Chasing EverAfter

Our review of Disney’s original DVC resort, Old Key West:

While traversing Disney World, have you ever noticed the kiosks stationed with cast members and signs that read “Disney Vacation Club” and wondered, what’s that all about? Disney Vacation Club is Disney’s point based vacation club program, or otherwise, a timeshare program through Disney that gives access to certain resorts and perks when members purchase a contract. The original DVC is none other than the beautiful Old Key West resort, located in the Disney Springs area. We had the pleasure of staying at this resort last October and are excited to share our thoughts on our experience and our overall take on what makes this resort a home away from home.

Themed after the romanticized Florida Keys, Old Key West combines island atmosphere with relaxing vacation vibes, to offer one of the more tranquil Disney resorts available. The rooms here are a bit more spacious than those of other DVC resorts, and the property takes a mostly subtle approach to interweaving the Disney aesthetic (with one very fun exception.) While the rooms may have minimal decor compared to some of the more in-your-face stays at Disney (looking at you, Art of Animation), they do still offer some fun Disney touches for your party to enjoy, and the resort is filled with hidden Mickey’s, including a massive “hidden” Mickey in the main pool that’s hard to miss.

Old Key West is also a very large DVC resort, with several sections spread throughout the property, which is good to keep in mind when making a room selection. Room type and location are divided by studios and villas, standard location or near the hospitality house. The hospitality house is the main hub on property built along the Sassagoula River and includes the reception area, dining options, the resort gift shop, recreation, the fitness center, a super fun playground themed with larger than life beach buckets, the main resort pool, and more.

For amenities, Old Key West has all the standards, including bell services, quick service and table dining options, spacious rooms, and the more Disney specific perks. This includes free transportation to all four parks and Disney Springs, free standard parking and 30-minute early access, and extended evening hours on select park nights. They also offer the standard Disney resort activities, including pool parties, free roasted marshmallows with s’mores kits available to purchase, movies under the stars, the ability to rent surrey bikes, and fun games for all at the Conch Flats Community Hall.

There are also several pools to enjoy on property beyond the main pool, with different room sections built around or nearby quiet pools – which offer a little more peace and solitude from that of the main pool. If you are looking for the games, music, and excitement however, you will have to stroll on down to said Sandcastle pool and be amazed by the detail that was put into this area. Beyond offering a 125-foot water slide built into the aforementioned Sandcastle, you also have a sand play area, a kids splash and play zone, a whirlpool spa, and a sauna built into a lighthouse – talk about theming!

Old Key West also offers several fun dining options, including Good’s Food to Go, Turtle Shack Poolside Snacks, and Gurgling Suitcase Libations & Spirits. The only table service dining on property is Olivia’s Cafe, offering brunch and dinner, but while there may not be a wide variety of dining options, the resort certainly makes the most of what they offer. Olivia’s brunch was a delight, where we enjoyed options both sweet and savory, and Good’s Food to Go was perfect for quick meals and snacks for our kiddos, including the resort exclusive Key Lime Dole Whip.

For those looking to work off those Mickey waffles, beyond the fitness center at the hospitality house, Old Key West also offers a walking/jogging path throughout the resort, which can be a beautiful way to start your day or end your evening. Nothing like doing your daily cardio while watching a magical sunrise or sunset inside the bubble. The path takes you through the different sections of the resort and also coasts along Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course for serene fairway views. And while touching on the ability to walk through the resort, that is one thing worth notating; this resort is quite large and spread out. We did not mind walking from our room to the main building and pool, but there were some days where the walk back was a chore for our littles. On the bright side, this resort offers an internal bus route that can be used for traversing between your room and the main building, or of course you can simply drive down and park at the hospitality house as well.

Touching on the buses, these are going to be your only option to get to and from the parks short of driving. The good news is that Old Key West does not share a bus loop with any other Disney resorts, however the internal loop can add time to your park commute, which is something to consider if you have reservations to catch or are hoping to rope drop. Old Key West does offer boat transportation, as well as buses, to Disney Springs. This was a truly fun and relaxing experience, as you will float on down the Sassagoula River and arrive at Disney Springs back entrance, exclusively for guests staying at one of the Disney Springs area resorts. This ease of access to Disney’s shopping and entertainment district also makes up for the limited dining options, as you will have a wide variety of options available in the Springs.

Now when it comes to our recommendation, there really isn’t a Disney Resort we wouldn’t recommend, so the question becomes more so, who would we recommend Old Key West to? Well, anyone looking for a more relaxed stay, and those who don’t mind being a little more removed from the parks on those resort days. Old Key West maybe does not offer the transportation options of those resorts on the monorail loop or the skyliner, and it may not have the views of those in the Magic Kingdom or Epcot areas, but what it lacks in transportation and scenery, it makes up for with peaceful atmosphere and subtle touch. Make no mistake, you’re still going to feel like you’re staying at a Disney Resort, as the nuanced theme is done just right, and the amenities are still magical. In fact, on the first day of our stay, we went down to the Sandcastle pool only to see Donald Duck walking about and greeting guests! Talk about an exciting way, especially for those with kids, to start a vacation, right? If you’re the type who likes to take a day and unwind after being in the parks, this is the perfect place to do just that. Maybe you’re not interested in going to the parks at all, and you just want to enjoy a Disney resort staycation? Old Key West fits the bill once again.

Truly, while Old Key West doesn’t always get picked as one of those “must stay” Disney resorts, it does seem to always get glowing reviews from those that go. Old Key West was actually our first time staying on Disney property, and now it holds a special place in our hearts. The resort is beautiful, the dining, while limited, is delicious, and the pool and additional activities were a lot of fun. You also still get the incredible Disney cast members with their commitment to making your trip so memorable.

We would be remiss if we did not shout out Hannah, a cast member working in the pool area who came over and sat with our youngest daughter for about 30-minutes while she played in the pool and showed off all of her “tricks” (which was the ability to jump from the stairs into the pool very cautiously again and again.) Hannah was so kind and sweet to our daughter and made her whole trip. When we went to leave the pool, she came over and gave both our girls some stickers and a little squishy apple toy that my youngest still has and refers to as her “Hannah apple.” This trip was about 8-months ago and yet my daughter still gets excited anytime we talk about Disney to go back and see her friend, Hannah. When people talk about the magic you get from a Disney vacation, that’s what they mean.

So if you’re booking a trip to Disney soon and not sure where to stay, consider a few things. If you’d like somewhere peaceful, relaxed, with island vibes and the ability to unwind, Old Key West might be the pick for you. Emerse yourself in the Florida Keys island atmosphere, and be prepared to soak in the calm and cool Disney vibes from the moment you approach the gate and hear, “welcome home!”