 1,075 square feet
Three Bedroom: 2,113 square feet
Let’s first take a look at a studio unit. Studio accommodations are similar to rooms found at one of Disney’s deluxe resorts, with the addition of a small kitchenette. They are well-appointed and spacious enough to comfortably sleep four without feeling crowded. The rooms have two queen-sized beds, a nightstand, a table and two chairs, a chest of drawers, a flat screen TV, and a decent sized closet.
The kitchenette is located in a hallway that separates the bedroom from the bathroom. The kitchenette is intended for light snacks and quick-preparation meals. It comes with a toaster, microwave, under-counter refrigerator, coffeemaker, and a small sink. Disposable cups, plates, and flatware are also provided.
In a second closet, guests will find a vacuum, small safe, playpen, and more hangers.
The bathroom can easily accommodate two people, even though it only has one sink.
A hair dryer can be found on the wall and the countertop is big enough for an array of toiletries.
All studio units have a patio or balcony with two chairs and small a table. Studio units sleep four, plus one child under the age of 3 in a crib.
To see a short film of a studio unit, check out the video below.
Next I’m going to look at a two-bedroom unit. These offer a “great room” where a family can really spread out and feel at home. At all other Disney DVC’s, I’ve never forgotten the fact that I’m in a “hotel” room. At Old Key West, I really feel like I’m staying in someone’s vacation home. They are spacious beyond compare. I have friends who regularly spend Christmas in a two-bedroom unit and have parties during their stay. I’ve seen up to fourteen people in the kitchen/living room and not felt the least bit crowded.
In the living room you’ll find a couch, love seat, chair, end table, and coffee table. The couch opens into a queen-sized sleeper and the chair into a single bed.
The living room is separated from the kitchen with an island that opens up to reveal a TV.
The kitchen is large – large enough for two cooks to both do their own thing without getting in each other’s way.
These kitchens come fully stocked. Everything you would need to fix a complete Christmas dinner is provided (except the food). How do I know? I know because I have had a complete Christmas dinner with friends at Old Key West for the last five years. Here’s what’s provided: small appliances, wine glasses, mixing bowls, pots & pans, utensils, dishware, a full size refrigerator with icemaker, dishwasher, stove & oven, microwave, and a double sink with disposal.
Next to the kitchen is a large table that comfortably seats four. Behind it is a countertop bar with additional storage above and below.
Off of the dining area is a spacious patio with another table and chairs.
A hallway leads to the master bedroom. Off of this hall is a real laundry room. Unlike the other Disney World DVC’s that offer a stackable washer and dryer in a closet, this is a real laundry room with a side by side washer and dryer. The iron and board hang on the wall in this room.
The master bedroom is quite luxurious. It features a king bed, chair & ottoman, two nightstands, armoire with 32 inch flat screen TV, hope chest with storage, and a ceiling fan. The master bedroom also has its own door out to the patio/balcony.
Off of the bedroom is a two-room bath. In the first room you’ll find a Jacuzzi-type tub large enough for two. A pedestal sink and an attractive shelving unit complete the room.
The second room of the bath houses the toilet, a shower, and a second sink with plenty of counter space.
Those staying in the second bedroom of a two-bedroom unit will not feel short changed. It is also well appointed and comfortable. With two queen beds, a nightstand, table and two chairs, and a chest of drawers with a TV, this room is spacious and comfortable.
Off of the bedroom is a hallway which contains a small vanity area and a decent-sized closet.
The bathroom is large and has a sink with plenty of counter space, a toilet, and a tub/shower.
To see a movie of a two-bedroom unit, check out the video below.
For more information on these rooms along with the one and three bedroom units, check out the AllEars Fact Sheet for Old Key West by clicking here.
I like the rooms at Old Key West. And so do many others. Because of their larger size, these rooms book fast. DVC members who call Old Key West “home” can book rooms here eleven months in advance. DVC members of other Disney properties can book rooms here seven months in advance. Remember, non-members can also rent rooms at DVC properties, but Old Key West will be more of a challenge due to the resort’s high demand.
That’s it for my look at Old Key West. Although it is not located next to a theme park, it still has a lot to offer. There is a comfort level found at Old Key West that is hard to beat. When the cast members welcome you home to Old Key West, you really will feel like you’re at your own private retreat.
Answer to yesterday’s question:
My blog about Old Key West completes my reviews of all the Disney owned and operated properties at Walt Disney World (plus the Swan and Dolphin). Now Deb Wills wants me to start at the beginning and do it all over again. Whew. When will I ever get some rest? I know, while staying at all the resorts at Walt Disney World.
It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.
We are staying in a 2 bdrm at OKW next month! Can’t wait. While this is not our “home” resort, we are excited about staying here. We always research every resort we choose to stay in and this is spot on! We have stayed at SSR in the Treehouse Villas before and loved the room we had there, looks like this will be the same!
My parents bought OKW points within a year or so of it opening and took my wife, our 4 (then) young boys and me to OKW and WDW a few years later. We stayed there several more times as the guys grew up. When my wife and I bought our own points at Saratoga Springs a couple of years ago, we learned just how ingrained OKW was and how associated it was with their Disney memories when the guys lamented that we had not bought points there. (Even after a stay at the Treehouse Villas, they still missed OKW).
Nice blog as usual Jack.
The decor is not my favorite, but the rooms seem large.
Thanks for all of your hard work on this blog. 2 videos instead of just one? You must be a glutton for punishment.
Your Friend,
Dan
Congrats on your accomplishment! My goal is to stay at all Disney resorts, including overseas at some point.
My parents’ home resort is OKW- they bought into it I believe in 1994…the day after I smashed my face on the large wooden nightstand at 3am in Dixie Landings Alligator Bayou room when my brother and I were still little and able to share a double bed. To this day, it is known as the “Indiana Kris Stunt Spectacular”- bloody nose and all. This was also our first time staying in an actual Disney hotel, we use to stay in the Grosvenor on Hotel Blvd. That day, my parents stumbled upon a cast member talking about the DVC, and we were taken in a big van to the Commodore House, where they use to do the sales, and my mom and dad went one way and my brother and I were sent the other to a play area…then after what seemed like hours my parents returned and we all had ice cream sundaes in this little parlor. Shortly after, we were taken back to Dixie Landings and were packing all of our stuff up, went back to the van and were in our new “Home Away From Home” in no time flat. My mom still says it was the best decision they’ve ever made and was the best night’s sleep she’s ever had! They also own points at Beach Club and Wilderness Lodge.
Fast forward to 2013 and although Kidani is now my home resort, I’m still planning on using my points at OKW- The one bedrooms are bigger than some of the apartments I’ve lived in! Thanks again for a great blog!
Congratulations on your resort reviews milestone! I have read and enjoyed every single one and really appreciate all the work you do!
Hi Jack,
Thank you for showing everybody how wonderful my home resort is to stay at. We like to request a first floor room along the river, it is very relaxing to sit on the patio with the flowers and the water. I have been trying to stay at other DVC resorts, but OKW is still my favorite. The other resort rooms are much smaller and still feel like a hotel (probably because almost all of them are attached to hotels). Like other readers I am a big fan of your blogs. Thank you for showing me what I am missing when I do not slow down and check the details.
Hi Jack! I love all your blogs. Your writing and photos are a great combination. I hope to some day meet you and thank you in person!
We recently stayed at Old Key West when we spent a couple days entertaining some friends and showing them around Disney World. We arent vacation club members but when we were looking for passholder rates they offered this up to us at a really good value. The rooms are great and definitely spacious. Some of the rooms have a long walk to bus stops would be my only complaint.
As always, another fantastic review of a resort. As a fairly new DVC owner, I have not stayed at Old Key West and I’ll be honest and say that it was the last of the DVC resorts on my “to-do” list but you’ve changed my mind. Your review has definitely bumped it up the list quite a bit. Thanks for your hard work!
Thanks for another great article Jack!
A couple features not mentioned here:
— Unless you are on the ground floor, you get to walk up stairs to your room. If this is a problem (or just plain impossible) for you, be sure to mention this when you make your reservation. One of my fond memories of OKW is carrying my (heavy) “Owners Locker” up the stairs to my 3rd floor room! (Of course bell services would have done it if I asked.)
— Although the bus service here is fine, OKW is extremely convenient when you have a car, which you can park right next to your room. Just 500 meters and one stop light from the entrance is Epcot Drive, which will take you to three of the four theme parks in just a few minutes, with no more stop lights! The fourth park (Hollywood Studios) is also just a short drive away.
Hey Jack,
Congratulations! Although, with all the work you put into your reviews, I’d hardly call that a “mini” milestone. That is quite the achievement!
One would think that if the people at Shades of Green knew who you are, they would let you book a room to review the place no problem! But I do understand their rules.
To keep your milestone intact, I guess you’ll have to get over to the Grand Floridian vacation property as soon as it opens, huh? What a chore… 🙂
Really, thanks for all the work you do. Yours is my favorite blog, and the only one I check regularly.
Hi Jack,
Thanks for a wonderful blog on our home resort. We will be there in October and it won’t be soon enough for sure.
You do have a tough job, don’t you 😉
Wendy
Hi Jack!
I love cooking those Christmas dinners at OKW! 🙂
Donna
Hi Jack,
Another great article! Old Key West is my favorite WDW resort even though our home is Saratoga Springs. For my sixtieth birthday, my son and his family had my sisters fly in for the celebration. We all stayed in the two bedroom unit and were very comfortable at OKW. You really feel like you’re in the Keys when you stay here.
Congrats on your “minnie” milestone and I am pea green with your tough job of once again staying at all the Disney resorts. Thanks for the great blog and information.
Your reviews have helped my family decide where to stay over the years. I love the fact that every shot with a TV involves “Stacy” giving her tour!
hey Jack
All of the rooms at Old Key West look absolutly amazing. I especially like all of the space available in the two-bedroom unit. Even the studio units have a lot of space. Also congrats on the mini-milestone. can’t wait for your next blog and as always keep up the great work.
That was fun! Thank you, Jack.
Wow, what a great job Jack. I have been reading your blogs from the very beginning and I must say they are the best I have read anywhere. The details and information that you put into your blogs are indispensable. We have stayed in a studio and two bedroom at OKW more than once and always loved our stays. I agree with you about the two bedroom units, they are so big compared to other DVC resorts. We brought the whole family to WDW a few years ago and loved our stay in our two bedroom home away from home. OKW really does feel like a home and not a hotel room.
Hi Jack,
Another great article! Love all the detail you put into these, makes you really feel like you’re there!
An on the spot question for you, since you’ve reviewed them all, if you had to pick one Disney Vacation Club resort, which would be your favorite?
Jack’s Answer:
That’s a really tough question. Kidani Village offers views of animals. And the Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge, and BLT offer easy theme park access. And of course, Old Key West has large rooms.
I guessed right!!
Congrats on your Minnie-milestone 🙂
SO jealous of you! Thanks for all your hard work to put these informative and entertaining blogs together.I look forward to them every Monday to get my week started off happy. 🙂
thankyou so much for all your information on old key west. I have now booked our delux studio for myself husband and two children, we picked it bcause you said it was a larger room than the other dvc. having my wheelchair the extra space will be great. last year we booked the carrriabean beach after reding an all ears review and we were not dissapointed. please comtinue all you good work round Disney it makes us so happy to red your blogs, I share your page with our two children so when they get in from school they can also hve a look. we are coming in august 2014, so we better get saving for mickey mouse xx
Jack – Did you do Shades of Green? I love your posts and would love to find out more about the history of this little gem.
Jack’s Answer:
I have not reviewed Shades of Green, but I would certainly like too. However, I can’t book a room here. Maybe I’ll be able to work something out in the future.