Old Key West Resort Guide
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Our tips and tricks to make your trip magicalFrom the sand castle pool slide and spacious villa layouts to Olivia’s Cafe and DVC perks — everything you need to plan the perfect Old Key West stay, from owners who know this resort best.
What’s In This Guide
Why We Love Old Key West
Welcome to a slice of tropical paradise in the heart of Walt Disney World — where laid-back island charm meets the magic of Disney.
Old Key West captures the essence of the Florida Keys with its pastel-colored buildings, lush landscaping, and tranquil waterways. This resort has a unique and well-earned identity: it is the original Disney Vacation Club resort, opening in 1991, and it has a devoted cult following among DVC owners who return year after year. There is a warmth and charm to Old Key West that feels different from other Disney resorts — more relaxed, more spacious, more like a true home base.
Whether you’re looking to unwind by the pool, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the picturesque grounds, or head out on a fun-filled adventure in the parks, our guide will help you make the most of your stay. Old Key West isn’t our favorite studio option, but we absolutely love how generously sized the larger villas are — making it one of the best choices for bigger groups and families at Walt Disney World.
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Room View Categories
Old Key West keeps its room categories straightforward — two location-based options that primarily differ in convenience to the main building and pool, not in the views themselves.
Unlike some DVC resorts where view categories dramatically change what you see out your window, at Old Key West both categories offer similar outlooks of landscaping, parking, and waterways. The main distinction is proximity to the Hospitality House and the main pool area.
View of parking areas, resort landscaping, or the tranquil waterways that wind through the property. The most widely available category — a beautiful and relaxing setting that puts the Florida Keys atmosphere front and center.
Same views as standard, but located closer to the main building and pool area. A great choice if you plan to use the main pool frequently or want shorter walks to Olivia’s Cafe, Good’s, and the bus stop.
If being close to the main pool and dining matters to you, request a room near the Hospitality House when you check in. Old Key West is large enough that a room at the far end of the resort can feel quite remote — which is wonderful for privacy but worth knowing if you’re traveling with young kids who want quick pool access.
Room Sizes & Floor Plans
Old Key West is known for having some of the most generously sized villas in all of DVC — especially the larger room categories, which are outstanding value for groups and families.
The Deluxe Studio is one of the most affordable DVC studio options on property, starting at just 9 points per night. But where Old Key West really shines is the larger villas — the One Bedroom, Two Bedroom, and especially the Grand Villa are notably spacious compared to equivalent rooms at other DVC resorts. If you’re traveling with a big group, this is one of the best resorts to consider.
- Two queen beds
- One bathroom
One of the most affordable DVC studios on property — starting at just 9 points per night. No kitchenette in this room type.
- One king bed
- One queen sofa bed
- One sleeper chair (toddler size)
- Two bathrooms
- Full kitchen (see below)
- Washer / dryer
- One king, two queens
- One sofa bed
- One sleeper chair
- One trundle bed
- Two bathrooms
- Full kitchen (see below)
- Washer / dryer
Notably spacious compared to two-bedroom villas at other DVC resorts — a great choice for larger families.
- One king, four queens
- One sofa bed
- Two floors
- Three bathrooms
- Full kitchen (see below)
- Washer / dryer
One of the best Grand Villas in all of DVC for large groups — two full floors with generous space throughout.
Kitchens include: sink, dishwasher, fridge and freezer, microwave, coffee maker, toaster. Plates, cups, silverware, frying pan, sauce pan, and cooking utensils. Also stocked with one roll of paper towels, one dishwasher tablet, travel-size dishwashing soap, and a sponge.
The Deluxe Studio at Old Key West starts at just 9 DVC points per night — one of the lowest point costs of any DVC studio on property. If you’re stretching a limited point balance, this resort offers exceptional value, especially in the larger villa categories.
Restaurants, Bars & Quick Service
Old Key West keeps its dining lineup relaxed and casual — perfectly in keeping with the resort’s laid-back Keys vibe. The standout is Olivia’s Cafe, one of the most beloved hidden gems in all of Walt Disney World dining.
The resort has one full table-service restaurant and a handful of quick service and bar options clustered around the Hospitality House. Since Disney Springs is just a short boat or bus ride away, guests also have easy access to a wide variety of dining options off-resort. Many guests love stocking the villa kitchen with groceries for a few meals and saving their dining budget for the parks.
Classic Southern cooking with a tropical flair. Olivia’s is famous for its fried chicken and is considered one of the most underrated table-service restaurants at all of Walt Disney World. The relaxed atmosphere and genuinely delicious comfort food make it a must-try for any Old Key West guest. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served daily.
Quick Service & Other Options
The quick service options at Old Key West are convenient and well-located around the Hospitality House. Good’s Food to Go also accepts mobile orders through the My Disney Experience app — great for ordering ahead from your villa or on the way back from the parks.
- Good’s Food to Go — The main quick service location at the Hospitality House. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts. Mobile ordering available through the My Disney Experience app.
- Gurgling Suitcase — A charming little bar near the Hospitality House serving cocktails, beer, and wine. A great spot for a drink before or after dinner at Olivia’s.
- Pool Bar — Located at the main Turtle Shack pool area, serving drinks and light snacks. Perfect for a cold beverage between swims.
- Conch Flats General Store — Ice cream, cookies, drinks, and other essentials. Great for stocking up on snacks or satisfying a late-night sweet tooth.
As a DVC / deluxe resort guest, you can make all your dining reservations 60 days before check-in. Book Olivia’s Cafe early — it’s a small restaurant and fills up fast, especially for dinner. Disney Springs is also just a boat ride away for a wide variety of dining options any night of your trip.
Activity Highlights & Getting Around
Between four pool areas, a nightly movie under the stars, a weekly campfire, and easy access to Disney Springs by boat — Old Key West has a great lineup of on-resort activities and laid-back ways to spend your downtime.
Pools & Splash Pads
Old Key West has four pool areas: the main Sandcastle pool at the Hospitality House and three smaller leisure pools scattered around the resort. The main pool is the highlight — it features a fun water slide themed like a giant sand castle island, a kids splash pad right next to it, a hot tub, and the poolside Turtle Shack bar nearby. The leisure pools are quieter and ideal if you want a more peaceful swim closer to your villa building.
Movie Under the Stars
A few nights a week, Old Key West shows a Disney movie under the stars at the main pool area. Times vary by season — check the My Disney Experience app under “My Resort” for the current schedule and film selections.
Campfire & S’mores
Located at the end of the Turtle Crawl area, you can roast marshmallows seven days a week. S’mores kits are available for an additional fee. Times vary — check the My Disney Experience app under “My Resort” for current times.
Jogging Trail
Old Key West has a jogging trail that winds 1.37 miles through the resort grounds — a beautiful way to start the morning and explore the property’s lush tropical landscaping at a relaxed pace.
Transportation — Bus to All Parks
All four Walt Disney World theme parks are served by Disney buses from the resort’s main bus stop at the Hospitality House. Find estimated arrival times under “My Resort” in the My Disney Experience app. Buses typically begin running about an hour before the parks open each morning. If your villa building is far from the Hospitality House, allow extra time to reach the bus stop.
Transportation — Boat to Disney Springs
A boat launch near the Hospitality House connects Old Key West to Disney Springs. Be warned: this is not a fast boat. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic waterway ride — but if you are in a time crunch, an Uber or Lyft will be significantly faster. The boat is best enjoyed as a leisurely experience, not a commute.
Buses start arriving roughly an hour before the parks open each morning. Because this is a large, spread-out resort, give yourself extra time to walk or take the internal resort bus to the Hospitality House bus stop before your park day starts.
Perks from Staying at Old Key West & Renting DVC
Renting DVC points unlocks a full suite of benefits that standard hotel bookings simply don’t include — and they’re all built into your rental cost.
What You Get
These perks apply to all guests staying at Old Key West through a DVC rental — included in the cost, no extras needed.
