Least Appealing Resorts?

[Deb & Bill]

We drive, so convenient parking is important. We don't get that at BWV. We also want to use as few points as possible. We always stay in at least a one bedroom, so the higher point one bedrooms are out as well. Oh, and VB. We don't care for the Atlantic Coast; we prefer the Gulf Coast.

 

[crisi]

BWV for me, purely because I hate the room decor.

We stayed at BLT over our wedding and loved it, the location, the decor and everything was great and definitely a firm favourite

I feel the same about SSR's decor - can't stand it. But hey, the generic rooms may mean that isn't an issue any longer.

However, we like the near park resorts, any resort where you need to take a bus to the parks isn't appealing. Unless its HHI. I love HHI. (Of course, you don't take a bus to the resorts from there, but it isn't a near park resort either).

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

I prefer the DVC properties that have interior doors. I do an annual solo trip and always feel safer staying at one of the resorts that have that type of set up.

There is only 2 right? Animal Kingdom Villas and Wilderness Lodge Villas? And even for Wilderness Lodge, dont you have to trek outside a bit?

 

[automaticsoap]

For me, it's OKW and SSR due to the size and sprawling layout. I would like to visit these resorts at some point, but I don't think I'd want to stay at them.

 

[rlduvall]

There is only 2 right? Animal Kingdom Villas and Wilderness Lodge Villas? And even for Wilderness Lodge, dont you have to trek outside a bit?

Actually, the only two with exterior doors to your room are SSR and OKW. So I mean I like all the rest . . . best. One year I did stay at the Wilderness Lodge Villas alone and I was creeped out coming home late at night and walking down "The Shining" hallways.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Oh I gotcha. I was thinking anything that requires me to go outside from the main building to get to my rooms, which is everything except for Animal Kingdom Villas I believe.

 

[rlduvall]

Oh I gotcha. I was thinking anything that requires me to go outside from the main building to get to my rooms, which is everything except for Animal Kingdom Villas I believe.

AKV - Jambo House is my favorite for solo trips for that exact reasoning. It feels so safe there and the lobby is incredible.

 

[katie424kali]

I know you said BLT doesn't appeal to you, but if you enter through CR from the bus stop and take the bridge across, you don't have to go outside to get back to your room.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Bought, stayed once, said never again, and sold - Hilton Head. Too far from the beach

Don't have any desire to ever stay at VGF. I stayed at the hotel once, biggest hotel ripoff ever. Did not endear me to the place.

Has no appeal- BLT It's a concrete highrise.

 

[CMNJ]

I second OKW and SSR-we contemplated buying DVC years ago when SSR was being sold and decided not to because we didn't want to stay there-I think they would probably be fine if we had a car and didn't care about proximity to a park but we decided to buy so we could stay at a deluxe resort in close proximity to at least one park to cut down on bus travel times-SSR is very pretty from my recollection and I can see why people love it for being close to Disney Springs or golf-but for us it wouldn't be that different than staying at Port Orleans (as we will be staying in studios) and therefore wouldn't really be that great of a deal for us-we basically looked at DVC as being a way to stay at deluxe (park) resorts for around the cost of moderates

 

[DenLo]

It is all so subjective, just because I don't care for a resort someone one else will probably love it. I love BLT and AKV--totally different but if we don't stay at each of them at least once every 12 months I miss them. I am starting to feel that way about SSR too. And I refuse to insult friends that love the resorts I don't.

 

[rseeb]

I have not stayed at a resort I did not like. This is kind like the commercial do you like coke or pepsi since there is not right or wrong answer. I must say I started out that SSr was not my favorite but I have found I am liking it more each time I stay there. If you do not like the upstate New York charm then I can see why it might not be a favorite. The reason I bought DVC was for this diversity since I do not like being stuck in the same place. Stayed at the VGF last week and was surprised how much I liked it there (always seemed stuffy). I would not own there but a great option for a different style of vacation.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I am looking to try something new, but for this next trip it will be a challenge. I am going solo and my husband, being the fierce protector that he is, would feel more comfortable if he knows I am staying somewhere that does not require me to be outside when going back to the room in the evening. I am so thankful and so blessed that he loves me so deeply that it results in him having peace of mind about where I am, but I really want to try something new.

Regarding resorts when solo, point out to your DH that if you're outside and something happens, when you yell, EFVERYONE, even far away would hear you. Also, please consider joining us on the adults and solo board. Lots of us have taken many solo trips and resort choice was recently discussed.

 

[Gillyrose779]

It is amazing how different everyone's perspective is. We have stayed at BC, BWV, SS, BLT, and VB.

We really didn't like Vero but I think it mostly had to do with the colder weather and absolutely horrible view- parking lot and you couldn't hear the ocean at all. We had a studio and it felt so small- only one end table that seemed like a foot away from each bed. Service at the restaurants were so slow and we had a rude run in with a worker a couple times. Definitely didn't feel like Disney.

My husband doesn't care for BWV. We love to walk but it is annoying that getting anywhere feels like a long walk there- plus no real quick service breakfast options really bug us.

BLT feels so unDisney to us. -the rooms are blah modern and the pool is so basic. Even the walk to MK annoys me b/c I think they could make it nicer than just the stinky square bushes. We do enjoy the QS there though.

We stayed at SS last Dec. and loved it. We were surprised we liked it so much as I think my previous opinion was swayed from the boards as well as a trip there pre-kids many years ago that had us in the farthest building w/ a parking lot view. This time we were in Congress Park with a view of downtown disney. The kids loved watching the balloon go up and down and DH liked the decor. Clean with hidden mickeys everywhere and the disney horses on the pillows. I also loved the QS- big plus that it accepted TIW too.

 

[Anal Annie]

We love to stay at a different resort every time we go so that each trip is different from the last. I can't imagine limiting ourselves to only staying at one resort. We have tried all of the WDW resorts except for the newest 2 (VGF & PVB). The Poly is on our radar for next summer (2016). We have also stayed at VB, HHI, VGC & Aulani so we've made the rounds and can compare nearly all of them. The only resort that was a true disappointment was our first DVC stay ever at OKW. It has since added a booking category for the HH area & has been refurbished which was some of the reasons we didn't like it but the others were the long walks to the bus stop & the LONG waits for the buses. Now that 2 of the 3 things we didn't like have been resolved (refurb & booking cat.) we should try it again but the long waits we had for the buses were unacceptable so we haven't been able to talk ourselves into going back (we waited OVER 1 hour for a bus to the MK one day). We have our own theory why that is and why that's not likely to change so staying there again isn't high on our list.

We have stayed at AKV the most times bcuz the points for the std view villas are so reasonable. We much prefer Jambo House to Kidani tho. We like the lobby, larger store and being close to the Mara plus we also like the layout of the studios better there. The kitchenette is noticeably bigger and the bathroom has a more functional split since the shower is separated from the vanity area.

We own at SSR and have stayed there 2 times & currently have another trip booked there for next January. We like it just fine there, although it probably isn't our most favorite but it's OK for us to stay there - we don't mind. It is definitely a good deal to own there tho - the points charts are quite reasonable and our dues are affordable. Whenever we stay there we tend to visit DTD more often.

OP if you are specifically looking for a "hotel like feel" I would try for VWL, BCV or BWV. All of them are lovely resorts and are among our favorites. I think of those 3 that BWV is really the only one that you don't have to leave the main building to get to the villas. BLT is also a nice choice if you'd like to be on the monorail for a change although there is that outside walkway / skybridge from the CR. I have never felt unsafe at any DVC resort - you are primarily surrounded by families at any Disney resort.

 

[skier_pete]

So far have only stayed at AKV and SSR. Didn't really like SSR. The resort was nice and the rooms were nice, but one of my big turnoffs is sprawling resorts. Even though we weren't THAT far away from the center, I still didn't like it. (It didn't help that on arrival day we got there early, went to Epcot, and came back in to the hotel to find we couldn't get in our room - necessitating a long trek back to the main office (or a golf cart ride once we got someone to take us). I find when I am at WDW, I spend so much time walking the last thing I want to do at my resort is spend all my time walking.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

And I refuse to insult friends that love the resorts I don't.

Are we really that sensitive now about disagreeing on what we like?
I dont see anything insulting about saying you dont like a resort or dont see any appeal.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

I know you said BLT doesn't appeal to you, but if you enter through CR from the bus stop and take the bridge across, you don't have to go outside to get back to your room.

I didn't think about that. Thank you.
I dont think there will be availability for the beginning of December, but I will still check it out.

 

[tasha99]

I dont see anything insulting about saying you dont like a resort or dont see any appeal.

I agree. The resorts that don't appeal to me look lovely . . . and too much like home. When I hear "Welcome Home!" I want it to be different from what I could book not 20 miles from me. Nothing wrong with the resorts themselves, though. It's just personal taste. I read that people say BLT is unappealing and like any old high rise. Well to me high rises are cool and exotic--we have none--I live in the land of 1 and 2 story homes. Looking forward to visiting BLT this summer.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

I have never felt unsafe at any DVC resort - you are primarily surrounded by families at any Disney resort.

I dont feel unsafe either. I would have never thought otherwise, but I want to make sure my husband isn't too worried about me. He isn't a 'worry wart' whatsoever....he just loves his wife (me) and wants that extra peace of mind since he will not be there for protection.