End of an Era for Disney World’s DVC Family Kitchen
It’s the end of an era for one of our favorite underrated restaurants at Walt Disney World. Olivia’s Cafe, which we long ago lovingly dubbed the DVC Family Kitchen, is refurbishing its dining rooms. As part of this project, the photos from generations of guests that have been collected over the years will be removed and relocated.
As basic background, Olivia’s Cafe is located in the Hospitality House at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. It’s one of our top hidden gem restaurants at Walt Disney World, right across the way from Papa’s Den (pictured above), which is one of my favorite not-so-hidden quiet spots in all of Walt Disney World. (PSA: Southernmost Buttermilk Chicken as the #2 fried chicken in all of Walt Disney World, and the dish to order at Olivia’s.)
Disney’s Old Key West Resort was originally named Disney’s Vacation Club Resort when it opened back in 1991. As in, it was the only one and seemingly intended to stay that way given the name. That quickly changed, and it was renamed to Old Key West in 1996 as DVC embarked on a period of explosive growth…which never really ended. In any case, OKW still has a different vibe than most other resorts, and longtime DVC Members are quite protective of it.
One of the very visible ways that Disney’s Old Key West Resort differs from other properties is the large “Family Album” of DVC Member photos from over the years, which is largely located inside and outside Olivia’s Cafe. This is a big part of the reason why I consider Olivia’s Cafe to be Disney Vacation Club’s Family Kitchen. The food is part of it, as is the backstory about Olivia Farnsworth, but it’s mostly those photos.
While some other DVC resorts have a few member photos on display, Old Key West is the only resort that really embraces this, and the Family Album is on full display at Olivia’s Cafe. There are well over one hundred member photos on display in the lobby and throughout the seating area.
These date back to the early days of the club, back when Old Key West was the Disney Vacation Club Resort. My favorite of these are those from the 25th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, where you can see the Cinderella Castle Cake in its full, Pepto Bismol-glory!
Today’s news is that a portion of the dining room at Olivia’s Café just closed for a few weeks for a routine refurbishment, during which the rest of the restaurant will remain open.
As part of this work, the photo collection at Olivia’s Café will be thoughtfully relocated to new albums at Conch Flats Community Hall, the resort’s gathering place for Disney Vacation Club Members and Guests. This transition will help ensure these special memories are preserved and remain accessible for Members and Guests to enjoy for years to come.
Some of these photos have aged and begun to fade over the years, which is likely at least part of the motivation for Walt Disney World moving them to photo albums for perusal. It’s also possible that Walt Disney World is planning to give the interior a different layer of thematic window-dressing. Disney has dubbed this a routine refurbishment, but there’s a decent amount that could be changed fairly simply.
This news is going to be highly controversial with about 3% of you. From the other 97%, it’s going to be met with a collective shrug.
It reminds me a bit of when Walt Disney World removed and relocated the Leave a Legacy tiles from the central plaza of EPCOT’s entrance back in 2019-2021. During our coverage of that, I actually stopped referring to them as the EPCOT Tombstones honoring those lost in the Battle of the Body Wars (that’s right, it was both a war and a battle) because I got so many reader complaints. I maintain that it was a harmless and funny bit, but it just wasn’t worth the hassle.
The point, though, is that Disney’s decision to remove Leave a Legacy was met with a lot of backlash. For our part, we heard from people who were upset about the tombstone (sorry, monolith) removal. This was a vocal minority, and the EPCOT entrance plaza looks so much better now (the area in front of Spaceship Earth, not behind it), but you wouldn’t have known from the online reaction. Guests with photos on Leave a Legacy had more of a vested interest to comment than those who were liked the idea of a cleaner courtyard.
It’s going to be a somewhat similar story with the DVC “Family Album” at Old Key West Resort and inside Olivia’s Cafe.
However, I’d argue that there are a few fundamental differences. The first is that Old Key West is, as the original name suggested, the OG Disney Vacation Club Resort. It is open to the general public, but unlike EPCOT, its demographics skew disproportionately to old school Walt Disney World fans. The kind of people who appreciate personal little touches and nostalgia like this.
If anything, it’s a warm touch that might make other non-owner guests more inclined to join DVC, not less. It’s the kind of thing signaling that Disney Vacation Club is one big happy family, as opposed to a massive timeshare apparatus. It makes people feel warm and fuzzy; it’s good marketing.
Finally, family vacation photos on a wall are not ugly in the same way as tombstones (sorry sorry, monoliths) that greet guests as they enter an optimistic and upbeat theme park. Photos on the wall of a dining room like this are something you might expect; they’re charming and don’t make a negative or odd first impression.
Just to be clear, I don’t have a dog in this fight. We do not have a family photo up at Olivia’s, so it’s not as if we’re biased towards this but against the tombstones (sorry sorry sorry, monoliths). In both cases, I’d like to think I’m a neutral third party observer.
And my observation is that there’s something about these gallery of family photos that I love. They tug at my heartstrings, personifying the abstract concept of nostalgia. They make me think of the trips my family took, and emphasize the “club” side of Disney Vacation Club.
At times it feels like Walt Disney World is really adept at emotional manipulation, but this comes across as real. Like something some long-since-retired manager of Old Key West decided to do on a whim, without layers of bureaucratic meetings and approvals. They just did it.
Much like the resort itself, Olivia’s just exudes old school Walt Disney World. And it probably is, as I’d hazard a guess that the decision to display a Family Album was back in the early 1990s, as most of the photos on display are at least 20 years old. Maybe it’s just the ones my eyes gravitate towards, but I’d say the majority of the Family Album predates the Millennium Celebration.
These photos of random families on the wall really resonates with me. It sets the tone for the ambiance at Olivia’s Cafe, and is a touch that I appreciate. It makes Olivia’s Cafe feel personal, giving DVC Members a literal and figurative seat at the table. It’s the antithesis of some of the newer, more “corporate” spaces around Walt Disney World.
Otherwise, the interior of Olivia’s Cafe feels a lot like the neighborhood greasy spoon that you might find somewhere in the Conch Republic, right down to the collection of nautical and ocean-inspired bric-a-brac adorning the walls.
With all of that said, I can also understand Walt Disney World’s decision to remove the photos.
As noted above, many of them are decades old. I don’t know the background of the collection, but I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if it started in 1991. That’s 35 years! Disney isn’t lying–many have aged, are discolored and badly faded.
From Disney’s perspective, that’s probably a bad look that makes the restaurant look dated to first-timers. And I’d hazard a guess that “dated” is already a common complaint about Old Key West among casual visitors. (Remember, it’s not all DVC owners; Disney rents out a lot of rooms at OKW, too.)
Given that, I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it. I wish the solution were to solicit new guest photos for a refreshed Family Album, but I can also understand why they’d move away from that completely.
Like I wrote at the beginning, it’s the end of an era for DVC’s Family Kitchen at Walt Disney World. Sometimes eras end after a good, long run. I’m not mad about it, as I’m sure those longtime DVC Members will be who actually have a family photo up on the wall. It’s just a little sad how small vestiges of 1990s Walt Disney World have been slowly chipped away.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of Olivia’s Cafe at Old Key West? Did you like the old “Family Kitchen” vibe of the interior? Or do you think it was too quaint and mom & pop, like something you’d find in any random small town? Think this is different from the Leave a Legacy removal? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
We’re not DVC members but it’s a little sad! We’re renting DVC points this summer (first time doing this) to do three days at OKW and three days at AKL and we’re excited to try Olivia’s! I thought the pictures were a charming touch. We only live two hours away and the math doesn’t work for us to buy DVC, but your articles have helped tremendously and made us more open to the idea!
We started visiting Olivia‘s when we had a daughter and named her Olivia. It is now tradition to visit the café anytime we are in WDW. We truly enjoyed looking at all of the photos on the wall. I never looked at any of the photos as being faded, outdated, or old because it just reminds me of all the families that have visited in years past. We enjoy laughing at some of the pictures and reminiscing about the clothes of the 90s and how large eyeglasses were, etc. It definitely gave the restaurant something unique and charming that other restaurants did not have. I will miss all of the photos, but I am glad they are preserving some of them.
Call me in the minority I guess, but while I can understand why some might feel sad at the change, I personally don’t think the look was good. I have not visited Olivia’s, but from Tom’s photo showing all the frames adjacent to each other with no gaps between them is a pretty unappealing look. I can’t see how a refurbish would not look better. As how the EPCOT entrance is “cleaner” and much improved, the same likely will happen here.
We’ve DVC Members and OKW is our Home Resort. While finally seeing all of the pictures being removed is sad, it’s been happening slowly over the last few years. The main dining room lost them a few years ago. The only places that they remained were the lobby and the “sun room.” Yes, this is an end of a era but this should come a huge surprise to anyone that’s been there somewhat regularly.
A lot of those photos are badly faded, and I never really liked them inside the restaurant itself (I think they’re fine in the hallway between the store and the restaurant). There are other areas of the resort that could use some decor where they could possibly move these pictures, but who wants their picture in a laundry room or in the empty old arcade at the Turtle Pond pool. I’m curious as to what the “photo album” will be; seems like one of those things that they say will happen but is quietly forgotten.
I’ll miss seeing my grandparents on the wall, but won’t miss my awkward pre-teen mid-90s self, faded as it is. The real shame is that those 90s frames will all be trashed, as some of them are pretty good examples of 90s merchandise.
TDW: “If it’s ‘Old School’ School Disney World, it must be removed…”
just one School. Sorry
I think I’m with Tom on the overall assessment: I am sad they are leaving, but I understand why.
Olivia’s is one of my “tradition” meals. Our first DVC stay years ago was at OKW, and we arrived at the resort in *torrential* rain. The villa was not ready yet, and our original plan was to go to a park, but there was no way that made any sense. So, we ducked in to Olivia’s to see if we could grab an unexpected lunch.
To this day, it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had at WDW. That’s not because of the food, though it *was* good. (RIP to the salmon BLT sandwich.) But it was because it was exactly what we needed when we needed it–a warm, comforting respite from a difficult and wet travel day. It set the mood for that trip. To this day, when I am at WDW and need a break from All Of The Craziness, Olivia’s is my go-to.
The Member family photos are a lovely touch, and I will miss them. But I also have noticed that some of them are quite faded, and *all* of them are quite dated. So, like Tom, I don’t like it, but I understand it.
I’m happy about this. The photos made me feel out of place, like I was in a stranger’s home. Also, it was visually cluttered. Not relaxing, which is what I’m looking for on a DVC stay.
You’re now the third or fourth person who has said this! Thank you all for sharing that differing perspective. Not something I had considered, and while I personally don’t feel that way, it makes sense. Guest feedback like this could be another reason for the change!
To the posters who feel “out of place” when eating at Olivia’s because of all the pictures, I wonder how you feel when going to a friend’s house. When I go to someone’s house to visit, I feel the warmth of the family and friends when I see lots of pictures on their walls. I know this is a “public” restaurant and not someone’s house, but I feel the same warmth when I go to Olivia’s. It is there for primarily for members, but everyone is welcome. I lot of folks use the word “dated” regarding the photos on the wall like that is a bad thing. To me I look at it like my wrinkles are dated. Yes, they should probably remove the broken and badly faded pictures and frames.
I can’t imagine anyone going to the Community Room to feel warm fuzzies looking over hundreds of photos trying to find the one they can relate to.
Since a few of you have asked, my favorite fried chicken at Walt Disney World is at Grand Floridian Cafe. This is a very close second, and Trail’s End is a bit behind that. The top 2 are a more unique twist on the dish, and are higher quality. Apples to oranges, though, given one is a marketplace/CS and the other two are TS.
Haters will say I’m wrong and will claim Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ is #1. It’s in my top 5, FWIW.
I agree with you on GF cafe fried chicken. We love eating there in general. My daughter says the burger is the best as well. I believe GF won the Disney restaurant lottery. They are all excellent( I’ve never been to V&A, out of my budget). Art Smith was disappointing all around, for us anyway. Maybe it was a bad day but everything was just dripping oil.
“I don’t like it, but I get it” pretty succinctly sums so much of WDW in the last 5-10 years.
Wow, I *feel* that way more than I want to.
We love Olivia’s, and go there usually at least once a year. We sometimes enjoy looking at the photos and don’t REALLY feel strongly one way or another whether they are there or not. That being said, I will say that the presence of the photos makes us feel a bit like our family doesn’t belong there- sort of like visiting an extended family member of a friend vs visiting your own extended family member’s home, if that makes any sense. We are not DVC owners (thought about it many times but the math just doesn’t work for our family) so maybe that has something to do with it, but we don’t feel that way at other DVC resorts stay at or visit. Just my two cents.
Just don’t change the grits!
@Dan@Jenn my money is on Grand Floridian Cafe for Tom’s favorite fried chicken! Hey…maybe if they refresh the cafe they will call it that?
you say tombstone i say monolith
i say monolith you say tombstone
tombstone monolith monolith tombstone
let’s lop the legacy off,.
Enjoyed the article…
Member since ’93. Our favorite ‘quiet resort’. Always make the trek to Olivia’s even when we are staying at other DVC resorts.
Hope they bring back the Sweet Potato Hash/Scramble!
Good artricle,
Member since 93, Old Key west visits over 100 times.
Things change , but Disney preserve’s old, will change to the new. Thats Life. I will always love Old Key West. Raised our kids going there, now raising grand kids there.
Will always go to Olivia’s, Turtle Crawls.
Ralph Partridge
I get taking the photos down, I guess. But I really hope they do not strip all of the charm out. Olivia’s definitely does not need to be modernized. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
We love OKW and stay there occasionally. The villas are huge. I also like being able to park right in front of our unit / building. The Boardwalk is usually our go-to DVC resort. Mickey1928’s comment about Davy Crockett’s portrait in Crockett’s Tavern being taken down is true and it is borderline criminal.
Enjoyed a number of meals there.
We loved the cozy atmosphere with all those photos, even in the bathrooms.
One time we ate outside on their “patio” under a heater. Fun place.
Also loved just getting something at the Gurgling Suitcase which offered food from Olivia’s menu or Goods To Go.
Before driving home I would often get the tuna salad sandwich with the home fried chips and a pickle.
The photos were a nice touch. Sad to see they couldn’t keep some up but hey when Davy Crockett can’t have his photo on the wall in his own tavern no one is safe.
Sorry, I know this isn’t the point of the article at all. But I’ve gotta ask, if Olivia’s is #2, who’s got is the top-rated fried chicken at Walt Disney World?
Hey Dan, you must be new in these parts.
Pretty close between Trails End at Fort Wilderness (available by boat from MK) and 50’s Prime Time Cafe. But Trails End #1 especially when considering value for your dollar.
Get the family meal with two hug sides.
You can thank me later.
@Dan-my money is always Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’!
My vote is Trails End for fried chicken, especially before they converted to a family-style counter service restaurant. Back when Trails End was a table service restaurant, the food, service, experience and the value was among the best in all of WDW. Their breakfast was outstanding also. I will never forget their BBQ pulled pork Eggs Benedict.
LOL I love how you kept doubling-down on the tombstones! (Sorry, monoliths.)
Regarding this quote: “If anything, it’s a warm touch that might make other non-owner guests more inclined to join DVC, not less. It’s the kind of thing signaling that Disney Vacation Club is one big happy family, as opposed to a massive timeshare apparatus. It makes people feel warm and fuzzy; it’s good marketing.”
Three years ago my wife and I had just had a great meal at Olivia’s (she got the fried chicken and I got Papa’s Hash) and a great interaction with our server. We went outside, I called DVC, and a few hours later we were DVC members. Of course it wasn’t that experience at Olivia’s that was the main reason, but it was a little bit of one.
I get it, but most of the people who find Olivia’s nostalgic have renovated their home kitchens in this same time frame. (or moved completely, multiple times even)
It is definitely dated and made us feel like outsiders when we went, which didn’t combine well with some very poor allergen information to create a situation with not only would my son with allergies refuse to return completely, even those without allergies were just uncomfortable enough we specifically didn’t buy OKW points when they did that huge sale on them even though we needed more points.