What is your least favorite DVC resort and why?

[Doctor P]

Please only answer resorts at which you have stayed and give reasons why the resort is your least favorite (even if that just means you love it, rather than REALLY love it). For me, my least favorite resort that we have stayed at would be Boardwalk. I don't like the theming as well as some of the other resorts, I think the resort shops are the worst of any of the DVC resorts I have been at, and the rooms seem much smaller than I would have expected based on the other resorts (though I know compared to BCV that must just be a perception), the bus service is not really very good, and it is MARGINALLY further from Epcot than BCV (LOL!).

 

[spiceycat]

I also don't like BWV - but my complaint is the restuarants are locally outside the resort.

I like to stay dry when eating a meal.

and Yes that is also true at my favorite - the big difference is my car is outside my door and I can park it outside the door at Olivia...

can't do that at BWV

I also didn't like HH - I though it was because I didn't like the island of HH - but I stayed at Marriott's Grande Ocean - it is on the beach at HH and I loved it. So I guess I don't like the location of Disney's HH.

 

[kathleena]

My least favorite is OKW.

I don't like the 2 queens, I like the couch to sit on to read.

I don't like all the foliage around the room decks with the studios.

I don't like the outside walk to the buses (in the rain...)

I don't like the feel of the resort, just feels like Florida to me.

I don't like the small store and only one restaurant choice.

I don't like having to drive to the main pool.

I don't like having to wait for buses for all four parks and not having the option to walk.

But having said that there are things I like also, but it's not my first choice to stay at.

 

[Par8hed]

quote:
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I don't like the feel of the resort, just feels like Florida to me
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It's Old Key West (FL). That would be the general idea wouldn't it?

 

[Granny]

I'm not sure what the purpose of a thread would be that asks people to pick out their least favorite resort. Surely, the comments will be construed as resort bashing by those who love those resorts.

We've only stayed at VWL and BWV and love them both.

 

[DisneyBill]

Pointless

 

[Doctor P]

The intent is not to resort bash--I think I made that clear in my original post. The point is to better understand the preferences of DVC members and to also illustrate that not every resort is for every person. It's preferences, not hatred!

 

[Muushka]

I have only stayed at 3 DVC resorts at WDW and HH. I do not have a least favorite. They all have their attributes and drawbacks.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Well, when it comes to soliciting preferences, I've found it more useful - and less antagonistic - to ask for favorities and positives, not least-liked's and negatives.

For example, asking a spouse/SO "Which of my siblings do you like the most?" can show an appreciation of an in-law.

Asking a spouse/SO "Which of my siblings do you like the least?", however, can lead to, well, bad things.

Back on-topic, we've only stayed at our home resort, SSR. So I like all the others least, but only until we've stayed at each one.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by Doctor P
The intent is not to resort bash--I think I made that clear in my original post. The point is to better understand the preferences of DVC members and to also illustrate that not every resort is for every person. It's preferences, not hatred!

Dr P...I know what you said, and how you want this thread to go. I just think that we've both been around long enough to know that asking for a list of negatives about resorts is going to open a can of worms.

Maybe I'm wrong. Sure wouldn't be the first time!

 

[Doctor P]

The only way to make a good decision about something is to consider both the positives and negatives, strengths and weaknessses. This is part of the reason that I always ask a candidate in a job interview what they don't do well or what they think they need to improve. In general, educators will tell you that the difference between the way that good students study and poorer students study is that good students study the things that they don't know and try to learn them. Poorer students tend to just keep reinforcing their strengths without addressing their weaknesses. The DVC resorts are not the same (thank goodness), people are not the same (thank goodness), and it is very interesting I think to consider the pluses and minuses of the various resorts. To only consider the positives of the resorts really doesn't allow a guest to make an informed decision about which resort they might enjoy staying at, and there have been many people who have gotten misimpressions about resorts from the complaints and praises based on isolated experiences. I really don't think I should be chastised for wanting to have a balanced discussion that includes the minuses of the resorts (as perceived by individual members who have stayed at them). Least favorite does not meet hated. Whenever one has a group of items, by necessity one must be most preferred and one must be least preferred. What I want to know are the criteria DVC members are using to not only rank resorts highly but to rank resorts more lowly. Whereas having a restaurant inside the resort as opposed to having to walk out on the Boardwalk may matter to some people, it won't matter to others. Being close to Epcot will matter greatly to some people but not to others. Being able to park close to your villa may matter to some people, but not to others. Let's find out what people think!

 

[hig4s]

We have stayed at HH, VB, BWV, and OKW (OKW my home property and my favorite)
least HH,, it was nice but the beach being a bus ride from the resort was not to my liking and the whole HH area (outside, not the resort itself) seemed too rich for my taste. I felt a little out of place.
BWV were nice but were more points than OKW and while walking distance from Epcot, did not provide enough benefit for me to think it was worth the extra. Also noisy when I wanted to sleep.
VB is great when you want to just relax, see nature and still get that Disney feel.
OKW The waits for the bus can be annoying, but seeing as we have been in the parks at least a few days every year for the last ten, that is not a priority to me. Being in a place that is away from the crowds when I'm not in a park is more important. Being close to DDWS is also nice.

 

[G8RFAN]

We've stayed at:

SSR
BWV
VWL
OKW

First off, we would stay at any one of them again. Each one has a different flavor and made our stay unique. But in spirit of the OP's question, my least favorite stay has really been VWL. Probably due to the cobwebs on the ceiling and what seemed like endless waits for the boat to MK the last time we were there.

OKW has been our favorite so far. The only thing I would caution people on with OKW is to stay away from the buildings that border Bonnet Creek Parkway, as you can hear the many trucks traveling the road at night. If you like strolls, the walk to Olivia's is nice, but you really need a car to not feel the inconviences of being so isolated. I'm going to give SSR another shot in '05, as we were there the 3rd week of opening and you can tell the CM's did not have their act together, so at this point I'm rather neutral with SSR. We'll be staying for 5 days in a 1 br at BWV this December which will make it a little over a year from our last visit. If they have shortened the bus trips by cutting back on the multiple resort stops that plagued our last trip there, I might bump it up to #1.

 

[Dean]

It is a valid issue but I'm sure someone will see resort bashing, someone always does when people post reasonable negatives. The saying comes to mind about a bad day on vacation being better than a good day at work. To me it would be HH, mostly because it's not on the Beach, partly because it is such a seasonal resort and partly due to that feeling I don't get when I've stayed there or visited during the day. For on property I'd put OKW at the top and SSR at the bottom but enjoy each in their own way. We haven't yet stayed at SSR but I've spent some time there. In part, my feelings for any resort are compared to the "cost" of the stay. So the fact that VWL and BCV are the same points as BWV and I don't like them quite as well means they are of somewhat less value to me. I guess it's like preferring a Mercedes to a BMW (not that I can afford either).

 

[Caskbill]

Over the years we have stayed at all the resorts (including SSR) and like them all in their own special way.

OKW is our favorite because of room size (1-B/R or larger), but if for a specific trip we are only getting a Studio then we prefer one of the other resorts. With just two of us, having the extra room in a studio by having a sofa is a plus while the two beds in the OKW studio makes it seem too much like a hotel room

But the OKW 1-B/R beats all the other resorts' 1-B/R units hands down.

As for the remaining resort amenities, they are different in each's own way. This is what we like, variety. If we want to be close to Epcot/MGM then BWV or BCV suits our needs. When we want the outdoors feel, then VWL for that trip. Feeling more like wanting to have an at home feeling rather than in a hotel complex feeling (hallways, indoor entryways), then it's OKW. Did I mention the room size?

HH and VB are special in their own ways, and different enough from the WDW resorts that it would be too much apples to oranges comparisons. We like them both.

So OKW is our favorite, (if getting a 1-B/R), and also our least favorite, (if getting just a studio).

 

[Beca]

Doctor P...just thought I would throw my 2 cents in here....I have not yet stayed at ANY DVC resort, so I am hoping I like the ones I own at (BWV, VWL, and OKW best!)...but, I REALLY enjoy reading threads like this, and unlike some others who have posted...find them VERY enjoyable. It really was threads such as this one that helped me decide what resort(s) I wanted to own.

I'm sorry if others find these threads annoying...but, I do like them...so, thanks!!!



Beca

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by Granny
I'm not sure what the purpose of a thread would be that asks people to pick out their least favorite resort. Surely, the comments will be construed as resort bashing by those who love those resorts.

I agree. No matter how nicely or politically correct the attempt is to present this, it's promoting resort bashing. I don't see the point.

Just my take on it.

 

[Quadman]

I agree that there is no reason not to have a thread of this nature..... It's just a way of providing more information for those of us who like to look at the up and the down side of things.

I don't see why those who would consider it resort bashing can't behave like grownups, read the OPs message as a preface for what’s about to come and not read further if they don't feel as though they can contribute to the flavor of the thread. It’s kind of like change the channel if you don't like what’s on?

While me posting to defending the worthiness of this thread is in fact a waste of bandwidth, I would have to say that it is second place right after a post to state that this is a worthless thread or that this thread might be one to insight the 'children' to squabble.

So, now having posted this.... Do I get to be the target of more wasted bandwidth and flames?

In response to the original question, we've stayed at BVW, SSR (our home resort) and VB. Which one do I like the least, SSR, its just not complete yet, which one do I dislike, none of course they are all Disney.

 

[SueOKW]

As far as themeing goes - - VWL is like home to me, so I don't appreciate that like so many others do.

and since florida means vacation to me, i love okw!

i think it's a matter of exposure for me in those cases. I"ve never been to Key West, but have been in, and lived in, lots and lots of woody type environments.

 

[Northwoods]

I think this is a valuable thread! Grow up people these are not personal attacks - just personal preferences.

We have stayed at OKW, BWV, and VWL.

All are great and desirable for different reasons.

I would have to say OKW is my least favorite because
1. the distance to the pools
2. the number of bus stops required to get anywhere.
3. Restaurants are not close

But let me say there are somethings about OKW that I prefer over the others
1. room sizes are the biggest -by far
2. being able to park your car right outside
3. more laid back - relaxing vacation

BWV positives:
1. proximity to Epcot, MGM and the restaurants
2. nice pool
BWV negatives:
1. smaller rooms

VWL positives
1. proximity to MK and ease of transportation there
2. onsite restaurants.
VWL negatives
1. smaller rooms

I think all the resorts have great theming. But like VWL and OKW best.

We choose to stay at each resort for the following reasons:

OKW - want the larger room and a relaxing vacation with some fun in the parks
BWV - want a fun filled vacation with adults or older children - staying up late for the shows. Adults can go out to eat on the boardwalk alone with kids in the room with a walkie-talkie
VWL - want a place that is convenient to MK for the little ones in the family. Nice restaurants in house for adults to have a night out alone, while kids are in the room with a walkie-talkie.

Note: We have a young teen that babysits, but we use walkie talkies so she can contact us easily. We wouldn't feel comfortable leaving them in the room alone if we weren't dining close by.

Sorry for the long rambling.