Ranking DVC's so far

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

We just got back from our spring break trip at Saratoga Springs, and on the drive home my DH and I were ranking which DVC's we liked the best so far and why.

1. VWL-it's our DVC home, and just 'feels' like home to us. Love the theming, small size, and proximity to MK. Girls love the ducks in the pool.
2. BWV-very romantic, our choice for 'adults only' stay, love to walk the boardwalk into EPCOT (our favorite park). Don't love the pool.
3. OKW-can't beat it for longer stays where the value for a full kitchen in a 1 bdrm is needed. I like parking the car close to the room (it's usually filled to the gills). The girls say it has the best slide. Love the color palette.
4. Vero Beach-another really good slide. Nice rooms, intimate feel. Beach was yucky, erosion was ridiculous as was the rip tide (kids couldn't go beyond their ankles without getting flipped over and sucked into the surf). Restaurant was bad. Lack of disney feel, we were there a week and never saw a character. Nazi running the camp singalong that delights in public humiliation. Loved the lake across the street and the barbecue grill-hung out there all afternoon and grilled and fished.
5. Saratoga Springs-ok, I'm sorry, it was just enormous and boring. We felt warehoused. The horsey theme was half hearted, at best. There were all these horse fields/pastures with no horses in them. The couch bed was the worst of any we'd encountered in the studios. The bare cement floors on the faux interior walkways was really ugly. We could hear kids crying through the walls. Just way too big, way too impersonal. I will say the sandwiches at the Artist's Palette were awesome! So good, in fact, that we skipped our foray to Earl of Sandwich because we could get our good sandwich fixes at ArtPal.

So, that's my ranking.

 

[Dizny Dad]

I think ranking is so trip dependant!

1. VWL is one of our homes. We love it very much, especially during the Christmas holidays. Each of the DVC & WDW Resots has its own great Christmas feel, but we bought VWL for the warm Christmas "home" feel.

2. SSR was our first home. We love it there also, as it provides a great spring & summer place to be. We love the retreat feel, away from the hub bub of "The World". And yes we love the Artist Palette as well for its offerings; just wish they could do better with the breakfast croud!

It is funny that when we are staying at VWL, we miss SSR so much, and vice versa!

We love to visit and sitting awhile at the other resorts during our home stays at VWL & SSR, but would never consider buying in.

 

[vicki_c]

So far, I would rank them as:

1. BCV -- location, Stormalong Bay
2. BWV -- absolutely only because of location, the rest was only so-so to me
3. SSR -- my home resort and I do really love it there
4. VWL - not sure why, but although I love WL, the Villas just didn't do much for me

Haven't tried OKW or AKL yet. Or of course, BLT.

I haven't been unhappy anywhere yet - all the locations have their pluses and minuses.

 

[starbox]

My favorite is Vero Beach

Three onsite DVC's made it into my "rotation" - we go twice a year and alternate resorts.

AKV - love everything about this resort
SSR - love the pool, the serenity, the upscale feel of the decor, the awesome breakfast and sandwiches at AP - can't wait to book a Treehouse!
BCV - love the pool, decor, and access to Boardwalk entertainment and EPCOT - don't love having to walk through the resort in swimsuits to get to the pool and don't like the onsite dining options. Views are only okay.

I don't have any desire to return to HHI, VWL, OKW or BWV

If the DVC fairy showed up with more points - I'd want them at SSR so I could do a treehouse every year and still have points left for Spring Break at AKV and summer in Vero!!!!!!!!!

 

[littlestar]

Here's mine:

1. VWL - love the theming, but prefer it in colder season like December/January
2. SSR - I like the light colors and Victorian feel, plus close to Downtown Disney
3. BCV - Love the location and theming and Storm a Long Bay.
4. OKW - nice sized rooms, but unit interiors are looking a bit dated.
5. BWV - nice location, but I don't like the loong hallways & one main elevator.
6. AKV - Nice theming, but far out away from everything but Animal Kingdom.
7. HH - I enjoy Hilton Head Island, but only in a warm season.
8. Vero Beach - pretty ocean view from some of the rooms, but isolated.

I can't rate BLT yet as I haven't stayed there.

 

[wulfekamp]

1. BCV its our home and we all love it. Location to epcot and the pool.
2. Vero stayed there last year loved the peace and quit.
3. AKL I loved it wife didn't. Sorry hated Boma loved the counter service.
4. BWV It was ok didn't care for the pool really seemed cold. Loved the ESPN club.
Can't get the wife and DD away from BCV. I want to try new places but it 's 2 votes to 1.

 

[ADP]

Here's mine

1. AKV - Very well themed, close to AK, Kilimanjaro Club Level on points, Very relaxing, two large feature pools to choose from, African artwork, excellent on-site activities
2. BCV - Great location, access to the Boardwalk resort area, multiple modes of transportation, close to World Showcase, close to Hollywood Studios
3. SSR - Excellent landscaping, a great resort to walk around, near DTD, nice feature pool area, many pools to choose from, Treehouse Villas
4. VWL - Close to the MK, Very relaxing, well themed, love the counter service location and gift shop
5. OKW - Rooms are huge, great views of the LBV golf course, a nice community feel.
6. BWV - Great location, near DHS and EPCOT, Lots of table service locations to choose from
We haven't stayed at HH or VB.

 

[rpk1951]

1 BCV location, location, location
2 AKV Grandchildren love it (as does grandpa)
3 BWV just like the activity around it

 

[dvcdisney]

Of the DVC resorts we have stayed in so far, I think we would rank them as follows:

1. BCV - location, SALB, atmosphere
2. AKV - theme, views, Mara
3. VWL - theme
4. BWV - location
5. OKW - size of room (if the location was better for us, I would make this #4)

 

[wildernessDad]

Of the DVCs that I've been to, my ranking is the following.

VWL - Love the theme and the boat ride to the MK
AKV - Animals, animals, animals
BCV - Love the restaurants and the proximity to Epcot
BWV - Love the view
OKW - Liked the roominess.

 

[Granny]

5. Saratoga Springs-ok, I'm sorry, it was just enormous and boring. We felt warehoused.

 

[Starr W.]

1. SSR-our favorite, kids love being able to walk to DTD, many Grand Villas. Got one for Thanksgiving with just one call no WL.
2. Vero Beach- Just got back from a full week there, love the remoteness, non-high rise non-mega developed beach. Going to try for a BC one of these years.
3. BWV-our fave resort type DVC, but only if we can get a BW view!
4. BCV-like Starbox, don't like the fact you have to walk through the lobby to get to SAB, Marketplace IMHO is a pain, especially if you just want Gelato.
5. VWL-I'm the only one in the family who likes it, main pool prounounced "lame" by the 2 DS's and the quiet pool is on the small size.

Haven't done OKW, HHI or AKV yet.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Well, I haven't tried too many yet. So far:

1. BWV - love the waterview rooms, boardwalk in the morning, close to Epcot.

2. Vero Beach - love the Ocean View rooms, sleepy beach town.

Wish List - Resorts I plan on trying in order:

1. VWL - trying it for the theming, electric water parade by the beach, resort activities, FW Segway tour.

2. SSR - I really want to try this resort in January, no parks trip. Workout room, Turf Club, decor, spa the big draw for me!

3. BLT - Even though I bought points here, not really all that excited to visit it! Will try it once, but only as a split stay, probably not more than 4 days.

4. AKV - I'm dragging my feet on this one. I like animals, but not sure for any lenth of time. Worried about remoteness.

5. OKW - Have no interest in staying here.

6. BCV - Have no interest in staying here. Wayyyyy to busy.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Here's mine:

BCV: Loved the location near Epcot and the great pool. Wish there was more of a meal selection at the Marketplace. Purchased an add-on contract here so we can enjoy stays here every few years.

SSR: Have never had a trip here that we didn't enjoy. Have stayed in Springs, Grandstand, and Paddock. Love the theme and beauty of the resort, and prefer the condo style layout. Wish the buses would come a bit more frequently, but have enjoyed it more since starting to rent a car for the trip. Enjoy the fact that the resort is entirely DVC. We stay in studios frequently, and like having the free laundry rooms near the pools so we can wash and swim at the same time. Love, love, love Artist's Pallet. (We were disappointed to find that all DVC locations didn't have the same level of counter service choices.)

VWL: Loved the proximity to Magic Kingdom. Didn't like the location of the villas -- seemed tucked off to the side and out things. Liked the theming of the lobby and common area, but didn't think much of the room decor. Hated having to share buses with Fort Wilderness. Was disappointed at the view from the balcony; view was completely blocked by the trees. Loved the boat ride to MK.

Haven't tried yet

BWV: Have our first reservation here next summer. Think we'll like the location, although we don't know what to think about all the comments about long halls -- we thought the halls at BCV were long. Disappointed that there are so few boardwalk view rooms.

OKW: Looking forward to trying this one in a few years. Since we like SSR, we think we're going to enjoy OKW.

BLT: Will certainly try this location one day, but will have to swallow hard to get past the number of points the stay will cost.

VGC: Looking forward to this resort opening for our first trip to Disneyland.

AKV: I'm not sure why, but we really don't have a big desire to try this resort.

VB/HH: Don't have much interest in locations outside Disney park areas.

Hawaii: Not sure if I want to sit in an airplane this long. Maybe some day.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

We have tried 3 DVC's and here is our ranking:

1) VWL - our home and we love it there - calm after a busy park day
2) OKW - very peaceful and those big rooms were nice
3) BWV - you can't beat the location for a nice walk to Epcot or DHS

We are trying AKV next and I can't wait.

 

[lisareniff]

I have a very hard time placing the resorts in order. I keep changing my mind. Here it goes.... (* = own points here)

1- BCV* - Great pool. Location. Lots of food options in walking distance. Calming theme. It doesn't hurt that we recently came back from a great stay at BCV.

2- VWL - Great theme. A pleasant boat ride to MK/MK resorts. Small. A calming magic. I wish we could own here too!

3 - VB* - Ocean Views!! A small full service resort. A non-high rise resort. We love those BCs!!!

4 - AKV* - Fantastic exotic theme. Great Restaurants. Love the animals. DH's favorite.

5 - BWV - Location. Easy walk to both DHS and Epcot. All around good resort. If I could only purchase one now, I might purchase here (for all the different room types, location and cheaper price).

Would love to try...

HH - in the summer and might next year.

BLT - normally not a high rise girl but would like to give it a try for that MK view.

Sorry, but I really don't have an urge to try OKW or SSR. I'm sure I'm missing some great things there.

 

[skoi]

We're pretty easy to please and have really liked all of the DVC resorts we've stayed in, but after consultation with the two older kids and husband, here's our list:

1. BCV: love the pool, location, and it was beautiful this past Christmas.

2. (And a close second, practically tied) AKL: they loved everything about it during our short stay, especially seeing the animals from the balcony and the pool. Looking forward to Kidani in September.

3. SSR: pool, landscaping, general look, and according to oldest dd she enjoys "the race tracky charm".

4. BWV: Location, lobby, boardwalk views, demented clown slide (not necessarily in that order)

5. VWL: Mom's choice in terms of decor, but kids hate the pool, and oldest dd saw a snake there, so it's off her list.

6. OKW- had a very short stay a while ago. Kids loved the pool, but we stayed in a studio and can't compare it to the others as we usually don't do that.

We also stayed at and enjoyed Hilton Head, but it seemed to be a completely different vacation to us, so I didn't rate it on the list. We own at BCV.

We can't wait to stay at BLT, because CR is one of our favorite hotels. Also looking forward to a relaxing trip to Vero next year, or as relaxing as a trip with four kids can be.

 

[Joann]

We have only stayed so far at 3 as 2008 was our first year owning here is my pick

AKV ~~ is mine and my daughters and sons fav!!! I own lots of animals so this is where I am at home plus I want to go to Africa and for now this is as close as I will get haha

OKW~~ had a 1 bedroom here and loved it, grounds are very pretty, didnt eat there but liked the boat to DTD

SSR~~ This is our home I like it for when AKV is not avail. LOL good for being so close to DTD ..This is hubbys fav resort as he likes the buildings and parking

 

[Princess&CowboyMommy]

My hubby and I rank them differently - here's his:

1. Saratoga Springs - he loves the pool for the kids, parking near the rooms, the decor, great for walking/running, and having a mental break from the parks
2. WLV - likes the theming; pool is great, but he says it's always too crowded all day long; loves Roaring Forks and WCC
3. tie - OKW - LARGEST units, great landscaping, but needs more/better eating options, nice playground, but not impressed with the pool for the kids
AKV - Fantastic theming, great food options, great kid activities, wasn't impressed with the pool for the kids, bus service spotty and VERY full
5. BWV - larger units, LOCATION, great night activities downstairs (but can get loud) but he wasn't impressed with the quick service options here and really didn't like the clown pool for the kids at all
6. BCV - excellent location and best pool, but just thought the rest was so-so

and for me and the kids (almost 7 and 5):
1. WLV - LOVE the theming and hands down most beautiful around Christmas, great variety of restaurants, my favorite resort shop, easy access to boat ride to Ft Wilderness to ride the ponies or do the BBQ, electric water parade; negs for me are sometimes the trees bother my allergies and/or my son, but I love the resort and just take allergy meds, lol
2. tie AKV same reasons as hubby
BWV - I don't care as much about the clown, lol, I just love being close to the boardwalk and 2 theme parks. It's nice to walk off your breakfast to get to the park instead of taking a bus
4. OKW and SS - same reasons as hubby, but I don't care as much about the pool at SS; I do like being able to take the boat to DTD at night - very romantic, even with the kids
6. BCV - same as hubby

We're probably the only ones on the board to rate BCV last, lol...Just wasn't our cup of tea. Funny thing though - we honeymooned at the Beach Club and stayed there once since (love the hotel), but for some reason like the hotel more than the villas. We can't seem to pinpoint why though...

 

[buzz5985]

Our family would rate -

1. HHI - we absolutely love the laid back style. Love the marsh.
2. BWV - Love walking to Epcot and DHS, the Boardwalk itself
3. AKL - Jiko and the savanah
4. OKW - We bring family here for more room. Enjoy the boat to DTD.
5. VWL - Nice pool, atmosphere for adults, boat ride to MK
6. BCV - It's just "stuck" back there. SB - too crowded, too hard to watch multiple kids, I'm there to relax, can't seem to at SB.