Your favorite DVC resorts ranked

[thanxfornoticin]

1. AKL (either Kidani or Jambo) - might be a slight edge to Kidani with the extra bathroom, especially since we'll just walk to Jambo for the restaurants and souvenir shop (best on property!).
2. BCV - location and pool and vibe. Just one of our favorites, especially during the festivals at EPCOT.
3. CCV - love the location and options
4. BRV - ditto
5. OKW - the original and still one of our favorites with the large rooms, large balconies, peaceful "home" feel, and proximity to DS.
6. Poly - we avoid the rooms near the ferry station and like it much better! Haven't done the tower yet.
7. The rest.... Have actually stayed at all but RIv and CFW, and neither of those is interesting enough for us - we'll probably never need to actually stay!

It's good folks have different favorites! Helps us stay out of each other's way!

 

[Sandisw]

Here are the order in which I always book, and what I would book if I ever couldn’t get RIV or VGF

RIV
VGF
BCV
Poly Tower (not longhouses)
BLT
BWV
SSR
CCV
BRV
OKW/AKV -

 

[tx911]

1. AKL (either Kidani or Jambo) - might be a slight edge to Kidani with the extra bathroom, especially since we'll just walk to Jambo for the restaurants and souvenir shop (best on property!).
2. BCV - location and pool and vibe. Just one of our favorites, especially during the festivals at EPCOT.
3. CCV - love the location and options
4. BRV - ditto
5. OKW - the original and still one of our favorites with the large rooms, large balconies, peaceful "home" feel, and proximity to DS.
6. Poly - we avoid the rooms near the ferry station and like it much better! Haven't done the tower yet.
7. The rest.... Have actually stayed at all but RIv and CFW, and neither of those is interesting enough for us - we'll probably never need to actually stay!

It's good folks have different favorites! Helps us stay out of each other's way!

They all rank between a 7 and a 10 for me. I haven't disliked any of them and I'm grateful that we have such a good variety of places to choose from.

 

[5kidsmommy]

1. SSR (honestly we bought where we love to stay. It's relaxing, rooms are nice, pools are awesome, points chart is great and we love walking to DS.)
2. BCV (love the location, Epcot is our favorite, pool is big but it's all about the location)
3. BWV (love the location, Epcot is our favorite)
4. BLT (I love the decor, cant' wait to stay in the refurb rooms, location is great, it's classic Disney)
5. BRV (nice rooms, nice location)
6. CCV (like the resort and the location)
7. Poly/PIT (I love the feel of the resort but it's just so crowded)
8. GFV (love the resort, the rooms and location are lovely, but so crowded)

The rest are on our will not stay at.
9. RIV (Riviera isn't our thing, we aren't fans of towers. I don't like the skyliner )
10. OKW (after our last stay on the 3rd floor, it's a no for us, I won't take that risk)
11. AKL - Kidani (I just don't like the resorts, not my thing)
12. AKL - Jambo (I just don't like the resorts, not my thing)
13. CFW (we love the Fort, in our camper, don't like the cabin location)

 

[starsaber25]

Ok I will play with my limited knowledge. I am going to rank the resorts I've stayed at and then I'm going to rank the resorts I have not stayed at in the order I want to stay at them. Phew!

1. VGF - This stay was everything I ever hoped for in life. I've always wanted to stay there ever since I was a kid. I finally did and it was amazing. However, the point chart is certainly a con.

2. BLT - This is my home resort. For every reason I blindly bought into it, is every reason I love it. The walk to MK is the best thing ever. I still haven't stayed in a refurbished room but I was totally fine in the old room. I love the monorail to EPCOT. The point chart is a real bargain. The cons are sharing the busses with the Wilderness lodge and you have to go to the Contemporary for everything. It would be nice if you just purchase some drinks in the tower.

3. BWV - Loved staying here but it was a short stay. Being on the boardwalk is great. The quick walk to the International Gateway is amazing.

4. AKL - Kidani - It was fine. It was my first DVC stay. It wasn't my favorite. The one thing I will give the resort credit for is having separate bus waiting areas for each park. It made it so much easier then the chaos at other resorts where people are waiting all over the place. I wish every resort broke it down like this.

The list in order of resorts I cannot wait to stay at:
1. BCV
2. CCV
3. PVB
4. RIV
5. AKL - Jambo
6. BRV
7. OKW
8. SSR
9. CFW

 

[Disney Spaz]

1.VGF-It is truly our home away from home. From the rooms to the lobbies to the whole resort vibe. Our DD grew up staying here and it is our forever DVC.
2. CCV-Have you seen this place at Christmas! Wow just wow. It is like stepping into another world.
3. Poly/PIT-DH and I were married on Luau Beach and now DD and I glide in a hammock outside the pool like we are on a beach in Hawaii.
4. AKL-Jambo-The lobby, the animals and the peace. I could sit in front of the fire pit for hours.
5. BCV-Location location location. And don't forget about Storm along Bay
6. BRV-Close enough to CCV to be happy.
7. BWV-Location location location and Grand Villas
8. BLT-You can walk to MK what else do you need to say.
9. AKL-Kidani-The animals and the peace but the hallways are so long.
10. OKW-Love the balcony
11. CFW-Not loving it but a boat ride to Magic Kingdom
12. RIV-Only above SSR because I prefer interior hallways.
13. SSR-Disney Springs

 

[heathpack]

CCV/BR
AKL - Jambo
Poly
GFV
BCV
BLT
RIV
BWV
SSR
OKW

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

VGF - Love the original building/rooms. Having the option of walking to/from Magic Kingdom is great.

BCV - Unbelievable location and resort. The pool in the summer cannot be beat. Nothing better than midday breaks at Stormalong Bay.

BRV/CCV - prefer BRV studios but they're basically equal to me. Just a really great resort.

AKL - Jambo - I love AKL and rate Jambo a bit higher than Kidani but that can change based on my mood . Transportation for both is my #1 negative.

Poly - Previously my #1. Noticeably busier and more crowded now. The new pool is very weak imo. Kids took a photo with Moana and then wanted to go straight back to lava pool.

BWV - Visited many times but have never stayed here. Looking forward to trying it one day.

AKL - Kidani - Great resort. Would like more QS options beyond the pool.

BLT - Great location but I don't care for the resort. I could see this shooting up my list depending on future renovations.

RIV - Visited many times but just don't enjoy the vibe/look of the resort.

SSR - Stayed last week and will try to not return unless we have a car with us.

 

[atthebeachclub]

Here are the order in which I always book, and what I would book if I ever couldn’t get RIV or VGF

RIV
VGF
BCV
Poly Tower (not longhouses)
BLT
BWV
SSR
CCV
BRV
OKW/AKV -

I love that you keep the booking order consistent! I am actually planning to do the same. Run down by order or preference and book what I can, based on how much I love it and what is available.

 

[atthebeachclub]

VGF - Love the original building/rooms. Having the option of walking to/from Magic Kingdom is great.

BCV - Unbelievable location and resort. The pool in the summer cannot be beat. Nothing better than midday breaks at Stormalong Bay.

BRV/CCV - prefer BRV studios but they're basically equal to me. Just a really great resort.

AKL - Jambo - I love AKL and rate Jambo a bit higher than Kidani but that can change based on my mood . Transportation for both is my #1 negative.

Poly - Previously my #1. Noticeably busier and more crowded now. The new pool is very weak imo. Kids took a photo with Moana and then wanted to go straight back to lava pool.

BWV - Visited many times but have never stayed here. Looking forward to trying it one day.

AKL - Kidani - Great resort. Would like more QS options beyond the pool.

BLT - Great location but I don't care for the resort. I could see this shooting up my list depending on future renovations.

RIV - Visited many times but just don't enjoy the vibe/look of the resort.

SSR - Stayed last week and will try to not return unless we have a car with us.

I think your list is closest to my preferences of anyone else here. Where do you own? Grand Floridian and Kidani?

 

[Bo1203]

RIV - Ritzy vibe + Skyliner + 2 parks + food + nicest rooms + pools/splash pad = #1
VGF - MK walkability, great lobby, lots of food choices
BWV - Great theme, the boardwalk in the evening
BLT
BCV
Poly
CCV
AKV
SSR
BRV
OKW
CFW

 

[zackiedawg]

Top 5 favorites
1. BWV - Home resort, walk to Epcot, walk to DHS, walk to 5 other resorts, Skyliner to 3 more resorts.
2. SSR - walk to Disney Springs, easy transport to every other resort property, additional transportation options coming back from theme parks by using Disney Springs, boat to other resorts.
3. BRV - Beautiful and peaceful theming, Geyser Point right there, boat to other resorts and MK
4. CFW - Amazing point value, laid back and relaxing, fond memories of the Fort going back to the 70s, goft cart rental, boat to other resorts and MK.
5. OKW - Excellent point value, enormous rooms, relaxing grounds, boat to Disney Springs

Middle pack, OK sometimes or as fallbacks
6. CCV - All the same benefits as BRV, but prefer the separate building and lower point charts of BRV.
7. BCV - All the same benefits as BWV, but prefer the lower point chart and views of BWV (Plus BWV is my home resort so major booking advantages).
8. BLT - Monorail access, boats to other resorts, MK walkable - theming doesn't do much for me and point value doesn't measure up for me. Don't prefer towers.
9. Poly/PIT - Lovely theming and grounds, access to MK, but points value not as good as many other options. The tower puts me off even if the rooms are nice, I just don't prefer towers.

The ones I would generally avoid or have never stayed
10. GFV - Same as Poly, but point value even less.
11. Riv - Haven't stayed, but theming just OK (very pretty but not as Disney-themed and fun, don't love towers), Skyliner access nice, food good, high points cost to stay. It's the points that kill this one for me.
12. AKL Jambo - Theming is gorgeous, Jiko is excellent, but don't like not having boat or walking access to anything. All busses, all the time. Stayed once, but just prefer having some other resort or park having non-bus access.
13. AKL Kidani - Same as Jambo, but even less - too big, prefer to be in the main Jambo building.

 

[jcolvin5]

Agree that this is like ranking my kids. I have enjoyed every stay we've had in these resorts and will absolutely stay at each again.

With the exception of CCV Cabins (3 nights at a time) and Poly Bungalows (3 nights at a time), all of our stays have been in 1BRs for 6-7 nights.

1. RIV
Nails modern luxury without losing Disney soul. The 1BRs are efficient, bright, and calm, Topolino’s is elite-tier dining, and Skyliner access makes the resort feel effortlessly connected. Polished, adult, and relaxing - this is how we vacation!

2. CCV
The cabins are arguably the most unique accommodation Disney offers—privacy, theming, outdoor space, and Wilderness Lodge ambiance all rolled into one. It’s luxury without feeling flashy, and it feels special every single time.

3. Kidani
The 1BRs are massive, the savanna views are unmatched, and it feels like a true retreat after long park days. It’s quieter and more residential than Jambo.

4. BCV
Walkability, Stormalong Bay, and the relaxed beach aesthetic make it one of the easiest places to love. It’s not showy, it’s just right. The kind of resort that quietly grows on you every stay.

5. GFV
Elegant, iconic, and undeniably Disney. The 1BRs are beautiful, the lobby is timeless, and being on the monorail is never not a win. Classic Disney luxury!

6. BLT
Walking to Magic Kingdom is a game-changer, and the 1BRs—especially with theme park views—are incredibly practical.

7. Jambo
The lobby is jaw-dropping, the theming is unmatched, and the savanna views are iconic. It’s just a little busier and more hotel-like than Kidani.

8. Poly (Bungalows)
Stunning, private, and unforgettable, but also a very different style of stay. The resort itself is just too busy for me to rank higher.

9. BRV
The quieter, more intimate sibling to CC, not a bad thing. Cozy, warm, and timeless, it’s the kind of place we appreciated more the longer we stayed.

These we have yet to experience actually staying at, so I won't rank them.

BWV scheduled for 6 nights, in 23 days!

OKW and SSR are on our "to do" list for sure.

CFW probably won't happen.

 

[kes601]

AKL - Kidani / Jambo (Kidani has the edge for me)
OKW
SSR
CCV
BLT
BCV
BWV
PIT (not the longhouses as you can avoid the craziness of the grand ceremonial house more easily)
GFV
RIV (love to visit, don't like to stay)

Haven't stayed:
BRV (suspect ranking would be tied with CCV)
CFW (no desire to stay here)

Looking at my list I realize when we started with DVC we were all about walkable resorts. Now I want to stay away from the craziness.

 

[lovin'fl]

Owned since 2006. Owned many resorts and resold a bunch. Stayed at all but the new Poly tower and Ft W Cabins. We live local and use our DVC for 1-2 night stays here and there, booked rather last minute. And I have tiers with several resorts in each tier as opposed to a 1-17 order.

1. AKL - Jambo for club level, animals and food...BCV, for closeness to Epcot, SSR for great rooms and walkability to DS/food plus it's always easy to book.

2. BWV and CCV since we own some there and BWV is also walkable to Epcot and CCV is a nice quiet retreat. BRV and RIV for same reasons. AKV- Kidani...we also own AKV and we love the theme and food and animals but we always try for Jambo club level.

3. BLT, Poly, GFV...point eaters so we dont tend to stay plus a lot of kiddos there and we are 50s with adult kids and no grandkids so these 3 aren't really our cuppa nor is MK right now.

4. CFW...just haven't stayed and don't see a need but maybe someday.

5. OKW...our least fave. They are in massive need of full renos. We do like the little pool bar but that could use a tad more seating.