Which is your favorite (and why)! About This Page:

[westie22]

So those of you that have been in DVC for a while....which is your favorite DVC resort and why? I'd love to know!!

Thanks,

[goofysdtr]

We've been able to stay at four of the resorts already, & honestly, each one is special to us! We've stayed at the Boardwalk & Beach Club--love the proximity to both Epcot & DHS. We've stayed at AKL (Jambo)--we had savannah view & loved watching the animals. We've also stayed at SS--love the removed feel of the resort. I imagine that I'll find certain things to love at each resort, once we've had the chance to experience them all.

[mickeycrazy]

We have only stayed DVC at 3 places, SSR, BCV, and AKLV. There are definitely great things about all of them and we had great experiences at all of them, but our favorite is AKLV for the atmosphere. It is so peaceful and transporting, a true escape for us. The restaurants are great and so is the shop. Their club level is also fantastic!

[tjkraz]

I've used points for 5 different DVC resorts (6 if you count the Treehouse Villas separately) and my favorite was always the one booked for each trip. No two trips are identical and we always make conscious choices about which resort best fits our plans based upon scheduled activities & park visits, the makeup of our traveling party, where other friends will be staying, etc.

So in truth, we always book our "favorite" of the moment and the reasons are many.

As for why we chose to purchase points at certain resorts, that's another question entirely.

[spiceypj]

agree all the DVC resorts are favorites at different times.

especially love BLT, AKV, OKW, VWL, BCV

BLT - the small size - yes the resort is big - but each floor is not. So it feels small. LOVE, LOVE - TOW. Love being able to walk to MK. you can eat at all the monrail resorts if you get tried of the restuarants in CR.

AKV - animals, pool

OKW - relaxed community

VWL - atmosphere - it really feels like the West (okay to me)

BCV - relaxed community in the middle of the world. love being able to walk to Epcot

[MEM]

I've stayed at most DVC resorts and while I often lean towards staying at BWV(it's my home resort) I enjoy my stays at all of them. I often pick a different resort based on what my plans are for that particular trip-Am I spending more time at one park, am I bringing a first timer or someone who hasn't been to WDW for years-you get the picture. The one thing I can tell you I have never regretted my purchase or any of my add ons.

[lukeandbrookesmom]

I can't pick a favorite Each one is special in it's own way!

[DVC Mike]

I have six favorites!

[Jillybean]

Add me to the group who can't pick a favorite. I love each of them for separate reasons.

Jill

[chezp]

Ours is the Beach Club Villas, but Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas are a close second.

[dworldluver]

Agree with the different resort as favorite depending on what you are there for. Haven't stayed at the treehouses or BC and will be staying at BLT next month but they all have amenities that are unique and endearing. I think there are some "guidelines" on where for what occasion. We were just talking about this earlier tonight. BC or BW if you are planning to spend a lot of time at Epcot or DHS - like during F&W or Night of Joy. BLT during MMVMCP. OKW, WL or THV in summer because of the shade factors. SSR, BW, BC in fall, late winter and spring because of the pools and open spaces in the sun. AKLJ or AKLV year round when you want to feel like you are not in the US - the pools, restaurants and proximity to AK - just that it is far away if you are going to a lot of things in MK. All IMO only but it was a hassle with the bus thing in OKW for the F&W and getting a rest in the afternoon if we scheduled morning and night things in MK or Epcot was difficult at AKV.
But it is fun staying at any of them and being "home" is great. Well worth it. What is the greatest part is the fact that you don't have to choose one from the outset as you can use your points for any of them no matter where your "home resort" is.

[tkd lisa]

Great advice so far. Here's my picks.

At WDW itself:

Overall favorite - Old Key West.
Location based favorite - Boardwalk

Favorite things of each place we've stayed:

OKW - Atmosphere and space. Those are the reasons it's my number 1. I feel like I'm on vacation there. It's very laid back with lots of green foliage. There's a really nice community hall, the canal runs through a lot of it, and the golf course runs through other sections. It seems more laid back than a more hotel style resort. Plus there's more space by far than any other DVC. Points are low, but this is a place where a car is very helpful since it's not really convenient to much except DTD and EPCOT. Bus service can be a little iffy at times, and if you're at the back of the resort, it's not an easy walk up to community hall or the main pool. There isn't a food court, which is a negative for some.

Boardwalk - My big plus here is location and lower points. Standard view BW is often 3-5 points less per night than BCV which is in the same area. It's walking distance to the studios and EPCOT. It also has a nice community hall. Evening entertainment is always going on down at the Boardwalk. The pool is nice, and being attached to a hotel gives you a few other amenities like valet parking.

BCV - also a nice location and an AWESOME pool. It's higher points and harder to get into than the Boardwalk, plus there's no community hall (you can go over to the BW if you want). Otherwise, the same pros and cons as BW.

VWL - Really quiet peaceful atmosphere. The villas are completely separate from the main hotel, so you feel "special". There's lots of quiet nooks in the public areas which is nice if you're in a studio and need some "alone" space. If MK is your prime destination, this location is a plus. Transportation is bus or boat, and valet parking is available. Point values are about average. We've only stayed here once, and every time I go by it, I wonder why I don't stay again. We stayed on the hotel side this year, and enjoyed it.

AKV - Pluses are the beauty of the resort and the animals. The new rooms are larger (one bedroom and up) and can sleep an extra person. Jambo house has some weird configurations though, which can be a plus or minus. Some of them go for "value" points, which is helpful if you're trying to stretch limited points. Down side is that it's a very long way from almost anything. This is my favorite resort if all I'm doing is staying at the resort. But for a primarily parks trip, you'll spend a lot of time in transportation.

SSR - my least favorite. It's got all the negatives of key west, with none of the positives in my opinion. Room size/layout is standard. Points are more than any of the discounted options (AKV, BW Standard view) and more than OKW. The resort is VERY spread out, so a car is a must. There's a community hall, but unless you're in the section right by the main pool, you probablay won't use it because of the inconvenience. Obviously there's something for everyone, but it's not for me (even though it's my home).

We haven't stayed at BLT (reservation in June), so that's all the WDW properties!

We stayed at Vero this summer and LOVED IT! Really peaceful, nice amenities, great place for a quiet break.

Hope this helps!

[Kynna]

Hi Laura,

We have been members since 2007 not that long really and we are staying at our 4th resort next month. With a little planning your are not really stuck at any one place. Plus our Spring Break is a great time to go because the East & West Coast have it at a different time.

If you are picking a resort as a home resort this means ideally you would be happy going there every year for years to come so it really depends on what your idea of a Getaway is and what kind of atmosphere says "vacation" to you Despite the parks. (Hows that for stating the obvious!)

All of them really have their own special qualities. We looked at it as, OK where could we stay 10 years from now with our teen aged girls and still have a great trip. We figure by then we won't need as much park time and will want more of a resort atmosphere so we chose SSR for the Spa, Tennis Courts, Golf and proximity to DTD and easy access to get out of the WDW resort to hit the other theme parks when the girls get older. (we like that we can grab a quick date at DTD now when we bring the Grandparents too) I know it is contrary to others opinions but we love it there.

We have friends that only like WL and when they go anywhere else they feel cheated because they love the outdoorsy atmosphere. (Think Bastrop with tall pine trees.)

Being from Central Texas you may love the Beach theme at OKW or BCV. I know I go crazy being 4 hours from any ocean.

Where ever you choose as a home resort and it really is a personal choice you should never feel like you are comprimising when you go there.

Good Luck! DVC is quite a Christmas Gift!!

[cubfancolleen]

I will throw my two cents in here, agreeing with most others, but adding another property not yet mentioned.
Hilton Head is one of our favorites, and one of our home properties. We spend time there every summer, and it is WONDERFUL. The great service and CM's of a Disney Resort, but the laid back atmosphere of a beach vacation. The activities they have for the kids (and adults) are terrific, the beach is wonderful, two pools, can't say enough. We've been going for 4 or 5 years, every summer, and there are many staff we see year after year. It really does feel like home at this point.
We also own at SSR and like being in walking distance to DTD. We stayed in a savannah view villa at AKL last year, and that was amazing - may be our favorite spot at WDW.
As others have said, each property has something special, and feels like the best one when you're there!

[Simba's Mom]

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

I will throw my two cents in here, agreeing with most others, but adding another property not yet mentioned.
Hilton Head is one of our favorites, and one of our home properties. We spend time there every summer, and it is WONDERFUL. The great service and CM's of a Disney Resort, but the laid back atmosphere of a beach vacation. The activities they have for the kids (and adults) are terrific, the beach is wonderful, two pools, can't say enough. We've been going for 4 or 5 years, every summer, and there are many staff we see year after year. It really does feel like home at this point.

We also find Hilton Head to be one of our favorites. We go there every Thanksgiving, and just love it for the friendly CMs, beautiful nature, relaxed atmosphere. Only thing we don't love is the drivers on the island-some of them really don't know where they're going!
Our other 3 favorites, at WDW,are based on the purpose and time of year of our visit. BCV for F&W festival definitely. OKW for our relaxing, romantic anniversary visit in late April/May, AKV for any time we son't want to go to the parks. I actually feel guilty going to the parks when I stay at AKV.
Members since 2002.