There are 17 Disney Vacation Club resorts, and I would not choose one based on luxury alone. Location, transportation, room options, point requirements and how you actually spend a Disney vacation can matter much more.
For this ranking, I gave the most weight to overall resort experience, park convenience, atmosphere, useful room choices and how much vacation you get for your points. I also considered how versatile each resort is for repeat trips, which is why some fantastic destination properties rank lower than resorts that work well for a wider range of Disney vacations.
If you’re choosing a Home Resort rather than simply deciding where to stay, there are additional factors such as contract length, annual dues and the 11-month booking advantage. I cover those separately throughout the guide where they matter.
DVC Resort Rankings at a Glance
| Rank | DVC Resort | Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Disney’s Beach Club Villas | Walt Disney World | EPCOT access and pool |
| 2 | Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows | Walt Disney World | Magic Kingdom and atmosphere |
| 3 | Disney’s BoardWalk Villas | Walt Disney World | Walking to two parks |
| 4 | The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa | Walt Disney World | Luxury and Magic Kingdom access |
| 5 | Disney’s Riviera Resort | Walt Disney World | Skyliner access and dining |
| 6 | The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa | Disneyland | Disneyland Resort location |
| 7 | Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort | Walt Disney World | Walking to Magic Kingdom |
| 8 | Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge | Walt Disney World | Resort atmosphere |
| 9 | Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas | Walt Disney World | Unique resort experience |
| 10 | Disney’s Old Key West Resort | Walt Disney World | Space and point value |
| 11 | Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa | Walt Disney World | Availability and Disney Springs |
| 12 | Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas | Oahu, Hawaii | Destination vacation |
| 13 | Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge | Walt Disney World | Cozy Wilderness Lodge atmosphere |
| 14 | The Villas at Disneyland Hotel | Disneyland | Modern rooms near Disneyland |
| 15 | The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort | Walt Disney World | Families wanting privacy and a kitchen |
| 16 | Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort | South Carolina | Relaxed coastal vacations |
| 17 | Disney’s Vero Beach Resort | Florida Atlantic Coast | Quiet Disney beach trips |
The bottom of this ranking does not mean those resorts are bad. Hilton Head and Vero Beach, for example, are intentionally different from a theme park resort. If you specifically want a beach vacation, either could be a better choice than several resorts ranked above them.
1. Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Beach Club Villas takes my top spot because it combines one of the best locations at Walt Disney World with a resort people genuinely want to spend time enjoying.
You can walk to EPCOT’s International Gateway in minutes and reach Hollywood Studios on foot or by boat. The Disney Skyliner is also nearby at EPCOT, giving this area exceptional transportation flexibility.
Then there is Stormalong Bay, the sprawling pool complex shared with Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. If your vacation includes resort days instead of nothing but rope drop to park close, Beach Club becomes especially difficult to beat.
The drawbacks are availability and contract length. Beach Club is relatively small and popular, which makes the Home Resort booking advantage valuable. Its DVC ownership also expires in 2042, an important consideration if you’re buying rather than simply booking a stay.
2. Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
The Polynesian comes remarkably close to being the best all-around DVC resort. It has one of Disney World’s strongest themes, monorail access, boats to Magic Kingdom, excellent dining and an atmosphere that still feels like a vacation when you are nowhere near a ride.
Island Tower also changed the DVC equation here. Polynesian is no longer limited largely to Deluxe Studios and expensive overwater bungalows. Island Tower added duo studios, Deluxe Studios, one-bedroom villas, two-bedroom villas and two-bedroom penthouse villas.
That room variety makes Polynesian much more useful for different family sizes than it used to be.
The main tradeoff is point cost. This is not where I would go simply to stretch a small points balance as far as possible. You’re paying for location and the overall Polynesian experience.
3. Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
BoardWalk Villas has one advantage that changes an entire vacation: you can walk to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
That means no waiting for a bus after EPCOT fireworks, easy access to World Showcase dining and the ability to return to your villa during the afternoon without turning the trip into a transportation project.
The BoardWalk itself also gives the resort energy after the parks close, with restaurants, entertainment and Crescent Lake directly outside.
Point requirements can be appealing compared with some newer premium DVC resorts, but BoardWalk shares Beach Club’s 2042 expiration issue. I would weigh the remaining ownership years carefully if buying a contract.
4. The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Grand Floridian gives you a combination few DVC resorts can match: a high-end resort experience and extremely convenient access to Magic Kingdom.
You can walk to the park, take the monorail or use boat transportation. The resort also has some of Walt Disney World’s strongest dining and a setting that works particularly well when you want the hotel to be part of the vacation rather than simply a place to sleep.
I rank it below Beach Club, Polynesian and BoardWalk mainly because getting that experience generally requires more points. For guests who value luxury over point efficiency, Grand Floridian could easily be number one.
5. Disney’s Riviera Resort
Riviera is one of the most complete modern DVC resorts. The rooms are thoughtfully designed, the resort is compact enough to navigate easily and the restaurant lineup is stronger than you might expect from a property of its size.
The Disney Skyliner is the reason Riviera ranks this high. Direct gondola access toward EPCOT and Hollywood Studios makes those park days noticeably easier.
Riviera also has a long remaining contract compared with the original DVC resorts, which can matter to someone shopping for a Home Resort.
The downside is point efficiency. Riviera’s desirable rooms can require considerably more points than older DVC properties, so I would not rank it as a pure value play.
6. The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
If this were a Disneyland-only ranking, Grand Californian would have a strong argument for number one.
The hotel’s location inside Disneyland Resort is exceptional, including direct access from the hotel into Disney California Adventure. That convenience is difficult to overstate when you’re taking midday breaks or returning after a long park day.
The problem is inventory. The DVC portion is small and reservations can be difficult to secure without the Home Resort booking window.
For a Disneyland-focused owner who visits California regularly, Grand Californian may deserve to be much higher than sixth. For the average DVC member comparing the entire program, its limited availability makes it less universally useful.
7. Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Bay Lake Tower may be the most practical Magic Kingdom DVC resort.
You can walk from the resort to the Magic Kingdom entrance, which is incredibly useful at park opening and especially valuable after nighttime entertainment when thousands of other guests are waiting for transportation.
You also have access to the Contemporary’s restaurants and monorail station.
The reason it falls below Polynesian and Grand Floridian is atmosphere. Bay Lake Tower is convenient and functional, but I don’t find the resort environment as memorable as Disney’s strongest themed properties.
8. Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek combines the dramatic Wilderness Lodge setting with a wider range of DVC accommodations, including villas and waterfront cabins.
The resort feels removed from the intensity of the parks without actually being far from Magic Kingdom. Boat transportation makes Magic Kingdom days particularly pleasant, while the lobby, restaurants and wooded setting make this a resort where I would happily schedule downtime.
It misses the top tier mostly because it does not have the walkability or multi-park transportation advantages of Beach Club, BoardWalk or the monorail resorts.
9. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas
No other DVC resort has an experience quite like Animal Kingdom Villas. At Jambo House and Kidani Village, savanna-view accommodations can overlook giraffes, zebras and other animals from the resort itself.
The restaurants are another major advantage. Boma, Jiko and Sanaa give this resort dining options that stand out even within Walt Disney World.
Animal Kingdom Villas can also offer very good point value, particularly if you’re flexible about room category.
The reason it doesn’t rank higher is transportation. You’re relying primarily on buses for the parks, and the location can feel isolated if your trip revolves around Magic Kingdom or EPCOT.
10. Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Old Key West remains one of my favorite DVC resorts for travelers who care more about space and point value than being next door to a theme park.
The villas are famously spacious, the landscaping is relaxed and the resort feels more like a residential Florida retreat than a large Disney hotel.
Point requirements can also compare favorably with many newer DVC properties, making Old Key West useful when you’re trying to stretch an annual allotment.
You can take a boat to Disney Springs, but park transportation relies on buses. The sprawling layout also means your exact building location can affect the experience.
11. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Saratoga Springs is not the flashiest DVC resort, but it is one of the most useful.
Its size means availability can be easier than at small, intensely popular properties, and certain sections give you excellent access to Disney Springs by walking or boat.
The point charts can also make Saratoga attractive when the alternative is spending substantially more points for a premium park location.
The tradeoff is the scale of the resort. Saratoga is spread out, and bus transportation to the theme parks does not provide the same convenience as a Skyliner, monorail or walking-distance DVC resort.
12. Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas
Aulani is arguably one of the best resorts in the entire DVC portfolio, but it serves a completely different purpose from Beach Club or Polynesian.
This is a destination resort on Oahu. You’re coming for Hawaii, the pools, beach, resort activities and island vacation rather than convenient theme park access.
For someone who plans repeat Hawaii trips, Aulani could rank near the top. For a member primarily buying DVC for Walt Disney World vacations, it is less versatile as a Home Resort.
This is also why I would use our map of Disney Vacation Club resorts when comparing the portfolio. Not every DVC property is attached to a Disney theme park destination.
13. Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Boulder Ridge shares the best part of Copper Creek: Wilderness Lodge.
You get the enormous lodge lobby, wooded surroundings, strong restaurants and boat transportation to Magic Kingdom. During the holidays especially, this is one of the most atmospheric places Disney has built.
I put Boulder Ridge below Copper Creek because the older contract expires in 2042 and Copper Creek generally offers a more compelling long-term ownership proposition if you’re deciding where to buy today.
If you’re renting rather than buying, that ownership issue matters much less and Boulder Ridge becomes a much closer competitor.
14. The Villas at Disneyland Hotel
The Villas at Disneyland Hotel gives DVC members another genuine Disneyland Resort option with modern accommodations and easy access to Downtown Disney and the parks.
The villas range from small duo studios to larger accommodations, making the property more flexible than its relatively compact footprint might suggest.
I rank it below Grand Californian because it does not have Grand Californian’s direct entrance into Disney California Adventure, and Grand Californian simply feels more integrated with the parks.
If your priority is a newer contract and contemporary room design rather than the absolute best Disneyland location, the order could easily reverse for you.
15. The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
The DVC cabins at Fort Wilderness are hard to compare with a normal villa, which is part of their appeal.
You get a private freestanding cabin with a full kitchen, living space and sleeping capacity that can work very well for families. Fort Wilderness itself offers an outdoor, campground-style environment that feels almost disconnected from the rest of Walt Disney World.
That is wonderful if it is exactly what you want. It is less useful if your main priority is getting in and out of the theme parks as quickly as possible.
The internal transportation and large footprint add another layer of logistics that you don’t encounter at compact resorts such as Riviera.
16. Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort
Hilton Head is one of the most unusual DVC properties because it gives you a Disney vacation without a Disney theme park anywhere nearby.
The South Carolina Lowcountry setting is peaceful, the resort has access to Disney’s Beach House and the entire experience is designed around a slower coastal vacation.
I rank it this low only because it is specialized. Someone who bought DVC primarily for Walt Disney World or Disneyland would probably use Hilton Head occasionally rather than making it the center of their membership.
For a dedicated Hilton Head vacation, however, its quiet setting may be exactly what you’re looking for.
17. Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
Vero Beach lands last for the same reason Hilton Head ranks near the bottom: it is a niche destination rather than a poor resort.
The property sits on Florida’s Atlantic Coast and works well when you want a beach stay with Disney service and touches of Disney theming without visiting a theme park.
Its location makes it less versatile for most DVC members than the Walt Disney World and Disneyland properties, and the resort is one of the older DVC contracts.
If your goal is specifically a quiet Florida beach vacation, I would ignore its number 17 ranking and judge it against other beach resorts instead.
Which DVC Resort Is Best for Each Type of Trip?
| If Your Priority Is… | My Pick |
|---|---|
| Best overall mix | Beach Club Villas |
| Magic Kingdom trips | Polynesian Villas & Bungalows |
| EPCOT trips | Beach Club Villas |
| Walking to two parks | BoardWalk Villas |
| Luxury | Grand Floridian Villas |
| Skyliner access | Riviera Resort |
| Disneyland | Grand Californian Villas |
| Point value and large rooms | Old Key West |
| Unique atmosphere | Animal Kingdom Villas |
| Easy availability | Saratoga Springs |
| Hawaii | Aulani |
| Beach vacation | Hilton Head or Vero Beach |
| Cabin and outdoor vacation | Fort Wilderness Cabins |
The Cheapest DVC Resort Is Not Automatically the Best Value
Point requirements matter, but I wouldn’t compare DVC resorts using the nightly points number alone.
Suppose one resort saves you several points per night but requires an hour of additional transportation during the course of every park day. Another might cost more points but let you walk back from EPCOT in ten minutes. Depending on how you vacation, the second resort may deliver much better value.
Room category matters too. Studios, one-bedroom villas, two-bedroom villas, Grand Villas and specialty accommodations can have completely different point economics.
Use our Disney Vacation Club points chart guide to compare the actual accommodations you would book rather than judging a resort by its lowest advertised room.
Choosing a DVC Home Resort Is Different From Choosing a Hotel
If you’re renting DVC points for one vacation, I would mostly choose the resort that makes that particular trip better.
If you’re buying DVC, the decision is much bigger. Your Home Resort affects your 11-month booking priority, annual dues, contract expiration and eventually your resale situation.
A resort ranked tenth here could therefore be a smarter Home Resort for you than the property ranked first.
For example, someone who visits primarily for Disney Springs, values large rooms and wants to use fewer points may be happier owning Old Key West or Saratoga Springs than competing every year for Beach Club.
Contract length is another major consideration. Several beloved DVC resorts expire in 2042, while newer properties continue for decades longer. My guide to DVC resort expiration dates compares every current contract.
Rent Before Buying If You’re Unsure About a Resort
If you’re considering a DVC contract but have never actually stayed at the resort, renting points can be a much easier test than making a long-term purchase based on photos and reviews.
You can experience the room, transportation, pool, restaurants and overall resort atmosphere before deciding whether you want that property to control your Home Resort booking priority for years.
Our guide to renting Disney Vacation Club points explains how to do that without buying a membership.
My DVC Ranking Comes Down to How Much the Resort Improves the Trip
The best Disney Vacation Club resorts do more than provide a nice villa. They make the rest of the vacation easier or more memorable.
That is why Beach Club, Polynesian and BoardWalk sit at the top for me. Their locations and resort environments change how you experience the parks. Riviera, Grand Floridian and Grand Californian do the same thing in different ways.
Value-focused resorts such as Old Key West and Saratoga Springs become stronger choices when space, availability and stretching points matter more than walking to a park. Aulani, Hilton Head and Vero Beach require an entirely different calculation because the resort itself is the destination.
Before settling on a resort, compare the locations on our DVC resort map, then check the points required for the room type and dates you would realistically book. That will tell you much more than choosing whichever DVC property happens to rank first on somebody else’s list.
You can also compare Disney’s current resort information and point charts on the official Disney Vacation Club resort directory.
