Share your best OKW tips

[tjkraz]

OK OKW owners / fans, it's your turn. :)

Part of our companion website is a section for each resort entitled "Overlooked Gems." This is a place to share any tips, tricks or just plain common sense information with other folks who will be staying at that particular resort.

To those who have stayed at OKW: what would you like to share with your fellow DVC members?

[withdisneyspirit]

If your villa is by the Peninsular Rd bus stop and you run up only to see the bus you wanted pulling away:hammer: , you can turn around and head to HH (Hospitality House) and catch that very bus. Every bus stops by HH last:beaniepro

[KNWVIKING]

It's getting to the point with the internet that I'm hesitant to post certain "gems" because next time I try to enjoy one it's nothing but a mass of people "trying out this new X I read about on the boards...."

But what the hey.

The quiet pool all the way out near the walkway to DTD is a wonder area. From the hot tub you can look thru the marsh grass and see the canal. There are BBQ grills. Play area for kids. Just a great way to spend a quiet morning/afternoon.

[dianeschlicht]

Don't get hung up on being close to the HH. If you are far away from HH, just catch ANY bus and it will stop at HH before leaving the resort.

Remember that there is a walkway from behind building 55 to DTD. It is not lighted though, and should only be used in the daytime.

Try to avoid staying underneath a GV, as it will be noisy from the hard wood floors above.

The quiet pools have very nice hot tubs and are great to use late in the evening when all the little ones are no longer at the pool.

There are very few bad views for 1,2, and 3 bedroom villas at OKW. Studios will often be obscured by vegetation.

Take time to enjoy the wildlife that lives all around the resort.

Enjoy the water way and walkways.

[withdisneyspirit]

My next tip is to be sure to scope out the quiet...rather hidden pools. Dizhoni and I took a nice long walk around OKW and discovered all the pools this trip and they are sooo nice and beautiful! Each one has a little children's playground attached :)

[JimC]

The walkway to DTD.
Dinner outside on the patio at Olivias.
Renting a boat and cruising to POR/DL and DTD.
It is a very walkable resort - great to enjoy the landscaping and architecture.
Use the porches - most are private and have very nice views.

[Simba's Mom]

I love ordering sandwiches to go at Good's to go. All the ingredients are packed separately, put in a plastic container, then all the sandwiches in a paper bag. Got back to our villa, sat at the table, put the ingredients together, and voila! Tuna sandwiches, fresh not soggy.

[DarthGoofy]

We have only stayed at OKW once, but we had a great view of the golf course. If you like to people watch, try and get a good golf course view. You could always tell if the person liked their shot or not. Being a golfer myself, I got a real kick out of it.

[KNWVIKING]

We have only stayed at OKW once, but we had a great view of the golf course. If you like to people watch, try and get a good golf course view. You could always tell if the person liked their shot or not. Being a golfer myself, I got a real kick out of it.


Ladies, if you see a golfer heading for the treeline, you may want to get your cameras ready. Maybe the Mods could open up a board titled "Busted".

Or "Duffers Gone Wild" with Goofy playing the part of Snoop Doggy.

[dvcconvert]

The walkway to DTD.
Dinner outside on the patio at Olivias.
Renting a boat and cruising to POR/DL and DTD.
It is a very walkable resort - great to enjoy the landscaping and architecture.
Use the porches - most are private and have very nice views.


I agree 100% with JimC

Taking the time to rent a boat and puttering along the canals is a very nice way to spend an hour --or two!

[DarthGoofy]

Ladies, if you see a golfer heading for the treeline, you may want to get your cameras ready. Maybe the Mods could open up a board titled "Busted".

Or "Duffers Gone Wild" with Goofy playing the part of Snoop Doggy.

That wasn't quite the golfer watching I had in mind.

[tjkraz]

Thanks for all of the great tips!

I seem to remember something about only certain buildings having elevators. Does anyone know which buildings have the elevators?

Any other idiosyncracies about the guest rooms that may catch people off-guard?

[Simba's Mom]

I don't remember which buildings have elevators, but I know it's only a few. I know that buildings below #30 have only one entrance to the bathroom, and it's through the Master Bedroom. We had building #15 last time, DMIL was with us, and it wasn't the easiest thing for anyone that she had to come into our bedroom to go to the potty.

[JimC]

I don't remember which buildings have elevators, but I know it's only a few. I know that buildings below #30 have only one entrance to the bathroom, and it's through the Master Bedroom. We had building #15 last time, DMIL was with us, and it wasn't the easiest thing for anyone that she had to come into our bedroom to go to the potty.

The last three that replaced the sales center -- 62, 63, 64.

[tjkraz]

Thanks for all of the great tips!

Our first two DVC stays were at OKW and we were really excited about sampling different resorts after joining. But I have to admit that putting this information together has really made me nostalgic for the place.

[wdwmom]

Definitely spend time on the patio. We eat breadfast out there every morning and listen to the birds and the fountains (if they are on). We also sit in bed with the door open and listen to the outdoors. DH will get out of bed, open the door to the patio and then climb back in. We also do this at night. Very peaceful.

[jdvm]

Eat lunch at Olivia's as often as possible; get to know the folks at the General Store--particularly the retirees; and always chat will the bell service staff out front---they're super and they know everything. One of the reasons all of these folks love working at Old Key West is that they get to know members. Help make 'em happy

[RweTHEREyet]

OKW is the only DVC resort that has ice makers in the refrigerator. Not a biggie to some, but hubby and I go thru a lot of ice.

OKW is the only DVC resort that has full-sized washers and dryers in the 1 and 2-bedrooms.

[withdisneyspirit]

OKW is the only DVC resort that has ice makers in the refrigerator. Not a biggie to some, but hubby and I go thru a lot of ice.

OKW is the only DVC resort that has full-sized washers and dryers in the 1 and 2-bedrooms.

Wow, I have only been to OKW so far (three times:D ); I had no idea the others didn't have icemakers:bugeyed:

[RweTHEREyet]

Nope, and that can be a bummer if you are quite a distance from the ice machines. I would gladly pay extra dues to have ice makers in all the full-size fridges.

[PolyColleen]

Since OKW is a "condo-type" resort, local pizza places will deliver right to your door. This makes for a great meal if you are either broke, lazy or in a hurry. When we get one of the bigger rooms we like to stay in sometimes, and having a pizza delivered is so easy. If you call the front desk and politely beg, they will usually give you the number for Papa John's or Pizza Hut.

Don't forget about the Turtle Pond Pool snack bar. We never knew it was there until we stayed in a building by that pool. It is not always open, but when it is, they have great smoothies and snacks and even some basic lunch goodies. This is a fine place for a quick lunch while relaxing. I also like that this area has designated smoking/non-smoking areas (a rarity at WDW pools) so I can avoid smoke :)

[RweTHEREyet]

smoothies, huh? I think we might be checking that out in May.