What is your favorite DVC resort and why?

[4mcbjCtr]

I am planning my vacation and it looks like it will be during a non-peak DVC time. It will also be within my 7 month booking. I was wondering what your choice would be and why? I am new and haven't even had my first trip "home" yet. We are looking for a 1 bdrm. Thanks in advance.

 

[sleepydog25]

Any resort but VWL. It's awful. Read on to see why. . .
1) Too quiet. I like feeling all squeezed together with thousands of my closest friends in the park, so going back to VWL is just too darn disconcerting, what with the calm Hidden Springs pool, the landscaping that softens sounds and pleases the eye, and the numerous places where you can just sit in a corner to relax with a drink or cup of coffee.
2) Theming is too nice. Who in his or her right mind would want to see a majestic totem in the grand lobby? Who wishes for a babbling brook in the lobby with a foot bridge over it? No one would choose the muted colors of the Pacific Northwest and sturdy wood construction of the entire resort if they could help it.
3) Music. It's everywhere. One can only take so much of the majestic music from numerous Westerns and American composers like Aaron Copland. Sure, it's stirring and memorable music, but what about head bangers' rock?
4) Personally, I prefer real hassles when traveling to a park. I don't need a short boat ride early in the morning or late at night that allows me to relax before hitting MK or coming back to VWL. And I won't missing seeing the image of a large bear in the architecture of the Lodge from the boat. Nor do I need a direct bus to MK that runs every 15 minutes. C'mon! Where's the fun in that?
5) And who needs a jacuzzi tub in the master bath when the Hidden Springs hot tub sits uncrowded most all the time? Who needs that?
6) It's likely the Cubs' Den is overrated, too. Just because our young daughter loved it and wants to go back is no reason for us to use it again when we dine on site.
7) Speaking of dining, Artist Point is a waste of time. Yes, yes, I know they have a melt in your mouth buffalo filet and salmon on a cedar plank, and I realize their wine list has superb wines from throughout the Northwest. But is that really necessary? After all, you do have a full kitchen in your room. I suppose one could argue that it would be hard to make the smoky portabello bisque that AP showcases, and it would be difficult to make the admittedly tasty berry cobbler, as well. And who wouldn't rather face uncaring employees at an offsite fast food joint instead of the exceptional servers at AP? Harrumph!

As you can see, I consider VWL a must-miss resort. I just don't get what all the glowing reviews are about. If you choose to go there, don't say I didn't warn you! aw:

 

[4mcbjCtr]

Thanks for the laugh. I will make sure I never go there (-:

 

[Beca]

Well, my name should be "#1 BCV fan", so you have to take EVERYTHING I say with a grain of salt...but, I definitely think BCV is the most amazing resort!!!

The theming is SOOO relaxing!!! There is just something about walking thru the Victorian-themed resort and the sound of all the waterfalls at SAB to get to your hotel, that makes all the craziness of the parks disappear. And, I haven't even mentioned watching the sunset while enjoying a "beverage" on the shores of Crescent Lake (you can buy them at Hurricane Hanna's), or watching Illuminations from the shores of Stormalong Bay...it is pure heaven!!

And yet, having Epcot just a five minute walk from your door opens up some of the BEST dining on WDW property (like...Le Cellier... ). And, with the Sandcastle Club being right on property...you can drop the kids off and pick them up on your way back to the room.

BCV is also the only DVC resort to have a character breakfast on property. And, if your children are old enough, they can take the Pirate Cruise which departs daily at the marina.

Beaches 'n Cream has the BEST burgers on WDW property, and for more upscale dining, Yachtsman Steakhouse is hard to beat (with great views of SAB). Hurricane Hanna's now sells the world-famous Beaches 'n Cream burgers, and you can enjoy the food poolside (along with a glass of wine, or other adult beverage).

And, the new Marketplace is a great place to grab healthy fast-food. They have a "create your own" salad area, and they keep grilled chicken heated for some of the best salads I know of on property. And, if you want to splurge some calories, the desserts are AMAZING (you have to try the gelato).

But, I love this place so much, I am happy to just sit and relax in the solarium...and do nothing. As much as I love the parks, I find myself "itching" to get back there when I am in the parks...I seriousl have an addiction to this place.

I feel very lucky to own at BCV, but for this owner....there really is "No Place like home".



Beca

 

[iankh]

Any resort but VWL. It's awful. Read on to see why. . .
1) Too quiet. I like feeling all squeezed together with thousands of my closest friends in the park, so going back to VWL is just too darn disconcerting, what with the calm Hidden Springs pool, the landscaping that softens sounds and pleases the eye, and the numerous places where you can just sit in a corner to relax with a drink or cup of coffee.
2) Theming is too nice. Who in his or her right mind would want to see a majestic totem in the grand lobby? Who wishes for a babbling brook in the lobby with a foot bridge over it? No one would choose the muted colors of the Pacific Northwest and sturdy wood construction of the entire resort if they could help it.
3) Music. It's everywhere. One can only take so much of the majestic music from numerous Westerns and American composers like Aaron Copland. Sure, it's stirring and memorable music, but what about head bangers' rock?
4) Personally, I prefer real hassles when traveling to a park. I don't need a short boat ride early in the morning or late at night that allows me to relax before hitting MK or coming back to VWL. And I won't missing seeing the image of a large bear in the architecture of the Lodge from the boat. Nor do I need a direct bus to MK that runs every 15 minutes. C'mon! Where's the fun in that?
5) And who needs a jacuzzi tub in the master bath when the Hidden Springs hot tub sits uncrowded most all the time? Who needs that?
6) It's likely the Cubs' Den is overrated, too. Just because our young daughter loved it and wants to go back is no reason for us to use it again when we dine on site.
7) Speaking of dining, Artist Point is a waste of time. Yes, yes, I know they have a melt in your mouth buffalo filet and salmon on a cedar plank, and I realize their wine list has superb wines from throughout the Northwest. But is that really necessary? After all, you do have a full kitchen in your room. I suppose one could argue that it would be hard to make the smoky portabello bisque that AP showcases, and it would be difficult to make the admittedly tasty berry cobbler, as well. And who wouldn't rather face uncaring employees at an offsite fast food joint instead of the exceptional servers at AP? Harrumph!

As you can see, I consider VWL a must-miss resort. I just don't get what all the glowing reviews are about. If you choose to go there, don't say I didn't warn you! aw:

You're right VWL is a dump! You what I really hate? I hate grabbing a cup of coffee in the morning and going downstairs to sit on a rocker on the porch. How can you enjoy your morning coffee when all there is is the still morning calim, a light breeze, the sound of birds and the smell of the trees. That just isn't natural! I'm much rather have lots of noise and lots of prying eyes.

 

[Scratch42]

I love them all but my fav is BCV too! (I second what Beca said).

Where I stay depends on what time of year I go and what is happening at the parks.

Good Luck in your decision, with DVC, you really can't make a bad choice!

janet

 

[dianeschlicht]

My favorite is OKW because of the wide open spaces both indoors and out. I live in the country, so "urban living" isn't for me on vacation either. The decks and Jacuzzis at OKW are also larger than the other DVC resorts, as is the kitchen and living areas. I love the walkways and quiet pools and water/golf views.

 

[stinkerbell2009]

My favorite is OKW because of the wide open spaces both indoors and out. I live in the country, so "urban living" isn't for me on vacation either. The decks and Jacuzzis at OKW are also larger than the other DVC resorts, as is the kitchen and living areas. I love the walkways and quiet pools and water/golf views.

I agree with Diane. OKW is extremely quiet and I love to eat breakfast out on the patio overlooking the golf course or ponds. The rooms are also spacious with lots of room if you have children. The eating area (table) is also normal size dining table compared to the snack tables at other resorts.

Most parks are less than 10 minutes away by bus. We have stayed at BVC and BW and they just don't compare in the area of relaxation.

 

[Alexander]

My favorite resort is:

BCV because of the theme, SAB, location, etc.

OKW because of the big rooms, quiet location, atmosphere, etc.

VWL because of the theme, proximity to MK, boat/bike rentals, etc.

SSR because of the newness, location, pool, etc.

BWV because....Oh, we've never stayed there! But I would say location.

We choose our resort depending on what kind of vacation we plan to have. If we plan a lot of visits to Epcot, we stay at BCV. If we want a relaxing vacation away from the parks, SSR or OKW. If we plan to spend a lot of time at MK, and want to rent watercraft, we stay at VWL.

 

[La2kw]

I am planning my vacation and it looks like it will be during a non-peak DVC time. It will also be within my 7 month booking. I was wondering what your choice would be and why? I am new and haven't even had my first trip "home" yet. We are looking for a 1 bdrm. Thanks in advance.

OKW because it's the original DVC resort and it has never lost that original charm. It screams vacation and relaxation to us. It's spacious and comfortable. It has real porches and real spa tubs and real dining rooms. It's home.

 

[rogerram]

I love The Boardwalk because there is so much to do and so easy to walk to Epcot or mgm. The beach club is also great beacuse I love the pool and the location is right across from the Boardwalk.

 

[SueOKW]

OKW - my eyes just relax as we cross over the bridge.... the tension from the planning and the airport... all that just goes away.. I love the colour scheme of the units, the design, the music at the pool... but best of all, the privacy and size of the verandah.

I like the people there too - the staff and the guests.

I like the fact that my kids can walk around all they want and I'm sure they will be fine. One even learned to ride bikes there.

 

[goofynme]

Our favorite is the Beach Club and I don't quite have words to express why, but I love to be there! The Boardwalk is in close competition and due to the fact that you can stay longer with standard view rooms it really gives the Beach Club a run for its money.

 

[byoung]

BWV there is always something to do there.

 

[travelbug]

While I loved OKW and SSR, my favorites are BCV and BWV largely because of location, location, location!

 

[DrTomorrow]

Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa!

Why?

(In no particular order)

Convenience of parking within a couple of dozen feet from the elevator; no long interior hallways or ::urg:: stairs.

The sizes: smaller buildings in a larger setting. SSR&S isn't a high-rise mega-resort (we go to Vegas for those) and it isn't a tiny afterthought.

Proximity to DTD - almost every day/night someone in our party ends up taking the relaxing waterside stroll to DTD. And no need to burn up any admission media to get in.

Location of shared amenities: check-in, pool, dining, sports/recreation, etc. are all conveniently close without having to pay a penalty (balconies overlooking a loud pool, smell of cooking grease floating in, service roads, et al.)

Incredible convience of off-site access - no need to drive for miles on Disney property before getting anywhere not "in the World".

Great architecture and themeing. A neo-Victorian feel yet still captures the Yaddo feel of the real SS, NY. Even the area by the sales building has a strolling area with a delightful fountain.

The Spa. I'm not a big spa user, but MrsT. is - and what's a resort without a spa?

All the water. Yep, I'm a Pisces living in the desert, so I love to see the internal lake & fountain by The Springs, High Rock Springs pool, the leisure pools near the villas and, of course, the DTD lake.

The dining. I know we're atypical, but we don't really enjoy eating at most Disney TS restaurants (too much money for unremarkable food and spotty service). We can be satisfied by a stop at Cosmic Rays; however, we do appreciate the more interesting menu at AP.

Reasonable (IMHO) location for those who drive on-site. At bit at one end of the place, true, but near several arterials that take you straight to any park / destination.

The friendliness of SSR CMs. We have had four stays at SSR (5-6 nights each) and never had a shortage of politeness, courtesy, helpfulness and WELCOME HOME'S. Our DS even commented on how many WHs he heard during our Dec '05 trip (he wondered if they got a shock if they didn't say WH ::hee:: )

The way the villas are furnished. MrsT is more into this than I am (I'm a guy - walls, floor, ceiling and I'm good to go) but the look is quite subtle, which I do appreciate - if I wanted Pop Century, I'd stay there.

I know I forgot some, but this list is a start!

Be well!

 

[SueOKW]

When I toured SSR I thought the resort was lovely - and the decor is wonderful. Haven't stayed there yet... we seem to have a problem reserving anywhere else.. we talk about it... but always seem to go back to OKW. IF we do manage to reserve elsewhere, SSR will be my first choice.

 

[Simba's Mom]

OKW - my eyes just relax as we cross over the bridge.... the tension from the planning and the airport... all that just goes away.. I love the colour scheme of the units, the design, the music at the pool... but best of all, the privacy and size of the verandah.

I like the people there too - the staff and the guests.

I like the fact that my kids can walk around all they want and I'm sure they will be fine. One even learned to ride bikes there.

Wow, I love your description of OKW!

For the OP, you said it was your first trip home. If it was me, I'd stay at whichever was my home resort first. That's what we did, then we called MS and said "Just give us the last night at a different resort. We're new members and we want to try them all."

 

[travelbug]

For the OP, you said it was your first trip home. If it was me, I'd stay at whichever was my home resort first. That's what we did, then we called MS and said "Just give us the last night at a different resort. We're new members and we want to try them all."

I like that idea. What a great way to sample all the DVC resorts when you were new members! I haven't tried VWL yet, and I'm dying to do so. But I always gravitate to BCV and BWV (home resorts) because I love the location. Booking the last night or two at VWL would be a good way to give it a try for starters.

 

[twotoohappy]

My home resorts are VWL and BCV, so of course I pick BWV! Gotta love being so close to Jellyrolls.
One day I'll get my requests of 1st floor, BW view, next to Jellyrolls!