Disney’s Old Key West Resort remains one of Walt Disney World’s more distinctive places to stay, but a recent Disney Tourist Blog review argues that its strengths and shortcomings are often two sides of the same coin.
The Disney Vacation Club property opened in 1991 as Disney’s Vacation Club Resort and was renamed Old Key West in 1996. Its “Conch Flats” setting draws on a romanticized, bygone-era Florida Keys community, with colorful buildings, Victorian and gingerbread-inspired architecture, lush landscaping, the Sandcastle Pool and a lighthouse near the Hospitality House.
The review praises that laid-back atmosphere and the notably large guest rooms, saying the extra space is especially apparent when compared with newer Disney Vacation Club studios. But it finds the rooms, last refurbished in 2019, less stylish and functional than more recent resort redesigns.
A further room update is expected, according to the blog, although Disney Vacation Club has not announced dates in the supplied material. The review anticipates work could begin in spring 2027 and potentially continue into 2028, while noting that timing is its own assessment based on availability rather than a confirmed Disney schedule. The author hopes the project could add pull-down sleeper sofas to studios, though says the room layouts may complicate that possibility.
Dining is another major concern in the review. Old Key West has Olivia’s Cafe, Good’s Food to Go and the Gurgling Suitcase bar, while a boat ride on the Sassagoula River connects guests with Disney Springs. The blog calls Olivia’s a popular restaurant with standout fried chicken and breakfast choices, but contends that the resort’s overall on-site selection is limited for a property of its size. Villas’ kitchens and kitchenettes, along with access to Disney Springs, may lessen that issue for some guests.
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Its large footprint also produces a transportation tradeoff. Multiple bus stops can add complexity for guests using Disney transportation, the review says, but the spread-out building layout can be convenient for visitors driving because parking may be close to individual villas.
For travelers planning a Walt Disney World stay, the review’s takeaway is less a verdict on whether Old Key West is good or bad than a reminder to match the resort to vacation priorities. Guests who value large accommodations, a Florida Keys-inspired atmosphere, boat access to Disney Springs and nearby parking may see its layout differently than visitors seeking newer rooms, extensive resort dining or more consolidated transportation.
