Use One Sentence to Sum Up Each DVC Resort You've Stayed At

[MapleGirl]

Just for fun let's see where everyone has stayed and what they thought of each resort. I'll start.

Saratoga Springs: My home resort, SSR is more subtle than many WDW resorts and is within walking distance of Disney Springs, which makes it great for families without children.

Boardwalk Villas: This resort is in a great location with a fun nighttime atmosphere but has a terrifying clown pool.

Polynesian Villas: A beautifully lush resort with my favorite bar on property (Trader Sam's!), the Polynesian has spacious DVC rooms that have 2 bathrooms and is my new favorite resort.

Hilton Head: This resort located off Disney World property is stunning, has large studio rooms, a resident dog and fantastic excursions such as bog walks and bird watching.

Animal Kingdom Lodge: The AKV has a large spacious lobby with awesome art displays, big fireplaces and rooms that have savannah views where you can sit on your balcony and watch zebras, Thompsons gazelles, ostrich and giraffe.

 

[NS8VN]

Sounds fun!

Tree House Villas: Very secluded and quiet, was the perfect place for us to stay with our friends with loud children.

Bay Lake Tower: Love the CR location and even the lake views are fantastic, only reason I might not stay there next time is the desire to try new resorts (cough-Poly-cough).

Well that was quick, looking forward to adding more in the future

 

[Amw1064]

Aulani: Fell in love and are going back this summer for trip #3.

Animal Kingdom: Love the animals but not one of my favorite resorts but do love the Community Hall and underground parking.

Bay Lake Tower: Like the resort but rooms are small, however, something special about going across that walkway into the Contemporary.

Saratoga Springs: Never my first choice but then when we stay there, I always say, "I forgot how nice this resort is".

OKW: Nice enough and like the cheaper points.

Beach Club: This is my favorite Orlando resort and love the pool area so we try to hang out at resort as much as possible and limit the parks.

Boardwalk: Not a fan of this one but not sure why as we only stayed here once.

Polynesian: I like the double bathrooms in the studio and really enjoyed our last visit and made me think of Aulani, (a little)

Wilderness Lodge: Only stayed here once as well but it was nice.

Hilton Head: Really like this place and we went every summer for almost 5 years until we discovered Aulani.

Vero Beach: Like the resort and have been a few times but do not like the beach there.

 

[com_op_2000]

OKW: Home away from home since '93.
BWV: Long walks (to the car ) (around the lake )
BCV: Kids and grandkids love the pool area.
HHI: Love the history of the area.
VB: Ocean views are great and get you in the mood for a DCL vacation.
VWL (BRV): Like the woods and the walk to FWC.
BLT: Walk to MK.
PVB: Rain shower and views of the fireworks with DGS.
SSR: Multiple vacations with multiple rooms for family trips.
AKL-K: Easy to get a reservation at for last minute get away trips.
AKL-J: New favorite DVC, we would trade into this resort every trip if we could.
VGF: Have not been to yet, but on the planning schedule.
With so many choices at WDW and the east coast we have different vacations every time, even if we go to the same resort (this year already have 3 AKL-K and 2 AK-J scheduled with most likely 3 more to book).

 

[CraigInPA]

BLT: Awesome views and location, but the room is a little small.
Poly: Lush resort with a lot going for it, but the DVC rooms are almost at the TTC and the boat horns are pretty loud.
BCV: Convenient to Epcot and DHS, but the T shape of the building means that many rooms have no privacy.

 

[Donna M]

Villas at Grand Floridian... I'll start with our most favorite due to the luxurious feel and live music in the lobby.

Vero Beach... The Beach Cottage with two decks, ocean views, hammock and space is very relaxing.

Old Key West... You can't beat the space, especially in the grand villa, and the points are low.

Saratoga Springs... The rooms are typical, but it is very convenient to DS, has a great changing area if you are hanging out waiting for a late flight, and the grounds are pretty.

Beach Club...The best part of BCV is the pool, and being close to EPCOT doesn't hurt any.

Animal Kingdom Lodge- Jambo....Staying in a grand villa at Jambo was beyond amazing, unbelievable!

Villas at Wilderness Lodge... Bolder Ridge....Since I lived on an Indian Reservation, I like the feel I get when I walk in the main lobby.

Polynesian... The room was large, but too much wasted space in the second bathroom, lake view was a bungalow, and ferry whistle was too loud for me.

Bay Lake Tower...We decided we don't like the contemporary/plain feel when you approach the building.

Boardwalk...I don't have a problem with the clown pool, but there isn't anything there that endears me to the resort.

 

[marx]

Aulani: Our favorite DVC resort, spectacularly beautiful and relaxing but also with lots of activities for the whole family.

Grand Californian: One of our least favorite resorts in an incredible location.

Hilton Head: Another wonderful resort with many fun family activities and a beautiful stretch of beach close by.

Vero Beach: Not nearly as enjoyable as Hilton Head, but still a fun place on the beach.

Bay Lake Tower: A nice resort with direct access to the Contemporary's many activities and easy access to the Magic Kingdom.

Boardwalk: A fun resort with easy access to Epcot via the International Gateway.

Beach Club: Just like Boardwalk easy access to Epcot, but with the added Benifit of having the best pool for kids on Disneyworld property.

Old Key West: We did not enjoy our two stays here at all and will not visit again.

Saratoga Springs: Another resort that we did not like and will not stay at again.

Wilderness Lodge: Our 2nd favorite resort in WDW, beautifully designed with easy access to Fort Wilderness and all the activities there.

Animal Kingdom Lodge: Our favorite WDW resort, we loved it so much that we purchased there.

 

[Perelandra]

AKL: Really loved the theming, cleanliness, animals, and dining.

BLT: location, location, location and it feels like classic Disney (don't love the modern feel myself)

Villas at Grand: My favorite overall due to beauty and details-quality.

Polynesian: 2nd favorite or maybe co-favorite depending on mood, just love the vibe and lush grounds.

BWV: Love the feel of Crescent lake area and back door to Epcot.

SSR: Liked it way more than I expected with beautiful grounds and really nice 2 br villas.

OKW: My least favorite DVC but it still has a lot of charm and enjoyed staying there.

 

[chainkid]

AKL: fun atmosphere for animal viewing but abit isolated
BLT: Great location and views with very sterile unthemed rooms.
VGF: Very elegant furnishings , superior views and location.
PV: Fun for short trip with small family but limited size rooms negate any appeal for me.
BWV: Favorite resort by far with awesome grand villas and location location and location.
SSR: Great for backup resort but lacking in any real Disney flavor
OKW: needs updating but love the size of the rooms and laid back feel of resort.
Aulani: Fabulous resort , poor location in Oahu for sight seeing, but wonderful for destination resort with kids.
BCV: Everything that BWV offers in terms of location without the views or grand villas.
VWL: Great at Christmas time but location is remote for me unless I spend all my time at Magic kingdom.
Vero Beach: Beach is so so, resort is not that appealing to me in both location and food.
HH: Never been

 

[keaster]

AKL our home resort: Relaxing and fun, we love our savannah views, and it's a great respite after a long day at the parks. Do not regret buying here.
Aulani: heaven on earth, great destination resort.
VGF: I LOVE the theming (should've bought points there), and we love this as our couples getaway resort
SSR Treehouse: My idea of camping! While isolated and not the most convenient I do like the fact you can get a bit of a break from the hectic park scene.
BLT: Can't beat the location, and TOTWL is the highlight for us.
VWL: Charming resort, have only spent one night here but would like to try again!

 

[sleepydog25]

Cute idea! I'll keep it short. . .
VWL - Serene (a touch less so with new construction), majestic, inviting, good eats, nature trail--home
PVB - Lush, tropically appealing, a tad overcrowded, and less inviting lobby than before, Lapu Lapu!
VGF - Luxurious, great amenities, good location, but storage-poor in new studios
BLT - Perfect location for MK visits, Wishes (and what follows in May), a bit cold, but ultimately convenient
AKL - Unique theming, superb rooms, great restaurants, a bit removed from hubbub, fun animals
HHI - Excellent refurb, great local eats, light & airy, relaxed vibe, but very noisy due to poor sound proofing between walls
BCV - Dated (haven't seen refurb), too many hallways, great location, best pool, not very beachy, but can walk to 2 parks
OKW - Very laid back ambiance, spread out, large rooms (dated), comfortable, endearing

 

[jimmytammy]

VWL...Love how we can come back from a day at the parks and this resort feels so cozy, welcoming and like home.
OKW...What a relaxing place, great to just hang out!
BCV...I am not a huge fan of the beach theme, but love the proximity to Epcot.
BWV...2nd favorite resort(VWL is at top of list)and its closeness to 2 parks, plus allowing us to stay near Epcot during F&W fest are big draws for us.
SSR...Our 1st stay here early on, had no appeal at all, but time has allowed us to feel differently, and now we really appreciate it, especially like the DS quick trip
Kidani...Love the theming, and a Savannah view makes it special
Aulani...Hawaii, nothing else to say

 

[WDWLODGE]

Kidani - Very well themed, definitely makes you feel like your in Africa.
BLT - Theming is a little plain for our taste, but the proximity to the MK & monorail makes up for that.
BCV - Stormalong Bay!!!! Loved how close we were to the International Gateway.
GCV - This was our first onsite DL stay, and we definitely felt like we were in that "Disney Bubble", which was missing from past trips. Not as well themed as The Wilderness Lodge but nice. Loved the secret entrance/exit to/from California Adventure.

 

[sleepydog25]

First, I forgot to add GCV to the list above, and as WDWLODGE says, it's a bit less themed than WL, though I would say it's a more refined WL theme--still, it's not as welcoming and majestic as is the Lodge. Still, proximity to the parks (esp. CA) and to Downtown Disney make is a lovely resort.

On a second note, going back through the responses, it struck me that as a matter of human habit, most if not all of the responders (yours truly included) listed their favorite/home resort first.

 

[Castillo Mom]

BCV: Our first love.
AKV: Our second home.
SSR: Our last resort if no other choice.
PVB: Our favorite tropical oasis.
HHI: Our family gathering place with Southern charm.

 

[lovin'fl]

HHI is a quiet and quaint retreat that saves us some money on park tickets and airfare and they have the best CMs.
VB is a remote beach resort that is great for a short stay like a long weekend and maybe tacked on to another destination like US.
OKW has large villas but is like a retirement community... sorry.
SSR is great for trips where parks close early and you can walk over to DS at night.
AKV is stunning and has the best dining and animal watching is awesome.
VWL is also stunning and lovely at Christmas and quaint to stay at.
BWV has a great location where you can walk to two parks and if you can get standard view, it's the best deal going.
BCV is also a great location, like BWV, but has SAB and is more quiet and quaint with shorter hallways.
BLT has TOTWL and a walk to MK but is noisy noisy noisy and takes a lot of points.

 

[lovin'fl]

Aulani: Our favorite DVC resort, spectacularly beautiful and relaxing but also with lots of activities for the whole family.

Grand Californian: One of our least favorite resorts in an incredible location.

Hilton Head: Another wonderful resort with many fun family activities and a beautiful stretch of beach close by.

Vero Beach: Not nearly as enjoyable as Hilton Head, but still a fun place on the beach.

Bay Lake Tower: A nice resort with direct access to the Contemporary's many activities and easy access to the Magic Kingdom.

Boardwalk: A fun resort with easy access to Epcot via the International Gateway.

Beach Club: Just like Boardwalk easy access to Epcot, but with the added Benifit of having the best pool for kids on Disneyworld property.

Old Key West: We did not enjoy our two stays here at all and will not visit again.

Saratoga Springs: Another resort that we did not like and will not stay at again.

Wilderness Lodge: Our 2nd favorite resort in WDW, beautifully designed with easy access to Fort Wilderness and all the activities there.

Animal Kingdom Lodge: Our favorite WDW resort, we loved it so much that we purchased there.

We have similar tastes.

 

[dvcdisney]

Aulani – This is one of our favourite resorts since it beautifully themed with gorgeous sunsets, views and wonderful waterpark and beach.

AKV Jambo - We own at this resort but it’s not theme park friendly but absolutely gorgeous theming and has one of our favourite restaurant (Jiko).

AKV Kidani – This resort is even more secluded than Jambo, but larger rooms with 2 baths.

BCV – Our favourite home resort with excellent location and SAB is fantastic.

BLT – The proximity and location is great, but no theme and character.

BWV – Also a favourite due to its location, however, the clown slide is unnerving.

HHI – Wonderful quiet and secluded resort with great onsite activities, however, beach location is not onsite.

OKW – Nice resort but not ideal for parks.

PVB – Beautifully themed resort with two of our favourite restaurants, however, the villa location was too loud for us (boat horns and announcements early in the morning).

SSR – Nice resort but again not ideal for parks, but excellent proximity to Disney Springs.

THV – Very secluded and quiet area with large space villas and rarely used pool, but definitely not theme park friendly.

VBR – Also our home resort and lovely setting and location on the beach with nice onsite activities.

VGC – Beautiful resort with excellent proximity to both DL and DCA.

VGF – Also a beautiful resort with excellent location and wonderful restaurants, yet lacking in “grandness” with regards to the villa lobby.

VWL – Also beautiful themed resort with a nice pool and has one of our favourite restaurant (Artist Point).

I can't wait to try CCV!

 

[Camshell]

Grand Californian - Stained glass, soft lighting, rich wood tones, hints of nature all around, feeling of texture, understated beauty, stunning lobby, best location ever, and my home away from home, love it.

 

[Jennasis]

BLT (home resort): There is something indescribably magical about this resort that just makes us so happy!

AKV: An exotic destination that makes you completely forget you're in Florida.

Poly: It's got a classically "Disney" feel to it and makes you feel like you could spend a whole vacation never leaving the resort.

BWV: If you can get past the terrifying clown-pool and the lousy CM's, it's a fun resort in a terrific location.

Now I have also stayed at BC, WL but not in a villa or as a member so I won't include those.