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