Walt Disney’s Old Key West Resort review

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We are just back from only our second 2 week onsite stay at Walt Disney World only this trip was slightly different to normal (ok very different to normal!) as we stayed at a deluxe category resort; Old Key West!  Want to know what we thought of Walt Disney’s original DVC resort?

Disney Deluxe Resort review

Which resort area is the Old Key West Resort in?

Disney’s Old Key West Resort’s address and is located in in the Disney Springs Resort area:

Disney’s Old Key West Resort
1510 North Cove Road
Orlando, FL 32830

Disney’s Old Key West Resort was Disney’s first-ever ever Disney Vacation Club (DVC) property. It was always intended to only ever be a DVC resort too however these days it’s a deluxe resort that any guest can book; DVC member or not.

Old Key West resort studio

We booked a standard studio room which we would always book whichever resort we stay to be fair only this one was slightly different as it was more of an apartment! It had a small kitchenette area with coffee maker, fridge, sink and a microwave, which although was extremely handy particularly with children we didn’t actually use anything!  If our kids were smaller it would’ve really have been a god send!

The room had two double beds, a table and chairs, ample storage from drawers to a built in cupboard and even a balcony! I didn’t realise how much I had missed a balcony until we got one this trip! The resorts and hotel rooms we usually stay in are motel style; one way in one way out and that’s it; but this had an actual balcony that overlooked the on-site golf course which my 7 year old absolutely loved!

Walt Disney’s Old Key West resort review

You can see a brief room tour via our Disney travel day over on our YouTube channel if you want to check it out.

The resort itself was actually undergoing some renovations whilst we were there but we heard nothing. No trucks, no workmen no nothing! We passed the site where they were working whilst on the bus one night from Epcot but it was all fenced off so high you couldn’t even see over it if you wanted too!

We were housed in block 18, a bus trip or 2 minute drive away from the main hospitality house (check in) the main pool. It was walkable but it would’ve taken a while to be fair especially with the kids.  We found out afterward that we were actually in an newly renovated room which was cool.. although at the time I wasn’t sure because the beds were a little squeaky for a newly renovated room I felt.

Disney resort transportation

We did have a bus stop literally outside our room though that could take you to the hospitality house or to a park but we had a car so only used it once… totally ideal for those that didn’t. We took the bus to Epcot one night which didn’t take long at all to be fair…. it did take us longer to walk from the bus stop to the Epcot entrance than the journey itself though!!

Disney Old Key West Resort pool

We also had nearby access to a small pool too being in block 18 (I mean clearly everyone has access but it was just a minute or two walk from us!) We used this more times than the main sand castle pool to be fair that’s at the Hospitality House (HH) mainly due to the easy access but also it was quieter. It had a sand pit and a hot tub too (who wants to sit in a boiling hot hot tub in Florida though I’ll never know… hubby said it was hot and I mean hot!!)

The sandcastle pool is, although busier, bigger. It’s where they have the fun and games organised by cast members along side a cool water slide. We didn’t venture much further than the pool and it’s slide but I did notice what I think was a tennis court and another sand pit/play area for the kids.

Activities At Old Key West

Located near the dock was a couple of little beanbag type games and a stall where my youngest had her hair braided.

A little further up between the pool and the hair braiding was a line of benches where you could just sit under an umbrella and chill which was nice (or eat!).  Just past the drinks area where you filled up your drink was also a little games room.  Not massive but big enough.

Located in the same area was the rental station where you could hire bikes or surreys to take you around the resort or even a boat which we’ve done numerous times but around the Seven Seas lagoon never around the Disney Springs area.

What Restaurants Are There at Old Key West?

Nearing the end of our holiday we ate at the quick service restaurant at the HH which is also where we filled up our free refillable mugs. I have to say we were very unimpressed which was disappointing. We hadn’t heard the best things about the one quick service place on property to be fair but we wanted to give it a go for ourselves. Although it seemed from the menu it was just a typical regular Disney quick service meal it wasn’t freshly made at all. It seemed warmed up and was certainly one of the worst quick service meal we’ve probably ever had.

There was also a table service restaurant on site too called Olivias.  We didn’t actually eat here as we had reservations elsewhere but apparently it’s an amazing restaurant.  So many people have said so I haven’t heard a bad word about it!

We would 100% head back to Old Key West.  Although everyone can now book the OKW resort, it is still classed as a DVC resort though meaning those that own DVC have priority before it becomes available to the general public.

If you got value out of this or feel it would be something some one you know would love to read too then feel free to share (or PIN to read again later!)

..and if you love Disney, Orlando & the surrounding area as much as I do feel free to check out some of my previous posts below:

5 things to get excited about coming to Disney World in 2019
Everything we know about the Disney Free Dining 2020
Cheap things to do in Orlando | 10 Orlando attractions for £20 or less!
Travel agent trickery – how to avoid over paying on your next trip to Florida
Walt Disney’s Old Key West resort review
How to do Walt Disney World in 7 days!
10 fun facts about Mickey Mouse that you may not know!
Post Cruise day room review of Hyatt at Orlando International Airport
Where to have a quick breakfast in Walt Disney World
Vanellopes Sweet Treats on the Disney Dream
Packing for Walt Disney World – a trip must have!
Liberty Tree tavern restaurants review
Top 10 tips on travelling to Walt Disney World with children
Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House review
How our last Disney trip cost just £197!
Top 5 reasons to visit ‘Ohana restaurant at Polynesian Resort
Make savings and save book seats 72 hours in advance with Virgin Flying Club!
Where to get cheap official Disney merchandise outside of the parks?
Tusker House Animal Kingdom restaurant review
Best stroller rental in Orlando?
Manchester Airport Hotel & Parking – Clayton Hotel review
Manchester Airport Hotel & Parking – Premier Inn Runger Lane South review
5 things I disliked about our last Disney Cruise
Crystal Palace Magic Kingdom restaurant review
Disney Free dining is back… and here’s everything you need to know!
Top 10 tips on how to get the most from your FREE Disney Dining plan!
How we got our Disney accommodation for FREE!
Top 5 things to do in Florida with kids (besides Disney!)

4 Comments

  • Angela 2nd June 2018 at 08:44

    I’ve always fancied staying at old key west but as you mentioned there doesn’t appear to be a lot of availability for next year so we opted for French quarter instead. Maybe one day.

  • […] you can just step out side and grab some fresh air is a god send as we found also when we stayed at Old Key West.  It had a small refrigerator and a microwave which helped massively with my baby particularly with […]

  • […] Old Key West resort review […]

  • […] for just 4 nights for our Disneymoon back in 2015 at Animal Kingdom Lodge and then in 2018 at Old Key West we are now hooked. Things are just sooo much easier being so close to your hotel. You can just jump […]

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