When looking into the past from where we are now, it’s hard to imagine how Disney has managed to build 15 DVC resorts, amass an estimated 220,000 members, and successfully blend their family-friendly branding with a concept as polarizing as the timeshare industry. What Disney has contributed to the timeshare industry is truly immeasurable, and it’s important to remember all this started with just one singular resort! We affectionately refer to that resort now as: Disney’s Old Key West Resort.
In this article, we’ll be exploring the history of Disney Vacation Club’s first resort, showing you how it was conceived, and what it has become over the 30+ years since it was built. Let’s get started!
The Disney Vacation Club Concept
The DVC concept originated in the mid-1980s, when Disney executives decided that marketing a timeshare would be an effective way to increase revenue and attract more visitors to Disney World.
Although there was incredible opportunity in this concept, Disney executives knew this concept provided a fair number of challenges. While Disney was a trusted household name, the timeshare industry had a long history of sleazy salespeople, and negative sentiment from the public.
We looked at time-sharing for seven years. There was a serious concern that we didn’t want to put our name on a negative consumer image. We didn’t want to be associated with deplorable sales and marketing practices, but here we were in Orlando, the largest time-share market in the world. We concluded that there would be a lot of appeal for time-shares built by a stable developer…
Don Goodman, Disney’s Vice President of Real Estate Venture DevelopmentDisney partnered and consulted with many industry experts, who had considerable experience in timeshare marketing, to develop Disney Vacation Club (DVC). The idea was that Disney would build a resort property and rent out timeshare units using the Disney brand. The top brass at Disney knew that if they could attract guests to simply experience a Disney-branded resort one time through a nightly rental, they would inevitably want to own a piece of it and return each year.
In January of 1990, then-CEO Michael Eisner announced that Disney would be moving forward with a “shared vacation ownership” program, starting with 500 units that would be built on Walt Disney World property. This first project was originally called Disney’s Vacation Club Resort, but was renamed to Disney’s Old Key West Resort in 1996.
Construction of Disney’s Old Key West Resort
The construction of Disney’s Old Key West Resort began in 1990, starting with Phase 1, which would later be referred to as Conch Flats. The resort would feature Disney’s iconic coastal, Floridian style; being comprised of a series of 2-story buildings that resembled southern residential homes in Key West, Florida.
The property boasted a store, restaurant, tennis court, pool, and most importantly a preview center where Disney could introduce guests to the idea of Disney Vacation Club. Across from the preview center where a Disney guide would present the product, there was Building 16, which was reserved for model rooms that guests could tour. This preview center has since been demolished, and sales have since moved to Saratoga Springs Resort.
The resort featured two bedroom suites with lock-off capability, dedicated 2 bedroom suites, and 3 bedroom grand villas. The rooms themselves are still to this day some of the largest room designs of any DVC resort, and came with modern Disney-style decor throughout.
Initial construction of the resort concluded in December of 1991, and yielded 197 units that went on to be purchased by as many as 2,500 different members.
In 1994, Disney added an additional 134-units to the resort, which brought the total number of units up to 634. But Disney didn’t end there – in 2000 they added yet another 69 units, which completed Disney’s Old Key West Resort.
Sales Open To The Public
In September of 1991, during the 20th anniversary celebrations of Walt Disney World, sales went officially on offer to the public. Memberships started at $11,730 ($25,765 in today’s dollars) and offered owners free admission to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, and Disney-MGM Studio Tour (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios) until Dec. 31, 1999. Here is a copy of the verbiage that was given as incentives to entice guests to buy into Disney’s vacation club dream:
NOTICE OF PARK ADMISSION PROGRAM ENHANCEMENT
The Disney Vacation Club Park Admission Program was recently enhanced to allow you additional park passes during your stay. The number of passes issued will be based on the size of your accommodations as follows:
Studio…………………………………………2 passes
One-Bedroom Vacation Home…2 passes
Two-Bedroom Vacation Home…4 passes
Grand Villa………………………………….6 passes
You may not receive more passes than the number of people in your party. Your passes are good for unlimited admission to the MAGIC KINGDOM Park. EPCOT Center, and the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park from the day of check-in through the day before check-out. The enhanced Park Admission Program is available through December 31, 1999.
Many of your purchase documents do not yet reflect this important enhancement. This notice serves to confirm this enhancement is included in your purchase of an ownership interest in Disney Vacation Club Resort.
Disney recruited Mark L. Pacala, who previously worked for Marriott where he helped develop the Fairfield Inn product, an economical motel concept that made hospitality accessible to the masses. He was instrumental in defining a low-pressure sales process that allowed Disney to maintain their public goodwill and distance themselves from other timeshare developers at the time.
If someone’s yawning or looking at their watch, the vacation guide asks if they want to go. The underlying premise of time share is sound… we’ve tried to approach this thing in a manner that avoids problems of the past.
Mark L. Pacala, Vice President of Disney Vacation DevelopmentBetween the impeccable design and amenities of the resort, its unbeatable location next to the Disney theme parks, and this pioneering approach to sales, Disney was able to garner a large amount of positive press for its first Disney Vacation Club property. Disney’s Old Key West Resort was the first Disney-branded timeshare resort and started Disney out on a successful adventure in the timeshare industry that it still enjoys to this day.
An Award-Winning Experience
Disney’s Old Key West Resort has won a number of awards over the years. In 2019, it was named one of the top 10 resorts in Orlando by US News & World Report, and in 2018 it was awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. It has also been recognized for its outstanding service and amenities by AAA, with a 4-diamond rating. Disney’s Old Key West Resort is still considered by many as the crown jewel of Disney Vacation Club and continues to provide guests with an unforgettable Disney experience.
Today Disney’s Old Key West Resort stands proud as the first Disney Vacation Club property and continues to attract guests both near and far. The resort is a reflection of Disney ingenuity and a shining example of Disney’s commitment to excellence in hospitality.
Experience This Resort For Yourself
We hope you enjoyed reading about the history of Disney’s first vacation club resort! Over the years Disney has continued to develop and open new Disney Vacation Club resorts, but Disney’s Old Key West Resort will always remain in Disney history books as Disney’s first foray into the timeshare industry. It stands as a testament to Disney’s belief that creating magical experiences for families is their ultimate priority, and it has allowed countless memories to be made by vacationers from all over the world.
If you’d like to view confirmed reservations for rent at Old Key West, you can experience Disney’s Deluxe resorts for less, even without being a DVC member! If you’re interested in becoming a member, and joining the DVC family, you can save thousands by shopping from our current resale listings for Old Key West.
If you’ve had the pleasure of visiting this resort, or are lucky enough to be a DVC member, and have this as your home resort, what are some of your favorite things to do at this resort? Let us know in the comments!
As always, stay tuned to the DVC Shop blog for all the latest developments for Disney theme parks and Disney Vacation Club resorts.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
