Old Key West

The last part of our first day took us to Disney's Old Key West resort.  It seemed a fitting place to stay as we launch our Edges of South Florida trip that has Key West as our turn-around spot!

From Homosassa Springs,  we took US 98 through Brooksville and on to FL-50. We went this way because it kept us off the turnpike, kept us from backtracking through Crystal River, and we hadn't been on part of that route before.  East of Brooksville, traffic picked up as we got closer to the greater Orlando area.  

We stopped for gas at the Costco in Clermont. It is an easy off / easy on stop off the turnpike so we will probably use it on future trips to Orlando.  From there, it's about 5 minutes on the turnpike to where we get off at 429 to the "back way" into the Walt Disney World area.  We remember the first time we went that way; a lady on DisBoards had told me about it and it was so great, no traffic, either.  It's amazing how much things have changed and developed in the 15+ years since we started going that way!

We always know we are getting close when we see the gazebo-tower that marks our turn. If they ever tear it down, we may never find our way to Old Key West or Saratoga Springs!

It's been a while since we stayed at OKW, so I took some pictures of the studio villa we stayed in.  We like the refurbishment they have done there.

For dinner, we went to Olivia's Cafe at OKW.  We knew we would be tired and not want to go out in search of food, and Disney does a great job with providing gluten-free menu options.  DH and I ended up ordering the same thing: shrimp and grits with a creole sauce and andouille sausage. It was delicious!

And with that, our first day was done! And it was good.

Ahead: a visit with a friend and still getting our money's worth from our American Horticulture Society annual membership!

Thanks for reading!

~ Cindy D.