Don't wanna stay there anymore

[ML_LovesDisney]

Love the lobby at WL and the free Hot Chocolate and then it stopped there my least favorite rooms of the 6 resorts we stayed at. Snow white dining was cute, but our least favorite food as well of the 6 resorts and parks that we ate. I did think the breakfast sitdown place (i forgot the name) food was good, but we didn't like the "be rude" theme lol

Same! We skipped the Whispering canyon due to the antics I’ve seen on YouTube lol

 

[Girlstar30]

Same! We skipped the Whispering canyon due to the antics I’ve seen on YouTube lol

That's the name lol!

 

[RachaelA]

We haven’t wanted to stay at AKV in 10+ years (used to be our favorite pre-kids but was just so far from everything when we had babies/kids in strollers). We had time to kill before our room was ready at Boardwalk on Monday this week so we went to AKV Jambo to walk around and both my girls asked to do a resort only stay there later this year.

 

[Brian Noble]

I've never seen anyone post that bcv is their least favorite resort

I'm not sure I have a least favorite---I like them all for various reasons---but BCV is not on my "gotta get back to it" list.

The building feels like an afterthought. Of course, that's because it is, and I feel like I'm walking through a back alley when I am coming back from Epcot. I'm not in love with the "generic seashore" vibe that BC/YC/BW all have, though BW gets bonus points for being at a particular point in time. I'm not sure why it is so hard to have a decent counter service location anywhere in Crescent Lake, but for some reason it is. Stormalong Bay was anticipointing but I am also not a hang-out-all-day-at-the-pool person, so mabye that's unfair. And this is a personal quirk that I know most people do not share, but I like being a little more removed from the activity of the theme parks rather than to be right next to one of them. So, for me, the proximity to Epcot is a bit of a mixed bag. To top it off, I think the "2nd generation" villa layout (BCV, BWV, BRV, and SSR) leaves a lot to be desired.

There are plusses. I do love the Breezeway; it's among my favorite indoor spots to hang out anywhere in WDW. Crew's Cup and Ale & Compass are both comfortable spots that are generally not to hard to get in to. And the vibe of the building itself is very peaceful, despite the location.

 

[Girlstar30]

I'm not sure I have a least favorite---I like them all for various reasons---but BCV is not on my "gotta get back to it" list.

The building feels like an afterthought. Of course, that's because it is, and I feel like I'm walking through a back alley when I am coming back from Epcot. I'm not in love with the "generic seashore" vibe that BC/YC/BW all have, though BW gets bonus points for being at a particular point in time. I'm not sure why it is so hard to have a decent counter service location anywhere in Crescent Lake, but for some reason it is. Stormalong Bay was anticipointing but I am also not a hang-out-all-day-at-the-pool person, so mabye that's unfair. And this is a personal quirk that I know most people do not share, but I like being a little more removed from the activity of the theme parks rather than to be right next to one of them. So, for me, the proximity to Epcot is a bit of a mixed bag. To top it off, I think the "2nd generation" villa layout (BCV, BWV, BRV, and SSR) leaves a lot to be desired.

There are plusses. I do love the Breezeway; it's among my favorite indoor spots to hang out anywhere in WDW. Crew's Cup and Ale & Compass are both comfortable spots that are generally not to hard to get in to. And the vibe of the building itself is very peaceful, despite the location.

Is beach club part of yacht club? I get a little confused because I hear them mentioned together a lot.

Does beach club villas have their own lobby check in or do some things have to be done at main lobby?

I have noticed that I do not like the hotels where the buildings seem like an "afterthought." We like the ones that are part of the main event like Riv and AKV. BLT is an exception because the front desk staff was awesome, it felt like it's own standalone hotel to us albeit the no food options there unfortunately.

 

[Brian Noble]

Is beach club part of yacht club?

No, but they are connected and they share the pool. So it's pretty easy to visit one while staying at the other. If I remember correctly, BCV uses the BC lobby for check-in, etc.

And I don't always ding the "appendix" DVC resorts. For example, for some reason BRV doesn't give me the same "they just plunked it down here" vibe that BCV does. I can't explain why that is though.

 

[I Run Long]

For us it's the Poly - one and done for us. We are different I guess, in that we have found we prefer the resorts that are removed, or at least have a feeling of being removed, from the parks. AKV is our favourite - we only stay in 1 bedrooms and love Kidani for the extra bathroom. We also love SSR and OKW. We've stayed at BCV and BWV and like them both equally but we really prefer the calm that AKV, SSR and OKW give us. There is no better way, IMO, than to wake up in the morning and relax with a cup of tea on your balcony than at AKV.

 

[Girlstar30]

For us it's the Poly - one and done for us. We are different I guess, in that we have found we prefer the resorts that are removed, or at least have a feeling of being removed, from the parks. AKV is our favourite - we only stay in 1 bedrooms and love Kidani for the extra bathroom. We also love SSR and OKW. We've stayed at BCV and BWV and like them both equally but we really prefer the calm that AKV, SSR and OKW give us. There is no better way, IMO, than to wake up in the morning and relax with a cup of tea on your balcony than AKV.

I agree about that AKV balcony, we dont ever see ourselves ever going without a SV! My wife says she doesn't even want to to try to get CL because she doesn't want to risk not seeing her animals

Seeing that my two favorite resorts couldn't be more opposite (BLT and AKV ) I am actually very curious to see how i feel about SSR and OKW!

 

[I Run Long]

I agree about that AKV balcony, we dont ever see ourselves ever going without a SV! My wife says she doesn't even want to to try to get CL because she doesn't want to risk not seeing her animals

Seeing that my two favorite resorts couldn't be more opposite (BLT and AKV ) I am actually very curious to see how i feel about SSR and OKW!

We especially love SSR and how spread out it is - I know we're weird. We never have a car as we fly in from Vancouver Island. We always use Disney transport and have never had a problem at SSR or AKV for that matter (doesn't mean it can't happen). We love to walk and during our last visit we stayed in the "dreaded" Carousel part of SSR. When I saw that we had that, I thought it would be the worse based on reviews I have seen here and elsewhere. We loved it!! We were literally across the street from the Carousel bus stop which itself is about a 2 minute walk to the Paddock bus stop and the pool there as well. We've also spent the evening at Disney Springs and walked back "home" to our 1 bedroom at Carousel. I say this as a 63 year old and my DH who is 73. I also think that the SSR grounds are just beautiful and the refurbs to the rooms are one of the best. The first time we stayed at SSR with our kids was due to it being that only thing available, and I wasn't too happy about that. I thought we would just have to make the best of it. It turned out to be one of our favourites - so hey, you never know. I always say give it a try and if you don't like it - you know more about what you like and don't like. The pictures are of our room at the Carousel section.

 

[Girlstar30]

We especially love SSR and how spread out it is - I know we're weird. We never have a car as we fly in from Vancouver Island. We always use Disney transport and have never had a problem at SSR or AKV for that matter (doesn't mean it can't happen). We love to walk and during our last visit we stayed in the "dreaded" Carousel part of SSR. When I saw that we had that, I thought it would be the worse based on reviews I have seen here and elsewhere. We loved it!! We were literally across the street from the Carousel bus stop which itself is about a 2 minute walk to the Paddock bus stop and the pool there as well. We've also spent the evening at Disney Springs and walked back "home" to our 1 bedroom at Carousel. I say this as a 63 year old and my DH who is 73. I also think that the SSR grounds are just beautiful and the refurbs to the rooms are one of the best. The first time we stayed at SSR with our kids was due to it being that only thing available, and I wasn't too happy about that. I thought we would just have to make the best of it. It turned out to the one of our favourites - so hey, you never know. I always say give it a try and if you don't like it - you know more about what you like and don't like. The pictures are of our room at the Carousel section.

Very nice! Are those pictures of the one bedroom. I am driving myself crazy going back and forth between staying at OKW or SSR this trip, I think I'm going to flip a coin

 

[I Run Long]

Very nice! Are those pictures of the one bedroom. I am driving myself crazy going back and forth between staying at OKW or SSR this trip, I think I'm going to flip a coin

Yes they are. We love the 1 bedrooms even with just 2 of us travelling now. Flipping a coin is a great idea!!

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

No, but they are connected and they share the pool. So it's pretty easy to visit one while staying at the other. If I remember correctly, BCV uses the BC lobby for check-in, etc.

And I don't always ding the "appendix" DVC resorts. For example, for some reason BRV doesn't give me the same "they just plunked it down here" vibe that BCV does. I can't explain why that is though.

There is a check-in desk in the villa building but it is only staffed during busy hours.

 

[heynowirv]

Maybe you will differently after the next renovation is finished at AKV?

Shhhhhh....We love AKL especially when we travel with the grand princess

 

[heynowirv]

I'm giving VGF another try after being totally turned off on a madhouse December trip in 2023, but if the lobby/monorail/crowds are still annoying, that'll be it for me. I love the looks of the resort, but I find the DVC room location *just* far enough away to be annoying, and the constant hubbub makes me nuts in the main lobby with crowds. Again, hoping this May is quieter. Much quieter.

Also, we bought 100 Poly points, and we do like the tower, but the freaking grounds and pools and hot tubs are SO overrun with little kids and people everywhere. I kind of regret buying points there -- but I really like the tower rooms and location and views! -- but we like quieter resorts.

Ironically, AKJ has totally moved UP my list on me after a trip with my son in January. The rooms need a refurb for sure, but I love the quiet vibe there and awesome food options -- and animals everywhere!

BW/BC again are too hectic, despite having great looks and location.

SS and OKW have grown on us!

I don't see BLT ever growing on us, honestly. Just totally not our thing, and we don't need to take kids in strollers back for naps.

Love OKW and AKL

 

[TinkAgainU]

...I'm in the process of buying two contracts now and direct shortly, one fully loaded. Will be drunk on points to splurge

Those splurge points are the problem-makers. You stay in an upgraded room and then that becomes the standard you Really need lol.

I have smaller contracts, but I still try to bank forward some points each year to keep my stress level down a bit - it's nice to be able to grab a room without calculating to-death over a few points difference in the season or if it's a Fri/Sat night. And the easiest time to start doing that is with some of those extra points you get with some purchases.

 

[Maleficent's Dad]

We have our faves. So we also have those that we don't care for. To be polite about it, it's good that DVC has such diversity in its resort offerings. Different people like different things. We've stayed at all WDW DVC properties, and would not choose to return to:
1. AKV (both buildings) - too far away from just about everything, don't love its feel or look, and IMO, the dining is severely overrated. Well, maybe not Sanaa.
2. Poly - crowded. Crowded. Crowded. Oh, and the 70's dark wood vibe just isn't for us. 'Ohana is not a favorite. Don't even get me started on the tower...
3. RIV - don't like the kitchen layouts of the more recent DVC's. Space savers (so $ saver for Disney perhaps?) with the kitchen "sideways" against a wall. Not our style. And we don't like high-rises. Towers save on space needed, land needed, etc. So again, cheaper for Disney. Some people like them, not us. And IMO, Topolino's has seriously declined in quality (both breakfast and dinner) since it first opened.
4. Copper Creek - while we adore BRV, CC comes up way short. Smaller rooms, sideways kitchens, sort of like "hey, let's jam some DVC rooms in what was an already awesome resort!"
5. BLT - Just so much we don't love. It does have that location, however, and would concede to stay there just for that. Oh, and the monorail!

These are just my/our feelings (in our household). People may not agree, and that's fine with me. OKW and the BWV are amongst our faves, but others don't love them. BCV aren't loved by all, and above, a legitimate concern about its proximity to the parks is brought up. We love the BCV. So again, different strokes...

More than ever, we are resort people and not park commandos! So being able to cook at our place, enjoy amenities, walk aplenty, and have a nice pool are tops on our list. It's been an evolution as our kids are in their mid and late 20's now.

 

[Girlstar30]

Those splurge points are the problem-makers. You stay in an upgraded room and then that becomes the standard you Really need lol.

I have smaller contracts, but I still try to bank forward some points each year to keep my stress level down a bit - it's nice to be able to grab a room without calculating to-death over a few points difference in the season or if it's a Fri/Sat night. And the easiest time to start doing that is with some of those extra points you get with some purchases.

Yes I've done some calculations and definetely going to do MB and bank some points for aul next year so I won't be too spoiled lol

 

[cheryl.UK]

I love most things about AKL Kidani except the route to the pool. I hate going over what always seems like an access/utility road. It spoils the whole experience for me and definitely does not make me feel like I'm staying in a deluxe resort.

 

[Disdreaming479]

So the way bcv is set up is it kind of like grand floridian where it's seperate buildings in back of main beach club? So you're not actually at the beach club main lobby resort? Is it far and are there multiple buildings?

It is not far at all. Maybe 200’ sidewalk between the dvc building and the door to the marketplace and solarium entry. Plus there is a cool Ariel statue out there.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

To be polite about it, it's good that DVC has such diversity in its resort offerings. Different people like different things.

This is the only correct answer. I will say renting a car is a game changer at AKV. Although I've never had major issues with the busses there is something very liberating about jumping in the car and driving to whichever park or resort.

I too have now stayed at most of the resorts and find something wonderful about each one. We try to swap out at 7 months to try different resorts that we may have not stayed in in a while.

As for BCV, as much as I love it and stay there I can agree that the theming and rooms are just meh. But the location and the pool...cannot beat it for us. The fact that I'm closer to my room when I'm standing at the entrance to IG than I am to the entrance of World Showcase is why I love it so much.

Love reading the diverse reasons for liking and disliking a resort though!