Disney’s old key west resort opened 30 years ago on December 20th, 1991 as the first official Disney vacation club resort on Disney World property. In the spring of 2019, this resort underwent a major two-year renovation that updated every single unit.
Resort Overview
The Old Key West Resort is a deluxe villa resort located on Disney world’s west side, in what’s called the Disney Springs area; it’s just across the street from Epcot. You might wonder what the difference is between a deluxe resort and a deluxe villa resort. Disney classifies any vacation club property as a deluxe villa resort if it has larger units that feel like apartments instead of traditional hotel rooms.
Many resorts have a deluxe portion and a deluxe villa area, but Old Key West is all villas. Although both deluxe and deluxe villa resorts are at the top end of the price scale, Old Key West is often the best deal no matter if you’re a DVC member or a non-member. Old Key West is also the resort that tends to have the most last-minute availability.
Old Key West is perfect for those of you planning a long stay at Disney and doing a lot of cooking inside your villa, but since Old Key West is located in the Disney Springs resort area, you can hop on a boat or bus to the Disney Springs shopping and dining area. You can eat at Olivia’s, the resort’s one table-service restaurant.
In case you’re not interested in going to Disney Springs, of course, there is plenty of recreation at this DVC resort. The resort’s main pool is centrally located and there are three additional quiet pools throughout the resort. There’s also a tennis court, beach volleyball, bike rentals, and a golf course. Old Key West is actually connected with Lake Buena Vista golf course and most villas overlook the greens. This 18-hole course begins at Saratoga Springs and weaves through both DVC properties and Port Orleans resort a little further down the Sassagula river.
Rooms
Because this was one of the first DVC resorts, they offer some of the larger rooms. This is great for larger families because you have a little more room to spread out.
Deluxe Studio
Offers views of Water, Woodlands or Fairways. Sleeps up to 4 adults on 2 queen beds.
One Bedroom Villa
Offers views of Water, Woodlands or Fairways. This villa can sleep up to 5 adults with 1 King bed, 1 queen sleeper sofa, and 1 twin sleeper chair.
Two Bedroom Villa
Offers views of Water, Woodlands or Fairways. This villa sleeps 9 adults with 1 king bed, 2 queen beds, 1 queen sleeper sofa and 1 twin sleeper chair.
Three Bedroom Grand Villa
The largest villa on property features views of Water, Woodlands or Fairways. You can sleep 12 adults in this massive villa with 1 king bed, 2 queen beds, 2 double beds, 1 queen sleeper sofa and 1 twin sleeper chair.
Pools
Old Key West offers 4 pools for the whole family to enjoy. 3 of them are leisure pools for when you just want to get away from it all. These pools are located in the Old Turtle Pond, South Point and Miller’s Road sections. The 4th pool is the main feature pool located near the main lobby. This pool has a really cute theme. The slide is 125 feet long and the area is a huge sandcastle where you pop out of a hidden mickey! All pool areas offer a hot tub as well.
Ammenities
There are a lot of things that you can do while having a day at the resort. There is a tennis court, basketball court, shuffleboard and ping pong tables. There is also a playground and sandy area for the little ones to play in. Don’t worry, if you get too sandy there are showers located in the bathrooms near the pool.
Conch Flats Community Hall
If you want to get away from the heat or rain the community hall has some activities to enjoy during your stay. There are foosball tables, video games, DIY crafts and DVDs to sign out to take back to your room.
For those looking for an adventure, you should rent a surry bike and explore the resort. These bikes can hold 2 and 4 people. They are a lot of fun to explore the larger resorts. We did this once while staying at Port Orleans and we found that we explored more than if we had just gone for a walk.
Transportation
If you are heading to any of the parks, you will need to take the buses. If you are wanting to head to Disney Springs, you can hop on a ferry and said down the Sassagoula River. This is one of our very favorite ways to go to Disney springs. We always enjoy having this as an option at Disney resorts that we stay at. The journey takes about 20 minutes but is so relaxing whether you are heading to or from the springs.
Because this is a larger resort there is an internal bus loop so that you don’t have to walk a long way to get to the main bus station at the front of the resort.
Dining
If you want a really great meal then you need to go to Olivias. They have fantastic fried chicken, one of the best on Disney property. They have other great options that every one of sure to enjoy.
If you want to bring something back to your room or just grab something quick, then Quicks food to go should be your first stop. They have a fantastic menu that even the pickiest eater is sure to find something.
If you want to grab a drink after a long day then you have to check out the Gurgling Suitcase. This little bar is tucked away near the boat launch but it offers everything you could want for a drink after a long day at the parks.
One last really cool feature of Old Key West is its close proximity to Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. If you want to get 18 holes in this is your closest course. There is also a driving range if you just want to practice your swing.
Conclusion
All in all old key west is a great classic Disney vacation club resort. if you’re booking a trip at the last minute or looking for a villa on the lower end of the price scale then this and saratoga springs will be your two best options. While there may not be a lot of over-the-top Disney theming here this place certainly screams Florida and it’s a very relaxing resort that will accommodate the larger families.