Let’s Talk about the Booking Options at Old Key West

August 30th is now Jimmy Buffett Day in Florida, and one DVC resort is more likely to commemorate the event than most. Longtime fans of Disney’s Old Key West Resort know that Buffett’s music frequently plays at the pool. 

So, let’s all enjoy a few boat drinks and/or margaritas while we evaluate DVC’s original resort. Let’s talk about the booking options at Old Key West.

Why You’ll Love the Studio

The magic word at Old Key West is “space.” When DVC officials planned the program in 1990, the timeshare movement of the era impacted their thinking. They believed that guests would need the largest accommodations possible. Otherwise, Disney couldn’t compete with the existing timeshares. 

While that idea sounds laughable in hindsight, you’ll note the influence throughout the massive Old Key West campus. Similarly, some of the rooms feel like they come from a forgotten era of tourism. 

The Studios consist of 390 square feet of space, which Disney uses efficiently. You’ll believe you’ve entered an Ernest Hemingway novel the instant you enter the room. Bright colors are visible everywhere, with breezy pastels reminding you of sunny days.

Disney has posted some brilliant artwork that features a Key West “map” showing directions to Magic Kingdom and other local landmarks. The detail immerses you in the belief that you’re about to spend a warm day at the beach, basking in the sun in between theme park visits. 

The room contains DVC’s standard amenities for a Studio. You’ll find two queen beds, a kitchenette, an entertainment center, HDTV, a side table with chairs, a shower with tub, and a lovely patio/deck sitting area. The Studios sleep four, but please be aware that these rooms don’t have any foldouts/pulldowns. 

Why You’ll Love the One-Bedroom Villa

I love the Studios so much that I bought at this resort. However, one of our dearest friends has owned at Old Key West since the beginning. He chose this place for a single reason. When his family visits Walt Disney World, they will only stay in a One-Bedroom Villa here.

The reason why is the massive room size of the One-Bedroom Villas. Again, it was a different era in hospitality design, and Disney built these suites in line with the standards of the time. So, the One-Bedroom Villa here “only” sleeps five, but the guests can spread out across 1,005 square feet of space. It’s nearly triple the size of the Studio!

When you enter, you’ll recognize the difference immediately. The room opens into a living room that may be as large as your home’s. Directly across the living room is the kitchen. The subdivider is an entertainment console that hides a television. From the kitchen, it looks like part of the bar. In the living room, you can watch TV, though. 

As for the kitchen, it’s legitimately one of the largest in DVC’s One-Bedroom Villa category. In truth, it rivals the layout of some Two-Bedroom Villas. This place is massive!

You’ll find a King-sized bed here, along with a pullout queen and a fold-down sleep chair. In fact, the living room’s layout is quite clever, featuring two love seats, a chair with an ottoman, and a light fixture mimicking the appearance of a lifeguard tower. You’re at the beach, and Disney wants you to know it.

Don’t forget that One-Bedroom Villas come with full-sized washer/dryer units. That will accident-proof your vacation. 

Why You May Prefer the Larger Villas

The bump in size from One-Bedroom to Two-Bedroom Villas isn’t as sizable as you might expect. The Two-Bedrooms cover 1,395 square feet of space. So, it’s about 39 percent larger, while sleeping up to nine guests.

Your traveling party can sprawl out on a King-sized bed, two Queens, a Queen-sized sleeper sofa, and a fold-down sleep chair. Some of these Two-Bedrooms are lock-off, while others are dedicated. The recurring them is that you’ll have more space here than at most DVC suites. 

However, in terms of bang for the buck, I’d argue that the One-Bedrooms provide the better value. DVC accounts for this with the OKW Points Chart, where Two-Bedrooms are seven to 11 points more than One-Bedrooms. 

For the extra points, you basically add a second bedroom. You can tell by the square footage that this is the primary difference. So, you gain all the space and amenities of the One-Bedroom plus better sleeping arrangements. 

Then, we have the Grand Villa, the most decadent suite at Old Key West. This plush, multi-floor space is like renting a house a boat ride away from Disney Springs. 

You’ll find a first floor living room with two love seats, a chair, and an entertainment table perfectly sized for poker players. You’ll also find a patio/deck here that overlooks either the hotel grounds or the golf course. 

The other amenities on the first floor are a massive dining room table and the best kitchen onsite. It’s probably similar in size to the one in your home. The adjoining room contains the washer/dryer unit, while the area across the way is the master bedroom. Your traveling party WILL fight over who gets to sleep here, as it’s a luxurious space, complete master bathroom and jacuzzi tub.

On the second floor, you’ll find the second and third bedrooms, which include two queen-sized and two double-sized beds. Overall, the Grand Villa sleeps 12 and covers 2,375 square feet of space. It’s decadent, and you’ll be so grateful that you stayed here.  

Why You May (Or May Not) Prefer Hospitality House

The final booking choice at Old Key West is a simple one. Should you reserve a room in the Hospitality House area? You won’t pay additional points to do so, but it’s still a divisive decision.

This hotel has operated for more than 30 years now, and many DVC members crystallized their opinions in the 1990s. They have favorite hotel buildings, and as long as you’re happy, I’m happy. 

What I’ll say is that Hospitality House buildings reside near the hotel lobby, the area that contains Olivia’s Cafe, Conch Flat General Store, the main bus depot, and the boat to Disney Springs. So, when I book at this hotel, I aim for Hospitality House. 

However, I’m fine with it if I have to stay at another part of the resort. Old Key West is massive in size and brimming with personality. So, many of the hidden gems reside toward the back of the campus, the place where the Hospitality House crew rarely ventures. Thus, DVC rewards explorers, but if you’re like me, you prefer convenience getting in and out of the resort. That’s why I currently have an OKW trip booked for November, and I’m staying at Hospitality House.