Guide: Choosing a Disney Vacation Club Resort

The most important part of planning a Disney Vacation is deciding where to stay! While choosing a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort can be overwhelming, with all the amazing options, you really can’t go wrong.

As long time DVC members, we’ve had an opportunity to stay at every resort listed, except for the newest offering, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Each resort is wonderful in its own way, but it’s all about picking one that works for you and your family. To help you decide, we’ve compiled the following guide of Walt Disney World Disney Vacation Club resorts, and why we choose each.

Not a Disney Vacation Club Member? Don’t worry, you can rent points from members at prices that can be more affordable than staying at the resorts! Check out David’s Vacation Club Rental’s, for a different way to book your Disney World lodging!

Now on to the list! If you have any questions, let us know in the comments below!

Best for Kids

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas (Jambo House & Kidani Village)

Staying at Animal Kingdom Villas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will provide you and your family with an unforgettable experience. With two resorts and over 700 villas to choose from, we’ve found this Disney Vacation Club property to have the most consistent availability.

Our favorite thing about staying at Animal Kingdom Villas is that the kids are easily entertained by their surroundings, leaving mom and dad a little time to relax. Between the pools and savanna-view villas, there’s constantly something to keep the kids amused.

Animal Kingdom Lodge offers two unique pools: Uzima (Jambo House) and Samawati Springs (Kidani Village). While Uzima boasts a massive 11,000sq/ft zero entry pool and water slide, Samawati Springs is geared toward smaller children with pint sized slides and a splash pad for hours of fun.

Unlike other resorts where the pool is the main attraction for kids, Animal Kingdom Lodge provides unique entertainment not available anywhere else. By simply locating the in-room Wildlife Spotting Guide, you can turn a leisurely walk around the resort into an interactive safari. If you want to make your “safari” even more relaxing, grab a drink(you deserve it!) at the Victoria Falls Lounge before setting out on your journey.

Tip: This is the only Disney Vacation Club resort at Walt Disney World to offer club level rooms.

Best View

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

The unique location and shape of Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers arguably the most stunning views available at any resort on Disney property. Overlooking the Magic Kingdom, both villas and the Top of The World Lounge provide guests with a birds eye view of the worlds most famous amusement park.

Not only is Bay Lake Tower in walking distance to the Magic Kingdom, if you can snag a room facing the castle, you’ll have the best seat in the house for the nighttime fireworks and projection spectacular.

If you can’t get a room facing the castle, all is not lost! Hop in the elevator and embark on a journey to the Top Of The World Lounge. Show your Disney Vacation Club Membership card, grab a drink and get ready for the action! Just prior to the show, the lounge lights dim, and the soundtrack is piped in through both the indoor and outdoor observation deck speakers. Did we mention there’s a members-only observation deck?

We think Bay Lake Tower is a must-try, especially if you’re a Magic Kingdom Fan.

Tip: Even if you’re not staying at Bay Lake Tower, your DVC Membership Card grants you and 3 guests access to the DVC Member-only Top of The World Lounge.

Best Pool

Disney’s Beach Club Villas

Hands down, our vote for best pool complex on Disney property is the 3 acre Storm Along Bay, located at Disney’s Beach Club Villas. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the pirate ship, which boasts one of the highest and longest water slides at any Walt Disney resort. For those less adventurous bucaneers, grab an inner tube and set sail down the lazy river. The sandy beach gently slopes into the water, offering little ones the chance to dig around and build their own castle.

Just looking to relax after a long day at the park? Head over to Hurricane Hannah’s poolside bar and grill (try the Pina CoLAVA, it does not disappoint!). If you need a little snack or sweet treat, step into the Beaches and Cream Soda Shop. This soda fountain serves up juicy burgers and thick shakes.

Tip: Ask your concierge about the Pirate Adventure Cruise for children 4-12.

Best Location

Disney’s BoardWalk Villas

With its proximity to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios, Disney’s BoardWalk Villas puts you in the center of the action. Just a 5 minute walk to epcot and 15 to hollywood studios, this resort tops our list for best location.

Not only is Epcot just a quick trip around the corner, guests enter the park through a back entrance with shorter lines. From there, you’re in the heart of The World Showcase with 11 countries full of shopping, dining and drinking to enjoy.

Had enough world travel for the day? Don’t feel like waiting for a crowded bus? Kids sleeping in the the stroller? No need to wake them up, just take a stroll back down the boardwalk to Hollywood Studios.

Besides the convenience of being located between two parks, BoardWalk also provides the benefit of dining, live entertainment, and nightlife. From the street performers to the Jellyrolls piano bar (21+), there’s entertainment available for kids of all ages.

Tip: Although BoardWalk lacks a dedicated quick service restaurant, the BoardWalk Bakery is a worthy replacement. With sandwiches, sweets, and mug refill station, this is a great spot to grab a quick bite.

Best for Relaxing 

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

While some people love staying at the parks from rope drop to close, its definitely not for everyone. Enter Disney’s Old Key West Resort (click for TripAdvisor Review). This relaxing retreat from the long lines, big crowds, and crying kids, is a welcome change of pace. Being in the heart of it all is nice, but staying off the beaten path has its benefits as well.

Old Key West is the most low key (no pun intended) of all the DVC resorts on property. Boasting a Florida Keys theme, manicured golf course, and some of the largest Disney Vacation Club villas available, Old Key West is the perfect resort if R & R is what you’re looking for.

For food and entertainment options outside of what Old Key West has to offer, take a leisurely cruise down the Sassagoula River to Disney Springs.

We do have one disclaimer about Old Key West: there are only elevators in 3 buildings (62, 63, 64), so be ready to climb stairs if your room is located on an upper floor.

Tip: Request a villa within walking distance of the Hospitality House bus stop. This is the last stop on the Old Key West internal bus loop.

Best Theme 

Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows is a newcomer to the Disney Vacation Club List. A multi-year renovation converted existing Polynesian Resort rooms into deluxe studios and introduced 20 over water bungalows. With its South Pacific theming and sandy beaches, Disney’s Polynesian Resort transports you to a tropical paradise in central Florida.

For a completely immersive luau experience, be sure to make reservations at the beach front Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show. If you’re just looking for a refreshing drink, but still want interactive fun, stop by Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. When ordering, choose wisely! Specific drinks will trigger different special effects around the bar.

Tip: Grab a Dole Whip at the Pineapple Lanai!

Best Dining Options

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

While Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa has only a few dining options, the Disney Springs entertainment district is just a short stroll or bus ride away! This refresh of Downtown Disney offers endless options for dining and shopping. With over 50 restaurants to choose from, including food trucks and fine dining, there’s an option for every taste and price range.

Tip: Request a villa as close to the bridge to Disney Springs as possible (Point requirements for premium areas like Congress Park have recently increased, but its well worth it).

Best Splurge

The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian

If you feel like splurging, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian is the place to stay. The minute you step through the main lobby doors, the amazing aroma will instantly make you relax (I’m not kidding, I don’t know what they pump in those vents but I want to bathe in that scent!) With plush Disney Vacation Club villas to match the grand lobby, this resort offers the gold standard in style and class.

Home to Victoria and Albert’s, one of the top rated restaurants in Orlando (with a price tag to match), the Grand Floridian is also home to numerous sit down restaurants, quick service, and in room dining options.

Revitalize your body and mind at Senses, the resort’s world class spa and health club. Services range from simple pedicures to 5 hour spa packages. If you’re looking to treat yourself, this is definitely the place to stay.

Tip: If you have enough points, choose the Grand Villa. The extra media room with sectional sofa couch provides what amounts to a 4th bedroom. Pair that with its 2800+ square foot floor plan, and this villa is more like staying in a house than a hotel room.

Best Rooms 

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Copper Creek Villas & Cabins

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has an existing Disney Vacation Club offering in the form of the Boulder Creek Villas, but we’re going to focus on what’s coming next. Although not officially open until April 11th, the artist renderings of the Copper Creek Villas and Cabins look stunning! Dare I say the rooms look even nicer than The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian?

With a full line of options, including 3 bedroom grand villas and 2 bedroom waterside cabins, Copper Creek offers one of the most diverse room lines at any Disney Vacation Club Resort.

While not directly related to the stunning new villas, the Geyser Point Bar and Grill looks like a great place to relax for a refreshing drink and hot meal. Reviews so far have been positive, and we can’t wait to try it out.

Just a short boat or bus ride away from the Magic Kingdom, this resort is a convenient alternative to the three monorail resorts.

Tip: If you want to be one of the first to try this newly renovated resort, be sure to book at your first possible chance. Judging by the renderings and photos, our gut feeling is that reservations for these rooms will go quickly!