My family has been Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members since 2005.  It’s been a wonderful investment for us.  Disney also has DVC resorts outside of Walt Disney World.  But Walt Disney World is the place we love to visit the most so I thought I would share my five favorite Disney Vacation Club Resorts.

5. Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Photo by Disney Parks

This is Disney’s original Vacation Club resort.  It also has the largest villas available for a reasonable number of points!  The one-bedroom (and larger) villas also offer a full-size washer and dryer (not just the apartment-sized ones that are in other resort villas).  Many of the villas overlook water, pool or ponds which is a nice perk.  If you want to go to Disney Springs to check out all of the new shops and restaurants there, you can hop aboard a boat to get there.  The resort also has Olivia’s Cafe, a restaurant that I feel is overlooked and definitely a great place to have a meal.  Check out Lisa McBride’s review of Olivia’s for more information.

4. Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Photo By Jodi Kerr-Taylor

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is the ultimate Deluxe resort at Walt Disney World.  It’s on the monorail line, has amazing restaurants and a wonderful view of the fireworks over Cinderella Castle.  When DVC decided to build villas here, I was excited.  I have stayed here once already and have another stay booked for this Summer.  For more information, here is a past article of mine, as well as an article by Jodi K.  Two of my favorite signature restaurants are also at Disney’s Grand Floridian.  Citricos and Narcoossee’s are great choices for that special occasion or if you are looking for a signature experience.  Here are past reviews of Citricos and Narcoossee’s by yours truly.

3. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas

In my opinion, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge has the best theming of all of the resorts at Walt Disney World.  Yes, you must take a bus to all of the Disney Parks, however, there is so much to see at this resort that you can easily spend a day or two simply checking out all of the resort’s offerings.  DVC offers villas at Jambo House (along with hotel rooms) and Kidani Village (which is all DVC villas).  Many offer a view of the savannah.  Even if your villa does not have a savannah view, there are many viewing areas throughout the resort.  There are also special tours only offered if you are a Guest here, such as the Wanyama Safari.

2. Disney’s Beach Club Villas

Disney’s Beach Club Villas are a fantastic choice if you are a big fan of Epcot.  The location is an easy 5-minute walk to Epcot’s International Gateway entrance.  If you are attending Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival or the International Flower & Garden Festival, this is the perfect choice for lodging.  The resort is also a 15-minute walk from Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  There is also a boat available to get you to both of these parks as well as Disney’s Boardwalk and the Swan and Dolphin hotels.  Beach Club also has what many people say is the best pool at any Walt Disney World resort – Stormalong Bay.  Check out Karen Shelton’s review of this resort.

1. Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Bay Lake Tower-Photo by Lisa McBride

Location, location, location!  Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort comes in at number one for me for many reasons, but I think the top reason is its location.  It is a 5-minute walk to the Magic Kingdom.  So you can enjoy a magical day and not have to fight the crowds to the bus, ferry, or monorail to get back to your resort.  It is also on the monorail line so it’s a quick ride to and from the Magic Kingdom that way as well or an easy transfer at the Transportation and Ticket Center to catch the monorail to Epcot.  Bay Lake Tower also offers sweeping views of Bay Lake, Seven Seas Lagoon, the other monorail resorts as well as the Magic Kingdom.  Head up to the Top of the World Lounge for a few appetizers, a frosty beverage or two, and a wonderful viewing area to catch Wishes.  The music is piped in so you won’t miss a thing.

One caveat to my list – I have not yet had the pleasure of staying at the Villas at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.  But I have been fortunate enough to stay at all of the other DVC resorts at Walt Disney World.  I love them all and each one offers great amenities and reasons to stay there.

So, which one is your favorite?