Why DVC Members Stay at Old Key West
As you debate the various Disney Vacation Club resorts, you likely wonder which one is best. The reality is that every DVC property will mesmerize you with its beauty, theme, and amenities.
So, while you can’t go wrong with your selections, this knowledge may cause undue pressure. You’ll worry whether you’re picking the best location for your family’s vacation.
Today, I’ll prove that even the oldest resort in the program will justify your decision to stay. Here’s why DVC members stay at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.
The Classic Florida Vibe
Disney didn’t select this hotel name randomly. Old Key West Resort’s theming will transport you to a nostalgic time in the history of the Sunshine State.
You’re entering the era of Ernest Hemingway’s Key West, a time when people moved to this area to be part of a cultural revolution. Artists like John James Audubon, Tennessee Williams, and Jimmy Buffett all mastered their craft in this town.
Disney recreates the relaxed setting at Old Key West, creating a tranquil vibe. You’ve left the outside world behind, so enjoy yourself. Explore the hotel grounds at your leisure or just sit on your patio and admire the view.
While other DVC properties garner more headlines, I’d argue that Old Key West is one of Disney’s most beautiful properties. This place feels like Florida…but during a time before all the tourists had flooded the area.
The Easy Access to Disney Springs
For a few frustrating months in early 2025, Old Key West guests faced a novel situation. Management tore down the boat dock here to build a newer, more modern one. During this timeframe, people staying at the hotel were cut off from one of Old Key West’s best amenities.
We couldn’t ride the boat to Disney Springs during those dark days. It hurt. Many DVC members specifically choose to stay at Old Key West due to its laid-back vibe. It’s a different kind of Walt Disney World vacation.
Since you’re kicking back more, you’ll want to shop, drink, and dine at Disney Springs. Conveniently, Old Key West houses that boat dock near the hotel lobby. So, you can visit Disney Springs as often as you want during your hotel stay. Fans appreciate this amenity that much more now that it was briefly taken away not that long ago.
The Giant Rooms
In case you don’t know, the rooms at Old Key West are huge. I obsess over this feature too much, but it’s mainly because I have friends who specifically own at Old Key West for this reason.
As DVC’s first property, it was designed during a different era and as part of an original plan that evolved. At the time, Disney officials believed that the rooms should be like the popular timeshares of the 1980s.
For this reason, the Studios cover an impressive 390 square feet. They’re among the largest Studios in the program. However, it’s the Villas that set the standard.
The One-Bedroom Villas contain 942 square feet of space. A quick Zillow search indicates that people would pay $1 million for a home that size in New York City. Just think about that for a moment.
DVC members can stay in a spacious apartment-sized space for as long as they like. Since Old Key West possesses one of the most favorable DVC Points charts, it’s not even an expensive Villa to book. The value of these giant rooms is off the charts.
Hospitality House and the Other Areas
If you ever want to start a bar fight at Old Key West, it’s easy. Head to the Gurgling Suitcase. Then, loudly ask the question, “Which hotel section do you prefer?” You’ll quickly realize you’ve stuck your head in the lion’s mouth.
Since this hotel has been around for 35 years, fans have developed strong opinions about the One True Way to vacation here. Some prefer Miller’s Road, others favor Turtle Pond, and you’ll even find some South Point diehards. Personally, I’m a Hospitality House evangelist, but I quickly learned not to say that too loud.
Many Old Key West fans feel so strongly about their section of the hotel campus that they’ll berate you for disagreeing. I’m somewhat exaggerating here…but not as much as you’d think. People care about the various areas at Old Key West, which speaks to how passionate we all are about the original DVC resort.
The Hobbyist Activities
When I last stayed at Old Key West, my patio nearly adjoined the surrounding golf course. I was so close to the action that I idly wondered whether a golf ball might hit me where I was sitting.
That’s the beauty of Old Key West. A PGA-quality golf course weaves its way past the hotel buildings. Even better, that’s just one of many hobbyist activities here. So, you can hop on the boat I mentioned and play a round of golf at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. It’ll actually bring you back to the area of your hotel room.
Should you prefer tennis or pickleball, you’ll find a court here as well. Oh, and you can play basketball, too. The hobbyist activities at Old Key West rival any in the DVC library.
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