Tag Archive: Disney Resorts

  1. Top Reasons to Love Disney’s Old Key West Resort

    Old Key West was part of my family’s first ever Disney Vacation Club split-stay at Disney World.  We will always have a special love for this property.  

    This is a quaint, charming resort that reminds me of life on a quiet island with the faint sounds of Jimmy Buffet echoing across the water and the warm breeze caressing your face as you contemplate whether to relax some more, go for a leisurely walk, or order another cold drink while basking in the sun.

    For my family, Old Key West had the most ‘remote’ feeling, but in a good way.  It felt like an oasis community that was sheltered from the hustle and bustle found only minutes away.  

    There are many reasons why Disney’s Old Key West is a wonderful Resort choice. 

    In a nutshell, this resort offers a few unique features that make it most appealing, namely, Atmosphere, Waterfront, and convenient Boat Access to Disney Springs.

    Want to relax in a community-like setting that puts you in a tropical oasis where time slows down?  Want to enjoy a true ‘home’-like experience?  How about some great food and lots of fun activities?  Old Key West Resort is the place for you!  

    Top 3 Reasons I Love Old Key West Resort

    #3. Boat Access to Disney Springs

    Feeling remote is very different from actually being remote.

    We love the transportation options at Disney, and especially when water taxis are available.  Old Key West offers a convenient boat launch from which you can travel to and from Disney Springs.

    We just love the activities, entertainment, shopping and food at Disney Springs, day or night.  It is a must visit place for us at least a few times per trip, so having the option of a relaxing boat ride on a nice day/evening is much appreciated.

    Get your Mexican fix at Frontera Cocina

    Or, if Italian is your desire, don’t miss Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante

    … and do NOT forget about desserts! 

    Whether catching a movie at the AMC Theater, grabbing an award-winning dinner, or just window browsing while enjoying a treat, Disney Springs is awesome!

    #2. Activities, Atmosphere, Room Size

    Yes, I cheated.  I had such a hard time separating these three factors that I bunched them all together into one Reason to Love the resort.  The rooms, activities and atmosphere are like parts of a puzzle that relate to one another so closely, it takes each doing its own part to create the end feeling of overwhelming satisfaction.

    While all Disney Deluxe Resorts have engaging amenities, the small footprint of the clubhouse area at Old Key West makes for a more intimate setting with all activities easily accessible from one primary spot.  

    From the main clubhouse area, you are literally steps away from beach volleyball courts, basketball courts, shuffleboard courts, ping-pong tables, gitoni tables, a small arcade, the feature pool, sandy play areas, food, beverages, and more.  

    The feature pool at Old Key West is large, blue, and very relaxing.  The sandcastle waterslide is a highlight for sure!

    The theming immerses you in South Florida’s Key West with white sand, a palette of island inspired colors, and the inviting blue skies and waters of the tropics. Oversized sand buckets and sandcastles dot the play area…

    We loved trying the Shuffleboards! And of course, a trip would not be complete without enjoying some quality time at the Community Hall

    Our son loves it… and even Mom likes to get involved.

    It is so hard to not feel all of life’s stresses begin to fade away while surrounded by the Old Key West setting…

    The resort exudes serenity and comfort. 

    Many rooms have large covered balconies that overlook water features…

    Rooms offer ample space for families to enjoy their resort days to the maximum. Rooms offer sitting areas, large bathrooms, large bedrooms, and the one-bedroom villas dwarf most big city condos!  

    This resort is one of the Original Disney Vacation Club properties, so rooms were built larger.  We enjoyed having the extra space whether in the standard Deluxe Studio or the One-Bedroom Villas.

    #1. Olivia’s Cafe

    Old Key West offers one main sit-down restaurant called Olivia’s Café. This restaurant will not disappoint, morning, noon or night.  When you enter Olivia’s, you will feel right-at-home with pictures of DVC families and guestsadorning the walls.

    It has an eclectic, home-grown feeling about it that rings of a proud Mom-and-Pop anchor that has stood at the center of a small, close-knit mariner community for decades.

    The nautical theme is fun and inviting, and the island-inspired meals are exciting and warming to the soul.

    This cozy table service restaurant serves as a hub for good food and socializing; it adds a sense of community to the resort.

    Beyond the wonderful feel of the casual indoor seating area or the breezy outdoor seating area, the food and service are memorable highlights.  The menu offers many local (to Southern Florida!) dishes that are uniquely crafted to bring the seaside to your plate.

    They offer novel breakfast choices like the Sombrero Omelet. I recommend an Olivia’s hallmark dish for breakfast, Banana Bread French Toast!

      

     

    The menu offers a wide variety of meats and sides, serving wonderful breakfasts, brunches and dinners.  One of my favorite homestyle meals is the Southernmost Buttermilk Chicken… 

    My wife still talks about her Duval Street Burger!  Yes, those are plump, grilled shrimp with an avocado and Pico de Gallo blend!  Delicious!

    We had so much fun at Old Key West, our dinner table also served as a comfy napping area some evenings….

    Old Key West is a seamless balance of simply being away from it all, but still being very close to it all.  This resort is the perfect blend of flip-flops and hammocks as well as excitement and action.

    Surrounded by waterways, fountains, and tropical greenery, this resort offers space to stretch your legs and an atmosphere to unwind.  With recent room renovations, an amenity-rich clubhouse area, and the famous Olivia’s Café, you may enjoy spending more time at the resort than originally planned.

    See OLD KEY WEST LISTINGS

    VIDEO TOUR OF DISNEY’S OLD KEY WEST  By Jason Swain

  2. Top Reasons to Love Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

    Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando Florida Resales DVC

    The Polynesian Resort was one of those bucket-list resorts for my family, and when we finally stayed there, it did not disappoint.

    Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando Florida Resales DVC

    There are many reasons whyDisney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando Florida Resales DVC the Polynesian Village Resort is a desirable choice. In a nutshell, this resort offers a few key real estate factors, namely, Location, Accessibility and Waterfront! This resort sits on the Monorail loop which is of great appeal to many guests. Want to relax on acres of grounds themed after the Southern Pacific region? Want access to the best kids’ aqua-play area on property? Want the convenience of the Monorail? How about ‘Ohana and Dole Whips?

    Polynesian Village Resort is the place for you!

    Top 5 Reasons I Love Polynesian Village Resort
    #5. Polynesian-Styled Grounds

    At Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, be prepared for full immersion into a Polynesian dream. I truly believe that Disney even provides a Pacific breeze for guests to enjoy at this resort! You will feel as though you are in a Hawaiian ParadiseDisney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando Florida Resales DVC

    The property is dense with lush greenery and spotted with the rich colours of various flowers. We identified beautiful Tahitian Gardenia and Hibiscus species to name a few. You can literally smell the floral palette of the resort as you stroll the grounds. This is all accented by burning torches along walkways, white sandy waterfront areas to lounge or engage in activities, and the beautiful Seven Seas Lagoon.

    Beach Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando Florida Resales DVC

    Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando Florida Resales DVC Tiki Decor

    Upon arrival, you are met with your very own lei to add to the immersion. There are features all around the grounds to ensure that you are always enveloped in the theme. Also, as would be expected, the element of water is a critical piece of the Polynesian landscape. In addition, the grounds are alive with fish, turtles, lizards, and various water birds. The grounds truly relax you and invite you to be one with your natural surroundings.

     #4 ‘Ohana – Breakfast & Dinner

    Polynesian Village Resort offers an on-site Character Breakfast as well as a wonderful, Family-Style Dinner that includes skewer-served meats and seafood. Having a Character Dining experience on-site is always a great feature for any resort. ‘Ohana goes one step further and introduces guests to the star attraction characters of the Polynesian, Lilo and Stitch! ‘Ohana bread pudding with vanilla ice cream & warm, rummed, caramel sauce Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando Florida Resales DVC

    Ohana Character Breakfast Stitch Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando Florida Resales DVCBreakfast begins with fruit plates, followed by a platter of scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, sausages, pineappled ham, and Disney’s beloved Waffles. There are also stories and fun for the kids before the highlight of the morning….The Character meetings! Stitch is just so cute!

    Then, in the evening, ‘Ohana serves up a fire-grilled array of meats and seafood, delivered to your table by skewer. A delightful platter of wings, potstickers, noodles, and mixed vegetables to accompany the meats and oak-grilled shrimp. Food, fun and a good time for all! The kids take a break to sweep coconuts around the dining hall while there is music and clapping. And then, the famous ‘Ohana bread pudding with vanilla ice cream & warm, rummed, caramel sauce. ‘Ohana means ‘family’, and this restaurant will ensure all the kinfolk are well fed!

    #3. Great Deluxe Studios

    Deluxe Studio Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando Florida Resales DVC

    While most of the resorts offer Deluxe Studios that are relatively similar in size, the Polynesian Village Resort stands out in this category. With the largest Deluxe Studios on property, you will surely be comfortable in these rooms. From adorable trundle beds to Tikiman lamps and a beautiful colour scheme to encourage easy relaxation after a long day of family fun and adventure. Further, you are pampered with two separate shower areas. The stand-up shower sports a rainfall shower head, built-in seat, and gorgeous tiling.

    Then there is the view of Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom if you should choose a Lake View room.

    Water view at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando Florida Resales DVC

    #2. Lava Pool & Kids’ Tiki Aqua Play Area

    The Polynesian Resort has an awesome Lava Pool or as we prefer, Volcano Pool! The pool offers a zero-entry end, a beautiful waterfall element, a slide, and a huge volcano as the main feature. My son LOVED the Lava Slide with its passage through darkness to its speedy ejection into the sparkling blue waters below! As he began his descent through the tube, I could hear, “bye for good!” The views from atop the Volcano are impressive. Every detail has been painstakingly recreated to ensure guests always remain immersed.

    Lava Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando Florida Resales DVC

    And for those of you who are looking for a quieter swimming experience, the resort also has the Oasis Pool.

    Oasis Pool Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando Florida Resales DVC

    Now, one of the best pool offerings has to be the kids’ Tiki Water Play Area. When I ask my son what his favourite pool is on property, he always says ‘The Poly’ in reference to the Tiki Play Area.This kiddie play area is incredible!

    Lava Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando Florida Resales DVC

    The kids have a large area of gurgling spouts, spraying Tiki totems, rope-bridges, waterfalls, hide-outs and slides. You can literally spend hours at the Lava Pool and adjoining Tiki Play Area each day. The pools are conveniently located near the resort Counter Service, Capt. Cook’s for your food and drink refill needs as you bask in the sun and play.

    Given that we visit Disney with a child, the Lava Pool and Tiki Play Area are near the top of our list of reasons to love this resort, and on any given day, it is our Number One reason! I reiterate – BEST KIDS’ Water Play area at Disney! If visiting Disney with kids who love spending time in the pools and aqua play areas, The Poly may be your best choice.

    Tiki Water Play Area Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando Florida Resales DVC

    #1. Location / Transportation

    So, we made it to the Number One Reason for loving Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. It was a tough decision between our Number 2 and our Number 1, but ultimately, my family feels that the best feature of the Polynesian Village Resort is the location and transportation options.

    Monorail Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando FloridaWe LOVE being able to easily walk over to the beautiful Grand Floridian Resort. It is an easy stroll for families along a manicured path with the beach and water to your side. This proximity opens the door to many more dining options, shops, and of course, another wonderful pool and kids’ aqua play area. We love being able to take in the luxury and fun offered at the Grand Floridian.

    From the Polynesian Resort, you can also walk to the nearby Transportation and Ticket Center which is where Epcot and Express Monorails both originate. This is a great option for quickly transporting to Epcot or the Magic Kingdom. You can also use buses from the resort or jump directly on the Monorail right from the Polynesian with quick transportation around the resort loop to the Grand Floridian, to the Contemporary, and back home to the Polynesian.Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando Florida Epcot Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando FloridaThere is also Water Taxi transportation from the Polynesian Resort over to the Magic Kingdom! The ways in which you can get around Disney world from this resort are numerous and this equates to CONVENIENCE.

    A typical day when staying at the Poly would include getting up in the morning for some pool time, walking next door to eat lunch at the Grand Floridian Café, taking the Monorail over to either Magic Kingdom or Epcot until zipping back to the room for a nap! Then, head over to the Contemporary for dinner and Arcade fun! Being within minutes of the parks, and the amenities of two other Deluxe Resorts is definitely a recipe for fun, dining options, and convenience.

    Lilo Trundle, Deluxe Studio at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Orlando Florida Resales DVC

    Trundle artwork in Deluxe Studio

    Verdict:

    Polynesian Village Resort is a South Pacific escape, enveloping you in wild yet manicured greenery, exotic flowers, and an overwhelming feeling harmony with the surrounding environment. From the glistening Seven Seas Lagoon to white sands to evening torches dotting the property, this is a true haven.

    The Resort offers great pool and aqua play areas and the ultimate convenience of multiple transportation options and both nearby parks and Deluxe Resorts.

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    Previous blogs by Jason Swain:

    TOP REASONS TO LOVE DISNEY’S RIVIERA RESORT

    TOP REASONS TO LOVE DISNEY’S BEACH CLUB RESORT

    TOP REASON’S TO LOVE DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE

    TOP REASONS TO LOVE DISNEY’S BAY LAKE TOWER