[cinderbella]

Bella's Thoughts on Old Key West

To be honest I was only sort of excited about OKW. I had looked at the pictures online and was only "ehh" about the ambiance and I hadn't heard great things about the buses and the size so I was a little underwhelmed at the idea.
However, I did rent points and saved a lot of money so that made me excited!

I have to say that all my worries and fears about OKW were dissolved the minute we got there. As I said before we were right behind the bus stop and close to the Hospitality House. I know the person who I rented points from requested that we get a room there..however..you never know. The ambiance in the room itself was nice. It was very calming and the room was HUGE. The bathroom was gigantic (Dave and I could be in there at the same time getting ready and we could have fit about 9 other people in there with us too!) We loved our balcony which overlooked a lagoon and the golf course and it had a lot of nice overgrown palm trees surrounding it. The entrance to the room was very private so no one was passing by our room at all ours of the night and, with the exception of the first night, we never heard a PEEP from our neighbors. The first night it sounded like someone was dragging a rolling suitcase up and down the stairs for an hour. We were so tired we really didn't care. We also loved the DVD player and made good use of it throughout our trip. We loved OKW and we will stay there again...we may be lucky if we ever stay anywhere else! It really felt like we came home after a long day of the parks and we could just relax. It was very comfortable and we loved it there.
Also, I rented points from an MBer. I am not sure if he'd want me to say who it is, so if he does I'll just let him tell you, but he was the best and if he has points to rent next time we go I'd rent from him again without a doubt!

[Erin]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

Dave really wanted too..but we have a Civic..and I really don't think it would have fit! He talked about his stick for days afterward.

My family and I feel somewhat sad that he didn't get to keep it. That was the next question out of everyone's mouths here.


We are sorry The Dave.


But, he did get a pretty great button, so that's good, right?

[Princessbaby]

What a nice way to spend my afternoon- reading your TR!! It is so much more fun than doing my schoolwork!

Dave's hair looks great as well- totally different person- I really like it!!

[b1wife]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

Bella's Thoughts on Old Key West

To be honest I was only sort of excited about OKW. I had looked at the pictures online and was only "ehh" about the ambiance and I hadn't heard great things about the buses and the size so I was a little underwhelmed at the idea.
However, I did rent points and saved a lot of money so that made me excited!

I have to say that all my worries and fears about OKW were dissolved the minute we got there. As I said before we were right behind the bus stop and close to the Hospitality House. I know the person who I rented points from requested that we get a room there..however..you never know. The ambiance in the room itself was nice. It was very calming and the room was HUGE. The bathroom was gigantic (Dave and I could be in there at the same time getting ready and we could have fit about 9 other people in there with us too!) We loved our balcony which overlooked a lagoon and the golf course and it had a lot of nice overgrown palm trees surrounding it. The entrance to the room was very private so no one was passing by our room at all ours of the night and, with the exception of the first night, we never heard a PEEP from our neighbors. The first night it sounded like someone was dragging a rolling suitcase up and down the stairs for an hour. We were so tired we really didn't care. We also loved the DVD player and made good use of it throughout our trip. We loved OKW and we will stay there again...we may be lucky if we ever stay anywhere else! It really felt like we came home after a long day of the parks and we could just relax. It was very comfortable and we loved it there.
Also, I rented points from an MBer. I am not sure if he'd want me to say who it is, so if he does I'll just let him tell you, but he was the best and if he has points to rent next time we go I'd rent from him again without a doubt!

I am really enjoying your TR so far! Keep it coming!

We are staying at OKW for the first time in October, so I am very interested in your thoughts on the place. I'm excited that you liked it and really felt like you were coming home. That makes me feel good about our choice.

[smee57]

Great photos!! Love the TR. Your haircut is absolutely adorable! And The Dave looks HOT with his hair short!!

Okay, carry on with my afternoon entertainment . . .

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

Cocoa Beach Contd.

I won't really get into too much detail about our days in Cocoa..basically because we didn't do much!
Most of our mornings were spent at the beach and our afternoons at the pool (and the pool bar!). We really loved Cocoa Beach, it was quiet and pretty and everyone we met there was very nice. Other than the pool bar the highlight of our trip was the excellent food we had! We sort of just "winged" it on where to eat and we ended up eating at some great places. We ate at Florida Bar and Grill which was right on the water and had the best crabcakes I've EVER had. We liked it so much we ate there twice in three days! We also ate at a place called the Italian Courtyard and the Old Fish House. They were both good but they were overshadowed by the awesomeness of Florida Bar and Grill.
We had a short wait at Florida Bar and Grill the first night so we walked out to the dock and took some pictures. It was gorgeous!


And..

Wow, I agree with the first posters, you hair is so cute and TheDave had his hair cut as well and looks so grown up. Love it!

[cinderbella]

Bella's Thoughts on the Buses at OKW

I had heard a lot of scary reports about the buses at OKW. In fact, I am not sure if I remember reading any fantastic reviews on the buses.
Well, if there weren't any good reviews before. Here is one.
Either we had amazing luck every time or OKW has really stepped up there game. Our room was near the first bus stop which probably helped a lot. On the way to the parks we would have to go to every other stop in the resort, but honestly this only took about 5 minutes, and on the way home after a long day or night in the parks we were the first to be dropped off. I LOVED that part.
Also, we never waited for more than 5 minutes for a bus at the parks or at the resort. We only stood once coming home from Epcot directly after Illuminations. Actually we had a seat but we gave it to a woman who was carrying a baby and had two toddlers. She needed it much more than we did!!
There were also several occasions where there were only 2-10 people on the bus during all hours of the day coming and going from the parks. At MGM we had the bus to ourselves coming back to the resort at around 2 p.m. This is the BEST bus service we have ever had during any of our stays. We have had individual great experiences at other resorts but overall OKW one won, but a LOT. I am sure that the efficiency of the buses had a lot to do with our love of this resort.

[Erin]

Um, Bella you and The Dave are the two cutest people in the entire United States and that is no lie.

You are so pretty! I love reading your TRs because they are always so much fun!!
I'll be back in 3 hours for more.

[cinderbella]

Originally Posted by Goodegirl2007

Loving your TR so far!!
Has anyone ever told Dave he looks a lot like Christian Bale???

Haha yes all the time!

Actually Christain Bale is his man-crush too. I am not sure if it's because he looks like him or because he actually likes his movies. Although it's probably both--he loves American Pshyco and he gets nutty over Batman.

[cinderbella]

Originally Posted by Erin

My family and I feel somewhat sad that he didn't get to keep it. That was the next question out of everyone's mouths here.


We are sorry The Dave.

Actually..this is sort of a funny story that we made up about the stick.....There were lots of fisherman at this particular place (true). When we went over to the shore they all sort of stared at us and looked at us funny (true again--but probably because we were taking pictures of trees and not for the reason listed below.) As soon as Dave picked up the stick some guy in an Explorer raced over to where we were (true). I took the picture and Dave put the stick down (true). Explorer man got out of his car and headed towards us and the stick (true--although we totally ignored the fact that he threw something in the trash can and then got back in the car and never even looked in our direction). We ran to the car because we were scared of this big dude and we thought we touched his magical bamboo stick that he uses for ninja training (false). We raced out on to the highway and Explorer man followed us. (true again) We had to loose by using clever tactics of bobbing and weaving through traffic (true--we did loose him..but I don't think he was really following us.)
And that is why we left the stick

[cinderbella]

I have to go walk the doggie and do some laundry now..but I'll be back later for....
Bella vs. The Norwegians
Be afraid.

[jk8]

Bellas's Hair = sooo cute
The Dave's Hair = H.O.T. Hot!
The Stick and the made up story =

Great report so far. I am way excited about your review of OKW as we will be there for the first time next month!

[Peppertink]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

Is that where you are?!?!

Southern California is number 3 on my "Places I need to go before I have a baby" list.

Yep...I am a So. Cal native... I live about 20 minutes from Disneyland

[tnmom]

Fantastic TR, Bella! I just got a promotional postcard for OKW in the mail today, and your report is making me want to beg for another trip!!! It's fun to hear from a fellow SC gal, as I grew up in Travelers Rest and lived in Columbia before transplanting to TN. Get those dogs settled, and get back to reporting! :)

[Cosmicwaves]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

I have to go walk the doggie and do some laundry now..but I'll be back later for....
Bella vs. The Norwegians
Be afraid.

uh oh...those vikings can be fierce...I hope everyone is ok!