Mouse Extra

Old Key West is a pioneer in Disney vacationing. It was the first resort dedicated solely to that growing community of Disney Vacation clubbers. Since then, Disney has constructed the sprawl of Saratoga Springs and added vacation club areas to the Beach Club, the Wilderness Lodge, and coming soon, the Animal Kingdom Lodge. But before you non-DVCers move on to a different article, be advised that even nonmembers can book a room at Old Key West especially during the off-season.

photo courtesy of Mouse Planet.  Click on the photo for Mouse Planet’s photo tour of Old Key Wesy

The resort is supposed to elicit the feeling that you are in the Keys. The place is surrounded by vegetation. The buildings are relatively low and of the clapboard style. Everything is laid back. A waterway snakes through the complex ending at the main public area with waterside restaurants and the gift shop. The shop itself is typical of DVC resorts in that kitchen fillers are alongside the typical t-shirts. The food choices, however, are not typical. One big problem for the resort is that there is no food court. Many of the larger resorts have them, but here, you only have a small dockside counter service with a limited selection. There is also Olivia’s Cafe, a sit down place with a Southern and Caribbean cuisine with items like crab cakes, jerk chicken, and conch chowder. As you can guess, there are key lime dessert items available.

As with any resort, there are good things and bad. On the plus side, the rooms are spacious allowing for large families to stay together. We comfortably fit 7 adults and a toddler. The kitchen allows you to eat home to save a few extra bucks for souvenirs. At the dock, a water taxi provides transportation to Downtown Disney. Its a peaceful, pleasant trip. The bus service to the parks is fair and you don’t share with any other resort (a big plus to me).

photo courtesy of Mouse Planet.  Click on the photo for Mouse Planet’s photo tour of Old Key Wesy

Besides the aforementioned food court problem, there are a few other drawbacks. Some people would enjoy the quieter aspect of the resort, but others will be looking for something to do. There isn’t much. Like I said, there is a pleasant boat trip to the Downtown area, but it takes some time including a stop at Saratoga Springs. The place is huge so try to stay near the Hospitality House so you can walk over to the shop, the boat rentals, and the food.

All in all, Old Key West is a nice play to stay especially if you’re the kind of person who wants peace and quiet after a long day at the theme parks. If you want to continue the action or plan to eat a lot at the resort, I would suggest you go elsewhere

today’s resort review is by Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra

Magical Mountain is reporting some possible additional details to the new Vacation Club villas opening at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  The information here is not referenced with a source, so I can only conclude this is still at the rumor stage.

The first bit of information worth discussing is that it says, “Disney is shooting for a September opening”.  This seems to be in contrast with what Disney itself has recently said.  If you look back to a story I did about an Animal Kingdom Villas brochure sent to current members, you’ll see that DVC officials are saying that Spring 2007 is the target to open the initial phases.  Quite frankly, I find Magical Mountain’s prediction much more likely.

The report also seems to suggest a change in the normal variety of choices for accommodations.  Along with the normal studio, one and two-bedroom villas, and Grand villa, there is also a “value” tiered villa.  This will reportedly carry a point value starting at 8 points, which would put it in line with the Old Key West’s value, and be somewhat smaller.  I can only assume that if this comes to fruition that it will also have a view of the parking lot and not the savannahs.

The next stop in the Jay Rasulo tour of Disney’s “blue sky” planning is the Disney Vacation Club.  (See the post below for more.)  As well know the next resort in the time-share club is the Animal Kingdom Villas, and that one in California is not too far behind.  But what else is on the horizon?  Here’s another quote from the Wall Street Journal… Read the rest of this entry »

A great promotional piece arrived this weekend from the Disney Vacation Club advertising a member’s pre-sale opportunity to add-on points at the upcoming Animal Kingdom Villas.  It is a gorgeous piece and also has some nice teasers…

You’ll discover a new restaurant, a water play area that includes interactive features that let your family go wild, and an additional savanna when the final phases of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas are scheduled to open late next year.

This sounds like a truly impressive place is taking shape.  The brochure also says that “initial phases estimated to open spring 2007”, which is only a couple of months away.  These are likely the redone rooms in the existing Animal Kingdom Lodge, but that’s still a bit sooner than I originally anticipated.

Scott Powers of the Orlando Sentinel has an article this morning that officially confirms a lengthy delay in the opening of the new Monsters, Inc. The Laugh Floor Comedy Club in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom.  In the article he points out that the passholder previews are also going to be delayed… Read the rest of this entry »

Just yesterday I received the latest edition of the email version of Vacation Magic, the newsletter of the Disney Vacation Club.  The top news story was…

Preview new Monsters, Inc. attraction
Disney Vacation Club Members and their Guests may be among the first to power Monstropolis with their laughter during sneak previews of the new Monsters, Inc. The Laugh Floor Comedy Club attraction coming to the Magic Kingdom® Park at the Walt Disney World® Resort.
 
To enjoy the previews, taking place during regular Park hours Jan. 19-21, simply present your Disney Vacation Club Member ID at the entrance to the new Tomorrowland® attraction (located directly across from the Stitch’s Great Escape!™ attraction).

I missed the latest preview of the Nemo musical at Animal Kingdom, but I do plan to be in the parks for the weekend the Monsters, Inc. preview takes place.  Be sure to check back the Monday after, as I hope to have plenty of photos and a full review for you.