Are you trying decide where to stay on your next Disney vacation? Look no further because this one bedroom is unlike the rest in Disney World!
Disney Vacation Club
Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is Disney’s version of a timeshare. They work off of a point system, so you are not stuck into a particular accommodation at a set time every year.
In Walt Disney World there are twelve Disney Vacation Club Resorts. They are:
- Bay Lake at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s Boardwalk Villas
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Resort and Bungalows
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Want to know more about Disney Vacation Club? Read all about what Disney Vacation Club is HERE.
Old Key West
Designed after the relaxing and tranquil vibes of the Florida Keys, guests are whisked away to Conch Flats, a fictional community known for relaxation, happiness, and fun. Here, guests can experience the “sprawling island with shimmering waterways, swaying palm trees and manicured golf-course fairways.”
Disney’s Old Key West is the original Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort. The resort opened on October 1, 1991 and was renamed Old Key West in January of 1996. Old Key West resort boasts the largest DVC rooms on property. The accommodations are spacious, comfortable, cheerful, and perfect for bigger families or longer stays.
Check out our complete resort guide to Old Key West HERE.
One Bedroom
Recently, I (Heather) stayed in a one bedroom villa at Disney’s Old Key West. I can’t express how much I love this room! Most one bedrooms look very similar but have different theming or just a slightly different layout.
The one bedroom at Old Key West is a completely different layout. You won’t find anything else like it. This one bedroom can sleep up to five people plus one infant.
Come with me as I take you on a photo tour of the one bedroom villas at Old Key West!
Entry Way
The entry way is large with a closet when you first walk in. This gives you plenty of space to stash the stroller or leave park bags near the door so they are ready for your next magical adventure. I do wish that there was a coat rack to hang items like purses or sweatshirts, but I still feel like there is plenty of space.
I do love that there is a little shelf and mirror right by the door. You can give those Minnie ears one last check right before you leave, and it is a great place to leave the car key!
Kitchen and Living Space
When you walk straight into the room, you enter the kitchen and living space. As with other one bedrooms it is an open concept, however this space is huge!
You have a love seat, pull-out couch and chair (also a pull out twin!) in the living room, so there is no lack of seats for the group. The dining room table has four chairs – no bench seats here! With the size of the room, nobody is feeling over-crowded while trying to squeeze by someone sitting at the table.
The only thing I feel like could be improved in this living room is if the couch was the Murphy bed style. I’m honestly not sure if those beds will ever make it here because of the room set up. I do love all the windows and light that set up offers though!
Behind the dining room table is another countertop and cabinet space. This is a great storage space for luggage underneath or extra snacks that don’t fit in the kitchen.
Heading over to the kitchen you have an island, but you won’t find any bar stools because the TV is in the island! This is fun, however, some parents may be wary with little kiddos touching it.
This one bedroom has all the cooking utensils you will need for your family to make meals. There is plenty of storage throughout the kitchen, too. On the other side of the island you will find open shelving. I liked putting the kids snacks here so they were easily accessible.
Balcony
Heading out of the living space and outside you will see your patio or balcony space. Every villa here will have either a patio or balcony. This is my favorite part of the villas. I enjoy sitting outside with my morning coffee or at the end of a park day and just taking it all in!
This patio (minus any with park or animal views) is probably my favorite! It is so spacious. You have another table and four chairs. We aren’t just talking an end table either, this is another dining table. You can truly enjoy meals on your patio without having to worry about wearing your food.
There are two access points to the patio or balcony. You can get there through the living space or the bedroom.
Bedroom
In the bedroom you will find a KING size bed, a dresser, two night stands, a chair with ottoman and a bench. There is a lot of space in this room. I was able to set up the pack and play with no worries about how to maneuver around it.
There are outlets scattered through out the room for charging all of your devices. I do feel that other rooms offer more charging capabilities, but we were able to charge everything just fine.
Bathroom
Just like the other one bedrooms, there is a split bathroom with a bathtub and sink in one room and a sink, toilet and shower in the other. In the room with the tub and sink, you have another closet. This is the closet that has your in-room safe.
The jetted tub is large and has traditional jets. This tub was fabulous for soaking my tired feet after doing those runDisney races.
The area with the shower and toilet is spacious as well. You have more storage in here to keep your toiletries in the vanity.
So even though you don’t have a double vanity you have two separate sink spaces which will still make getting ready easier for everyone.
Like the patio, there are two entry points into this room as well: through the room with the bathtub or the laundry room.
Laundry Room
Yes, there is a dedicated laundry room! I never knew how nice it was to have an in-room washer and dryer until I had one. The luxury of being able to pack lighter and do laundry at your convenience can’t be beat!
You can walk through this room to enter the hallway to get back to the entry way. In here you will find a washer, dryer, laundry basket, and cleaning tools like a dust pan and broom. I love being able to have access to a dust pan and broom because kids make messes and I hate not being able to clean up after them. With limited housekeeping (with DVC stays), I want those crumbs picked up!
Largest One Bedroom on Property
Old Key West has the LARGEST one bedroom villas on property! Are you ready for this? They come in at 942 square feet! I don’t know about you guys, but that’s bigger than my first apartment!
This is HUGE! Most other one bedroom villas on property come in between 700-800 square feet. That is so much space! The best part is that these are also one of the cheaper one bedroom accommodations as well. Talk about a win-win!
The one bedroom villas are the largest on Disney property coming in at 942 square feet!
Drawbacks
This resort is massive! Some guests may prefer to use the internal bus. I personally enjoy the walk most of the time, but at the end of a long day it can feel a bit much.
Another drawback is that most buildings do not have elevators. If you are on an upper level you will have to climb the stairs. This may not be a big deal for most, but this is definitely important if you are traveling with someone who is using a mobility device.
I also do not prefer to lug the stroller up the stairs at the end of the day. This is when I am thankful we usually have a car with us and can store the stroller there.
Final Thoughts
This room and resort have so much to offer that the few drawbacks that it has are minimal. I love that it is one of the “cheaper” rooms to stay in but gives you the most space. It does not feel cheap by any means.
This room is such an amazing space to relax and enjoy the Disney magic. You are close enough to soak it all in but far enough away that you can really get some rest and relaxation. Many who stay at Old Key West truly love it and return time and time again because it has this amazing charm to it.
I will admit I was reluctant to stay here because of the resort’s size. Now I know these accommodations are truly magical and make for an amazing time while I can save for another trip!
Have you stayed in a one bedroom villa at Old Key West? Is it one of your favorite rooms, too? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to share this post with a friend!
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Sherri
Saturday 6th of May 2023
My absolute favourite one bedroom on property. We stayed here pre-COVID with 3 teen boys age 16-18. Plenty of space. The boys loved the resort grounds and they loved being just a boat ride away from Disney Springs and all the quick serve options. I loved the space, and the laundry (laundry in Disney is better than laundry at home). And my favourite part was early morning coffee and reading on the patio with the visiting ducks that kept me company while I waited for everyone else to wake up. I know people find it to be a large resort but I thought it was absolutely perfect.
Heather Alosa
Friday 12th of May 2023
Isn't it great? I love how peaceful this resort is!
Jill
Saturday 6th of May 2023
We stayed there in a 1 bedroom with our four kids years ago (one was a baby). It was perfect.
Heather Alosa
Friday 12th of May 2023
It's a beautiful room. I LOVE how much space there is!
Joyce
Saturday 6th of May 2023
Heather, Thank you for this article. The room looks beautiful. One drawback to all Disney DVC one bedroom villas - all bedrooms have 1 king size bed with no murphy or other type of bed in the bedroom. For a family of 3 or 4 with the children being young - this is not a good situation. The young children cannot sleep in the livingroom alone, nor would the parents want the children to have the king bed and they having to be on the couch bed. Our recent visit to WDW my son, his wife and their 5 year old had to settle for a studio. This way there were 2 queen beds. Makes no sense why Disney designed them all with king beds.
Heather Alosa
Friday 12th of May 2023
Agree, the layout doesn't work for every family. It would be nice if it had two queens or something like that in the main bedroom, there certainly is enough space in this one-bedroom villa for that many people.