DVC (WDW) rankings

[Sandisw]

Here are mine, based on what I enjoy and want out of my trips.

10: AKV
9. OKW
8. SSR
7. BRV/CCV
6. BWV
5. Poly
4. BCV
3. BLT
2. RIV
1. VGF

I will admit that VGF and BLT could be interchangeable as those are my go to for MK area and I bounce between the 2.

 

[havoc315]

Well since studios are only roughly 35% of all DVC rooms I would say you have to ding it fairly hard when eliminating roughly 2/3rds of the room that people book across DVC.

Unlike CCV which has small studios that you might not like or SSR where you have to bus everywhere there is a group of DVC that is not able to book a room there outside of Bungalows based on party size (and in a rankings list I am not giving credit to a request based connecting studios when it is not a guarantee and bookable).

Like I said if this list is specific to a studio group that's different.

He started off talking about how he rated resorts based on various things. To me that spells him trying to act like this is an agnostic all up list.

Just my thoughts and I would say he should have went further in depth to show each of the various things he rates the resort on and how they stack up in comparison.

I guess it's probably why I don't visit that site though I guess.

I don’t think he claims his rankings to be scientific or objective. He gives Wilderness Lodge resorts big scores just because he likes how they decorate the resort for Christmas.

You make a strong argument for dinging Poly.... Amazing resort, but is it an amazing DVC where it’s all studio. (And bungalows which few can even afford to dream of). Arguably, even a really nice studio isn’t nicer than a deluxe hotel room. Full kitchens, large units.... in many ways, that’s what defines DVC differently than a hotel room.

I should do a thread on the perfect Franken-resort. (Location of _____, pools from ______, rooms from _____, etc).

 

[Aussie RJ]

He started off talking about how he rated resorts based on various things. To me that spells him trying to act like this is an agnostic all up list.

Thats exactly what I'm saying, the premise of this ranking is flawed. If I go on a trip in summer, my first rank would be BCV because no resort at WDW can beat its pool. But If I'm going at Christmas / New Years I want to be near Magic Kingdom so we can walk back from the late fireworks and Christmas parties. No DVC resort is all for one and one for all.
I'm really surprised by the SSR Pool comments too. The pools at SSR are as good as "most" of the DVC resort pools.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

10) SSR
9) BLT
8) RIV
7) BWV
6) Poly ***
5) OKW
4) GFV
3) BCV
2) AKV
1) VWL

For me it’s not about location, it’s about theming.

*** Poly would have been near the top, until the last big refurb of the GCH house and grounds.

 

[BWoody]

Haven't stayed at all, so this is more my interest level in staying at each.

10) BLT
9) RIV
8) SSR
7) VWL
6) OKW
5) GFV
4) BWV
3) Poly
2) BCV
1) AKV

 

[SwanVT2]

Actually, yes.

We took the beautiful walk from SSR to OKW for dinner at Olivia's, which was amazing, then enjoyed the boat ride back to DS.

 

[SwanVT2]

Actually, yes.

We took the beautiful walk from SSR to OKW for dinner at Olivia's, which was amazing, then enjoyed the boat ride back to DS.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Interesting that AKV is #10 by one poster, then a few posts later, someone else lists it as #1

 

[mlayman7]

I have never tried ranking them but since we have finally stayed at most here are ours. Factoring into our decision is we have 3 kids, ages 11, 9, and 4 who go with us most trips so here we go.

10. SSR - one we have little desire to stay at due to how large the resort is and the size of the rooms.
9. OKW - Large rooms are great for big, extended family stays but the huge resort layout and when we travel, we do not have a car, pushes this resort down on the list.
8. BWV - We never thought much of the Boardwalk when across the lake you have BCV that shares the same great location but has Stormalong Bay. To us, doesn't make sense to go here if BCV are open because of that pool.
7. RR - It is not walkable to anything and with that point chart, makes it difficult to rank it as high as VGF because VGF beats it in everything important to us (pools, dining, location, monorail, walkable to other resort and MK).
6. WLV - We love the theming of this resort, maybe more so than VGF, but do not enjoy having the buses to two parks and the boat as the only option to MK.
5. AKV - Amazing resort that if it had a walkway/gondola ride to the Animal Kingdom then I think this would jump up to number 3. Transportation brings this down though.
4. BLT - Location, location. We consider this and Contemporary as one so all the great dining, Top of World Lounge, Monorail. Somebody mentioned they rated this low because of room size, which is true if just looking at studios but we stay mostly in 2 bedrooms and they are huge and are super nice.
3. Poly - First ever stay at Disney was here so love the resort. Love the layout of the rooms but hate the lack of sound proofing, mouse-keeping is always an issue here but location and the theme make up for a lot.
2. BCV - Love the pool and the location. Being able to walk around the Boardwalk and a quick walk to EPCOT and HS are fantastic.
1. VGF - Amazing theme, makes us think we are on vacation because it is completely different than what we are used to. The pool really is nice, dining experiences are all great. Monorail to two parks, being able to walk to MK. The rooms are very nice and huge. Great standard view rooms. Stayed here more than any other resort and we have never heard neighbors at anytime (huge plus for us). High point chart but all that it includes, we think it is worth it.

 

[ElizabethG]

...
8. Bay Lake Tower: There is 1 GREAT thing about Bay Lake Tower: Location. Walk to Magic Kingdom. There is 1 very very good thing: Top of the World Lounge. But the rest is really underwhelming. Rooms are on the small size and fairly plain.
...
5. Riviera Resort: Among the nicest and largest rooms, ...

When you say BLT rooms are small, that is really only the studios. The 1 bdrm is 10 square feet smaller than RIV. They 'feel' about the same size to me.
1 bedrooms by size:
Copper Creek (675)
Boardwalk (712)
Saratoga Springs (714)
Beach Club (719)
Animal Kingdom - Jambo (720)
Boulder Ridge (727)
Bay Lake Tower (803)
Animal Kingdom - Kidani (807)
Riviera (813)
Grand Floridian (844)
Old Key West (1,005)

I have really liked all the resorts I stayed in except for Saratoga. I know there are fans, I just didn't like it. The cabins at CCV are my favorite, by far. Of course, there is the premium price for those!

 

[ElizabethG]

7. Boulder Ridge / Copper Creek: Love the theming, rooms are too small. 1BR's only fit 4 - why did they design it this way? No idea. but that's a deal-breaker for a family of 5. The cabins here are my bucket-list stay. Someday...someday.

This could be a good reason to separate them. BRV 1-bdrm sleeps 5. I'm sure they will be nice after their refurb.
CCV fits into the space of original hotel rooms, so they ended up being a little on the small side. I think that is why they only fit 4.

 

[Lumpy1106]

This could be a good reason to separate them. BRV 1-bdrm sleeps 5. I'm sure they will be nice after their refurb.
CCV fits into the space of original hotel rooms, so they ended up being a little on the small side. I think that is why they only fit 4.

I did not know that - THANK YOU!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I tried ranking the resorts, and I find that I have been happy staying at each and every one. As far as CC, I have stayed twice in a Cabin, so as far as accommodations, that has to be first. As far as VWL, I absolutely love the building with all its special fireplaces and nooks and crannies, so the actual room I am staying in doesn’t disappoint EVEN if I have the dumpster view.

So, for me
1 VWL and CC
2 BCV
3 BWV
4 AKV
5 VGF this is low because I really don’t like the pool.
6 BLT and Poly
7 SSR
8 OKW

I have not stayed at RIV, but when I do, I expect it to be under AKV, unless I don’t like the pool, then it would be under VGF.

 

[RanDIZ]

I'm in the camp that picks theming over location. But what put VWL at the top is both of those criteria plus restaurant choices. AKV was a close 2nd. BLT and RIV bottomed out for me. I'm not a fan of huge tower resorts. I like a nice spread out resort to explore.

10) BLT
9) RIV
8) SSR
7) OKW
6) BWV
5) VGF
4) BCV
3) PVB
2) AKV
1) VWL

 

[E2ME2]

I'll Play (Haven't stayed at all of them yet)
I have my own very unusual way of ranking, I consider Points, access to EPCOT & DHS, Love Safaris/wildlife, Love Pools/Hot Tubs & the view & proximity to DS when on a non-park visit, &
I also love the lobby at Jambo.........
10-VGF
9- PVB
8- VWL
7- BLT
6- OKW
5- BWV
4- RIV
3- SSR
2- AKL
1- BCV

 

[Leight19]

Haven’t staid in most of these and agree with others that time of year plays into the decision as well. For me here is ranking for where I currently get most excited to book including value for the stay if able to book.

10)OKW: I hear a lot of good things about this resort and being last just shows how good all dvc resorts are. Pluses are room sizes and point charts; main detractor is location and the theming doesn’t speak to me. Ive never set foot on property here so figure the theme/feel of resort could translate better in person so this could jump up list if I end up staying here. However, fact I’ve never found reason to go to resort is itself a bit of a ding to me. I do see myself trying 3BR here as it is most reasonable point chart and this is last year extended family fits in 2BR.

9) RIV: I know doesn’t make sense but resale restrictions have soured me on this to where I have little interest to even try staying here. I’d consider this as resort to prioritize epcot/hs but those are better suited with other options with better locations and cheaper point charts. Could see this as good option in future when “newness” fades if easier to book then other options but still would not be top choice.

8) VGF: this has a great location which just improved with walkway making it a strong candidate to move up in future. Great dining options as well. Gets dinged with some of the most expensive point charts but main detractor to me is themeing. Has a very upscale theme I think others love but I just feel out of place in there walking in with shorts and crocs after sweating all day in park.

7) SSR: distance from parks and size of resort is negative but gets boost for the closeness to Disney springs and I love the option for treehouse villas. Also like the multiple options for pools.

6) VWL: to me there is something special about themeing here; I just love the aesthetic. Add to that great dining options (especially if you include options from walking to fort wilderness) and this is overall great resort. Benefit of proximity to magic kingdom but via boat (have not tried this enough at key hours to know how convenient/hectic this is compared to buses).

5) BLT: closesness to magic kingdom and monorail. Excellent dining options and think this has some of the best resort areas for firework viewing. Not a huge fan of themeing but can’t beat location for magic kingdom.

4) Polynesian: same benefits of closeness to magic kingdom (now able to walk) and monorail to Epcot but my favorite theming of the monorail resorts. Huge fan of dining here and super excited to try the in room ohana meal in future when open. Also hear great things about the pool (though I haven’t tried them yet).

3)Boardwalk: ability to walk to Epcot and Hollywood studio makes it my favorite area to stay in during festivals which is almost year round now. Addition of skyliner adds quick transport to other resorts for great dining locations and potential to pool hop for some. Some of the best point charts on property if can get standard view but very hard to get at 7 months.

2)Beach club:same pros as boardwalk with added bonus of the best pool on property. Sometimes will book bwv over this if standard view available or during colder month where don’t think will use pool as much so close between these two. Added benefit of dedicated 2br which seems bit easier to book then lock off.

1) AKV: home resort so biased but love the dining here and themeing. Hurts with distance and travel options but more then makes up for it by being it’s own destination with savana (may be odd but I find I don’t make it over here if I don’t stay here and feel like I’m missing part of vacation). Point chart ranges from good to great with what I believe are nicest 2BR for points. Added flexibility of multiple room types booking with value and concierge (I can’t describe how excited I get when I snag one of the value rooms).

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Actually, yes.

We did last month

 

[bakerworld]

With kids:
10: OKW/Treehouses
9: SSR
8: AKL
7: RIV
6: BCV
5: BWV
4: GFV
3: Poly
2: CCV/BRV
1: BLT

Adults Only
10: OKW/Treehouses
9. GFV
8. RIV
7. BRV/CCV
6. BLT
5. Poly
4. BWV
3. AKL
2. SSR
1. BCV

 

[sethschroeder]

Interesting that AKV is #10 by one poster, then a few posts later, someone else lists it as #1

Well it comes down to if you care about location. If location is low on your list of priorities honestly AKV is the best stand alone resort at Disney. It's held back by location issues.

I rate AKV at the top of the non park attached resorts. For me it really comes down to location.

 

[MBTigger]

Having only visited a couple resorts, I don't think I I can rank yet. And I will only be adding one new resort on our next visit!
Maybe someday I could consider the logistics of a West coaster like me doing the Unplugged Old 7 resorts in 7 days. I am a backpacker, so I am used to living out of my pack. I would not even be taking the tent and sleeping bag - just food and minimal clothes.
Convincing my family to join in or let me go solo might be the hard part.