Which DVC resort is your favorite?

[keishashadow]

New members, so I choose my home resort, VWL. For me, it is a peaceful respite from the frantic activity of the parks, yet not too far removed - still feel like we're just a step or two away from being back into the thick of things!

I'm fond of saying "Nobody else does cozy on such a grand scale!"

At this point we are making something of a lodging tour of all the DVC properties, and we've found something to like about each. But now I'm starting to feel a little "homesick", and will likely push for a return to the Wilderness Lodge before our tour is complete.

well putit was my first and still is our fav too, nobody does it better @ Xmas imo

yet, it is hard to beat the view from BLT, AK savannah rooms interesting and SAB is top notch (nice to have choices). we enjoy our other home BW too, but i notice we've been switching over to other resorts @ 7 month window more often than not.

 

[Mjasp]

well putit was my first and still is our fav too, nobody does it better @ Xmas imo

yet, it is hard to beat the view from BLT, AK savannah rooms interesting and SAB is top notch (nice to have choices). we enjoy our other home BW too, but i notice we've been switching over to other resorts @ 7 month window more often than not.

I don't own "yet"...I think I would like to own either at VWL, BCV or BWV and this is my reasoning. I like the boat ride to MK from VWL and the walk to Epcot with BWV and BCV. I like the thought of having 2 bathroom in a 1 br at AKL but I hear from everyone it is soooo dark in their villas.

 

[DenLo]

I said BLT. I love the ability to walk to a park and prefer MK over Epcot.

I have to admit that I agree with Bobbi regarding the lack of elevators at OKW.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

I can't vote yet either, as I have not yet stayed at all of the DVC resorts on property. So far, I have stayed at Jambo, Kidani, VWL, and BWV. I have loved them all! They each offer something unique and wonderful.
I will tell you one thing, though. We recently stayed at BWV, first time there, and I loved it. But, I did miss the second bathroom in the one bedroom that Kidani has! It seems to me that the floor plan in Kidani is far superior to VWL/BWV. The bathroom configuration just seems strange to me. But that is just my opinion, and it would in no way prevent me from staying at either resort again. I though BWV was fabulous, and simply loved walking to Epcot and HS.
Like so many other have said, each resort has something to love.
I just couldn't be more pleased with our decision to buy in 2008. Just wished we could have done it sooner, and looking forward to adding on!

 

[CarolynMink]

Totally agree!!

I am right here with you.

We own at VWL & SSR and love them both. My DH would be happy only ever staying at VWL. I am planning a stay at THV in 2012 and hope to change his mind.

Last stay we were at AKV and I loved it there. Enjoyed my morning cup of coffee on the balcony watching the animals. Now, I constantly dream of buying an add on at AKV.

We will be staying at BCV for first time in August. I am sure I will be dreaming of an add on a BCV after this summer.

 

[sandieb]

We love staying at Hilton Head. It is so friendly and laid back. The grandkids love the activities at the resort. We all enjoy the beach.

As for WDW we own 3 contracts at the BCV and stay there for the pool and proximity to Epcot. The down side is the rooms are often beat up and feel overused. However, the last visit we stayed at the AKL Kidani Village. It seemed like they had used all the experience with DVC and incorporated the best parts when they built that resort. We absolutely loved the 1 BR savannah view villa. The pool and water play area were enjoyed by the whole family. Having a spectacular view of he animals was awesome. The guides were informative. All in all it was wonderful.

OK - now on to SSR. We really have liked our experiences there. The resort is beatiful, as is the pool area. The kids had fun at the Community Hall. We liked our evening in Downtown Disney.

After 9 years as DVC members, we are happier than ever with our choices.

 

[Sandisw]

BLT is our favorite and the only reason we are DVC owners. We love its location to MK, our favorite park because we can easily walk over there.

We have always loved the CR so this is just an extension for us. We also like BCV and BWV because you can walk to both Epcot and DHS.

We have stayed at VWL too and it was okay, but I am not a woodsy person and had a tree frog jump on me twice while on the balacony so that did it for me. LOL!!!

Our only reasons for not wanting to stay at OKW, SSR, and AKL right now is location and having to drive to all the parks. We don't use the buses and think we would miss being able to easily walk to the parks.

Now, if we ever decide to go and not visit the parks, then I might try one of them.

 

[corpcomp]

BCV hands down!

 

[dianeschlicht]

OKW because of the theme, relaxed Florida feeling, the "my vacation home" feel to it and the fact that it isn't a hotel, but a nice comfortable place to relax, walk, and enjoy.

 

[dgaston]

Haven't been to the Grand Californian yet.

As I posted in the last survey, I have wonderful memories of each of the east coast DVCs. My favorite is always the one I'm staying in. I've had animal views at AKV, enjoyed both Jambo's steam room, and Kidani's pool, loved my partial MK view from a standard BLT studio, saw dolphins on a boat tour at Hilton Head, great wine tasting with Mary Anne at Vero, love the closeness to parks at BWV, and BCV, had a hard time finding hidden Mickeys at VWL and love waiting for the geyser, and SSR has that closeness to DTD, and in November we get to stay in a Treehouse!

How could I choose just one?

 

[Native NYer]

I voted for BLT, our home resort.
We love being able to walk to the Magic Kingdom.
But all of the DVC resorts are wonderful!

 

[JenSop]

Voted AKV because we love the animals, the value rooms are a great deal point-wise, the resort is beautiful, it has some of the best dining on property....I could go on and on!

 

[sweetdana]

BC for Prox to Epcot and for SAB

SSR is a close and willingly accepted second *

I always split at least one of these 2 resorts, but I like trying new ones..



I voted, but I have only tried SSR, AKV, BC, and BWV. (BLT this coming Aug.)

 

[pkitty]

AKL first with VWL a close 2nd....theming adds to the experience and the pools are amazing. Having said that I do like SSR with DTD a short boat (or longer walk) ride away. BWV is nice and close to Epcot but I don't like to dine there ....love the Artists Palette for some of the best counter service meals you'll ever have

 

[GrumpyBelle]

I voted AKV-- our home resort and so far our favorite theming. We did enjoy being able to walk to EPCOT and DHS from BWV however.

 

[Mjasp]

Very interesting that Saratoga Springs is beating VWL and BWV and Old Key West are tied. Things like this make me shake my head and say Hmmmm LOL

 

[BoardwalkSuzy]

The Villas Grand Californian is so far my favorite of all DVC resorts, but will be trying Kidani next month first time. VGC had luxurious bedding- no bedspreads, just fabric panel laid over fluffy white comforter, gorgeous customized carpeting, custom designed tile work in baths that mixed old styles with new (genius), the craftsman woodwork to die for with the hidden Mickey's, and high end furniture that would cost many thousands to buy retail. Then there were THREE bathrooms in our 2BR villa, multiple patios off from bedrooms and living room, facing pool (private because of plants though), short walk to main lobby, short walk to DL & DTD, plus resort has private entrance to CA Adventure. There were no weird conversions to unit like at some WDW villas, no dated features, no worn out furniture. It felt like a real house, had all the details of a real home. I asked for closest 2BR unit to pools, and we got it!

The restaurants were all fabulous - Napa Rose, StoryTeller's Cafe, White Water Snacks (went here for fast Mickey waffles before park). We loved Hearthstone Lounge for drinks, short walk to carry some drinks back to room. All the CM's seemed so happy with their jobs, service was top notch.

We were just steps from the pools which we used early December! All the hot tubs were child friendly - think there were 5 pools and 3 hot tubs, one pool had slides (toddler & big kid sized). Wished had time to try their spa as well on site. The hotel is right between DL and Cal Adventure, but backs up to special priority entrance to Cal Adventure, so we got early entrance option in the morning. Hotel offers total convenience, total luxury, relaxation or busy park-hopping. I laugh now, but we always stayed HOJO or Best Western because refused to pay with tax $700/nt for a room at the GC, now here we were in a 2BR bigger than our penthouse in SF with 3BRs. We would have truly been swimming and lost in the grand villa there - would have been too big. They keep and we got to see on site a resident kitty near the pool area that I hear keeps things away that guests may never want to see - impressed with this old-fashioned system of managing things over the use of pesticides or traps.

Our kids were only kids to be seen dining at Napa Rose and daughter was just about to turn 5, so they brought out candle on daughter's dessert (Chocolate Lava cake I think it was), along with chocolate writing saying "Happy Birthday" - our waitress was so nice. Others please bring your kids to Napa Rose so we are not alone. Did find out that if kids over 5, they can go to Pinnochio's workshop childcare and that may be what we do next time (they'll bring in dinner for them like pizza or something). It's a completely exposed childcare center (wall of windows), so you can easily check on kids if want. Our daughter was just days shy of 5, so they couldn't take her.

Only challenges:
1) locating pans in kitchen - bottom drawer of range.
2) turning out all the lamps took about 10 minutes - thought funny.
3) trying to decide which shower to try next since there were 3!
4) daughter did roll out of her queen bed in middle of night so wish I had ordered up the bedrails.

Kids favorite thing to do aside from pools was the kids TV viewing area in the grand lobby running old movie clips with had about a dozen kids rocking chairs - they would go and socialize there. Large sink-in and never get out chairs were behind where the parents could sit, and chat with other parents. Carolers were singing in the lobby, everything decorated for Christmas.

Really want to add-on someday at VGC! We did not want to leave!

 

[AKLFan3]

I voted for AKV as the best. The decor just makes us feel like we're home. It is also the only Disney resort that has animals you can see from the room, PLUS the only Disney resort where you can eat lunch or dinner and watch the animals (Sanaa). Our favorite restaurants are there, Jiko and Sanaa. The bus service is very quick to Animal Kingdom, my favorite park. I also like the fact that it offers so many room choices, value, savanna, and concierge.

Our second favorite resort is VWL. I love how cozy it feels and enjoy the restaurants there. I don't care for the views, woods view is not very interesting, in my opinion. I also think the bus service is quite slow.

I've stayed at Vero Beach and really enjoyed it. It's wonderful being right on the ocean! I loved Sonya's for dinner and enjoyed the breakfast at Shutters. The food and drinks at the Green Cabin Room are amazing as well.

Saratoga Springs is a nice resort too but I don't care for all of the bus stops. I would stay there again if I could not get a room at any other resort.

I don't like OKW, I have stayed there twice and both times felt the rooms were not very clean. I also don't like the number of bus stops and the fact that they are essentially condos. I prefer a hotel hallway instead of walking through the parking lot to get to my room. I wouldn't stay there again.

I have not stayed at BCV yet, I'm hoping for a trip this fall.

I also have not stayed at BWV, but the villas seem very far away from Epcot. Several years ago, I stayed at the Boardwalk Inn and walking from Epcot to my room really made for an exhausting evening.

I have not stayed at BLT. The Contemporary has never appealed to me and the number of points to stay there are a bit high. I may try it eventually if I cannot stay anywhere else. It's great having access to the monorail, I will admit that.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I picked Hilton Head overall, but some of my vacations are solo, and I don't think I'd want to go there solo. If I'm solo and going to WDW, I can't decide if my favorite is AKV-Jambo or BCV. That's why, when I'm solo, I usually split my stay between those two resorts. When I'm at BCV, I only go to Epcot and DHS. Then, while I'm at AKV, I go to MK and AK. I'm terrible with decisions! If my trip's to WDW, but I'm with DH, it's OKW, unless we're going during F&W time, then we stay at BCV. So there you have my....FOUR favorite resorts!

 

[CaskPeg]

My favorite resort is still Old Key West. We bought in 1993 the first day we toured and were presented with the purchase plan etc. If I had a second favorite it would be Saratoga Springs Resort....of which I am also an owner.

Each has assests all its own that are unique to its location.