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Planning a Resort Day at Disney’s Old Key West

Disney's Old Key West Pool
Credit: Disney

Disney’s Old Key West Resort was the first location to offer the Disney Vacation Club when it opened in December 1991 as the Disney Vacation Club Resort. Switching to its current name in 1996, the Deluxe Disney Resort welcomes guests to the community of Conch Flats, a romanticized hamlet of the Florida Keys complete with pastel colors, charming architecture, waterways, and an overall laid back feel. Guests who stay at Disney’s Old Key West Resort are sure to absolutely love the atmosphere as well as the relaxing amenities that are available to them throughout their stay. In fact, there is so much to see and enjoy at the Disney Resort that guests can absolutely make an entire day out of experiencing it all. Here are some of the best things to do when enjoying a resort day at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.

Credit: Disney

1. Breakfast At Olivia’s Café

The perfect way to kick off a day at Disney’s Old Key West Resort is to enjoy a hearty breakfast at the Resort’s full service dining location. Olivia’s Café is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day and serves up a menu of Florida inspired bites served up in a colorful and relaxing dining room. The backstory of the location is that it is run by Olivia who has become a local legend in Conch Flats after years of serving up island-inspired cuisine mixed with her personal favorites. Some delicious breakfast options at Olivia’s Café include Waffle and Eggs, Papa’s Hash, Olivia’s Breakfast, Buttermilk Pancakes and Eggs, Sombrero Beach Omelet, Banana Bread French Toast, Olivia’s Famous Grits, and more.

Credit: Disney

2. Rent A Bike From Hank’s Rent ‘N Return

After enjoying a filling breakfast at Olivia’s Café, guests can enjoy an outdoor activity that allows them to check out all areas of Disney’s Old Key West Resort at a leisurely pace. Hank’s Rent ‘N Return offers guests the chance to rent a variety of bikes, including traditional bicycles as well as surrey bikes, and set off to explore the community. Since the Disney Resort is rather large, guests can spend the better part of the morning exploring the various streets of room buildings while enjoying he breeze and beautiful views of the Sassagoula River.

3. Relax At the Sandcastle Pool

After breakfast and a bike ride, guests will definitely be ready to relax at one of the several pools found at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. The main pool is the Sandcastle Pool which is located just outside of the Hospitality House where guest services and other amenities are located. The Sandcastle Pool features a sand beach, whirlpool spa, dry sauna on the lighthouse deck, and a one hundred and twenty five foot long waterside that whisks guests through a giant sandcastle. With plenty of comfortable lounge chairs for guests to relax in while soaking up the sun, the Sandcastle Pool is the perfect location to enjoy the midday hours.

Credit: Disney

4. Lunch From Good’s Food To Go

While enjoying a few hours at the Sandcastle Pool, guests should stop at the close by Good’s Food To Go to pick up a quick service lunch. The counter service location is just steps away from the pool and features convenient picnic tables to sit and eat at for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. Guests who enjoy lunch from Good’s Food To Go can order up options such as Tuna Salad, Shrimp Cobb Salad, Mango-Rum Barbecued Pulled Pork Sandwich, Chicken Strips, 1/3 lb Angus Cheeseburger, Pesto Chicken Sandwich, Loaded Nachos, and Power Salad. The location also features a kid’s menu as well as soft drinks, cold brew coffees from Joffrey’s, and several specialty cocktails.

Credit: Disney

5. Drinks From Gurgling Suitcase

In addition to lunch from Good’s Food To Go, guests should also walk over to Gurgling Suitcase  to order up a refreshing and delicious cocktail to complement their poolside meal. Gurgling Suitcase is an open air bar with cozy barstool seating and the option to order up anything from the lunch and dinner menu at nearby Olivia’s Café. While the location serves up some food, guests can enjoy an extensive menu of specialty cocktails in addition to beer, wine, and soft drinks. Guests will absolutely love ordering cocktails such as the Walk the Plank, Raspberry Mojito, Whiskey Breeze, Kentucky Mule, Watermelon Margarita, and Spicy Poblano Margarita. A cocktail from Gurgling Suitcase pairs perfectly with lunch from Good’s Food To Go poolside at the Sandcastle Pool!

6. Take An Afternoon Nap in the Room

After a busy morning and several hours in the hot sun, guests are probably ready for a little relaxing indoors in the air conditioning, and the rooms at Disney’s Old Key West are perfect for an afternoon nap. Rooms at the Disney Resort include Deluxe Studios as well as one, two, and three bedroom Villas all of which feature kitchen setups as well as living and sleeping space. The rooms are comfortably furnished with bright colors, warm accents, and tropical prints to truly bring the cozy and inviting island spirit of Key West to life. An afternoon spent relaxing and recharging in one of the rooms is a perfect way to spend part of a resort day at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.

Credit: Disney

7. Play Games in Conch Flats Community Hall

Part of the charm of Disney’s Old Key West Resort is the sense of community and neighborhood that the theming brings to life and guests can enjoy an extension of that in a public location that features lots of great game options. Conch Flats Community Hall is open to all guests and features a variety of complimentary games that guests can enjoy throughout each day. Guests can tap into their competitive sides and enjoy foosball, pool, shuffleboard, ping pong, video games, and more in addition to group activities such as arts and crafts and the option to rent DVDs to bring back to any room to watch. Conch Flats Community Hall is the perfect way to spend some afternoon hours with so many fun options to choose from!

8. Enjoy the Boat Ride to Disney Springs

Since Disney’s Old Key West Resort is situated along the Sassagoula River, guests are not only treated to stunning water views but also a convenient mode of transportation. Boat service runs each day between the Disney Resort and nearby Disney Springs, offering guests the chance to enjoy a leisurely ride down the Sassagoula River ending with the option to explore Disney Springs for some shopping, dining, or drinks. While Disney Springs is absolutely a must do location while enjoying a Walt Disney World vacation, those who are looking to simply enjoy a resort day at Disney’s Old Key West Resort can opt to just enjoy the roundtrip boat ride for a relaxing and scenic journey.

Credit: Disney

10. Enjoy the Campfire & Movie Under the Stars

After a long and buy day enjoying all that Disney’s Old Key West Resort has to offer, guests can head back towards the Hospitality House to enjoy a pair of nighttime activities that are fun for all ages. Campfires happen nightly at the Disney Resort and guests can enjoy the warmth from the fire, mingling with other guests, and indulging in roasting complimentary marshmallows. After cozying up to the campfire, guests can cap off their night with a Movie Under the Stars screened right next to the Sandcastle Pool deck. The movies rotate throughout the week, ensuring that guests can enjoy a variety of nightly shows that are the perfect way to wrap up any resort day at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.

About Caitlin Kane

Caitlin Kane has been visiting Walt Disney World since she was a child and has developed a deep love and appreciation of the Disney Parks with a particular interest in the small details and history that can be found all around. Visiting every chance she gets, Caitlin loves to enjoy the ambiance of the Disney Parks and try something new every time. She can often be found eating and drinking her way through the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, riding the Haunted Mansion, sipping on a Lapu Lapu, pretending Illuminations: Reflections of Earth was still in existence, and enjoying seeing the magic through the eyes of her children. When not in WDW, Caitlin can be found at home in New York dreaming of a ride on Living with the Land and counting down the days until her next trip.