Poll: What are your top 3 favorite DVC resorts?

[Figment2001]

I was just re-watching an DIS Unplugged episode where Pete and Ryno discussed their favorite "home away from home" resorts.

What are your top three favorite DVC resorts? Feel free to pick your home resort(s).

Here's my list:

1. AKV (own)
2. PVB
3. BCV

 

[lovin'fl]

We just nailed down our list. After 13 years of ownership. These are the ones we want to stay at only. Not really a top 3.

These 2 we prefer to stay at most and since we own BWV we stay there.
1)BWV (own)
1)BCV

These 2 are our every once in a while trips or for split stays. Use our OKW for these.
2)AKV
2)SSR

I like this for Dec stays.
3)CCV (own)

ALso LOVE HHI (own).

 

[Figment2001]

We just nailed down our list. After 13 years of ownership. These are the ones we want to stay at only. Not really a top 3.

These 2 we prefer to stay at most and since we own BWV we stay there.
1)BWV (own)
1)BCV

These 2 are our every once in a while trips or for split stays. Use our OKW for these.
2)AKV
2)SSR

I like this for Dec stays.
3)CCV (own)

ALso LOVE HHI (own).

Great choices! I also dig the tiered list.

All of the love for BWV has convinced me that I need to book a stay there.

 

[Dano1182]

BWV
BCV
OKW

 

[Figment2001]

BWV
BCV
OKW

Another vote for Boardwalk! I've spent many years visiting the boardwalks on the Jersey Shore. And admittedly less time at BWV. Never stayed overnight, just visits for dinner and strolls along the boardwalk.

What is the main draw for the BWV fans? Proximity to EPCOT and DHS? Shops and dining and the boardwalk?

 

[pineapplepalms]

BWV
CCV
VGF

In alphabetical order, because I really can't decide how I would rank them.

What is the main draw for the BWV fans? Proximity to EPCOT and DHS? Shops and dining and the boardwalk?

The whole Epcot resort area just has the best atmosphere (sunset is my favorite time to just be on the Boardwalk). Love how much you can access via walking: DHS/Epcot, Boardwalk shops and restaurants, other resorts and restaurants, mini golf. We also enjoy the boat transportation. Plus the point chart is great, there are rooms with views, and there's a variety of room types ranging from studio to GV. We have our first GV stay booked for this December and can't wait.

 

[lovin'fl]

Can walk to Epcot AND HS. BUt we are Epcot people and can go in there every day. Also big into the festivals. I love that the BW has stuff going on, places to eat and drink but then when you retreat to your room it's relatively calm and peaceful (unless you have BW view...and main pool view can be noisy but only day time hours, pretty quiet during sleepy time). Since we are empty nesters, we need not be near MK nor on the monorail (for stroller ease). We just stayed at BLT and the strollers everywhere and fussing kids. Just frayed our nerves. At BWV we can stroll on into Epcot or HS and stroll back and if strollers are on the boardwalk, it's spacious enough to not bug us. Everything is outside so the fussing kids don't echo (like in CR, GF or Poly...especially carries at Poly). And the very best part, for us being owners, is that we can book standard view which is sooooo low point cost. Come Aug BWV will be THE best located DVC (due to SWGE) yet one of the cheapest to stay at (AKV value and OKW and maybe SSR standard is less I think).

 

[js]

My top three, where we stay all the time with exception of SSR four times in ten years is:

GFV
PVs
BW/BC (don't care which one just that is is walkable to Epcot/MGM)

I use the above with my $70 SSR points purchased resale over ten years ago and grandfathered in with original owner benefits.

Don't get me wrong we very much like SSR too but above are my top three that I look for when booking at seven months.

 

[lovin'fl]

Let me correct above...BWV standard view...only room cheaper is AKV value. OKW studio is same but 1BR is more. SSR standard is a touch more.

 

[Figment2001]

Can walk to Epcot AND HS. BUt we are Epcot people and can go in there every day. Also big into the festivals. I love that the BW has stuff going on, places to eat and drink but then when you retreat to your room it's relatively calm and peaceful (unless you have BW view...and main pool view can be noisy but only day time hours, pretty quiet during sleepy time). Since we are empty nesters, we need not be near MK nor on the monorail (for stroller ease). We just stayed at BLT and the strollers everywhere and fussing kids. Just frayed our nerves. At BWV we can stroll on into Epcot or HS and stroll back and if strollers are on the boardwalk, it's spacious enough to not bug us. Everything is outside so the fussing kids don't echo (like in CR, GF or Poly...especially carries at Poly). And the very best part, for us being owners, is that we can book standard view which is sooooo low point cost. Come Aug BWV will be THE best located DVC (due to SWGE) yet one of the cheapest to stay at (AKV value and OKW and maybe SSR standard is less I think).

You guys are making me extra bummed that BWV/BCV expire in 2042. I'm not sure it makes sense financially to buy in now. Even at resale prices, you're looking at more per point than my personal fave, AKL, which expires in 2057. If they offered a 2057 extension like they did with OKW, BCV/BWV would be a no brainer for me. But I doubt that'll happen...

 

[Granny]

My top three are:

VWL...home resort (otherwise called BRV...and you can throw CCV in here too though I haven't stayed at it yet)
BLT
BWV....home resort

What is the main draw for the BWV fans? Proximity to EPCOT and DHS? Shops and dining and the boardwalk?

Yes, an easy walk to two parks is a huge draw. Plus the entertainment and dining options of the area are excellent. But what takes it up to the top of the list is the Standard View point schedule...the best (IMHO) combination of value for the points in the entire DVC system.

You guys are making me extra bummed that BWV/BCV expire in 2042. I'm not sure it makes sense financially to buy in now. Even at resale prices, you're looking at more per point than my personal fave, AKL, which expires in 2057. If they offered a 2057 extension like they did with OKW, BCV/BWV would be a no brainer for me. But I doubt that'll happen...

If you are young enough that the expiration dates do matter, then you are right that AKV is a great option especially if you want to stay there most of the time. But if you want access to those cheap point BWV standard view villas, you pretty much need to own there in order to be able to regularly reserve them.

 

[TCRAIG]

Depends on the time of year - spring I like VGF and BWV, fall I like BLT and BC and Christmas is WLV (still can’t bring myself to use that silly BR name) - overall - I’ll book OKW anytime because it was my first DVC and it’s just sooo relaxing!

 

[DduzDis]

BLT...1st home resort and will always have a special place for us.
BWV...2nd home resort
PVB but only Studios is a crimp with 2 small children and nap time.

Haven't stayed at BRV, but being from Wyoming originally I really liked it when we went for lunch a couple of times. I think it could be up there when we grow out of the stroller era.

 

[Frederic Civish]

AKV - First DVC rooms I ever stayed in and I was blown away. The rooms were excellent, but the resort was amazing.
Wilderness Lodge - CC/BRV I love the Pacific Northwest/Yellowstone Park theme. Love the design. Love the lobby. A great place.
Grand Floridian - I love the simple elegance and splendor of this resort, plus some amazing restaurants

I also own at Poly, but it didn't even make my Top 5. Fairly convenient to the Magic Kingdom, but really too generic and not Polynesian enough for me.

 

[Figment2001]

AKV - First DVC rooms I ever stayed in and I was blown away. The rooms were excellent, but the resort was amazing.
Wilderness Lodge - CC/BRV I love the Pacific Northwest/Yellowstone Park theme. Love the design. Love the lobby. A great place.
Grand Floridian - I love the simple elegance and splendor of this resort, plus some amazing restaurants

I also own at Poly, but it didn't even make my Top 5. Fairly convenient to the Magic Kingdom, but really too generic and not Polynesian enough for me.

Happy to see some more love for AKV. Surprised to hear that you don't like PVB. Is it just the DVC offerings or the entire resort that you don't like?

 

[BillPA]

OKW
VWL (BRV)
AK-K

 

[TinkFan74]

I have two favorites:
OKW
AK-K
I love that these resorts feel more laid-back than the others. My theory is that these resorts have a higher percentage of DVC members on property who know that they will be returning to Disney, so everybody is a bit more chill, and not as frantic because they are trying to see everything as they don't know when they will return.
SSR is my home resort, and I am hoping that this will be added to my list. I have been an owner since 2011 but I haven't stayed there yet because I wanted to try out other resorts that I found more appealing. Now that Disney Springs has so many great options and my DD is now 21 we are looking forward to a post refurb stay in late 2020.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

BCV
VGF
SSR (Treehouses)

 

[Figment2001]

OKW
VWL (BRV)
AK-K

Why do you prefer Kidani?

 

[DougEMG]

Based on how many days I have stayed at each resort the numbers work out pretty close to what my top picks are. BWV is far and away my favorite, love the location and the cheap standard view point cost. For MK resorts, BLT is my favorite for being able to walk to MK. VGF is just behind BLT for me and if you could walk from VGF to MK, I would prefer staying at VGF. Third pick would be BCV, but only when it is warm enough to swim and lay out by the pool.

1. BWV 153 days
2. BLT 33 days
3. BCV 30 days - would stay here more if it was easier to get in, but only when it was swimming weather
   
4. SSR 23 days - while not my favorite resort, I've ended up here a number of times because of booking late
5. VGF 19 days - do like this resort a lot more
6. AKV 9 days - too dark and far from anything, but the resort and animals are cool
   
7. POLY 6 days - once and done for me
8. OKW 4 days - don't like 2 beds in the studio, but the 1 bedrooms are great.