Rating EVERY DVC Resort! 

"its not a bathroom unless there is a toilet" would make an excellent bumper sticker. LOL! You're the best.

I saw online the Boardwalk just removed the clown!!! The new face is so so cute! We just placed an offer on a small resale contract at BW once I saw this changed! Your video was so helpful

Im so glad I’m not the only one who is very turned off by the boardwalk scary clown pool 🤣 Thank you for providing this very well-spoken video!

I know it is secluded, but Kidani all day every day! Sorry Jen, but the animals are the main event, and the pool area is amazing, so an A for amenities! Great and informative video, thanks!

Hey Jen! Jenn and I just wanted to take a moment and wish Scott healthy travels.

I totally agree with most of your assessments - my faves that are SO me, “Boardwalk no because of the scary clown” “Beach Club THAT pool”, the Poly “just because it’s the Poly”, and Animal Kingdom Lodge has totally become probably my favorite ❤️ Thank you so much for all of that research and info! #wow

Thank you for this! There’s is so much information out there about choosing a home resort and you broke it down so nicely and concisely. This definitely gives me more to think about then just the numbers for choosing a resort.

Hi Jen! I just love your sense of humor! It is much needed at this point in time and I soooo appreciate it. Thank you so much for putting out content. I think we all need this happy distraction right now.. Much love to you and the family. ❤

While I wish the Polynesian had 1 and 2 bedroom options, I do love the size of their studios. I believe they are the largest on property. If we have to stay in a studio, we love the Polynesian. We once did a split stay at Bay Lake Tower then Polynesian, and I can tell you there is a HUGE different in the size of the studios. Great video as always! ♥️

" A very magical timeshare." Too funny!

The go to video when deciding which dvc resort to stay at! Thanks Jen :)

Long time no comment!!! I've been listening along, but just haven't had the chance to log in on my computer and comment. So, thank you for all of the lovely content that you've been putting out there! I loved this DVC rating video! I appreciate how much thought and detail you put into these! We discovered as a family of 5 that most of the studios were a no-go (hence Boulder Ridge), and I love that you covered that stuff here. We've actually only ever stayed at the Grand Californian DVC, but we bought our resale at Boulder Ridge, so can't wait to stay there. Hope you are all well!

Yes, the scary clown pool Maybe it could use a refurb.

Poly has the biggest studio on property, bigger than OKW and with 1.5 baths, it allows a family of 5 to get ready more efficiently than any other studio on property dvc or standard room.

I was ready for a meltdown when I saw the notification of your video: thank you soooo much for such lovely diversion. I'm praying for my 90 year old Dad and your Mom! God Bless You for all you do for us! --Susan

Loved this, I wish we could have a 40 minute video every day especially with spreadsheets!!

Watching this year's later cause we are staying at poly in a few weeks and never have before. I love how staying at a resort can make youoverlookk the negatives. I was always like ehh copper creek, and then we stayed there and I was like we need to but here immediately. And Riveria was kind-of that for you.

Jenn- I understand the concept of no toilet no bathroom because I live in an OLD trailer, the second bathroom a dinky afterthought of a space that is also a "laundry room" & there is no room to swing even a small cat. Its second bedroom is really a closet with a space for a closet that has the fuse box in it, which means the space is not safe to hang clothes in. The video was delightful, always enjoy getting your observations and experiences. Question: If you were not a DVC member which resort would you choose to stay in, Deluxe, moderate or value? Would that be different if your family were along or if it was just you and Scott?

Our home resort is Animal Kingdom

In my opinion this is the BEST video comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each DVC. Thank you.

I'd love an updated version of this video!

Great GREAT vid! Extremely insightful

'We're spreadsheet'n it up ya'll!' 😂

Great video ! and your sense of humor is the best!

Your love of toilets shone through in this video 😂. Thank you for some great informative content in this weird/crazy time x

For what it's worth, I think Stormalong Bay is great for littles and those who are not yet swimming! There is the zero entry sand bottom person I which is perfect for that she group. They have all sizes of life jackets available. This is assuming if your child is not yet swimming, you would be right there with them anyway - there lifeguards are also very attentive. Loved it there!

Just stayed at Saratoga Springs, loved it. It is an easy walk to Disney Springs. This alone was really nice.

Great video rating all of these WONDERFUL resorts. We are heading to Disneys Vero Beach very soon!

We stayed at Riviera in February. It was amazing! If I could afford the points there i would buy there tomorrow. Thanks for the video it was great

I agree completely--if it doesn't have a toilet, it doesn't count as a bathroom. The only DVC resort we've ever stayed at was BWV, the time we rented from another TGMer. While we loved it there, I guess I discovered on that vacation that I'm a value resort kind of girl. It's all good, though--if we all liked the same thing, what a boring world it would be. Loved the video, Jen! Hugs, Kim

Nice, honest reviews! I wish it made sense for my family to invest in the DVC, but we usually stay in Moderate or Value Resorts

Thanks for all your hard work you put in this vlog.❤👍👏 Our home resort is Boardwalk and enjoyed being a member since 1998. Thanks again for your enthusiastic vlogs keep up the great job.❤👍😍

This makes my brain explode. I feel like IF we ever bought DVC, we’d buy at the Riviera or one of the Monorail Loop Resorts.

wow you read my mind! I was looking a video about this!

Jen Lefforge- thank you! Just seeing this video title pop up made me smile! Like so many - we are trying to make the best of figuring out homeschooling pre-school, kindergarten and 5th grade all at once. This video was especially heartwarming, as we were within days of pulling the trigger on an 100 hundred point direct add on for OKW...and then the world changed. Thank you for reminding me the DVC’s aren’t gone, they just stepped away for a minute ♥️

"I need toilets" - 😂

Great breakdown! I am with you on the toilet situation. Huge selling point for BLT and Kidani. We own at OKW too, huge rooms and amazing point chart there. Plus it’s relaxation personified!

Has anyone else noticed that Kermit in the background looks absolutely horrified?! lol! Great recap, Jen, thank you! I rented points for a studio (just hubby and me) at AKL - Kidani and the Poly (!!!) for September this year (here's hoping.... :( ). Really can't wait, these look beautiful!

Got some great info about DVC resorts and a home workout in watching this video, thanks Jen!

Wow! You are killing it with your research on this one! Thanks for the great info and much needed daily Disney distraction!

We had a great time at Art of Animation and can deal with one bathroom and small room size. I really like the Poly for theming, amenities, location and price. It looks like we could buy 100 points and stay every year for 5 weekdays during much of the year. Am I right to say that that’s the only DVC option that you can do that? If so, that’s very attractive for us. Maybe we can upgrade later, especially if we have a third kid or when they get older. But Poly with 100 points seems a great “entry level” DVC buy in.

We own Animal Kingdom. It is far but the extra toilets sealed the deal lol

This was great! We’re not DVC but we have rented so it was cool to hear the grading system...side note....I announced to my husband...” I’ll be in the kitchen watching Jen Laforge and making dinner! 🤣 glad you’ll be putting out new videos everyday! Stay well!

Oh my goodness this video is GOLD! Truly agree 100% with everything you said, thank you for doing this!

Hahaha! The scary clown pool😂 2016 my boys and I were there. My youngest son,(17 at the time )spent hours on the slide

Such an informative video! I couldn't for the life of me research all of these resorts. I can't even wrap my head around the points chart when trying to book rooms😂

A lot of folks have the misconception that AKL is far away from everything. It’s not. Yes, you have to drive or take a bus, but distance it is not. AKL distance to Hollywood Studios 4.2 miles. BLT (Contemporary) is 7.4 miles. AKL to Epcot is 5.5, BLT to Epcot 4.5, and Wilderness Lodge is 4 miles. AKL to AK is 1 mile. BLT to AK is 6.5 miles. It’s really not that far to EPCOT. AKL just looks far on a map, but in reality, distance wise, it’s not. It is far from Magic Kingdom. Yes, mode of transportation is bus or car. However, I will say, the buses are very reliable at AKL than everywhere else I’ve stayed at.

1996 synchronized swimming for USA won gold 😍 I know this because I saw that and said I HAVE TO LEARN TO DO THAT lol

The one restaurant you forgot at the Grand Floridians the the Grand Floridian Cafe. Also great!

I absolutely love Saratoga . I’m weird I loved the old rooms before the refurbishment. Food situation I thought horrible. Old Key west absolutely love except the busses( mother of god!). Boardwalk nice but I wasn’t overwhelmed. Beach club, my daughter and me spend 4 hours a day in those pools! Location. Food. It’s everything! Copper creek waaayyy to small rooms! Boulder ridge Love. The pools so much more quiet. The cabins right outside and great food choices. Contemporary is starting to interest me....... so happy I found your channel! Fair and balanced and you tell it like it is! I love it!!!!!

Loved this and all your videos. Thank you! We were renting points at BLT for THIS week. Our first DVC resort stay. Wah! We are very grateful that we got rebooked for the fall. Highly considering purchasing a resale contract and this info is amazing. My hubby and I are both very analytical. He'll find this helpful when the time comes. The kids and I keep saying "Dad hasn't said no yet." Haha!

Love this video Jen, very helpful to a new DVC owner.

I love this! Very good for my addonitis - which may never happen but it's fun to think about.

Truly living for this content. Thank you, Jen!

Thanks so much for this Information. Very helpful when trying to decide if DVC is a good choice and which resort to choose.

With regards to the resale restriction, as per the POS resale points at Riviera are only able to be used at Riviera (it specifies that they can't be used at future resorts). Really enjoyed this video! Always interesting to see other people's views on the various resorts.

Yay! You are lifting my spirits. Thank you sooooooo much.

My husband and I just went through this. We were between Animal Kingdom Villas and Bay Lake Tower. The Cotemporary is our home but AKV is a great value. In the end we decided on BLT. The location and atmosphere we are sacrificing on. We will have to alternate between 1 bedrooms and studios. But a studio with a theme park view I feel is ok in the alternate years! Lol. Our resale contract should be sent to Disneu this week. I'm hoping they don't exercise ROFR like they did last year. 🤞

Jen, You made this on my birthday. Sadly, my birthday trip was crushed by the horror. My favorite place is Jambo House. Our last trip we stayed at the Beach Club the previous January and we miss the AKL. The better transportation does not make up for the positive traits at AKL.

For us...I like the studios that sleep 5...like Boulder Ridge and Poly. It is tight space with that many in a studio..but for a trip that is only a few days and most of your time may be spent at the parks..it's a better value. We took our son (12), godson (22), and his girlfriend for two nights and Poly was GREAT!

Such a fun video Jen and made me think about of all the things I love (or not) about these resorts! I do recommend you stay at Riviera sometime and check it out, even though it is more points. We stayed there over Christmas and absolutely loved it and Topolinos is amazing!!

You are a true gem! Thanks for the daily videos!,

This was an awesome video. I am seriously considering a DVC membership and this answered A Lot of questions I had!

I just found your vlog. You do an awesome job. You remind me of ‘Grace’ from Will &Grace, you have such an expressive face and a lovely smile. Many years ago I bought at Beach Club Villas after doing tons of research, only to fall in love with Kidani when I was ‘Forced’ to stay there one year. I sold my DVC contract for the beach club, for 12 dollars more a point then I bought it for (sold in 2016). I am now shopping for an AKL contract. Your videos have been so helpful.

Totally with you on the toilet situations.... wish when they refurbished OKW would have added one to a 1 bed!

Great video. I really like hearing about the DVC properties even though I am not interested in purchasing, I think I will add a couple of them to our hotel tours we take while we are on vacation. We really like visiting other resorts just to break up the park days with something a little different.

What a great video! Wish I had come across it sooner. Just wondering why you did not mention the Golf Course in Amenities for SSR and maybe OKW (for closeness to Clubhouse at SSR). You get a DVC discount there and it is very convenient to get to when you stay at either Resort. Also, you could have mentioned the tennis courts

I’m drinking wine and chatting with you as you talk. You’re not necessarily answering me but it feels ok.♥️

I don't know how I missed this. Great overview. By the way I did go to the GF Spa in 2003. Loved it and can't wait to go back.

Wow!!!!!!!! What a boatload of info! Kudos to you for this video!!!!

not working so I am tuning in right now with a cold seltzer... I am thankful for you during this time.

I have my 180 booking window next week. I'm having this weird guilt about booking when so many are having to cancel their current vacations. This whole situation is so wild. Thank you for making these videos! A great distraction that we all need.

Love you and all your content Jen- thank you for brightening my day! 💕

i love this video!! i love research as well so this was so so interesting. thank you!!

Thank you for the video! Looking forward to your daily posts.

Enjoyed this “history” of dVC ranking very much

This was epic! Perfect for my 45 minute long drive home. Thanks for your hard work and research 😁

Now that we are buying a house it occurred to me that my next life goal can be buying into DVC. So excited to obsess over this now! Thanks, Jen!!!!!

A lot of good information. Thank you

Great video! I love your method. This video also makes me really wish we were in wdw right now! 😭 Soon enough though. Thanks Jen!

Topics: Best DVC resorts for toddlers, teens, adults, singles, geriatric people, newlyweds?

I think eyes get big for some on DVC. We did 90 points per year at OKW and mostly stay at OKW or Boardwalk each year.. And if we skip a year we have 180 to work with without borrowing. I would never compare a 2 bedroom DVC home away from home to a couple rooms at Port Orleans when talking $ because if one is to forgo a 2 bedroom and go with a studio, you can get 3 studio room reservations for the same points as a two bedroom per night... so that would be a fair comparison. Also the savings on annual passes lets us get what (feels like) a free vacation every other year. We get the same annual pass that is available to FL residents being with DVC.. Example: If we go in April the year we get the Annual passes (nearly the cost of a 7 day hopper pass)... The following year if we go in Feb or Mar, we dont need to purchase tickets and like always.... use our points for the room..."Feels Free" Annual Dues are on auto pilot each month at $58.80 for 2020. Nothing can save you more at Disney for staying in top resorts for the the price of value resorts once your initial purchase is paid for, and your points match a typical room you would get without DVC. If your eyes get big and you get points to stay in a 2 bedroom when you normally stay at moderate resort room, then the math may not work out for you... If you normally drop thousands for rack rate as a non DVC member to get a 2 bedroom home at Disney World then getting points for a two bedroom will definitely work in your favor. This is our delayed, but feels free year (if i dont cancel), but I have 5 nights 6 days at Boardwalk for the Flower and Garden at Epcot. The points are 14 per night so I used 70 of my 90 points.. So in dues you could say this will cost me 140 per night, but try and find a 5 night room only stay at any Disney World resort and see if it would compare to the Boardwalk and I have 20 points left over for my next vacation.. DVC is always a win win if you frequently go to Disney World are are able to buy just the amount of point needed to take the same vacation/accommodations you would normally take before getting into DVC. I think the newer 'resale' restrictions make it harder but i still see DVC as amazing

We lucked out and got a value studio at akl. Our view was great!!! We had a view of the savanna

Loved this video! First of all, thank you for producing these videos to give us a sense of normalcy in all the craziness that is going on. I feel like you are a good friend and look forward to all your videos. We are owners at Saratoga Springs. One of the things you didn't mention was the option to stay at the Treehouses. We stayed there back when the number of points needed was the same as a two bedroom, and we loved it. Unfortunately, they rearranged the points and it's too many points to stay there now, so the value has gone down. You also didn't mention that you can walk from SS to Disney Springs, which is huge! There are so many dining options now that the lack of dining options at SS in not a problem. I also just found out that you can walk from SS to OKW, so you can easily get to Olivia's, which is one of my favorite restaurants on Disney property, so that's a benefit. There are two tiers at SS, one to be close to the main building, the other farther away. We always request the Grandstand area, which is the lower tier, but is within easy walking distance of the main building and the boat to Disney Springs, and is the first bus stop to drop off at night (which is great when you stay til closing at MK and are exhausted!). We usually try to stay elsewhere, because of the location, but last August we stayed at SS on a kind of a weird trip. Our annual passes had expired and we didn't want to renew them yet, so we actually went to WDW without park passes! The NSSHP had started, so we bought passes to that, and because DVC members could get in at 2pm, we virtually had a full day pass to Magic Kingdom (2pm - 12am). We also went to Animal Kingdom for Moonlight Magic, which was free, from 6pm to midnight, and included a meal voucher and unlimited snacks!. The only other park we actually bought a one day ticket for was Epcot, because we wanted to see the old Future World before the change. It was a very relaxing trip, because the rest of the time we woke up whenever we wanted and spent time at the pool and Disney Springs. This is NOT normal for us Disney fanatics! My daughter and I have reservations at SS this November over the Veterans Day week. We are going to go on the waitlist for Boardwalk and Polynesian, and are really torn over which we hope we get. We love the Boardwalk for the proximity to Epcot (F&W festival, duh!) and to Hollywood Studios (we haven't seen the new Star Wars land yet, and are concerned about the Rise of the Resistance boarding group fiasco), but my daughter really wants to stay at the Polynesian. We'll see what happens. Since there will be a lot of pent up demand we may not get any waitlisted rooms. I TOTALLY agree with you about the number of toilets!!! When my husband and son come with us, and we get a two bedroom, this is critical!! My daughter and I were laughing hysterically when you were discussing this. I hope you and your husband are doing OK with this government shutdown of transportation. My husband is in the mortgage industry and we have had many many ups and downs over the years, so I can commiserate. "This too shall pass." Thank you again for your upbeat videos. Keep it up!

Great analysis Jen! Maybe give the grades number values to determine the winners in purposes of rankings. So difficult choosing a favorite but definitely helpful!

So much great information!!

Hi Jen! Great video as always - I totally understand what you mean when you say you like AKL because you need more toilets having 5 people in your family - but as a family of 3 girls I still appreciate the rooms that have a second shower for when we need to get ready to go!

Great review. I have never thought about old key west because of it location and size. Last time we were at BC but missed a true quick service. Location was good but I agree the room was micro small for us...a couple plus an adult son. My favorite is the AK but I prefer JH. Out last stay at Kidani had a endless walk to the lobby but we had three bathrooms in a two bedroom. I have been looking to buy at AK but I have issues with my wife. We will see... anyway, thanks for your review.

Great video Jen. My family has been doing 2 BR stays at Old Key West for a few years and we figured it would at least be worth looking into DVC. One question I had was about expiration dates there, which you dealt with personally. Can you buy contracts with the 2042 and 2057 expiration dates on the resale market? I assume you can but 2057 is likely harder to find. Is that why you chose to buy direct from Disney for Old Key West? I’m aware of the perks only being available when purchasing direct from Disney, but what are the differences specifically related to buying Old Key West resale vs. direct? How does price compare? I assume Disney charges more than the typical resale rate, but I don’t know if it’s closer to Old Key West resale or to the “current” DVC properties (Riviera, Copper Creek). I assume the benefit from doing this is you get the perks and the 2057 expiration. What am I missing? Thanks for the info!

Yes yes yes! You’re the best! Great information too!

"Thank you for the toilets Bay Lake Tower" 😂😂😂😂. I have a husband and three kids and I can verify that two toilets are essential!!!

It would be rather 'mathy' but it would be interesting to compare the points for each DVC during different times of year, especially with the new points change for 2021. For example is the wilderness lodge as much value during Christmas time, or Beach Club and Riviera during big Epcot festivals, or BLT during spring break and Christmas.

You don’t go on and on, you’re very helpful. thank you😉

Hey, first time watcher and enjoyed the video. I actually think your rating of the Riviera Resort might be unfair, at least in evaluating studio accommodations. Here's why; while I agree with your statement "a bathroom isn't a bathroom unless it has two toilets", the split bathroom with a seperate shower and shower/bath is great to avoid the juggernaut of getting ready and walking out the door in the morning. If you then look at all the studio villas, 3 resorts have that advantage; the Polynesian, the Grand Floridian and the Riviera. Of those 3 resorts, the Riviera is the least expensive. Furthermore, the Riviera offers a pull-down Murphy Bed with a regular mattress rather then a pull-out coach. The Riviera is the only DVC resort to offer that at least in the studios. Also, the refrigerator in the Riviera has a small freezer compartment. That's great for ice packs. I find that advantage to be a nessecery item since you no longer can bring ice in coolers into the parks. How else are you going to be able to keep a portable cooler cold with a frozen ice pack? The only other solution is to bring a big cooler, put your previously frozen ice packs in the cooler and schlep out to an ice machine every night to refill the big cooler - BIG HASSLE!!!! As far as location, since the Riviera is connected to the skyliner, it's just as convenient to Epcot and Hollywood Studios as are the Crescent Lake dvc resorts. In fact, the skyliner would always be available whereas you may be waiting quite a while for one of the friendship boats on Crescent Lake. Now if you're Magic Kingdom crazy, then you'd truly need to stay at a monorail resort. However, if you think a Hollywood Studios/Epcot connection is a good or acceptable trade off for a Magic Kingdom/Epcot transportation system, Riviera works out great. Now mind you, I'm not a dvc owner and will only be renting points. I hope I'll be able to snatch up a reservation at Riviera. I'm not in the 11 month window yet and there's not a lot of owners with available Riviera points yet, but I have my fingers crossed.

I love this video! Are you going to give Boardwalk a new grade now that Pennywise is gone?? :)

I have been trying to get my husband to have us purchase DVC for many many years. I am hoping to get him across the line in the next few years.... ;)

I fully support your opinion that if it doesn't have a toilet it's not a bathroom.

Great video, Jen! Looking forward to seeing all the videos you have planned! Also, how in the world do they consider it a bathroom without a toilet?!

I only visit every few years so wouldn’t buy at DVC but enjoyed this just for the rating categories in case I want to choose as a hotel. Thanks for the extensive info.

Hey Jen - We are brand new to your channel and we are HOOKED. We are SOOOOO grateful for your incredibly informative vlogs. When you were discussing Animal Kingdom, you mentioned "pool hopping" privileges that DVC members get? It is our understanding that DVC members no longer area allowed to "pool hop" between DVC resorts? Can you explain what you meant?