OP, I think you have unrealistic expectations of DVC. I love a plush hotel room as much as the next person (probably more, but regardless...) but as I've traveled a lot for both work and leisure, my ideas about what the word "luxury" encompasses. Yes, high quality sheets, well-appointed bathrooms, top-shelf amenities, steam showers, great views, convenient or important location, etc etc are luxurious. But you know what else is luxurious? Being able to sleep in a little and have fruit and yogurt for breakfast while we get ready and still make rope drop. Being able to soak in a whirlpool and while watching fireworks...or just listening to the EWP music through the open balcony door. I could go on, but I think you get the point. When I go to Paris, I want my view of the Eiffel Tower and to-die-for comfortable, big room at the Hotel Lutetia. When I go to London I want my super-posh room at the Dorchester on Park Lane. And when I go to Disney, I want to stay onsite - that's the real luxury related to WDW IMO - and I want to do it in a way that is comfortable and helps me continue to enjoy WDW in new ways.
That said, I still remember when Disney had a key system for ranking resorts - deluxe resorts were 5 keys and DVC resorts were 4 keys (I think it was just OKW and BWV then). They were never meant to be equal to deluxe- but in my mind, the ones connected to a hotel are close enough and the things in a villa (whirlpool, kitchen, laundry, private bedroom) actually plus the hotel experience when at Disney.
And I'm one of those people who doesn't want a housekeeper moving my stuff around, so I usually put the do not disturb out when I arrive and keep it there in a hotel anyway.
Now, for the part that I REALLY agree with:
OMGosh, yes. The new decor at BWV is a little better, but that's how I've felt about BCV, VWL, and SSR - and I haven't stayed at OKW but it looks the same. AKV was different but still not my taste (pattern overkill, dark, heavy furniture). BLT is the only DVC that do NOT feel this way about! And I feel the same way about most of the other resorts except the ones with recent refurbs (BWI, BC/YC, CR). The upgraded duvet/linens really makes a difference - I hate those icky polyester bedspreads.
That said, I still remember when Disney had a key system for ranking resorts - deluxe resorts were 5 keys and DVC resorts were 4 keys (I think it was just OKW and BWV then). They were never meant to be equal to deluxe- but in my mind, the ones connected to a hotel are close enough and the things in a villa (whirlpool, kitchen, laundry, private bedroom) actually plus the hotel experience when at Disney.
And I'm one of those people who doesn't want a housekeeper moving my stuff around, so I usually put the do not disturb out when I arrive and keep it there in a hotel anyway.
Now, for the part that I REALLY agree with:
OMGosh, yes. The new decor at BWV is a little better, but that's how I've felt about BCV, VWL, and SSR - and I haven't stayed at OKW but it looks the same. AKV was different but still not my taste (pattern overkill, dark, heavy furniture). BLT is the only DVC that do NOT feel this way about! And I feel the same way about most of the other resorts except the ones with recent refurbs (BWI, BC/YC, CR). The upgraded duvet/linens really makes a difference - I hate those icky polyester bedspreads.
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