Ranking of DVC resorts (WDW only)

[tjkraz]

SSR - The resort that convinced us to buy DVC. Used to be neck-in-neck with BWV but the Treehouse Villas pushed it over the top.

BWV - Good location but a LOT of walking. Bus service stinks, too. Standard view rooms a plus for low points. BoardWalk view is the best balcony view in the program (SSR DTD view is second best, IMO)

BLT - Rooms look cool. Not sure when we'll stay there due to high points. Definitely won't get MK view.

OKW - Sentimental favorite as it was our first DVC destination. But our last room there was showing its age. After a good refurb--and a visit to BLT--I'd consider moving it up the list.

AKV - Never a resort I'd buy into but looks good nonetheless.

BCV - Vastly overrated, IMO. Location of villa wing is atrocious (next to main road!!!) Most of the resort should be "Standard View" like some at BWV. Proximity to Epcot is nice but DHS is bad (hate boat rides at Disney with a passion!!!)

VWL - No desire to stay there at all. Room furnishings are ugly and resort feels like a poor man's AKV.

 

[thelionqueen]

I love reading all the different opinions, I guess I'm a little bit of everything, but since I must choose for this thread...here goes..

1. BLT-own here-location and amenities ROCK!!
2. OKW & BCV-tied-BCV for SAB (LOVE it!) & OKW for size and beauty
3 SSR-love the theming and proximity to DTD
4. BWV-never stayed here but like the boardwalk & ESPNclub
5. VWL-beautiful but I am lucky to see that decor here at home
6. AKV-love the room decor but will never stay here-location & theming not my cup of tea

 

[DVC Mike]

OK, let me try to rank them. I may change my mind an hour from now (or right after I post this). I think I'm pretty firm on the top two and the bottom two, but the middle three can move around a lot.

1. BLT - The fantastics views, cool decor, the tower, walking to the MK, the monorail, access to dining, watching Wishes

2. BWV - Those boardwalk views and the lively boardwalk, watching the Epcot fireworks, proximity to both Epcot and DHS, access to dining

3. BCV - SAB, location right outside Epcot, access to dining

4. VWL - the great lodge theme/decor, Bay Lake, relaxing boat ride to the MK

5. AKV - theme/decor, the savanna, nice onsite dining

6. SSR - nice decor, much too big, limited onsite dining, no theme (no desire to own here)

7. OKW - showing it's age, large rooms, limited onsite dining (no desire to own here)

 

[bsusanmb]

1. SSR - love the condo vs hotel, bright and airy, easy car access, view of the river and DTD, walking paths, theme
2. VWL - theme, pool, boat to MK, restaurants at WL
3. BCV - pool, theme, pretty
4. AK Kidani - too dark for me, love them, no counter service, great pool
5.OKW - don't like the lay out, both stays the rooms needed to be refurbished, rooms are large
6 BW - never stayed here and don't care to.
7 BLT - do not like the furnishings at all, never liked the CR, no desire to stay here

SSR reminds me so much of going on vacation with my entire family to Myrtle Beach where my family lives. I love the condo style of SSR, and the size. It is also very quiet, I have never heard anything from another room, almost sound proof. The rooms at VWL and BCV are noisy from the hall and also the rooms above, below and next door. But the pool at BCV is just the best.

I love AKL and Kidani, but the darkness makes it difficult for me to see. If it weren't for that, I would put it second.

 

[dcfromva]

Hmmm. I change my mind all the time, so the order of preference will probably be different if the question is posed again in the future...
One thing that influences my preference is our objective is for a given visit to WDW. For F& W and Flower and Garden, I would like to stay at BWV or BCV. For my birthday, it has to be BLT! In the wintertime, DH and I love to stroll around SSR and walk to DTD it feels like a small town with all the comforts of a large city. I would like to try the AKV concierge sometime (I had considered buying a small contract to bank and borrow for a short stay every 3 years). I do like VWL--especially to walk from the villas to transportation. I love the smell of the pine trees. It really does feel like Yellowstone. OKW has nice spacious rooms. Let's face it--I wouldn't turn down a stay at any of the resorts.
BCV*
BLT*
BWV*
SSR*
AKV
VWL
OKW

*Home resort

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

1. BWV - Location, location, location - love the theme, style, layout and surrounding area
2. OKW* - Home sweet home - love the large rooms, theme, tranquility & serenity
3. WLV - Gorgeous resort and love the theme (if the location and distance to the villas were better would be my #1)
4. BCV - Location & SAB both nice - didnt care much for the resort itself
5. AKL - Going in Aug so ranked above BLT but no valid opinion (yet)
6. BLT - Havent been so no valid opinion
7. SSR - 2 bad experiences, seperate occassions - nice landscaping
8. Vero/HHI - Not at WDW and not much of a beach person so dont plan on visiting...

 

[Tara]

1. BLT - my home resort. I have no doubt that I will love this resort - it's got everything I like and fits my hotel preferences better than any other DVC resort.
2. BCV - love the pool (duh), great location and access to dining options in one complex. Would like to add on here.
3. BWV - location, love the Boardwalk
4. VWL - very pretty, quiet setting, love the Lodge

The rest are sort of a wash, but I'd say -

5. AKV - never stayed, but I think the themeing is nice
6. SSR - enjoyed my stay here much more than I thought I would
7. OKW - no comment since I've never stayed there or even visited.

 

[starbox]

One thing I've found really nice is that we've been able to adapt DVC to the changing needs of our family. I really think that, unless you purchase DVC with no children and no intention to ever have children (or grandchildren) - your "best" resorts are likely to change as your family changes.

My favorite resort as a DINK (dual income no kids) would be very different from my favorite resort with toddlers/babies. If I'd had three kids, the only resorts in the running for me would be ones that allow 5 in a 1-bedroom with a sleeper chair.

We've now got a teen and a tween and we vacation VERY differently than we did with smaller kids. This last trip, my kids decided that MK is their least favorite park and DHS is their favorite So now the EPCOT resorts became a lot more desirable (we had many trips in the past where we skipped DHS altogether and spent maybe half a day in EPCOT).

Time has yet to tell how we vacation with grown kids, or as empty-nesters, or with grandkids - but I bet our style will continue to change as our family evolves.

 

[Disney Doll]

OKW-room size, themeing, parking right near unit, like condo style rather than high-rise style, love the golf course view, boat/walk to DTD

BCV- location, location, location & Stormalong Bay

BWV-location

VWL-love the serenity

SSR-like the location, like the boat/walk to DTD

AKV-don't like the theme

BLT- haven't seen it

 

[vicki_c]

Clearly, the most interesting part of this thread is how all over the place the answer are (without actually totalling them up) -- see that, SSR is NOT at the bottom of the majority of the answers!

Just proving the Disney is actually doing a good job with the different types and themes of the DVC properties - people feel as passionately about their favorite as someone else does about their least favorite, and lots of us seem to be fairly open to the majority of the DVC properties.

 

[bsusanmb]

I find this interesting also. We all have different preferences but in general find all of the resorts have something to offer us.