Rate the DVC Resorts from First to Worst

[Mle8308]

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!!

All studios have the 2 Murphy beds. One is a queen that is a sofa during the day, and the small "twin" (it's a little smaller than a twin) under the TV. Plus the regular queen bed. There are kind of 2 bathrooms. One does not have a toilet. One has a toilet, tub/shower combo and sink. The other a walk in shower and sink. The out buildings are not connected to the main building, so you can get wet in the rain if walking back to your room. But no need to use elevators, as the buildings are only 3 floors.

 

[starsaber25]

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.

I stayed here back in June. I didn’t think the busses were all that bad. It was only for 3 days but the longest we waited for a bus was in the morning for Hollywood Studios and it was 20 min. Every other time we were on a bus within 5 minutes.

The only thing I can say that isn’t the best is the VERY LOOOOONG hallways. But it was a very nice resort and I would go back any time. Enjoy it!

 

[MartyParty]

I stayed here back in June. I didn’t think the busses were all that bad. It was only for 3 days but the longest we waited for a bus was in the morning for Hollywood Studios and it was 20 min. Every other time we were on a bus within 5 minutes.

The only thing I can say that isn’t the best is the VERY LOOOOONG hallways. But it was a very nice resort and I would go back any time. Enjoy it!

Agree with this. The walk from the lobby to your room can be long. It was my DW’s only compliant. But if you have your own car, the parking is underneath the rooms. You can park almost right under your room and take an elevator or stairs up.

 

[tidefan]

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

This may only be an issue in the BPK Resort Studio rooms. I’ve only stayed in the original VGF building (Deluxe Studios and an 2-Bedroom) and haven’t had this issue.

 

[jess2022]

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.

I put VGF as the worst too. It is so beautiful and I wanted to like it but just didn’t.

 

[karen4546]

of the DVC resorts that we have stayed, here is how I rank them.

AKV JAMBO-if I can get CL or value rooms (OWN) and I have gotten both many times
BCV - love the location
RIV - love the rooms, food options, and skyliner
BRV-love the updated rooms and quiet pool (OWN)
BWV-love the location-not the food choices or that you have to walk outside to get to food choices.
AKV Jambo if I am staying in Savannah or Standard view categories
PVB-only stayed Lakeview and it rained ALOT!

 

[ZerasPride]

Of the resorts where we have stayed here is our ranking:

1. VGF (own here - flagship resort, great restaurants and atmosphere - just our absolute favorite!)
2. Riveria (very close second)
3. BLT (2 baths in the one bedroom and lots of shops and food choices plus fireworks views)
4. BCV
5. VGC
6. AKV (love the 2 baths in the one bedroom but hate buses everywhere - can't beat the points chart though)
7. SSR (have not stayed since the refurb so it could be higher on the list)
8. OKW (no elevators and we are getting up there in age)
9. HH (own here - learned the hard way we are onsite lovers but this is a great resort I'm sure especially after the refurb)

Looking forward to an Aulani stay next year and we keep meaning to try Vero Beach which gets great reviews - I'm just scared to death of those no seeums!

 

[marmentrout85]

I weight location/convenience/walkability the heaviest, followed by overall resort vibe/amenities, and then rooms (are typically the tie-breaker). In my mind I'm ranking this as "If I HAD to ONLY own at 1 DVC resort".

1. BCV
2. BWV
3. VGF
4. RIV
5. PVB
6. BLT
7. BRV
8. CCV
9. SSR (at least it's walkable to Disney Springs)
10. AKV
11. OKW
12. CFW

 

[Massachusetts]

I think the list changes over time but for right now (2 Beds and rental car):

1. AKL - Kidani - Theming, Animals, Pool, Boma & Jiko - pretty laid back vibe, quick to get off property for groceries and unfortunately urgent care (3 times in three trips)
2. BLT - Location, Fireworks, pretty quiet (if a bit drab) feature pool, short walk to and from the hustle and bustle of the Contemporary
3. BWV - Location
4. VGF - Location, Theming and Grounds
5. SSR - Nicest rooms that I have stayed in the past 10 years (January 24)
6. BRV - It has been 24 years since I have stayed here - time to revisit
7. CFW - We have outgrown them due to party size and ages of travel party
8. PVB - Was a big part of my childhood trips although we only stayed there 2x (Used to stay at the Disney Inn and walk or drive over to Poly for Monorail, Pool and Fireworks). Completely different feel now - very busy in my opinion

BCV, RIV and CCV to be determined. I figure OKW will be a few years but we will eventually get there.

Looking over these lists I think my crew would be pretty happy with any of the options!

 

[MartyParty]

I think the list changes over time but for right now (2 Beds and rental car):

1. AKL - Kidani - Theming, Animals, Pool, Boma & Jiko - pretty laid back vibe, quick to get off property for groceries and unfortunately urgent care (3 times in three trips)

AKL first makes sense for 2 bedroom plus rental car. Good value for 2 bedroom points requirement. Also overcomes the WDW transportation wait times. Makes sense.

 

[Jack Kerouac]

AKL first makes sense for 2 bedroom plus rental car. Good value for 2 bedroom points requirement. Also overcomes the WDW transportation wait times. Makes sense.

All of that is false, @MartyParty. You're at AKV. You either drive a zebra or a giraffe to the parks. They are basically cars, or on more simplistic terms, a means of transportation. The only question is do you like your ride with spots or stripes.

Rental cars are for suckers who don't know any better.

But yes, 2 bedrooms or bust. Obviously.

Well, maybe a 1 bedroom could cut it if you're poor like me and have to get the 1BR Savanna View after seven nights at a lake view Polynesian deluxe studio.

I'm buying more DVC points. I'm sorry. I've embarrassed myself already by having too few points.

Based on this criteria, reevaluate your choices and I'll reevaluate mine...

 

[MartyParty]

All of that is false, @MartyParty. You're at AKV. You either drive a zebra or a giraffe to the parks. They are basically cars, or on more simplistic terms, a means of transportation. The only question is do you like your ride with spots or stripes.

Giraffe. I like the elevated view!

 

[hockeydad21]

I thought about writing out why i ranked each DVC resort where i did, but it's too long. So this is it.

1. VGF
2. PVB
3. CCV
4. RIV
5. BCV
6. AKL
7. SSR
8. BWV
9. BRV
10. BLT - only because it's the ugliest DVC resort in the entire portfolio, and the pools stink. I'll die on this hill.
11. OKW

 

[DonMacGregor]

I thought about writing out why i ranked each DVC resort where i did, but it's too long. So this is it.

1. VGF
2. PVB
3. CCV
4. RIV
5. BCV
6. AKL
7. SSR
8. BWV
9. BRV
10. BLT - only because it's the ugliest DVC resort in the entire portfolio, and the pools stink. I'll die on this hill.
11. OKW

Curious how CCV is #3, but BRV is way down at #9 (below even SSR)...

 

[hockeydad21]

Curious how CCV is #3, but BRV is way down at #9 (below even SSR)...

I genuinely just like the style of CCV rooms significantly more, prefer being in the main building more, and there’s no room views of the laundry dumpsters.

Edit: I also think you can pretty much rearrange any of them from my #3-9, and could make a good argument for it because they're all pretty dang good. But #1&2 and #10&11 are pretty much locked in for me.

 

[Anal Annie]

We've stayed at ALMOST all of the DVC resorts except for the new FWC & the SSR Treehouses which we may never try either of them as we don't usually drive & we never rent a car & I feel like a car would be necessary for both of those. We're staying for 8 nights at the new VDH in 3 weeks so hard to say where that may slip into the mix. It seems to get good reviews from those who've stayed there. We just booked a std. studio which doesn't even have a balcony so that's already a negative right off the bat - and we made THAT decision based on that crazy expensive TOT since it's based on number of points used for the stay. We primarily use studios so some of my rankings are based on the kitchenette size / layout & the bathroom layouts.

1) RIV - great location / skyliner / food options are fab / spacious / beautiful decor
2) Aulani - if Hawai'i wasn't so far & costly to get to I may have put it in first place. It's really a well done resort & worth the points.
3) Poly - monorail / love the tropical feeling there - makes me feel like we actually went somewhere.
4) BWV - location esp for F&W walkability. It's probably DH's fav resort
5) SSR - it's our home resort and we stay there often. Great refurb, decent SF, beautiful grounds, good pools, Turf Club is fab.
6) AKV Jambo - just love the decor and animals and who can forget the FOOD! Best onsite restaurants all around.
7) BRV - newly refurbed - good location - awesome kitchenette size. Love Geyser Point Grill.
8) CC - felt spacious to us and location is great. Nice pool. Love Geyser Point Grill.
9) BCV - we love the location for walking to EP. Great pool. Just too hard to get into.
10) AKV Kidani - while we love the restaurants & animals at AKV this particular studio layout grinds on my nerves. Kitchenette was almost an afterthought with barely a bar size sink and I really dislike the bathroom layout with the sink in the same room with the tub / shower. Makes it more awkward to get ready.
11) VGC - we've only stayed there once - really did like the resort but it's just too hard to snag a res and the point charts are ridiculously high.
12) HHI - it was a nice resort but again, it's too hard to get into. Good kitchenette size tho. Would be nicer if the resort was actually ON the beach too.
13) BLT - Ridiculously small SF studios. Great kitchenette tho. Points a little pricy for such a small room. Stupidly small & overcrowded pool / pool deck. We ended up going over to the Contempory's pool.
14) VGF - too stuffy and waaaay overpriced point charts. We just don't see the appeal.
15) VB - beautiful resort but not much to do in the area. Town rolls up the carpet at 9:00. Sadly, we were bored by day #3.
16) OKW - best thing about it is the cheap point charts. Hate the old all-in-one style bathrooms and the fact that the ice machines are just at the bus stops...and NO elevators in like 95% of the bldgs. It feels like we're staying in a long-term care facility. Busses are horrid with all the scooters. (Sorry, but JM2C.) It's our last choice resort.

 

[rspencer38]

1. RIV
2. AKV
3. BRV/CCV
4. BCV
5. BWV
6. BLT
7. SSR
8. GFV
9. OKW

Not included would be Poly only because we stay at 1-bed and above. I have no doubt that it will rank pretty high once the new tower opens and we can stay at the resort.

 

[TCRAIG]

We've stayed at ALMOST all of the DVC resorts except for the new FWC & the SSR Treehouses which we may never try either of them as we don't usually drive & we never rent a car & I feel like a car would be necessary for both of those. We're staying for 8 nights at the new VDH in 3 weeks so hard to say where that may slip into the mix. It seems to get good reviews from those who've stayed there. We just booked a std. studio which doesn't even have a balcony so that's already a negative right off the bat - and we made THAT decision based on that crazy expensive TOT since it's based on number of points used for the stay. We primarily use studios so some of my rankings are based on the kitchenette size / layout & the bathroom layouts.

1) RIV - great location / skyliner / food options are fab / spacious / beautiful decor
2) Aulani - if Hawai'i wasn't so far & costly to get to I may have put it in first place. It's really a well done resort & worth the points.
3) Poly - monorail / love the tropical feeling there - makes me feel like we actually went somewhere.
4) BWV - location esp for F&W walkability. It's probably DH's fav resort
5) SSR - it's our home resort and we stay there often. Great refurb, decent SF, beautiful grounds, good pools, Turf Club is fab.
6) AKV Jambo - just love the decor and animals and who can forget the FOOD! Best onsite restaurants all around.
7) BRV - newly refurbed - good location - awesome kitchenette size. Love Geyser Point Grill.
8) CC - felt spacious to us and location is great. Nice pool. Love Geyser Point Grill.
9) BCV - we love the location for walking to EP. Great pool. Just too hard to get into.
10) AKV Kidani - while we love the restaurants & animals at AKV this particular studio layout grinds on my nerves. Kitchenette was almost an afterthought with barely a bar size sink and I really dislike the bathroom layout with the sink in the same room with the tub / shower. Makes it more awkward to get ready.
11) VGC - we've only stayed there once - really did like the resort but it's just too hard to snag a res and the point charts are ridiculously high.
12) HHI - it was a nice resort but again, it's too hard to get into. Good kitchenette size tho. Would be nicer if the resort was actually ON the beach too.
13) BLT - Ridiculously small SF studios. Great kitchenette tho. Points a little pricy for such a small room. Stupidly small & overcrowded pool / pool deck. We ended up going over to the Contempory's pool.
14) VGF - too stuffy and waaaay overpriced point charts. We just don't see the appeal.
15) VB - beautiful resort but not much to do in the area. Town rolls up the carpet at 9:00. Sadly, we were bored by day #3.
16) OKW - best thing about it is the cheap point charts. Hate the old all-in-one style bathrooms and the fact that the ice machines are just at the bus stops...and NO elevators in like 95% of the bldgs. It feels like we're staying in a long-term care facility. Busses are horrid with all the scooters. (Sorry, but JM2C.) It's our last choice resort.

Interesting comments on RIV vs GF…I’m the exact opposite - RIV and VGF points charts are not that much different but while I found VGF to be refined and relaxing…I thought RIV was hectic and rather pretentious…of course, that’s the beauty of DCV - no right or wrong answer to which properties we prefer…

 

[intamin]

Interesting comments on RIV vs GF…I’m the exact opposite - RIV and VGF points charts are not that much different but while I found VGF to be refined and relaxing…I thought RIV was hectic and rather pretentious…of course, that’s the beauty of DCV - no right or wrong answer to which properties we prefer…

It's a good thing too otherwise we'd all be trying to book the exact same resorts . I enjoy GF but I realized the part of it I liked could be enjoyed without staying there like the restaurants (LOVE Citricos and Narcoosees) and visiting the lobby. GF's lobby just gets so much foot traffic with the holiday decorations and the line for Enchanted Rose in the lobby during those times. I guess theres a big difference between ratings in owning and visiting. I personally don't get the pretentious vibe from VGF but I can understand why people do. I still think I prefer resorts where all of the rooms are all in one building but again we all have our own preferences :X

 

[Anal Annie]

Interesting comments on RIV vs GF…I’m the exact opposite - RIV and VGF points charts are not that much different but while I found VGF to be refined and relaxing…I thought RIV was hectic and rather pretentious…of course, that’s the beauty of DCV - no right or wrong answer to which properties we prefer…

I guess the overall decor / style of VGF is just not our vibe. Like you would never in a million years find any floral fabrics or lacey anything or a wing back kind of style chair in our house. It's just too much frufru / gingerbread. RIV on the other hand caught our style better. We love Paris and the old European style buildings. So for the similar point charts it's worth it to us to stay there on an occasional trip whereas GF just isn't. We also prefer the skyliner over the monorail. The monorail is overcrowded and slow. It takes too long to go around the loop.