Poll: What are your top 3 favorite DVC resorts?

[Figment2001]

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.

Good point! I loved my experience at OKW. Very laid back and peaceful. Looking forward to going back someday.

 

[Figment2001]

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.

If BCV had the same point chart as BWV, which would you prefer?

 

[DougEMG]

If BCV had the same point chart as BWV, which would you prefer?

BCV - love the pool, love being able to walk throughout the resort when it is raining out. Rooms are nearly identical, so that isn't a factor. I just don't like those 2 things enough to pay 30% more than a standard room at BWV. More time at WDW is always better !

 

[Figment2001]

BCV - love the pool, love being able to walk throughout the resort when it is raining out. Rooms are nearly identical, so that isn't a factor. I just don't like those 2 things enough to pay 30% more than a standard room at BWV. More time at WDW is always better !

Great points. I'm still a little creeped out by that Clown pool...

 

[Frederic Civish]

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?

There is nothing WRONG with Poly. And the Bungalows out over the lake are picturesque (even if I could never afford to stay there), but I don't think they follow through very well at all on their theme. There are some SLIGHT Polynesian architectural touches in the construction, but that is about it. In other words, VERY LITTLE in the way of Polynesian culture or environment comes through in the Polynesian resort. And this applies to the entire resort. Add to that, Captain Cook's has horrible food. I love all kinds of foods, including American, Polynesian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Indian, Thai, and many more, so it doesn't bother me that they kind of try to do a Polynesian/Asian/American fusion in their food. I just think they mostly fail at it. On the other hand, I do like Ohana and Kona Cafe. The monorail is fun, but is not a very efficient method of transportation, really. It takes far too long to make the trip around the Seven Seas Lagoon, and also over to Epcot, so I'm not that impressed with Poly being a Monorail resort. I guess that if I am staying in a Resort called The Polynesian, I want to FEEL like I am in Polynesia, in a Tropical Island Paradise. I want to be reminded of it every day by much more than just the name and then a few superficial touches. I want the resort itself to be MEMORABLE in ways that it is not. AKL does an amazing amazing job of handling it's animals and African theme. Wilderness Lodge could be right out of Yellowstone Park or one of the old Redwood lodges. Beach Club doesn't really have much beach, though it does have Stormalong Bay. Boardwalk is just what it says it is. Even Bay Lake Tower, which is modernistic and different from other Disney Resorts keeps to its theme and has amazing views. Poly just comes out way down the list, and it is mostly a failure of landscaping and atmosphere.

I do own 325 DVC points at Poly, so I think I am not 'prejudiced' against it. Given a choice of staying at French Quarter or Poly, I prefer French Quarter.

 

[Figment2001]

There is nothing WRONG with Poly. And the Bungalows out over the lake are picturesque (even if I could never afford to stay there), but I don't think they follow through very well at all on their theme. There are some SLIGHT Polynesian architectural touches in the construction, but that is about it. In other words, VERY LITTLE in the way of Polynesian culture or environment comes through in the Polynesian resort. And this applies to the entire resort. Add to that, Captain Cook's has horrible food. I love all kinds of foods, including American, Polynesian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Indian, Thai, and many more, so it doesn't bother me that they kind of try to do a Polynesian/Asian/American fusion in their food. I just think they mostly fail at it. On the other hand, I do like Ohana and Kona Cafe. The monorail is fun, but is not a very efficient method of transportation, really. It takes far too long to make the trip around the Seven Seas Lagoon, and also over to Epcot, so I'm not that impressed with Poly being a Monorail resort. I guess that if I am staying in a Resort called The Polynesian, I want to FEEL like I am in Polynesia, in a Tropical Island Paradise. I want to be reminded of it every day by much more than just the name and then a few superficial touches. I want the resort itself to be MEMORABLE in ways that it is not. AKL does an amazing amazing job of handling it's animals and African theme. Wilderness Lodge could be right out of Yellowstone Park or one of the old Redwood lodges. Beach Club doesn't really have much beach, though it does have Stormalong Bay. Boardwalk is just what it says it is. Even Bay Lake Tower, which is modernistic and different from other Disney Resorts keeps to its theme and has amazing views. Poly just comes out way down the list, and it is mostly a failure of landscaping and atmosphere.

I do own 325 DVC points at Poly, so I think I am not 'prejudiced' against it. Given a choice of staying at French Quarter or Poly, I prefer French Quarter.

These are some really fair points. I think I've always been drawn to AKL because the theme execution is perfect. The unique architecture is complimented by the all of the authentic African artwork that is spread throughout the resort. And real, living, breathing African animals!

The Polynesian really does fail to reach that level of theming. Even though AKL and PV were built in two different eras, there is no reason why the Polynesian can't up it's game.

You may have changed my perspective on PV a bit! Definitely still going to get my annual Ohana meal in though.

 

[jamiecarr@dvcstore]

Top 3 in order:

1. Wilderness Lodge (home resort)
2. Saratoga Springs (location to walk to Disney Springs can not be beat)
3. Animal Kingdom

 

[Jerry@dvcstore]

I have to say this is a very tuff one...since I love all resorts, but if I had to pick my top 3 resorts I would say:
1) Polynesian
2) Beach Club Villas
3) Animal Kingdom

If you ask this question to 10 different people, you will get 10 different answers. They are all Great.

 

[bobbiwoz]

VWL
BCV
BWV

 

[Figment2001]

I have to say this is a very tuff one...since I love all resorts, but if I had to pick my top 3 resorts I would say:
1) Polynesian
2) Beach Club Villas
3) Animal Kingdom

If you ask this question to 10 different people, you will get 10 different answers. They are all Great.

Same list as mine in a different order! You're right, there is no right answer to this question!

I really enjoy your contribution to the new DIS Unplugged DVC show.

 

[DenLo]

1. BLT
2. AKV
3. Copper Creek
4. VGF
5. Poly

I am really an MK person.

 

[FFMickey]

1.WL/CCV
1.PVB
3.AKV

I have a tie for best resort with our two home resorts. We love the MK resorts and we like to stay at PVB due to the ease of getting to the Epcot monorail.

 

[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).

So I just noticed the poll. In thinking really hard to narrow mine to 3 I chose BCV, BWV and SSR. The biggest thing we like to do now, at Disney, is eat and drink. Now that we are empty nest and our kids are all 20-something. When they are with us that is what they like too (well, drink, not the twin DDs-20, yet, but they do like shopping). And we prefer to be away from the little kid chaos. We also like quiet rooms and as little busing hassle as possible. Though AKV has the food, theme and animals which we adore....the busing from there can be a hassle. So that's an every 2 to 3 years resort. And CCV has the quiet and lovely theme and the boat to MK and buses aren't so bad BUT the dining. Artist point was a fave and now it's not our thing as a character meal. We like the lounge to AP and we have heard good things about Geyser Point but BWV/BCV has tons more dining/drinking options as does SSR. So that's our 3...BCV, BWV and SSR. We likely will also do CCV every 2 to 3 years like we do AKV (I only have enough points for that anyway).

By the way....I have answered this type question several times over the years and my answers are probably different each time. At one time SSR was bottom of my list. First time we stayed at BRV I thought 'meh'. And when we stayed at CR once I LOVED it and when BLT was selling new I tried so HARD to get DH to agree to buy there. Good thing we didn't as we don't love it at BLT. I will also say, though, that we like ALL of them. Just have slight preferences. I guess that's why my answer changes. If I were to rate them on a 1/10 scale, they'd all be like 8.5-10. It's why the best part of DVC is the ability to book the other resorts at 7 months. That is the #1 benefit I never want to lose. So, in say 10 years, when I am at WDW with grandbabies we may want to stay at BLT or Poly. And can if we can book at 7 months.

 

[Fauntleroy]

(1) BLT- Home resort. Love the modern/retro-modern style, TOWL, California Grill, and convenience (walk to MK, monorail to Epcot, and other MK resorts/restaurants);

(2) AKL- Just such a unique property, and concept. Hard to replicate experience (few places in world can match IMHO). DW is a veterinarian- ‘nuff said! Lol; and

(3) Poly- kind of a nostalgia thing. Was obsessed with the old Poly as a kid in the 80s. Love the Luau. Great fireworks viewing. Lots of changes- but still just has a certain “something” that takes me back to my youth...

*SSR gets an honorable mention to me. Great value, and walkability to Disney Springs is a big plus for us.

 

[jarestel]

1) CCV
2) BRV
3) OKW

If there was a third DVC at the Wilderness Lodge, it would be a clean sweep but OKW squeaks into number 3.

 

[sleepydog25]

VWL (like @Granny I don't like the BRV name) - home
[VGC* (yeah, I know it's not WDW, but it's a close second to my home at VWL)]
BLT (almost made it a second home)
VGF (by a nose over AKL)

VWL is quiet, almost serene. . .though it used to possess even more of those qualities before the introduction of the CC cabins and the new Storybook character meal at Artist Point. Nonetheless, it's still a nice haven to recharge after a day in the parks, plus the sounds, smells, music, and architecture combine for a wonderful thematic entity. And that point leads me to the comment by @Frederic Civish I couldn't agree more. DVC made the conscious decision the past several years to mute the theming at its resorts, putting them more in line with "industry standard"--a phrase Disney increasingly uses. One reason I appreciate VWL (and WL, in general) is that the thematic element is still there, though even that has been slowly evaporating with each new refurbishment or building phase. I like Poly, but it no longer makes much of an attempt to be Polynesian. That sort of thing used to be a large part of the Disney "Magic." Now, it's more of a small "m" magical-ish. I love AKL theming, too. Very appropriate. BLT? It's supposed to be modern, and while it's not my favorite style, it is the Contemporary after all. VGF is also lovely and makes no bones about its opulence. However, going forward, Disney appears to have found a way to save money by reducing Disney at resorts. I'm guessing it's far cheaper to order the same basic sleeper sofa for a dozen resorts and simply put different fabric on them than ordering a few hundred with distinctive theming appropriate for just one resort.

Anyway, back on topic , each resort has its ardent supporters, but the three (four) I've listed above are my faves. . .for now. . .

 

[sbbobe]

My 3 home resorts:
1) BLT-when we bring our children and grandchildren and are going to spend a lot of a time at the MK.
2) BWV-when we bring our children and grandchildren and are going to spend a lot of time at HS and EPCOT.
3) SSR-when my wife and I are on an adult only trip and like being able to walk the grounds of SSR and the close proximity to Disney Springs.

 

[msjprincess]

1) BCV
2) BWV
3) PVB

The Polynesian would probably be my favorite if they had one or two bedroom villas.

 

[gluestickgirl]

1 / PVB (lake view)
2 / BWV (BW view)
3 / BLT (lake view)

we are big fans of balcony time, so we're all in on the upgraded views. i dislike any resort where I have to play the odds to get a good view - it's the one thing that bumped BLT over the WL dvcs.

 

[Figment2001]

After one day, BWV is out in front. Trailed by AKV in second. And BLT and BCV in a very close third and fourth, respectively.