Disney’s Old Key West Resort is Walt Disney World’s original Disney Vacation Club property, opened in December 1991 and set along Village Lake near Disney Springs. Themed as a laid-back Florida Keys community called Conch Flats, it spreads 761 studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas across low-rise, pastel-colored buildings surrounded by golf-course-style grounds and canals.
It’s worth considering if you want the most space for your money among Disney’s deluxe villa resorts: rooms here are the largest of any Disney Vacation Club property, and every villa includes a full or partial kitchen and, in larger units, a washer and dryer. That makes it a strong pick for families or groups who want to spread out, cook some meals, and settle into a quieter, less crowded corner of Disney property.
Stats at a Glance
- Resort: Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Location: Village Lake area, near Disney Springs, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
- Opened: December 20, 1991 (as Disney’s Vacation Club Resort; renamed 1996)
- Rooms: 761 studios and 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom villas
- Price tier: Deluxe Disney Vacation Club villa — roughly $470-$800+/night for studios in shoulder season, more for multi-bedroom villas
- Park transport: Bus service to all four theme parks; boat to Disney Springs
- Perks: Standard Disney resort early theme park entry, complimentary resort transportation, Disney Springs boat access
- Theme: Florida Keys village (‘Conch Flats’)
Rooms, Theming and Dining
Old Key West trades high-density theming for space and a residential, laid-back feel: buildings are low-rise and spread across a large footprint of canals, palms, and golf-course-style lawns modeled on a fictional Keys community called Conch Flats. Studios and villas are furnished in a breezy tropical style, and because units were built for Disney Vacation Club owners, even standard studios feel roomier than typical deluxe hotel rooms, while one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas add full kitchens, dining and living areas, and (in larger villas) private laundry.
Dining is limited but solid for a resort this size. Olivia’s Cafe serves Florida Keys-influenced comfort food and is known for its key lime pie, and Good’s Food to Go offers quick-service items by the main pool. There’s no signature or character dining on-site, so guests wanting more variety typically hop over to Disney Springs by boat or drive to a nearby resort.
Getting to the Parks and Perks
Because Old Key West sits off the main monorail and Skyliner loops, transportation to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom is by bus only, with buses typically running from 45 minutes before park opening until 45 minutes after closing. The resort’s biggest transportation perk is its water taxi to Disney Springs, a roughly 15-minute boat ride that makes late dinners and shopping trips easy without a car. As an on-site Disney resort, staying here also qualifies guests for standard early theme park entry, letting you into the parks 30 minutes ahead of official opening.
The resort’s sprawling layout means bus stops and walk times to the main Hospitality House hub vary a lot by building, so guests who prioritize quick transportation access should request a room near the Hospitality House when booking.
Who Should Stay Here
Old Key West suits multi-generational families, longer stays, and anyone who wants villa-style space with a kitchen at a quieter, less trafficked resort than Disney’s monorail or Skyliner hotels. It’s a good value-conscious pick within the deluxe DVC tier, especially for groups who’ll cook some meals or need laundry. It’s a weaker fit for guests who want quick monorail or gondola hops to the parks, resort-hopping energy, or heavy themed dining on-site, since transportation is bus-dependent and food options are limited.
Explore more: More Where to Stay guides, Magic Kingdom guide, Epcot guide.
Disney’s Old Key West Resort FAQs
Do guests at Old Key West get Disney early park entry?
Yes. As an on-site Walt Disney World resort, Old Key West guests get the standard 30-minute early theme park entry available to all Disney resort hotel guests, along with complimentary bus transportation to every park.
Is Old Key West a good value compared to other Disney deluxe resorts?
It’s generally one of the more moderately priced deluxe villa options because of its Disney Vacation Club roots and less premium park-adjacent location, and the larger room sizes mean more space per dollar, especially for families splitting a multi-bedroom villa.
Can non-DVC members book Disney’s Old Key West Resort?
Yes, cash reservations are open to the general public alongside Disney Vacation Club member bookings, though DVC owners get priority booking windows for peak dates.
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Photo: MoodyGroove (talk)MoodyGroove / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.