Rate the DVC Resorts from First to Worst

[bobdacat]

I considered all amenities (rooms, resort theming, location/transportation to parks, food access, and views from room or resort.

1. BLT - I love the views, hearing the train from the resort is the first thing I loved when we first stayed there. The Electrical water parade and fireworks every night doesn't get old. The extra bathroom and openness of the rooms ( cant wait for refurb). Location to Poly and GF.

2. BWV - I love the views, can't wait to go again and see the Friendship Boats and the horns. The location to EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Yacht and Beach is the big draw here. Looking forward to the new refurb, but the room layouts seem like a lot of wasted space in the bathroom and closet area.

3. BRV - This is the best theming on property in my opinion. The boat rides to MK, Contemporary, and Fort Wilderness are always fun, even in a downpour. Haven't stayed in a while so looking forward to going back.

4. Poly - Love the theming here and at night with the tiki torches is very neat. Location is another plus with quick access to EPCOT, MK and GF/Contemporary. Possibly the best quick service on property and immediate Dole Whip access.

5. OKW / SSR - Point value is great plus for these resorts, and room availability for those last-minute getaways comes in handy. Quick access to Disney Springs is the big bonus with these 2 resorts. I like the quietness of OKW, the bus ride to everything isn't too bad very central to all parks. SSR has some of the best pool options around, but the bus situation brings this resort down for me, it's too big of a resort.

6. AKV - Theming is excellent here also. I love the room layouts and extra bathroom. Food options are limited but very good. I prefer the Safari view rooms, I like to see stuff from my room. But the long bus ride brings this beautiful resort(s) down, if you don't have a car. The quick access to the outside world comes in handy if you do have a car though.

Thats my list, I love to have a view from my room, to see boats monorails trains people fireworks and even buses.

 

[bwang123]

1. AK - best themed, great dining options and animals. And the extra bathroom in larger rooms.
2. VGC - Walking out of the hotel right into a park or downtown Disney! Nicely themed.
3. BWV - Walking to Epcot every night.
4. BLT - the exception is during times when Halloween or Christmas parties are going on. you lose the ability to walk to MK most nights

 

[McCrae]

I enjoyed reading this thread and the comments, it demonstrates the wide range of personal tastes and how DVC satisfies so many diverse demands.

We have visited most of the DVC resorts in Walt Disney World and have checked them out. Guest services are pretty good at giving you the chance to take a look at vacant rooms.

We own BLT and in addition have stayed in VGC, AKL and VGF.

VGF, VGC are our favourite DVC properties, followed by BLT and AKL.

We are typically not fans of the older resorts or the refurbished Poly DVC rooms. We hope that the new Poly tower rooms will be more like VGF in style and quality. If so we will stay there.

We don’t tend to spend a lot of time in the resorts during the day and in the evening we like to try different dining options each night.

Whilst BLT is our home resort it isn’t our favourite due to the quality of room fixture and fittings. Hoping the refurb will improve things and raise the standard. The location for MK can’t be beaten and having a coffee in the morning on your balcony looking at the lake is very special. We usually come to Disney for around 14 days at a time and do a split stay, staying at BLT and one other resort.

 

[holden]

Of the DVC places we've stayed..

1. VGF
2. BLT (we own here)
3. Kidani (for the extra bathroom in the 1BR and up)
4. BRV
5. OKW
6. Poly (my favorite resort overall, but doesn't work for us anymore because we need a minimum of 1BR or larger)
7. BCV
8. AKV Jambo
9. SSR

 

[igrsod]

Of the places we have stayed:

1. BCV
2. AKL Jambo
3. AKL Kidani
4. BWV
5. OKW
7. BLT
8. SSR
9. VGF

 

[FastPasser.]

As a local I didn’t need to stay at any of the WDW resorts, however I spent many hours at many of them as a CM so I’ll rank them in terms of how much fun they were to work at.

1 Wilderness Lodge
2 Grand Floridian
3 Animal Kingdom Lodge
4 Fort Wilderness
5 Boardwalk
6 Contemporary
6 Yacht Club
7 Beach Club
8 Coronado Springs

 

[ClaraOswald]

Of the places we have stayed:

1. BCV
2. AKL Jambo
3. AKL Kidani
4. BWV
5. OKW
7. BLT
8. SSR
9. VGF

Why do you put VGF as the worst? (I've never been there, just curious.)

 

[tinkerbella16]

Love reading the responses here! We are booked in a 2 bedroom lock-off Savanna View at Kidani in Oct, and I must say, we were not very excited but it was all we could get when we booked. We spend most of our time at Epcot so we were hoping for BWV or BCV. I will say, as the trip gets closer, I am getting more and more excited. Looking forward to the food options at both Kidani and Jambo. The 3 full baths in the 2 bedrm is a huge plus. I hope the transportation isn't so bad. I am so used to staying on the Skyliner.

 

[igrsod]

Why do you put VGF as the worst? (I've never been there, just curious.)

Trust me, it’s not that I hated it. It’s just my least favourite of the ones I stayed at.
But a few reasons put it there.
1. Walls were very thin. I heard everything and I’ve never had it like that at any other resort.
2. the pool area was kind of blah.
3. It felt kind of stuffy and not fun at all.
4. Weirdly enough I didn’t like taking the monorail. I thought I would but didnt.
Don’t get me wrong. I would stay again but for the amount of points used, it wasn’t worth it for us. I know others love it.

 

[igrsod]

Love reading the responses here! We are booked in a 2 bedroom lock-off Savanna View at Kidani in Oct, and I must say, we were not very excited but it was all we could get when we booked. We spend most of our time at Epcot so we were hoping for BWV or BCV. I will say, as the trip gets closer, I am getting more and more excited. Looking forward to the food options at both Kidani and Jambo. The 3 full baths in the 2 bedrm is a huge plus. I hope the transportation isn't so bad. I am so used to staying on the Skyliner.

That’s the only downfall.., all the buses. But you know what…. The trade off to be at that lovely resort with the animals is so worth it.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Trust me, it’s not that I hated it. It’s just my least favourite of the ones I stayed at.
But a few reasons put it there.
1. Walls were very thin. I heard everything and I’ve never had it like that at any other resort.
2. the pool area was kind of blah.
3. It felt kind of stuffy and not fun at all.
4. Weirdly enough I didn’t like taking the monorail. I thought I would but didnt.
Don’t get me wrong. I would stay again but for the amount of points used, it wasn’t worth it for us. I know others love it.

Which building were you in? I want to try staying there someday, but the noise aspect does concern me.

 

[MartyParty]

Ok, I've held off doing the rating but here goes. All the above depends on if visiting the parks, restful resort stay, stay away from the resorts, etc. We've visited all the resorts but only ranking the ones we've stayed at. As we've stayed at these resorts multiple times, I suspect if we did include all resorts, we'd still have the below as our top 5.

Here goes.

DH's DVC resorts we've stayed at rankings:

1. Aulani - Beautiful well thought out resort. Lots to do on Oahu. Option to embrace Disney with Character meet and greets or avoid the whole Disney thing and pool-bar-beach it.
2. Villas Grand Californian - Location, location, location. Love the theming. Really enjoy entering the park through the Grizzly Peak area with the trees, sound of rushing water, and the theme music playing in the background. Such a unique way to enter a Disney Park property. Feels like adventure is ahead.
3. Bay Lake Tower (own) - My wife's favorite park is Magic Kingdom. Walking distance to the park is fantastic. Allows for early morning entry, midafternoon breaks / pool time, and a return trip at night to shut the place down. In the minority but also like the unobtrusive theming. Don't need Disney front and center 24/7 when we visit. But we do like booking the theme park view. Rather look at that than intellectual property wall paintings. Top of the World for fireworks viewing is awesome. Enjoy drinks and nibbles at the Villian's Lair.
4. Villas Disneyland Hotel (own) - Love the location and being close to Trader Sam's. For some reason we don't mind over the top theming at Disneyland but isn't a must for us at WDW. Dunno...
5. Animal Kingdom Lodge Kaidani or Jambo - Yes not very convenient to the WDW parks but feels a world away from everything in a nature / safari kind of way. Our youngest had lost a bit of the magic feeling for the parks. We chose a stay here, slower placed, and only visited Animal Kingdom and EPCOT. She loved it! Got that magical feeling back for her. And it's far cheaper to go on a Safari'ish trip to Animal Kingdom Lodge than the real deal to Africa.

DW's rankings:

1. VGC - Love Californian Park. Rooms need updating.
2. BLT (own) - Convenience to MK
3. Aulani - Feels less Disney. All about Hawaiin beauty.
4. VDH (own) - Brand new. Restaurants close by on and off property. Greater ease getting a room here vs VGC.
5. Animal Kingdom - Love animal watching but its far away from all the parks.

Additional thought, planning a future golf only trip on our points. Targeting OKW and SSR for the stay (haven't stayed at either resort). Leaning towards SSR as it's near the pro shop and close to Downtown Disney. So even though OKW and SSR rank lower for most, it also depends on what you're wanting to do.

 

[Patsaizan]

1. VBR - beach, laid back, relaxing.
2. RR - location, skyliner, food, coffee bar, room layout
3. OKW - one bedroom hospitality house only for us, love it.
4. CCR - one bedroom only. Great resort, beautiful.
5. SS - preferred room ,either Congress Park or near main pool. We like the resort.
6. BLT - easy access to MK, Villains Lair.
7. BCV - access to pool, walk to Epcot.
8. CFW - something different for a few days only.
9. AKL - not a fan of long hallways, but love the animals.
10. VGF - owner since 2013. Not happy with BPK add on. Overall too busy. Used to be our favorite, now points owned here are SAP.
11. Boardwalk - just doesn’t do it for me.
12. Poly - maybe when Island Tower opens, right now not a fan. Too noisy with the boat horns, thin walls.
13. HHI - really wanted to like this one, but after 2 times I won’t go back. Entire area is too busy, don’t like having to “travel” to the beach.
Haven’t stayed at VDH or VGC or Aulani or Boulder Ridge as of yet.

 

[igrsod]

Which building were you in? I want to try staying there someday, but the noise aspect does concern me.

It was one of the newer studio rooms. I don’t know what the buildings are called.

 

[SwanVT2]

Of the DVC places we've stayed..

1. VGF
2. BLT (we own here)
3. Kidani (for the extra bathroom in the 1BR and up)
4. BRV
5. OKW
6. Poly (my favorite resort overall, but doesn't work for us anymore because we need a minimum of 1BR or larger)
7. BCV
8. AKV Jambo
9. SSR

We are looking at trying a Poly studio for our next stay. I have read that the walls are thin and that the pool gets super crowded. We are going last week of Feb. '25. Are these statements true? Should we avoid also due to construction? At the same time, the proximity to MK is great and DD (12) would like to have the O'hana Stitch breakfast experience.
Also, are there walking paths around the resort? Can one walk to MK? Are the hallways interior with elevators or exterior? Thank you!

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

We are looking at trying a Poly studio for our next stay. I have read that the walls are thin and that the pool gets super crowded. We are going last week of Feb. '25. Are these statements true? Should we avoid also due to construction? At the same time, the proximity to MK is great and DD (12) would like to have the O'hana Stitch breakfast experience.
Also, are there walking paths around the resort? Can one walk to MK? Are the hallways interior with elevators or exterior? Thank you!

Poly owner here…
Not thin walls. Have never heard my neighbors.
Sometimes gets crowded in early/mid afternoon, but have never had trouble getting a chair. Oasis pool is a tier 1 quiet pool you should try as well.
Cannot walk to MK (via VGF) currently.
Interior hallways with elevators + exterior stairs. Lots of ingress & egress points.

Have fun!!

 

[SwanVT2]

Poly owner here…
Not thin walls. Have never heard my neighbors.
Sometimes gets crowded in early/mid afternoon, but have never had trouble getting a chair. Oasis pool is a tier 1 quiet pool you should try as well.
Cannot walk to MK (via VGF) currently.
Interior hallways with elevators + exterior stairs. Lots of ingress & egress points.

Have fun!!

Ok good to know about stairs- i have claustrophobia so would prefer to avoid. I like morning walks, is that an option? Are all studios refurbished (we need that Murphy bed for DD who does not want sofa bed) and is it true that there are two bathrooms? I really appreciate your insight!!

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Whilst BLT is our home resort it isn’t our favourite due to the quality of room fixture and fittings. Hoping the refurb will improve things and raise the standard. The location for MK can’t be beaten and having a coffee in the morning on your balcony looking at the lake is very special. We usually come to Disney for around 14 days at a time and do a split stay, staying at BLT and one other resort.

I'm just curious being on the lake and all...do you find there's the usual summer bug problem when you're on the higher floors? I love the balconies but when we go during the summer months I can barely ever get out on any of the balconies bc of the mosquitoes/gnats/whatever is out there. I've never stayed at BLT so wondering if it's worse or better.

 

[Instagramhusband]

Trust me, it’s not that I hated it. It’s just my least favourite of the ones I stayed at.
But a few reasons put it there.
1. Walls were very thin. I heard everything and I’ve never had it like that at any other resort.
2. the pool area was kind of blah.
3. It felt kind of stuffy and not fun at all.
4. Weirdly enough I didn’t like taking the monorail. I thought I would but didnt.
Don’t get me wrong. I would stay again but for the amount of points used, it wasn’t worth it for us. I know others love it.

Feeling like I dodged a bullet. My wife really wanted to buy here despite never staying there. That would have been a dealbreaker.

 

[McCrae]

I'm just curious being on the lake and all...do you find there's the usual summer bug problem when you're on the higher floors? I love the balconies but when we go during the summer months I can barely ever get out on any of the balconies bc of the mosquitoes/gnats/whatever is out there. I've never stayed at BLT so wondering if it's worse or better.

I have been going there since it opened at different times of the year, never had any issue with bugs. When I have seen bugs they tend to be around the lower floors. I wouldn’t want to stay in the Poly Villa’s on the water for that reason.