Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Orlando, Florida – 1/7/2015

JANUARY 7, 2015 (Wednesday)

I know you will be disappointed that there wasn’t another timeshare presentation today. Sorry.

We got up early for us (around 7:30 AM). We enjoyed our cereal and tea, watched some television, and worked on our computers. We got ready and left our home around 11:00 AM. (We quickly took a short side trip to the nearby Walmart to get Michael a hat.) Today we went to Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Old Key West Resort, per a recommendation from a TUG (Timeshare User’s Group) friend, Miss Marty. She’s made some recommendations in the past that have been really nice.

We followed the GPS to Disney's Old Key West. — We followed the GPS to DVC Old Key West Resort.

Grumpy's new hat from Walmart. — Grumpy’s new hat from Walmart.

We got a little lost but finally got to the gate. We told the guard that we were having lunch at “Olivia’s Cafe,” and he asked for photo identification. That was it and we were in the Disney Resort. We headed for the nearby parking lot and found a spot, no problem. We walked around for a few minutes and then went into “Olivia’s Cafe.” It’s a quaint old Florida type restaurant with lots of knick knacks and photographs. It wasn’t busy at all and we were seated immediately. The prices are a little high for lunch but the food was really good and plentiful. Michael got a fried chicken breast, mashed potatoes, and vegetables. I got a shrimp with hamburger sandwich with fries. Excellent. We were regretting not trying the onion rings with key lime mustard and mango ketchup. It looked fun and quite good.

As Disney does so well, they have recreated the feel of Key West. — As Disney does so often and well, they have re-created the feel of Key West.

Into the resort looking for Olivia's. — Into the resort looking for Olivia’s.

Edie had a hamburger. It came with shrimp, avocado, fries and a pineapple coconut bun.

I had a chicken breast, mashed potatoes and excellent vegetables.

The menu is full of Caribbean influences.

After eating, we just walked around the beautiful resort. We saw the main pool, lighthouse, play structure, the sand play area, the tennis courts, the workout room, and a few other areas. I also got to enjoy a hammock (near the tennis courts) while Michael went to the bathroom. After walking around we took the water taxi (free) to Downtown Disney. The ride was quite long (around ten minutes) and the boat went pretty fast so it must be quite the distance. Lovely ride with lots of birds along the way.

Very nice giant sand box play area for little ones.

Pretty woman found her favorite spot pretty quickly, with volleyball court in the background. — Pretty woman found her favorite spot rather quickly, with volleyball court in the background.

Water taxi to Disney Downtown. — Water taxi to Downtown Disney.

So many Villas and places to stay. — So many villas and places to stay.

On the way to town. — On the way to Downtown Disney.

Pretty woman in Downtown. — Pretty woman in Downtown Disney.

Once at Downtown Disney, we walked a different route and turned near a Cuban cafe (I think it’s owned by Gloria Estefan) called Bongo’s. We ended up going to the movie theater. We were able to get tickets to “The Hobbit” that was showing within five minutes. When we got our seats, the previews were still on and there was plenty of seating. The movie was good. I could even follow along with this one. It was rather long, though.

We think this is Gloria Estephon's place. — We think this is Gloria Estefan’s place.

Pretty fountains outside. — Pretty fountains outside

AMC 24. Saw the Hobbit. — AMC 24. Saw “The Hobbit” in 3D.

We left the movies (around 4:00 PM) and took the water taxi back to the Old Key West Resort. Again, another lovely ride, but rather chilly and getting chillier by the minute.

Didn't realize the basket was actually a ring. — Didn’t realize the basket was actually a ring.

The wind was whipping up and had the balloon rocking.

Going back to Old Key West. — Going back to Old Key West Resort.

Busy canal, we passed several other taxi's both ways. — Busy canal, we passed several other taxi’s both ways.

So many timeshares at the Disney property.

Back at Key West. — Back at Old Key West Resort.

Edie spotted these. The light was just right to make them beautiful.

Once we got to our car, we drove around the resort a little bit and then headed home. We stopped at Wendy’s on the way home. Michael got a salad and a frosty, and I got a small chili and a frosty for dinner.

Back almost home, we see these black and white ducks with red around the eyes, for me, truly odd ducks. — Almost home, we see these black and white ducks with red around the eyes; for me, truly odd ducks.

That was our day. Hope yours was great!