Posts Tagged ‘Disney’s Old Key West’

Stepping into Olivia’s feels like a warm hug – sunny and bright and, well, just plain homey.  Patrons can expect the friendliest of welcomes and a casual, relaxed atmosphere.

Disney’s Old Key West is the original Disney Vacation Club resort and many years ago, the members began bringing their family photos.  Today, some of the walls are still covered with frames of every conceivable shape, size, and color, featuring the faces of loved ones – newborns and grandparents, kids and characters, weddings and birthdays and Grand Gatherings of every sort.

Few guests who aren’t staying at this property make the trip to the “Keys” to eat here, so walk-ins are typically seated quickly.  Happily, at a time of increasingly homogeneous offerings at many of the other Walt Disney World restaurants, Olivia’s menu has retained some of its original Conch Flats flair.  Many dishes feature a dash of the Caribbean: tropical fruits, jerk spice, conch and shrimp, mojito marinade, beans and rice.   A number of the more interesting menu items have come and gone through the years, only to return, perhaps in response to guests’ complaints.  The conch fritters are back and perhaps we will see a return of the coconut shrimp.

Diners can choose to eat indoors or at one of the tables outside on the shady patio.  And the restaurant’s namesake still smiles from the top of the menu!

Review: I have always been particularly fond of the Po Boy which was off the menu for several years, so I was delighted to see it had returned when I was last there.  It’s a shrimp version and doesn’t have the wonderful french bread that the purist would demand, but the shrimp are always cooked perfectly – a simple and satisfying sandwich.  During the period when it wasn’t offered, the chef was always willing to make it especially for me, which may account, in part, for my very positive review!  While many returning Walt Disney World guests have started a tradition of a first or last meal at a character dining venue, my family and I will often make the trip to Olivia’s at the beginning of our vacation.  Somehow, the cheerful ambiance and friendly smiles seem infused with that special “Disney feeling” we love so much.

Menus

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Dessert

Olivia’s Café

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Dinner 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

With the lure and excitement of the theme parks, it’s easy to forget that the Walt Disney World resort hotels are, in and of themselves, vacation destinations.  Guests can step outside their room to view an African savannah at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge or lose themselves in the tropics at Disney’s Polynesian Resort; escape to the piney woods at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or frolic on the sandy beaches of Disney’s Yacht and Beach Clubs.  The color and fun of Mardi Gras, the tranquil beauty of the American Southwest, the Caribbean, even Andy’s Room:  with such wide range of styles, settings and décor, there’s something to suit every taste.  Although each has its own ambience, they all include the hallmark of the Disney experience – outstanding service.

Disney resorts fall into four “categories” – Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa.  While each property is unique, those sharing the same category will have many similar characteristics.

The Value resorts typically reflect the lowest prices of the four categories.  We say “typically” because sometimes a special offer can result in a normally higher-priced category costing less.  Your travel concierge will always be on the lookout for the best value during your vacation dates.

The standard room at a Value resort has the smallest square-footage with two double beds and exterior corridors.  The resorts themselves are very large and spread out with attractive, albeit basic, landscaping and a nice pool but one without a slide or extensive theming.  All four have amazing oversized structures around the property which highlight elements of the resort’s specific theme.  So, you’ll find giant memorabilia from the different decades at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, or enormous characters from the movies at Disney’s All Star Movies Resort.

Since there are no table-service restaurants at the Value resorts, the food courts are particularly expansive with many more options than those found elsewhere.  Bus service is available to all destinations within the Walt Disney World complex.

Moderate resorts, a bit more expensive, feature slightly larger rooms although they do retain the exterior corridors.  There are both “theme” and “quiet” pools, and the lovely grounds are an outstanding feature.  Perhaps because, unlike the Deluxe Resorts, they are not built on the limited land closer to the parks, the Moderate resorts boast extravagant landscaping, arguably more beautiful than any other resort category.  With the exception of Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter, the Moderate resorts are enormous and very spread out over the spectacular landscapes.  Plantings, design elements, and architecture are all chosen to enhance the sense that guests have truly escaped to the bayou, the desert, the Caribbean, or New Orleans.

Some Moderate resorts feature a table-service restaurant, and two have boat service to Downtown Disney, but otherwise, bus transportation is provided.

At the Deluxe Resorts, expect extensive theming and extraordinary public spaces with imaginative touches at every turn.  There are generally numerous activities and amenities coupled with at least one exceptional dining venue.

The standard rooms are the largest, although they do vary in size from one property to another, generally have two queen-sized beds and often include a daybed, as well.   Interior hallways give these resorts more of a “hotel” atmosphere and large lobbies and seating areas are invitations to linger.  All except Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge have multiple transportation options which may include bus, boat, monorail, and pedestrian walkways to other locations.  Bell services and room service are more comprehensive.  The grounds are meticulously groomed and the theme pools are especially elaborate.  Most also feature a lovely “quiet” pool.

Deluxe resorts also offer suites and concierge or club-level accommodations making them the most luxurious of the Disney properties.

Deluxe Villa resort accommodations are rooms allocated to retail sales from the Disney Vacation Club properties.   Room configurations include studios, one- and two-bedroom villas, and three-bedroom Grand Villas.  The studio is somewhat comparable to a standard deluxe-property room with the addition of a small kitchenette.  The other units include a full kitchen, washer and dryer, two- or three-room master bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and walk-in showers, and plentiful storage.  The Grand Villas add a dining room for family dinners and are wonderfully spacious.

Several of the Deluxe Villa properties are connected to existing hotels: Disney’s Boardwalk, Disney’s Beach Club, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.  Guests staying in these villas have full access to all the amenities of their sister hotel including the themed pools.  Disney’s Old Key West and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa are dedicated villa properties without any standard hotel space connected.

Of course, each Walt Disney World Resort hotel has features that are uniquely theirs!  Your travel concierge will be happy to provide in-depth information about each resort to assist you in making the perfect choice.

We believe that photographs are the best way to share the magic of Disney Destinations and we are fortunate to have access to the work of some of the world’s best “Disney” photographers.  We hope they serve as inspiration for your own efforts during your next Disney vacation.

Whether you’re hoping to return home with a few pictures of your family in front of Cinderella Castle, or plan to try your hand at some creative compositions, we’re sharing our fav 5 tips for fabulous photographs:

• Take a photo at the same location each time you visit.  Choose something you love. Yes, it can be the Castle, but consider a feature that’s a bit more personal – a sculpture onboard Disney Wonder; one of the many wonderful seats found all around the parks and resorts; the sign in front of your family’s favorite attraction; the restaurant where you always have dinner on the night of your arrival; a pose with a special character.  If you have children, selecting a smaller element rather than a landscape or building will showcase their growth over the years.

• Although pictures of happy people waving at the camera put a smile on everyone’s face, candid shots are often the most memorable.  The profile of a little child gazing up at a parade; the delighted laugh of an adult being hugged by Mickey Mouse; these can be the most special moments of all.  Keep an eye out for such opportunities.

• Choosing a theme can make any vacation album unique.  The decision to focus on the doorways of Dublin, the streets of Singapore, the mailboxes of Massachusetts, allows us to tell a travel story in a cohesive and unique way.  The most thematic places on earth, Disney Destinations give new meaning to the concept of themed photography.  Characters, clocks, colors; flowers, fences, fish; hats or hidden Mickeys; vehicles and villains; the possibilities are endless.  Weave your own tale by choosing an element that will play a role in a number of your photos.

• While most people are aware of the difficulties with night photography, few realize that full daylight carries its own challenges.  Great photographers understand that the very best photo opportunities are found at the beginning and end of each day – sunrise and sunset.  The light is unsurpassed, lending a gentle glow or soft shadow, making the everyday subject exceptional.

• Whatever your focus may be, take the time to consider your subject.  Look for an unusual perspective; a new way of capturing a familiar sight.  Get down low or step up on something higher; shoot from a different side, try a shallow depth of field, pay attention to reflections and shadows.  Move in close – remember that a nose, eyelashes, and polka dots are more than enough for a recognizable image of Minnie Mouse!

Study the Disney photo collections of George Thomas for a tutorial on nature photography. This small piece of Floridian perfection was found at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.

When he turns his attention to color-selected black and white, we see a different side of this multi-talented photographer. On our Photographers page, we’ve featured two beautiful examples. The photo of Reedy Creek Fire Department highlights its playful elements. The amazing shot of monorail yellow demonstrates a skillful use of select color to amplify the dynamics of the sleek and shiny train. Thank you, George!