Rate the DVC Resorts from First to Worst

[Jack Kerouac]

Rate the DVC resorts from first to worst, but only rate those you have actually stayed at for at least one night. Feel free to provide your reasoning and where you own.

Here are my ratings and I already know my views may be heretical.

1. Boulder Ridge
2. Animal Kingdom
3. Saratoga Springs
4. Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
5. Old Key West
6. Bay Lake Tower

We had a 2BR in May at BRV and loved it; loved the pools and restaurants; loved the grounds and transportation. Just an amazing resort. Sorry it’s a 2042 resort.

We love the animals, pool, and dining at AKV. Buses always seemed to be on time. Walking to and from the room was a bit longer than other resorts. We are currently buying AKV resale and we are okay if we get stuck staying here.

SSR in February was awesome. Pools were quiet and great pool bars. Standard rooms didn’t seem too far and buses were never full. DS is nearby, but our kiddos aren’t really into that yet.

PVB was our first love and our first home resort. Love the theme and vibe. Lava pool is great and the LV studios can’t be beat. Just a bit too busy overall for me. We just sold our resale Poly contract.

OKW was our first stay on WDW property. The boys love the large rooms, as do we. It’s home away from home. But not a lot of dining and the quiet pools are a bit lousy. We just bought a direct contract but the points will be used for OKW and other resorts during our future trips.

BLT just doesn’t vibe with us. But we loved the location and pool bar food (especially the Cuban). I guess I love the Disney resort themes more than their locations.

 

[lovin'fl]

Currently (as they have changed over the years for us depending on what kind of trips we have)...we are now 50somethings with 20something kids. We live near WDW and do 1-2 night stays about once a month. Mostly just the 2 of us to do Epcot festivals and DS for drinks and food and concerts and the such. And we have stayed at all east coast resorts (except the new: wilderness cabins, poly tower and the second VGF). But I won't include HHI and Vero. We love HHI but not sure how to compare them to WDW.

1- Riviera is my fave. I love the resort and room feel and enjoy the gondolas. Also LOVE Bar Riva. But point cost is high here so we rarely book.

2- SSR. We love walking into DS and love the new-ish rooms there. It's great to park at our unit and love service there as our room is always ready at a decent time plus CMs are always helpful and friendly.

3- AKV club level Jambo (but all of AKV is nice, we just really love club level). We live 12 mins from here and love the club level for food and drinks and love watching the animals and enjoy AK park as our 2nd fave park. Just the service here can sometimes be off though hasn't been bad lately. But we tend to get our rooms on the later side here.

4- BWV or BCV for walking to Epcot but both have service issues and are in need of renovations (BWV is in process of that so I am anxious to see end result next month). We own BWV so it's easy to book. And can save points with standard view but I don't LOVE the resort itself or the service we have had there. I always liked BCV more but it too is a tired resort and has spotty service at times. By service I mean rooms ready in decent time and bands working for door and friendly CMs as well as service at the bar/lounges. Also hate that most bars/lounges don't open until later at these 2 resorts. And the BW has 2 dining venues closed down right now.

5- CCV/BRV. The wilderness lodge 2 are prob our preferred MK resorts as we don't do MK and don't have any little kids so we like to avoid the monorail and strollers and such that are at Poly, BLT and VGF. We also like Geyser Point and the rooms are nice. Very quaint and peaceful to stay. We also have points at CCV so we stay once in a while.

6- Poly, BLT and VGF are solely near bottom because they take a lot of points and we don't do MK. They are busy and noisy resorts too. Just not for us at this stage in life but once we have grandbabies, then we may love these.

7- OKW is last because it's so very very tired and dated and worn out and basic. Had 2 recent stays in studios and they were worse than a Hampton Inn. No wine opener or any glasses. Banged up furniture and worn carpet and bland decor. Very BLAH. The only saving grace is the little pool bar though it is a tad too tiny. And is nice to park at the unit here too, like SSR.

We recently stayed in a Treehouse villa for the 1st time. DH and I and our 2 DDs with one's SO. All around 25. My DDs had always begged to stay in one so we did for 1 night last month. They are also dated a bit and worn. But I really enjoyed it. They are so cute and I could live in one of those. DH hated that we only get 1 parking spot there and we had 2 cars so we had to park 1 over at SSR. One DD had to sleep in bunk bed room and hated that. She said kids get the bunks and kids pee the bed so she felt like it was gross. Plus her 5'9" self hung off the bed. The girls all felt it was dirty but I don't think it was. They are all brown and woodsy themed so they may feel kind of dirty but aren't. They are a hike to things though. And tough to drive the skinny loop in and out with all the cars parked along and people coming and going. Would be better to park under the villas maybe and open the roadway up a bit. We prob won't book one again though. They are a great point value so maybe I will if we have a big group again.

 

[crvetter]

Currently (as they have changed over the years for us depending on what kind of trips we have)...we are now 50somethings with 20soemthing kids. We live near WDW and do 1-2 night stays about once a month. Mostly just the 2 of us to do Epcot festival and DS, drinks and food and concerts and the such.

1- Riviera is my fave. I love the resort and the gondolas and LOVE Bar Riva. But point cost is high here so we rarely book.
2- SSR (love walking into DS and love the new-ish rooms there and love parking at unit and love service there as our room is always ready at a decent time and CMs are always helpful and friendly).
3- AKV club level Jambo (we live 12 mins from here and love the club level for food and drinks and love watching the animals and enjoy AK park as our 2nd fave park, just the service here can sometimes be off though hasn't been bad lately though we tend to get our rooms on the later side here too).
4- BWV or BCV for walking to Epcot but both have service issues and are in need of renovations (BWV is in process of that so I am anxious to see end result next month). We own BWV so it's easy to book. And can save points with standard view but I don't LOVE the resort itself or the service we have had there. I always liked BCV more but it too is a tired resort and has spotty service at times. By service I mean rooms ready and bands working and friendly CMs as well as service at the bars. ALso hate that most bars/lounges don't open until later at these 2 resorts. And the BW has 2 dining venues closed down.
5- the wilderness lodge 2 are prob our preferred MK resorts as we don't do MK and don't have any little kids so we like to avoid the monorail and strollers and such that are at Poly, BLT and VGF. We also like Geyser Point and the rooms there too. Very quaint and peaceful to stay. We also have points at CCV so we stay once in a while.
6- Poly, BLT and VGF solely near bottom because they take a lot of points and we don't do MK. They are busy and noisy resorts too. Just not for us at this stage in life but once we have grandbabies, then we may love these.
7- OKW...so very very tired and dated and worn out and basic. Had 2 recent stays in studios and they were worse than a Hampton Inn. No wine opener or any glasses. Banged up furniture and worn carpet and bland decor. Very BLAH. The only saving grace is the little pool bar though it is a tad too tiny.

We recently stayed in a Treehouse villa for the 1st time. DH and I and our 2 DDs with one's SO. All around 25. My DDs had always begged to stay in one so we did for 1 night last month. We did AK park and went to our TH after. It was ready at 2:30pm. They are also dated a bit and worn. But I really enjoyed it. They are so cute and I could live in one of those. DH hated that we only get1 parking spot and we had 2 cars so we had to park over at SSR. One DD had to sleep in bunk bed room and hated that. She said kids get the bunks and kids pee the bed so she felt like it was gross. Plus her 5'9" self hung off the bed. They all felt it was dirty but I don't think it was. They are all brown and woodsy themed so they may feel kind of dirty. They are a hike to things too. And tough to drive the skinny loop in and out with all the cars parked along and people coming and going. Would be better to park under the villas maybe and open the roadway up a bit. We prob won't book one again though.

BCV was renovated already. So it is just BWV left and as you said is currently in the process.

OKW rooms were finished being renovated in 2018 so getting a bit closer to the refresh cycle of the refurbishment window. Though I haven’t stayed there ever so not sure how it held up after the full refresh they went through.

 

[lovin'fl]

BCV was renovated already. So it is just BWV left and as you said is currently in the process.

OKW rooms were finished being renovated in 2018 so getting a bit closer to the refresh cycle of the refurbishment window. Though I haven’t stayed there ever so not sure how it held up after the full refresh they went through.

BCV just had a refresh in 2023, not a full refurb but i dont think we have stayed since they did the refresh. BWV is undergoing a full refurb now so I am hoping it makes a difference as the refresh in 2016 was okay but not spectacular. The OKW full refurb in 2017-2018 is all wore out now. But they don't get a refresh until 2026. Eek. I won't be staying there anymore if I can help it. Treehouse villas get a full refurb in 2025 and it is needed. AKV also get full refurbs in 2025. They also kind of need it. But OKW is the most worn out of all. The dark wood furniture is soooo gouged and scraped up and ugly. The carpet and tile too are a mess. We were so shocked at the 2 studios we stayed in recently. I have photos somewhere I may try to upload later. BWV was the same beat up feel to me too, last we stayed which was months ago (before recent refurbs).

 

[Disney Spaz]

1-VGF & CCR this is tied because they are the two resorts we own. VGF because of the large rooms sizes in the 1bedrooms. The relaxed yet elegant theme, the convenience to MK and when open, the walkway to Poly. It just feels like home. CCR it is our perfect escape for the holidays. I could sit in front of the fireplace in the lobby all day and be happy. During the cooler months walking the pathways is such a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of the parks. And a relaxing boat ride always awaits.

2-BCV-Storm Along Bay is amazing! Not to mention the beautiful colors of the resort and the access to walk outside the resort, turn left and in a few steps you are in Epcot.

3-Poly-I think for me it is the classic. My DH and I got married on the beach, which is now gone thanks to the Poly Tower. But the Pacific seas theming and the dole whip is the bomb.

4-AKV- Animals Animals Animals! Our DS owns here and we were lucky enough to be one of the few families that stayed there right after the Covid shutdown before the hotel side reopened. We were in Jambo house with like twenty other families and had the run of the resort. My kids had a lightsaber battle on the suspension bridge which was beyond cool. It will always have a special place for us.

5-BWV- we love the location but would choose BCV first. Nothing negative about it but just not our preference.

6-OKW-It is nice and the rooms are huge. The atmosphere is relaxed and everyone seems super friendly. It is just too big for me.

7-SSR-Positive is the proximity to Disney Springs. I would love to try the treehouses someday. The negative it is way too big for me and I hate exterior hallways.

8-Rivera- I know there are those who love it and I wanted to too but I just did not enjoy our stay there. This is going to sound crazy since VGF is my favorite but Rivera felt way too stuffy for me. Also everything felt disjointed.

9-BLT- I can’t with the colors and furnishings. I feel like I am stuck in a bad 60’s Sci-fi movie. The whole thing feels sterile and institutional.

 

[DonMacGregor]

1. BRV - I love the quiet and relaxing ambiance, but you're still at WL and a boat ride away from MK
2. RIV - Fantastic rooms (best at WDW) and close to two theme parks. Skyliner can be iffy though (busy and weather).
3. CCV - Yes, it's in WL, but I put it below RIV because of the converted hotel rooms and I don't like being in the main building.
4. VGF - Great food options and fantastic location. Lobby can be a mad house and the Monorails can be full at peak times.
5. PVB - Like VGF, lobby can be way too crowded, as can the pool, but it does have a cool 60's tiki vibe and the location is awesome.
6. BWV - Yes, it has access to two theme parks and the boardwalk, but no real quick service and the rooms do nothing for me.
7. BCV - Heresy, but I don't like Stormalong Bay. Great quick serve and fabulous Epcot location, but otherwise meh.
8. BLT - It looks like a Miami Beach condo. Yes, it's walking distance to MK, but after that what?
9. SSR - Better than OKW for location alone. Elevators, better rooms, direct access to DS and golf.
10. AKL - Too far from everything. Savannas can be hit or miss. Interesting food options, but the rooms do nothing for me.
11. OKW - Just does nothing for me. Big, spread out, poor food options. Can take a boat to DS, but SSR is closer and rooms are nicer.

Non-WDW:

1. Aulani (duh)
2. VGC - location, resort dining options, access to parks (we go over there just to et regularly)
3. VDH - as an Anaheim local, I am partial to what we all simply called "the hotel" growing up, and I love the new tower's look.

 

[miksicnarf]

1. OKW
2. VGC
3. BWV
4. SSR
5. BCV

Those are all the ones we've stayed at. OKW is our home for 27 years and we love it for the size of the units and the laid-back atmosphere. As DL locals we love VGC when we get lucky and get a room there--there's nothing like being virtually IN the park! Epcot is my favorite park so BWV is a great location. For some reason we didn't care for the vibe at BCV. SSR is my go-to for a studio at WDW because OKW studios don't have a couch and SSR is easy to book and low points.
At OKW and VGC we've stayed in every size villa; at SSR we've had all but a GV; BWV was a 1BR and BCV was a 2BR.

 

[RuntheMouse]

1-BRV & RIV These are my 2 favorite resorts. Love the rooms, pools and food at both. Good locations!

2- SSR This is like home to me. I love all the running paths, endless food choices at DS, just an overall chill vibe. This will be our January hangout when we retire.

3- AKV Love the escape this resort offers. We usually limit length of stay here because of lack of food variety even though we love the food overall. Pools are great, busses NBD.

4-Poly I like this better than DH. Room size is great, love the grounds, hate how crowded is gets from “day passers” Pools are a big negative for us here. Would like to try the tower!

5-BWV I know I should love it here but the food situation is awful. I like the pools and of course the proximity to EPCOT/HS.

6-OKW Those studios are a mess. So loud and I missed the sofa while there. The layout is a miss. The food is an issue as well. No boats to DS in summer drought season is awful! The grounds are nice and I do love running there when staying at SSR.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

1) BCV - pros: walk to Epcot; good food options @ Epcot & in Crescent Lake area
2) SSR (main resort) - pros: walk/boat to DS; good food options at resort & DS
3) Treehouses (SSR) - pros: walk/boat to DS; good food options @ resort & DS; con: only stay with a car which we always have
4) VGF - pro: upscale vibe; cons: monorail always packed, points required to stay
5 OKW - pro: quiet; cons: limited food options; no elevators

We always try to stay at recently renovated resorts so that eliminates the room condition as a factor for us.

 

[buzzrelly]

1. BCV-Beachy vibe, relaxing grounds, good lounge options, amazing pool, easy transportation options, decent food options. Love, love, love being able to walk to EP in less than 5 minutes!

2. RIV-Gorgeous rooms, amazing food options, easy access to skyliner.

3. BLT-Location can't be beat. Admittedly, we won't stay again until the rooms are redone which should be soon. Best resort when you are leaving MK after a party night or fireworks.

4. VGF-Nice rooms, nice pool, good food. Too high point charts, otherwise this would have ranked higher.

5. POLY-love the smell in the lobby but the longhouses are kind of dated and have too small elevators. Also, I think I'm the only Disney fan who doesn't like Captain Cooks. Will definitely give the new Poly tower a try.

6. BWV-Styed last December and had a gorgeous, remodeled room. Love the proximity to EP and DHS. HATED the food options with no real QS place. Also, kind of confusing layout and we got lost a couple times.

7. CCV-This was...fine. Pool was nice. Rooms are too small. Boat is an ok option but doesn't beat being able to walk.

8. AKL-JH-Also, fine. Gorgeous lobby but too-dark room decor for me. Poor transportation options (as in there are none and you have to drive or bus everywhere).

9. AKL-KID-Also, fine. No need to beat a dead horse...see above.

10. OKW-Stayed here in 2006 on our first "real" onsite trip so this is a sentimental favorite. DS22 learned to swim in that pool. But looking at pics online of the decor and looks like it hasn't changed much since then but maybe if it ever gets updated we'll give it another try. The boat to DS is a major plus though.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Over the years, we've done them all (at least the ones with a park), except the new DL and cabins. I know by the end of this post, there will likely be an even split 50-50 for each resort naming it best or worst!! From our 30+ years of staying:

1) AKL - our favorite resort anywhere, not just Disney
2) BCV/Grand Cali
3) CC/BR - just including together
4) OKW
5) Poly
6) SSR
7) BW
8) BLT/VGF - similar lack of Disney vibe for us
9) Riv

All have pros and cons with dining options, location, pools, theme, transportation, etc. Unless something comes up unexpected, we're not planning to stay again at #6-9. Our next Poly stay will be to try the new tower 1BR! Just our experiences, likes, dislikes, and where we will spend our points over the next 20 years! Same as others with different lists!

 

[kgou]

This is my strategy so far too though we've only been members for just over a year can't wait to try more resorts! So far, only stayed at BRV, Poly, and BWV ...loved them all for different reasons! Staying at VGF for the first time later this year and can't wait!

We always try to stay at recently renovated resorts so that eliminates the room condition as a factor for us.

 

[mistysue]

1 Poly (location/food)
2 Riv (room layout/food)
3 BWV (really loved community hall/pool)
4) AKL (atmosphere)
5)BC (pool, food is a huge negative for us)
6)GF/BLT
7)a raging dumpster fire
8)OKW - "mom, why have I been dumped in an old folks community in central Florida with nowhere to eat, a crappy store with no food, and everything is a city block away?" Never again. There is where you put someone you hate who you don't want to know is at WDW.

We haven't stayed at the rest, but I would be stunned if something could come in worse than our OKW trip, it would be quite the accomplishment.

 

[TCRAIG]

It’s hard for me to pick 1 as favorite but here’s my list - keep in mind - I’ve mostly stayed in 1Br and never stayed in a studio…also, this list is WDW only

Favorites:
BCV
WL/BRV (especially at Christmas)
VGF (not at Christmas)

Least Favorite:
RIV
WL/CCV (don’t like the layout)

All the rest fall in the middle
OKW would move up to the favorite list if there were elevators throughout

 

[Pens Fan]

1. CCV - It's home, pure and simple
2. Aulani - Paradise found
3. HHI - Low country vibe cannot be beat
4. VGC - Gorgeous lobby and location is wonderful
5. AKV - Animals!!
6. BWV - Crescent Lake is hard to beat - and Boardwalk view is special
7. Riv - Love the skyliner
8. BLT - Walking to MK never gets old
9. OKW - It gets the job done if nothing else is available and Olivia's is an underrated gem

 

[MICKIMINI]

1. BRV
2. AKV
3. BWV
4. OKW
5. BLT
6. SSR
7. VBR
8. HHI

 

[BeachClub2014]

1. Riviera - awesome rooms, Bar Riva, and the Skyliner
2. Beach Club - Themeing, rooms are nice, SAB, Epcot access, vibe
3. Boardwalk - Location, entertainment, shopping, restaurants, two-park access
4. Animal Kingdom Lodge - Decor, theme, food options, and the animals
5. Old Key West - room size, easy on the points, easy parking
6. Polynesian - Not a fan
7. Saratoga Springs - Some place has to come in last

We're looking forward to trying the rest!

 

[lowlight]

1/ Grand Floridian- Location, food, theming. As long as it isn’t Easter or Christmas.

2/ Riviera- Food. Rooms. Skyliner. As long as it isn’t lightning out.

3/ Poly- It’s Poly.

4/ BCV/BW- Location. Theming.

5/ BLT- Location. Quiet.

6/ Rest don’t matter to me.

 

[AstroBlasters]

1) VGC
2) Aulani
3) VGF
4) VDH
5) Poly & PolyT
6) BWV
7) AKV
8) BCV
9) RIV
10) BLT
11) BRV/CCV
12) VB
13) HHI
14) SSR
15) OKW
16) CFW

 

[Genie+]

Not easy. I have my favorite overall resorts.

The rooms are a different story since there’s so much variation even when comparing:

Different room category at same resort (like studio at OKW is very uninspired, while the design and size of bigger rooms much better)

Single room category at different resorts (like smaller more utilitarian rooms at BW/BC compared to size, design, function of PVB/VGF)

Points for same room categories compared on different dates (like BW 10pts/nt same time Poly 22pts, vs BW 17pts when Poly 23pts)

Some dates BC is cheaper than SRR, making BC an easy win those days. Most of our experience has been with studios. Tried them all except WL and RIV at WDW. Once we stay in more 2BR my favorite picks might change yet again.

Today I say

BW wins on experience to value ratio

Poly wins on overall experience with VGF not far behind

AKL, BLT and BC would be the next in line.