Which DVC Villa is Your Favorite and Why?

[Idreamodisney247]

I'm very interested to know what makes a person or family gravitate toward a specific DVC resort. I will use this information as research for my future DVC purchase.
Thanks

 

[crisi]

We own BWV and really like two things about it:

Location - we LOVE being able to easily walk to Epcot.

Value - Standard view rooms are a good deal for us.

We also really like VWL because we really like the theming of that resort. But its location makes it much less desireable for us.

We just stayed at BCV to give the kids access to SAB, which is a good reason to prefer that resort over BWV. We ended up pool hopping back to BWV - the kids didn't like SAB! It was too crowded.

 

[bwvBound]

The one we stay at most frequently: Boardwalk Villas (BWV) for the location, location, location! Close to Dolphin/Swan Hotel and Convention Centers as well as two WDW parks.

The ones we like best: Villas of Wilderness Lodge (VWL) and Grand Californian -- both for their theming.

 

[skelfbsfb]

We own BWV and really like two things about it:

Location - we LOVE being able to easily walk to Epcot.

Value - Standard view rooms are a good deal for us.

Same reasons as myself.

We also own at OKW as well but never want to stay there.

 

[DVC Grammy]

We own BWV and really like two things about it:

Location - we LOVE being able to easily walk to Epcot.

Value - Standard view rooms are a good deal for us.

I'm on board with this, too. I find the accessibility to two parks terrific!

 

[skelooch]

Buy at a resort where you would always be happy to stay at. Especially if you can do your planning up to 11 months in advance.

In my particular case it would be the location, BCV is my home resort and it has all the amenities I wanted within walking distance, from signature dining and a wide variety of other dining options, to entertainment, to access to theme parks(2), to the best pool on property IMHO, plus I love the resort theming and casual atmosphere.

But all those things are subjective to each individual, you need to determine what are the most important things to you that will make your vacations more enjoyable. If possible stay at or visit as many of the resorts as you can before deciding. It's a large investment and commitment don't rush into it.

I wish you the best in making your decision.

 

[Psychodisney]

We love BCV for the same reason that people love the BWV...LOCATION. We also enjoy SAB.
My children really like OKW because the villas are so big. I think the atmosphere is more relaxed. Once they are all renovated, I might be swayed but we've been in a couple of well worn units.

 

[Squidrific]

I have stayed at all of the WDW DVC resorts and have enjoyed each one very much. However, for my favorites I have to pick two because can never choose between the two and always do a split-stay to get our fix of both.

#1 BCV - the pools (Stormalong Bay and the quiet pools) are terrific. The proximity to both EPCOT and MGM can't be beat and it is nice to be across from the Boardwalk too. We LOVE Beaches & Cream and also Hurricane Hannah's. Also, this may be silly, but I really enjoy the little walk through the courtyards to get from the Villas to the main walkway when going to EPCOT.

#2 AKV - the pools here (at both Kidani and Jambo House) are very nice and relaxing. The theming of this resort is fantastic and it has 3 killer restaurants on site (Jiko, Boma, Sanaa). I really like the earth colors and the distance from the parks. For me AKV is more of a resort destination. We try to end our vacations at AKV so that we can have some down time away from the parks to relax and enjoy each other before coming back to reality.

 

[rentayenta]

I don't know yet as we have only stayed at 3; OKW, AKV, and GCV. They were all awesome and had something unique. Our home is SSR and we are so looking forward to staying there. We haven't been back to WDW since purchasing DVC last May. Obviously we are partial to SSR because we bought there.

This is like asking me to choose a favorite child.

 

[MarshallMoore6]

I really enjoy BWV. I am the kind of guy that kind of resists change. We have been going there since 1996 (or what ever the first year the resort was opened). I don't think it was a DVC resort but it might have been. It was one of the few places that would hold 5. I have stayed all all except BLV.

OKW - big villas, off the beaten track, needed a car
BWV - busy on The Boardwalk, EPCOT is walkable, ESPN
WLV - relaxed, off the beaten track
BCV - great for younger kids, EPCOT is walkable, ESPN
SSR - off the beaten track, needed a car
BLV - New, views of the MK, on the monorail (I have not stay here yet)

 

[DVC-Don]

We really prefer the OKW 1 or 2 bedroom units. Lots of room, car right outside.

 

[lynnemcb]

Have stayed at all the disney ones except BLT and kidani - loved them all for different reasons. Hubby likes BWV best for location and we own a small amount of points there and OKW for size / relaxation - we dont own there. I like AKL - dont own there but have got twice at 7 months and also WL for location. Stayed at BCV once but we always want one bedroom and cant afford that at BCV. Own at Vero beach but have only been once in 2003 - hoping to go back next year.

I think any of the resorts are fine - you just need to decide whether its location / points required/ price or size which is most important and then go for it.

Lynne

 

[com_op_2000]

IMO, you can not beat the size of the rooms at OKW. Usually just DW and me on vacation, so we use the studios to have more stays per year. When we have other family members join us we do the larger rooms, including having Turkey Day celebrations.
Have stayed at all DVC resorts except BLT and GC. Our second choice is AKL, we love the colors of the resort and the resturants.
This is a personal choice, yes we can provide our input, but the final decision is yours alone. "Do whatever makes you and your family happy!" (From the Haunted Mansion DVD)

 

[Hunclemarco]

We like BCV for the location to all of our wants, and the nautical theme.

 

[Goofy DVC]

OKW!! It just feels like home. Large villas, relaxing atmosphere, park in front of your home, and great balconies with great views. All that with value point wise that can't be beat.

 

[crisi]

This is a personal choice, yes we can provide our input, but the final decision is yours alone. "Do whatever makes you and your family happy!" (From the Haunted Mansion DVD)

Yep, many people love BWV for the location, other people dislike it for the same reason - its "too busy."

We like VWL for the theme, but a common complaint about it is the rooms are "too dark." The color of the rooms is part of why we like it!

People love BCV for SAB access - our kids asked us to pool hop to back to BWV.

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

Boardwalk Villas because like Jellyrolls and their pool.

Own at Old Key West, however, because make reservations less than 7 months in advance.

Jason

 

[CrazyDuck]

Boardwalk Villas because like Jellyrolls and their pool.

Jellyrolls?

 

[El&Asmom]

We have stayed at all WDW DVCs except BLT, (which will hopefully happen next year). Can honestly say that I don't have a favorite. I'd be happy to stay at any of them, and typically choose a resort based on what kind of trip we are doing. We are not people who would be disappointed and have a ruined vacation if we didn't get our first choice in a resort. Because of that we bought SSR, (cheapest at the time with later expiration date), where we'd be happy to stay anytime, but try out other places at 7m if we want to go elsewhere.

If I HAD to pick a fav, it would be AKV. Being a vet, I love watching the animals day and night. The colors of the room are very soothing to me, and I LOVE the master baths at Kidani in the 1+bds. The living rooms are also huge and feel SO much more spacious than any others besides OKW. The location isn't ideal to make quick trips to the park, but we deal with that if we are staying there.
Second fav would be BWV which looks to be a popular one. I love the location, and the rooms are comfortable with great views. BCV has a great locale as well, but I don't like the longish walk to SAB, and the rooms are smaller with boring views.
I'd be happy to stay in any of the DVCs without complaint though. I have yet to see a DVC I didn't like. If you feel like you want to be able to stay at a single place most of the time, buy there. If you want to move around like we do, buy where it's the best deal.

 

[hakepb]

I've "only" stayed at SSR, BWV, OKW, and AKV Jambo (and soon BLT).
For a stand-alone resort experience (where else in the states can you stay on a savannah?), AKV wins hands down.
But proximity was wonderful at BWV
SSR is more and more lovely the more time I spend there
OKW size and value cannot be beat
And I really think BLT's location is perfect.